Li Chen Zhou

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Li Chen Zhou (李沉舟)
Alias(es)	Young Duke; Count Zhongyong; “Little Devil”; Rising Dragon Ranking Top Ranker 10 36 42
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Qian Dynasty; Brocade Guard; Jiangnan Water Transport Authority 11 43
Occupation/Role	Count Zhongyong; Brocade Guard officer; Commander of the Jiangnan Water Transport Authority 10 21 39 43
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Sixth Rank, Early Stage — 30/50	13	Entered the Brocade Guard with 30 years of internal-energy cultivation; possessed the Golden Bell Shield, Three Abyssal Slashes, Thousand Faces, Soaring Illusionary Steps, and Hell Soul Exchange Scripture.
Sixth Rank, Late Stage — 71/90	25	Reached late stage after completing investigations and gaining system rewards, including 10 years of cultivation for resolving the Chen Residence massacre.
Sixth Rank, Peak — 113/120	34	Stood seven years of cultivation away from a fifth-rank breakthrough; his Soul Absorption Art’s divine attribute had reached 20%.
Fifth Rank	34	Broke through after consuming a Greater Revitalization Pill, unlocking the second level of Soul Absorption Art and a new Blood Demon Blade trait.
Fifth Rank, Intermediate — 215/240	48	Possessed 215 years of internal-energy cultivation, 40 years of lifespan, and a Blood Demon Blade at 60% charge.

Background

Li Chen Zhou was originally a modern martial arts instructor. Following a car accident, he transmigrated into the body of Duke Zhen Guo Li Qing Shan’s only son in the Great Qian Dynasty. He awakened in the Ministry of Justice Prison, chained, tortured, and falsely accused of treason alongside the 137 members of the Li Family. 1

His Martial Arts Inheritance System activated during an assassination attempt by the guard Wang Wu, granting him the Max-Level Golden Bell Shield. He escaped the prison, uncovered Prince Jin’s network of spies, and later infiltrated the rebel force in disguise to strike at Prince Jin during the rebellion. 1 8

After returning to Duke Zhen’s Estate, Li Chen Zhou rejected Li Qing Shan’s justification for using him as bait in the rebellion scheme. He declared that Li Qing Shan’s son had died in the Ministry of Justice Prison and that he was now “Li Chen Zhou, and only Li Chen Zhou.” 9

Appearance

Li Chen Zhou is described as pale-faced and frequently dresses according to his changing station, from prison clothes to white python robes and the Brocade Guard’s Flying Fish Uniform. He normally carries the Blood Demon Blade at his waist. 3 12 23

• A black pattern is present on his right palm. 3
• Activating the Golden Bell Shield causes golden Sanskrit characters to manifest across his skin. 3
• His Blood Demon Blade produces scarlet blood mist and can reflect or amplify the sinister aura of his martial arts. 27 40

Personality

Li Chen Zhou is calculating, audacious, and highly pragmatic. While weakened and cornered by Eastern Depot Captain Liu Xian, he identified Liu’s cultivation backlash and leveraged his knowledge of the Dark Yin Sword Canon to force a negotiation rather than fight directly. 3

He is ruthless toward enemies, corrupt officials, and violent criminals. He uses intimidation, lethal force, and prison interrogation without hesitation, yet he distinguishes between criminals and people he considers useful or redeemable; he spared Qian Shisan after she offered information and distributed a portion of confiscated wealth to his Brocade Guard subordinates. 21 22

Despite his hostility toward Li Qing Shan, he remains protective of his family. He comforts Li Wanqing after their reunion and pursues Shaolin’s Buddha Relic because Li Qing Shan’s Buddha-Demon imbalance may kill him within half a year. 9 35 39

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts Inheritance System

The System grants Li Chen Zhou cultivation methods, skills, equipment, missions, and internal-energy rewards.

• Granted the Max-Level Golden Bell Shield during his prison escape. 1
• Provides random draws, including the Dark Yin Sword Canon, Thousand Faces, Three Abyssal Slashes, and other high-rank techniques. 3 5 10
• Tracks his realm, lifespan, techniques, weapon state, and internal-energy cultivation. 13 48

Thirteen Guardian Golden Bell Shield

A defensive body-protection technique marked by golden Sanskrit characters.

• Blocked the attacks of a peak sixth-rank assassin wielding a poisoned dagger. 4
• Allowed Li Chen Zhou to endure The Skinner’s skinning knife directly in close combat. 24
• Listed at Mastery in his fifth-rank status. 48

Soul Absorption Art and Soul Capture Technique

A Yin-aligned absorption art that drains targets’ internal force, life essence, and—under certain conditions—martial insights.

• Restrained and weakened The Skinner before his arrest. 24
• Absorbed Xie An’s cultivation, gained ten years of pure internal energy from Cui Wei, and drained Xuan Ye’s inner power. 36 37
• Absorbed demonic energy from Li Qing Shan to stabilize his Buddha-Demon imbalance. 38
• Can replicate absorbed techniques, including Wudang’s True Martial Sword Intent. 40
• Soul Capture Technique can dominate a target’s mind for interrogation; Li Chen Zhou used it to expose “Gu Wen” as the disguised Skinner Zheng Ren. 13 26
• Absorbing excessive or impure energy can cause hallucinations and instability. 38
• Its 20% divine-grade attribute unlocks Cosmic Shift. 48

Three Abyssal Slashes

A Heaven-Rank demonic blade technique acquired from the System.

• Its first slash, Sever Reincarnation, manifests a Rakshasa phantom and overwhelming blood-red blade energy. 28
• Defeated the Nether Twins during the raid on the Chen Residence. 18
• Combined with the Avici Path to overcome Buddhist martial arts in his duel with Xuan Ye. 37
• The technique’s demonic nature can influence its user. 18

Blood Demon Blade

Li Chen Zhou’s primary weapon, capable of absorbing energy, mimicking martial arts, and evolving through combat.

• Absorbed and replicated True Martial Sword Intent during the duel with Song He Gui. 40
• Can channel tribulation lightning through Three Abyssal Slashes. 40
• Its Sanskrit and demonic script can accelerate Li Chen Zhou’s wound healing. 40
• Possesses the Blood Drinking Amplification trait and was 60% charged by the Dragon Burial Abyss expedition. 34 48

Thousand Faces

A Heaven-Rank disguise skill fused to Great Accomplishment immediately upon acquisition.

• Reshapes his bones, facial details, and appearance to imitate others. 5
• Used to infiltrate the Capital City and Jubao Trading Company while impersonating an assassin. 5
• Allowed him to enter the Imperial Palace in disguise. 20

Soaring Illusionary Steps

A Heaven-Rank movement technique obtained after investigating the Net’s conspiracy.

• Produces seven afterimages and allows rapid aerial movement. 6
• Used to surround The Skinner during their confrontation. 24
• Listed at Mastery in his later status. 48

Three-Aspect Primordial Energy

A composite martial art created by synthesizing Cloud Dispelling Palm with Li Chen Zhou’s existing techniques.

• Formed at Dragon Burial Abyss after he obtained Cloud Dispelling Palm. 48
• Its component techniques include Wind God Kick, Heavenly Frost Fist, and Cloud Dispelling Palm. 42 48
• Listed at Mastery by the time of the Blood Demon Ancestor expedition. 48

Other Techniques

• Hell Soul Exchange Scripture — Yin-aligned cultivation scripture used in conjunction with Soul Capture Technique. 12 26
• Frost Heaven Six Annihilations — Nie family secret technique given by Li Qing Shan to counter the violent influence of Three Abyssal Slashes; held at Profound Understanding. 44 48
• Indestructible Divine Skill — reward for becoming Earth Ranking Number One. 41
• Hundred Hit Dragon Claw Hand — listed at Mastery in his fifth-rank status. 48
• Dark Yin Sword Canon — Divine-Grade cultivation method associated with Sword Demon Dugu Ye; Li Chen Zhou used its complete version as leverage against Liu Xian. 3 5

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Blood Demon Blade — Li Chen Zhou’s signature weapon; absorbs and imitates martial arts, channels absorbed energy, and develops new traits through blood consumption. 34 40 48
• Heart Severing Sword — Profound-Rank sword awarded alongside his noble title. 10
• Greater Revitalization Pill — recovered from the Chen Residence and later consumed to support his fifth-rank breakthrough. 18 34
• Dark Yin Sword Canon — complete Divine-Grade cultivation manual retained as leverage in dealings with Liu Xian. 3 5

Relationships

• Li Qing Shan — Father and Duke Zhen Guo. Li Chen Zhou resents being used as bait during the Prince Jin affair, but later seeks the Buddha Relic to save him from his worsening Buddha-Demon imbalance. 9 35 39
• Li Wanqing — Younger sister. Their reunion after the Li Family’s ordeal is emotional, and Li Chen Zhou promises to remain by her side. 9
• Li Chen Zhou’s second mother — His aunt and adoptive mother, who raised him after his biological mother’s death. 9
• Princess Xuan Yi — Lover and daughter of the Emperor. Their relationship develops through mutual concern, jealousy, and political support; she petitions the Emperor for his promotion. 20 23 42 43
• Liu Xian — Eastern Depot Captain and transactional ally. Li Chen Zhou bargains with him using the Dark Yin Sword Canon in exchange for assistance and intelligence concerning the Li Family. 3 5 6
• Nangong Yue — A woman tied to Li Chen Zhou’s predecessor and the Heavenly Desire Palace. She is suspected of poisoning him and repeatedly opposes or manipulates him. 20 23 24 44
• Black Dog, White Cat, and Bookworm — Brocade Guard subordinates. Black Dog tracks, White Cat gathers intelligence, and Bookworm maintains extensive case-file knowledge. 13 14
• Qian Shisan — Thief and informant who witnessed the Chen Residence massacre. She seeks to join the Brocade Guard and later travels with Li Chen Zhou’s group. 21 39 45
• Earthly Fiends Four — Former Listening Rain Pavilion assassins whom Li Chen Zhou subdues, recruits, and provides with imperial-court backing. 25 39
• Zhang Zhiruo — Wudang martial artist who accompanies him to Dragon Burial Abyss; their interactions develop into mutual trust during the expedition. 46 48
• The Emperor — Political patron who uses Li Chen Zhou as a blade against corruption, rewards his merits, and appoints him Commander of the Jiangnan Water Transport Authority. 11 43

Story Role / Major Arcs

Prison Break and Prince Jin Rebellion

Li Chen Zhou escapes the Ministry of Justice Prison after receiving the Golden Bell Shield, navigates Eastern Depot and Net conspiracies, and infiltrates Prince Jin’s rebel forces. His actions contribute to Prince Jin’s downfall and earn him the title of Count Zhongyong. 1 3 8 10

Brocade Guard Investigations

After joining the Brocade Guard, Li Chen Zhou rapidly establishes a reputation for violent efficiency. He investigates the Hundred Flowers Brothel, captures The Skinner and Eight-Faced Buddha, raids the Chen Residence, and pursues human-trafficking networks connected to powerful officials. 11 14 16 18 24

Seizing the Rankings

Ordered to reach the Human Rankings’ top ten, Li Chen Zhou defeats ranked martial artists including Xie An, Cui Wei, Xuan Ye, Jian Wu Dao, Zhang Xuanling, and Song He Gui. He becomes Earth Ranking Number One and later claims the Rising Dragon Ranking’s top position. 34 36 37 40 41 42

Commander and Jianghu Journey

Li Chen Zhou leads a broad corruption investigation that exposes the crimes of officials’ relatives, prompting the Emperor to appoint him Commander of the Jiangnan Water Transport Authority. He then departs toward Qing Province to investigate the missing disaster-relief funds. 43 44

Dragon Burial Abyss

During the pursuit of the Blood Demon Ancestor, Li Chen Zhou battles the Five Venoms Venerable, absorbs a Gu King, obtains Cloud Dispelling Palm, and synthesizes the Three-Aspect Primordial Energy. 48

Notable Quotes

“Your son is already dead, from the moment he entered the Ministry of Justice Prison. Now I am Li Chen Zhou, and only Li Chen Zhou.” 9

“Anyone unafraid of death, sign the agreement and come up.” 36

“From today onwards, every person you kill… has the endorsement of the imperial court.” 39

Trivia

• Li Chen Zhou’s listed lifespan rises from 29 years at sixth rank to 40 years at fifth-rank intermediate. 13 48
• His internal-energy cultivation is measured by the System in equivalent years of an ordinary person practicing basic techniques. 13 48
• He has little interest in literary pursuits and attended Nangong Yue’s poetry gathering primarily to locate The Skinner. 23 24