A Liang

Overview

A Liang (阿良) is a legendary, wandering sword cultivator and an unorthodox Confucian scholar hailing from the Sub-Sage (亚圣) lineage in the Haoran Heaven. Famous for his unmatched combat prowess, thick skin, and love of wine, A Liang is a towering figure in both the Haoran and Manhuang Heavens. Despite his seemingly frivolous demeanor and his famous self-introduction as "A Liang, the 'liang' of kind-hearted" (善良的良), he has consistently served as a vanguard for humanity, fighting apocalyptic battles in the Sword Qi Great Wall, the Manhuang Heaven, and even the Outer Heavens against supreme Daoist masters.

He played a pivotal early role in Chen Ping'an's life as a protector and martial mentor, passing down the modified Sword Qi Eighteen Stops (剑气十八停) and leaving a profound impact on the young man's understanding of what it means to be a true swordsman.

Appearance & Personality

A Liang typically travels in the guise of a poor, middle-aged martial artist or wandering swordsman. He is most commonly recognized by his bamboo hat (斗笠), a waist-slung saber or sword, a wine gourd, and his preferred mount: a seemingly ordinary white donkey.

His personality is legendary for its shamelessness and boastfulness. He frequently declares himself the most handsome and powerful swordsman in the world, much to the exasperation of his peers and enemies alike. He acts informal, lazy, and excessively flirtatious towards female cultivators, often resulting in comedic rejections or a ruined reputation across various continents.

However, beneath this cynical and farcical exterior lies a profoundly compassionate and resolute Confucian scholar. He acts as an unyielding shield for the weak and genuinely embodies the scholarly ideal of defending humanity. When pushed to fight serious battles, he is known to shed his Confucian scholar's shirt, unleashing a terrifying, unconstrained sword intent that earns the respect of even the oldest, most cynical veterans of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

History

Early Journey with Chen Ping'an

A Liang met the young Chen Ping'an, Li Baoping, and their companions as they traveled south from the Lizhu Grotto-Heaven. Acting as a secret protector, he guided the group through numerous dangers in the Great Li Dynasty and neighboring nations. When the Great Li Dynasty issued a massive kill order targeting the "saber-wearing man named A Liang," he effortlessly brushed aside their combined military and supernatural forces. During this journey, he subtly imparted martial and sword cultivation wisdom to Chen Ping'an, most notably the Sword Qi Eighteen Stops.

The Sword Qi Great Wall

A Liang spent significant time at the Sword Qi Great Wall, where he earned a reputation that was an equal mix of awe and infamy. He is one of the few individuals to have carved a massive character onto the top of the Great Wall—his character being "猛" (Fierce). He famously bickered with the Eldest Sword Immortal Chen Qingdu, flirted relentlessly, and bet against the local sword cultivators, never losing a single coin.

The Great Wars

During the cataclysmic Haoran-Manhuang War, A Liang plunged deep into the Manhuang Heaven. He operated independently in the demonic heartland, drawing the aggression of Throne Great Demons. He later ascended to the Outer Heavens to engage in a world-shaking battle of life and death against the Daoist Second Master (道老二 / Yu Dou), matching the supreme Daoist's power with pure, unrestrained sword intent.

Later, he participated in the highest-level assemblies at the Confucian Temple, representing both the pinnacle of sword cultivation and his scholarly lineage, casually brushing shoulders with supreme beings like Zuo You, Lu Zhi, and Qi Tingji.

Cultivation & Abilities

• Pinnacle Sword Dao: A Liang stands at the absolute apex of sword cultivation in the universe. His raw lethality and unpredictable sword techniques make him a nightmare for 14th-realm entities and Throne Great Demons.
• Natal Flying Sword - Yin Zhe (饮者): Meaning "Drinker." Unlike many top-tier sword immortals who possess multiple flying swords, A Liang possesses only this single natal flying sword. When asked for its name, he famously joked that his enemies would only learn it when they fought him to the death.
• Sword Qi Eighteen Stops (剑气十八停): A supreme martial and qi-circulation technique that A Liang modified and perfected. It is so powerful that even the Sword Qi Great Wall feared teaching it widely, as it could artificially elevate the entire baseline of sword cultivation in the world. He only taught it to Chen Ping'an.
• Golden Text Array: Drawing upon his roots as a Confucian scholar, A Liang can stomp his foot to manifest thousands of glowing golden characters sourced from the supreme texts of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. This vast array layers classical teachings into a physical domain that suppresses evil and solidifies his own Dao.

Relationships

• Chen Ping'an: A Liang acted as his early guardian and mentor. He taught him fundamental techniques and reassured Chen Ping'an that he did not need to imitate A Liang or Qi Jingchun, but merely needed to become his own person ("I am A Liang, Xiao Qi is Xiao Qi, you Chen Ping'an are Chen Ping'an").
• The Sub-Sage (亚圣): A Liang belongs to the Sub-Sage's academic lineage, though he is widely considered the most un-scholarly scholar within their ranks.
• Zuo You & Lu Zhi: His fellow peerless sword cultivators. They constantly bicker, mock, and physically spar with each other, but share an absolute, unspoken mutual trust on the battlefield.
• Chen Qingdu: The Eldest Sword Immortal tolerated A Liang's endless antics at the Sword Qi Great Wall, recognizing him as one of the few outsiders worthy of true respect.

Quotes

• "我叫阿良，善良的良。" (I am A Liang, the 'liang' of kind-hearted.)
• "阿良是阿良，小齐是小齐，你陈平安就是陈平安。" (A Liang is A Liang, Xiao Qi is Xiao Qi, you Chen Ping'an are Chen Ping'an.)

References

• 剑来3：青梦压星河, 第二章 — 无不散的筵席: Supports his famous self-introduction as "A Liang, the 'liang' of kind-hearted."
• 剑来3：青梦压星河, 第三章 — 强者阿良: Supports the Great Li Dynasty's regional mobilization and kill-order against him during his travels with Chen Ping'an.
• 剑来19：剑修如云处出拳, 第九章 — 最讲道理的来了: Supports his creation/modification of the Sword Qi Eighteen Stops and the restrictions on teaching it.
• 剑来23：人生梦复梦, 第二章 — 去而复还: Supports his identity as a Confucian scholar, his manifestation of the Three Teachings' golden text array, and his battle against the Daoist Second Master in the Outer Heavens.
• 剑来28：青都山水郎, 第九章 — 老子婆娑: Supports his affiliation with the Sub-Sage lineage, noting him as their most unorthodox scholar.
• 剑来30：一剑破万法, 第一章 — 备战: Supports his participation in the Wen Temple assembly and his casual bickering with Lu Zhi and Zuo You.
• 剑来31：冠礼正阳, Chapter reference needed: Supports the name of his single natal flying sword being Yin Zhe (饮者 - Drinker).