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.
Years after entering the novel and growing into his new life as Shen Qingqiu, he has finally managed to “fix” the novel and save himself, at least as far as the System is concerned. But in a story that’s no longer merely a story, things don’t just end with a “happily ever after” and a ride into the sunset. Between handling the fragility of a new relationship and all the obstacles that crop up along the way, one thing’s for sure: by the time this ends, Shen Qingqiu’s dignity will be shattered all over the floor.
Luo Binghe
洛冰河 SURNAME LUO FOR THE LUO RIVER, “ICY RIVER”
RANK: Lovesick, Chuunibyou, and Crybaby Protagonist
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. Perhaps betrayal was written into his fate, as even in this story, where the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu gave him three halcyon years of love and acknowledgment, he was still cast into the Endless Abyss by those same beloved hands.
But all that is in the past now. After all was said and done, Luo Binghe’s beloved Shen Qingqiu has promised to follow wherever he goes. So everything should be better now…right? Well, as it turns out, years of insecurities and abandonment issues don’t go away just like that. Now, however, Luo Binghe is no longer alone, and he has all the time in the world to settle into a new life by Shen Qingqiu’s side.
CANG QIONG MOUNTAIN SECT MEMBERS
Shen Qingqiu (Shen Jiu)
沈清秋 SURNAME SHEN, “CLEAR AUTUMN”
沈九 SURNAME SHEN, “NINE”
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.
When the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu’s fumbling around filled in some of his backstory, his cruel and resentful actions took on new meaning. But there’s a limit to what a third party can uncover post-mortem, so for the first time, the eponymous scum villain himself takes the stage to say his piece.
Discerning eyes may notice that the “qiu” of Shen Qingqiu’s name is the same character “qiu” as in Qiu Haitang and Qiu Jianluo’s surname.
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. However, when it comes to his shidi and childhood friend Shen Qingqiu, things tend to get messy.
Though the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu managed to dig up quite a few hidden details regarding Yue Qingyuan’s character and motivations, some truths remained buried. Only with a proper dive into his past and his troubled relationship with the original Shen Qingqiu can the final missing pieces come together.
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 promise herself to Luo Binghe 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 coconspirator 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 while the actual peak lord is otherwise occupied, 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?
Ji Jue
季珏 SURNAME JI, “JOINED JADES”
RANK: Disciple (Bai Zhan Peak)
One of Liu Qingge’s many shidi and Shen Qingqiu’s many haters on Bai Zhan Peak. Unfortunately, more often than not, neither of these roles turn out well for him.
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 with whom the transmigrated Shen Qingqiu gets along well in his new world. Though she won’t hesitate to speak her mind, she cares deeply for her sect.