Xu Da

Biodata

Power Progression

History

Friendship and Sponsorship

Xu Da belonged to the Xu Family, a mid-ranking family in Duchang City’s inner city that owned the Tiger Might Escort Agency. At the Fierce Tiger Martial Hall, he became one of Chen Tie’s closest companions alongside Shen Yan. Initially unimpressed by Chen Tie, he grew to appreciate his intelligence, independent opinions, and determination 4 9.

After Chen Tie reached Skin Refining, Xu Da recruited him as a part-time escort. The offer included ten taels of silver and fifty jin of good meat each month, with additional pay for escort assignments. He later hosted Chen Tie at the agency and promised two Silver Treasure Fish monthly to support his cultivation 9 11.

His father criticized him for spending the family’s money cultivating goodwill with martial artists who had yet to achieve success. Xu Da defended helping people before they prospered, arguing that even one successful beneficiary could justify his investments 11.

Xue Gui’s Bounty

Xu Da persuaded Chen Tie and Shen Yan to search for the injured fugitive Xue Gui. Reasoning that deserted areas had already been searched, he directed them toward crowded Falling Star Street and proposed searching neighboring alleys so they could support one another 12.

After Shen Yan found Xue Gui’s corpse, the three claimed the thousand-tael bounty. Xu Da and Chen Tie accepted three hundred taels each, leaving four hundred for Shen Yan and asking him to treat them to dinner 13.

Pressure on the Family Business

The Zheng Family Escort Agency’s expansion deprived competing agencies of transport work. Xu Da explained how threats and inducements had drawn outer-city factions into its network, damaging his own family’s business 17.

As the Xu Family’s expenses exceeded its income, Xu Renyi ordered an end to stipends for Skin Refining martial artists. Xu Da negotiated to preserve one stipend, though the recipient was not named in that exchange 19.

Xu Da later invited Chen Tie on an escort assignment to Tianshan City. Both joined the party led by Xu Shi, and they generally shared a room during overnight stops along the route 23 24.

Marriage and Martial Priorities

After reaching Flesh Refining, Xu Da told Chen Tie that his family had arranged his marriage. Believing Bone Forging beyond his talent, he decided to prioritize starting a family and managing the family business. He considered Flesh Refining perfection a possible lifetime achievement, not a realm he had already attained 34 36.

His wedding took place at the Xu Family residence, attended by Chen Tie, fellow disciples, neighbors, and friendly martial artists. During the feast, he encouraged his junior brothers not to neglect either cultivation or family life 38.

Martial Hall Grand Competition

When other disciples tried to stop Chen Tie from challenging Zhou Han, Xu Da supported letting him fight. He valued the experience and believed Chen Tie could concede if outmatched 45.

After Chen Tie publicly revealed his Bone Forging cultivation, Xu Da became unusually restrained around him, acknowledging that their former junior brother now protected the martial hall. Chen Tie insisted that their bonds had not changed, restoring their easy familiarity. Xu Da then invited him home to try his wife’s cooking 49.

Personality

Xu Da is generous, sociable, and willing to support overlooked martial artists. His help combines genuine affection with an interest in building lasting goodwill: he admires Chen Tie’s resolve while openly defending the potential future value of assisting struggling practitioners 4 11.

He favors moderation over reckless persistence. He worries about Chen Tie injuring himself through excessive training and later accepts his own perceived cultivation limits rather than risking lasting bodily damage. Nevertheless, he supports practical combat experience when he believes the risks can be managed 8 36 45.

His fondness for pleasure houses is a recurring subject of teasing. When Chen Tie suggests that fewer evening outings might improve his cultivation, Xu Da jokingly defends them as balancing work and rest and harmonizing yin and yang 21.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Instruction

• Alongside Shen Yan, Xu Da normally helps introduce new disciples to martial training 23.
• He advises Chen Tie to balance exertion with rest and avoid damaging his body through overtraining 4 8.

Local and Political Knowledge

• Explains the recruitment interests of aristocratic-family disciples attending the martial hall 9.
• Identifies prominent martial artists, including Deng Feng, and recognizes Divine Constable Ouyang’s Heart-Shattering Palm injury 13.
• Explains the territorial power of noble families and sects, and how their maneuvering threatens the declining Great Liang Dynasty 18.
• Uses a fugitive’s likely hiding strategy to organize the search around crowded streets rather than repeatedly searched deserted areas 12.

Relationships

• Chen Tie — Junior martial brother, close friend, and recipient of his financial support. Their friendship survives the change in status caused by Chen Tie’s advancement to Bone Forging 4 11 49.
• Shen Yan — Fellow senior disciple and friend; joins him in advising Chen Tie, searching for Xue Gui, and sharing meals 8 12 13.
• Xu Renyi — Father and head of the family’s escort operation. Frequently challenges Xu Da’s spending, but agrees to preserve one martial artist’s stipend at his request 11 19.
• Wife — Unnamed partner in an arranged marriage. Xu Da later praises her cooking and invites Chen Tie to their home 36 38 49.
• Younger female cousin — An unnamed fifteen-year-old whom he offers to introduce to Chen Tie as a prospective match; no match is confirmed 36.

Notable Quotes

“Father, adding flowers to brocade can't compare to delivering charcoal in the snow. With all the goodwill I've built up, even if just one of them succeeds someday, it'll have been worth it.” 11

“The martial path is perilous. You saw what happened to Zhang Long with your own eyes. Your martial heart is firm; perhaps you can achieve something greater. Take good care of yourself, and never advance too recklessly.” 36