Shi Zhongmeng (simplified: 史仲猛, traditional: 史仲猛, Jyutping: si2 zung6 maang5, pinyin: Shǐ Zhòngměng), known as Guanjianzi (管见子), was the second eldest of the five Shi brothers who owned the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Manor. He was skilled in beast training and wielded a unique hollow silver staff as his primary weapon.
Biography
Family legacy and training
Shi Zhongmeng was born into the renowned Shi family, whose ancestors had made their living through beast training for generations. Like his brothers, he possessed natural abilities for working with wild animals and learned martial arts by observing and imitating the movements of fierce beasts.
When his third brother Shi Shugang encountered a mysterious master in the mountains and learned profound qi cultivation methods, Shi Zhongmeng was among those who received this advanced training, significantly enhancing his martial abilities.
The nine-tailed fox incident
Shi Zhongmeng played a crucial role in the family’s desperate quest to capture a nine-tailed spiritual fox whose blood was needed to heal Shi Shugang’s internal injuries. The third brother had been seriously wounded by Prince Huo Dou, a Mongol prince and disciple of Jinlun Guoshi, in what Shi Zhongmeng described as a treacherous attack during a fight in Liangzhou.
Confrontation with the Ghosts
During the battle with the Ghosts of the Western Mountain Cave, Shi Zhongmeng demonstrated his combat skills by fighting simultaneously against Life Taking Ghost and Death Ghost, wielding his distinctive hollow silver staff against their ground-sweeping blade and chain spear.
Encounter with Yang Guo
When Yang Guo intervened in the conflict, Shi Zhongmeng was among the brothers who initially attempted to challenge the legendary martial artist. However, after witnessing Yang Guo’s overwhelming abilities, he joined his brothers in kneeling before the Divine Condor Hero, desperately pleading for help in capturing the nine-tailed fox to save Shi Shugang’s life.
Personality and traits
Character traits
Shi Zhongmeng showed himself to be more thoughtful and strategic than some of his brothers. When Guo Xiang suggested seeking Yang Guo’s help, he was the first to consider the possibility seriously, demonstrating his practical wisdom in recognizing superior abilities.
He possessed a detailed knowledge of their family’s situation and could articulate complex plans, such as explaining the intricate two-month process they had used to lure the nine-tailed fox from its lair using roasted chickens. His explanations showed both patience and intelligence.
Devotion to family
Like his brothers, Shi Zhongmeng showed absolute devotion to family welfare, particularly regarding Shi Shugang’s deteriorating condition. His willingness to kneel before Yang Guo demonstrated his pragmatic approach to saving his brother’s life, putting family loyalty above personal pride.
Martial arts abilities
External combat techniques
Shi Zhongmeng’s fighting style was characterized by his mastery of a unique weapon - a hollow silver staff (烂银点钢管) that was shorter than a standard eyebrow-level staff but featured unusual techniques:
- Penetrating Attacks: His staff could slide over enemy weapons, with one notable technique where he thrust his hollow staff forward to trap an opponent’s spear inside the tube
- Versatile Combat: The hollow design allowed for creative defensive and offensive applications that confused opponents unfamiliar with such weapons
Beast control abilities
As one of the Shi brothers, he possessed extraordinary abilities in:
- Leopard Training: He specifically commanded and led one hundred golden money leopards in organized formations
- Coordinated Beast Attacks: Could direct his leopards to work in concert with his brothers’ other animals
- Formation Fighting: His leopards could maintain military-style formations and respond to complex commands
Relationships
Family relationships
Shi Zhongmeng maintained strong bonds with all four of his brothers, serving as a bridge between the eldest Shi Bowei and the younger siblings. His particular concern for Shi Shugang’s health drove many of his actions during the story.
Professional relationships
His role in explaining their family’s situation to outsiders like Yang Guo and the Ghosts of the Western Mountain Cave positioned him as something of a family spokesman, able to articulate their needs and circumstances clearly.
Beast partnerships
His special relationship with leopards reflected his understanding of feline behavior and hunting patterns, making him particularly effective in coordinating stealth and speed-based attacks during combat situations.