Wu Zheng

Biodata

Background / History

Wu Zheng already worked at the Jade Spring Commerce Association when Xu Qingtong arrived. Until then, he and Shopkeeper Gu Mingli had been the shop’s only staff. Gu introduced the two assistants and instructed Wu Zheng to find Xu Qingtong a room, explain the shop’s rules, and help him settle in 17.

Wu Zheng brought steamed buns to Xu Qingtong’s room that evening and spent over an hour explaining the business. The following morning, when Xu Qingtong admitted he could not afford breakfast, Wu Zheng bought food and explained that the shopkeeper covered their living expenses 17 18.

Appearance

At his introduction, Wu Zheng looked approximately fifteen or sixteen years old 17.

• Face: Honest-looking 17.
• Bearing: Shrewd despite his straightforward appearance 17 18.

Personality

Wu Zheng is welcoming and attentive toward his younger coworker, praising Xu Qingtong’s diligence and answering his questions between customers. His concern extends beyond work: he celebrates Xu Qingtong’s competition victories and feels sympathy when intensive talisman-making leaves him visibly exhausted 17 18 25 31.

He is also commercially cautious. Rather than authorize costly talisman-making practice himself, he offers study materials and reserves approval for the shopkeeper. Xu Qingtong recognizes that this neatly avoids taking responsibility for the expense. Wu Zheng likewise warns that expensive recovery pills could make competing financially unrewarding 18 24.

His familiarity with Xu Qingtong includes teasing and affectionate bluntness. He jokes about Xu Qingtong’s medicinal-cauldron treatment, then hugs him and lightly thumps his back when they say farewell 32.

When Xu Qingtong returns alive, Wu Zheng openly expresses his joy with another embrace. Their subsequent parting leaves him melancholy: contemplating Xu Qingtong’s gift of special talismans, he contrasts his friend’s affection with cultivators’ reputation for selfishness and wonders whether such a disposition will prove a blessing or a curse 51 52.

Abilities & Skills

Commerce and Stock Management

Wu Zheng negotiates with customers and manages the shop’s increasingly valuable talisman stock 18 22 31.

• Purchases talismans from regular suppliers and pays Xu Qingtong for his production 18 20.
• Recognizes the risk of overstocking Fireball Talismans and welcomes Xu Qingtong’s introduction of Shield Talismans 20.
• Withholds most remaining mid-grade talismans from display when supplies run low; later releases only small quantities each day during another shortage 22 31.
• Refers a payment exceeding a thousand spirit stones to Gu Mingli rather than approving it himself 31.
• Receives another thick stack of talismans from Xu Qingtong after his return to the market 52.

Cultivation-Goods Knowledge

Wu Zheng understands the use, value, and practical limitations of the shop’s wares, though he is not shown crafting talismans himself 18 24.

• Explains that talisman-making requires sufficient magic power, strong divine sense, and completion without interruption; failure can destroy the paper or cause an injurious explosion 18.
• Detects that Xu Qingtong’s experimental Fireball Talisman is unusually powerful, but seeks Gu Mingli’s appraisal to establish its quality 20.
• Introduces the fire-attributed Red Sun Sword and damaged, wood-attributed Goumang Seal during Xu Qingtong’s artifact selection 24.
• Recommends Qi-Replenishing Pills for rapid recovery of magic power 24.

Talisman Activation

Wu Zheng can channel magic power into a talisman 32.

• Activates an ordinary Mid-Grade Fireball Talisman at Xu Qingtong’s request to test his tempered body. The blast sends Xu Qingtong through a wall without injuring him 32.
• His cultivation realm and any advancement are not specified in the provided passages.

Power Progression

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xu Qingtong’s Entry into Talisman-Making

Wu Zheng’s explanation of the difference between blank talisman paper and finished talismans introduces Xu Qingtong to a potential source of income. He provides a jade slip on the Talisman-Making Method and reports Xu Qingtong’s readiness to Gu Mingli. When Xu Qingtong produces six Fireball Talismans from ten sheets on his first day of practical work, Wu Zheng is speechless before fetching the shopkeeper 18 19.

Gu subsequently makes Wu Zheng responsible for receiving Xu Qingtong’s talismans and paying him in spirit stones. Wu Zheng also displays the first enhanced Fireball Talisman prominently at Gu’s instruction 20 21.

The Mid-Grade Talisman Business

Wu Zheng sells Xu Qingtong’s mid-grade talismans at two spirit stones each, emphasizing their greater power. As buyers return and demand accelerates, a wealthy customer pays three spirit stones apiece for the talismans still on display. Wu Zheng promptly hands Xu Qingtong more paper and urges him to replenish the stock 22.

Xu Qingtong’s performance in the Young Talents Assembly brings further customers. During the elimination rounds, Wu Zheng becomes so busy that he calls Xu Qingtong over to help; together with Gu Mingli, they sell out the mid-grade stock 29.

Competition Support and Departure

Before the competition, Wu Zheng helps Xu Qingtong select artifacts and obtain ten Qi-Replenishing Pills at five spirit stones each. Shop duties prevent him from watching the initial matches, but he eagerly asks about the results and praises Xu Qingtong’s four victories 24 25.

After Xu Qingtong earns a place in the Mist Valley Trial, Wu Zheng buys wine and food for the celebration. He later receives over a thousand mid-grade talismans produced during seven days of intensive work. Their reputation and scarcity have raised the retail price to four spirit stones each 31.

Before the trial, Wu Zheng answers Xu Qingtong’s farewell and thanks with a hug and reassurance that his departure need not be permanent 32.

Reunion and Departure from the Market

When Xu Qingtong returns to the Jade Spring Commerce Association after the trial and his journey home, Wu Zheng jumps with joy, embraces him, and thumps his back. His enthusiastic welcome makes Xu Qingtong feel that Wu Zheng truly regards him as a brother 51.

Two days later, Xu Qingtong hands Wu Zheng a thick stack of talismans. Before leaving the market, he also gives him several specially crafted talismans as a memento, explaining that they differ from the others and that he does not know when they will meet again. Wu Zheng watches him leave, then lowers his head and stares at the talismans, saddened by their separation and moved by his friend’s affection 52.

Relationships

• Xu Qingtong — Younger coworker and close companion. Wu Zheng’s care, alongside Gu Mingli’s, helps Xu Qingtong develop a sense of home at the association 22 32. His joyful welcome upon Xu Qingtong’s return confirms their brotherly bond. At their later farewell, Xu Qingtong gives him several special talismans as a keepsake, leaving Wu Zheng deeply moved and melancholy 51 52.
• Gu Mingli — Employer and shopkeeper. Wu Zheng follows his instructions and defers decisions beyond his authority, though he privately resents Gu’s joking attempt to make him pay for celebratory wine 18 31.

Notable Quotes

“Why get so sentimental? It’s not as though you’re never coming back!” 32

“I knew you’d come back alive, you rascal!” 51

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