Qin Zhong

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Orphaned young, Qin Zhong grew up with his great-grandmother and worked among Linjiang’s rickshaw pullers. Xin Tianya, head of the Horizon Carriage Company, helped raise him and hoped to make him his heir. Xin nevertheless supported Qin Zhong’s decision to pursue martial cultivation under Hong Tianbao 34 93. Qin Zhong later became head of the Harmony Carriage Yard, where the pullers knew him as Seventh Master Qin 32 33.

His great-grandmother’s death left him believing he was the last of his family. At her funeral, Li Xiang witnessed a memory suggesting that Qin Zhong’s birth was connected to a vast sacrifice, though Qin Zhong knew little of his lineage 92 93. His great-grandmother is later revealed to be a Gatekeeper who took on the identity of Meng Po. She had arranged for Qin Zhong to become Yin Tianzi in hopes of preventing a hostile ruler from leading the Netherworld against the Living World 324 325.

While Li Xiang and his companions were away, a renewed Ghost Calamity struck Linjiang. Qin Zhong died fighting at the gates of the Shocking Heron Martial Hall and awoke as the Netherworld’s ruler 283. He retained his memories and rejected the loss of his humanity, but the Netherworld’s laws steadily eroded his reason, leaving him only a brief period of clarity each day 282 284 290. He and Li Xiang agreed on a plan to sever his bond to the Netherworld and restore him to life 283 319.

Appearance

Qin Zhong is tall, broad-shouldered and heavily muscled; his rough bearing can become intimidating when he fights 34 48 196.

• Eyes: Sharp “tiger eyes” in civilian dress; after becoming Yin Tianzi, their living clarity fades beneath the Netherworld’s laws 48 290.
• Imperial dress: Wears an imperial robe and the Pingtian Crown as Yin Tianzi 282 283.

Personality

Qin Zhong is outspoken, sociable and quick to joke, but takes loyalty seriously. He insists that the carriage-yard rules apply even to him, and he accepts Li Xiang’s reproach when his secrecy puts their trust under strain 33 44. He responds to respectful opponents in kind; threats against his family bring out a far more ruthless side 76.

Becoming Yin Tianzi does not erase his familiar manner. On reuniting with Li Xiang, he complains about the throne and its scheming courtiers, then uses what remains of his independent will to help his friends escape 282 290.

Abilities and Skills

Martial cultivation

• Natural strength: Born exceptionally strong and described by Hong Tianbao as having sturdy bones and a tough constitution 32 34 184.
• Dragon Force: His Taizu Long Fist manifests a fierce black dragon phantom; he also cultivates Pure Yang Dragon Force 158 219.
• Technique: Teaches Li Xiang Iron Ox Plowing the Field, a surprise attack aimed at the opponent’s lower body 94 95.
• Combat risk: His aggression nearly kills Lü Baichuan in a match; Hong Tianbao’s command briefly restores his control 76.

Yin Tianzi’s authority

• Imperial pressure: His presence overwhelms ghosts and living visitors alike; its uncontrolled release destroys weaker newly arrived souls 276 282.
• Netherworld command: Ghost kings, powerful clans and the Ten Halls of Yama Lineages gather to submit to him 277.
• Limit: The Netherworld’s laws consume his human reason. He has only a short daily window in which he can act freely 284 290.

Equipment and Items

• Heavy broadsword: Used alongside Dragon Force in battle 158.
• Blood-veined jade fragment: Chosen from the state Treasury; Hong Tianbao cannot identify it and advises Qin Zhong to keep it safe 175.
• Pingtian Crown and imperial robe: Symbols of his authority as Yin Tianzi 282 283.

Relationships

• Li Xiang — Junior martial brother and close friend; the two pledge to meet again at the summit, and Li Xiang later undertakes the attempt to restore him to life 62 283 319.
• Hong Tianbao — Master who trains and protects him, then commits to his rescue 17 92 319.
• Ye Qingyao — Senior martial sister and training partner; she pledges to help bring him back 94 319.
• Xin Tianya — Elder who helped raise him and promises that the Horizon Carriage Company will always be his home 34.
• His great-grandmother / Meng Po — His last known blood relative and a fellow Gatekeeper; she arranged his ascent as Yin Tianzi, a choice Qin Zhong comes to suspect and resist 93 290 325.

Notable Quotes

“No one in this world will ever make me, Qin Zhong, bow my head again.” 62

“You think I want to sit on that cold, lousy chair made of bones?” 282