Liu Zheng is the head of the Liu family in Yuanhe Village. He is a poor farmer struggling after a locust plague and heavy rains ruin the harvest. Desperate to pay taxes and feed the family, he horrifically suggests drowning his two-year-old daughter Xiaoya to lift the burden. When his son Liu Ke decides to become a Blade Catcher to save the family, Liu Zheng fiercely opposes, knowing the high death rate of Blade Catchers. He is hot-tempered, scolding Liu Ke and threatening to break his legs. However, deep down he cares for his son; he eventually softens and allows Liu Ke to go, secretly watching from a hillside while drinking wine. He is a complex figure trapped by poverty, showing both harshness and love.
