Shen Ruyu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Shen Ruyu (沈如玉)
Alias(es)	Constable Shen; Captain Shen; Lady Shen; Chief Constable Shen
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Azure Cloud Prefecture prefectural yamen; Shen Family of the provincial city
Occupation/Role	Silver Badge Constable; investigator of demon and evil-entity cases
First Appearance	Chapter 40

Background / History

Shen Ruyu is a member of the Shen Family, an old martial arts clan from the provincial city. She entered service as a Silver Badge Constable in Azure Cloud Prefecture rather than marrying; when other constables initially rejected her appointment, she reportedly defeated more than ten challengers in succession using a snapped piece of bamboo. Three years before the events in Cloud Mountain County, she was already said to have reached the peak of the Core Embracing Realm. 41

She arrived in Cloud Mountain County alongside Assistant Prefect Lin Liben after reports of demon activity. While Lin dismissed the matter quickly, Shen Ruyu followed protocol by personally inspecting the demon corpses, immediately noticing that their blood had been drained. She questioned Cui Lang about the corpses, the demons' gathering, and his own involvement, but he withheld the county's deeper corruption. 40

Shen Ruyu later returned covertly to continue investigating. Cui Lang revealed the Demon God Statue he had found, and Shen identified it as evidence that remnants of the Demon God Cult might be active. She explained the cult's history and treated the threat as a matter requiring a full investigation. 48

When County Magistrate Zhou Yafeng attempted to murder Cui Lang, Shen intervened and defeated Zhou decisively. Although Zhou had reached the peak of the Core Embracing Realm through evil arts, he failed to endure even three of her moves and lost his right arm. 49 50

After Zhou's murder in custody and Lin Liben's escape, Shen chose to bring Cui Lang and Cui Ling to Azure Cloud Prefecture, both to recruit Cui Lang and to protect the siblings from possible retaliation. She arranged Cui Lang's appointment as a Bronze Badge Constable and assisted the siblings in establishing themselves in the prefectural city. 53 58 59

Appearance

Shen Ruyu is a tall, striking martial artist with a composed and heroic bearing. She wears a fitted martial outfit and carries a saber at her waist. 40

• Red lips and white teeth; a spirited, valiant expression in her brows and eyes. 40
• Long, straight legs and an upright posture. 40
• Her steps are measured with near-identical precision; she habitually keeps one hand near her saber. 40
• Her presence and appearance are recognizable enough that demon hunters identify her by reputation. 57

Personality

Shen Ruyu is observant, disciplined, and uncompromising in matters involving demons. She refuses to cooperate with demons regardless of the benefits offered, distinguishing her from the corrupt officials of Cloud Mountain County. 48

She is careful with evidence and procedure. Unable to openly pursue suspicions without proof after Lin Liben set the official narrative, she inspected the bodies herself and tested Cui Lang for information rather than making unsupported accusations. 40

Though stern toward wrongdoing, she is patient with promising subordinates and considerate toward Cui Lang and Cui Ling. She teaches Cui Lang personally, respects his undisclosed secrets so long as he has not committed evil, finds a suitable home for the siblings, and provides Cui Ling with a cultivation technique. 51 52 59 60

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation

Shen Ruyu was reportedly at the peak of the Core Embracing Realm when she began serving as a Silver Badge Constable three years earlier; her current cultivation is implied to be higher or, at minimum, still formidable enough to overwhelm a fellow peak Core Embracing cultivator. 41 49

• Her strength is sufficient to defeat Zhou Yafeng, who had used Demon God Cult arts to reach the peak of the Core Embracing Realm. 49
• Cui Lang judges that even his second-layer Bloodfire Demon Body could not endure a single strike from her. 48
• She has slain more than ten demons and monsters, earning the prefect's regard. 40

Saber Technique

Shen Ruyu wields a family saber technique created by her ancestor specifically for her. It incorporates her understanding of saber arts such as Eight Desolations Slash. 50

• Releases blade aura capable of shredding furniture and cutting through an opponent's defenses. 49
• Her attacks disperse Zhou Yafeng's bloody baleful aura and sever his sword arm in a brief exchange. 49
• The technique requires at least the Core Embracing Realm to display its true power and is not suited to Cui Lang. 50
• Her saber movements demonstrate an unstoppable forward-driving momentum akin to the true intent sought through Eight Desolations Slash. 50

Dragon-Burying Kick

Shen Ruyu knows the Dragon-Burying Kick, a leg art combining offensive kicking techniques with movement methods. Her own mastery remains at Minor Mastery. 51 52

• Taught Cui Lang the technique move by move, including its footwork and true-essence circulation. 51 52
• Each demonstrated kick carries enough force to tear through the air. 51
• Contains martial true intent, though Shen cannot yet instruct Cui Lang in comprehending that intent. 52

Investigation and Demon Lore

Shen Ruyu specializes in demon and evil-entity cases for the prefectural yamen. 58

• Detected at a glance that demon corpses in Cloud Mountain County had been drained of blood. 40
• Identified a bronze statue as a Demon God Statue and recognized its connection to the Demon God Cult. 48
• Investigates possible links among Lin Liben, missing informants, demon hunters, and hidden demon activity. 51 57 59
• Recognized that the Mountain Ghost corpses had been stripped of their remaining essence. 57

Equipment / Items

• Saber — Her primary weapon; used for corpse inspection and combat. 40 49
• Family saber technique — A Shen Family martial art created for her by an ancestor. 50
• Cultivation technique for Cui Ling — A profound method capable of awakening bloodline potential and, at full mastery, condensing a Primordial Spirit. 59 60

Relationships

• Cui Lang — A capable subordinate and developing partner in demon investigations. Shen tests him at first, later teaches him martial arts, protects him from Zhou Yafeng, and recruits him into the prefectural yamen. 40 49 51 52 58
• Cui Ling — Cui Lang's younger sister. Shen responds warmly to her hospitality, praises her aptitude, helps arrange the siblings' residence, and gives her a cultivation technique without knowing of her Demon Race blood. 51 54 58 59 60
• Lin Liben — Assistant Prefect whose handling of the Cloud Mountain County case restricts Shen's ability to investigate openly. Shen later suspects his connection to Zhou Yafeng's escaped accountant and to the missing old blind man. 40 51 59
• Zhou Yafeng — Corrupt county magistrate and Demon God Cult collaborator. Shen captures and interrogates him after defeating him in combat. 49 50
• Chief Constable Ye — The Ministry of Justice chief constable who destroyed the Demon God Cult decades earlier. Shen recounts his actions with clear respect. 48
• Shen Family — Her provincial-city martial clan. Their members collect the Mountain Ghost corpses for Cui Lang after his arrival in Azure Cloud Prefecture. 41 58

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cloud Mountain County Investigation

Shen arrives as the prefectural yamen's Silver Badge Constable, inspects the demon corpses, and quietly probes Cui Lang after Lin Liben prematurely closes the official inquiry. 40

Demon God Cult Exposure

She returns to investigate Cloud Mountain County's hidden corruption, identifies the Demon God Statue, and explains the threat posed by surviving Demon God Cult influences. 48

Defeat of Zhou Yafeng

Shen prevents Zhou Yafeng from killing Cui Lang, defeats him in fewer than three moves, and later interrogates him regarding his evil arts and collaboration with demons. 49 50

Mentor and Protector

She rewards Cui Lang with the Dragon-Burying Kick, advises him on martial true intent and the Bloodfire Demon Body, and supports his wish to serve in the prefectural city. 50 51 52

Journey to Azure Cloud Prefecture

Shen escorts Cui Lang and Cui Ling toward Azure Cloud Prefecture, supervises Cui Lang's battle against two Mountain Ghosts without intervening unless necessary, and ensures he receives credit for the slain demons. 54 56 57 58

Prefectural Service

She arranges Cui Lang's entry as a Bronze Badge Constable, assists the siblings in purchasing a residence, and continues investigating the disappearance of the old blind man and possible remnants of Lin Liben's network. 58 59

Trivia

• Shen Ruyu was twenty-four years old during the Cloud Mountain County events. 41
• She reportedly declared that any prospective husband would need to be stronger than her and no more than three years older than her. 41
• Despite extensive experience camping outdoors, she had never eaten roasted flatbread with braised meat inside until Cui Lang prepared it during their journey. 54