Nangong Shirong

Nangong Shirong is a Tianliang official who turns a spy case into political promotion and recruits Xu Bai as both a capable subordinate and a carefully watched outsider.

Biography

Chapter 716

As commander of Tianliang Prefecture's Defense Bureau, Nangong Shirong takes custody of Xu Bai's killing of the Five Elders spy Wang Qiupo and uses the investigation to bring down City Lord Xiang Rongxin. Promoted into the vacancy, he recruits Xu Bai, delegates politically sensitive work, and alternates rewards with suspicion whenever the subordinate appears too capable or loyal. Their association covers the Rebirth Mansion, the Boundless Wall, censorship of lifespan rumors, and corrupt access to a Soul-Tracing Order. When Xu Bai resigns, Nangong tries to retain him but ultimately leaves the door open for return. (Chapters 716–741; Chapters 754–789)

Appearance and personality

Nangong Shirong first arrives in black robes. His hearty laughter and friendly address can be genuine encouragement, calculated recruitment, or a cover for coercion depending on the scene. He is politically agile, ambitious, patronizing toward a valued subordinate, and alert to any achievement that might threaten his control. He accepts bribes and suppresses dangerous facts while presenting those choices as necessary administration. (Chapters 716–741; Chapters 754–789)

Abilities and cultivation

Dao Integration authority

Xu Bai's internal assessment places Nangong among Dao Integration-level Immortal Sages, and Nangong leads a small team into the Boundless Wall to recover Guan Changge. His primary demonstrated strength, however, is institutional: command over the garrison, access to restricted intelligence, and connections capable of arranging otherwise unavailable orders. The text does not name his personal cultivation technique or provide a complete combat demonstration. (Chapters 740–741)

Political investigation and patronage

Nangong rapidly converts the Wang Qiupo case into evidence against rivals, manages competing appointments, and uses rewards, withheld recognition, and confidential assignments to test Xu Bai. These skills increase his power within the Alliance but also reveal dependence on bureaucracy and factional compromise. (Chapters 716–724; Chapters 741–789)

Relationships

• Xu Bai is Nangong's recruit, liaison, fixer, and eventual former subordinate; trust grows but never becomes unconditional.
• Wang Qiupo is the spy whose exposure enables Nangong's promotion.
• Guan Changge is a politically dangerous rescue target whose fate strains Nangong's position.

Items

• A Rebirth Decree passes from Nangong to Xu Bai as a reward; Nangong says he kept another, so custody is split between separate copies.
• The Soul-Tracing Order is obtained through Nangong's connections after Xu Bai pays him, then transferred to Xu Bai.
• Garrison records and restricted orders are institutional resources, not Nangong's private property.