Xu Xing

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xu Xing (徐行)
Alias(es)	Punishment King
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Four Brightness Mountain; Filial Righteousness Hall / Elder Brothers Society; Taste Classics Academy
Occupation/Role	Former eighth-rank Imperial Stud Directorate official; scholar; Four Brightness Mountain internal-affairs administrator
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Sensing	18	Developed qi sensation after seventeen days of instruction and inner-force guidance from Master Ma.
Qi Sensing	19	Independently generated qi in his true body after five days of meditation using the Rock Heart Method.
Reality-Preserving Realm	33	Master Ma used the Noon-Midnight Art to open his meridians and help him condense life-bound true qi.
True/Truth-Preserving Realm	34	After solidifying the Martial Arts Prodigy Dao Fruit, Xu Xing condensed natal true qi in his true body and skipped the Body Cultivation stage.
Three Mountains One Qi Meridian	50	Successfully cultivated a new meridian through the dangerous Three Mountains One Qi Divine Conduit Vein-Condensing Art, greatly improving cultivation efficiency.

Background

Xu Xing was an eighth-rank official of the Imperial Stud Directorate who was made a scapegoat in the disappearance of more than three hundred warhorses. Imprisoned in the Celestial Prison, he was sentenced to be flayed and stuffed with straw despite his inability to have committed the crime alone. His body was weakened by Musk Dragon Powder, and he initially expected death within a month. 1 2 3

While imprisoned, he married Zhao Yunniang, a courtesan Han Sui had redeemed and sent to bear his child. The following day, Xu Xing discovered the Ancient Bronze Mirror within his soul. Identified by the artifact as its Mirror Master, he learned that his gray fate was Fate of Violent Death and resolved to alter it through another world rather than accept his execution. 2

Through soul descent, Xu Xing entered a Late Qing–Republican-era instance world in the body of an alternate self. There, he joined Filial Righteousness Hall’s Elder Brothers Society under Master Ma, studied at Taste Classics Academy, and began training in martial arts. His activities in the instance world fed back into his true body through the Ancient Bronze Mirror and its Dao Fruit system. 3 6 9

Xu Xing eventually escaped the Heavenly Prison with Chang Ji using a night-soil cart and concealed his appearance with the Face-Changing Technique. He then entered Four Brightness Mountain’s circle through Earth King, became sworn brothers with the stronghold’s leaders, and was given the title Punishment King by Mourning Heaven King Yao Dang. 35 37 41 48

Appearance

Xu Xing was physically frail and visibly depleted during his imprisonment, struggling to walk and breathe after only a few steps. His later cultivation transformed his bearing: his skin became crystalline and fairer, while his eyes grew bright and spirited. 1 34

• Uses the Face-Changing Technique to darken his skin and suppress the conspicuous changes caused by true qi. 34
• Can combine his own technique with Ghost Hand’s disguise work to avoid recognition. 37
• His true-body breakthrough to the True Preservation realm made his altered condition apparent even to Chang Ji. 34

Personality

Xu Xing is pragmatic, ambitious, and highly conscious of power. He does not consider himself bound by loyalty to the Chongming Emperor; after being framed, he openly contemplates overthrowing the emperor if he gains the ability to do so. 2 3

He is calculating in relationships, often turning kindness, favors, and obligations into long-term political capital. He shares food with fellow prisoners, gives medicine to Master Ma, negotiates Chang Ji’s rescue as a condition of joining Four Brightness Mountain, and carefully acknowledges favors so that allies remain invested in him. 5 18 32 33

Despite this self-interest, Xu Xing is capable of restraint and small kindnesses. He avoids probing Kid Brother’s family secret art, protects Zhao Yunniang’s standing among prisoners, and helps a young boy without expecting a reward. 2 5 25

Abilities & Skills

Ancient Bronze Mirror

An artifact housed in Xu Xing’s soul that enables descent into other worlds, displays his fate traits, and converts altered destinies into permanent Dao Fruits. 2

• Permits soul descent into an alternate self in the Late Qing–Republican instance world. 2 5
• Operates at a one-to-five real-world-to-instance-world time-flow ratio. 2 5
• Allows fate traits gained through altered destinies to be solidified as Dao Fruits. 9
• Dao Fruit solidification permanently raises his baseline but consumes vital essence and may be dangerous while he is weakened. 9 19
• The artifact’s feedback lets knowledge, aptitude, and cultivation gains from the instance world benefit his true body. 32 34

Fate Traits and Dao Fruits

Xu Xing has repeatedly changed and solidified his fate through the mirror.

• Righteous Thief (Crimson/Red) — Replaced A Life of Ordinariness; aligns him against the imperial court and increases the favor of great fortune for his rebellious intent. 26
• Martial Arts Prodigy (Bright Yellow) — An advanced form of Mediocre Martial Talent that drastically improves his martial aptitude and unblocks his meridians. 34
• Literary Brilliance (Crimson) — Enhances his literary quickness and was advanced after his examination success. 24 43 44
• Reform (Crimson) — Supports his ability to identify and propose reforms; he uses it to draft policy proposals for Four Brightness Mountain. 43 44
• Broad Learning and Strong Memory (White) — Improves his memory and comprehension; initially appeared after recognition from licensed students. 14 18 44

Internal Martial Arts

Xu Xing cultivates inner martial arts, initially using the Rock Heart Method and later acquiring more advanced techniques. 15 33 48

• Rock Heart Method — Internal cultivation method learned from Chang Ji; refines food essence into inner qi and can be used to expel Musk Dragon Powder. 15 20
• Reality-Preserving Realm — Can condense life-bound true qi, temper his organs, and attach true qi to a weapon for combat. 33
• Three Mountains One Qi Divine Conduit Vein-Condensing Art — A dangerous secret art that creates a new meridian route and significantly improves efficiency. 48 50
• Avoids external martial cultivation for the time being because Yao Dang warns that pursuing both paths would hinder an attempt at the Innate realm. 48

Western Pass Limitless Saber

A saber art taught by Master Ma after Xu Xing joined the Elder Brothers Society. His early training emphasized horse stance, Golden Rooster Stance, endurance, and fundamentals. 3 4

• Provides his foundational martial training. 3 4
• Xu Xing later receives a long saber from Earth King for self-defense. 49

Face-Changing Technique

A secret art taught by Chang Ji that uses true qi to alter bodily secretions and make Xu Xing’s appearance less recognizable. 34

• Darkens his skin and changes his outward appearance without changing his facial structure. 34
• Mastered rapidly through his enhanced comprehension, prior experience, and the time difference between worlds. 35
• Used alongside conventional disguise techniques to evade the Night Patrol Directorate. 37

Scholarship, Mathematics, and Administration

Xu Xing possesses mathematical knowledge, examination skill, and practical administrative talent.

• Passed the prefectural examination in first place. 43 44
• Uses literary talent to compose rebellious poetry and reform proposals. 26 44
• Organizes Four Brightness Mountain’s accounts, expenditures, horse administration, and internal affairs. 46 49
• Sorted the stronghold’s account books within three days, earning Yao Dang’s trust. 49
• Applies practical learning to propose bomb-making against cavalry. 25

Equipment / Items

• Ancient Bronze Mirror — Soul-bound artifact and source of his reincarnation and Dao Fruit abilities. 2
• Long saber — Given by Earth King for self-defense. 49
• Rock Heart Method — Internal cultivation manual acquired from Chang Ji. 15
• Three Mountains One Qi Divine Conduit Vein-Condensing Art — Secret art gifted by Yao Dang. 48
• Medicine-storehouse key — Granted by Yao Dang, allowing Xu Xing to select herbs for cultivation. 48

Relationships

• Zhao Yunniang — Wife; initially sent by Han Sui to bear Xu Xing’s child, but later becomes tied to his escape plans. Xu Xing demands money, a residence, and his surname for their child before escaping, then asks Yao Dang to locate her. 2 35 48
• Master Ma — Mentor and senior brother in Filial Righteousness Hall; taught Xu Xing the Western Pass Limitless Saber and helped him reach the Reality-Preserving Realm. 3 33
• Chang Ji — Former cellmate and ally; taught Xu Xing the Rock Heart Method and Face-Changing Technique. Xu Xing makes Chang Ji’s rescue a condition of joining Four Brightness Mountain. 15 32 34
• Earth King — Sworn brother and recruiter to Four Brightness Mountain; gives Xu Xing a long saber and supports his standing within the stronghold. 29 41 49
• Mourning Heaven King Yao Dang — Sworn elder brother and leader of Four Brightness Mountain; names Xu Xing the Punishment King, entrusts him with internal affairs, and provides a high-level cultivation art. 46 48
• Han Sui — Former superior implicated in making Xu Xing a scapegoat; later treats Xu Xing as a potentially valuable future asset after his escape. 2 29 37
• Academician Su — Fellow prisoner who sympathizes with Xu Xing’s wrongful conviction and promises to clear his name if he gains power. 2
• Kid Brother — Master Ma’s son and Xu Xing’s childhood acquaintance in the instance world; Xu Xing avoids asking about his qi-based saber technique out of caution. 3 5

Story Role / Major Arcs

Heavenly Prison and the Mirror

Xu Xing begins as a condemned official awaiting a brutal execution. His discovery of the Ancient Bronze Mirror turns his struggle from passive survival into a deliberate campaign to change fate, cultivate strength, and build connections. 1 2 9

Filial Righteousness Hall and Taste Classics Academy

In the instance world, Xu Xing becomes a brother of Filial Righteousness Hall, trains under Master Ma, and enters Taste Classics Academy despite having no credentials and little formal classical education. His academic progress strengthens his position among both scholars and the brotherhood. 3 6 7 18

Fate Replacement and Rebellion

After acquiring the Righteous Thief fate, Xu Xing permanently abandons the safer fate of A Life of Ordinariness. He accepts that his path now leads toward opposition to the Phoenix Creek imperial court and begins using rebellious writing to attract greater fortune. 26

Escape and Four Brightness Mountain

Xu Xing escapes prison with Chang Ji, evades recapture through disguises, and joins Four Brightness Mountain. By becoming sworn brothers with Earth King and Yao Dang, he gains access to the stronghold’s ruling circle. 35 37 41

Punishment King and Internal Affairs

As Punishment King, Xu Xing declines military command and instead secures control over internal affairs, accounts, expenditures, and horse administration. He uses reform proposals and three major strategic schemes to establish himself as an indispensable political adviser. 46 47 49

Notable Quotes

“Change my fate!” 2

“Perhaps even... drag the Chongming Emperor down from the throne and take his seat myself!” 2

“When a man dies, it's all the same under heaven.” 26

“He who hesitates when he should cut will suffer chaos; he who cuts yet fails to cut will leave future troubles behind!” 26