Liu Mang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Liu Mang (刘莽)
Alias(es)	Steward Liu; Sixth Master
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Black Market; White Tiger Hall
Occupation/Role	White Tiger Hall steward; recruiter and local Black Market operative
First Appearance	Chapter 24

Appearance

Liu Mang is a one-eyed, burly man who carries himself with the fierce presence expected of a Black Market enforcer. He is usually accompanied by subordinates and presents a notably warm, deferential manner toward people he considers valuable. 24 25

• One-eyed and burly. 24
• Commands Black Market subordinates, including Li Ren and Li Yi. 24 31
• Attempts to replicate Jiang Yuan's lightning-drawing setup after witnessing it. 31

Personality

Liu Mang is shrewd, opportunistic, and highly attentive to strength. After seeing Jiang Yuan kill Xue Tu and Zhou Yun, he immediately moves to recruit him, treating protection, hospitality, gifts, and flattery as investments in a potentially powerful ally. 24 25

His friendliness is pragmatic rather than unconditional. When Zhang Bo moves against Jiang Yuan, Liu Mang deliberately delays intervention so that Zhang Bo can test Jiang Yuan's true capabilities; he considers Jiang Yuan unworthy of further favor if he dies easily. 31

Despite this calculating streak, Liu Mang can adapt quickly. After witnessing Vajra Invulnerability and Palm Thunder, he abandons thoughts of opposing Jiang Yuan, suppresses Li Yi's suggestion to arrest him, and becomes a committed supporter within White Tiger Hall. 32 33

Background / History

Liu Mang first appears after Jiang Yuan uses the flying sword from the Seven-Kill Sword Casket to kill Xue Tu and Zhou Yun. Having watched the battle with more than a dozen Black Market men, Liu Mang introduces himself as a White Tiger Hall steward and invites Jiang Yuan to the Black Market. Jiang Yuan recognizes that Liu Mang's apparent hospitality likely depends on his demonstrated strength, but accepts because his true qi is depleted. 24

At the Black Market headquarters, Liu Mang orders Li Ren and Li Yi—the men who previously confronted Jiang Yuan in Refugee Alley—to serve tea and apologize. He then reveals his actual purpose: recruiting Jiang Yuan into the Black Market, offering the organization’s protection against the Blood-Clad Cult and Azure Profound Sect. 24 25

Liu Mang hosts Jiang Yuan at a banquet, explains the Jiangning branch’s four-hall structure, and gives him an Essence Origin Pill. He seeks Jiang Yuan's body-tempering method; Jiang Yuan instead offers to teach him the fictitious “Great Sun Thunder Body,” which Liu Mang eagerly accepts as genuine. 25

After Jiang Yuan asks to redeem Chunlan and Qiuju, Liu Mang agrees to arrange their indentures despite the difficulty of crossing Vermilion Bird Hall’s interests. He later personally delivers the documents and explains the Black Market’s division of illicit businesses among its four halls. 26 28

Liu Mang introduces Jiang Yuan to White Tiger Hall Master Zhu Hu and helps register him as a steward. He also secures Jiang Yuan a deacon-level residence despite Zhang Bo’s competing claim, worsening the conflict between their factions. 26 27

When Zhang Bo leads White Tiger Hall men against Jiang Yuan, Liu Mang watches from a distance rather than immediately rescuing him. Jiang Yuan’s destruction of Zhang Bo’s group with Vajra Invulnerability and Palm Thunder convinces Liu Mang that his “old brother” is far more formidable than expected. 31 32

Afterward, Liu Mang reports the incident and Jiang Yuan’s other feats to Zhu Hu. He advocates retaining Jiang Yuan, while Zhu Hu orders a deeper investigation into Jiang Yuan’s background and later promotes him to fill Zhang Bo’s position. 33 34

Relationships

• Jiang Yuan — Recruiter, subordinate, drinking companion, and calculated ally. Liu Mang recruits him after witnessing his strength, facilitates Chunlan and Qiuju’s release, but also tests him by delaying aid during Zhang Bo’s attack. 24 25 28 31 32
• Zhu Hu — White Tiger Hall Master. Liu Mang serves under Zhu Hu, recommends Jiang Yuan to him, and reports Jiang Yuan’s actions and abilities. 26 27 33
• Li Ren and Li Yi — Subordinates or associates under Liu Mang’s command. He orders them to apologize to Jiang Yuan and later reprimands Li Yi for proposing Jiang Yuan’s arrest. 24 32
• Zhang Bo — Rival White Tiger Hall deacon. Liu Mang clashes with Zhang Bo over Jiang Yuan’s residence and allows Zhang Bo’s revenge attempt to reveal Jiang Yuan’s capabilities. 27 31
• Chunlan and Qiuju — Courtesans whose indentures Liu Mang obtains for Jiang Yuan, despite Black Market restrictions on redeeming people from Vermilion Bird Hall. 26 28
• Ding Wu — Fellow White Tiger Hall steward. Both are present when Zhu Hu seeks Jiang Yuan’s advice on the hall’s poor performance. 36

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment into the Black Market

Liu Mang serves as the Black Market’s point of contact with Jiang Yuan. He converts a potentially hostile encounter after Xue Tu’s death into an invitation, using the organization’s protection and resources to persuade Jiang Yuan to join. 24 25

Jiang Yuan’s Entry into White Tiger Hall

He supports Jiang Yuan’s placement within White Tiger Hall, handles his registration and residence dispute, and warns him that the Black Market’s upcoming major operation may require his participation. 27

Zhang Bo’s Retaliation

Liu Mang permits Zhang Bo’s assault to proceed briefly as a test of Jiang Yuan’s value. Jiang Yuan’s overwhelming response changes Liu Mang’s assessment from interest to fear and full support. 31 32

White Tiger Hall’s Decline

When White Tiger Hall ranks last among the four halls, Liu Mang is unable to offer a viable solution and is reprimanded after proposing drastic rent increases. He subsequently doubts whether Jiang Yuan can reform the hall’s performance, though Zhu Hu grants Jiang Yuan authority over the western outer city. 36 37

Notable Quotes

“May I ask, Brother Jiang... do you have any interest in joining our Black Market?” 24

“If he dies that easily, he isn't worth us currying favor with him.” 31