Zheng Hongfeng

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zheng Hongfeng (郑洪峰)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Flood Peak Martial Arts Academy
Occupation/Role	Academy Master; martial arts instructor
Realm	Transformation Realm; described as Early Transformed Force 23 127
First Appearance	Chapter 23

Background / History

Zheng Hongfeng leads Flood Peak Martial Arts Academy in Azure Cloud City's Outer City. Though he rarely appears before the Outer Court, his Transformation Realm cultivation commands immediate reverence among the apprentices. Upon returning after an absence of more than half a month, he announced a joint demon-beast hunt with Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy, offering Blood-Gathering Pills to outstanding participants. 23

He initially placed his greatest expectations on Zhao Jing, personally instructing him in the Inner Court and promising to accept him as his final disciple once he reached Body Tempering Third Layer. Zhao's Upper-grade Bone Constitution was the main reason for Zheng's favor. 61 71

Fang Han overturned Zheng's expectations. Zheng initially received him coldly as an unremarkable, lower-grade-boned Outer Court apprentice, but personally verified that Fang had reached Body Tempering Third Layer with an exceptionally solid foundation. Delighted by the result, he promoted Fang to an Inner Court Direct Disciple and provided monthly cultivation resources. 71 72

As Fang's achievements and dangers became clearer, Zheng became more openly protective. During the Martial Examination Assessment, he recognized Fang's concealed strength, arranged a cover story to reduce attention from Azure Cloud City's major families, and worried that Fang's rise would provoke hostility. 269 271

After the assessment was postponed, Zheng warned Fang not to become involved with the Three Great Families, whose members allegedly have ties to Blood God Cult remnants. He then gave Fang a Lower-grade Bone-Tempering Pill that he had kept from an earlier opportunity in Lingzhou Prefecture, personally standing guard as Fang refined it. 321 322 323

Zheng later disclosed a twenty-year-old opportunity: he and an old friend discovered a Supreme Grandmaster's secluded cave believed to contain a Heaven-Grade martial art capable of extending lifespan. His friend forced entry, was poisoned, and died; Zheng believes only Innate Realm experts can safely enter the cave. He offered Fang everything in the cave except the lifespan-extending art. 325

Appearance

Zheng Hongfeng is a broad-shouldered, burly man with a forceful presence. Even without displaying anger, he makes disciples instinctively lower their heads beneath his gaze. 23

• Bronze skin described as resembling cast copper and iron. 23
• Hawk-like, lightning-sharp eyes. 23 92
• A fierce inch-long scar at the corner of his mouth. 23
• Keeps a straight, pine-like posture despite being over fifty. 92
• Often stands with his hands behind his back. 23 127

Personality

Zheng is stern, pragmatic, and strongly influenced by the martial world's emphasis on Bone Constitution. He initially judged Zhao Jing's Upper-grade Bone Constitution as more valuable than Fang Han's exceptional comprehension, and he was dismissive toward Fang before personally confirming Fang's breakthrough. 61 71

Despite this bias, he is not indifferent to genuine ability or effort. Once Fang proved himself, Zheng openly praised him, explained the distinction between constitution-based and comprehension-based martial artists, and supplied him with techniques, pills, and access to the Inner Court. 72 73

He grows increasingly protective of his disciples when their futures are threatened. He discreetly investigates Wang Long's ambush, promises Huo Zheng help against the Huang Family after the examination, and gives Fang a severe warning about Inner City's political dangers. 229 263 321

Abilities & Skills

Transformed Force Cultivation

Zheng is a Transformation Realm martial artist, placing him among Azure Cloud City's foremost experts. 23 321

• Can inspect another martial artist's realm by sending a gentle force through their meridians and bones. 71
• Recognized abnormal Blood Qi fluctuations when Fang Han began crossing the Dark Strength Threshold during an arena match. 271
• His presence and vigorous Blood Qi are sufficient for disciples to identify him as a Transformed Force expert at a glance. 92
• Is described as Early Transformed Force when compared with the Heavenly Blade Sect and higher-level martial circles. 127

Martial Arts Instruction

Zheng personally teaches and evaluates Flood Peak disciples, particularly in fist techniques and standing-post cultivation.

• Personally instructed Zhao Jing in the essential methods of the Gale-Breaking Fist. 71
• Authored the introductory teachings in Flood Peak's Standing Post Skill manuals. 74
• Created or preserved four Mortal Grade Standing Post Skills for the academy: Black Tortoise, Flying Swallow, Wild Ox, and Spirit Ape. 73 74
• States that these four arts are superior among Mortal Grade Standing Post Skills and can provide a foundation toward Manifest Force or Dark Strength. 74
• Personally taught Outer Court apprentices on at least one occasion after Wang Long's disappearance. 334

Political Awareness and Connections

Zheng has long-standing connections and an information network within Azure Cloud City and Lingzhou Prefecture.

• Learned that Fang Han had joined the Commandant's Demon-Slaying Squad despite its covert nature. 321
• Identified the Three Great Families as politically dangerous due to their alleged Blood God Cult connections. 321
• Offered to seek help from a Grade Entry expert in Lingzhou Prefecture for Huo Zheng's grievance with the Huang Family. 263
• Maintains a friendly relationship with Chen Daqing, master of Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy. 23 189 229

Items

• Lower-grade Bone-Tempering Pill — A treasured pill Zheng had kept from an opportunity in Lingzhou Prefecture. Worth a thousand gold, it was given to Fang Han and raised his Bone Constitution from Lower-grade to Middle-grade. 322 323 324
• Flood Peak Standing Post Skill manuals — Manuals kept in the Inner Court storeroom and available to qualified disciples under supervision. 73 74

Relationships

• Fang Han — Direct disciple. Zheng initially underestimated Fang due to his Lower-grade Bone Constitution, but became deeply invested after verifying Fang's extraordinary progress. He promotes, warns, protects, and materially supports him. 71 72 321 323
• Zheng Yuanming — Daughter and Inner Court disciple. Zheng entrusts her with guiding Fang through the Inner Court storeroom and helping him select a Standing Post Skill. 61 73
• Huo Zheng — Inner Court disciple and senior brother to Fang Han. Zheng relies on Huo's judgment of Outer Court disciples and later promises assistance with Huo's conflict against the Huang Family. 72 263
• Wang Long — Eldest disciple. Zheng invested extensive resources in him and once considered accepting him as a final disciple; Wang Long's disappearance leaves Zheng concerned and deprives the academy of a major hope for the examination. 127 218 321
• Zhao Jing — Formerly Zheng's most favored Outer Court prospect. Zheng personally tutored Zhao and planned to make him his final disciple before Zhao was crippled. 61 71 189
• Chen Daqing — Master of Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy and an old friend. Their exchanges combine friendly rivalry, joint training arrangements, and concern over Azure Cloud City's instability. 23 24 229

Story Role / Major Arcs

Joint Demon-Hunting Expedition

Zheng returns to Flood Peak and establishes the joint Transverse Mountains demon-hunting expedition with Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy. He uses the next Minor Examination to select six Outer Court participants and promises Blood-Gathering Pills as rewards. 23

Fang Han's Promotion

After confirming Fang Han's Body Tempering Third Layer cultivation and Major Accomplishment in Gale-Breaking Fist, Zheng accepts him into the Inner Court. Fang receives waived tuition, five Blood-Qi Pills monthly, authorization to buy more pills, and one Blood-Gathering Pill per month. 71 72

Martial Examination Assessment

Zheng leads Flood Peak's disciples into the Martial Examination Assessment and attempts to sustain their confidence after the examination is suddenly advanced by half a year. He later watches Fang's unexpected victories with increasing confusion, pride, and concern over the attention they attract. 218 235 269

Protection of His Disciples

Zheng privately promises help to Huo Zheng after learning how severely the Huang Family damaged his meridians. He also tries to shield Fang through warnings and political cover after Fang reveals strength far beyond what the academy expected. 263 269 321

Bone Constitution Restoration

Zheng gives Fang his treasured Bone-Tempering Pill and guards him throughout the dangerous refinement process. The pill successfully improves Fang's Bone Constitution to Middle-grade, exceeding Zheng's expectations. 321 323 324

Trivia

• Zheng's three consecutive declarations of “Good!” after confirming Fang Han's Body Tempering Third Layer breakthrough mark the moment he fully recognizes Fang's potential. 71
• He admits that Flood Peak Martial Arts Academy has limited resources compared with major Inner City academies, making his breakthrough rewards for direct disciples especially significant. 189
• Zheng regrets that Fang Han did not enter the academy a year earlier, believing he would otherwise have become Zheng's final disciple. 325