Zhang Mingfei

Biodata

Background / History

Zhang Mingfei was a notorious local bully in Qingtian District. He repeatedly pressured Zhou Chen to send Zhou Chen’s ten-year-old sister, Zhou Yu, to the Chen Residence, presenting the arrangement as a profitable opportunity despite Old Master Chen’s reputation for abusing girls sent to him. 1 2

Initially, Zhang avoided overt action because Zhou Chen and Zhou Tian were both tall and sturdy, and the Zhou Household’s seven or eight related households offered a measure of mutual protection. 1

After Zhou Tian was beaten and severed ties with the Zhou Household, Zhang waited near the family’s alley, apparently recognizing that the loss of clan protection made Zhou Yu easier to target. He warned Zhou Chen that something had happened at home, then continued to monitor the family’s vulnerability. 1 2

When Zhang stopped Zhou Chen on the way to the Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall, he forcibly searched his clothing for valuables. He found only Zhou Chen’s fish-killing knife because the Black Taisui had been concealed against Zhou Chen’s thigh. Zhang again offered five taels of silver for Zhou Yu and vowed not to give up after Zhou Chen ignored him. 3

Zhang initially hesitated after Zhou Chen became a registered disciple of the Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall. Once he learned that Zhou’s aptitude was considered poor and that he was unlikely to become a Martial Warrior within three months, he and his associates finalized a plan to abduct Zhou Yu while Zhou Chen was absent and secretly deliver her to Old Master Chen. 8 9

The plan followed repeated requests from Old Master Chen, whose previously supplied girl had died from his abuse. Zhang’s informant reported that Chen was offering more money for a replacement, while arguing that the martial hall would not intervene on behalf of an insignificant registered disciple. 8

Zhou Chen overheard the plot and spent several days locating Zhang and his underlings. He ambushed Zhang outside his shack, blinded him with ash, and killed him by repeatedly crushing his skull with a stone. 10

Zhang’s criminal backing later proved more substantial than neighborhood rumors suggested. Wang Ming, leader of the Evil Tiger Gang, revealed that Zhang was the younger brother-in-law of a rival gang leader and that he had previously left Zhang alone out of respect for that connection. Wang warned Zhou Chen that the gang was investigating Zhang and his four followers’ deaths. 25

Yin Mengbo’s investigation eventually identified Zhou Chen, but demands from his superiors to procure ten untouched young women delayed retaliation. Zhang’s elder sister repeatedly demanded vengeance, insisting that Zhou Chen and Zhou Yu should suffer even if Zhou Chen were not truly responsible. Her mention of Zhou Yu gave Yin a means to combine the feud with his trafficking obligations. 41

Personality

Zhang was predatory and exploitative, treating Zhou Yu as merchandise whose sale could earn him five taels of silver. He specifically sought out a family weakened by poverty, an injured father, and the loss of clan protection. 1 2 3

He was also cautious when faced with institutional power. Zhou Chen’s martial-hall uniform and status token prevented Zhang from attacking openly, but Zhang resumed his plans once he believed Zhou’s weak aptitude meant that protection would be temporary. 8

His caution extended to immediate physical danger: when Zhou Chen gripped the fish-killing knife during the forced search, Zhang stepped back in fright and claimed that he had only been joking. Once Zhou walked away, however, Zhang resumed his threats. 3

His criminal approach was deliberate rather than impulsive: he and his followers chose a time when Zhou Chen would be away, intended to incapacitate Zhou Yu quietly, and planned to avoid leaving evidence. 8

Story Role / Major Arcs

Threat to the Zhou Family

• Zhang repeatedly attempts to broker Zhou Yu’s transfer to the Chen Residence, creating the immediate threat that drives Zhou Chen to seek martial training. 1 2
• He searches Zhou Chen while the latter carries the Black Taisui, nearly exposing Zhou Chen’s only means of entering the Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall. 3
• His intimidation loses force after Zhou becomes a registered disciple, demonstrating the limited protection granted by the martial hall’s name alone. 8

Planned Abduction and Death

• After learning of Zhou Chen’s supposedly poor prospects, Zhang agrees to kidnap Zhou Yu for Old Master Chen. 8
• Zhou Chen overhears the conspiracy and concludes that Zhang must die before he can cultivate in peace. 9
• Zhou Chen kills Zhang and four of his gang associates, eliminating the immediate threat to his family; local residents later celebrate their deaths while fearing retaliation from the Clear River Gang. 10 11

Posthumous Consequences

• After becoming a First-Rank Martial Artist, Zhou Chen notices Red Incense in the Divine Statue and suspects that it appeared after he killed Zhang and his followers. The connection between killing and the growth of this Blood Incense is subsequently confirmed through further deaths. 17 32
• Wang Ming’s revelation of Zhang’s connection to Yin Mengbo overturns Zhou Chen’s belief that the killings had secured his family’s safety. The warning prompts him to pursue stronger cultivation, improved fist techniques, and practical combat experience. 25
• Zhang’s sister demands revenge, and Yin Mengbo decides to target Zhou Yu while settling the existing grudge with Zhou Chen. A captured stalker later confirms that the Clear River Gang intends to kill Zhou Chen and abduct his sister. 41 42
• Zhou Chen eventually infiltrates the Clear River Gang’s headquarters, kills Yin Mengbo and his two concubines, and attacks the remaining gang members. The gang’s destruction and Zhou’s release of its captive young women end the immediate threat posed by Zhang’s criminal backing. 51 52 53

Relationships

• Zhou Chen — Enemy. Zhang threatens Zhou’s sister, searches Zhou for valuables, and plots against his family; Zhou Chen ultimately kills him. Zhang’s death later becomes the basis for retaliation by his sister and Yin Mengbo. 1 3 8 10 41
• Zhou Yu — Intended victim. Zhang attempts to sell or abduct her for delivery to the Chen Residence. After his death, his sister’s demand for vengeance leads Yin Mengbo to target her again. 1 2 8 41 42
• Old Master Chen — Criminal associate and intended recipient of Zhou Yu; Zhang acts after Chen urges him to procure another girl. 8
• Four unnamed gang members — Zhang’s followers and accomplices in the kidnapping scheme; they are killed by Zhou Chen after Zhang’s death. 8 10 11
• Unnamed elder sister — A concubine of Yin Mengbo. She demands vengeance for Zhang’s death and accuses Zhou Chen of killing him, citing Zhang’s earlier statements about obtaining Zhou Yu. 41
• Yin Mengbo — Brother-in-law and criminal protector; leader of the Clear River Gang and a First-Rank Perfection Martial Warrior. He investigates Zhang’s death and eventually uses the feud as a reason to act against Zhou Chen’s family. 25 41
• Wang Ming — Rival gang leader who previously refrained from acting against Zhang out of respect for his backing. He later warns Zhou Chen about the investigation into Zhang’s death, partly to undermine a rival gang. 25

Notable Quotes

“Your little sister is worth five taels of silver! Five taels! Some people can work for a whole year and still not earn that much!” 3

“There’s never been anyone I’ve set my sights on that I couldn’t get my hands on!” 3

“Fine! We’ll make our move tomorrow while he’s not home. Knock out his sister and tie her up, without anyone knowing. Heh heh, even if he suspects us, he won’t have any proof! There won’t be anything he can do to us!” 8

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