Qian Jingming

Biodata

Appearance

• Eyes: Small and frequently darting as he sizes up customers and business opportunities 7.
• Expression: Habitually wears a shrewd, mercenary smile; adopts an ingratiating expression when dealing with Dongfang Yueming or Shi Qing 7 12 13.

Personality

Qian Jingming is opportunistic and profit-minded. After hearing Dongfang Yueming challenge Gao Hu, he immediately recognizes the challenger’s urgent need for cultivation resources as a business opportunity. He advertises himself as an honest merchant who values his reputation, but remains cautious about financial risk: he refuses to advance an expensive Flesh Refining Method because Dongfang might be unable to repay him 3 8.

His confidence gives way to flattery and anxiety when he lacks leverage. He calls Dongfang “Big Brother” and “Boss” while trying to secure his attendance at Shi Qing’s gathering, and treats Shi Qing with conspicuous deference. Nevertheless, he resents being exploited: when procuring the Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method, he privately hopes its embarrassing side effect will repay Dongfang for their earlier dealings 12 18 22 25.

History

A Prospective Customer and an Unwanted Debt

Qian Jingming initially sells Body Tempering Powder to students. While others dismiss Dongfang Yueming’s one-month challenge against Gao Hu, Qian suspects that Dongfang is either reckless or has something to rely on. Either possibility makes him a promising customer for strength-enhancing resources 3.

He later approaches Dongfang at the campus weapons market and offers a loan with negotiable interest. Expecting a request for hundreds or perhaps a thousand federation credits, he is stunned when Dongfang asks for thirty to fifty thousand. He rejects a subsequent request to finance the Basic Flesh Refining Method, though he considers obtaining a more advanced skin-tempering technique 7 8.

Before Qian agrees to the arrangement, Dongfang takes a better E-rank saber from a stall, tells the seller that Qian will pay, and escapes into the crowd. The seller demands three thousand federal coins; Qian bargains the price down to one thousand and reluctantly settles the bill. Despite his frustration, he begins to suspect that Dongfang is no ordinary student 8.

Acting for Shi Qing

Qian promises to deliver an advanced skin-tempering method and asks Dongfang to attend an academy gathering a week later, presenting the invitation as a favor that would lend him prestige. In reality, he is acting on Senior Shi’s instructions, with a share of the benefits promised upon success 12.

He delivers a brocade box containing a technique-transmission jade slip borrowed from Shi Qing. After explaining its use, he allows Dongfang to receive the complete Layered Wave Skin Tempering Method, then carefully retrieves the jade slip and repeats his reminder about the gathering. The technique subsequently enables Dongfang to reach the Jade Skin Realm 13 14 16.

When returning the jade slip, Qian witnesses Shi Qing defeat three Bone Forging Realm students despite remaining in the Flesh Refining Realm herself. He recognizes her perfected cultivation and martial art, but cannot understand her interest in Dongfang. Shi Qing warns him against prying, and he hurriedly submits 18.

Procuring the Crimson Sun Method

On the day of the gathering, Dongfang asks Qian to obtain a Flesh Refining Method superior to the academy’s basic version for approximately 120 contribution points. Qian tries to raise the unpaid saber bill, but Dongfang threatens to miss the gathering if his cultivation needs remain unresolved. With Shi Qing expecting him to bring Dongfang, Qian accepts the demand 22.

Through his contacts, Qian obtains the Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method, which he values at no less than 180 contribution points. He pays part of the difference himself to fit Dongfang’s budget. The method genuinely exceeds the basic version, but Qian also knows that it can make the practitioner’s yang energy excessively vigorous, potentially causing public embarrassment. He privately welcomes that possibility as revenge for his earlier losses 25.

After handing over the manual, Qian waits outside while Dongfang supposedly changes clothes. Dongfang instead first perfects the technique and advances to the Flesh Refining Realm. When he finally emerges, Qian notices that his aura seems more concentrated and profound, but prioritizes getting him to the gathering 25 26 27.

The Gathering

At the manor gate, guards stop Dongfang because he carries a saber. When Dongfang expects Qian to resolve the problem, Qian finally admits that Shi Qing arranged the invitation and supplied the earlier technique-transmission jade slip. He is astonished when Dongfang calls Shi Qing a beauty and receives a smile rather than an angry response 28.

By the time Dongfang finishes dancing with Shi Qing and prepares to leave, Qian has already departed 29.

Abilities & Skills

Bargaining

Qian can substantially reduce an inflated asking price through persistent negotiation.

• Bargains the saber seller down from 3,000 to 1,000 federal coins, despite being placed in a weak negotiating position by Dongfang 8.
• Attempts to recover the saber payment once he learns that Dongfang has accumulated contribution points 22.

Resource Procurement

Qian uses personal contacts to source cultivation resources outside Dongfang’s immediate reach.

• Offers loans with negotiable interest 7.
• Delivers Shi Qing’s borrowed jade slip and explains how to receive its technique 13 14.
• Obtains an advanced Flesh Refining Method within Dongfang’s stated budget by contributing some money himself 25.

Martial Knowledge

Qian demonstrates knowledge of cultivation resources and signs of mastery.

• Explains that a technique-transmission jade slip requires a martial artist of at least the Qi Refining Realm to recharge it with inner force after use 14.
• Identifies Shi Qing’s perfected fist technique and Flesh Refining cultivation by observing her movements and qi-and-blood circulation 18.
• Knows both the approximate market value and the troublesome side effect of the Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method 25.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Body Tempering Powder — Merchandise he sells to students; Dongfang questions its effectiveness 3 7.
• Technique-transmission jade slip and brocade box — Borrowed from Shi Qing to deliver the Layered Wave Skin Tempering Method; retrieved after transmission and returned to her 13 14 18.
• Crimson Sun Flesh Refining Method manual — A thread-bound cultivation book procured and delivered to Dongfang 25.

Relationships

• Dongfang Yueming — Customer and reluctant debtor. Qian supplies his saber and cultivation methods, but repeatedly loses negotiating leverage to him and comes to regard him as the bane of his business career 3 8 22 25.
• Shi Qing — Senior student for whom he acts as an intermediary. She lends him the jade slip and promises benefits for bringing Dongfang to the gathering; her strength, background, and warnings leave him deeply intimidated 12 14 18 28.

Notable Quotes

“In business, I've always treated young and old alike with honesty and put my reputation first! I'll stake the name 'Qian Jingming' on it! As long as he can pay the price, I guarantee I'll get him something good!” 3