Liu Yuanzhou

Biodata

Name	Liu Yuanzhou (刘元洲)
Alias(es)	Second Child 106
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yan Province Academy of the Tai Xuan Sect 71
Occupation/Role	Merit Division staff member; inspection-team leader; Martial Master 72 148
Status	Alive 154
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
4th section of Stance Training	17	Had made only limited progress and could not yet enter stillness.
Entered Samadhi	20	Entered Samadhi during an illness; Miss Qin used a precious pearl to aid his recovery and breakthrough.
7th section of Stance Training	21	Increased his standing time from four to seven sections and learned to enter Samadhi at will.
17th section of Yin Yang Stance	74	Reached the same level he had attained with the Limitless Stance, giving him a physical edge over his peers.
20th section of Stance Training	79 88	You Shiliang discovered his unusually rapid progress; he later confirmed the breakthrough while stationed at Spring Water Medicine Field.
21st section of Stance Training	101	Continued training twice daily despite strained relationships with his friends.
24th section of Stance Training	138	Reached the threshold of Whole Strength after gaining insight during the journey Beyond the Pass.
25th section of Stance Training / comprehension of Whole Strength	145	Had begun comprehending Whole Strength and was regarded as an exceptional prospective Martial Master.
Martial Master / Whole Strength	148	Fused the Yin and Yang forces within his body into Whole Strength, greatly increasing his power and agility.

Background

Liu Yuanzhou grew up in Liu Li Village as Liu Da and Zhang Shi's younger son, with Liu Yuanbo as his elder brother. Before encountering genuine martial arts, he had trained in boxing under Third Master for more than three years without developing any extraordinary skill. 4 26

Third Master—Liu Chuanfang, his grandfather's brother—helped support Liu Yuanzhou's family after the deaths of Liu Yuanzhou's grandparents. Liu Yuanzhou regularly repaid this care by fetching water, chopping firewood, and assisting around Third Master's home. 4

After meeting the injured Miss Qin, Liu Yuanzhou chose to shelter and care for her rather than report her, believing that learning authentic martial arts was his one chance to escape an ordinary life. 12 13 Her guidance and aid eventually led to his first entry into Samadhi. 20

Appearance

Following his breakthrough, Liu Yuanzhou has a fair, rosy complexion, handsome brows, dark and deep-set eyes, and an upright bearing that gives off subtle pressure. 149

• Became noticeably taller, steadier, and more mature after leaving Liu Li Village. 106
• His eyes are described as bright and piercing. 106
• His body became markedly stronger and more flexible after cultivating Whole Strength. 148

Personality

Liu Yuanzhou is ambitious, diligent, and unwilling to accept a quiet village life. His decision to trust Miss Qin stemmed from his conviction that martial arts offered his only opportunity to change his fate. 12 He maintains a demanding practice routine even while traveling, working, recovering from injuries, or facing personal pressure. 48 98 143

He is protective of family and friends, repeatedly confronting stronger opponents or dangerous organizations on their behalf. He defended Liu Yuanbo from insult, stood with Liu Chuang and Zhang He against bullies, rescued Zhang Dan Dan from the Horse Gang, and honored Mo Tan's request to escort Akite to safety. 4 8 104 115

His early impulsiveness gives way to greater caution and responsibility, though he remains capable of taking extreme risks when his sense of duty is involved. He concealed his martial progress to avoid attention, later felt guilty about hiding it from his friends, and chose honesty rather than inventing excuses. 29 100 His tendency to overtrain also damaged his body, prompting a stern warning from You Shiliang. 79

Liu Xiaochuan's death hardens him significantly. Afterward, he becomes more ruthless, kills Ma Jiuqian and Zhao Fa Shi, and vows revenge against Wu Feipeng. 153

Abilities & Skills

Stance Training and Whole Strength

Liu Yuanzhou cultivated both the Limitless Stance and Yin Yang Stance, using their breathing methods to improve his body, enter Samadhi, and ultimately cultivate Whole Strength. 21 56 148

• Can enter a state of undisturbed tranquility through the Yin Yang Stance and breathing method. 79
• Uses Samadhi to perceive his internal condition with exceptional clarity. 21
• Cultivated Whole Strength by merging Yin and Yang forces, becoming a Martial Master. 148
• His breakthrough at least doubled his strength and substantially improved his agility. 148
• Excessive training can injure his body; You Shiliang had to intervene and provide a remedy. 79

Plum Blossom Fist

Miss Qin taught Liu Yuanzhou the Plum Blossom Fist, which he practiced daily until it became one of his principal combat techniques. 39

• Used the killing move Twin Flower Kill to defeat the leader of three gray-clothed pursuers. 40
• Reached Minor Accomplishment before his confrontation with Ma Xiaowu. 96
• Reached Major Accomplishment by the battle at Spring Water Medicine Field. 153
• His mastery of the technique helped him contend with Ma Jiuqian despite Ma Jiuqian's longer experience as a Martial Master. 153

Eighteen Unbinding Hands

The Eighteen Unbinding Hands became Liu Yuanzhou's other core fist technique, complementing his stance training with mobile and adaptable close combat. 88 96

• Reached Minor Accomplishment after more than half a year of practice. 88 92
• Allowed him to strike a bowl-thick locust tree hard enough to shake down its leaves after reaching the 20th stance section. 88
• Its flexibility and precision helped him adapt during his extended fight against Ma Xiaowu. 96
• Reached Major Accomplishment by his first battle as a Martial Master. 153

Divine Travel Thousand Changes

Dongfang Shimen secretly entrusted Liu Yuanzhou with the lightness-skill manual Divine Travel Thousand Changes, which Liu Yuanzhou memorized before returning it. 138 139

• Reached Entry Level in the first stage after the technique's footwork naturally drove his breathing method. 145
• Can run more than ten miles at high speed, appearing to onlookers as a passing gray shadow. 145
• Enhances his mobility in combat; after becoming a Martial Master, he could climb and move between trees with exceptional ease. 148
• Dongfang Shimen warned him not to let lightness training distract him from cultivating martial strength. 139

Equipment / Items

• Golden Talisman — A palm-sized, thin, heavy, gold-colored talisman covered in intricate patterns. Liu Yuanzhou stole it from a locked box in Thousand Buddha Cave and concealed it inside one of Third Master's books; its purpose remains unknown. 29 30
• Divine Travel Thousand Changes manual — A secret lightness-skill manual loaned to him by Dongfang Shimen. Liu Yuanzhou memorized it and returned the original. 138 139

Relationships

• Third Master / Liu Chuanfang — His grandfather's brother, caregiver, early boxing teacher, traveling companion, and one of Liu Yuanzhou's closest family elders. Third Master treats him like a son. 4 39 145
• Miss Qin — His first source of genuine martial guidance. Liu Yuanzhou sheltered and cared for her while she recovered; she aided his entry into Samadhi and taught him Plum Blossom Fist. 13 20 39
• You Shiliang — Academy mentor who taught him Yin Yang Stance breathing, monitored his health, and arranged support for his later cultivation. 56 79 148
• Zhang Changjiang — Superior and mentor at the academy who values Liu Yuanzhou's potential, oversees his work, and worries about his safety. 84 96 147
• Xu Hong — Arms Division chief who saved Liu Yuanzhou from Lu Busha, later offered him a Team Vice-Captain position, and recognized his unusual potential. 116 145
• Liu Chuang — Childhood friend whose impulsiveness repeatedly draws Liu Yuanzhou into danger. Their friendship survives humiliation, kidnapping, and later emotional distance. 8 56 143
• Zhang He — Close village friend and frequent companion in Liu Yuanzhou's early conflicts and investigations. 8 27 39
• Xing Youqing — Academy roommate and friend. Their relationship was strained when Xing learned Liu Yuanzhou had concealed his abilities, but they reconciled after Liu Yuanzhou's return. 73 100 141
• Liu Xiaochuan — A friend Liu Yuanzhou regarded as a brother. Liu Xiaochuan's death defending Spring Water Medicine Field drives Liu Yuanzhou's pursuit of revenge. 98 153 154
• Zhang Dan Dan — His cousin, whom Liu Yuanzhou rescued from the Horse Gang and later continued to support after she returned to Yan Province City. 104 106 140
• Ma Jiuqian — White Head Sect Martial Master and enemy. Liu Yuanzhou defeated and killed him during the attack on Spring Water Medicine Field. 96 153
• Wu Feipeng — The traitor Liu Yuanzhou holds responsible for Liu Xiaochuan's death; Liu Yuanzhou swore to find and kill him. 153

Story Role / Major Arcs

Village Training and Miss Qin

Liu Yuanzhou begins as a village youth training under Third Master and defending his family against the local Li family. His confrontation with Fatty Wang's martial master exposes the gap between ordinary people and true martial artists, strengthening his resolve to pursue martial arts. 4 8

He encounters the injured Miss Qin and commits to protecting her in exchange for the possibility of authentic instruction. During this period, he enters Samadhi, advances rapidly in Stance Training, and secretly acquires the Golden Talisman from Thousand Buddha Cave. 12 20 29

Departure for Yan Province City

After mastering the basic form of Plum Blossom Fist and sensing a coming breakthrough, Liu Yuanzhou leaves Liu Li Village with Third Master for Yan Province City. 39 On the journey, he defeats three martial artists after being deceived into carrying a woman's package, gaining his first significant practical combat experience. 40

Yan Province Academy

Liu Yuanzhou enrolls in Yan Province Academy, joins the Merit Division, and moves into its dormitory to become more independent. 71 72 His talent draws the attention of You Shiliang, Sun Jieming, and other academy figures, while his rapidly advancing strength creates tension with peers such as Gao Fei and Zheng Xiaolong. 79 101 148

During inspections of the academy's Medicine Fields, he develops his Eighteen Unbinding Hands, befriends local stewards, and proves himself against Ma Xiaowu despite lacking life-or-death combat experience. 88 92 96

Beyond the Pass Martial Competition

Selected as an attendant disciple for the Beyond the Pass Martial Competition, Liu Yuanzhou travels with academy representatives despite not yet being a Martial Master. 99 In Yu Province, he rescues Zhang Dan Dan from the Horse Gang and chooses to intervene against the gang's abductions despite being advised not to become involved. 104 107

Outside the Pass, Liu Yuanzhou keeps Mo Tan's final request by escorting Akite toward her grandfather's tribe. He protects Azheng from Lu Busha, injures the veteran Martial Master with a surprise attack, and is saved by Xu Hong before Yang Hu can threaten him further. 115 116

Return and Martial Master Breakthrough

Dongfang Shimen rewards Liu Yuanzhou's conduct during the journey by letting him study Divine Travel Thousand Changes. 138 139 Back in Yan Province, he refines his lightness skill and comprehends Whole Strength, becoming a Martial Master shortly before leading an inspection team to Spring Water Medicine Field. 145 148 149

Defense of Spring Water Medicine Field

During the White Head Sect's attack on Spring Water Medicine Field, Liu Yuanzhou's newly attained realm becomes public. After Liu Xiaochuan is killed, Liu Yuanzhou fights Ma Jiuqian to a standstill and ultimately kills him through superior technique and mobility. 151 153

He interrogates Zhao Fa Shi, learns of Wu Feipeng's role in the attack, and vows vengeance. His killing of surrendered bandits afterward brings scrutiny from the academy and the Yan Prefecture Yamen. 153 154