Qin Xiaoyi

Biodata

Background

Qin Xiaoyi was seventeen or eighteen when he joined Qin Yan. The eldest of four sons and two daughters, he often gave some of his food to his younger siblings. After floods left his family struggling to eat, he sought to follow Qin Yan to ease their burden 23 28.

Qin Yan gave Xiaoyi a sack of brown rice weighing around thirty or forty jin and promised to feed him as long as he had food himself. Xiaoyi’s parents urged him to follow Qin Yan and work hard for him 28.

Personality

Xiaoyi admires Qin Yan and is deeply grateful for his support. After receiving the rice for his family, he declared that he owed Qin Yan his life. He also hoped that following him could lead to a home in town and enough fish and meat to eat freely 28 33.

He was shaken after executing a captured bandit, but remained determined to support Qin Yan. When Qin Yan planned to attack Black Wind Mountain alone, Xiaoyi warned him of the danger and asked to accompany him; after being refused, he resolved to train harder 35 36.

Abilities & Skills

Physical and combat training

Qin Xiaoyi trained under Qin Yan in physical conditioning and fighting techniques 28 30.

• By Chapter 30, he was the strongest of the eleven trainees. He excelled in the fundamentals of Unlimited Combat and group fighting and could take on at least two grown men alone 30.
• After training and eating medicinal black snake meat, he became one of the group’s strongest members; combined with his combat training, he could reportedly take on seven or eight men alone 33.
• Qin Yan later taught the youths the Six Harmonies Saber Technique using weapons taken from the bandits 43.

Story Role

Black Wind Mountain

When Black Wind Mountain’s bandits arrived at Clear Water Village, Xiaoyi summoned the trainees. During Qin Yan’s fight with them, he supplied him with a bow and arrows, then helped collect the surviving bandits and their belongings 34 35.

At Qin Yan’s command, Xiaoyi executed the first captured bandit. He retched afterward and was still trembling when ordered to bury the bodies. He and the others subsequently intensified their training while Qin Yan went to confront Black Wind Mountain alone 35 36.

Xiaoyi greeted Qin Yan on his return and was relieved to see him unharmed. Qin Yan told him he had killed all the bandits, and later handed him a pile of captured weapons for the youths 42 43.

Conflict with the Mu Lineage

Xiaoyi fought alongside Zong Xiaoshan, Shi Hu and Song Bao against Mu Feng’s servants. In a later clash, Qin Yan ordered Xiaoyi to break Mu Feng’s legs; Xiaoyi used the back of his saber to do so 45 46.

When soldiers arrived after the destruction of the Mu residence, Xiaoyi, Zong Xiaoshan and Shi Hu offered to flee with Qin Yan if necessary 48.

Grain shortage

Xiaoyi assisted Qin Yan after his use of Heart Burst by bringing him salted sugar water. He also reported that their grain had run out and that local wealthy families refused to sell them more, prompting Qin Yan to hunt in the mountains 50.

Relationships

• Qin Yan — His boss and fellow Qin clansman. Qin Yan feeds and trains Xiaoyi, who regards him with loyalty and admiration 23 28 42.
• Song Bao and Shi Hu — Fellow trainees and fighters under Qin Yan. The three were among the strongest of the original group 30 45.
• Zong Xiaoshan — Fellow follower of Qin Yan; they fought together against Mu Feng’s servants and offered to flee with their boss if needed 45 48.
• Xiaoxuan — The black kitten Xiaoyi obtained from his second uncle at Qin Yan’s request 32.