Lin Zikai

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lin Zikai (林子凯)
Alias(es)	Lieutenant Lin
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Wu Imperial Guards; Shen Qing's unit
Occupation/Role	Small Banner official of the Baiyun County Imperial Guards; later addressed as a Lieutenant 3 5
Status	Active; remains among Shen Qing's subordinates in Luoshui City 36
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

Lin Zikai was one of the five squadron leaders in the Baiyun County Garrison Command and the only one without influential backing. Having risen step by step through caution and meticulousness, he initially maintained the Sishui Gang as his henchmen and intended to negotiate a share of its confiscated wealth with Shen Qing. 3

When Shen Qing recorded Lin's connection to the gang in the Book of Impermanence, Lin panicked, dismissed his men, and knelt to plead for leniency. He exchanged information about Huang Zikun's suspicious presence near Shen Qing's ambush site for a chance to save his career, then was compelled to accompany Shen Qing to the Huang Manor. 3 4

Lin gradually became a committed subordinate after witnessing Shen Qing's strength. He identified a White Dragon Cult token on Liu Chengle, helped interrogate him, and began addressing Shen Qing as “Master.” 5 6 Following Sun Yan's death, Lin joined the raid on the traitors' homes and shared in the resulting spoils. 7

He later accompanied Shen Qing from Baiyun County to Luoshui City after Shen's promotion to Acting Centurion. 24

Personality

Lin is cautious, pragmatic, and highly conscious of power. His first confrontation with Shen Qing shows a man willing to compromise quickly when his position is threatened; he trades intelligence to preserve himself rather than remain loyal to criminal associates. 3

Once convinced of Shen Qing's power, Lin becomes an eager and sometimes excessive supporter. He flatters Shen, enthusiastically pursues merit, and interprets Shen's rapid mastery of techniques as evidence of unfathomable planning. 5 6 Despite his fearfulness and self-preserving instincts, he displays courage when his men are trapped, choosing to fight Houtian Realm opponents rather than surrender. 17

Abilities & Skills

Investigation and field command

Lin notices useful details and acts on them quickly, including identifying Huang Zikun as a possible link to Shen Qing's ambush and recognizing the significance of a White Dragon Cult token. 3 5

• Led Imperial Guard investigations into disappearances in Shili Township alongside Black Dog. 16 17
• Valued Black Dog's sense of smell and intended to bring him on future missions for tracking. 16
• Reported his unit's discovery of the blood-cultivator hideout to Shen Qing. 17

Martial training

Lin has practiced movement techniques for seven or eight years, though he had reached only minor accomplishment by the time he witnessed Shen Qing perfect Carefree Steps in four steps. 6

• Fights with a steel sword and personally engages hostile cultivators. 17
• His sword was shattered by a Houtian Realm enemy, and he was severely injured in the same clash. 17
• He later recovered sufficiently to continue serving after taking Shen Qing's healing pills. 17

Interrogation

Lin actively participates in Imperial Guard interrogations and is willing to use violent methods against captured enemies. 6 19

• Took the lead in whipping He Lian after Shen Qing permitted him to vent his anger. 19
• His initial methods failed to break He Lian after fifty lashes, allowing the Scholar to take over. 19

Equipment

• Steel sword, used during the Shili Township battle 17
• Long whip, used during He Lian's interrogation 19
• Imperial Guard uniform and gear 17

Relationships

• Shen Qing — Initially Shen's intimidated colleague and unwilling bargaining partner; later becomes a loyal subordinate who openly admires Shen's power and follows him to Luoshui City. 3 6 17 24
• Black Dog — Fellow Imperial Guard and frequent mission partner. The two investigated Shili Township together and jointly fought enemy cultivators. 16 17
• Scholar — Fellow subordinate and collaborator in interrogations; Lin also joins the wider group in supporting the Scholar's plan to manipulate the Luoshui City sects. 5 19 26
• Old Li — Fellow subordinate whose Book of Impermanence entry nearly destroyed Lin's career; they later serve in the same unit under Shen Qing. 3 24
• Jiang Xian and the Sishui Gang — Lin's former henchmen; their crimes and seized wealth exposed Lin to political ruin. 3

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Sishui Gang and Huang Family incident — Confronts Shen Qing over the destruction of his Sishui Gang henchmen, then provides the lead that points to Huang Zikun and accompanies Shen's assault on the Huang Manor. 3 4
• White Dragon Cult exposure — Identifies Liu Chengle as a White Dragon Cult remnant and helps uncover Sun Yan's involvement in the cult. 5 6
• Baiyun County blood-cultivator case — Leads an investigation into disappearances at Shili Township, survives an ambush, and guides Shen Qing to the enemy mountain villa. 16 17 18
• Black Tiger Mountain operation — Participates in He Lian's interrogation and helps apprehend Zhang Zhi after Shen Qing defeats Zhang He. 19 21
• Transfer to Luoshui City — Is selected to accompany Shen Qing when the latter becomes Acting Centurion, remaining part of his trusted core group. 24
• Luoshui City operations — Supports the plan to exploit conflict between martial sects and later discusses pooling funds with the group to buy Academy Street courtyards for their younger siblings' education. 26 36

Notable Quotes

“Damn it, let's fight them! Killing one is breaking even, killing two is a profit.” 17

“Evil cultivators are just evil cultivators. Your punches feel like tickles. Are you a woman?” 17

Trivia

• Lin was visibly nervous while dining at the prestigious Golden Splendor Tower, blaming the room's heat for his sweat. 44
• He and Shen Qing's other subordinates planned to buy property near Taoli Academy so their younger siblings could receive an education. 36