Chen Jing

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Chen Jing (陈景)
Alias(es)	Seventh Personal Disciple of Lianshan Martial Arts Hall; Wind-Catching Scout; Eighth-Rank Green-Clad Officer; Purple-Clad Officer; Lead Investigator; “Butcher”; Bai Family Guest Elder 28 83 137 139 197 221 229
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male 27
Affiliation	Lianshan Martial Arts Hall; Six Gates; Six Gates Anti-Theft Bureau of Jin City; Bai Family Medicine Shop; Bashu Medicine Shop 28 83 137 197 220
Occupation/Role	Pig butcher; martial artist; Six Gates investigator and officer; East Market security overseer 39 71 139 198
Status	Alive; cultivates Blood-Qi Aperture Condensation, the Extraordinary Meridians, and the Great Sun Visualization Method’s spirit-refining path 241 251
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique — Minor Accomplishment	2	Awakens the Butcher talent, initially increasing blade speed while wielding a pig-slaughtering knife.
Body Tempering — Beginner	6	Begins formal martial cultivation through the Fierce Tiger Stance.
Body Tempering — Minor Accomplishment	12	His Fierce Tiger Stance and Basic Spear Technique reach Minor Accomplishment through militia and shop training.
Body Tempering — Entering the Hall	17	Fierce Tiger Stance, spear technique, and blade technique enter the hall; awakens Tiger Valiance.
Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique — Entering the Hall	10	Killing a bandit advances the technique and improves Butcher to grant 25% blade speed and force.
Body Tempering — Mastery	20	Fierce Tiger Stance reaches Great Accomplishment and Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique reaches Mastery.
Blood-Qi — Minor Accomplishment	34	Begins Blood-Qi cultivation through the Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord.
Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord — Minor Accomplishment	33	Fully grasps Tiger Roar Force and awakens Mountain Lord, enhancing speed and power whenever force circulates.
Body Tempering — Perfection	39	Perfected stance work raises his endurance and the efficiency of marrow-shaking fist cultivation.
Blood-Qi — Marrow Refining	50	Refines five Blood-Qi Pills to reach the Marrow Refining stage.
Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord — Mastery	50	His fist technique reaches Mastery alongside his Marrow Refining breakthrough.
Blood-Qi — Blood Exchange	62	His vitality becomes “like mercury,” allowing Hidden Force to circulate throughout his body.
Wisdom King Mountain-Suppressing Stance — Major Accomplishment	69	Simplifies the Immovable Wisdom King Stance and transforms Tiger Valiance into Wisdom King.
Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique — Perfection	79	Awakens Skillful Blade; blade speed, force, and bone-breaking attributes double.
Foundation-Nurturing Technique — Qi Accumulation	83	Establishes an internal-cultivation foundation and starts refining True Qi.
Foundation-Nurturing Technique — Two Standard Meridians	91	The Crimson Sun Snake King’s gall opens another meridian and awakens Fire-Sitting.
Demon-Sweeping Return to Origin Technique	103	Fuses the Demon-Sweeping Heart Method with the Foundation-Nurturing Technique.
Blood-Qi — Dan-Holding	111	Condenses Blood-Qi at the Shanzhong point and gains precise Hidden Force.
Internal Cultivation — Four Primary Meridians	111	Forms a Small Heavenly Circuit and gains a qualitative leap in True Qi.
Star-Chasing Moon-Catching Steps — Entering the Hall	112	Learns to move with greater silence, speed, and control.
Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique — Divine Mastery	127	Reaches the divine level during the Clear Wind Stronghold operation, further strengthening Butcher. 127
Wisdom King Mountain-Suppressing Stance — Perfection	133	Wisdom King can amplify one combat attribute by up to 500%.
Internal Cultivation — Five Primary Meridians	133	Opens the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian after obtaining the second-stage heart method.
Internal Cultivation — Six Primary Meridians	144	Opens the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian.
Internal Cultivation — Eight Primary Meridians	163	Matches Shangchuan Sect enforcement elders who have opened eight meridians.
Star-Chasing Moon-Catching Steps — Great Accomplishment	160	Chasing Stars and Catching the Moon raises movement speed and lightness by 75%.
Great Sun Visualization Method — First Threshold	160	Awakens Pure Yang, improving mental strength and insight.
Life-Slaying Blade Technique — Divine Mastery	177	The blade becomes an extension of his will; Butcher increases blade-related attributes by 300% when wielding a blade with killing intent.
Internal Cultivation — Eleven Standard Meridians	178	Opens three further meridians and approaches completion of the full Zhou Tian cycle.
Great Sun Visualization Method — Gathering Yang	178	Gains the Boiling Origin attribute through spiritual cultivation.
Blood-Qi Aperture Condensation — First Aperture	180	Uses the Great Sun Visualization Method to perceive and condense a hidden eye aperture; Mountain Lord rises to a 300% increase in speed, force, and might.
Internal Cultivation — Twelve Standard Meridians / Heavenly Circuit Perfection	181	Completes the full Heavenly Circuit, qualifying him to pursue an Extraordinary Meridians cultivation manual.
Demon-Sweeping Return to Origin Technique — Extraordinary Meridians	197	Enters cultivation of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and awakens the active Qi Burst technique.
Three Treasures Simultaneous Activation	197	Learns to combine essence, qi, and spirit bursts, achieving extraordinary temporary combat power at severe physical cost.
Tiger-Crane Twin Forms	206	Fuses the Twelve Cloud Crane Postures into his fist art, creating a style that balances the tiger form’s hardness with the crane form’s softness.
Crane Dance Across the Nine Heavens	206	Derives a new lightness skill by combining the Twelve Cloud Crane Postures with Star-Chasing Moon-Catching Steps.
Blood-Qi Aperture Condensation — Four Apertures	241	Fully tempers additional eye and ear apertures, substantially improving his sight and hearing.
Internal Cultivation — Five Extraordinary Meridians	241	Opens the Yin Heel Vessel, improving breath regulation, recovery, concealment, and soundless movement.
Icefire Treasure Physique	241	Refines the Icefire Exotic Flower and gains 300% toughness and ice-fire resistance across his body.
Great Sun Visualization Method — Mind Forging the Sun	251	Breaks through the ten-thousand-point threshold, strengthening his spirit and allowing divided attention for simultaneous tasks.
Internal Cultivation — Six Extraordinary Meridians	251	Opens the Yang Heel Vessel and advances toward complete cultivation of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Background / History

Chen Jing is a transmigrator who was found in the snow by Butcher Zhang three months before the story begins. In return for food and shelter, he performs every task around Zhang’s butcher shop, including chopping wood, boiling water, tending the stall, and eventually slaughtering pigs. He adapts quickly, seeing butchery as a dependable trade that can keep him fed wherever he goes. 1

After successfully slaughtering a pig, Chen Jing awakens the Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique and discovers that both practical butchery and independent practice increase its proficiency. His relentless work earns Butcher Zhang’s approval and establishes him as Zhang’s apprentice. 1 2

Concerned by bandit threats around Shuang'an Town, Chen Jing joins Wang Chong’s militia training while continuing to work at the butcher shop. He learns the Fierce Tiger Stance and Basic Spear Technique, then defends the injured Butcher Zhang during a bandit attack rather than pursuing personal glory. 5 6 10

Butcher Zhang later dies peacefully after completing his cultivation. Chen Jing arranges his funeral on Crouching Ox Mountain, carries on the shop’s work, and resolves to advance further in martial arts. Wang Chong subsequently brings him to Green Mountain City and introduces him to Cheng Lianshan. 20 27

Cheng Lianshan accepts Chen Jing as his seventh personal disciple after witnessing his unusually pure and advanced Fierce Tiger Stance. At Lianshan Martial Arts Hall, Chen Jing learns the Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord, gains the support of his senior brothers and sister, and begins combining martial training with paid work at a slaughterhouse. 28 31 34 39

Following his work against Clear Wind Stronghold and Shangchuan Sect, Chen Jing rises rapidly through Six Gates. His exposed identity ends his work as a secret agent, but he is promoted to Eighth-Rank Green-Clad Officer and permitted to establish a team of former Wind-Catching Scouts. 137 139 144

After completing the full Heavenly Circuit and capturing Cui Xingkong, Chen Jing is transferred from Green Mountain City to Jin City. He joins Wei Huai’s Anti-Theft Bureau as a Purple-Clad Officer and assumes responsibility for East Market security. 181 196 197 198

In Jin City, Chen Jing’s success in the Great River Gang ore-ship case and his survival against the Bashu Spear Commander, Lu Yunqiao, make him famous throughout Bashu. Storytellers and martial artists begin calling him the “Butcher” and the foremost member of Bashu’s younger generation. 215 220 221

Appearance

Chen Jing is a tall, straight-backed young man with regular, handsome features. His martial training broadens his shoulders, strengthens his frame, and gives him an upright, steady bearing. 27 34

• His stance-trained posture is compared to a White Wax Pole planted firmly in the ground. 27
• He commonly wears coarse working clothes while slaughtering pigs, with a butcher knife at his waist. 39
• His senior brothers provide fitted black martial clothing, which emphasizes his broad shoulders and narrow waist. 34
• As a Green-Clad Officer, he wears an azure official robe, black leather belt, standard horizontal blade, and keeps the Butcher Knife at the small of his back. 140
• As a Purple-Clad Officer in Jin City, he wears an authentic purple official robe; his youth and refined features often cause people to underestimate his rank and strength at first sight. 197 200
• Refining the Icefire Exotic Flower makes his physique vastly tougher without making it visibly rigid, giving his skin the resilience of exceptionally hardened hide. 241

Personality

Chen Jing is practical, diligent, and unusually adaptable. He accepts the harsh circumstances of his new life rather than lamenting them, initially treating butchery as a survival skill and later using it as both income and martial training. 1 39

He pursues improvement with methodical intensity. His typical routines combine stance work, fist training, blade practice, butchery, internal cultivation, medicinal refinement, and visualization, often at the cost of sleep or leisure. 11 82 177

Despite his rapid growth, Chen Jing generally remains composed and cautious. He refuses to accuse Zhou Fan without evidence, prepares carefully before challenging stronger opponents, and uses investigation, planning, and terrain to supplement direct force. 42 62 78

In combat and interrogation, he can be severe and ruthless. He dismembers enemies, intimidates prisoners for intelligence, and shows little mercy toward bandits or collaborators once their guilt is established. 65 79 139 170

As his official responsibilities expand, Chen Jing remains direct and results-oriented. He delegates routine administrative work to reliable subordinates so that he can focus on investigations and cultivation, while accepting responsibility for dangerous cases himself. 198 221 229

He is also willing to revise his judgment when evidence demands it. During the investigation into Chu Cangyuan’s death, he questions the apparent case against Zheng Xinglong rather than accepting a convenient explanation shaped by factional interests. 229

Abilities & Skills

Blade Arts

Chen Jing’s original Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique develops from a trade skill into a lethal martial art. He later employs the Life-Slaying Blade Technique, which tempers killing intent and reaches Divine Mastery. 79 127 170 177

• Butcher — When wielding a blade with killing intent, increases blade speed, force, penetration, Skillful Blade, and killing-intent attributes by 300%. 177 242
• Skillful Blade — Improves precision and makes durable bodies and flesh easier to cut apart. 79 96
• Bone-Breaking — Applies explosive chopping force capable of cleanly severing bone. 20
• Penetration — Allows his blade force to cut through ordinary Blood-Qi and True-Qi defenses unless confronted by particularly advanced hard-body cultivation. 190
• His blade arts gain proficiency particularly quickly through killing opponents, though such encounters are dangerous. 89 100
• He commonly fights with a Black Gold Blade and his shorter Butcher Knife together, using the former for direct exchanges and the latter to sever tendons, joints, and other vulnerable points. 190 218

Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord

A fist art created from Cheng Lianshan’s military experience and martial insights, combining cultivation forms with practical combat applications. It later forms the foundation of Chen Jing’s Tiger-Crane Twin Forms. 31 34 206

• Uses Tiger Roar Force to send Blood-Qi and force into the marrow. 31 33
• Provides aggressive stances such as Descending Mountain, Patrolling Mountain, Tail Whip, and Claw-Flipping. 32 54 163
• Mountain Lord initially raises speed, strength, and imposing might while he channels fist force; after his first aperture condensation, these attributes rise by 300%. 160 180
• At Dan-Holding, he can condense his Blood-Qi and release Hidden Force with highly concentrated power. 111 112
• The form evolves into the Tiger-Crane Twin Forms, combining the tiger’s force and directness with the crane’s agility, softness, and adaptability. 206 242

Wisdom King Mountain-Suppressing Stance

A stance art Chen Jing derives from the Immovable Wisdom King Stance. It becomes one of his primary defensive and explosive combat methods. 67 69

• Wisdom King can magnify one chosen attribute—strength, speed, perception, or bone-breaking—by up to 500%. 133 242
• He uses it to evade attacks, boost acceleration, withstand powerful strikes, and overpower stronger opponents. 100 105 152
• The talent focuses on only one attribute at a time. 133
• When combined with Blood-Qi circulation, it can temporarily harden his musculature and frame enough to endure devastating impacts and explosions. 151 238

Internal Cultivation

Chen Jing first learns the Foundation-Nurturing Technique, then merges it with the Demon-Sweeping Heart Method to form the Demon-Sweeping Return to Origin Technique. 82 103

• His internal arts cultivate True Qi, open the Twelve Standard Meridians, and permit circulation of internal force through his body. 89 91 178
• After completing the standard-meridian cycle, he begins opening the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, which will ultimately connect the Heaven and Earth Bridges. 181 197
• Demon-Sweeping increases stamina, healing, and qi-force sharpness by 150% while internal force circulates. 242
• Qi Burst is an active True-Qi eruption that can raise his power output by up to 300%. 197 242
• Internal cultivation strengthens his recovery, but his early Foundation-Nurturing True Qi is less suited to direct clashes than specialized killing-oriented internal arts. 94
• The Yin Heel Vessel improves breath regulation, meditation recovery, stealth, soundless landings, and retention of essence and qi. 241

Star-Chasing Moon-Catching Steps

A Six Gates lightness skill personally taught to Chen Jing by Li Dingfang. It later becomes part of his self-created Crane Dance Across the Nine Heavens. 110 206

• Enables swift pursuit, evasive movement, quieter landings, and improved aerial mobility. 110 112
• Chasing Stars and Catching the Moon initially increases movement speed and lightness by 75%. 160
• Chen Jing integrates the movement art with the grounded footwork of the Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord. 111
• Crane Dance Across the Nine Heavens combines the Star-Chasing Moon-Catching Steps with the Twelve Cloud Crane Postures, granting greater movement speed, lightness, and agility. 206 242

Great Sun Visualization Method

A spirit-refining method acquired from the Great Sun Visualization Diagram. It enhances Chen Jing’s mental clarity, perception, and control of Blood-Qi and True Qi. 152 156

• Pure Yang raises his spirit by 75%. 242
• When actively invoked, it can increase either insight or Boiling Origin by up to 300%, allowing Chen Jing to see through deceptive techniques, perceive openings, or intensify his Blood-Qi. 174 178 242
• The method allows increasingly precise control over his Blood-Qi Dan and True Qi circulation. 156 160
• At the Mind Forging the Sun stage, Chen Jing can divide his attention and manage multiple mental tasks simultaneously. 251
• Prolonged active use causes sharp mental strain and cannot be sustained freely. 160

Three Treasures

Chen Jing cultivates essence through Blood-Qi, qi through internal cultivation, and spirit through the Great Sun Visualization Method. Unlike most martial artists, he possesses explosive techniques for all three paths. 156 197

• Essence is driven by Blood-Qi and Wisdom King. 180 197
• Qi is driven by True Qi and Qi Burst. 197
• Spirit is driven by Pure Yang and Boiling Origin. 178 242
• Simultaneously activating all three produces overwhelming power, but his body can initially sustain the full state for only around ten breaths. 197 198
• He uses combinations of these methods selectively in battle to avoid unnecessary physical damage. 198 215

Fire-Sitting

A talent awakened after Chen Jing consumes the Crimson Sun Snake King’s gall and repeatedly endures fire poison. 91

• Raises Flame Sun Resistance by 50%. 91
• Allows him to endure Tian Yang’s fire-poison-laced Yama Palm. 166
• Its protection is later eclipsed by the Icefire Treasure Physique’s far greater resistance to both heat and cold. 241

Icefire Treasure Physique

A body-refining talent awakened by refining the Icefire Exotic Flower while enduring its opposing medicinal forces for three days. 241

• Increases the toughness of his skin, membranes, tendons, bones, meridians, viscera, and internal organs by 300%. 241 242
• Raises ice and fire resistance by 300%, rendering ordinary flame-based martial arts largely ineffective against him. 241 242
• Greatly improves his ability to endure blunt force, bladed weapons, penetrating internal force, and explosive damage. 241
• His hardened body remains resilient rather than rigid, retaining mobility while resisting cuts that would ordinarily break skin. 241

Spear Technique

Chen Jing retains the Basic Spear Technique learned from Wang Chong’s militia training. 6 12

• Spear Like a Dragon increases precision by 25% when using spears or staves. 112 242
• His spear proficiency remains at Entering the Hall while he prioritizes fist, blade, internal, and spiritual cultivation. 160 242

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Butcher Knife / pig-slaughtering blade — His signature weapon and the focus of the Butcher talent. 20 79
• Reforged Butcher Knife — A heavier, thicker hundred-refined dark-iron butcher knife forged by Zhang Chengji before Chen Jing’s transfer to Jin City. 196
• Black blade / Black Gold Blade — Used with the Life-Slaying Blade Technique; capable of leaving a mirror-smooth cut through stone at Divine Mastery. 177 215
• Standard-issue horizontal blade — Carried as part of his Green-Clad Officer attire. 140
• Purple-Clad Officer uniform — His official attire after transferring to Jin City’s Anti-Theft Bureau. 197 200
• Soft armor and steel-lined bracers — Gifts from Mei Qinghe; protected him and Cheng Qingshi from serious injury during the Hundred Flowers Pavilion incident. 34 48
• Silver-thread soft armor — A light, form-fitting suit of armor gifted by Mei Qinghe before his Jin City transfer; it can withstand ordinary sword and blade strikes. 196
• White-Feathered Falcon — Used to send mission reports and receive Six Gates orders over distance. 91 119
• Great Sun Visualization Diagram — A hidden cultivation diagram recovered from Komodo. 152 156
• Bronze badge token — Granted by Han Tongxiao for the Chu Cangyuan murder investigation, giving Chen Jing authority to overcome obstruction from the Great River Gang and Ba Alliance. 229

Relationships

• Butcher Zhang — Rescuer, master, and adoptive father figure who trains Chen Jing as a butcher; Chen Jing protects him during the bandit attack and later arranges his burial. 1 10 20
• Wang Chong — Militia instructor and early martial mentor; recognizes Chen Jing’s potential and brings him to Lianshan Martial Arts Hall. 5 19 27
• Cheng Lianshan — Martial master who accepts Chen Jing as his seventh personal disciple and teaches him the Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord; their bond deepens through later cultivation discussions. 28 31 178 180
• Zhang Chengji — Eldest senior brother and weapon-forger; initially reserved, later becomes a trusted ally who accepts Chen Jing’s guidance in cultivation. 28 35 130
• Mei Qinghe — Senior sister who gives Chen Jing protective equipment, spars with him, and helps analyze opponents’ techniques. 34 53 62
• Cheng Qingshi — Cheng Lianshan’s son and Chen Jing’s senior brother; initially tests Chen Jing’s strength, then fights alongside him and provides cultivation resources. 27 30 50
• Liu Yunfei — Senior brother and close accomplice; joins Chen Jing in exposing Sun Ping and keeps their nighttime investigation secret. 65 67
• Liang Youheng — Sixth senior brother and training companion who supports Chen Jing’s early cultivation and remains concerned for his safety. 29 33 67
• Li Dingfang — Six Gates chief constable, superior, and mentor who recruits Chen Jing, assigns him missions, and teaches him Star-Chasing Moon-Catching Steps. 67 71 110
• Duan Mu — Six Gates constable chief who investigates Chen Jing’s alley ambush and provides the Demon-Sweeping Heart Method. 42 103
• Bai Zhixing — Bai Family representative whose gratitude brings Chen Jing medicinal resources and the position of Guest Elder. 35 83
• Du Yun and Du Xiaoxi — Siblings from Shouyang Village; Chen Jing treats Xiaoxi’s congenital condition and teaches both siblings martial cultivation. 85 91 112
• Wei Huai — Chen Jing’s cold and capable superior in Jin City’s Anti-Theft Bureau, who assigns him major cases and recognizes his growing strength. 197 206 220
• Han Tongxiao — Jin City’s Six Gates magistrate, who values Chen Jing’s lack of factional ties, rewards his achievements, and appoints him lead investigator in politically sensitive cases. 196 229 249
• Zhou Liang — A Green-Clad Officer assigned to assist Chen Jing in East Market; Chen Jing delegates routine work to him and comes to value his diligence and competence. 198 221
• Zheng Xinglong — Great River Gang deputy leader and former opponent. Chen Jing doubts that Zheng murdered Chu Cangyuan, investigates the case fairly, and ultimately helps clear his name. 220 229 250
• Ji Lin — Purple-Clad Officer assigned as Chen Jing’s assistant during the investigation into Chu Cangyuan’s death; despite initial displeasure, he accepts Chen Jing’s leadership professionally. 222 229
• Qiao Yuan — Great River Gang hall master who provides Chen Jing with a fifty-year snow lotus and Fire Spirit Mushroom before being killed by Lu Yunqiao. 206 215
• Tang Linfeng — A talented young martial artist who first clashes with Chen Jing in a lightness-skill contest, then develops mutual respect and later reaches an understanding with him. 225 251

Story Role / Major Arcs

Shuang'an Town and Butcher Apprenticeship

Chen Jing begins as Butcher Zhang’s impoverished apprentice, awakens the Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique, joins Wang Chong’s militia, and survives the bandit crisis that injures Zhang. 1 5 10

Lianshan Martial Arts Hall

After Butcher Zhang’s death, Chen Jing travels to Green Mountain City, becomes Cheng Lianshan’s seventh personal disciple, learns the Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord, and finances his cultivation by returning to pig slaughtering. 20 28 31 39

Green Mountain Martial Tournament

Chen Jing enters the Green Mountain Martial Tournament to temper his fist art and win Blood-Qi Pills. He reaches Blood Exchange, defeats Sun Ping, takes first place, and earns five Blood-Qi Pills. 54 62 64

Recruitment by Six Gates

His discovery that Sun Ping is a Clear Wind Stronghold spy leads Li Dingfang to recruit him into Six Gates. Chen Jing becomes a Wind-Catching Scout and begins conducting covert investigations. 65 67 71

West Mountain and Snake Valley

While investigating River Temple Village and its bandit network, Chen Jing kills numerous enemies, obtains the Foundation-Nurturing Technique, and later searches Snake Valley for Crimson Sun Snake Galls. He treats Du Xiaoxi in exchange for Du Yun’s assistance. 75 78 82 85

Clear Wind Stronghold Investigation

Chen Jing exposes Shangchuan Sect’s medicinal-herb trafficking with Clear Wind Stronghold, captures Ding Yunzhou, leads the Pine Forest Village operation, and helps clear the bandit outpost. 119 127 130

Green-Clad Officer and Shangchuan Sect Conflict

Promoted to Eighth-Rank Green-Clad Officer, Chen Jing forms his own team and later arrests Shangchuan Sect figures. He defeats Qin Sang, Luo Congnan, and multiple Shangchuan Sect elders while acting under Six Gates authority. 139 144 163 165

Three-Treasures Cultivation

Chen Jing develops essence through Blood-Qi, qi through internal cultivation, and spirit through the Great Sun Visualization Method. By the year’s end, he has opened eleven standard meridians and begins the dangerous path of Blood-Qi Aperture Condensation under Cheng Lianshan’s guidance. 156 178 180

Purple-Clad Officer and Jin City Transfer

After displaying Heavenly Circuit Perfection and capturing Cui Xingkong, Chen Jing is promoted to Purple-Clad Officer and transferred to Jin City. He joins Wei Huai’s Anti-Theft Bureau, receives access to the Extraordinary Meridians manual, and oversees security in East Market. 181 196 197 198

Great River Gang Ore-Ship Case

Chen Jing investigates the disappearance of refined-iron ships belonging to the Great River Gang. The case brings him into conflict with the Bashu Spear Commander Lu Yunqiao and establishes his reputation as a terrifying young expert after he fights through fortress bandits and confronts Lu directly. 206 215 218 220

Butcher of Bashu

Chen Jing’s feats at Viper Fortress and Fanyun Fortress spread through Jin City and the broader martial world. His origins as a pig butcher and his ruthless, flowing blade work earn him the widely used sobriquet “Butcher.” 221 223

Chu Cangyuan Murder Investigation

Han Tongxiao appoints Chen Jing lead investigator into Chu Cangyuan’s death, granting him broad authority despite the case’s Great River Gang and Ba Alliance implications. Chen Jing questions the case against Zheng Xinglong, exposes Madam Chu’s false account through his senses and deduction, and pursues the deeper conspiracy behind the murder. 229 231

Icefire Cultivation and Baili Sword Manor

After surviving a gunpowder trap, Chen Jing refines the Icefire Exotic Flower in secluded cultivation, awakening the Icefire Treasure Physique and advancing his apertures and extraordinary meridians. He subsequently returns to Jin City and helps bring down Baili Sword Manor while pursuing links to the Thousand Mechanisms Palace and Mo Family. 238 241 249

Six Extraordinary Meridians

Supported by Han Tongxiao’s exceptional rewards, Chen Jing enters intensive cultivation. He advances the Great Sun Visualization Method into Mind Forging the Sun and opens his sixth extraordinary meridian, continuing toward the complete Eight Extraordinary Meridians and the Xiantian realm. 249 251