Appendix: Characters

Characters

The identity of certain characters may be a spoiler; use this guide with caution on your first read of the novel.

Note on the given name translations: Chinese characters may have many different readings. Each reading here is just one out of several possible readings presented for your reference and should not be considered a definitive translation.

MAIN CHARACTERS

 

Shen Yuan (Shen Qingqiu)

沈垣 SURNAME SHEN, “WALL”

TITLE:  Peerless Cucumber (web handle)

RANK: Proud Immortal Demon Way’s Most Supportive Anti

Probably the most dedicated anti-fan of Proud Immortal Demon Way, Shen Yuan was baited by its cool monsters and charming protagonist to read millions and millions of words of the hit stallion novel, though he cussed out the author’s sellout tendencies the whole way. After his untimely death during a fit of rage over the novel’s ending, he was rewarded with a chance to enter the world of the story and fix it his own damn self.

Having taken the place of the scum villain Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan strove to endear himself to Luo Binghe as much as he could to avoid a grisly demise. However, the System seems determined to make him retread the scum villain’s most damning crimes, and when the grown-up Luo Binghe comes knocking on his door, Shen Qingqiu may have to resort to the nuclear option.

On top of that, more and more often Shen Qingqiu has to contend with the domino effects of his actions as the world around him grows beyond his recognition. He is coming to acknowledge that the residents of his new world have gained a life of their own beyond their roles as mere characters in a story. He’ll just have to hope none of this throws a wrench in his plans before he figures out his escape.

 

Luo Binghe

洛冰河 SURNAME LUO FOR THE LUO RIVER, “ICY RIVER”

RANK: White Lotus Disciple (Qing Jing Peak)

SWORD (CURRENT): Zheng Yang (正阳 / “Righteous sun”)

SWORD (FUTURE): Xin Mo (心魔 / “Heart demon”)

As the protagonist of Proud Immortal Demon Way, the original Luo Binghe rose from humble origins to reign as tyrant over the three realms, his innumerable harem at his beck and call. However, in this story, when the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu offered Luo Binghe the love and acknowledgment he so desperately craved, he was diverted from his original dark path and instead turned his devotion toward his master.

Perhaps such a beautiful dream was never meant to last; a teenaged Luo Binghe received a sword to the chest when his beloved master sent him tumbling into the Endless Abyss. When he returns from his cheat-filled level-grinding and claws his way out of the Abyss two years early, he has become dark, mercurial, and thirsty…for revenge? Well, that’s what Shen Qingqiu assumes, based on what he knows about PIDW.

The rift between them worsens with each clash. Luo Binghe’s demands for answers go unfulfilled, and Shen Qingqiu realizes he no longer understands this person who is neither the protagonist he read about nor the sweet young lamb he shepherded. What does this new Luo Binghe want from his master, and will they be able to resolve their differences before it’s too late?

CANG QIONG MOUNTAIN SECT MEMBERS

 

Shen Qingqiu

沈清秋 SURNAME SHEN, “CLEAR AUTUMN”

TITLE: Xiu Ya Sword (修雅 / “Elegant and refined”)

RANK: Peak Lord (Qing Jing Peak)

Shen Qingqiu, the refined and elegant peak lord of the peak of scholars, was also the scum villain who seemingly made it his life’s mission to make Luo Binghe’s life miserable in the original Proud Immortal Demon Way. He beat the young Luo Binghe for the slightest infraction and encouraged his peers to bully him. Furthermore, under his pure and unsullied exterior, he was (supposedly) a lustful degenerate who went so far as to target his own female disciple.

However, as the transmigrated Shen Yuan unlocks more and more hidden plot lines, he finds that the scum villain’s original awfulness may be rooted in unspoken history…

 

Yue Qingyuan

岳清源 SURNAME YUE, “CLEAR SOURCE”

TITLE: Xuan Su Sword (玄肃 / “Dark and solemn”)

RANK: Sect Leader, Peak Lord (Qiong Ding Peak)

As sect leader of the foremost major cultivation sect, Yue Qingyuan normally lives up to his responsibilities as a levelheaded leader and respected authority. But when his shidi Shen Qingqiu is the one asking for a favor, he can never deny the man anything…though this clear favoritism wasn’t enough to keep the scum villain from causing Yue Qingyuan’s death in the original Proud Immortal Demon Way.

However, though the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu admires Yue Qingyuan more than anyone, he realizes he is no longer the intended recipient of this favor. As Yue Qingyuan continues to go to great lengths for someone who’s no longer around to appreciate the sentiment, Shen Qingqiu must wrestle with his conscience: How long can he keep up this unintentional catfishing scheme?

 

Ning Yingying

宁婴婴 SURNAME NING, “INFANT”

RANK: Youngest Female Disciple (Qing Jing Peak)

Luo Binghe’s shijie and childhood friend. In the original Proud Immortal Demon Way, she was the first maiden to be accepted into Luo Binghe's harem after she helped him confront his inner demons. As the world evolves away from the constraints of the stallion genre, Ning Yingying has grown up into a fine young woman who cares deeply for her peak and her shizun, and she is more than capable of showing some spine in a crisis.

 

Ming Fan

明帆 SURNAME MING, “SAIL”

RANK: Most Senior Disciple (Qing Jing Peak)

One of Luo Binghe’s tormentors in Proud Immortal Demon Way, Ming Fan was a loyal lackey and co-conspirator to the original Shen Qingqiu. But aside from his worrying habits of antagonizing the protagonist, the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu finds him to be a promising young man who doesn’t let his spoiled upbringing interfere with his respect for his master. Ming Fan helps keep the peak running in the wake of Luo Binghe’s unfortunate departure, and he does his best to live up to his master’s teachings.

 

Liu Qingge

柳清歌 SURNAME LIU, “CLEAR SONG”

RANK: Peak Lord (Bai Zhan Peak)

SWORD: Cheng Luan (乘鸾 / “Soaring phoenix”)

Despite being a character who never made an official appearance in Proud Immortal Demon Way, Master Liu had a legion of fanboys for his legendarily unparalleled skill in battle. After the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu saved him from a lethal qi deviation, his opinion of his distasteful shixiong took a one-eighty, and he will now go to drastic lengths to fight for his shixiong’s honor. What moving camaraderie between good martial brothers, right?

 

Yang Yixuan

杨一玄 SURNAME YANG, “ONE MYSTERIOUS”

RANK: Disciple (Bai Zhan Peak)

The son of a weapons shop owner from the plague-ridden Jin Lan City, Yang Yixuan is an energetic young man who inherited his father’s courage. After encountering (and being solidly defeated by) the Cang Qiong peak lords on their rescue mission, he manages to convince Liu Qingge to make an exception and take him as a disciple.

 

Mu Qingfang

木清芳 SURNAME MU, “CLEAR FRAGRANCE”

RANK: Peak Lord (Qian Cao Peak)

A master of the healing arts, who feels a sense of responsibility for the well-being of his sectmates. His skills continue to be instrumental in solving medical dilemmas large and small, though even the most skillful healer has their limits.

 

Qi Qingqi

齐清萋 SURNAME QI, “CLEAR AND LUSH”

RANK: Peak Lord (Xian Shu Peak)

A woman with a straightforward and fierce temperament; a sectmate the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu gets along with well in his new world. Though she won’t hesitate to speak her mind, she cares deeply for her sect.

 

Liu Mingyan

柳溟烟 SURNAME LIU, “DRIZZLING MIST”

RANK: Disciple (Xian Shu Peak)

SWORD: Shui Se (水色 / “Color of water”)

The number one true female lead of Proud Immortal Demon Way and younger sister of Liu Qingge. Because of her peerless beauty, Liu Mingyan typically wears a veil to hide her face. She never loses her courage and poise as she grows into her own, and as an adult, she has begun to go out on her own adventures of all kinds.

 

Shang Qinghua

尚清华 SURNAME SHANG, “CLEAR AND SPLENDID”

RANK: Peak Lord (An Ding Peak)

Overworked and underpaid, the Peak Lord of An Ding Peak takes on a thankless job as the head of the sect’s “housekeeping” department. Shen Qingqiu’s fellow transmigrator may be rather shifty and unreliable, but sometimes a friend from the same “hometown” is just what he needs.

DEMONS

 

Many demons go by titles instead of personal names. Titles styled like XX-Jun are for high-ranking demon nobility, and some titles may be hereditary.

 

Tianlang-Jun

天琅君 “HEAVEN’S GEMSTONE,” TITLE -JUN

RANK: Saintly Ruler (former)

Luo Binghe’s birth father, a heavenly demon. He was sealed beneath a great mountain by the righteous sects, but is any cage truly eternal?

 

Zhuzhi-Lang

竹枝郎 “BAMBOO BRANCH,” TITLE -LANG

RANK: Tianlang-Jun’s Trusted Right Hand

Tianlang-Jun’s nephew and subordinate, born to heavenly demon and snake demon parents. Sincere and straightforward, he is willing to repay anyone who shows him favor a hundred times over—including Shen Qingqiu, who spared him when he was still lurking as a snake-man in Bai Lu Forest. However, Zhuzhi-Lang is perhaps not the best at determining what repayment his benefactor would like to receive.

 

Sha Hualing

纱华铃 “GAUZE,” “SPLENDID BELL”

RANK: Demon Saintess

A crafty and vicious pure-blooded demon who is eager to earn Luo Binghe’s favor. However, her current role as an overworked and underpaid employee seems something of a downgrade from her original counterpart’s status as a tyrannical member of Luo Binghe’s harem.

 

Meng Mo

梦魔 “DREAM DEMON”

RANK: Luo Binghe’s Teacher in Demonic Techniques

Once a legendary master of dream manipulation, Meng Mo is now Luo Binghe’s underappreciated “Portable Grandfather.” Oh, the things a teacher will suffer to pass on his techniques.

 

Mobei-Jun

漠北君 “DESERTED NORTH,” TITLE -JUN

RANK: Demonic Second-Gen

Luo Binghe’s eccentric sidekick. A proud ice demon turned plot device for Luo Binghe’s plot-dictated power-up arc, as well as Shang Qinghua’s demonic employer.

OTHER SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

 

Old Palace Master

RANK: Palace Master (Huan Hua Palace)

The master of Luo Binghe’s birth mother. When he saw Luo Binghe for the first time, he seemed to recognize the shades of someone familiar in the young disciple’s face…and he is now willing to offend even Cang Qiong Mountain for his new favorite.

 

Little Palace Mistress

RANK: Palace Mistress (Huan Hua Palace)

The Old Palace Master’s spoiled daughter and a member of Luo Binghe’s harem in the original Proud Immortal Demon Way; she likes to solve her problems with an iron whip.

 

Luo Binghe’s Birth Mother

RANK: Former Disciple (Huan Hua Palace)

Expelled from her sect on suspicion of having secret ties to demons, Luo Binghe’s birth mother set young Luo Binghe adrift on the Luo River before her death.

 

Gongyi Xiao

公仪萧 SURNAME GONGYI, “MUGWORT”

RANK: Head Disciple (Huan Hua Palace)

The former favorite of both the Old Palace Master and his daughter, Gongyi Xiao’s star began to fall when the protagonist waltzed onto the scene. However, he is still an earnest and honorable young man who is willing to disobey orders to do the right thing.

 

Qin Wanyue

秦婉约 SURNAME QIN, “GRACEFUL AND SUBDUED”

RANK: Disciple (Huan Hua Palace)

A Huan Hua Palace disciple who tragically lost her younger sister during the Immortal Alliance Conference. She admires her new Luo-shixiong, though he doesn’t seem to return her affections.

 

Qiu Haitang

秋海棠 SURNAME QIU, “CHINESE FLOWERING APPLE,”

FULL NAME TRANSLATES TO “BEGONIA”

RANK: Hall Master (some random sect)

The once-pampered daughter of the wealthy Qiu family, who met their end in a brutal massacre many years ago. Now a cultivator within a random small sect, she appears to share some unpleasant history with the original Shen Qingqiu…