Zheng Juzhong

Overview

Zheng Juzhong (郑居中) is the enigmatic and fearsome City Lord of Baidi City (白帝城) in the Middle Earth Divine Continent. Universally acknowledged as the paramount figure of the demonic path (魔道) in the Haoran Heaven, he is also firmly ranked among the elite "Middle Earth Top Ten" (中土十人). Known for his fondness for wearing white clothes, Zheng Juzhong is an intellectual titan and a peerless chess player whose overarching strategic vision rivals even that of the Great Li National Teacher, Cui Chan.

Despite his fearsome reputation as a demonic cultivator, Zheng Juzhong's actions transcend simple definitions of good and evil. He operates entirely on his own profound, often unfathomable logic. During the Haoran-Manhuang War, he secretly infiltrated the enemy's world to achieve the 14th Realm (十四境), dealing devastating blows to the Monster Race and cementing his position as one of the most powerful and untouchable entities across multiple worlds.

Appearance & Personality

Zheng Juzhong is frequently described as a calm, refined man who favors simple white clothing. His most defining characteristic is his absolute intellectual dominance and terrifying composure; he views the world, human nature, and the Great Dao as a sprawling chessboard. High above Baidi City flies a massive banner inscribed with the characters "奉饶天下先" (Granting the world the first move), a testament to his supreme confidence that he can win any contest even when ceding the initial advantage.

He is pragmatic, ruthlessly calculating, and intensely curious about the unknown. Rather than relying on brute force, he prefers to manipulate karma, human desires, and world events from the shadows. Because of his unfathomable depth, even other 14th-realm cultivators, Confucian Sages, and Dao Ancestors treat him with extreme caution and respect.

History & Major Events

Early Life and Baidi City

Zheng Juzhong is the eldest disciple of Chen Qingliu (陈清流), the legendary Dragon Slaying Person (斩龙之人). Alongside his junior martial siblings Han Qiaose (韩俏色) and Liu Chicheng (柳赤诚), he learned under Chen Qingliu, though their master adopted a highly hands-off approach. Zheng Juzhong eventually established Baidi City, elevating it over three millennia into the unquestioned holy land for demonic cultivators and rogue wanderers.

The Haoran-Manhuang War & 14th Realm

While the Haoran Heaven fought desperately to repel the Manhuang Heaven's invasion, Zheng Juzhong enacted a breathtakingly audacious plan. He slipped into the Manhuang Heaven and chose to break through to the 14th Realm directly within enemy territory. This move actively plundered the karmic luck and destiny of the Monster Race.

During this excursion, he accomplished several stunning feats in plain sight:

• He killed an Immortal-realm Great Demon directly at Tuoyue Mountain (托月山).
• He uprooted and relocated the entire Jincui City (金翠城) out of the Manhuang Heaven.
• He nearly assassinated the Throne Great Demon Hu Tu (胡涂) right under the nose of the ancient sage Bai Ze.

His contributions and covert maneuvers were so profound that the Confucian Temple made a special exception for him, allowing him to be absent from the riverside assembly of 14th-realm cultivators.

Post-War Machinations

Following the war, Zheng Juzhong continued to operate on a cosmic scale. He engaged in a private, unrecorded Dao sparring match with Yu Dou (余斗), the Second Master of Bai Yujing, within Baidi City. He also met with the ultimate manifestation of the Extraterrestrial Demons (化外天魔), inquiring if the entity "desired freedom," hinting at a massive, cross-world scheme to manipulate the Outer Heavens.

He also quietly assisted Chen Ping'an in constructing a localized Small Heaven and Earth array (Cage Sparrow / Moon in the Well), manifesting his True Body, Yin God, and Yang God to stabilize the domain.

Cultivation & Abilities

• 14th Realm (十四境): Zheng Juzhong is a fully realized 14th-realm cultivator. By achieving this realm within the Manhuang Heaven, his foundation is built upon stealing a world's destiny, making him uniquely powerful.
• Three-Talent Array (天地人三才阵): A supreme manifestation technique where he can physically separate his True Body (真身), Yin God (阴神), and Yang God (阳神) to simultaneously occupy three distinct locations, forming a perfect Heaven, Earth, and Human array.
• Supreme Calculation: His true lethal weapon is his mind. He can deduce the thoughts of enemies and allies alike, setting up traps centuries in advance. He is known to extract maximum benefit from minimum effort, seamlessly turning adversaries into pawns.

Relationships

• Chen Qingliu (陈清流): His master. Though Chen Qingliu claims to have washed his hands of his disciples' affairs, the connection remains.
• Fu Jin (傅噤): His eldest disciple, a powerful sword immortal who acts as Baidi City's primary enforcer.
• Gu Can (顾璨): His youngest and most infamous disciple. Zheng Juzhong took a profound interest in Gu Can's ruthless pragmatism and potential, actively guiding the young man to understand his true nature and eventually supporting his creation of a new lower sect.
• Cui Chan (崔瀺): The Great Li National Teacher. The two peerless minds shared a complex mutual respect. Zheng Juzhong recognized Cui Chan's sacrificial mastery, considering him one of the few individuals worthy of being a true intellectual rival.

References

• 剑来30：一剑破万法, 第四章 — 酒中又过风波: Supports his status as a 14th-realm cultivator, breaking through in the Manhuang Heaven, and engaging in profound dialogue with his disciple Gu Can.
• 剑来39：借取万钟赏, 第九章 — 人间校书: Supports his incredible feats during the war, including killing an Immortal-realm demon at Tuoyue Mountain, moving Jincui City, and almost killing Hu Tu.
• 剑来41：山青花欲燃, 第八章 — 邀请函: Supports his master-disciple relationship with Chen Qingliu, and his junior martial siblings Han Qiaose and Liu Chicheng. (Also referenced in earlier chapters like Vol 33, Ch 4).
• 剑来42：观书喜夜禅, 第四章 — 叠阵: Supports his ability to use the Heaven, Earth, and Human Three-Talent Array with his True Body, Yin God, and Yang God to assist Chen Ping'an.
• 剑来44：明月落剑气, 第七章 — 终究美梦成真: Supports his fondness for wearing white clothes.
• 剑来48：随手斩飞升, 第五章 — 教拳传道两不误: Supports the existence of his "奉饶天下先" banner, his private spar with Yu Dou, and his negotiation with the Extraterrestrial Demon.