Zhuang Zheng (simplified: 庄铮, traditional: 莊錚, pinyin: Zhuāng Zhēng, jyutping: zong1 zang1) was the leader of the Gold Banner Faction (锐金旗) of the Ming Order. He was a first-class martial arts expert with exceptional natural strength and profound internal energy. During the Six Major Factions’ attack on Bright Peak, he was killed by Miejue of the Emei Order using the Heavenly Sword.
Biography
Leadership of the Gold Banner Faction
Zhuang Zheng served as the leader of the Gold Banner Faction, one of the Ming Order’s Five Elements Factions. The Gold Banner Faction specialised in direct combat and was known for its elite warriors and sophisticated battle formations.
Battle at Bright Peak
When the Six Major Factions launched a coordinated attack on Bright Peak, Zhuang Zheng led the Gold Banner Faction in defence of the Order’s headquarters. He personally engaged Miejue, the leader of the Emei Order, in combat.
During their battle, Zhuang Zheng demonstrated his formidable martial prowess. Using his wolf-fang staff (狼牙棒), he struck three powerful blows that forced Miejue to step backward. His fourth strike came down hard and fast toward the top of her head, but Miejue used the stance “push the boat with the current” (顺水推舟) to deflect the staff.
Zhuang Zheng’s natural strength was amazingly powerful, and his internal energy cultivation had reached top level. When Miejue attempted to push his wolf-fang staff aside with her sword, he countered with brute and fierce force. The clash broke Miejue’s sword into three sections and numbed her arm.
However, when her weapon broke, Miejue did not withdraw. Instead, she pulled out the Heavenly Sword from her back. A cold and bright ray of light flashed as she used the stance “iron lock across the river” (铁锁横江) to thrust forward. The Heavenly Sword cut off the head of Zhuang Zheng’s wolf-fang staff, and in the same stroke, cut off half of Zhuang Zheng’s head, killing him instantly.
Aftermath
Upon seeing their flag leader’s death, the Gold Banner Faction members screamed hysterically and fought even more ruthlessly, completely disregarding their own lives. They immediately killed several disciples from the Kunlun and Emei Orders, demonstrating their rage and determination to avenge their leader’s death.
The other banners shouted, “Flag Leader Zhuang has returned to Heaven for the sake of the Cult,” and coordinated a tactical withdrawal, with the Gold Banner and Fire Banner retreating while the Water Banner covered their retreat.
Zhuang Zheng’s death was a significant loss for the Ming Order. His successor, Wu Jingcao, would later demonstrate deep loyalty to Zhuang Zheng’s memory by refusing to repair the Heavenly Sword that had killed him.
Personality & traits
Exceptional strength and skill
Zhuang Zheng possessed exceptional natural strength and profound internal energy, making him a first-class martial arts expert in the jianghu. His ability to break Miejue’s sword through sheer force demonstrated both his physical power and his skill with the wolf-fang staff.
Loyalty and courage
Zhuang Zheng’s willingness to engage in direct combat with one of the most formidable opponents on the battlefield demonstrated his courage and loyalty to the Ming Order. His death while defending Bright Peak exemplified his commitment to the Order’s cause.
Leadership
As the leader of the Gold Banner Faction, Zhuang Zheng commanded the respect and loyalty of his subordinates. His death enraged his followers, who fought with even greater determination after witnessing their leader’s fall.
Relationships
With the Gold Banner Faction
Zhuang Zheng’s relationship with his faction was one of strong leadership and mutual respect. His followers’ reaction to his death—fighting even more ruthlessly and completely disregarding their own lives—demonstrated their deep loyalty to him and their commitment to avenging his death.
With Wu Jingcao
Zhuang Zheng’s relationship with his successor, Wu Jingcao, was marked by mutual respect and loyalty. Wu Jingcao would later demonstrate his loyalty to Zhuang Zheng’s memory by refusing to repair the Heavenly Sword that had killed him, showing that Zhuang Zheng’s legacy continued to influence his successors.
With Miejue
Zhuang Zheng’s relationship with Miejue was one of mortal enmity, as she represented the orthodox factions that sought to destroy the Ming Order. Their battle at Bright Peak was fierce and decisive, with Zhuang Zheng demonstrating his martial prowess before ultimately falling to the Heavenly Sword.
Behind the scenes
Character significance
Zhuang Zheng’s death represents the high cost of the conflict between the Ming Order and the orthodox factions. His status as a first-class martial arts expert who fell to the Heavenly Sword highlights both the weapon’s devastating power and the brutality of the struggle.
His death also demonstrates the loyalty and determination of the Ming Order’s members, as his followers fought even more fiercely after witnessing their leader’s death, showing that his sacrifice inspired rather than demoralised them.
Role in the narrative
Zhuang Zheng’s death sets up several important narrative elements: Wu Jingcao’s succession as the new Gold Banner Faction leader, Wu Jingcao’s later refusal to repair the Heavenly Sword out of loyalty to Zhuang Zheng, and the demonstration of the Heavenly Sword’s power, which would play a crucial role in later events.
His death also contributes to the tragic atmosphere of the Bright Peak battle, showing the human cost of the conflict between the Ming Order and the orthodox factions.
See also
- Wu Jingcao — Zhuang Zheng’s successor as Gold Banner Faction leader
- Miejue — The Emei Order leader who killed Zhuang Zheng
- Heavenly Sword — The weapon that killed Zhuang Zheng
- Gold Banner Faction — The faction Zhuang Zheng led
- Ming Order — The organisation Zhuang Zheng served