Cheng Qingshi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Cheng Qingshi (程青石)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Lianshan Martial Arts Hall; later the Divine Martial Sect
Occupation/Role	Cheng Lianshan's son; Fourth Senior Brother of Lianshan Martial Arts Hall; former top competitor in the Green Mountain Martial Tournament
Status	Active; his shattered leg fully recovered, and he became an outer disciple of the Divine Martial Sect in the Northlands 157
First Appearance	Chapter 27

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Strong stance foundation; blood-qi force demonstrated	27 28	Withstood Chen Jing's full-strength punch without shifting his stance and drove him back three steps. Chen sensed a faint tremor of blood-qi in his punch; his exact cultivation stage was not specified at this encounter.
Blood-Qi — Blood Exchange	52	Sparred Zhang Chengji on even foundational terms; his fierce offensive style and Hundred Flowers Pavilion combat experience allowed him to find an opening and win.
Wisdom King Stance — rehabilitation; proficiency unspecified	157	Retrained the tendons and bones of his broken leg through the stance, achieving complete recovery without the lingering damage that ordinary healing would have left. Subsequently passed the Divine Martial Sect's assessment and became an outer disciple.

Background / History

Cheng Qingshi is the son of Lianshan Martial Arts Hall master Cheng Lianshan and Su Ru. Born and raised in the martial hall, he inherited his father's martial path and lacked for cultivation resources, unlike several of his fellow disciples. He is ranked as the hall's Fourth Senior Brother. 27 28 29

When Chen Jing was brought to the hall, Cheng Qingshi tested him with a single exchange of punches. His deeper stance foundation and refined fist force drove Chen back three steps without moving Cheng himself. 27 28

Although initially dismissive of Chen Jing's work as a butcher, Cheng Qingshi refused Zhou Fan's attempt to use it to slander and displace Chen. He expelled Zhou Fan for jealousy and improper conduct, then accepted his father's lesson that no honest livelihood is inherently beneath a martial artist. 40

Cheng Qingshi supported Chen Jing's early cultivation by giving him a Blood-Qi Pill alongside the gifts offered by the other personal disciples. 34

Following the Hundred Flowers Pavilion incident, a physician found that Cheng Qingshi and Chen Jing had sustained only bruises and minor cuts, with the soft armor supplied by Mei Qinghe helping protect them. Li Dingfang praised their role in disrupting Clear Wind Stronghold's plans, and the Six Gates subsequently rewarded them. Bai Deyuan also thanked them, giving each five Blood-Qi Pills, ten portions of Blood-Qi Powder, and medicinal-bath ingredients. 48 50

During the Green Mountain Martial Tournament, Cheng Qingshi defeated nine opponents in succession and overcame Shangchuan Sect disciple Xu Xingye despite Xu's internal-force advantage. He was subsequently deceived by Sun Ping of Four Seas Martial Arts Hall, whose hidden Blood Exchange cultivation and calculated tactics left Cheng's lower leg nearly shattered. 58 59 60

Sun Ping's attack was later revealed to have been retaliation ordered by Clear Wind Stronghold after Cheng Qingshi and Chen Jing forced the stronghold agent Zhou Yunhan to his death during the Hundred Flowers Pavilion incident. 65 68

The Immovable Wisdom King Stance offered hope for restoring his leg. Cheng Qingshi left for the Northlands with his father to rehabilitate, pursue the border-army path, and seek entry into a sect. His leg later healed completely; he passed the Divine Martial Sect's assessment and remained in the Northlands as an outer disciple after Cheng Lianshan returned to Green Mountain City. 68 69 157

Cheng Lianshan specifically credited the Wisdom King Stance with rebuilding the damaged tendons and bones rather than merely allowing the fracture to heal. He returned home only after ensuring that Cheng Qingshi's arrangements in the Northlands were settled. 157

Appearance

Cheng Qingshi is a tall, straight-backed young man with a cold, stern face and a strong resemblance to Cheng Lianshan. 27

• Usually wears fitted black martial attire. 44
• Maintains an imposing, reserved bearing; his expression often reveals little of his thoughts. 27 29
• In battle, his vital blood can steam visibly around him, giving him the presence of a tiger at full fury. 46

Personality

Cheng Qingshi is taciturn, proud, and intensely focused on martial training. He rarely appears in the outer court and normally considers even a nod sufficient greeting. 40 44

His cold demeanor conceals a strong sense of duty and loyalty. He accompanied Chen Jing to a potentially dangerous meeting at Hundred Flowers Pavilion, fought beside him through an ambush, and later defended Chen from Zhou Rang after defeating the latter himself. 44 46 56

He values the martial hall's reputation, but demonstrates fairness rather than blind pride. His handling of Zhou Fan shows that he refuses to let ambition or hearsay override the proper hierarchy and judgment of the hall master. 40

He also has a strong competitive drive. After witnessing Chen Jing's strength during practical sparring, he clenched his fists and watched eagerly, seemingly impatient to test himself against his junior brother. 53

Despite his preference for aggressive attacks, he can remain composed under pressure. Against Xu Xingye, he ignored taunts and jeering, patiently traced the rhythm of his opponent's power, and waited for a decisive counterattacking opportunity. His subsequent excitement at winning and receiving the crowd's acclaim nevertheless contributed to the opening Sun Ping exploited. 59 61

After his injury, he becomes more restrained and mature, warning his martial siblings against rash revenge despite his own anger toward Sun Ping. 60 61 68

When presented with the possibility of complete recovery and a northern sect career, he remained outwardly cold but could not hide his emotion. He thanked his martial siblings individually and offered Chen Jing a deep, sincere bow for securing the stance technique. 68

Cheng Lianshan regards him as notably diligent, though Chen Jing's later extreme cultivation regimen makes even Cheng Qingshi appear comparatively less tireless. 159

Abilities & Skills

Nine Forms of the Mountain Lord

Cheng Qingshi practices the Lianshan Martial Arts Hall's tiger-based inheritance with a sharp, ferocious style centered on forceful offense. 46 52

• Reached the Blood Exchange stage, giving his blood and qi a mercury-like heaviness and immense striking power. 50 52
• Uses the style's changing stances—including Concealment, Tail-Clipping, Patrolling Mountain, and Claw-Lifting—to defend, counterattack, and seize openings. 52 59 60
• His fists and legs can break bones, cause internal injuries, and send armed opponents off elevated terrain. 46
• Defeated Zhang Chengji in a spar by finding an opening during sustained aggressive pressure. 52
• Against Xu Xingye, used the Concealment Stance to withstand repeated palm attacks before switching to Tail-Clipping Stance, breaking Xu's wrist and driving it into his chest. He followed with Descending Mountain Stance and further attacks to force Xu off the platform. 59

Listening Force and Hidden Force

Cheng Qingshi can spread Hidden Force through his body and use it to sense changes in an opponent's power flow. 59

• Identified the fluctuations and weak point in Xu Xingye's circulating true qi.
• Shifted from defense to a decisive Tail-Clipping Stance counterattack at the moment Xu's inner force weakened. 59
• Detected Sun Ping's concealed Blood Exchange strength before their fists met, allowing him to evade the initial strike. 60

Practical Combat

His real combat ability improved substantially after fighting through the Hundred Flowers Pavilion ambush. 46 52

• Killed or incapacitated numerous bladesmen with bare fists during the pavilion siege. 46 47
• Killed a burly opponent by caving in his breastbone and sending him backward through a window into the building. 47
• Defeated Iron Arm Martial Arts Hall disciple Zhou Rang before the tournament confrontation escalated. 56 57
• Won against Xu Xingye, a Shangchuan Sect disciple who combined qi-and-blood force with internal true qi. 59
• His aggressive style can leave openings against a patient, scheming opponent; Sun Ping exploited this and severely injured his leg. 60 61

Immovable Wisdom King Stance

The Immovable Wisdom King Stance provided Cheng Qingshi with a means of rehabilitating his shattered leg. Cheng Lianshan explained that its fundamentals could strengthen the body internally, transform the sinews, and temper the bones, making complete recovery possible. 68

• Used the stance to retrain the tendons and bones of his damaged leg. 157
• Recovered fully rather than retaining the lasting impairment expected from ordinary healing. 157
• His precise proficiency in the stance is not specified. 157

Relationships

• Cheng Lianshan — Father and martial arts master. Cheng Lianshan guides his cultivation, arranges his northern journey after the leg injury, and later confirms his recovery and sect admission. 27 60 69 157
• Su Ru — Mother. She shares a heartfelt moment with him after his tournament injury. 61
• Chen Jing — Seventh Junior Brother and trusted martial sibling. Cheng first tests Chen's strength, later protects him at Hundred Flowers Pavilion; Chen helps secure the stance art that enables Cheng's recovery. Cheng sincerely thanks him for it, while Chen feels guilty over the chain of events that led to the injury and is delighted to hear of his recovery and sect admission. 27 44 46 68 157
• Zhang Chengji — Eldest Senior Brother and sparring partner. Their Blood Exchange spar ends with Cheng gaining the advantage through his attacking style. 52
• Mei Qinghe — Fellow personal disciple whose soft armor helps protect Cheng and Chen during the Hundred Flowers Pavilion ambush. Mei reacts fiercely to Cheng's tournament injury and wishes to avenge him. 48 60
• Bai Zhixing — Introduced to Cheng by Chen Jing at Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Their meeting becomes entangled in Zhou Yunhan's ambush. 45 46
• Bai Deyuan — Bai Zhixing's father, who thanks Cheng and Chen for their intervention and presents both with cultivation medicines and medicinal-bath supplies. 50
• Li Dingfang — Six Gates constable who praises Cheng and Chen for disrupting Clear Wind Stronghold's plans and promises official rewards. 48 50
• Zhou Fan — Outer-court disciple expelled by Cheng for attempting to slander Chen Jing out of jealousy. 40
• Xu Xingye — Shangchuan Sect disciple defeated by Cheng during the Green Mountain Martial Tournament. 58 59
• Sun Ping — Four Seas Martial Arts Hall disciple and Clear Wind Stronghold agent who deliberately shattered Cheng's leg in retaliation for Zhou Yunhan's death. 60 65 68

Story Role / Major Arcs

Chen Jing's Entry into Lianshan Martial Arts Hall

Cheng Qingshi serves as Chen Jing's first direct benchmark within the hall. His effortless resistance to Chen's full-strength punch establishes the gap in their early cultivation. 27 28

Hundred Flowers Pavilion Ambush

Concerned for Chen Jing's safety, Cheng accompanies him to Hundred Flowers Pavilion. When Zhou Yunhan's men attack and set the building ablaze, Cheng and Chen fight back-to-back through the pavilion and across its eaves before escaping the fire. 44 46 47

Their survival is aided by Mei Qinghe's soft armor, and both escape with only minor injuries. The Six Gates recognizes their contribution against Clear Wind Stronghold, while Bai Deyuan's gifts provide additional resources for cultivation. Cheng's experience in the life-or-death battle also sharpens his combat skills, contributing to his later sparring victory over Zhang Chengji. 48 50 52

Green Mountain Martial Tournament

Cheng becomes one of the tournament's leading competitors, defeats Zhou Rang, accepts Xu Xingye's provocation, and overturns Xu's internal-force pressure through careful timing and a violent counterattack. 57 58 59

His nine consecutive victories in half a day earn nine points and place him at the top of the leaderboard. Defeating Xu Xingye then draws cheers not only from Lianshan Martial Arts Hall but also from other body-tempering martial artists, who regard the result as a triumph over the apparent advantage of sect-taught internal cultivation. 58 59

His victory is immediately followed by disaster: Sun Ping conceals his true Blood Exchange strength, exploits Cheng's momentum and confidence, and nearly destroys his lower leg. 60 61

Sun Ping's subsequent exposure as a Clear Wind Stronghold agent establishes that the crippling attack was a planned act of revenge rather than an ordinary martial-tournament defeat. 65 68

Recovery and Departure North

The Immovable Wisdom King Stance gives Cheng a route to rebuild his damaged tendons and bones. He leaves Green Mountain City with Cheng Lianshan, later recovers fully, and enters the Divine Martial Sect as an outer disciple. 68 69 157

Before departing, he thanks his fellow disciples and expresses particular gratitude to Chen Jing for obtaining the stance. When Cheng Lianshan eventually returns, he reports that Cheng Qingshi has remained in the Northlands for further study after his successful admission. 68 157

Trivia

• Despite his stern image, Cheng Qingshi becomes visibly flustered and blushes when confronted by the matron of Hundred Flowers Pavilion. 44
• Cheng Lianshan describes him as “cold on the outside and warm on the inside.” 48

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