Zhuge Liang, also known as Kongming and nicknamed "Sleeping Dragon" (Wolong or Fulong), served as a central strategist and statesman. Orphaned young, he was raised by a relative and lived in relative seclusion before joining Liu Bei's forces. His reputation as a reclusive intellectual prompted Liu Bei to visit him three times, depicting his initial reluctance and eventual commitment to aiding Liu Bei's vision of a benevolent kingdom.

Once recruited, Zhuge Liang swiftly demonstrated strategic acumen. He played a pivotal role in the Battle of Chibi (Red Cliffs), devising the fire attack strategy against Cao Cao's forces. His actions included borrowing arrows via a clever ruse using straw-stuffed boats and accurately predicting critical wind shifts for the battle. His rivalry with Sun Quan's strategist, Zhou Yu, highlighted his intellectual superiority as he consistently outmaneuvered Zhou Yu's attempts to undermine or eliminate him.

Zhuge Liang maintained unwavering loyalty to Liu Bei throughout their campaigns. He orchestrated Shu's military maneuvers, including the defense and retreat at Changban where he protected Liu Bei's family during a chaotic escape. His leadership extended beyond battlefield tactics to domestic affairs, emphasizing agricultural development and legal reforms to stabilize Shu's territories. His governance drew from both Legalist and Confucian principles, advocating for clear laws and benevolence toward the populace.

He was consistently depicted as tall and dignified, often carrying a crane-feather fan and wearing a headscarf (guanjin) and robe (hechang), iconography symbolizing his calm, scholarly demeanor amid warfare. His personal life included marriage to Yueying, portrayed as an intellectual equal who tested his capabilities before their union.

Despite his intellect, struggles arose from others' failures to follow precise instructions; Ma Su's disregard for orders at Jieting resulted in significant defeat, underscoring foresight limitations when subordinates acted independently. His death occurred later in the source manga but not in the anime adaptation, following years of exhaustive campaigns against Wei. The anime concludes after the Battle of Chibi, leaving his later exploits—such as the southern campaigns against Meng Huo and the northern expeditions—unadapted in this series.

His character embodied military genius, administrative diligence, and unwavering ethical commitment. His legacy centered on efforts to uphold Liu Bei's dream of a unified, righteous realm against external conflicts and internal challenges.