Constable Li

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Constable Li (李捕头)
Alias(es)	Old Li
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Cloud Mountain County yamen
Occupation/Role	Ninth-rank Copper Badge Constable; overseer and collector in Cloud Mountain County’s demon-collusion network
Status	Deceased; killed during the demons’ uprising outside the city 31 33
First Appearance	Chapter 3 (mentioned); Chapter 16 (direct appearance)

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Initial-stage Essence Gathering Realm	31	Had only recently entered the realm when he became a constable.
Peak Essence Gathering Realm	31	Advanced over several years by taking Blood Pills extorted from demons; his strength was stated to be no weaker than Zheng Fengyun’s.

Background / History

Constable Li served in Cloud Mountain County before Zheng Fengyun’s appointment. Zhao Changshan states that Li had been appointed by the previous county commandant and that Zheng kept him because he lacked another capable subordinate 27.

He became the county yamen’s primary handler of local demons. Publicly, he framed his policy as stabilizing less harmful demons so the authorities could focus on more vicious threats. Privately, he used intimidation, food provisions, and the yamen’s authority to demand Blood Pills from demons for cultivation 21 22.

Li identified Cui Lang as a useful subordinate after noticing his talent, ambition, greed, and family ties. He authorized Cui’s study of the Eight Desolations Slash, offered cultivation guidance, promised him eventual succession, and attempted to bind him with Blood Pills 19 21 22.

After several demons gathered to challenge his demands, Li led Cui Lang and a coachman to confront them. He severely injured multiple demons but was covertly undermined by Cui, who allowed Li to become overwhelmed. Li was ultimately killed in the battle, with the official account attributing his death to a dog demon biting through his throat 31 33.

Personality

Constable Li presented himself as a pragmatic protector of Cloud Mountain County. He argued that keeping compliant demons under control reduced civilian deaths, accepting infamy as the price of order 21.

In practice, his policy served his cultivation and ambition. He collected Blood Pills beyond agreed amounts, concealed his true cultivation, and treated demons as resources to be exploited 22 33. He was calculating in his recruitment of Cui Lang, judging him controllable because of his ambition and younger sister 21.

Li also harbored resentment toward Zheng Fengyun after being blamed for Xiao Yu’s death. He intended to repay Zheng’s humiliation once his own strength surpassed that of his superior 26.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation

Li was a peak Essence Gathering Realm martial artist whose true cultivation exceeded the level he publicly claimed 31 33.

• His Blazing Sun True Essence was scorching and carried a blood-baleful aura when infused into his saber 31.
• He could suppress four demons in a short exchange and remain mobile even while facing five opponents 31.
• His injury during the demon confrontation delayed his intended breakthrough toward the Core Embracing Realm 31.

Eight Desolations Slash

Li practiced the Eight Desolations Slash at Greater Mastery, using broad, forceful strikes with fierce momentum 31.

• He demonstrated the technique while testing and later mentoring Cui Lang 19 23.
• His advice emphasized the art’s fierce force and unstoppable momentum 23.
• Cui Lang judged Li’s saber skill roughly equal to his own, though Li possessed greater cultivation and more refined true essence 31.

Movement Technique

Li had mastered a movement technique that made him difficult for several demons to strike 31.

• He could rapidly close distance, evade attacks, and capitalize on openings in battle 31.
• Cui Lang coveted the technique but never obtained its complete manual from him 23 46.

Demon Intimidation and Blood Pill Collection

Li managed a network of demons living in separate villages around Cloud Mountain County 21 30.

• He exchanged extra food provisions for Blood Pills from demons, including a leopard demon 22.
• He conducted nighttime collection rounds and introduced Cui Lang to the demons under his control 22 23.
• His escalating demands for Blood Pills helped provoke the demons’ collective defiance 30 33.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Saber — Used with Blazing Sun True Essence and the Eight Desolations Slash; later taken up by Cui Lang after Li’s death 31 32.
• Blood Pills — Cultivation pills collected from demons; Li carried a bottle during the final confrontation, though its contents were destroyed afterward 22 33.

Relationships

• Cui Lang — Subordinate whom Li sought to groom as a loyal successor; Cui only feigned allegiance and ultimately orchestrated Li’s downfall 19 21 31.
• Zheng Fengyun — Superior and fellow conspirator in the demon arrangement. Their relationship was strained; Li resented Zheng’s harsh treatment and sought to surpass him 21 26 27.
• Leopard Demon — One of the demons forced into providing Blood Pills in exchange for food provisions 22.
• Peony and the gathered demons — Li’s controlled demon network; their resistance to his increasing demands led to the confrontation that killed him 30 33.
• Madam Li and son — His surviving wife and young child; they were present at his funeral 36.
• Zhao Changshan — Fellow county constable who regarded Li as vastly stronger than the ordinary constables 7 16.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment of Cui Lang

Li became Cui Lang’s immediate superior after Cui joined the county yamen. He tested Cui’s martial ability, discovered his use of the Eight Desolations Slash, and began positioning himself as a mentor 16 19.

Demon-Collusion Network

Li revealed his arrangement with local demons and recruited Cui into it under the claim of protecting the people. He supplied Cui with promises of office, martial advancement, and monthly Blood Pills 21 22.

Investigation of Xiao Yu’s Death

After Xiao Yu was killed, Li investigated Wang Hanzong’s burned home and briefly suspected Cui Lang. Cui’s false alibi and Li’s underestimation of his strength led Li to dismiss that suspicion 25 26.

Death at the Demon Gathering

Li responded personally when several demons assembled in defiance of his rules. Although he initially dominated the fight, Cui Lang covertly sabotaged him, leaving him badly injured and vulnerable. He died before Cui eliminated the remaining demons 30 31 32.

Posthumous Reputation

Zheng Fengyun and Cui Lang concealed Li’s corruption by reporting that he died honorably while leading the extermination of demons. His death created the vacancy that Cui later filled on a temporary basis 34 35.

Notable Quotes

“There is only one way: first stabilize those demons that are not quite so evil. That will give us time to strengthen ourselves, so we can wipe out those more vicious demons in one fell swoop.” 21

“Of all the constables in our county, I think the highest of you. My current position will be yours sooner or later.” 21

“A few demons who haven't even condensed demon cores think gathering together means they can turn heaven upside down?” 30

Trivia

• Despite publicly presenting himself as being at the middle stage of the Gathering Origin Realm, Li had actually reached its peak-equivalent Essence Gathering level 33 38.
• He kept few male servants at his home, apparently to limit the chance that his dealings would be discovered 36.
• Zheng Fengyun found a fist-art martial skill in Li’s home after his death, speculating that it may have been intended to establish a martial foundation for Li’s son 38.