Chan Cheng Chan Cheng ( pronounced " chan ching " ) , called the Mighty Lord of Heroes , was one of the Nine Immortals who served the Celestial Emperor in the Celestial Empire , the dominant religion of Kara - Tur , particularly Shou Lung . He was a god of battle , bravery , and martial arts , and represented the virtue of courage in the Path of Enlightenment . As one of the Nine Immortals , Chan Cheng also held an important place in the Faith of the Nine Travelers . History . The mortal . According to recorded history , Chan Cheng was a great leader who unified a number of warring states along the Ch ' ing Tung River in −1887 DR , ruling them from the Imperial City of Ten Mor Shou . This commenced what historians call the Second Age of Shou Lung . The Celestial Emperor blessed Chan Cheng , making him the first of the Nine Immortals . The immortal . According to the legendary history of Kara - Tur , shortly after the beginning of the world and human kind , the Celestial Emperor sent his great emissaries among the people , with each to teach one aspect of the True Path of Enlightenment . Chan Cheng was one of these emissaries , teacher of the virtue of courage . In the legend , nine tired travelers stopped at a poor remote inn in the dead of winter , and the innkeeper lamented he had no more food to spare . So , despite their tiredness , four went to hunt for game , four went to forage , and the last cooked a meal for the travelers , the innkeeper , and his family . Afterward , they preserved the remainder of the food to see the folk through the rest of winter . Overjoyed , the innkeeper made a gift , and a revelation — he was no mortal but the last of the old gods of the land , and he gave the land to the nine to rule . Afterward , these Nine Travelers became the Nine Great Sovereigns , and they ruled Shou Lung for thirty cycles of years . They became the first emperors of Shou Lung , and were recorded in legend as the " Nine Immortals " . Finally , the Nine Great Sovereigns , dressed as ordinary travelers , returned to the site of the inn , but found only a simple peasant ' s hut . The peasant , Nung Fu , welcomed them in and fed them freely , though it was the depths of winter and he had little to spare . Afterward , these Nine Travelers offered a gift in exchange for this hospitality , and presented Nung Fu with the Emblems of Authority . They took him to their courts , investing him as emperor of Shou Lung . This marked the start of the Third Age of Shou Lung , the beginning of the calendar in Shou Year 0 ( −1250 DR ) . The Nine Great Sovereigns were then the Nine Travelers once more . The tales disagree as to what became of them after that . According to some , they simply faded away . To others , they went with the gods into the heavens . More tell that the Nine Travelers still wander Shou Lung to ensure that rulers respect the memory of Nung Fu , and that innkeepers take good care of their guests . It was said that Chan Cheng once descended to earth in the form of a dragon and challenged the monk Wong Fei Hung . The two battled each other for three days and three nights , and in the end Chan Cheng was so impressed by Wong Fei ' s skill that he gave him a special " ioun stone " . Description . As one of the Nine Immortals , Chan Cheng had two forms : one was as a vast dragon , the other was a man of powerful build , with eyes like burning coals and breath like steam from a furnace or subterranean vent . He wore black lacquered armor and carried huge black sword called Yung Kan , " Bravery " . Activities . As one of the Nine Immortals , Chan Cheng served the Celestial Emperor directly , and stood beside his throne , ready to serve his will . In particular , Chan Cheng was responsible for the virtue of courage within the Path of Enlightenment . His duties were to exemplify it , to teach by example , and to reward the good and just and punish the guilty within these responsibilities . As one of the Nine Great Dragons , Chan Cheng helped hold up the world , and could move all things with his mind . In the Emperor ' s name , the Nine Immortals administered and directed all the Lesser Immortals of the Celestial Empire . In particular , Chan Cheng commanded the Spirit Warriors , who had the duties of creating courage and resolve in those who wavered , and leading armies of phantoms , the manifestation of which could swing a battle . Spirit Warriors also helped those who ' d fallen in battle for a good cause , escorted the spirits of heroes for judgement by the Lords of Karma , and guarded the gates of the Underworld against trespassers . Chan Cheng most often heard the prayers of warriors in battle , but also noticed more ordinary acts of courage against adversity — a child who overcame their fear of the dark or one who stood up to a bully were as likely to earn his favour . Chan Cheng was said to bestow blessings on all such folk if he felt their struggle a worthy one . Rarely , he might send greater assistance . Worshipers . Warriors most often called to Chan Cheng , bellowing his name during battle or a duel to give them courage . Chan Cheng was the patron of a number of martial sects of the Path of Enlightenment , including the Iron Tigers , the Order of Silence , the Order of the Dragon , and the Order of the Cobra . Martial techniques . The Wang Ho School of martial arts in Cham Fau knew a secret technique they called " the Hands of Chan Cheng " — Chien Jang Liang nearly killed Master Wang Ho attempting it in 1356 DR . Realm . He had a small realm in the Spirit World of the Celestial Bureaucracy .