Flender

Biodata

Appearance

• Build and age: Tall, middle-aged man 1.
• Facial features: Hooked nose and hawk-like eyes; his beard bristles when angered 1 41.

Personality

Flender treats exceptional talent as something to bring under his control. When Ye Feng refuses apprenticeship, he obstructs the boy’s alternatives and ultimately decides that a genius he cannot use should be allowed to perish. His later remarks about Ye Feng’s apparent death show no genuine regret 1 20.

His concern for Ma Hongjun and Zhao Wuji contrasts with his treatment of Ye Feng. He urgently seeks medical help for both, but his protectiveness is tempered by calculations about their opponent’s backing. Once Dugu Bo’s involvement becomes clear, he puts Shrek Academy’s survival above revenge and acknowledges that Ma Hongjun initiated the conflict 41 42 50.

Abilities & Skills

Soul Power Barrier

• Creates a soul power barrier around Ye Feng’s cottage and reinforces it before leaving him to suffer the Evil Fire backlash 1.
• On his return, notices that the barrier has completely dissipated, with no residual soul power remaining 20.

Martial Soul Assessment

• Recognizes Ye Feng’s pure Evil Fire Phoenix as stronger than Ma Hongjun’s acquired mutation 1.
• Distinguishes the cottage’s reddish-gold scorch marks from ordinary uncontrolled Evil Fire, suspecting an eruption of higher-order flames 20.
• Interprets Karma Fire Phoenix’s unusual Soul Ring configuration and suppression of Ma Hongjun’s martial soul as reasons to suspect powerful backing 42.

History

Attempt to Force Ye Feng’s Apprenticeship

Flender witnesses Ye Feng’s martial soul awakening and attempts to recruit him privately. After being refused, he bribes the awakening personnel to conceal Ye Feng’s information and restricts the boy’s freedom, preventing his talent from attracting Spirit Hall’s attention 1.

During a severe Evil Fire backlash, Flender offers one final bargain: he claims he will solve Ye Feng’s condition if the boy becomes his disciple. Ye Feng refuses and calls him a fraud. Flender then reinforces the surrounding barrier and leaves with Ma Hongjun, intending to let Ye Feng die rather than risk his becoming a future threat 1.

Mistaken Confirmation of Ye Feng’s Death

Flender later returns to the cottage with Ma Hongjun to verify the outcome. The missing barrier and unusual burn marks initially make him suspicious, but the absence of a corpse, blood, or clothing leads the pair to accept that Ye Feng has burned to ashes. Flender mocks the boy’s refusal to submit, describing him as a wasted “good seedling” 20.

Ye Feng has actually survived. He chooses to postpone revenge rather than immediately use the Snow Empress or Dugu Bo against Flender and Ma Hongjun, preferring to settle the grievance personally 20.

Ma Hongjun’s Permanent Injury

Dai Mubai brings Ma Hongjun back to Shrek after his defeat by Karma Fire Phoenix. Flender reacts angrily to the injury and to Ma Hongjun’s account of insults against the academy. He summons Shao Xin, whose examination establishes that the damage is permanent and untreatable 41.

Flender also realizes that Ma Hongjun can no longer use his previous method of venting Evil Fire through visits to brothels. When told about Karma Fire Phoenix’s reddish-gold flames, he briefly suspects a connection to Ye Feng, then dismisses it because he believes Ye Feng died and the hair and flame colors differ 42.

Although he promises revenge, Flender rejects Zhao Wuji’s proposal for immediate action. He argues that a young Soul Ancestor with two purple and two black rings is unlikely to lack backing, and proposes waiting until public attention subsides 42.

Retreat After Dugu Bo’s Warning

Zhao Wuji attacks Ye Feng but returns to Shrek with an arm severed and poison threatening to kill him within seven days. He reports Dugu Bo’s intervention and relays Karma Fire Phoenix’s invitation for Flender to seek revenge 49 50.

Flender promises to seek help for the poison, then tells Ma Hongjun that retaliation must be put aside. He explains that confronting Dugu Bo could drag the entire academy down. Ma Hongjun reluctantly accepts the decision 50.

Relationships

• Ma Hongjun — Disciple. Accompanies Flender during the coercion of Ye Feng; Flender later seeks treatment for his permanent injury and promises, then postpones, revenge 1 20 41 42 50.
• Ye Feng / Karma Fire Phoenix — Failed recruitment target and enemy. Flender’s coercion creates Ye Feng’s personal vendetta; he later opposes Karma Fire Phoenix without recognizing him as the boy he abandoned 1 20 42.
• Zhao Wuji — Fellow Shrek teacher. Discusses retaliation with Flender and later returns injured from attacking Ye Feng; Flender undertakes to find help for his poison 42 50.
• Dai Mubai — Shrek student who brings the injured Ma Hongjun home and reports Karma Fire Phoenix’s appearance, cultivation, and Soul Rings 41.
• Shao Xin — Shrek’s food-type Soul Emperor, whom Flender consults for Ma Hongjun’s injuries and intends to consult about Zhao Wuji’s poisoning 41 50.
• Dugu Bo — Powerful opponent backing Ye Feng. His punishment of Zhao Wuji and warning to Shrek force Flender to suspend retaliation 49 50.

Notable Quotes

“Ye Feng, I will give you one last chance. As long as you agree to become my disciple, I will immediately solve your evil fire problem.” 1

“Dugu Bo is backing him. If we clash head-on, forget revenge—even all of Shrek will be dragged down with us.” 50