Li Jing

Character Profile

Role

Commander of Chentang Pass, Ne Zha's father

Title

Pagoda-Wielding Heavenly King (in mythology)

Wife

Lady Yin

Children

Jinzha, Muzha, Ne Zha

Story

Li Jing is the stern military commander of Chentang Pass — a man of duty, honor, and rigid expectations. When his third son was born as the Demon Orb's reincarnation, Li Jing faced an impossible dilemma: his duty to protect the people of Chentang Pass versus his love for his cursed child.

Unlike many fathers in mythology who reject their monstrous children, Li Jing chose to fight for his son. He traveled to Heaven with Taiyi Zhenren to plead for Ne Zha's life, only to be told the heavenly curse was absolute and irreversible. Rather than accept this, Li Jing resolved to find another way — even if it meant sacrificing himself.

At Ne Zha's birthday party, when the truth of the Demon Orb was revealed and the curse bore down, Li Jing offered to trade his life for his son's — the ultimate act of fatherly love from a man who had seemed cold and distant throughout the film. This moment redefines his entire character: the strict commander was always a devoted father underneath.

Personality

Li Jing is reserved, duty-bound, and emotionally closed off — the kind of father who shows love through action rather than words. He carries the weight of an entire town's safety while trying to give his son some semblance of a normal life. His arc is about learning to express love openly before it's too late.

Mythological Origins

In the original myth, Li Jing's relationship with Nezha is far more antagonistic. When Nezha kills Ao Bing and the Dragon Kings demand justice, Li Jing considers handing his son over. Nezha's suicide (returning his flesh and blood to his parents) is partly a rejection of his father. After being resurrected, Nezha pursues Li Jing for revenge, and it takes the intervention of Randeng Daoren gifting Li Jing a magical pagoda to subdue his son. In the 2019 film, this conflict is entirely removed — Li Jing is a loving father from start to finish.