Zhang Yao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Yao (张耀) 3
Alias(es)	Hall Master Zhang 3
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Blackstone Martial Hall; later allied publicly with the Qin Household 12 16
Occupation/Role	Founder and Hall Master of Blackstone Martial Hall 9
Status	Alive; his meridians were severely damaged by Li Xiao, leaving him weakened in Lidu 33 46
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 1; first direct appearance in Chapter 3 1 3
Family	Shen Yuniang (wife); Zhang Zhi (daughter) 3 16

Background

Zhang Yao came alone to Chi City, founded Blackstone Martial Hall with his iron fists, and established himself as one of the city’s pivotal martial artists. He later married Shen Yuniang, who came from a branch of the Shen Household. 9 16

Decades before the main story, Lu Fan saved Zhang when he would otherwise have died on the streets. Zhang repaid that debt by employing Lu as Blackstone Martial Hall’s cook and promising him a peaceful, stable life. Their bond grew into a friendship that Zhang values above status and even family conflict. 3 22 30

Appearance

Zhang Yao is not especially burly, but carries himself with a blade-straight waist and back. As a Dark Force martial artist, his blood and vitality create a naturally oppressive presence. 3

• Stern-faced in public, though he visibly softens around Lu Fan. 3
• His Late Dark Force aura is heavy and still “as a mountain.” 15
• After Li Xiao’s attacks, he becomes pale, bloodied, physically weakened, and prone to coughing blood. 21 31
• His grave injuries later leave him withdrawn and visibly disheartened. 46 48

Personality

Zhang Yao is steadfast, proud, and deeply bound by gratitude. He considers Lu Fan’s life-saving kindness an unpayable debt, repeatedly prioritizing Old Lu’s safety even when doing so endangers himself or the wider group. 3 36 41

As a father, Zhang can seem emotionally distant because he believes excessive intervention would hinder Zhang Zhi’s growth. However, his rage at her injury and his willingness to confront stronger enemies for her and the Qin Household show how fiercely protective he is. 12 17

He refuses humiliation even in hopeless situations. Rather than surrender to Li Xiao’s demand to kneel, Zhang challenges the newly ascended Transformation Force Grandmaster despite knowing the difference in their realms. 17 18

Abilities & Skills

Dark Force Cultivation

Cultivation / condition	Chapter	Notes
Dark Force	3	His vitality and blood pressure identify him as a Dark Force expert.
Late Dark Force	9, 16	Recognized as Chi City’s principal Late Dark Force martial artist and Blackstone Martial Hall’s main strength.
Repeatedly failed Transformation Force breakthroughs	30	Could not overcome the Dark Force–Transformation Force barrier despite many attempts.
Severely weakened	33, 46	Li Xiao damages his internal organs and meridians; Qin Zhao assesses him as an injured Early Dark Force practitioner who could potentially recover to Late Dark Force.

Evergreen Formula

Zhang Yao practices the Evergreen Formula and gives its complete version to Lu Fan so that Lu may improve his health. 3 19

• Its cultivation supports strong blood and qi, allowing Zhang to wield Dark Force with substantial power. 3 17
• He recognizes Chen Liu’s use of the technique at a mastery beyond his own, identifying the ninth layer’s force-defense application. 19
• Zhang’s own incomplete progress toward Transformation Force leaves him unable to contend with Li Xiao’s superior realm. 17 18

Veteran Combat Experience

Zhang compensates for numerical disadvantages through decades of martial-hall leadership and practical fighting experience. 31

• Kills three Dark Force attackers almost immediately when Blackstone Martial Hall is surrounded. 31
• Defeats five additional Mid Dark Force martial artists despite being outnumbered. 31
• His force is badly depleted after eliminating the eight attackers, leaving him unable to resist Li Xiao effectively. 31
• A Transformation Force opponent can neutralize his all-out strike with minimal effort and inflict lasting internal damage. 18 31

Relationships

• Lu Fan / Old Lu — Zhang’s life-saving benefactor, longtime cook, and closest old friend. Zhang gives Lu stable work, worries constantly about his safety, and is emotionally restored when they reunite in Lidu. Zhang does not know that Old Lu is also the masked Chen Liu. 3 36 41 49
• Zhang Zhi — His daughter. Though he gives her space to grow independently, her injury provokes his fury and he stands with her publicly at the Qin Household banquet. 12 16
• Shen Yuniang — His wife and Zhang Zhi’s mother. Their marriage deteriorates under pressure from Thunder Martial Hall and the Shen Household; Zhang announces their divorce after she publicly humiliates Lu Fan. 22
• Qin Yuan — Ally and head of the Qin Household. Zhang agrees to formally ally Blackstone Martial Hall with the Qin Household against the Feng Household and Thunder Martial Hall. 12 16
• Qin Yaxin — Qin Yuan’s daughter and Zhang Zhi’s friend. Zhang personally escorts her home after Gu De’s attack and owes her gratitude for bringing his injured daughter back safely. 12
• Li Xiao — Longstanding rival and Hall Master of Thunder Martial Hall. Zhang once humiliated Li Xiao, who later surpasses him by reaching Transformation Force. 9 13 17
• Chen Liu — The masked martial artist who saves Zhang Zhi, rescues Zhang’s family from Chi City, and kills Li Xiao. Zhang considers this debt impossible to repay, unaware that Chen Liu is Lu Fan. 20 33 36

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qin–Blackstone Alliance

After Gu De attacks Qin Yaxin and injures Zhang Zhi, Zhang recognizes that Blackstone Martial Hall can no longer remain neutral. He agrees with Qin Yuan to announce a public alliance between their factions. 12

At Qin Yaxin’s banquet, Zhang reveals his Late Dark Force cultivation to establish the alliance’s military strength. When Li Xiao and Feng Jiaqi attempt to seize the Qin Household’s pill business, Zhang defends Qin Yuan and openly challenges Li Xiao. 16 17

Defeat by Li Xiao

Li Xiao blocks Zhang’s full-force punch with one finger and sends him through a courtyard wall. Zhang survives and attempts to continue fighting, but Qin Yuan stops him from sacrificing his life in a futile second attack. 18

Li Xiao’s victory undermines Blackstone Martial Hall. Students leave for Thunder Martial Hall, while Zhang’s injuries leave him unable to display even half of his former strength. 21

Fall of Blackstone Martial Hall

When Thunder Martial Hall surrounds Blackstone, Zhang waits at the back kitchen and faces the attackers alone. He kills eight Dark Force martial artists before Li Xiao personally arrives. 31

Li Xiao defeats him again, leaving him unable to stand and catastrophically damaging his internal organs and meridians. Chen Liu intervenes, kills Li Xiao, and carries the unconscious Zhang to safety. 31 33

Escape to Lidu

Zhang escapes Chi City with Shen Yuniang, Zhang Zhi, Qin Yaxin, and Zhou Haiyan’s convoy. Although he is gravely injured, his first concern upon awakening is whether Lu Fan survived. 34 36

During the journey, Zhang risks delaying the convoy to search for Old Lu after Lu Fan secretly separates from the group. He ultimately returns empty-handed before dawn. 41

Reunion in Lidu

In Lidu, Zhang falls into despair over his damaged meridians and diminished future. His spirit revives when he recognizes Lu Fan’s meat soup from Fortune Mansion and realizes Old Lu is alive. 48

Zhang and Lu Fan reunite emotionally at Fortune Mansion. Qin Yaxin brings Lu into the Qin Household kitchen, hoping the reunion will restore Zhang’s will to recover and fight. 49

Notable Quotes

“If you hadn't stepped in to save me back then, Old Lu, I would've died on the streets long ago.” 3

“So what if you are a Transformation Grandmaster? Today, I will ask for a lesson.” 17

“Sorry, Old Lu. I won't be able to keep that promise.” 31

“This is Old Lu's meat soup! Old Lu is still alive!” 48