Instructor Sun

Biodata

Background / History

Training Zhao Changhe

Instructor Sun had trained countless cultists and bandits before taking an interest in Zhao Changhe. He witnessed Zhao kill Luo Zhenwu and admired his courage and ferocity, regarding him as a “born bandit.” This was the original reason for his preferential treatment, in contrast to Fang Buping’s displeasure over the killing 11 18.

At their first documented lesson, Sun demonstrated a controlled Turning Slash. Zhao reproduced it convincingly, prompting Sun to correct his hand position and hold him up as an example to the other recruits. He subsequently taught Zhao how to activate the blood’s vitality through the Blood Baleful Art, alongside basic combat movements 9 10.

When Zhao killed Zhang Quan during a dispute over food, Sun dismissed the death as the consequence of Zhang’s own provocation. He urged Zhao to recognize that strength and fear earned respect where peaceful overtures failed. He then established a routine of cultivation every morning and saber practice every afternoon 11.

Sun distinguished Zhao’s exceptional suitability for the Blood Baleful Art from his comparatively ordinary saber talent. What impressed him most was Zhao’s willingness to repeat basic movements a thousand times a day. After more than twenty days of intensive training, Zhao passed his fundamentals test by striking the precise notch on a moving iron rod 14 17 18.

The Blood-Stabilizing Pill

On the winter solstice, Sun advised Zhao to attempt his first breakthrough and supplied a pill to help. Although he had warned that the Blood Baleful Art had drawbacks, he had not fully explained its recurring agony or the cult’s use of medicine to control practitioners. Warned by Luo Qi, Zhao refused the pill and reached the first Profound Pass without it 10 18 20.

The following morning, Sun disclosed that the Blood-Stabilizing Pill suppressed the art’s painful eruptions of baleful intent, which could occur outside breakthroughs as well. He explained that this dependency was precisely why the cult allowed outsiders to learn the art. Zhao acknowledged Sun’s earlier hesitation to speak and said he could not blame him, though Sun sensed that their relationship had changed 21.

Further Instruction and Departure

Sun offered to complain to the cult leader about Fang Buping’s obstruction and seek Zhao’s formal admission if he returned to the main altar. In the meantime, he began teaching the Blood Baleful Saber Technique and explained the principles of breaking formations. His appreciation for Zhao remained genuine, and he treated him as a prized pupil 21 22.

By the time Zhao challenged Deputy Helmsman Huang, Sun had departed, secretly leaving him seven or eight additional Blood-Stabilizing Pills. His absence deprived Zhao of the experienced guidance he had relied on to correct technique and judge breakthrough readiness 32 40.

Personality

Sun is loud, profane, impatient with inattentive students, and openly contemptuous of excessive scholarly politeness in a bandit stronghold. He demands confident speech and treats intimidation as a practical means of survival. His indifference to Zhang Quan’s death reflects his belief that someone who provokes a stronger opponent must bear the consequences 9 11.

As a teacher, he values disciplined practice over promises of rapid advancement. He insists that demonic cultivation offers no shortcut to sound fundamentals and admires Zhao’s persistence more than his saber aptitude. His affection for his pupil coexists with acceptance of the cult’s coercive system: he hesitates to disclose the medicine dependency, yet ultimately regards control as a basis for greater institutional trust 11 14 18 21.

Abilities & Skills

Saber Techniques

Sun teaches speed, accuracy, stability, and coordinated force rather than uncontrolled powerful swings 9 11.

• Turning Slash: Demonstrates a fast backward slash that stops precisely at a ninety-degree angle, preserving strength for changes and follow-up attacks 9.
• Fundamental movements: Teaches downward chops, horizontal slashes, upward cuts, and the stance mechanics underlying them 9 11 17.
• Blood Baleful Saber Technique: Teaches the advanced style after Zhao masters the basics and reaches the first Profound Pass. He explains that the technique itself has no harmful effects and remains usable with another cultivation art if its power-channeling method is adapted 18 21 22.

External Martial Arts

Sun is a Fourth-Level Profound Pass cultivator specializing in external arts 30 47.

• Casually blocks Zhao’s full-strength Blood Baleful Art punch and sends him stumbling backward, although the unexpectedly powerful blow leaves Sun’s concealed hand trembling 14.
• Identifies Zhao’s abundant blood and vital energy, strong constitution, and intact Original Yang as reasons for his rapid progress 14.
• His lightness skill is poor; Zhao compares it to a wild bull climbing a tree 30.
• Cannot ordinarily determine another person’s cultivation by sight alone. He recognizes Zhao’s breakthrough because he already knows an attempt was planned 21.

Martial Instruction

• Uses repeated drills and hands-on corrections to refine grip, shoulders, waist position, and striking accuracy 9 14 40.
• Awards meat to the best-performing trainees and threatens to withhold food from those whose slashes remain poorly formed 9 11.
• Assesses when a student is ready to attempt a cultivation breakthrough 14 18.

Formation Knowledge

• Explains that breaking a formation requires identifying its core and the correct sequence 21.
• Uses the Heaven-Earth-Human Three Powers Formation and Big Dipper Seven-Star Formation as examples 21.
• Advises Zhao to begin with saber training, noting that the Blood Baleful Saber Technique’s footwork contains elements related to formations 21.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Single saber — Uses an ordinary single saber to demonstrate techniques and lets Zhao borrow it for his first attempt 9.
• Blood-Stabilizing Pills — Gives Zhao one before his first breakthrough and secretly supplies seven or eight more before departing 18 21 32.
• Three-Stone Bow — Previously used the stronghold’s powerful bow but left it behind because taking it was too troublesome. Zhao later claims it from the armory 44.

Relationships

• Zhao Changhe — Prized pupil. Sun provides extra instruction, rewards his training, and backs him when higher-ranking members make trouble. The concealed medicine dependency complicates Zhao’s trust without erasing Sun’s genuine regard for him 11 18 21 22.
• Fang Buping — Branch superior. Despite serving as Fang’s right-hand man, Sun resents his treatment of Zhao and proposes reporting his selfish obstruction to the cult leader 21 47.
• Zhang Quan — Trainee whom Sun rebukes for poor saber control. After Zhang attacks Zhao over his meat portion and is killed, Sun dismisses him as foolish and weak 9 11.

Notable Quotes

“Don't exhaust your strength, and you'll have room to maneuver.” 9

“There are no shortcuts to the fundamentals!” 11

“You're already in the rivers and lakes.” 11