Li Yunsheng

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Li studied Western Medicine extensively and wanted to practice it from childhood. His attempt to grow a Western Medicine Craft Spirit instead led him into Zhu You Practice, a trade he later explains through its ability to direct the body’s own functions 17 30.

Zhang Laifu first encounters Li at his Pearl Street stall and publicly calls him a fraud to draw attention away from a bandit pursuing him. Li answers the challenge by diagnosing and curing night watchman Xiao Yang’s severe toothache before the crowd 12 13. When the two meet again, Li recognizes Zhang’s ploy. Their quarrel gives way to friendship, and Li explains how Bowls, Craft Essence, and Craft Spirits work 16 17.

Li later treats Zhang’s life-threatening Yin Qi Corrosion and helps him evade pursuers, but warns that confronting the Departed Soul at the Lin Family Old House is a Celestial Master’s work, not his own 23 24 25. Zhang subsequently saves Li when Zhu Laoshan attacks him on guild hall master Lan Chunming’s behalf 29.

After Zhang produces and eats a high-quality Craft Spirit, Li guides him through becoming a Craftsman and helps interpret the dream that points toward his trade 34 35. He later helps Zhang uncover a plot against him at the lantern shop, disables Wang Tiaodeng during their fight, and assists Zhang afterward 44 45 47.

Appearance

Li appears to be about twenty-five or twenty-six. His blue-gray gown is plain but kept spotless 12.

• Lean build and even features 12.
• Clear eyes and a steady, keen gaze 12.

Personality

Li is proud of his healing skill but usually cautious about displaying it. After curing Xiao Yang before a crowd, he worries that his urge to answer mockery by showing off may bring trouble 12 14. He is perceptive enough to identify why Zhang provoked him and generous with advice and treatment, though he sets a firm boundary when Zhang asks him to take on a dangerous ghost outside his trade 16 23 24.

He resists coercion rather than yielding to Lan Chunming’s recruitment effort. When Zhu Laoshan attacks him, Li uses a controlling talisman to force Zhu to withdraw from the guild and leave Zhang out of his account of the fight 25 29.

Abilities & Skills

Zhu You Healing

Li uses talismans and incantations to direct bodily processes, including the treatment of supernatural afflictions 13 23 30.

• Diagnoses Xiao Yang’s gum swelling as connected to resentment from a corpse he searched; after Li’s ritual, a live maggot emerges and the toothache ends 13.
• Treats Zhang’s Yin Qi Corrosion through a ritual that drives away his dangerous chill 23 24.
• Can purge poison from his own body, although a remedy is less effective when used on oneself 29.
• Cannot perform a Celestial Master’s work of subduing the Departed Soul at the Old House 24 30.

Talismans and Incense

• Veiling Incense / Confusion Veil — conceals people or conversations from notice; its protection can be disrupted 24 25 46.
• Speed talisman — lets Zhang run at extraordinary speed, but draws on his own strength; Li warns that using another so soon might break Zhang’s legs 25 31.
• Illness Comes from the Mouth — a Zhu You signature technique Li uses to make Wang Tiaodeng’s fingers stop obeying him, preventing Wang from lighting the lantern required for his attack 45.
• Controlling talisman — after forcing Zhu Laoshan to swallow it, Li can inflict pain and compel his obedience 29.

Craft Knowledge

• Explains Bowl cultivation and warns that eating Craft Essence directly or changing trades can lead to death or the demonic Chaos Path 17.
• Identifies Zhang’s fruit as an excellent-quality Craft Spirit and helps interpret his subsequent Trade Circle dream 34 35.
• Draws Wang Tiaodeng’s Craft Essence from his body using talisman water and an incantation 47.
• Recognizes a blood mark as a possible Fourfold Light Bone-Breaking Curse, while noting that Zhang’s copy is too incomplete for certainty 30.

Equipment / Items

• Talismans, incense, and candles — used in healing, concealment, escape, and combat techniques 23 24 25 45.
• Steelyard beam and weight — a formidable tool with which he holds off Zhu Laoshan’s spectral ship frame, though it nearly breaks while Li is poisoned 29.
• Yellow talisman-covered jacket — given to Zhang for his return to the Old House; Li says it may withstand a blow from the Drum Skinner 31.
• Bone-dissolving liquid — given to Zhang as a possible way to destroy the Departed Soul’s remains 30.

Relationships

• Zhang Laifu — begins as a public accuser, then becomes Li’s friend. Li treats and advises him; Zhang saves Li from Zhu Laoshan, and Li later helps him face Wang Tiaodeng 12 16 23 29 45.
• Xiao Yang — patient whose toothache Li cures in a public demonstration 13.
• He Yunxi — mediates the accusation against Li and publicly endorses him after Xiao Yang’s cure; Li thanks him but finds him strangely familiar 13 14.
• Lan Chunming — Heishakou guild hall master who tests Li’s credentials and seeks to recruit him; Li refuses despite the pressure that follows 25 29.
• Zhu Laoshan — guild enforcer sent to coerce Li while he is poisoned; Li subdues him after Zhang intervenes 29.