Zheng Lun

Biodata

Background / History

Zheng Lun came from humble origins and studied under Perfected Du'e at Cloudlight Cave on Iron Brake Mountain. Du'e taught him the soul-displacing Heng Technique and was particularly fond of him. His training placed him among the Primordial World’s third-generation disciples 3 6 8 28.

When Du'e sent him into the mortal world, he instructed Zheng Lun to earn a jade belt and enjoy worldly honors and emoluments. Instead, Zheng Lun spent years transporting grain for Su Hu in Jizhou. The work was exhausting, poorly rewarded, and dangerous: missing a delivery deadline could cost him his life. Before entering Di Xin’s service, he still wore a cloth belt 4.

Appearance

• Build: An imposing, middle-aged man described as eight feet tall 3.
• Armor: Brilliant golden armor at his first appearance 3.
• Expression: Fierce eyes and an intimidating glare, especially when guarding Di Xin or threatening resistance to his orders 4 5 15.
• Technique manifestation: White light or mist streams from his nostrils when he uses his Heng Technique 3 15 35.

Personality

Zheng Lun places great importance on gratitude, recognition, and repaying kindness. He initially risks death to rescue Su Hu, but Di Xin’s promotion and personal bestowal of a jade belt move him to tears and a lifelong oath of service. He becomes convinced that Di Xin is an enlightened ruler when the king chooses to discuss world affairs with him rather than visit Daji 3 4 6.

His devotion makes him both protective and credulous toward Di Xin. He threatens violence against those who resist the king and assumes that even the unusual order to bring Li Jing’s pregnant wife to Chaoge must have an honorable purpose. After underestimating Jiang Ziya and failing to protect Di Xin during the coup, he repeatedly slaps his own face in remorse and resolves to cultivate more diligently 15 44 45.

His support for ending human sacrifice also has a personal basis. Having witnessed mortals offered as blood sacrifices over many years, he had already felt that the practice was wrong, though he had not clearly understood why 8.

Abilities & Skills

Heng Technique / Hum Word Technique

Du'e taught Zheng Lun the technique of the “Two Qis from the Nasal Apertures.” A cold snort, accompanied by white light or mist from his nostrils, unsettles the target’s souls and can force them out of the body 3 35.

• Soul displacement: Knocks Huang Feihu unconscious, leaving him foaming at the mouth and twitching 3.
• Widespread disturbance: The sound also makes people inside the palace feel their minds reel and their souls become unstable 3.
• Use while speaking: Zheng Lun incorporates the technique into his denunciation of Su Hu, nearly shaking Su Hu’s soul out of his body 29.
• Hearing-dependent limitation: Jiang Ziya neutralizes it by sealing his hearing, cutting off the sound’s means of reaching and jolting his soul 35.

Armed and Mounted Combat

• Fights Huang Feihu with paired Demon-Subduing Pestles, blocking spear strikes and exchanging repeated heavy blows. He resorts to the Heng Technique when ordinary attacks fail to break through 3.
• Attempts a mounted pestle strike against Jiang Ziya after his soul technique is countered, but is struck down by lightning before reaching him 35.

Secret Arts and World Knowledge

• Sends recruitment letters through secret arts to friends from Cloudlight Cave, inviting them and their acquaintances to Chaoge 34.
• Explains the Primordial World’s affairs to Di Xin during an overnight discussion. His lineage gives him insight into the sects and their wider conflicts 6.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Demon-Subduing Pestles: His paired weapons, used in battle and to execute Weizi and Jizi 3 8 9.
• Fiery-Eyed Golden-Pupiled Beast: His mount, ridden during his palace intervention, return to Chaoge, and departure for Chentang Pass 3 19 45.
• Golden armor: Worn when he enters the palace to defend Su Hu 3.
• Jade belt: Taken from Bi Gan and personally fastened around Zheng Lun’s waist by Di Xin; fulfills the honor Du'e had told him to seek 4.
• One hundred loads of gold: Awarded with his promotion to command the Inner Court Golden Guards 4.

Relationships

• Di Xin — Sovereign and the focus of his unwavering loyalty. Di Xin values him as an early follower, promises that his rank will remain above those he recruits, and reassures him after his defeat by Jiang Ziya 4 28 44.
• Perfected Du'e — Teacher and source of the Heng Technique. Du'e’s connection also prompts Di Xin to consider Zheng Lun a potential link to powerful immortal backing 3.
• Su Hu — Former lord and employer. Zheng Lun initially defends him at the risk of his own life, but ends their ties when Su Hu tries to turn him against Di Xin. His address of “Master” expresses gratitude for Su Hu’s patronage; Du'e is his cultivation teacher 3 29.
• Jiang Ziya — Enemy who claims authority as his martial uncle. Zheng Lun rejects that claim, is defeated and humiliated by him, and later vows revenge 34 35 44.
• Huang Feihu — Military opponent during Su Hu’s rescue. Zheng Lun later helps pressure him into surrendering the Five-Colored Divine Ox for Di Xin’s plowing demonstration 3 15.
• Yun Zhongzi — Addressed by Zheng Lun as “Martial Uncle” when presenting the Shoude Plow; Yun Zhongzi recognizes him as Du'e’s disciple 19.
• Li Jing — His senior brother, whom he is ordered to summon to Chaoge with his wife and children 44 45.

Story Role / Major Arcs