Zhang Chengling/Novel

Zhang Chengling in the Audio Drama Trailer

**Zhang Chengling** (张成岭, *Zhāng Chénglǐng*) is the only son of Zhang Yusen, and after the massacre of his sect, becomes the only living member of the **Nan He** **Manor**.

**NOTE:** *This page discusses the characterisation and plot of Zhang Chengling in Faraway Wanderers/Audio Drama. For Zhang Chengling in Word of Honor, see here.*

## Appearance

Zhang Chengling is described to be a thirteen year old chubby boy, he has a youthful face with honest eyes that manages to catch people off guard that shows earnest vulnerability and imploration. After the massacre of the Zhangs, his face is ashen like that of a corpse, his mouth thinned out, eyes blank and body thinning to the point of being underweight. Throughout the story, he manages to grow a little taller.

His attire was one that showed his high status as a young master, indulging in luxury, and even on the run where he wore tatters, Zhang Chengling still held a degree of elegance to himself.

After five years, Zhang Chengling becomes a young man in his late teens who is said to have thick eyebrows and large eyes.

## Personality

Zhang Chengling was spoilt rotten since he was a child, complimented by many, and yet he is very humble, polite and respectful. And when crossed, he still apologises for any transgressions he did in his anger.

Growing up sheltered, Zhang Chengling lacks the experience to handle anything, where he feels lost and scared most of the time, clinging to Zhou Zishu and pleading him not to leave him. Once he arrived at the Zhao Estate, he was hounded by others, facing cruel comments while he stood helplessly with a blank expression like a lost child.

Once Zhang Chengling becomes aware of his surroundings and gains experience, he is shown to be extremely determined, the passion in his eyes manages to take Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing off guard. Even when he fails, Zhang Chengling persists and tries his best to do anything of use, Zhang Chengling is shown to genuinely try his best, as he claims that nobody wants to be stupid, and that his slow-progress in Kong Fu is not lack of trying, but lack of skill.

After the massacre, Zhang Chengling develops suicidal thoughts and self-hatred, further fuelled by others comments on how a hero like Zhang Yusen could have a useless child. He often wishes that Uncle Li saved someone else, not him.

He is very open about is emotions, positive or negative, Zhang Chengling never hesitates to cry, despite the numerous time Zhou Zishu tells him not to, he also doesn't hesitate to hug Zhou Zishu when given the chance .

## History

### Childhood

As the young master of the Nan He Manor, he was pampered by many. Because Zhang Yusen did not involve himself in the business of the martial world, Zhang Chengling grew in a spoilt environment, where there was no pressure for him to become a great hero to carry out his father's legacy, he was up brought as if he was a daughter rather than a son.

All of his tutors told him that it was useless to teach him anything, both literature and martial ones. Despite this, he was not bothered, and was pretty content about the fact that he could be a mediocre everyday person, not a hero who can shake the world. Zhang Chengling had servants following, dressing and feeding him, serving him diligently even with his mediocre studying until late night. They would flatter him all day long, and even when he knew his true worth, it didn’t stop him from basking in the false praises sometimes.

### The Nan He Manor Massacre

Life went by for Zhang Chengling with privilege for thirteen years, one day, a sudden attack from the Ghost Valley happened at night, which killed everyone at the Nan He Manor, including Zhang Yusen himself. Before he was killed, he had sent away Zhang Chengling with Uncle Li and a maid, protecting both of them. In their escape, they were ambushed, which caused Uncle Li to be critically hurt. They were saved by Zhou Zishu and Gu Xiang.

## Relationships

### Jing Beiyuan

Zhang Chengling feels that Jing Beiyuan is the best looking person that he has ever seen, and even blushed in the latter's presence.

He describes his voice as not loud, but is extremely nice to listen to. He cannot help himself from peeking up again, wanting to take another look at the man. The woman he had seen in the tavern the other day was extremely beautiful. However, he feels that compared to Beiyuan, her face was like a layer of skin made of paper; flimsy and purposefully fake.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Novel, Chapter 22
2. ↑ Novel, Extra 5
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Novel, Chapter 31
4. ↑ Novel, Chapter 20
5. ↑ Novel, Chapter 67
6. ↑ Novel, Chapter 36