Qingfeng County

Biodata

Geography

• Qingfeng County is portrayed as an ordinary, comparatively weak county within Jing Prefecture; before Zhao Zhi's rise, it had never produced a Meridian Condensation Realm martial artist. 22
• Its county seat contains crowded side streets, commercial districts, taverns, the county yamen, and the Mysterious Maiden Temple. 1 10 34
• Great Passage Street is a broad, prosperous street near local gentry residences. It is ordinarily patrolled by favored constables rather than blue-clad constables such as Zhao Zhi and Luo Dashan. 10
• Cloudflight Mountain, home to Flying Cloud Stronghold, lies within Qingfeng County. The stronghold's cliffs, narrow approach, watchtowers, catapults, and stockpiled ammunition made it notoriously difficult to assault. 20 22
• Iron Horse Manor stands south of the county seat on Iron Horse Mountain and had remained influential for decades through its guards, martial strength, and intimidation. 15

Government and Power Centers

History

Lu Guangyi's Administration

Flying Cloud Stronghold plagued Qingfeng County for years, prompting repeated county-led suppression campaigns. These expeditions publicly promised peace, but Lu Guangyi and Stronghold Chief Ma Zhuo had secretly used earlier campaigns to exchange goods and money while staging limited clashes. 20 22

Lu's administration also suppressed evidence connected to Iron Horse Manor, where workers and villagers had disappeared for years under false claims of fatal animal attacks. Zhao Zhi and Luo Dashan uncovered more than thirty such cases in old yamen records. 15

Zhao Zhi's Rise

After arriving in Qingfeng County as a blue-clad constable, Zhao Zhi challenged the county's entrenched criminals and powerful families. He punished Gray Snake Gang extortionists, dismantled the gang, and ensured that protection money was returned to its victims. These actions significantly improved both his personal reputation and the yamen's public standing. 2 9

Zhao later publicly defeated Fan Zhenqi, the Fan Family's “Little Overlord,” on Great Passage Street. He subsequently established complaint stations across the county, allowing common residents to bring disputes and grievances directly to him. 10 14

Iron Horse Manor Investigation

Wang Cuihua's appeal over her missing son gave Zhao a legitimate reason to investigate Iron Horse Manor. Inside the estate, Zhao and Luo discovered evidence of systematic disappearances and a hidden Human Elixir refinery containing blood slurry, body parts, medicinal materials, a cauldron, and an alchemy furnace. 15 18

Zhao destroyed the refinery and killed the manor's principal leaders and guards, while sparing residents who had not known of the atrocities. Wang Cuihua received compensation, though her son's remains were never recovered intact. 18

Destruction of Flying Cloud Stronghold

Qingfeng County launched another major campaign against Flying Cloud Stronghold after Zhao killed its Fourth and Fifth Chiefs, Ge Zhou and Wu Jiu. Roughly one thousand people joined the expedition, including yamen forces, the Su and Tao Families, the Evergreen Gang, the Fan Family, smaller lineages, and mobilized commoners. 20

The campaign exposed the scale of Lu Guangyi's collusion with the stronghold and the Human Elixir operation. Following the battle and intervention by the Profound Nether Platform, Flying Cloud Stronghold was completely destroyed, ending a threat that had burdened the county for years. 22 30 32

Collapse of the Old Order

Lu Guangyi organized a final coalition against Zhao Zhi at the Mysterious Maiden Temple, using Soul-Tethering Silk poison and enlisting the Su Family, Tao Family, and Evergreen Gang. Zhao resisted the poison, killed Lu Guangyi, and eliminated the other attacking Innate Warriors. 33 37

With the magistrate and much of the county's former martial elite dead, the Fan Family absorbed the assets of the Su and Tao Families and the Evergreen Gang. Zhao permitted the Fan Family to stabilize the county, while its leaders publicly repented, offered silver, and pledged regular porridge relief for impoverished residents. 39 40

Public Reputation

• Zhao Zhi's dismantling of the Gray Snake Gang and recovery of extorted protection money made his name widely known throughout the county. 9
• His public punishment of Fan Zhenqi and later complaint stations gave commoners an avenue for grievances against local gentry and powerful groups. 11 14
• During the Flying Cloud Stronghold campaign, residents openly called Zhao “Lord Zhao,” despite his status as an unranked constable. 20
• The destruction of Flying Cloud Stronghold elevated Zhao into Qingfeng County's foremost popular hero, leading increasing numbers of residents to seek his aid. 32
• The Fan Family's charity work continued to generate Merit for Zhao because it was carried out under his influence. 40

Notable Locations

• County yamen — Administrative headquarters of Qingfeng County and the former base of Lu Guangyi's faction. 2 19
• Wang Family Tavern — A tavern repeatedly targeted by Gray Snake Gang extortionists and a frequent meeting place for Zhao Zhi and Luo Dashan. 2 6 34
• Great Passage Street — Wealthy commercial district where Zhao publicly confronted Fan Zhenqi. 10
• Minggu Tea House — Tea house where Zhao and Luo Dashan waited after tying up Fan Zhenqi outside. 10 11
• Mysterious Maiden Temple — Temple used for annual worship ceremonies; Lu Guangyi's final ambush against Zhao occurred here. 34 37
• Iron Horse Manor — Estate exposed as a Human Elixir refinery. 15 18
• Cloudflight Mountain — Mountain containing Flying Cloud Stronghold. 20
• Forge Pass — Plaza where Qingfeng County's expedition against Flying Cloud Stronghold assembled. 20