Zhang Yu
Becoming the Supreme Martial Artist Starting with Iron Cloth
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Zhang Yu (章宇) |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Mountain Suppression Martial Arts Hall; subordinate of chief disciple Chen Yang 16 47 49 |
| Occupation/Role | Eldest Senior Brother and overseer of the outer courtyard 15 16 |
| Cultivation | Ninth Grade, minor accomplishment 37 |
| Status | Deceased; killed by Lin Fan, though the martial hall initially treats him as missing 42 44 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 15 15 |
Appearance
- Has a towering build that casts a shadow over Lin Fan when he approaches him 16.
- Wears a black-veiled bamboo hat during his assassination attempt; Lin Fan nevertheless recognizes him by his build 42.
Personality
Zhang Yu bullies those beneath him while flattering people with influence. He threatens apprentices with expulsion, but bows before Young Master Tang and tolerates being ignored without showing impatience. He also suppresses his displeasure when Li Feng treats him contemptuously 16.
He enjoys controlling other people's prospects, boasting that withholding instruction will prevent Lin Fan from advancing. His contempt turns into jealousy when Lin Fan gains Young Master Tang's favor, then fear when Lin Fan displays exceptional combat instincts and becomes Yue Shan's disciple 17 19 37 39.
His ruthlessness extends beyond ordinary intimidation. He selects disobedient disciples for a dangerous mission and later orders a scheme to leave Lin Fan permanently disabled through broken limbs and poisoned medicine 23 34.
Background / History
Control of the Outer Courtyard
As the outer courtyard's eldest senior brother, Zhang Yu controls assignments and has the authority to expel disciples. When Lin Fan first reports to him, Liu Rui has already suffered a shattered leg at Zhang Yu's hands. Zhang Yu kicks the injured Liu Rui unconscious after being cursed 15 16.
His administration also involves corruption. Apprentices must surrender half their medicinal meals, while disciples complain that refusing to pay him one tael of silver each month results in dangerous assignments. Yang Kuan later confirms that Zhang Yu's protection comes from the chief disciple, explaining why even Yue Shan cannot intervene in the outer courtyard's affairs 19 23 44 47.
Attempts to Remove Lin Fan
Already aware of Lin Fan through Li Feng, Zhang Yu assigns him to replace Liu Rui as Young Master Tang's Human Stake. He expects the assignment to leave Lin Fan badly injured and promises Li Feng that he will have Lin Fan thrown out of the hall 15 16.
The plan backfires when Young Master Tang approves of Lin Fan and orders Zhang Yu to teach him Gang-Breaking Fist and Gale Leg. Zhang Yu instead tells Han Feng to demonstrate each technique only once, hoping Lin Fan will fail to learn them and lose Tang's support. He also arranges for Lin Fan to share Lu Hao's room, anticipating trouble when Lu Hao returns 17 18 19.
When Senior Brother Tan requests twenty outer courtyard disciples to guard Shopkeeper Tang's herb garden, Zhang Yu specifically orders Han Feng to select disobedient apprentices and include Lin Fan. He silences objections by threatening expulsion. Of the twenty outer courtyard disciples sent on the mission, only Lin Fan returns alive 23 34.
Failed Crippling Scheme
After learning that Yue Shan will accept Lin Fan as a nominal disciple if his Iron Cloth Shirt reaches major accomplishment, Zhang Yu consults Li Feng. Following Li Feng's instruction to prevent that advancement, he plans for Lu Hao to break Lin Fan's limbs. He then orders Han Feng to secretly add Bone-Eroding Powder to Lin Fan's medicine during treatment, without Elder Chen noticing 34.
At an assembly celebrating Li Feng's advancement, Zhang Yu berates Lin Fan for not applauding. He nearly strikes him, but stops when Lin Fan invokes his position as Yue Shan's prospective disciple. Li Feng attacks instead and is publicly defeated 35 36.
The remaining scheme collapses when Lin Fan outmaneuvers and defeats Lu Hao. Watching the fight, Zhang Yu becomes frightened by Lin Fan's potential and resolves to kill him. Lin Fan's subsequent acceptance as Yue Shan's disciple makes Zhang Yu believe that taking the risk is necessary for his own survival 37 39.
Death and Aftermath
A gate disciple informs Zhang Yu when Lin Fan leaves the hall at night. Zhang Yu rewards him with a gold leaf, demands secrecy, and follows Lin Fan toward the southern outskirts. Disguised with a veiled hat and a hoarse voice, he poses as a robber before attacking 42.
Lin Fan has already noticed the pursuit and deliberately draws him toward the black market, where a killing is less likely to attract scrutiny. Zhang Yu attacks without using a martial technique, only to have his neck seized. His attempt to strike again ends with Lin Fan shattering his finger bones and destroying his arm 42.
Unable to believe Lin Fan has become so strong, Zhang Yu initially suspects he has attacked the wrong person. Lin Fan reveals his identity, snaps Zhang Yu's neck, destroys his head with a kick, and takes his money pouch 42.
The hall subsequently regards Zhang Yu as missing, and Yang Kuan considers possible retaliation by the Green Snake Bandits. His disappearance leaves the outer courtyard's leadership vacant. Yue Shan hopes to recommend Yang Kuan to reform its corrupt practices, but Li Feng ultimately receives the position after Chen Yang defeats Yue Shan 44 47 50.
Abilities & Skills
Martial Strength
- Is identified as a minor-accomplishment Ninth Grade martial artist 37.
- Kicks the already-injured Liu Rui unconscious and shoves Lin Fan hard enough to knock him to the ground 15 17.
- Is decisively overpowered by Lin Fan during their final confrontation, without landing a successful blow 42.
Administration and Coercion
- Controls outer courtyard assignments and uses the threat of expulsion to enforce obedience 16 23.
- Directs Han Feng to restrict instruction, select disciples for missions, and carry out the planned medicine poisoning 18 23 34.
- Uses a paid gate informant to monitor Lin Fan's departure from the hall 42.
- Benefits from the chief disciple's protection, which prevents Yue Shan from addressing the courtyard's corruption 44 47.
Equipment / Items
- Black-veiled bamboo hat — Conceals his face during the attempted assassination of Lin Fan 42.
- Gold leaves — Uses one to reward his informant. After his death, Lin Fan estimates that his money pouch contains another four or five 42.
- Bone-Eroding Powder — Orders Han Feng to add it to Lin Fan's medicine. It corrodes bones until even ordinary movement can cause fractures; the poisoning is not carried out before Lu Hao's defeat ruins the plan 34 37.
Relationships
- Lin Fan — Target of repeated bullying, sabotage, and an eventual assassination attempt; ultimately kills Zhang Yu 16 18 34 42.
- Li Feng — Ally whom Zhang Yu flatters and assists in trying to remove Lin Fan from the martial hall 16 18 34.
- Han Feng — Subordinate who executes Zhang Yu's orders and reports developments concerning Lin Fan 18 23 34 39.
- Young Master Tang — Influential patron whom Zhang Yu serves deferentially; Tang's support for Lin Fan repeatedly obstructs Zhang Yu's plans 16 17 18.
- Lu Hao — Intended instrument for breaking Lin Fan's limbs, but is defeated instead 19 34 37.
- Chen Yang — Chief disciple and Zhang Yu's powerful backer 47 49.
- Liu Rui — Human Stake whom Zhang Yu cripples and later kicks unconscious 15.
Notable Quotes
“I oversee everything in the outer courtyard. You'll do whatever I tell you to do. If you have any more complaints, get the hell out!” 16
“Lin Fan must die. Even if I have to take a risk, I must kill him. Otherwise, I'm doomed!” 39