Hong He

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hong He (鸿和)
Alias(es)	Daoist Hong He; Lord Hong He; Martial Uncle
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Three-Nine Dao Palace; Treasure Vase Peak Daoist Grounds
Occupation/Role	Dao Palace senior; master of Treasure Vase Peak; protector and mentor of Lu He
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 182

Background / History

Hong He is Daoist Hongxi's senior martial brother. He first meets Lu He in a humble thatched cottage and identifies himself as Lu He's martial uncle by seniority. He delivers the news that Hongxi has fallen in a forbidden land, then explains Hongxi's instructions: Lu He is to pass the Dao Palace assessment, inherit the late master's legacy, and eventually take control of the Hongxi Daoist Grounds. Hong He also warns him that Hongxi's three registered disciples—each already a Heavenly Being—may covet that inheritance. 182

After Lu He receives a Supreme evaluation in the Dao Palace probationary assessment, Hong He's ninth disciple Hei Mu personally escorts him to Treasure Vase Peak. Hong He receives Lu He in the Purple Jade Hall, expresses satisfaction with his progress, and mourns Hongxi's foresight in preparing resources for his disciple. 199 200

When Lu He loses the Five-Elements Dao Sect entry token left by Hongxi, Hong He handles the matter cautiously and waits for Lu He's decision rather than pressuring him. He later arranges for Lu He to become the Resonant Virtue Envoy, giving him authority, mobility, and a way to gain resources without immediately confronting Hongxi's three registered disciples. 201 202 204

Hong He intervenes repeatedly to preserve Hongxi's legacy. He opposes the sale of the Daoist Grounds' treasures and spirit veins, shields Lu He during the dispute over an Earth Immortal inheritance, and formally hosts Lu He's Dao Disciple investiture on Hongxi's behalf. 226 240 242

After Lu He reaches the top of the Treasure Toad Realm Hidden Dragon Ranking, Hong He is openly exhilarated, regarding the achievement as extraordinary glory for the Three-Nine Dao Palace. 256

Appearance

Hong He normally presents himself as an unassuming elderly farmer despite his standing within the Dao Palace. At formal occasions, he adopts the vestments and bearing of a powerful Dao Palace authority. 200 240

• Usually wears faded, coarse hemp clothing with rolled trouser legs and mud on his feet. 200
• Has a kind face and clear eyes; his ordinary appearance conceals an immense, ancient presence. 200 240
• Wears a purple yin-yang Daoist robe during Lu He's Dao Disciple ceremony. 240
• Keeps an unfinished chess game in the Purple Jade Hall. 200

Personality

Hong He is gentle, patient, and exceptionally deliberate. He gives Lu He difficult information directly, explains the dangers behind Hongxi's inheritance, and makes long-term arrangements to keep his martial nephew from being trapped in a premature conflict. 182 202

He is deeply loyal to Hongxi. Mention of his senior brother causes visible sorrow, and he treats preserving Hongxi's Dao lineage as both a personal duty and a matter of principle. 200 240 242

Though warm toward Lu He, Hong He is not indulgent. He values a firm Dao heart, expects Lu He to endure hardship, and judges his own disciples as far less steady and reliable than his martial nephew. 201 233

Abilities & Influence

Half-Step True Spirit Cultivation

Hong He possesses cultivation at the half-step True Spirit level.

• His aura is sufficient to resist part of the pressure exerted by a True Spirit projection. 242
• His presence commands the respect of Celestial beings and the gathered cultivators at Lu He's investiture ceremony. 240
• He is regarded as one of Lu He's two major Dao Palace backers alongside the late Hongxi. 235 241

Cultivation Guidance and Judgment

Hong He provides Lu He with practical instruction on dangers, resources, and the wider cultivation world.

• Identifies Black Karma Stones as sacrificial objects refined from living beings' resentment and karmic force. 202
• Explains that Gods-and-Devils inheritances may be constrained by predetermined limits of the Great Dao, making cultivators of the same inheritance potential targets. 232
• Recognizes Lu He's Earth Immortal-level Gods-and-Devils inheritance and dragon-transformation divine ability. 231
• Gives Lu He the low-grade magic treasure Violet Qi Furnace, which Hong He refined from half a measure of Creation Violet Firmament Qi. 231

Treasure Vase Peak Daoist Grounds

Hong He's Daoist Grounds stand on Treasure Vase Peak, seven hundred li from Mount Taihua. 200

• Protected by two Celestial-realm Dharma-protecting warriors at its mountain gate. 200
• Contains a large, orderly community of Dao soldiers, stewards, servants, and nonhuman attendants. 200
• The Purple Jade Hall serves as Hong He's principal meeting place with Lu He. 200 231
• Hong He's authority enables his disciples to bypass Tongzhou Giant City's ordinary restrictions on escape travel. 200

Relationships

• Daoist Hongxi — Senior martial brother and close companion who had faced life-and-death situations with Hong He. Hong He carries out Hongxi's final wish that Lu He inherit his Dao lineage. 182 240 241
• Lu He — Martial nephew, later the Dao Disciple and sole personal disciple of Hongxi. Hong He mentors, protects, and strategically supports him. 182 202 240
• Hei Mu — Hong He's ninth disciple. Hei Mu serves as Lu He's escort, senior brother, and intermediary with Hong He's Daoist Grounds. 199 204
• Yao Zhaosi, Hong Yang, and Chi Buyan — Hongxi's registered disciples and opponents of Hong He's efforts to preserve the Hongxi Daoist Grounds for Lu He. 226 239 243
• Yuan Chen — Lu He's artifact spirit. Hong He recognizes Yuan Chen and responds to its fear for Lu He's safety with understanding. 182

Notable Quotes

“I am helping you because you have proven yourself worthy, and also for the Treasure Toad Realm.” 232

“Senior Brother Hongxi truly stepped in dog shit luck. Before his fall, he actually found such an exceptional successor to inherit his mantle.” 233