Known as "Crimson Rain Sought Flower", Hua Cheng is one of the most feared ghost kings, master of Ghost City. The gods fear him, but he shows absolute tenderness toward Xie Lian, whom he seems to have waited for for eight hundred years.
Personality
Insolent, mocking and terrifying to his enemies, Hua Cheng hides nothing of his devotion to Xie Lian. He is patient, attentive and ready to do anything to protect him, even against all of Heaven.
Powers & abilities
A supreme ghost king, he wields the scimitar E-Ming, which has a living eye, and commands swarms of silver butterflies. He has an uncanny mastery of dice and chance.
History
He first appears to Xie Lian as San Lang, a charming young man. His past, tied to Xie Lian's since the days of the Kingdom of Xianle, is gradually revealed and explains his unwavering devotion.
Relationships
Xie Lian is the centre of his existence. He has tense relations with the gods of Heaven and the other ghost kings, who fear him as much as they respect him.
Key moments
- His appearance by the bridal sedan, under a rain of blood.
- His days with Xie Lian as San Lang.
- The revelation of his old bond with the prince of Xianle.
In the adaptations
The donghua gives him a charisma that contributed greatly to the series' success. The novel explores his past and his relationship with Xie Lian in depth.
Did you know?
- He wears an eyepatch over his right eye, an iconic detail of his look.
- His title, Xue Yu Tan Hua (血雨探花), means "Blood Rain Seeking Flower".
Our take
Hua Cheng is an unforgettable ghost king, both frightening and disarmingly loyal. He is what makes Heaven Official's Blessing such a memorable love story.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan