Chen Wang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Chen Wang (陈旺)
Alias(es)	Elder Chen
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Withered Wood Fist Hall
Occupation/Role	Hall Master; martial-arts instructor; leader of demon-hunting squads
Status	Alive
First Appearance	13

Background

Chen Wang was formerly a disciple of the Mystic Mountain Sect, one of Qingzhou’s Five Great Sects. Though talented in his youth, he was framed and forced to leave the sect. He returned to Pingyang County, where he founded Withered Wood Fist Hall and spent years teaching disciples. 60

As demon activity worsened around Pingyang County, Chen Wang led his hall’s Monster-Hunting Squad on county-assigned expeditions. These operations inflicted heavy losses on the hall, leaving him increasingly concerned for both his disciples and the hall’s survival. 30 35

Appearance

Chen Wang is a lean, gray-haired elderly man whose weathered appearance initially resembles that of an ordinary country farmer rather than a martial-arts master. 13

• Wears washed-out gray coarse-cloth garments. 13
• Keeps his streaked-gray hair in place with a wooden hairpin. 13
• Speaks in a hoarse voice. 13
• Possesses steady breathing and a restrained aura that reveal his martial ability. 13
• His face grows notably more haggard after repeated demon-hunting casualties. 35

Personality

Chen Wang is blunt, practical, and unwilling to mislead prospective disciples about their potential. After examining Lu Yuan’s body, he directly judged him unsuited to martial arts and initially refused him admission rather than take his money without cause. 13

Despite this severity, he is deeply protective of his disciples. He refuses to hand Lu Yuan over to Mountain-Calming Martial Hall, attempts to personally confront Tu Zhenyue when Xiang Cang challenges Lu Yuan, and repeatedly emphasizes survival during demon-hunting operations. 36 38 41

Chen Wang values aptitude and solid foundations, but he can reassess his judgments. Lu Yuan’s hidden progress and performance against Mountain-Calming Martial Hall force him to recognize his earlier misjudgment; afterward, Chen Wang offers more earnest guidance and hopes Lu Yuan may eventually enter Mystic Mountain Sect. 37 39 60

Abilities & Skills

Withered Wood Fist Instruction

As the head of Withered Wood Fist Hall, Chen Wang teaches the hall’s foundational body-tempering and fist-arts curriculum.

• Requires new disciples to forge Grinding Force before learning fist techniques, as force-qi is needed to protect the body during training. 13
• Sets strict entry standards: disciples must reach the First Martial Realm within one month or leave the hall. 13
• Identifies and praises Su Yu’s rapid mobilization of qi and blood, recognizing his exceptional talent. 31
• Recognizes Lu Yuan’s use of the second layer of Withered Wood Fist, Cold Wood Concealing Sprout. 39

Demon-Hunting Leadership

Chen Wang leads disciples into demon-infested territory and organizes their formations and emergency response.

• Led Withered Wood Fist Hall’s Monster-Hunting Squad during the demon outbreaks around Pingyang County. 30 35
• Organizes disciples into a Wild Goose Formation in Black Triangle Mountain, personally holding the center to support both wings. 41
• Distributes smoke-signal bombs and orders disciples to prioritize survival over acting alone. 41
• Withdraws injured disciples from Black Triangle Mountain to reduce further casualties. 45

Relationships

• Lu Yuan — Disciple. Chen Wang accepted him because of Mr. Yan’s referral, initially considered him unfit for martial arts, then came to recognize his extraordinary talent and became fiercely protective of him. 13 31 37 39 56 60
• You Tai — Senior disciple of Withered Wood Fist Hall. Chen Wang entrusts him with guiding newcomers, including Lu Yuan, and with handling hall affairs and injured disciples. 13 45
• Su Yu — Disciple whose natural talent Chen Wang highly praises; Chen Wang hopes to recommend him to Mystic Mountain Sect if an opportunity arises. 31 35
• Lin Ruoxue — Disciple. Chen Wang recognizes her talent, includes her in demon-hunting operations, and is relieved when Lu Yuan’s treatment stabilizes her injuries. 35 41 44
• Tu Zhenyue — Rival hall master of Mountain-Calming Martial Hall. Chen Wang opposes Tu’s attempt to humiliate Withered Wood Fist Hall and refuses to sacrifice Lu Yuan to settle the dispute. 36 38
• Mr. Yan — His referral compels Chen Wang to accept Lu Yuan despite Chen Wang’s assessment of Lu Yuan’s poor martial aptitude. 13

Story Role / Major Arcs

Lu Yuan’s Apprenticeship

Chen Wang tests Lu Yuan’s bones and meridians, finds them unsuitable for martial training, and refuses him at first. He changes his decision only after seeing Mr. Yan’s jade pendant, then admits Lu Yuan under severe financial and cultivation conditions. 13

Demon-Hunting Crisis

As demon outbreaks increase, Chen Wang leads disciples on dangerous hunts for the county. The heavy casualties sustained by the hall demonstrate the growing danger facing local martial artists. 30 35

Mountain-Calming Martial Hall Challenge

Chen Wang defends Withered Wood Fist Hall against Tu Zhenyue’s coercive challenge. He shields Lu Yuan despite believing him weaker, then witnesses Lu Yuan defeat He He and contend with Xiang Cang, finally recognizing Lu Yuan’s concealed progress. 36 37 39

Black Triangle Mountain Expedition

Chen Wang leads Lu Yuan, You Tai, Su Yu, Lin Ruoxue, and other disciples into Black Triangle Mountain. He establishes the group’s formation and emergency procedures, but later withdraws the injured while Lu Yuan secretly remains behind to hunt alone. 41 45

Black Wind Stronghold Aftermath

After Lu Yuan returns to Green Mountain Village at the First-Rank Upper Realm, Chen Wang provides him a Yellow-Grade Qi-Blood Pill and warns him of the danger posed by Black Wind Stronghold. Following Lu Yuan’s destruction of the stronghold, Chen Wang supports his effort to seek official protection and offers to look after matters at home. 56 60

Notable Quotes

“Techniques lie in refinement, not quantity. On the martial path, the most important thing is still raising your realm.” 39

“Let me stress this one more time. Demonic beasts are vicious. Do not act on your own. Preserving your lives comes first in all things.” 41