TV-Series
Description
Liu Zheng is a journalist in the world of To Be Hero X, driven by a desire to uncover the truths that lie beneath the surface of society. He is a skeptical and persistent investigator who does not hesitate to infiltrate restricted areas to get a story. His curiosity and willingness to take risks are demonstrated when he sneaks into the scene of a plane crash in Year 23 of the Association era, an event that leads him to discover a young girl who is the sole survivor. He names her Cyan and, unable to care for her himself due to his own family circumstances, entrusts her to an orphanage run by a dean he believes to be trustworthy. This decision later becomes a point of contention as the dean's true intentions prove far darker.

Liu Zheng is the father of Liu Yuwei, the second-ranked hero known as Queen. His relationship with his daughter is a significant part of his background, though much of his story is seen through flashbacks and his connections to other characters. As a journalist, he is often investigating the corruptions within the Hero Commission and the broader hero system, making him a key figure in exposing institutional scandals. His personality is marked by a blend of skepticism, curiosity, and a certain degree of naivety, as he trusts the dean without fully verifying the man's character over the years.

Over the course of the series, Liu Zheng evolves from a background figure into a more prominent role, eventually taking on the position of an overarching antagonist in later story arcs. His motivations remain tied to his investigative work, but his actions and alliances shift as the narrative progresses. He is not a hero with superhuman abilities; his strengths lie in his intellect, persistence, and his role as a reporter willing to pursue uncomfortable truths. His key relationships include his daughter Queen, the hero Lucky Cyan, and a connection with Micky, the head of DOS, though the nature of that connection is complex and shaped by mutual interests.

Liu Zheng's development is intertwined with the darker revelations of the hero world, and his choices—particularly regarding Cyan—raise questions about responsibility and unintended consequences. He serves as a central side character whose actions ripple through the fates of the heroes, especially Queen and Lucky Cyan, and his story contributes to the series' critique of the hero system's hidden flaws.