Liu Laosan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Liu Laosan was one of Clearwind Stronghold's three chiefs. The stronghold had operated in Blackwater Commandery for three years as a front for the Wu Family of neighboring Rock Mountain Commandery: its bandits plundered cultivation resources, retained thirty percent for themselves and the stronghold's expenses, and handed the remainder to the Wu Family every three months. Liu Laosan and Second Chief Zhang Bao were guest elders of that family, while First Chief Wu Heihu was a Wu Family member 47.

As Third Chief, Liu Laosan led a nighttime raid on a Luo Clan Chamber of Commerce convoy. He initially demanded that the convoy surrender all its women, then ordered his men to kill the men and seize the women after Manager Luo attempted to pay him off 45.

After Ye Yun captured him, Liu Laosan disclosed Clearwind Stronghold's structure, defenses, and Wu Family connections to save his own life. He then guided Ye Yun into the stronghold and assisted in the raid against his former comrades, but later conspired with Zhang Bao to ambush Ye Yun after Wu Heihu's death. Ye Yun detected the betrayal and killed Liu Laosan before the plan could succeed 46 47 48 51 52.

Personality

Liu Laosan is cruel, greedy, and predatory when he holds power. He takes pleasure in intimidating Manager Luo, treats the caravan's women as spoils, and casually orders murder and abduction 45.

After Ye Yun annihilates his men and defeats him, Liu Laosan becomes openly cowardly and desperate to survive. He begs for mercy, offers information about Clearwind Stronghold, and accepts Ye Yun's coercive terms rather than risk death 46.

His cooperation is driven primarily by self-preservation. He considers betraying Ye Yun after entering Clearwind Stronghold, but decides the risk is too great; later, he follows Ye Yun's orders and openly turns on his former comrades 48 49.

However, his apparent defection is not genuine loyalty. When Zhang Bao offers him the prospect of removing the force in his heart, looting Clearwind Stronghold's wealth, escaping the Wu Family's control, and potentially reaching the True Essence Realm, Liu Laosan allows greed and fear to overcome his caution. He agrees to betray Ye Yun despite the danger of the icy force's eventual eruption 52.

Abilities & Skills

Spear Combat

Liu Laosan fights with a spear and is capable of sustaining a dangerous close-quarters battle against Zhang Bao.

• Charges Ye Yun on horseback with his spear after his initial fear gives way to desperation 45.
• Trades serious wounds with Zhang Bao: Liu Laosan is slashed several times, while his spear pierces Zhang Bao's abdomen 50.
• Pursues Zhang Bao after the latter attempts to flee the stronghold, catches up to him, and prepares to fight again before Zhang Bao persuades him to join the ambush against Ye Yun 50 52.

Stronghold Knowledge and Infiltration

As Clearwind Stronghold's Third Chief, Liu Laosan knows its organization, personnel, defenses, and connection to the Wu Family.

• Reports that the stronghold has sixty-three martial artists, including nine Qi Refining Realm cultivators before Ye Yun's raid 46.
• Explains the strength and identities of Wu Heihu, Zhang Bao, and the Wu Family resource collector Wu Hai 46 47.
• Leads Ye Yun through Beheaded Mountain's defenses and into the stronghold by using his authority as Third Chief 47 48.
• Draws guards into vulnerable positions, enabling Ye Yun to assassinate them 48 49.
• Uses his familiarity with the stronghold's sentries and command structure to construct a plausible false account of Zhang Bao's escape during the attempted ambush of Ye Yun 51.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Spear — Liu Laosan's primary weapon during his confrontation with Ye Yun and battle against Zhang Bao 45 50.
• Horse — Rides with the bandits during the raid on the Luo convoy; Ye Yun kicks the horse aside while evading his charge 45.

Relationships

• Ye Yun — Former enemy, captor, and temporary master. Ye Yun defeats him, implants an icy force near his heart, and coerces him into guiding the assault on Clearwind Stronghold. Liu Laosan later conspires with Zhang Bao to ambush Ye Yun, who detects the betrayal and kills him 46 47 51 52.
• Wu Heihu — First Chief of Clearwind Stronghold, whom Liu Laosan addresses as “Big Brother.” Liu Laosan betrays him by luring him into Ye Yun's ambush 46 49.
• Zhang Bao — Second Chief and fellow Wu Family guest elder. Liu Laosan fights him after choosing Ye Yun's side, then pursues him when he flees. Zhang Bao subsequently manipulates Liu Laosan into joining a plot against Ye Yun by promising wealth, freedom from the Wu Family, and a means to remove the force in his heart 47 50 52.
• Manager Luo — Target of Liu Laosan's convoy raid; Liu Laosan extorts him and threatens the caravan before Ye Yun intervenes 45.
• Wu Family of Rock Mountain Commandery — Liu Laosan formerly served as a guest elder while Clearwind Stronghold plundered resources for the family 47.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Raid on the Luo Convoy

Liu Laosan leads Clearwind Stronghold bandits in an attack on the Luo convoy. After Ye Yun kills the Body Tempering Realm bandits, Liu Laosan attempts to flee, then makes a failed spear charge and is defeated 45 46.

Captivity and Defection

To save his life, Liu Laosan reveals Clearwind Stronghold's forces and proposes guiding Ye Yun inside. Ye Yun places a time-limited icy force near his heart to prevent betrayal, forcing Liu Laosan's compliance 46.

Infiltration of Clearwind Stronghold

Liu Laosan guides Ye Yun to Beheaded Mountain, explains the stronghold's ties to the Wu Family, and uses his position to pass the gate. He helps eliminate the gate guards and guides Ye Yun to the Body Tempering Realm martial artists' quarters, though he privately considers betraying Ye Yun before abandoning the idea 47 48.

Ambush of the Chiefs

Liu Laosan helps Ye Yun kill guards Xu Shan and Zhang Tie, then summons Wu Heihu from his courtyard for Ye Yun's ambush. He openly declares his surrender to Ye Yun and battles Zhang Bao to stop him from supporting Wu Heihu or escaping 49 50.

Betrayal and Death

After Zhang Bao flees, Liu Laosan catches up to him but is persuaded to turn against Ye Yun. Zhang Bao exploits Liu Laosan's fear of the icy force in his heart and his greed for Clearwind Stronghold's wealth, promising that they can capture the exhausted Ye Yun, remove the threat, and cultivate freely beyond the Wu Family's control. Liu Laosan then fabricates Zhang Bao's escape and approaches Ye Yun as part of a coordinated ambush 51 52.

Ye Yun sees through the deception and strikes first, blasting apart Liu Laosan's head before evading Zhang Bao's saber attack. Liu Laosan dies without understanding why Ye Yun attacked before the ambush was fully launched 52.

Notable Quotes

“A wise man submits to circumstances. Young Master Ye intends to wipe out Clearwind Stronghold, and I have been won over by his charisma.” 49

Trivia

• Liu Laosan's attempt to invoke an “eighty-year-old mother” and an infant child while begging Ye Yun for mercy is immediately dismissed as nonsense 46.
• The cold force Ye Yun places near his heart grows when Liu Laosan circulates true qi and is set to erupt after three days 46.
• Zhang Bao's promise of Clearwind Stronghold's wealth, freedom from the Wu Family, and a possible path to the True Essence Realm is what ultimately persuades Liu Laosan to risk betraying Ye Yun 52.