Chen Shan

Biodata

Background / History

Chen Shan supports his family by hunting in the mountains, continuing to work despite an injury that worsens during Chen Mo’s early years. He tends to dismiss his pain as nothing serious 1 10. An old leg injury also aches when the weather changes 21 43.

When Chen Mo accompanies him into the western mountains, Chen Shan teaches him to adapt his footing to uneven ground rather than hold a rigid stance. They encounter a powerful wolf; Chen Shan tries to help with his bow, but pain in his shoulder and back causes his shot to miss. Afterward, he notices older wounds on the wolf and decides they should leave without taking its body 10.

As reports of unusually aggressive beasts spread, Chen Shan warns Chen Mo away from the mountains and stops going into the deeper areas. He still visits the foothills for firewood and other necessities, despite his family’s concern 16 20 30 34 42.

When the family’s medicine runs low and herb prices rise, Chen Shan goes to gather herbs near the Old Elm Tree, promising not to venture farther 43. He returns with a deep wound across his shoulder and upper arm after an unusually fast, gray-black creature attacks him on the shallow slope. He strikes its foreleg with his knife and escapes. Chen Mo brings the martial hall’s leaders to examine his wound and a fragment of iron-gray hide caught on the chipped blade; they advise Chen Shan not to return to the mountains 44.

Personality

Chen Shan is practical and protective, working through chronic pain to provide for his family while urging Chen Mo not to overexert himself in training 1 9 34. His reassurances can frustrate his family, particularly when he insists he is fine or plans another trip toward the mountains 1 42 43.

He values caution over proving his courage. Before gathering herbs near the Old Elm Tree, he tells Chen Mo that his knife is for holding off danger long enough to escape—not fighting to the death. When attacked, he retreats rather than pursuing the creature he wounded 43 44.

Abilities & Skills

Mountain Knowledge

• Teaches Chen Mo to adjust his movement to slopes and unstable ground 10.
• Recognizes that the wolf they fight bears older wounds and may have been fleeing a danger deeper in the mountains 10.
• Notices changes in animal behavior, including wolves that no longer avoid fire and the unusual absence of birds and rabbits 16 20.

Hunting and Gathering

• Uses a bow for hunting and carries a knife for protection 1 10 43.
• Gathers herbs and firewood to help meet household needs 10 34 43.
• His old injuries limit him: shoulder and back pain disrupt his archery during the wolf encounter, while his leg aches and raises his family’s concern about whether he could flee danger 10 43.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bow — used for hunting; Chen Shan is seen repairing it at home 1 18.
• Hunting knife — carried on his herb-gathering trip and chipped when he strikes the creature that attacks him 43 44.
• Herb basket and trowel — used while gathering near the Old Elm Tree 43.
• Wound medicine — given to him from Chen Mo’s martial-hall allowance 8.

Relationships

• Chen Mo — son. Chen Shan supports his martial training and teaches him mountain survival, while Chen Mo repeatedly asks him to avoid the increasingly dangerous hills 9 10 42 43.
• Liu-shi — wife. She helps provide for the household and worries about his injuries and trips into the mountains 1 43 44.
• Chen Huan — daughter. He reassures her before his herb-gathering trip and gives her the family’s last piece of cured meat at dinner 42 43.

Notable Quotes

“If I really run into something wrong, the knife won't be for fighting it to the death. I'll use it to hold it off long enough to run.” 43