Zhu Zhuqing

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhu Zhuqing (朱竹清)
Alias(es)	Second Miss 3
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Shrek Academy 11
Occupation/Role	Agility-attack Battle Soul Master; Shrek Academy student 5 11
Martial Soul	Netherworld Spirit Cat 5
Status	Alive 48
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background

Zhu Zhuqing fled into the Star Dou Great Forest rather than submit to a family-controlled political marriage alliance. Wounded and pursued by an assassin sent to return her to “Young Master Dai,” she declared that she would rather die than live as a puppet. Though she urged Tang Shuo not to involve himself, he killed the pursuing Soul Venerable with a single bell chime. 3

Her injuries were severe enough that Tang Shuo brought her to a concealed cave and treated her. His Great Sun Divine Light and Eastern Emperor Mirror healed most of her external and internal wounds and restored part of her soul power, beginning her trust in him. 4

To repay him, Zhu Zhuqing guided Tang Shuo through the Star Dou Great Forest while he sought a first soul ring. She killed a sixty-year Bloodfang Boar and defeated a five-hundred-year Tortoiseshell Rhino, but Tang Shuo rejected both targets as too weak. 5 When they encountered a three-thousand-year Ghost Shadow Leopard, Tang Shuo’s mirror enhanced her speed, attack power, senses, and recovery enough for her to kill it. 6

Zhu Zhuqing witnessed Tang Shuo kill the ten-thousand-year Blazing Sun Golden Falcon and absorb its soul ring. Soon afterward, her long-standing cold poison erupted; Tang Shuo used Solar True Qi to suppress it, but warned that it had already penetrated her bones and required a permanent cure. Before departing, she invited him to Shrek Academy. 8 9

At Shrek, she befriended Ning Rongrong but remained openly hostile toward Dai Mubai’s possessive advances. She regards Tang Shuo as both a friend and a personal goal, resolving to cultivate until she can catch up with him. 11 12

Appearance

Zhu Zhuqing is a black-clad young woman with long black hair reaching her waist and a slender, graceful build. During her escape through the Star Dou Great Forest, her clothing and body were stained with blood and dirt from her injuries. 3 11

• Usually wears fitted black clothing suited to fast movement. 3
• Has long black hair. 11
• Maintains a notably cool, composed expression around strangers. 11 12

Personality

Zhu Zhuqing is fiercely independent and refuses to let her family dictate her life. Even while badly injured and facing an assassin, she chose the danger of escape over returning to an unwanted marriage arrangement. She also showed concern for Tang Shuo’s safety before knowing his true strength, repeatedly urging him to leave or retreat from stronger soul beasts. 3 5 6

Reserved and guarded by default, she judges others strongly by their conduct. Tang Shuo’s restraint while treating her and his willingness to protect her earned her trust; Dai Mubai’s possessiveness and public courtship attempts earned her contempt. 4 12 38

Her admiration for Tang Shuo is tied to ambition as well as affection. She considers him someone worth striving to catch up to, but privately worries that she may not be worthy of his interest. 12 26

Abilities & Skills

Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul

Zhu Zhuqing possesses the Netherworld Spirit Cat, an agility-focused martial soul that grants exceptional speed, swift movement, and sharp claw attacks. 5

• Killed a sixty-year Bloodfang Boar in a single rapid exchange. 5
• Uses her speed and claws to target weak points rather than contesting heavily armored opponents directly. 5
• Her normal attacks could not pierce the Tortoiseshell Rhino’s armor, forcing her to strike its eye. 5

Netherworld Thrust

Her first soul skill turns her into a high-speed black streak for a focused piercing attack. 5

• Pierced the eye of a five-hundred-year Tortoiseshell Rhino, killing it despite its strong defenses. 5
• Consumes significant stamina when used at full force. 5

Combat Enhancement Compatibility

Tang Shuo’s Eastern Emperor Mirror greatly amplified Zhu Zhuqing during her battle with the Ghost Shadow Leopard. 6

• Her attack power, speed, and senses increased by at least fivefold. 6
• The mirror’s light rapidly healed fresh injuries during combat. 6
• With this support, she matched and eventually killed a three-thousand-year Ghost Shadow Leopard. 6

Cold Poison

A severe cold poison lies dormant in Zhu Zhuqing’s body and can erupt when she overexerts herself. 8

• Its yin and cold nature caused her body temperature to drop dangerously after repeated soul-beast battles. 8
• Tang Shuo’s Solar True Qi can suppress the poison and stabilize her condition. 9
• The poison has penetrated her bones and has not yet been permanently cured. 9

Relationships

• Tang Shuo — Her rescuer, travelling companion, and the person she most admires. He treated her wounds and cold poison, while she helped him hunt soul beasts and guarded him during his first soul-ring absorption. She later calls him her friend and personal goal, though she is uncertain whether he returns her feelings. 3 9 12 26
• Dai Mubai — A persistent and unwanted suitor connected to the marriage arrangement she fled. She rejects his possessive behavior and repeated confessions, viewing his public courtship as disrespectful and humiliating. 3 11 16 37 38
• Ning Rongrong — A Shrek Academy friend who recognized Zhu Zhuqing’s talent, defended her from Dai Mubai’s harassment, and encourages her to be confident about Tang Shuo. 11 16 26
• Tang San — A fellow Shrek student who assisted Dai Mubai’s attempted confession without understanding Zhu Zhuqing’s feelings. 37 38

Story Role / Major Arcs

Escape from the Marriage Alliance

Zhu Zhuqing’s refusal to surrender to her family’s control leads to her being hunted in the Star Dou Great Forest. Her rescue by Tang Shuo establishes their first connection and frees her from the immediate threat. 3

Star Dou Great Forest Journey

After being healed, Zhu Zhuqing accompanies Tang Shuo through the forest as his guide and protector. Her battles against the Bloodfang Boar, Tortoiseshell Rhino, and Ghost Shadow Leopard reveal her agility and resolve, while Tang Shuo’s concealed power repeatedly overturns her understanding of him. 4 8

Cold-Poison Outbreak and Separation

Her cold poison flares after Tang Shuo gains his first soul ring. He stabilizes her through the night and promises to seek a complete cure; she then invites him to Shrek Academy before they part ways. 8 9

Shrek Academy and Dai Mubai’s Rejections

At Shrek, Zhu Zhuqing bonds with Ning Rongrong and repeatedly rejects Dai Mubai. She distinguishes his possessiveness and theatrical courtship from Tang Shuo’s respect, composure, and protection. 11 12 16 37 38

Suspicions About “Shuofeng”

After hearing of the masked arena fighter Shuofeng’s fifty consecutive victories, Zhu Zhuqing suspects that the mysterious combatant may be Tang Shuo. 48

Notable Quotes

“I’d rather die than go back.” 3

“He is my... goal, someone worth giving everything to catch up to.” 12

“I could never like him.” 26