Third Master

Biodata

Background

Third Master is Liu Yuanzhou's paternal grand-uncle: he and Yuanzhou's grandfather were brothers. After Yuanzhou's grandparents died, he continued looking after Yuanzhou's family, becoming especially close to Yuanzhou. His wife died early, while his two sons worked in Yan Province City, leaving him alone in the village for much of the year. 4

He maintains a household at the high end of the village and teaches Yuanzhou the boxing routine that the boy practices for more than three years. Third Master also gives Yuanzhou access to his yard, books, and advice. 4 30

When his grandson Liu Yuanzhi collects him, Third Master travels to Yan Province City to reunite with his sons, Liu Jiali and Liu Jiaren. Learning that Jiali has become Right Steward of the Tai Xuan Sect's Yan Province Branch, Third Master asks him to seek a position in the sect for Yuanzhou. 6 30

Appearance

Third Master is an elderly man with a well-kept, healthy appearance despite his rural life. During practice, he wears a dark-blue training suit. 4

• Ruddy complexion with few facial wrinkles. 4
• Keeps a goatee, which he often strokes while speaking. 4
• Moves deliberately while practicing, performing his routine at an unusually slow pace. 4

Personality

Third Master is affectionate, protective, and deeply invested in Liu Yuanzhou's welfare. He worries when Yuanzhou is injured or travels into danger, yet takes pride in the young man's martial talent and growing independence. 97 98 139

He is practical in his guidance. He warns Yuanzhou that the academy contains all kinds of people, advises him to be cautious without becoming fearful, and refuses to provide a large loan when he believes Yuanzhou is becoming too entangled in Er Ni's family troubles. 53 71

He also has a playful side: he teases the bruised Li Er after the village fight and enjoys needling Yuanzhou during chess games. 5 43

Abilities & Skills

Eight Section Brocade and Martial Instruction

Third Master practices the same boxing routine he taught Liu Yuanzhou, identifying it as the Eight Section Brocade. He says that a brother from the Tai Xuan Sect taught him that reaching “movement in stillness” would mark great success in the art. 4

• Taught Liu Yuanzhou the boxing routine that formed the basis of his early training. 4
• Keeps a dedicated stone-paved training ground with stone locks and horizontal bars. 4
• Performs the routine slowly and with controlled recovery of strength after each set. 4
• No confirmed martial realm or combat record is provided.

Household and Possessions

• Training yard — A stone-paved martial-arts ground measuring roughly five to six meters square, equipped with stone locks, horizontal bars, and an empty weapon rack. 4
• Book collection — Includes a damaged book concerning rural taboos for weddings, funerals, construction, travel, and similar matters. 30
• Golden Talisman hiding place — Liu Yuanzhou conceals the Golden Talisman inside one of Third Master's books while researching it. 30

Relationships

• Liu Yuanzhou — Paternal grand-nephew, student, and the person Third Master treats with paternal concern. He supports Yuanzhou's move to the city, advocates for his sect employment, nurses him through injuries, and offers blunt advice when needed. 4 6 65 97 145
• Liu Jiali — Eldest son and Right Steward of the Tai Xuan Sect's Yan Province Branch. Third Master relies on Jiali's position to help arrange Yuanzhou's future in the sect. 6 30
• Liu Jiaren — Younger son. Their reunion in Yan Province City is notably tense, with Jiaren remaining silent and subdued. 6
• Liu Yuanzhi — Grandson. Yuanzhi respectfully collects him from the village and later comforts him while they wait for Yuanzhou's return. 6 139
• Liu Chuang and Zhang He — Yuanzhou's friends. Third Master takes them in alongside Yuanzhou after their release from prison and personally tends to their daily needs during recovery. 65
• Liu Da's family — Third Master supports the household after the deaths of Yuanzhou's grandparents. 4

Story Role

• After Liu Yuanzhou fights Li Er, Third Master visits the Li household and pointedly comments on Li Er's bruised face, while Li Fuyuan dismisses the incident as a children's dispute. 5
• He travels with Yuanzhou to Yan Province City and helps connect him with Liu Jiali and the Tai Xuan Sect's Yan Province Branch. 6 30 41
• Following Yuanzhou, Liu Chuang, and Zhang He's imprisonment, he brings all three to the Liu residence and personally cares for them during their recuperation. 65
• He cautions Yuanzhou about academy life and later rejects his request for several hundred taels, fearing Yuanzhou's involvement in Er Ni's problems will bring further trouble. 53 71
• When Yuanzhou is injured during the Medicine Field conflict, Third Master immediately visits the clinic, scolds him out of concern, and supervises his recovery at home. 97 98
• He anxiously awaits Yuanzhou's return from Beyond the Pass, yet continues to believe that Yuanzhou possesses the talent to become a Martial Master. 139
• He travels back to Yan Province City with Yuanzhou after the New Year and remains among the relatives awaiting Yuanzhou's later return. 145 155

Notable Quotes

“We don't cause trouble, but we shouldn't be afraid of it either.” 53

“Second Child, it's good that you can bravely face your mistakes and make amends.” 145

Trivia

• Villagers call Liu Chuanfang “Third Master” because he is the brother of Liu Yuanzhou's grandfather. 4
• Despite maintaining martial-training equipment, his weapon rack contains no weapons. 4
• He appears outwardly modest and domestic, cooking breakfast in an apron shortly after completing his boxing routine. 4