Shi Kang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Shi Kang (石康)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Black Tiger Gang; Everjoy Hall Branch 1 21
Occupation/Role	Gang member; later Minor Leader of the Everjoy Hall Branch 1 21
Status	Active 23
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First Gate-Breaking Realm / Martial Apprentice	13	After receiving one tael of silver from Lu Hao, Shi Kang buys and consumes ten jin of beef, replenishing enough Qi-Blood to awaken it and break through. 12 13

Background / History

Shi Kang grew up alongside Lu Hao and joined the Black Tiger Gang with him because neither could afford martial-arts-hall tuition. Before his breakthrough, he had average talent and remained stuck at the threshold of Gate Breaking largely because he could not afford meat to replenish his Qi-Blood. 1 13

When Lu Hao is beaten for misappropriating the gang’s protection money, Shi Kang carries him home, lends him his last half-tael of silver, and gives him a chicken leg he had intended to use for his own cultivation. He warns Lu Hao about Lin Qiniang’s deception and the danger posed by Spring Breeze Pavilion’s guards. 1

Shi Kang continues checking on Lu Hao during his recovery, gathers intelligence on Lin Qiniang’s glazed hairpin, and warns him not to draw attention from hostile gang members. Although he senses Lu Hao’s frightening martial aura, he dismisses the possibility that Lu Hao has rapidly surpassed him. 3 4 5 6

After learning that Lu Hao and he are being sent with Qian Hao into a likely death trap disguised as negotiations with the Water Serpent Gang, Shi Kang accepts Lu Hao’s help in preparing for the mission. Lu Hao repays his loan with an extra half-tael, allowing Shi Kang to purchase beef and finally attain the First Gate-Breaking Realm. 11 12 13

At Clear Water Hall, Shi Kang is selected to duel Cai Kun. He survives Cai Kun’s surprise attack, defeats him with Black Tiger techniques, and beats him to death before Lu Hao stops his frenzy. His victory earns him recognition from the Black Tiger Gang; Elder Cao Ling subsequently appoints him a Minor Leader. 16 21

Appearance

Shi Kang is a bearded youth, estimated by Cai Kun to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. 16

• Thick, bushy, curly beard. 1 11 12
• His beard is described as thick, wiry, and bristling. 20 22
• Initially appears visibly nervous under pressure, becoming pale and sweat-soaked before the Water Serpent Gang’s duel challenge. 15

Personality

Shi Kang is loyal, compassionate, and self-sacrificing toward Lu Hao. Despite his own poverty and cultivation needs, he gives Lu Hao both silver and food, visits him regularly, and even offers to mortgage his own family’s property deed to settle Lu Hao’s debt. 1 6 10 11

He is also naïve about gang politics. Shi Kang initially mistakes the Water Serpent Gang negotiation for an opportunity for advancement and needs Lu Hao to explain that Han Zheng and Chen Xuan are using the assignment as a proxy execution. 11

In danger, Shi Kang can be frightened but responds strongly to Lu Hao’s reassurance. Once fighting begins, he shows fierce resolve; his first kill leaves him shocked by his own capacity for violence. 15 16

Abilities & Skills

Black Tiger Method

Shi Kang practices the Black Tiger Gang’s introductory martial art and uses it to awaken his Qi-Blood. 1 13

• Uses the Tiger-Subduing Form to block Cai Kun’s hand-blade attack. 16
• Follows the defense with Black Tiger Descends the Mountain, striking Cai Kun’s forehead. 16
• Channels his single wisp of Qi-Blood into Black Tiger Sweeps Its Tail, breaking Cai Kun’s jaw with a whip-like punch. 16

First Gate-Breaking Realm

Shi Kang possesses one wisp of Qi-Blood after breaking through to the Martial Apprentice realm. 13 16

• His breakthrough is enabled by consuming ten jin of beef purchased with Lu Hao’s financial help. 12 13
• Defeats and kills Cai Kun, another First Gate-Breaking Martial Apprentice, despite Cai Kun initiating the fight with a surprise attack. 16
• His victory is aided by Cai Kun’s neglected training and deteriorated martial skills. 16

Relationships

• Lu Hao — Childhood friend and sworn-like brother. Shi Kang repeatedly aids Lu Hao with silver, food, information, and personal support; Lu Hao later funds Shi Kang’s breakthrough and protects him in combat. 1 12 13 16
• Qian Hao — Senior Black Tiger Gang member and negotiation companion. Qian initially considers Shi Kang a burden but is stunned when he kills Cai Kun. 11 16
• Cai Kun — Water Serpent Gang opponent and Golden Saber Gang spy whom Shi Kang beats to death during the Clear Water Hall duel. 16
• Zhao Mengxue — Golden Saber Gang elder who vows revenge against Shi Kang for killing Cai Kun, whose devotion had financed her cultivation. 22 23
• Han Zheng and Chen Xuan — Everjoy Hall leaders who assign Shi Kang to the dangerous Water Serpent Gang mission alongside Lu Hao and Qian Hao. 11
• Zhou Zhennan — Cai Kun’s close ally; he attempts to attack Shi Kang in retaliation for Cai Kun’s death, but Lu Hao intervenes and kills him. 16 17

Story Role / Major Arcs

Lu Hao’s Recovery and Debt Crisis

Shi Kang establishes himself as Lu Hao’s most dependable ally by bringing him home after the gang punishment, lending him silver, and sacrificing his chicken leg. He also provides information about Lin Qiniang’s spending and warns Lu Hao against confronting Spring Breeze Pavilion recklessly. 1 3 4

Preparation for the Water Serpent Gang Negotiation

After being selected for the negotiation party, Shi Kang learns that the mission is likely intended to kill him, Lu Hao, and Qian Hao. Lu Hao gives him money to buy nourishing food; Shi Kang’s subsequent breakthrough transforms him from a vulnerable companion into a Martial Apprentice determined to protect Lu Hao. 11 12 13

Clear Water Hall Duels

Shi Kang is terrified when Cai Kun selects him for a duel but manages to counter the surprise attack and win. His uncontrolled beating of Cai Kun marks his first known killing, while Lu Hao’s intervention prevents him from continuing after the fight is over. 15 16

Promotion and Emerging Threats

For his contribution to the truce negotiations and his First Gate-Breaking cultivation, Shi Kang is promoted to Minor Leader. His killing of Cai Kun simultaneously makes him the target of Zhao Mengxue and the Golden Saber Gang’s planned assault on Everjoy Hall. 21 22 23

Trivia

• Shi Kang’s first chicken leg was intended to help his own cultivation, but he gives it to the badly injured Lu Hao instead. 1
• He initially believes Lu Hao has not yet awakened Qi-Blood, even after being frightened by Lu Hao’s Second-Layer martial aura. 6
• He jokingly suggests that Lu Hao would have to rename himself “Lu Heihu” if he ever became leader of the Black Tiger Gang. 22