Shi Chen (释嗔) from Hero's Adventure
Shi Chen is his Buddhist monastic name after taking tonsure. The character "Shi" (释) is an abbreviation of "Sakyamuni" (****); as a Chinese character, it also carries the meanings of "to untie," "to release," and "to reconcile." The character "Chen" (嗔) refers to "anger," "resentment," and "cursing." Combined, these two characters signify "the dissolution of anger and resentment."
His secular name before becoming a monk is lost to history. After the Jingkang Incident (靖康之乱), he lived in a time of chaos, yet harbored a resolve to serve his country.
Thus, he quietly left Shifa Temple (释法寺)—where he had studied martial arts—and enlisted as a low-ranking officer in the military garrison of Chuxiang City (楚襄城), blending into the ranks.
However, he accidentally witnessed Lü Wende (吕文德), the defending general of Chuxiang City, colluding with foreign enemies. Narrowly escaping death when Lü tried to burn him alive in the city’s Armory, Shi Chen became the target of Lü’s relentless manhunt—framed as the arsonist who had set fire to the Armory. Fleeing by water to evade his pursuers, he eventually took shelter beside a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Linan City (霖安城). With a nationwide arrest warrant issued for him, he knew escape was nearly impossible, yet clung to the hope of hiding for just one more day.
After the player-controlled protagonist, Cu Xiaoxia (醋小虾), arrives in Linan City, he learns of a fugitive—accused of neglecting his duties and burning the Armory—hiding in the city. Nevertheless, Cu Xiaoxia decides to investigate the matter himself first. The fugitive is a severely wounded monk: with a thick beard, a peony tattoo on his right shoulder, and an iron staff that bore the marks of years of hardship. Addressing Cu Xiaoxia as "Young Brother," he begs Cu to treat his wounds. Each day at midnight, Cu Xiaoxia arrives as promised with wound-healing ointment, never breathing a word about Shi Chen’s whereabouts.
Three days later, Shi Chen’s injuries have eased, yet he feels adrift in a boundless world—with no place to call his own. Noticing Cu Xiaoxia’s unwavering commitment to his word, Shi Chen reveals the truth of his framing and invites Cu to help him resolve the injustice. Cu Xiaoxia does not hesitate; he agrees to accompany Shi Chen to confront Lü Wende.
After crossing the river by boat, the two travel slowly by land. Along the way, they witness desolation: overgrown weeds choking abandoned lands, bones covered in moss, banditry rampant like a comb raking the land, and soldiers devastating more like a fine-tooth comb. A thousand miles of rivers and mountains—once thriving—lay half-lifeless, ever since the Jin people (金人) and their cavalry had crossed the river to invade.
Inside the General’s Mansion of Chuxiang City (楚襄城), General Lü Wende—who controlled the city’s troops, grain, and funds—was drinking with his concubines. The protagonist and Shi Chen join forces to fight through a group of armed guards and burst into the flower hall.
When Lü Wende learns their purpose, he immediately disavows all guilt and even tries to bribe Cu Xiaoxia with treasure and official titles. Shi Chen remains silent: that day, all evidence of Lü’s treason and frame-up had been destroyed in the fire—how could he expect Cu Xiaoxia to believe his one-sided account? Moreover, who in the world could resist the temptation of high rank and rich rewards? Shi Chen had resigned himself to dying alongside Lü Wende, but then he hears Cu Xiaoxia say: "A true man born into this world, must know what is right to do and what is not. I believe you, Big Brother."
Enraged, Lü Wende orders his guards to capture the two. Shi Chen’s muscles knotted with tension, his iron staff wielded with unstoppable force; Cu Xiaoxia, agile in movement, wields his sword with divine skill. Yet the guards are too numerous. Fighting and retreating, the two kill several guards before leaping over the mansion wall to escape with their lives.
After this battle, they swear an oath of brotherhood. Grateful for Cu Xiaoxia’s noble righteousness, Shi Chen resolves to repay him with his life. From then on, the two are inseparable, no matter the time or place. Regardless of the future the player chooses, as long as Cu Xiaoxia remains aligned with Shi Chen in spirit and both strive for the greater good of their country, Shi Chen will dedicate his life to Cu Xiaoxia without hesitation.
However, if the player chooses the evil path, Shi Chen will never fall into darkness alongside Cu Xiaoxia—he will leave the party on his own. Though he lacks the strength to kill Cu Xiaoxia, if Cu Xiaoxia ever returns to the dilapidated temple where they first met, Shi Chen will summon all his remaining strength to attack the protagonist, only to be killed by the corrupted protagonist at last.
He is a character reimagined from Lu Zhishen (鲁智深) in Water Margin (水浒传). However, due to differences in the story and setting, Shi Chen possesses a charm and character arc that are distinct from Lu Zhishen’s. Truly, just as there are few who read Water Margin and do not admire Lu Zhishen, who could ever dislike him?