Cheng Tian'en

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Cheng Tian'en (程天恩) 28
Alias(es)	Iron Palm Cheng Tian'en; Hero Cheng 28 31
Species/Race	Human 29
Gender	Male 29
Affiliation	Iron Mountain Sect; Cheng Family; Cloud Tiger Hall; nominally Luo Qianqian's subordinate 30 39 115 163
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; instructor of the Iron Mountain Art; former Iron Mountain Sect incense master; former Cloud Tiger Hall Master 30 31 59 163
Cultivation	Two-Beast Realm at death; previously concealed First Beast Realm cultivation 73 165
Status	Deceased; killed by Fang Zhixing in Wild Fox Forest after Cheng Tianxi's death 164 165
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 28; physically appears in Chapter 29 28 29

Power Progression

Period	Cultivation / Development	Details
Before meeting Fang Zhixing	Claimed early Giant Python Realm	Cheng told Fang that he had reached the early Giant Python Realm at his peak, though this understated his actual cultivation. 30 73
By the Qinglin County period	First Beast Realm	Lu Anfu identified Cheng as a First Beast Realm expert, possibly at the early, middle, or late stage, and regarded him as a potential challenger for a branch-hall master position. 73
As Cloud Tiger Hall Master	Two-Beast Realm	By his final battle, Cheng had enhanced defense and agility, wielding the agility art Nine Spiral Shadows and the defensive Hedgehog Technique. 163 165

Background / History

Cheng Tian'en is an Iron Mountain Sect disciple who cultivates the Iron Mountain Art, a bare-handed martial art. He told Fang Zhixing that he had learned only its introductory section and first two levels; its first level corresponds to Force Unification, while the second corresponds to the Giant Python Realm. Although Cheng claimed to have reached only the early Giant Python Realm at his peak, he later proved to have concealed cultivation at least at the First Beast Realm. 30 73

He spent over five years perfecting the first layer of the Iron Mountain Art and awakened the burst skill Iron Palm. With it, he placed seventh in the Clear River Martial Tournament and earned the title “Iron Palm Cheng Tian'en.” 31

By the time Fang Zhixing sought him out, Cheng was seriously ill, pale, thin, and prone to violent coughing. Though initially irritated by Fang's request for information, he accepted payment to explain martial cultivation and later agreed to teach him the Iron Mountain Art. 29 30

Cheng taught Fang the first layer personally, demonstrating its lengthy sequence of movements and correcting Fang's form. After Fang rapidly reached perfection and awakened Iron Mountain Lean, Cheng repeatedly postponed teaching the second layer. He had judged Fang's character negatively from the blood smell on him during their first meeting and chose to observe him rather than continue his instruction. Fang subsequently left the Cheng Family Compound. 31 42 43

Cheng's younger brother, Cheng Tianxi, later brought him a Horned King Monkey cub and fed him its blood as treatment. The ordeal restored Cheng's health; afterward, Cheng could practice his fist techniques with speed and force again. 35 39

After recovering, Cheng learned that all 457 members of the Cheng Family had submitted to the Luo Family as slaves. Though he acknowledged the family's weak position, he openly resented the great clans' treatment of commoners and refused to accept permanent subjugation in principle. 39

Before his illness, Cheng had reportedly intended to challenge the Iron Mountain Sect's branch hall in Qing'an County. Something happened on his journey there, leaving him severely injured and causing him to disappear from public view. 73

Cheng later informed Luo Qianqian that Luo Kegong and Luo Xiangpeng had died in the water monster attack on their ship. Through this connection, he gained Luo Qianqian's backing and rose rapidly within the Iron Mountain Sect. He ultimately retook Cloud Tiger Hall from the Black Tiger Gate and was personally praised by the sect master. 115 163

By the time he became Cloud Tiger Hall Master, Cheng had abandoned much of his former idealism. He concluded that chivalry and personal virtue were powerless before great clans after witnessing a person he had risked his life to save be killed by a powerful clan's young master. He resolved to climb upward by any means necessary and supported Tianxi's blood-dependent cultivation with the common people of their territory. 163

When the brothers discovered that Fang Zhixing, previously rumored dead, was living in the prefectural city, they decided to investigate the source of his rapid rise. Cheng proposed borrowing Young Sect Master Xue Nanjie's influence by claiming that a mysterious master at Fragrant Benefit Lodge might threaten Xue's standing in the Clear River Martial Tournament. 163

Cheng and Tianxi were later sent to Wild Fox Forest to deliver a brocade box, where they encountered Fang. After Skinny Dog's shadow clones killed Tianxi, Cheng attempted to avenge his brother and escape. Fang pursued and killed him with a single saber strike that split his body apart. 164 165

Appearance

During his illness, Cheng Tian'en appeared far weaker than his reputation suggested. After being treated with Horned King Monkey blood, he regained the bearing and physical power of a martial artist. 29 35 39

• Tall, long-haired man with gray streaks at his temples 29
• Prominent cheekbones, deep facial wrinkles, and a pale complexion during his illness 29
• Initially thin and frail, with labored breathing and severe coughing fits 29 30
• Carried a gourd when Fang Zhixing first met him 29
• After recovery, performed punches and kicks powerful enough to create gusts of wind 39
• By his final battle, he could make rows of barbs protrude from his skin through the Hedgehog Technique, giving him a hedgehog-like appearance. 165

Personality

Cheng values martial ability, proper instruction, and personal character. He was astonished that Fang Zhixing had independently reached Force Unification through blade work, and he carefully corrected Fang's Iron Mountain Art forms despite his illness. 29 31

He is conscious of his reputation as a “hero” and distrustful of those he deems morally compromised. Rather than directly refusing Fang further instruction, he delayed teaching the second level because he believed Fang's strong blood smell revealed a problem with his character. 42 43

Cheng is also proud and resistant to domination. Although he recognizes that the Cheng Family must rely on the Luo Family to survive, he considers the great clans oppressive and hopes for a time when his family can act independently. 39

Despite his reputation for chivalry, Cheng did not intervene when water bandits attacked a Wu Family merchant ship, instead conversing with Zhu Fuguang while other Iron Mountain Sect members also chose not to interfere. 51

His ideals became increasingly warped after his rise to power. Having concluded that a gallant hero could not protect others, he decided that only overwhelming power mattered and declared his willingness to use vile means to gain it. 163

Cheng remained deeply attached to Tianxi. When Tianxi was overwhelmed by Skinny Dog's clones, Cheng became frantic and tried to reach him; after Tianxi was killed, grief and rage drove Cheng to attack recklessly. 165

Abilities & Skills

Iron Mountain Art

Cheng practices the Iron Mountain Sect's inherited fist-and-leg martial art. Its first layer circulates qi and blood to condense the body's strength into a unified force; its second layer corresponds to the Giant Python Realm. 30

• A bare-handed style that trains fists and legs rather than weapons 30
• Claimed to have possessed early Giant Python Realm strength at his peak, though he later demonstrated higher cultivation 30 73 165
• Can demonstrate and teach its mnemonic, basic movements, and force-generation principles 30 31
• Continued practicing fist techniques after his recovery, with each movement displaying speed and power 39

Iron Palm

Cheng's personal burst skill, awakened after more than five years of uninterrupted training in the Iron Mountain Art's first layer. 31

• Gives him palms described as comparable to blades and swords 31
• Earned him seventh place in the Clear River Martial Tournament and his “Iron Palm” title 31
• Represents an individual burst-skill outcome; Cheng notes that practitioners of the same martial art can awaken different burst skills 31

Nine Spiral Shadows

An agility technique Cheng used during his final battle. 165

• Creates nine moving phantoms, each performing a different motion, obscuring Cheng's true body. 165
• Allowed him to evade several attacks from Skinny Dog's shadow clones before he attempted to flee. 165

Hedgehog Technique

A defensive technique Cheng used after being cornered by Skinny Dog's clones. 165

• Causes the muscles throughout his body to writhe and rows of barbs to protrude from his skin. 165
• Enabled him to withstand a direct Wolf Shadow Gale Claw strike with no visible injury beyond torn clothing. 165
• Reflected his Two-Beast Realm path of enhancing defense and agility. 165

Martial Arts Knowledge

Cheng understands the hierarchy of martial cultivation and explains martial arts as the refinement of strength for defeating opponents. 29 30

• Identifies Force Unification as the first martial realm, followed by Giant Python, Five Beasts, Nine Oxen, Hundred Oxen, Thousand Soldiers, and Ten Thousand Men 30
• Recognized Fang Zhixing's man-and-blade unity as Force Unification-level attainment 29
• Warned that Iron Mountain Lean is limited by its short range and can be ineffective against swift opponents 42

Relationships

• Cheng Tianxi — His younger brother and closest confidant. Tianxi procured the Horned King Monkey cub used to treat Cheng's illness; later, the brothers jointly took control of Cloud Tiger Hall and sought to rise through ruthless means. Cheng tried unsuccessfully to save Tianxi from Skinny Dog's clones and was overcome by rage after Tianxi's death. 35 39 163 165
• Fang Zhixing — Former paid student and later killer. Cheng taught Fang the first layer of the Iron Mountain Art but withheld the second after becoming suspicious of Fang's character. Cheng later sought to investigate Fang's secrets, and Fang killed him in Wild Fox Forest. 30 31 42 43 163 165
• Luo Kegong — Village head of Little Clear River Market Town. Cheng attended to Luo during his drunken visit and discussed the threat posed by river bandits with him. Cheng later testified to Luo Qianqian that Luo Kegong and Luo Xiangpeng had died in the water monster attack. 40 41 115
• Chen Family — The family investigated Cheng after Chen Yusheng's murder, seemingly considering him a possible suspect due to his martial strength. 42
• Wang Yitong — Holds a grudge against Cheng, claiming Cheng was responsible for the three years Wang spent in prison. 44
• Lu Anfu — An Iron Mountain Sect hall master who regarded Cheng as a potential threat after learning that Cheng had recovered and could resume challenging branch-hall masters. 73
• Luo Qianqian — A powerful patron whose connection enabled Cheng's rapid rise after he reported the presumed deaths of Luo Kegong and Luo Xiangpeng. Cheng and Tianxi later considered themselves her nominal “dog servants” and sought to remain in her favor. 115 163
• Xue Nanjie — Iron Mountain Sect's Young Sect Master. Cheng attempted to exploit Xue's interest in Luo Qianqian and tournament standing by prompting him to investigate Fang Zhixing's Fragrant Benefit Lodge. 163 164
• Luo Family — The great clan to which the Cheng Family submitted. Cheng initially resented their domination despite recognizing his family's dependence on them. 39

Notable Quotes

“How can a true man, born between heaven and earth, remain dejected beneath another's heel for long?” 39

“I will climb upward, even if I must use every vile means at my disposal. One day, I'll obtain power that reaches the heavens, then change this filthy world.” 163