Liu Chen

Biodata

Background / History

Liu Chen began martial training at five years old and persevered for twenty years through harsh conditions. At eighteen, he was selected by the Demon Suppression Office and came to regard himself as one of his generation's stronger fighters. His encounter with the Bone-Chiming pig demon Zhu Yan shattered that confidence, forcing him to recognize the vast gap between himself and true great demons 15.

Military Commissioner Wei He dispatched Liu Chen and Xu Nian to investigate the self-proclaimed Black-clad Sword Immortal's massacre in Lanzhou. In Jincheng County, Liu Chen tried to intervene when Zhu Yan appeared with a mutilated captive, but Xu Nian stopped him from drawing his saber prematurely 8 13. During the battle, Liu Chen cut apart one of Zhu Yan's blood-red tentacles but was captured by others and severely injured. He later attempted to aid the critically wounded Xu Nian, overwhelmed by his own inability to change the battle's outcome 14 15.

Liu Chen witnessed Jiang Yuechu defeat Zhu Yan and later reported her extraordinary tiger-like blade technique and final transformation to Wei He. Though uncertain of the nature of her power, he gave an honest account of the battle 16 17.

After Jiang entered the Demon Suppression Office, Liu Chen became her Xuan Camp superior. Initially intimidated by her strength, he nonetheless defended her admission against his men's gender-based mockery and explained the camp's demon-slaying duties to her 20. Following Jiang's promotion to Eighth-Rank Squad Commander, they became equal-ranked colleagues, and Liu Chen increasingly acted as her guide within the Office 34 35.

Appearance

Liu Chen is a young man with a naturally sharp presence between his brows. He stands with a notably straight, spear-like posture and wears the fitted black uniform with crimson patterns issued to Demon Suppression Office personnel 13 20 23.

• Carries a saber with a leather-cord-wrapped hilt 20.
• Has a youthful but stern appearance that returns after recovering from the Jincheng battle 20.
• Rides a Scarlet-eyed Steed on official missions 28.

Personality

Liu Chen is dutiful and protective of both civilians and fellow guards. He opposes demons without reservation, but he also insists that human crimes—such as Blackwater Village's murder of Xing'er—be reported to the county authorities rather than ignored because a demon was involved 26 28.

The Jincheng battle leaves him painfully aware of his limits. His helplessness while Xu Nian is gravely wounded causes intense self-reproach, yet he continues serving on dangerous missions afterward 15 23.

As a leader, Liu Chen is practical and considerate. He stops internal quarrels, directs investigations methodically, and recognizes when Jiang Yuechu is better suited to question a frightened child than his intimidating group of armed men 24 25. He also respects personal boundaries: when Jiang disposes of the Dragon King's corpse by an unexplained method, he chooses not to press her for answers 31.

Abilities & Skills

Saber Combat

Liu Chen is a lifelong martial artist trained in saber use.

• Began martial training at age five and entered the Demon Suppression Office at eighteen 15.
• Successfully severed one of Zhu Yan's blood-red tentacles during the Jincheng battle 14.
• Was ultimately unable to contend with the Bone-Chiming Zhu Yan's blood-mist divine ability and suffered serious injuries 14 15.

Squad Leadership and Investigation

As Xuan Camp's Squad Commander, Liu Chen leads demon-suppression operations and manages his guards' conduct.

• Briefs new guards on Xuan Camp's mission: “Slay demons, eliminate devils.” 20
• Leads the Black River investigation upstream when the team finds no immediate demonic traces 24.
• Pressures Blackwater Village's chief into revealing Xing'er's death and the village's connection to the water demon 27.
• Organizes an ambush at Returnwater Bend after identifying the Dragon King's attachment to Xing'er's corpse 28.
• Promises to report Jiang Yuechu's merits truthfully after the Blackwater Village mission 32.

Equipment

• Demon Suppression Office saber — his primary weapon in combat 13 20.
• Demon Suppression Office uniform — fitted black clothing marked with crimson patterns 20 23.
• Scarlet-eyed Steed — used during field operations 28.
• Waterskin and travel rations — carries water and jerky during investigations 23 25.

Relationships

• Jiang Yuechu — Initially his subordinate in Xuan Camp; Liu Chen is startled and intimidated by her strength, but consistently supports her, reports her merits, and later becomes her equal-ranked colleague 20 32 34.
• Wei He — Military Commissioner and superior who trusted Liu Chen with the Jincheng investigation and later heard his report on Jiang Yuechu 8 17.
• Xu Nian — Senior officer and comrade during the Jincheng operation. Liu Chen tries to protect and assist him after Zhu Yan leaves him crippled 15 23.
• Zhao Hu — Xuan Camp guard under Liu Chen's command. Liu Chen restrains his provocations and mediates his conflict with Jiang Yuechu 21 25.
• Old Wang — Fellow Demon Suppression Guard who accompanies Liu Chen during the Black River investigation 25 29.
• Xu Changfeng — Liu Chen's superior in Xuan Camp. Liu Chen brings Jiang Yuechu to Xu Changfeng for her promotion appointment 33.
• Chen Qingyuan — Flying Eagle Sect leader whose report brought the wolf-demon crisis to the attention of Jiang Yuechu; Liu Chen has no documented direct interaction with him.