Shenhua

Shenhua is confident, blunt and highly professional about violence. She takes pride in using blades rather than guns and considers her skill sufficient to overcome opponents who rely on firearms.

Her speech mixes languages and distinctive phrasing, something Revy repeatedly mocks during their arguments. Shenhua responds in kind, and their exchanges can become as competitive as their actual fights.

She is nevertheless loyal to people she considers friends. Her later association with Lotton and Sawyer develops beyond temporary convenience, with the three spending time together outside paid assignments as well as working as a freelance team.

Shenhua is an expert knife fighter. Her primary weapons are a pair of large kukri-style blades joined at the handles by a leather cord, allowing her to use them individually or manipulate them through swinging and rotational attacks.

She also carries numerous throwing knives and can launch them rapidly and accurately enough to threaten armed opponents before they can respond. Her speed, agility and control of distance allow her to compete against gunfighters despite lacking a firearm herself.

Shenhua's style is particularly dangerous in enclosed spaces where her mobility and blades can neutralize the range advantage of guns. Her encounter with Revy demonstrates that she can pressure an elite shooter directly rather than relying entirely on surprise.

Shenhua first appears as an operative connected to Chang during the conflict involving Takenaka. Her participation establishes her as one of Roanapur's many independent specialists who can be hired when the city's larger organizations require additional combat power.

She later becomes a major opponent during the Greenback Jane bounty hunt. Hired alongside numerous other freelancers, Shenhua fights Revy directly and comes close to controlling the confrontation before circumstances turn against the attackers.

Lotton helps her after she is badly injured, beginning the trio that later includes Sawyer. The three become recurring freelance figures around Roanapur rather than disappearing after the failed bounty hunt.

During the later Lovelace conflict, Shenhua, Sawyer and Lotton are hired to assist Garcia and Fabiola in locating Roberta. Their involvement places Shenhua temporarily on the same side as Revy despite their longstanding rivalry.

Revy is Shenhua's professional rival and occasional ally. Shenhua and Revy trade insults freely and have fought each other seriously, but they can cooperate effectively when a contract gives them the same objective.

Bai Ji-Shin Chang employs Shenhua as an assassin associated with his Triad organization. Shenhua's specialist skills make her useful for assignments requiring direct violence.

Lotton becomes Shenhua's companion after helping her obtain medical treatment following the Greenback Jane battle. Shenhua subsequently allows Lotton into her home and regularly works alongside him.

Frederica Sawyer is another of Shenhua's close freelance partners. Shenhua, Frederica Sawyer and Lotton develop into a recurring three-person group.

Greenback Jane is the target whose bounty brings Shenhua into her most significant confrontation with Revy. Shenhua nearly captures Greenback Jane before the situation collapses around the bounty hunters.