Hong Hua

Biodata

Background / History

Attack on Gao Shang

Hong Hua and Wang Tianyuan were mercenaries hired by Zhou Qi, owner of the Zhou Family Grand Pharmacy, to uncover Gao Shang’s whale-rubber supply channel or kill him and seize his money. They received one thousand Gold Soul Coins and approached his milk tea shop under the pretense of demanding justice 12 13.

When Gao Shang restrained Wang Tianyuan, Hong Hua initially considered fleeing but instead joined the attack. She aimed her dagger at Gao Shang’s shoulder while Wang Tianyuan attacked with his hammer. Gao Shang used his Sharingan to control her, redirecting her poisoned blade into her partner’s flank, before punching her unconscious 12.

Wang Tianyuan refused to identify their employer until Gao Shang threatened to control him and make him kill Hong Hua. Although the pair were only posing as husband and wife for the mission, Wang Tianyuan had genuine feelings for her and could not bear that possibility 12.

Employment and Recovery

Gao Shang offered the defeated mercenaries a choice: surrender Zhou Qi’s payment as compensation or work for him for two hundred Gold Soul Coins each per month. Wang Tianyuan accepted and asked him to save Hong Hua. Their initial duties were to guard the shop and protect Sun Meng 13.

Hong Hua received a pill for mental trauma, followed by a separate healing pill for the injuries caused by Gao Shang’s punch. After regaining consciousness, she warned him that Zhou Qi’s presence exerted pressure beyond what she would expect from a Soul Grandmaster. Her warning persuaded Gao Shang to investigate before attacking 13 14.

Household Responsibilities

As Gao Shang devoted more time to training, he assigned Hong Hua responsibility for three daily meals, learning to make milk tea, finding a larger residence with Sun Meng, and teaching Sun Meng basic combat and Soul Master knowledge. Hong Hua considered the work surprisingly easy compared with Wang Tianyuan’s assignment as Gao Shang’s sparring partner 18 19.

She also monitored Zhou Qi. Before Gao Shang’s assassination attempt, she reported that Zhou Qi had closed his pharmacy and remained home during Spirit Hall’s investigation. Sensing that Gao Shang intended to act, she asked no further questions and brought Wang Tianyuan along to give Sun Meng an unexpected evening test 22.

Learning that Zhou Qi was actually a Soul Ancestor briefly made Hong Hua consider fleeing. She stayed because Gao Shang had treated both mercenaries well and because his reliable supply of rare Soul Beast meat suggested that he had powerful backing. She remained anxious until he returned and confirmed Zhou Qi’s death 24.

Caring for Han Xing

After rescuing Han Xing, Gao Shang entrusted Hong Hua with taking the injured girl to a clinic and then locating her family. At Han Xing’s home, they found her parents dead. Hong Hua watched over the eight-year-old through the burial and a further three-day vigil before bringing her back to Gao Manor 24 27.

When Han Xing later began eating again after Gao Shang gave her hope of resurrecting her parents, Hong Hua and Sun Meng helped draw her into the conversation at the table 27.

Restaurant Preparations and White Jade Capital

Hong Hua fetched the Fortune and Prosperity Pavilion’s head chef for Gao Shang’s recruitment test. During the meeting, the chef revealed herself as Shangguan Yun and displayed four Soul Rings. Hong Hua instinctively stepped in front of Gao Shang until he reassured her 27 28.

Gao Shang subsequently gave Hong Hua storage rings for herself and Wang Tianyuan and assigned her to find a large restaurant site. He also proposed buying neighboring houses, but she explained that their noble and Soul Master owners might refuse to sell and that an estate larger than the city lord’s residence could invite objections. He accepted her advice and postponed the expansion 29.

Hong Hua selected a site on Nuoding City’s main street. After approving it on a map, Gao Shang entrusted her with five thousand Gold Soul Coins to purchase the property and demolish the existing buildings 32.

When Gao Shang later offered to teach Hong Hua and Wang Tianyuan his combat methods if they joined White Jade Capital, Wang Tianyuan immediately accepted for both of them. Gao Shang questioned whether he should consult her first, but Wang insisted that she would agree 34.

Personality

Hong Hua balances loyalty with concern for survival. She nearly fled during the failed attack on Gao Shang but chose to help Wang Tianyuan; later, despite fearing Zhou Qi’s superior cultivation, she stayed with Gao Shang out of gratitude and confidence in his resources 12 24.

She is observant and willing to challenge an impractical plan. Her assessment of Zhou Qi’s strength prompted caution, while her explanation of local property politics stopped Gao Shang from pursuing an awkward estate expansion 14 29.

Her care for others extends beyond her assigned duties. Sun Meng credits her with wholehearted teaching and everyday support, while Han Xing depends on her protection during the immediate aftermath of her parents’ deaths 27 34.

Abilities & Skills

Rose Thorn Martial Soul

Hong Hua is a level-25 Agility Attack System Soul Grandmaster. In battle, her Rose Thorn Martial Soul manifests as a dagger engraved with a rose 12 13.

• Rapid close-range attacks: She closes on Gao Shang quickly enough to coordinate a dagger thrust with Wang Tianyuan’s hammer strike 12.
• Second Soul Skill — Thorn of Thorns: Her dagger attack carries a paralytic toxin. When redirected into Wang Tianyuan, it darkens his vision and rapidly drains his strength 12 13.
• Nonlethal poison: Wang Tianyuan identifies the toxin as paralytic rather than lethal 13.
• Soul Rings: One white and one yellow; her first Soul Skill is not identified in the supplied account 12.

Heightened Perception

Hong Hua attributes her stronger perception, relative to Wang Tianyuan’s, to being an agility attack-type Soul Master 14.

• Detects a faint, elusive pressure from Zhou Qi that she believes even a rank-29 Soul Grandmaster could not produce 14.
• Correctly recognizes that he exceeds their cultivation, but estimates him as a likely Soul Elder rather than identifying his actual Soul Ancestor rank 14 22.

Teaching and Household Work

Gao Shang relies on Hong Hua for instruction, food preparation, surveillance, and practical errands 18 22 29.

• Teaches Sun Meng basic combat and Soul Master knowledge, including the existence of Fallen Soul Masters 18 32.
• Handles ordinary ingredients competently, though her cooking is repeatedly distinguished from a professional chef’s skill 22 27 29.
• Evaluates property options and recognizes social obstacles that money alone may not overcome 29.

Equipment / Items

• Level-4 Storage Soul Tool ring — A gift from Gao Shang to make her work easier. It lacks the cooling function of Shangguan Yun’s food-storage ring but has a larger storage space 29.

Relationships

• Gao Shang — Former target turned employer. He treats her injuries, provides generous wages and resources, and increasingly entrusts her with household and business responsibilities 13 14 29.
• Wang Tianyuan — Mercenary partner and romantic companion. They initially pose as spouses; later narration refers to him as her husband, without describing a wedding or formal change in their relationship 12 29.
• Sun Meng — Student and fellow household member. Hong Hua’s attentive teaching and care lead Sun Meng to advocate for her inclusion when Gao Shang begins sharing further training methods 18 34.
• Han Xing — A child placed in her care after being rescued from Zhou Qi. Hong Hua accompanies her home and protects her through her bereavement 24 27.
• Zhou Qi — Former employer whose commission leads to her defeat and recruitment by Gao Shang. She later helps monitor him before his death 12 13 22.