Liu Zheng

Biodata

Background / History

Liu Zheng is an old friend of Zhou Baishan. Zhou contacts him after returning to the Judge's Office with Zhao Hong, expecting Liu Zheng to arrive and assist with Zhao Hong's registration and placement 31.

After Zhao Hong becomes a Copper Bell Guard, Liu Zheng receives him at the Clawfang Mountain outpost. He explains the region's four-section deployment, the second section's manpower, and the duty of guarding and patrolling the trade route. He offers Zhao Hong practical guidance and tells him to ask questions whenever needed 32.

Liu Zheng leads Zhao Hong, Sun Tao, and others on patrol along the Cloud Ridge Trade Route. During this period, Zhao Hong is formally introduced to Liu Zheng's subordinates 33.

Personality

Liu Zheng is pragmatic and protective of the guards under his command. He is initially stunned by Zhao Hong's concealed strength, but quickly sets aside his surprise once Zhao Hong proves to be an ally in battle 36.

He is strongly opposed to abandoning comrades or fleeing from duty. When Yang Feng's group attempts to leave the fighting around the Clawfang Mountain garrison, Liu Zheng openly condemns them for desertion and refuses to blindly follow their orders 38 39.

Though reluctant to leave Zhao Hong behind against a Profound Embryo enemy, Liu Zheng ultimately obeys Zhao Hong's command to withdraw, prioritizing the survival of the remaining guards 37.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Clawfang Mountain Assignment

• Receives Zhao Hong at the Judge's Office outpost and serves as his immediate superior in the second Clawfang Mountain section 32.
• Leads patrols on the Cloud Ridge Trade Route and introduces Zhao Hong to the unit's Copper Bell Guards 33.

Evil Skin Cult Assault

• Joins the defense against more than forty beast-men and witnesses Zhao Hong slaughtering the majority of the attackers, including peak Blood Astral opponents 36.
• Accepts Zhao Hong as the group's effective leader after recognizing the enormous difference in their combat strength 36.
• Rebukes the Evil Skin Cult's attempt to undermine the guards' morale and helps enforce Zhao Hong's order for the group to retreat toward the garrison 37.
• Confronts Yang Feng's party when they attempt to abandon the battle, refusing to accept their claimed orders without question 38 39.
• Follows Zhao Hong's decision to assess the garrison rather than flee, as the team needs someone capable of making decisions amid the crisis 40.

Aftermath

• Assists Zhao Hong after the battle by explaining the Judge's Office's use of captured Evil Skins as cultivation resources 46.
• Gives Zhao Hong more than three thousand taels from the battlefield cleanup, calling it Zhao Hong's rightful share 46.
• Regrets that Zhao Hong's extraordinary strength means he cannot remain under Liu Zheng's command for long, while also recognizing that Zhou Baishan's decision to place Zhao Hong with his unit likely saved Liu Zheng's life 46.

Relationships

• Zhou Baishan — Old friend. Zhou trusts Liu Zheng enough to summon him when Zhao Hong arrives at the Judge's Office 31.
• Zhao Hong — Initially Liu Zheng's newly assigned subordinate; Liu Zheng guides him through outpost life and patrol duties. After Zhao Hong reveals overwhelming strength, Liu Zheng accepts his battlefield leadership and relies on him during the Evil Skin Cult attack 32 36 37.
• Yang Feng — Opposes Yang Feng's attempt to leave the garrison battle and challenges his claim that Liu Zheng's group must follow him 38 39.
• Sun Tao, Li Haogang, Zhong Yuan, and Wu Lingxian — Fellow Judge's Office guards assigned to the Clawfang Mountain section; Sun Tao, Li Haogang, and Zhong Yuan are introduced as Copper Bell Guards under Liu Zheng, while Wu Lingxian is his fellow Silver Bell Guard 33.