Wu Jinliang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Wu Jinliang (吴斤两)
Alias(es)	Gao Qiang 111; Gao He 479; Wu Heihei 451; Big Wu 628
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Eastern Nine Plains, formerly its second-in-command 657; Mount Wukang’s Skyfall Meteor Assembly delegation 75 194; Bright Mountain Sect 307 451
Occupation/Role	Shi Chun’s trusted lieutenant and field operative 294 307; horse-ranch worker and later Bai Family Rice Shop employee under his cover identity 479 507
Cultivation	Human Immortal Realm, upper completion 666
Status	Alive; reunited with Shi Chun after his imprisonment 666 684
First Appearance	Chapter 13, earliest appearance documented in the supplied passages 13

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Advanced Martial Realm	75	Breaks through while confined at Mount Wukang. His muscles, bones, and meridians readjust, followed by a powerful surge of energy. He reaches this realm before Shi Chun.
Advanced Martial, minor completion	307	Explicitly identified as the lowest-cultivation member of the group at that location, despite regularly directing its operations.
Cultivation-method transition: Myriad Forms Art	480	Selects an ancient technique recovered from the Divine Fire Domain. Rebuilding his magic source takes nearly two years of painful effort under Shi Chun’s supervision.
Advanced Martial, minor completion after the transition	501	Switching arts has delayed his realm advancement, but his imitation of the Demon-Undoing Hand kills a Bear Demon at Advanced Martial upper attainment.
Human Immortal Realm, upper completion	666	Confirmed when he reunites with Shi Chun after the long imprisonment. Xiao Sheng has spent years assisting his cultivation through schemes and disguises.

Background / History

Eastern Nine Plains and the Land of Exile

Wu Jinliang was the second-in-command of the Eastern Nine Plains, serving beneath Shi Chun. After their release from the Prison of Life, their former companions dispersed to seek honest work at Shi Chun’s urging. Wu remained with him as they prepared to leave the Land of Exile 17 31 657.

His habit of calling women “Mother” acquired a particularly troubling reputation. Lan Qiaoyan initially received the title because Wu took her remark that she was old enough to be his mother literally. She later learned that he had addressed many women this way and that several had died, some by his own hand. This discovery turned her irritation into disgust 17.

Investigators subsequently suspected that Lan had helped Wu and Shi Chun survive an arrest in Zhixu City. Their evidence was circumstantial: Wu called toward Wangbo Tower for his “Mother” to save him, Lan entered the inner city shortly afterward, and the two men survived while their accuser disappeared. Lan denied being his godmother 67.

Mount Wukang and the Skyfall Meteor Assembly

At Mount Wukang, Wu and Shi Chun attempted to escape through a river gorge but encountered waiting disciples and giant pythons. Both were captured, beaten, and had their cultivation sealed. Wu supported Shi Chun’s explanation that they had fled abusive barefoot labor conditions, helping them avoid transfer to the Disciplinary Affairs Court 67.

Wu later broke through to Advanced Martial and joined the Skyfall Meteor Assembly. During their extended cave hideout, he guarded Shi Chun’s cultivation sessions and handled captives. Accidentally inhaling Sun Shigang’s demonic qi nearly incapacitated him; Shi Chun extracted it and saved him 75 85 87.

After the assembly, Wu used Young Master Nan’s hospitality to enter the Royal Capital’s social circles. His outings also served Shi Chun’s interests: he made useful contacts and located Miao Yilan’s family residence 194 195.

Household Life and Renewed Cultivation

Wu moved into Shi Chun’s better-protected residence despite having won a house of his own. He brought Duan Xiangmei into their circle after enjoying her genuine admiration—an experience he distinguished from the false affection of brothels 232.

Shi Chun eventually confined him to the residence and demanded that he cultivate. Wu initially complied reluctantly, but seeing Shi Chun overtake him changed his attitude. He feared becoming unable to follow his chief, as their old Eastern Nine Plains companions already had 234.

Divine Fire Domain

In the Divine Fire Domain, Wu frequently managed companions, relayed information, and checked suspected infiltrators. He tested Yan Ketao’s story after Shi Chun warned that the man might be compromised, then misdirected him rather than exposing the group’s position 294 307 308 309.

His killing of Black Tiger became a decisive battlefield bluff. The apparent ease of the victory concealed Shi Chun’s costly assistance. Wu exaggerated his strength, encouraged the Bright Mountain Sect fighters to advance, and frightened the opposing parties into abandoning three magical treasures. He then stopped pursuit because he wanted the treasures and could not safely sustain another fight 347.

Wu also attacked and captured a severely wounded Li Hongjiu. Rather than finish him off, he brought him back for treatment and questioning, seeking to identify whoever had injured such a formidable opponent 392 393.

Dazhi City and the Death-Defying Incense Search

After adopting the Myriad Forms Art, Wu lived under the name Gao He and worked at a horse ranch while Shi Chun used the identity Wang Ping at Morning Moon Hall. Wu regularly brought food to the Dong family and unsuccessfully sought work alongside Shi Chun 479 480 481.

His acquaintance with Huang Yingying connected their investigation to local corruption, Death-Defying Incense, and Divine Mountain. During interrogations, Wu learned that Divine Mountain had formerly been called both Divine Bird Mountain and Golden Tower Mountain—the two ancient locations Shi Chun had been seeking 485 488 492 493.

Wu and Shi Chun subsequently joined Bai Qiru’s rice shop as cover for further operations. On Divine Mountain, Wu secured Granny Qi’s cooperation in producing incense by revealing that his group possessed Soul-Returning Tree material 507 536.

When the Phoenix Clan moved against Granny Qi’s followers, Wu recognized the danger and tunneled himself, Chu Jingtang, Lao Changhai, and Xiao Sheng out of confinement. Shi Chun later helped the group escape the mountain while concealing their use of the Command Arrow 539 543.

Nether Realm Operations

Wu accompanied Lao Changhai into the Nether Realm to test whether a captured soul could be brought outside. He persuaded Lao Xi to capture an Earth Wolf’s soul, paid him for the task, and arranged for reports of unusual activity near Wandering River 579 580 581.

Shi Chun’s Imprisonment and Reunion

Before surrendering, Shi Chun entrusted his treasures to Wu and escorted him away through the Nether Realm. Wu had preferred hiding there rather than relying on the Royal Court’s judgment 643 657.

After Shi Chun was imprisoned again, Wu avoided answering most contacts and investigated cautiously. He maintained secret communication with Duan Xiangmei, while Miao Yilan could speak with him only when he initiated contact 658 660 661.

Even Shi Chun’s eventual release did not immediately overcome his suspicion: Wu sent Xiao Sheng disguised as himself to test for a trap. Once reassured, he returned Shi Chun’s stored belongings and decided to join the Great Amnesty War as a route to official status 666.

Appearance

• Build: Exceptionally tall and imposing, with thick arms; his height is distinctive enough for the Golden-Haired Rat Clan to recognize him from Huang Yingying’s description 376 527.
• Face: Dark skin, thick eyebrows, and large eyes 35.
• Early clothing: Chooses a snow-white outfit that sharply contrasts with his complexion and the great black saber over his shoulder 35.
• Later appearance: After years in hiding, becomes much fatter and grows a thick beard. His fur hat and sable coat further distinguish him from his earlier appearance 666.

Personality

Wu combines conspicuous appetites with practical cunning. He enjoys drinking, brothels, casual affairs, and expensive hospitality, but can turn those pursuits into opportunities for gathering information or making connections. His behavior also has costs: companions become less willing to trust his judgment when his indulgence undermines his authority 194 195 486.

His bravado is often deliberate rather than evidence of fearlessness. Against Black Tiger’s surviving allies, he knows he is outmatched and performs overwhelming confidence to prevent another battle. Privately, he is prepared to abandon most companions if necessary to secure his and Shi Chun’s escape 347.

He is ruthless when controlling captives. He kills to break resistance, uses false messages to mislead their contacts, and forces Huang Yingying to participate in killings so that Huang becomes implicated alongside him 488 489 502.

His loyalty to Shi Chun is stronger than his attachment to most others. Shi Chun increasingly notices that Wu no longer merely trails behind him when danger arises. Nevertheless, loyalty does not eliminate suspicion: years of exposure and betrayal make Wu exceptionally cautious, even toward an apparently freed Shi Chun 531 658 666.

Duan Xiangmei represents an exception to his usual emotional detachment toward women. He supports her cultivation, stands up for her against Gong Shaoci, and is enraged when the authorities threaten to execute her as leverage against Shi Chun 234 628.

Abilities & Skills

Myriad Forms Art

An ancient cultivation art that allows Wu to learn techniques across normally incompatible cultivation traditions by understanding how their power moves 480 501.

• Can reproduce fire-attribute moves used by Tong Mingshan and water-attribute moves learned by Chu Jingtang 501.
• Seeks sparring partners and asks them to attack with different moves, gaining practical exposure to unfamiliar techniques 534 544.
• Does not necessarily reproduce a technique perfectly; his fire techniques and imitation Demon-Undoing Hand remain distinct from their originals 501 544.
• Required an agonizing reconstruction of his magic source before he could cultivate it properly 480.

Imitation Demon-Undoing Hand

Wu copies Shi Chun’s signature palm technique through the Myriad Forms Art 501.

• Kills an Advanced Martial upper-attainment Bear Demon despite Wu being at minor completion 501.
• Produces a destructive effect visible on the victim’s back 501.
• Is weaker than Shi Chun’s genuine technique and lacks its soul-destroying power 501.

Immobilization

Wu uses immobilization to neutralize multiple enemies and prepare controlled attacks 488 502.

• Immobilizes ten masked abductors before transporting them away 488.
• Freezes Po Yuan’s two lieutenants after feigning surrender, allowing Huang Yingying to kill them 502.
• His gourd-based Immobility Substance requires time to retrieve the gourd, remove its stopper, and activate it; a sudden clash can make this option impractical 501.

Earth-Diving Technique

Allows Wu to move underground and open concealed escape routes 501 539.

• Escapes underground after killing the Bear Demon 501.
• Opens a tunnel beneath the room holding himself and three companions on Divine Mountain 539.
• Injury can limit his ability to flee independently; Huang Yingying carries him underground during Po Yuan’s pursuit 502.

Fire-Control Technique

Through exposure to the Bright Mountain Sect’s fire cultivators, Wu learns enough fire control to ignite Death-Defying Incense 544.

• Produces an orange-red flame on his fingertip 544.
• His fire technique assists Shi Chun’s travel through the Nether Realm 643.

Saber Combat and Magical-Treasure Control

• Uses a great saber and forms a defensive saber shield against incoming attacks 13 141.
• Kills Black Tiger with a powerful slash, then strikes again to ensure his death; the victory depends on Shi Chun’s assistance rather than unaided superiority 347.
• Learns to make the Three-in-One treasure recognize him as its master and practices controlling it 350.
• Attacks the wounded Li Hongjiu with a dharma form’s spear 392.

Craftsmanship and Deception

• Makes large quantities of white powder for Shi Chun; the resulting mist obstructs Mulan Qingqing’s sight and guidance of her Spell Weapons 180.
• Crafts a fake gourd intended to make observers dismiss the real weapon when it appears later 234.
• Proposes imitating Divine Fire to lure Red Cloud Fort’s searchers away, relying on Tong Mingshan to produce the convincing imitation 264.
• Uses bluffing, cover identities, coded talisman replies, and staged surrender to gain tactical advantages 347 488 502 515.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Great black saber — His characteristic early weapon, commonly carried over his shoulder 13 35.
• Treasure Garment — Provides substantial defensive protection 268.
• Wind Scales — Flying equipment he learns to control during the Skyfall Meteor Assembly; later used to carry companions and captives 129 488.
• Gourd and Immobility Substance — A prepared immobilization option; Wu also makes a decoy gourd to protect its surprise value 234 501.
• Three-in-One / Three-Piece Magical Treasure Set — A treasure he masters after Black Tiger’s defeat; deploying it requires preparation and control spells 347 350 501.
• Heaven-and-Earth Bag — Spatial storage used for belongings and his handwritten Demon Tome copy 502 684.
• Mother-Child Talismans — Used for communication with Shi Chun, coordination, and maintaining contacts 493 520 539.
• Command Arrow — Tests its golden barrier and confirms that it permits passage through Divine Mountain’s protective formation 520.
• Demon Tome copy — A crudely bound handwritten copy with imperfect illustrations. Wu repeatedly consults it during the twenty years apart from Shi Chun, particularly for matters involving demon cultivators 684.

Relationships

• Shi Chun — Chief, longtime companion, and closest operational partner. Gives Wu priority when choosing ancient cultivation arts, supervises his difficult transition to Myriad Forms Art, and entrusts him with his treasures before surrendering 480 643.
• Duan Xiangmei — Lover whose sincere admiration affects him deeply. He supplies her cultivation resources and protects her interests; she secretly maintains contact during his years in hiding 232 234 628 661.
• Lan Qiaoyan — Unwilling recipient of his “Mother” address, not an established biological mother or acknowledged godmother. Her opinion worsens after learning his history with other women given the same title 17 67.
• Old Dong and Big Stone — Former companions who find work at Wangbo Tower. Wu angrily chases them after realizing they disclosed his “Mother” habit, but Shi Chun stops him 31.
• Young Master Nan — Host and social connection who gives Wu access to Royal Capital hospitality and influential acquaintances 194 195.
• Tong Mingshan — Fellow Bright Mountain Sect member whom Wu enthusiastically supports, including leading disruptive public cheers during the refining competition 264 451.
• Chu Jingtang and Lao Changhai — Frequent operational companions. Their willingness to question Wu’s judgment contrasts with their renewed respect after he leads the escape from Divine Mountain 486 539.
• Xiao Sheng — Cultivation and concealment partner during Shi Chun’s imprisonment. Uses transformation to impersonate Wu when testing Shi Chun’s release 666 667.
• Huang Yingying — Brothel acquaintance, debtor, informant, and coerced accomplice. Their exchanges range from familiar banter to beatings and forced participation in killings 482 483 489 502.
• Bai Qiru — Employer and Huang Yingying’s wife. Seeks Wu’s help after Huang receives a lifelong slavery sentence 507.
• Granny Qi — Negotiating partner in the incense project who later secretly orders Wu and his companions killed to erase evidence; his timely escape prevents the order from being carried out 536 539.
• Li Hongjiu — Powerful adversary whom Wu captures while injured. Shi Chun later claims that Wu proposed blackmailing Li over his involvement in destroying sect treasures 392 393 568.
• Xiang Lan’er and Feng Chi — Household associates whom Wu distrusts enough to ask Duan Xiangmei to watch them secretly 234.
• Dong sisters — Targets of his persistent flirting during his Gao He cover. They know about his brothel visits and maintain boundaries, while accepting the food he brings 481 482.

Notable Quotes

“When there's nothing to eat, anything edible tastes good.” 405

“You're just bullying us because we're a small sect. If your Blazing Fire Sect has the guts, try scolding one of the great sects.” 451