He’s the guy with the big beard and the even bigger sword. Zhong Kui. If you’ve spent any time looking at classic Chinese art or watching old-school wuxia films, you know the face. He’s the King of Ghosts, the guy who spends his eternal afterlife hunting down the things that go bump in the night. So, when Game Science announced a massive action RPG rooted deep in Chinese mythology, everyone—and I mean everyone—assumed he’d be a centerpiece.
But here is the thing.
People are getting confused. You’ve probably seen the fan art, the speculative YouTube thumbnails, and the forum posts asking which chapter he’s in. You’re looking for him. I get it. We all wanted to see how the team behind Black Myth: Wukong would interpret his iconic, rugged look.
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The Reality of Zhong Kui in Black Myth: Wukong
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re scouring the Black Wind Mountain or the flaming hills of Chapter 5 looking for a boss fight against the Demon Queller, you’re going to be disappointed. Zhong Kui is not a boss in the base game. He’s not a secret NPC tucked away behind a waterfall in the New West, either.
Wait.
Before you click away, there’s a massive "why" behind this that actually makes the game’s world-building way more interesting. Game Science didn't just forget him. They were surgical with their character choices. Most of the entities you encounter in the game are pulled directly from the 16th-century novel Journey to the West. While Zhong Kui is a staple of Chinese folklore and Taoist myth, he’s actually a bit of a guest star in the original Sun Wukong narrative.
He’s a separate legend. Usually, his story starts with him being a brilliant scholar who was denied his rightful place in the government because of his "ugly" appearance. He committed suicide, became a spirit, and was then tasked by the Jade Emperor to hunt demons. Wukong, meanwhile, is a cosmic powerhouse who was born from a rock. Their "vibes" overlap because they both deal with the supernatural, but their origins are miles apart.
Why everyone thinks he is there
It’s the "Old Man" theories. Fans have been dissecting every trailer since 2020. There are characters in the game—specifically some of the more grizzled, bearded NPCs—that share a visual DNA with how Zhong Kui is traditionally depicted. If you look at the Yuan Shoucheng character (the old man who upgrades your gourd), he has that scholarly-yet-mystical aura. But he isn't Zhong Kui. He’s a different historical/mythological figure entirely, one who actually plays a pivotal role in the Journey to the West lore regarding the Dragon King of the Jing River.
It’s easy to mix them up. Honestly, if you aren't a scholar of the Ming Dynasty, a guy in a robe with a beard looks like... well, a guy in a robe with a beard.
The "Hidden" Influence of the Demon Queller
Even though he isn't swinging a sword at the Destined One, his presence is felt in the design philosophy. Black Myth: Wukong leans heavily into the "Gothic" side of Chinese mythology.
Take a look at the bosses like the Yellow Loong or the Cyan Loong. The game uses a specific aesthetic of "divine decay." This is exactly where Zhong Kui lives. He is the bridge between the high heavens and the dirty, grimy underworld. The game’s depiction of the Court of Celestial Affairs and the various spirits mirrors the exact kind of bureaucracy that Zhong Kui is famous for navigating (and often rebelling against).
Some players have argued that the Zhu Bajie backstory in the game—which is surprisingly tragic and deep—touches on similar themes of physical appearance and divine judgment. Zhong Kui’s whole tragedy is about being judged for his face rather than his spirit. Sound familiar? That’s basically the core conflict for half the Yaoguai Chiefs you fight in the game.
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Looking at the DLC Rumors
Gaming news is a mess of "leaks" right now. But we have to look at the patterns. Game Science has hinted at expansions. If they decide to move beyond the immediate pages of the novel and explore the wider "mythic universe" of China, Zhong Kui is the #1 candidate for a new story arc.
Imagine a DLC set in the Huai River region or a deeper dive into the Underworld (Diyu). That is Zhong Kui’s home turf. Fighting alongside—or against—the King of Ghosts would be a mechanical dream for this game. His traditional weapon is the seven-star sword, and he’s often accompanied by a bat (representing luck) and a small army of reformed demons. That’s a boss fight waiting to happen.
How to find "Zhong Kui Style" gameplay
If you’re bummed out that he isn't in the game, you can actually build your character to mimic him. It’s all about the Spells and Transformations.
- The Sword Focus: Use the Ebon Flow transformation if you want that heavy, demonic warrior feel. It’s not a perfect match, but it captures the "dark protector" energy.
- The Gourd: Focus on upgrades that provide "Life-Saving" buffs. Zhong Kui is a protector.
- The Spirits: Equipping spirits like the Wandering Wight or the Earth Wolf gives you that "commander of ghosts" aesthetic.
Misconceptions that won't die
I’ve seen people on Reddit claiming they found a "Zhong Kui portrait" in Chapter 3. Let's clear that up. The murals in the Pagoda Realm and the temple areas are incredibly detailed. They depict various Luohans and Buddhist deities. While some resemble the Demon Queller, they are usually specific figures from the Buddhist canon, like the Four Heavenly Kings.
Don't fall for the clickbait.
There is a huge difference between "inspired by" and "actually in the game." Black Myth is a very tight adaptation of the Journey to the West specifically. It stays in its lane. That’s why you don’t see NeZha as a primary protagonist or Guan Yu showing up to save the day, even though they are all part of the broader pantheon.
What you should actually do next
If you really want to understand the lore that is there, stop looking for the characters that aren't in the game and start reading the Lesser Yaoguai entries in the Journal.
The Journal is where the real writing is. Each entry isn't just a stat block; it’s a short story. Many of these stories deal with the same themes Zhong Kui represents: the unfairness of the Celestial Bureaucracy, the thin line between a "god" and a "demon," and the idea that being "ugly" or "frightening" doesn't make you evil.
- Check the "Tales" section: After defeating bosses, read their backstories. You’ll find mentions of the "Courts of Hell."
- Explore the New West: This area has the most overlap with the kind of Taoist and Buddhist lore that Zhong Kui belongs to.
- Watch for the DLC: Keep an eye on official Game Science comms. If they announce a "Ghost Kingdom" expansion, start sharpening your sword.
The lack of Zhong Kui in the base game of Black Myth: Wukong isn't a flaw. It’s a boundary. By sticking to Wukong’s specific journey, the developers created a more focused experience. But the DNA of the Demon Queller—the grit, the ghosts, and the righteous fury—is baked into every single frame of the game.