Luo Zheng

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Luo Zheng (罗正)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Pine Wind Martial Hall; Luo Family Pharmacy; Azure Sun Sect of Haixing Prefecture
Occupation/Role	Former Second Senior Brother of Pine Wind Martial Hall; martial-arts instructor; medicine-delivery escort and recruiter; Azure Sun Sect disciple
Status	Great Completion Transforming Force martial artist; pursuing a breakthrough to Core Formation
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Power Progression

Realm	Timing	Details
Dark Force	By Chapter 20	As an established Dark Force martial artist, Luo Zheng could defeat Bright Force Li Chuan with a single light palm strike and guide him in practical combat training. 20
Transforming Force	Before Chapter 217	Yu Sinian later reports that Luo Zheng had already broken through to Transforming Force by the time Yu Sinian arrived, before subsequently joining the Azure Sun Sect in Haixing Prefecture. 217
Great Completion of Transforming Force	By Chapter 241	Luo Zheng is later revealed to have been stuck at Great Completion of Transforming Force for more than three years. His weak root bone makes the transition to Core Formation extremely difficult, and he cannot afford the Realm-Breaking Pill that might assist his breakthrough. 241
Core Formation	Not confirmed by Chapter 248	Li Chuan gives Luo Zheng a Realm-Breaking Pill worth 28,000 taels, allowing him to hope for a breakthrough, but Luo Zheng’s actual advancement is not yet confirmed. 248

Background / History

Luo Zheng is the square-faced Second Senior Brother of Pine Wind Martial Hall and the eldest son of the Luo Family Pharmacy. When Liang Hangzhou is absent, he teaches the hall’s disciples in his stead. He initially holds a poor opinion of Li Chuan because of Li Chuan’s earlier neglect of martial training and lavish spending on Jiang Ting. 5

During his first recorded class, Luo Zheng teaches the hall’s foundational Through-Arm Fist. He emphasizes that martial arts exist to kill, demonstrating attacks to the throat, heart, tendons, and ribs while teaching students never to let an opponent predict their next move. 5

He notices Li Chuan and Qin Feng’s unusually quick comprehension of the Through-Arm Fist despite their supposedly inferior bone structures. Although he doubts Li Chuan can reach Bright Force before the deadline, Luo Zheng begins reassessing him after seeing his discipline. 6 8

After Li Chuan reaches Bright Force, Luo Zheng offers him practical instruction, employment through the Luo Family Pharmacy, and a discreetly increased salary. He later supports Li Chuan’s attempts to advance into Dark Force, provides advice on combat, and remains one of Li Chuan’s most dependable allies within Anning County. 12 14 20

When Li Chuan reaches Dark Force, Luo Zheng and the Luo Family substantially improve his employment terms. Li Chuan nevertheless rejects Tang Xiang’s more lucrative recruitment offer out of gratitude to Luo Zheng. In return, Luo Zheng persuades his father to provide Li Chuan’s family an unused Inner City residence. 45 46 47

Luo Zheng later faces financial and family difficulties as the Luo Family becomes entangled in Anning County’s conflicts. Li Chuan supports the family in its dispute with the Gan Yun Martial Hall, arriving to fight Li Danyi when the Luo Family is facing an unfavorable agreement, and Luo Zheng openly celebrates Li Chuan’s victory. 67 72 73 74

By the time Li Chuan prepares to seek higher cultivation in Sanyuan Prefecture, the Luo Family has left Anning County. Li Chuan regards Luo Zheng’s departure as an opportunity for him to focus on martial cultivation rather than family affairs. Before leaving, Luo Zheng gives Li Chuan one thousand taels of silver from the Luo Family’s remaining three thousand taels, deepening Li Chuan’s desire to someday repay him. 90 91 217

Luo Zheng later breaks through to Transforming Force and joins the Azure Sun Sect in Haixing Prefecture. There, his weak root bone and limited resources impede his progress. By the time Li Chuan learns of him, Luo Zheng has been stuck at Great Completion of Transforming Force for more than three years and cannot afford the Realm-Breaking Pill required to improve his chances of reaching Core Formation. 217 241

When Li Chuan and the Heavenly Blade Sect delegation arrive at the Azure Sun Sect, Luo Zheng and Luo Weiyuan recognize the famous chief disciple as their former acquaintance. Luo Zheng initially lowers his head and tries to avoid being noticed, feeling uncertain about how to face Li Chuan after their difference in status has become so great. Li Chuan instead approaches him familiarly, and their old friendship is quickly restored. 247 248

Luo Zheng refuses to ask Li Chuan for a Realm-Breaking Pill, despite Luo Weiyuan’s hopes that their connection might aid the family. After their reunion, Li Chuan quietly sends Yan Zheng to deliver the pill and silver notes to Luo Zheng. The gift gives Luo Zheng a genuine chance to attempt the breakthrough to Core Formation and strengthens the Luo Family’s position against the Liu Family. 248

Appearance

Luo Zheng has a square face and is first seen in a black training suit while instructing Pine Wind Martial Hall’s disciples. 5

• Carries himself as an experienced senior disciple and martial instructor.
• Is ordinarily careful about his appearance, though family difficulties later leave him visibly tired and unshaven. 67
• Uses a patterned wooden token to enter Anning County’s Inner City. 44
• Appears older and more composed after several years in Haixing Prefecture, though Li Chuan still immediately recognizes him despite the changes. 248

Personality

Luo Zheng is straightforward, sociable, and inclined to make friends across social boundaries. His uncle notes that he has recommended several martial-hall disciples to the Luo Family’s delivery team, even though most proved unreliable. 14 18

He values caution, loyalty, and practical judgment. He approves when Li Chuan rejects the dangerous Iron Tiger Gang position despite needing money, and later warns him not to let friendship become a means of coercion when considering employment offers. 14 45

His loyalty to Li Chuan is genuine rather than transactional. He gives Li Chuan resources without demanding explanations, supports him against their fellow disciples, and risks conflict with his father to secure housing for Li Chuan’s family. 40 46

Luo Zheng also continues supporting Li Chuan when doing so brings no immediate benefit to his family, including paying Li Chuan while he prepares for the Martial Exam and later using his own standing to petition the Pill Hall for Blood-Strengthening Pills. 50 79

Luo Zheng is also prideful about his position as Second Senior Brother. After barely defeating the newly advanced Li Chuan in a spar, he privately resolves to train harder rather than accept being surpassed. 43

Despite his own difficult circumstances, Luo Zheng remains selfless and does not measure friendship by profit. After reuniting with Li Chuan in Haixing Prefecture, he refuses to ask for a Realm-Breaking Pill, believing that their old friendship should not be exploited for personal gain. 241 248

Abilities & Skills

Transforming Force Cultivation

Luo Zheng was an established Dark Force martial artist during Li Chuan’s early cultivation, placing him well above Bright Force disciples such as Li Chuan at the time of their early sparring. A light palm strike sends Li Chuan flying into a wooden post. 20

Yu Sinian later reports that Luo Zheng advanced to Transforming Force before leaving for the Azure Sun Sect in Haixing Prefecture. Later information establishes that Luo Zheng eventually reached Great Completion of Transforming Force, although his breakthrough to Core Formation remains unconfirmed. 217 241 248

• Could decisively overpower Bright Force opponents in direct exchanges during his time at Dark Force. 20
• Had sufficient control to guide Li Chuan through combat responses hand-in-hand. 20
• Ranked 69th in the previous Martial Exam. 30
• Reached Great Completion of Transforming Force but remained blocked by his weak root bone and lack of resources. 241
• Requires a Realm-Breaking Pill to improve his chances of entering Core Formation. 241 248

Through-Arm Fist

Luo Zheng teaches Pine Wind Martial Hall’s signature Through-Arm Fist and demonstrates its lethal, adaptable applications. 5

• Throat-Piercing Heart-Lock — shifts from a throat strike to a heart attack, exploiting an opponent’s defense. 5
• Arm-Entangling Tendon-Severing — an entangling style aimed at disabling the opponent’s limbs. 5
• Rib-Breaking Mountain-Cleaving — a heavy-strike style targeting the ribs. 5
• Instructs disciples to avoid solid defenses, attack openings, and make responses instinctive rather than relying on rigid sequences. 5 20

Luo Family Secret Technique

During his spar with Li Chuan, Luo Zheng uses Tendon-Severing Bone-Dislocating Style to force Li Chuan back and preserve his victory. 43

• Its high-intensity use allows him to overcome Li Chuan’s fierce, Great Completion Through-Arm Fist. 43
• The exertion leaves Luo Zheng pale and coughing blood after the match. 43

Equipment / Items

• Inner City token — a patterned wooden plaque used to pass the guarded entrance to Anning County’s Inner City. 44
• Five-Poison Powder — provides Li Chuan with a colorless, odorless powder capable of incapacitating Bright Force martial artists, trusting him without demanding the full reason. 40
• Realm-Breaking Pill — receives a pill from Li Chuan after their reunion in Haixing Prefecture. The pill is worth 28,000 taels and may help Luo Zheng break through from Great Completion of Transforming Force to Core Formation. 248

Relationships

• Li Chuan — Junior brother, employer, and close friend. Luo Zheng’s initial disapproval turns into mentorship and steadfast support; Li Chuan later rejects a better offer out of gratitude to him. Luo Zheng gives Li Chuan one thousand taels before departing Anning County. Years later, they reunite in Haixing Prefecture as old friends, and Li Chuan repays Luo Zheng’s kindness by providing a Realm-Breaking Pill and silver without being asked. 5 14 45 217 241 248
• Luo Houping — Uncle and senior member of the Luo Family medicine-delivery operation. Luo Houping initially doubts Luo Zheng’s recommendations but comes to value Li Chuan’s decisiveness. 14 18
• Luo Weiyuan — Father and head of the Luo Family. Luo Zheng argues with him to obtain an Inner City residence for Li Chuan’s family. Years later, Luo Weiyuan hopes their connection to Li Chuan can help Luo Zheng obtain a Realm-Breaking Pill, but Luo Zheng refuses to ask for one. 46 241 248
• Liang Hangzhou — Master of Pine Wind Martial Hall. Luo Zheng serves under him as the hall’s Second Senior Brother and instructor. 5 7
• Qin Feng — Fellow disciple and former acquaintance. Luo Zheng recognizes Qin Feng’s exceptional comprehension early, but Qin Feng later repeatedly targets Luo Zheng over his friendship with Li Chuan. 6 37
• Tang Xiang — Eldest Senior Brother and rival within the martial hall. Their disagreements intensify when Luo Zheng supports Li Chuan against Tang Xiang’s faction. 22 38
• Li Chuan’s family — Luo Zheng helps relocate them to an Inner City courtyard after Li Chuan chooses loyalty to the Luo Family over Tang Xiang’s recruitment. 46 47
• Yu Sinian — A former acquaintance who later informs Li Chuan that Luo Zheng had reached Transforming Force and joined the Azure Sun Sect in Haixing Prefecture. 217
• Yan Zheng — Azure Sun Sect disciple who acts as Li Chuan’s messenger and delivers the Realm-Breaking Pill and silver notes to Luo Zheng. 248
• Azure Sun Sect — Luo Zheng’s later sect in Haixing Prefecture. He joins after leaving Anning County and remains there while pursuing the difficult transition from Transforming Force to Core Formation. 217 241 247

Story Role / Major Arcs

Pine Wind Martial Hall Instructor

Luo Zheng introduces and teaches the Through-Arm Fist while acting as Liang Hangzhou’s substitute. His early criticism of Li Chuan changes into recognition after witnessing Li Chuan’s diligence and talent for comprehension. 5 6 8

Luo Family Pharmacy Patron

After Li Chuan becomes a Bright Force practitioner, Luo Zheng recruits him into the Luo Family Pharmacy’s escort operation. He quietly supplements Li Chuan’s salary and gives him access to work, training resources, and advice. 14 15

Li Chuan’s Advocate

Luo Zheng supports Li Chuan through his Dark Force breakthrough, offers him better employment, and defends him against ridicule from Tang Xiang, Qin Feng, and Jiang Ting. 37 38 45

Inner City Residence

After Li Chuan refuses Tang Xiang’s offer, Luo Zheng convinces Luo Weiyuan to provide an unused Inner City residence for Li Chuan’s family, resolving Li Chuan’s concern for their safety. 46 47

Luo Family Crisis

When the Luo Family faces pressure from rival forces, Luo Zheng becomes visibly strained but continues supporting Li Chuan. Li Chuan later risks himself in the Luo Family’s conflict with Gan Yun Martial Hall, earning the family’s deeper recognition. 67 72 73 74

Departure and Later Advancement

Following the Luo Family’s withdrawal from Anning County, Luo Zheng gives Li Chuan a substantial portion of the family’s remaining funds before departing. He later advances to Transforming Force and joins the Azure Sun Sect in Haixing Prefecture. 90 91 217

At the Azure Sun Sect, Luo Zheng reaches Great Completion of Transforming Force but remains stuck for more than three years because of his weak root bone and the high cost of a Realm-Breaking Pill. His stalled cultivation places him in a difficult position despite his earlier status as a leading martial artist in Anning County. 241

Reunion in Haixing Prefecture

Luo Zheng reunites with Li Chuan when the latter arrives at the Azure Sun Sect as the Heavenly Blade Sect’s chief disciple. Although Luo Zheng initially feels embarrassed by the difference in their status and tries to avoid recognition, Li Chuan treats him as the same old friend. Their reunion restores their former easygoing bond. 247 248

Luo Zheng refuses to request assistance, but Li Chuan sends him a Realm-Breaking Pill and silver notes through Yan Zheng. The gift gives Luo Zheng the opportunity to attempt Core Formation and represents Li Chuan’s repayment of the kindness he received years earlier. 248

Notable Quotes

“Martial arts is a technique for killing!” 5

“Never let your opponent guess what you are about to do.” 20

“If there is anything you do not understand, you can come and ask me. As for the payment... treating me to a bowl of noodles from your family's shop will suffice.” 20

Trivia

• Luo Zheng took an hour to reach the entry level of the Through-Arm Fist, which makes Qin Feng’s and Li Chuan’s rapid comprehension particularly striking to him. 5 6
• He has a wife and a concubine, and was preparing to take a second concubine when he urged Li Chuan to consider marriage. 23
• Luo Zheng has a five-year-old son. 30
• Luo Zheng is familiar enough with the Inner City to introduce Li Chuan to its rules, security, and elite restaurants. 44
• He is unable to afford the 28,000-tael Realm-Breaking Pill needed to improve his chances of entering Core Formation until Li Chuan later gives him one. 241 248
• Despite being separated from Li Chuan for years, Luo Zheng continues to regard their friendship as separate from profit and refuses to exploit it for personal gain. 241 248