Zheng Tong

Biodata

White Cloud Martial Hall Disciple

Cultivation & Combat Profile

Background

Zheng Tong led fellow White Cloud Martial Hall disciples Sun Ping and Zhao Laosi into Blackwind Ridge, hiring Zhou Yan as their mountain guide for one tael of silver. He was the group’s strongest member and carried an extra bamboo basket for their herb-gathering expedition 8.

In a hidden hollow, Zheng Tong recognized the distinctive “ginseng soil” and personally unearthed a mountain ginseng more than sixty years old, valuing it at over one hundred taels. He guarded the find closely, even stopping Zhao Laosi from touching its roots 8.

Blackwind Ridge Conflict

When Lei Bao and Azure Cloud Gang members confronted the group, Zheng Tong refused to surrender either the ginseng or information about their quarry. He maintained that Blackwind Ridge had no owner and rejected Lei Bao’s territorial claims 9.

He fought Lei Bao with the Drifting Cloud Saber Technique, initially using a long saber before revealing the art’s paired-saber method after his right shoulder was disabled. Though Lei Bao shattered his collarbone and later both shoulders, Zheng Tong helped Zhou Yan disrupt the Iron Fiend Technique and stabbed Lei Bao through the waist, creating the opening for Zhou Yan’s killing blow 9 10.

Afterward, Zheng Tong attempted to bargain for his life. He offered Zhou Yan thirty percent of the ginseng’s sale, promised an introduction to White Cloud Martial Hall, and claimed he would conceal Zhou Yan’s involvement. When Zhou Yan approached, Zheng Tong instead launched a last desperate attack with his body; Zhou Yan countered by crushing his throat with a knee strike 10.

Personality

Zheng Tong was restrained and practical during the expedition, speaking little and taking responsibility for the group’s decisions. His resolve gave way to desperation after the battle left him crippled and alone, leading him to attempt both negotiation and betrayal rather than accept death 8 10.

Relationships

• Sun Ping — Junior companion on the Blackwind Ridge expedition; Zheng Tong led the group and protected their ginseng find 8 9.
• Zhao Laosi — Quiet companion armed with a pickaxe; fought alongside Zheng Tong before being killed by Cao Heng 8 9.
• Lei Bao — Azure Cloud Gang opponent who overwhelmed Zheng Tong in their duel and shattered both of his shoulders 9 10.
• Zhou Yan — Hired guide and temporary ally against Lei Bao; Zheng Tong later tried to kill him and was killed in return 8 10.

Mountain-Suppressing Martial Hall Disciple

Cultivation & Combat Profile

Role at Mountain-Suppressing Martial Hall

This Zheng Tong approached Zhou Yan after learning that another Sun Family Guard Corps member had joined the martial hall. He explained the hall’s Sun, He, and Qian family factions, advised Zhou Yan not to accept He Song’s challenge, and offered himself as a contact in Class B 18.

He also emphasized the importance of the Mountain-Settling Stance, noting that Sun Family guards had an advantage because Instructor Han taught them the foundation early 18.

Qinghe Escort Mission

Zheng Tong joined the Sun Family escort convoy bound for Qinghe City alongside Zhou Yan. He recognized Zhou Yan’s defeat of He Song and expressed confidence that Zhou Yan could eventually enter Class B himself 22.

During the journey, he helped Captain Wu inspect the camp perimeter. In the mountain-road ambush, Zheng Tong abandoned his horse and charged several Body-Tempering attackers bare-handed, crushing one man’s chest, breaking another’s nose with a headbutt, and disabling a third with a kick 23 24.

He later died when four Qi-Gathering Realm opponents attacked him during the escort’s mountain battles. Sun Wenyue reported that Zheng Tong’s external cultivation could not withstand the coordinated assault 29.

Personality

This Zheng Tong was straightforward, sociable, and protective of fellow Sun Family-affiliated disciples. He freely shared practical advice about martial-hall politics and fought aggressively in battle, relying on the toughness of his hard-body cultivation rather than caution or weapon use 18 24.

Relationships

• Zhou Yan — Fellow former Sun Family Guard Corps member; warned him about He Song, later served beside him on the Qinghe escort mission, and acknowledged his potential 18 22 23.
• He Song — Identified him as a He Family-backed bully who targeted newcomers through sparring challenges 18.
• Captain Wu — Accompanied him on the convoy’s perimeter inspection before the mountain-road ambush 23.
• Sun Wenyue — Served as one of the Third Young Master’s escorts; Sun Wenyue later informed Zhou Yan of Zheng Tong’s death and promised compensation to his family 29.