Ying Gou

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ying Gou (赢勾)
Alias(es)	Long Xiao
Species/Race	Ancestor of Zombies; later restored to a flesh-and-blood human form
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Ally and companion of Jiang Xiaobai/Jiang Chen's group
Occupation/Role	Front-line combatant, protector, and strategist
Status	Active
First Appearance	Revealed as Ying Gou after acting under the identity of Long Xiao 412

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Sealed, dormant state as “Long Xiao”	228	Long Xiao is unreachable and appears to be in a deep slumber before Ying Gou's identity is disclosed.
Seal broken; dominant fused Zombie Ancestor soul	412	Breaks the chains binding him in the Netherworld Blood Sea. He is revealed to have integrated the soul bodies of Hou Qing and Jiang Chen, while Ying Gou remains dominant.
Restored human form and expanded Ancestor powers	1109	Having integrated several Zombie Ancestors and regained real flesh and blood, his power is described as a qualitative, rather than additive, increase.
Evolution and mutation	1787	Awakens after an involuntary evolution; he remains conscious throughout but is initially unable to move.
Post-evolution enhancement	1803	His speed, reactions, and physical ability increase dramatically; he estimates his strength at roughly ten times his previous level.
Teleportation/invisibility-like infiltration ability	1814, 1824	Uses a newly unlocked movement skill to investigate alone and evade detection, especially against targets whose minds are resistant to ordinary mental interference.

Background

Ying Gou was once connected to the Yellow Emperor as a trusted subordinate. During the war against Chi You, he was deceived into making a grave mistake that endangered the Yellow Emperor's side. He was subsequently punished to guard the Netherworld Blood Sea; despite later legends, Ying Gou states that he never truly fought the Yellow Emperor on equal terms and could not resist him without Guiguzi's intervention 784 1312.

Before openly returning, Ying Gou existed under the identity of Long Xiao and could reside within Jiang Xiaobai's body. In the Netherworld Blood Sea, he broke free of his seal, revealed his true identity, and offered to help Jiang Xiaobai locate a powerful treasure within the sea 412.

His past remains a source of guilt and vulnerability. Encounters connected to the Yellow Emperor can destabilize him, and an entity resembling the Yellow Emperor once controlled him and compelled him to attack Jiang Xiaobai 784. Later, a false Ying Gou exploited this prior control through an illusion spell, temporarily leaving the real Ying Gou unable to move during their fight 1565.

Appearance

Ying Gou normally appears as a stern, human-looking man despite his nature as an Ancestor of Zombies. His restoration of flesh and blood makes him appear increasingly like an ordinary living person, though his physical capabilities remain far beyond human limits 1109 1178.

• Usually wears a cold or serious expression; his unusual lack of smiling helps Jiang Xiaobai distinguish him from an impostor 1567.
• Can appear from, return to, and communicate with Jiang Xiaobai through his body and consciousness 652 741.
• His restored human form still retains Zombie Ancestor traits, including exceptional resilience and combat power 543 1109.

Personality

Ying Gou is outwardly detached, blunt, and proud. He does not easily show panic, even in dangerous situations, and generally considers matters unrelated to Jiang Xiaobai's safety beneath his concern 1564. His stern demeanor and dry, sometimes mocking remarks contrast with his reliability in a crisis.

Beneath that indifference, he is fiercely protective of his companions. He repeatedly places himself between Jiang Xiaobai and danger, volunteers to scout unknown areas first, and remains alert for traps, infiltrators, and hidden motives 761 1179 1234. He also has a practical strategic mind, often identifying risks others overlook.

His ancient guilt complicates his confidence. Ying Gou fears and reveres the Yellow Emperor, carries remorse for the disaster caused during the war with Chi You, and has spent countless lifetimes seeking an unspecified answer connected to Jiang Xiaobai 782 784.

Abilities & Skills

Zombie Ancestor Physiology

Ying Gou possesses immense strength, durability, speed, and endurance as an Ancestor of Zombies.

• Can destroy patrol robots by tearing them apart and defeat multiple mechanical soldiers in seconds 418 422.
• His body is highly resistant to electricity; even after gaining a heart, electrocution has little effect on him 543.
• Can fight entities such as the Ten Directions Ghost Emperors and claims that no individual Ghost Emperor can defeat him alone 762.
• His physical strength can break an illusory mental prison through brute force 1817.
• Fire remains a major weakness; he is notably wary of firebirds because zombies fear fire 1564.

Extreme Speed and Mobility

Ying Gou's movement is frequently too fast for others to perceive.

• Can suddenly materialize beside targets, such as when he placed a dagger at the Mo Family elder's throat without being seen 432.
• Intercepts attacks, changes position instantly, and blocks escape routes before enemies can react 694 1567.
• His post-evolution speed is considered exceptional even by members of Xiao Qing's race 1803.
• Can use teleportation or an invisibility-like ability for infiltration and reconnaissance 1814 1824.

Soul Devouring Hand

Ying Gou can directly injure spiritual entities with his palms.

• A single palm strike destabilizes and damages a female ghost's soul body 763.
• The technique is effective against ghosts that ordinary physical attacks would struggle to harm 763.

Combat Skill and Weapon Use

Though he primarily fights with his hands, Ying Gou can rapidly adapt to weapons.

• Uses the soul-affecting saber Li Hen to deflect an attack in Negative Space, despite the weapon being especially dangerous for a Zombie Ancestor to carry 694.
• Uses a halberd against a giant metal-bodied opponent, targeting its chest and vulnerable areas while avoiding its counterattacks 2000.
• Combines speed, close-quarters striking, grappling, and battlefield positioning rather than relying solely on force 425 1999.

Tactical Analysis

Ying Gou is an observant and increasingly methodical planner.

• Recognizes that Xu Qiuyan may have fabricated or altered Jiang Xiaobai's memories, including memories involving Ying Gou himself 652.
• Deduces that an infiltrator may have replaced one of the group's companions rather than merely hiding among them 1234.
• Identifies the giant monster's head as the likely key to preventing its repeated resurrection 1741.
• Advises maintaining initiative in negotiations and testing whether enemies truly hold hostages before accepting their terms 1179.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Li Hen — A short black saber said to deter and slay souls; Ying Gou carries it despite its danger to Zombie Ancestors 694.
• Halberd — Used in battle against a giant metal-bodied enemy 2000.
• Flute — Used by the false Ying Gou to recall Ghost Soldiers during the dam ritual 1310.

Relationships

• Jiang Xiaobai / Jiang Chen — Closest companion and host during Ying Gou's earlier sealed state. Ying Gou consistently protects him, offers strategic counsel, and searches alongside him for the truth behind his memories and enemies 652 761 1179.
• Jiang Xiaohui — Ally and admirer who calls Ying Gou “Boss.” Ying Gou mentors him in combat and is treated as one of the group's strongest members 1016 1564.
• Goudan'er — Friend, admirer, and informal disciple. Goudan'er learned much of his combat ability from Ying Gou, while Ying Gou considers him a brother 710.
• Ye Jinghong — Trusted ally who often fights beside him and notices changes in his behavior, particularly when he may be under outside control 694 1564.
• Xing Tian — Combat partner; the two can rapidly overwhelm mechanized enemy forces together 422.
• Guiguzi — Ancient figure who saved Ying Gou in the past and continues to show interest in him. Their relationship is valuable but potentially manipulative 1312 1568.
• Yellow Emperor — Former superior and the central source of Ying Gou's guilt and fear. The Yellow Emperor's influence can suppress or control Ying Gou 784 1311.
• False Ying Gou — A replica possessing Ying Gou's memories and Chi You's Blood. Ying Gou is reluctant to kill him because their lives may be linked 1567 1568.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Return from the Netherworld Blood Sea — Breaks free from his seal, reveals his identity beneath Long Xiao, and confronts Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva 412.
• Underground City conflicts — Serves as Jiang Xiaobai's decisive combat asset against the Mo Family, mechanical soldiers, Qing Yi, and other hostile forces 422 432.
• Memory and illusion investigations — Helps Jiang Xiaobai question Xu Qiuyan's influence over his memories and confronts manifestations of their inner demons 652 782 784.
• Conflict with the Yellow Emperor's influence — Is controlled by a figure resembling the Yellow Emperor, forcing Jiang Xiaobai to defend himself without seriously harming Ying Gou 784.
• Church infiltration — Willingly surrenders to the Church, apparently as a strategic sacrifice or maneuver, prompting the group to seek him out 1116.
• False Ying Gou incident — Faces a replica created to replace him; the impostor is exposed because its frequent smiling contradicts Ying Gou's normal demeanor 1565 1567.
• Evolution and Base 37 investigation — Awakens from mutation with vastly improved physical abilities, then forcefully escapes a mental prison and scouts dangerous locations alone 1787 1817.
• Dark Matter proposal — Suppresses Ghost Head and seeks to absorb extracted Dark Matter despite Sun Bin's warnings that it is alive and may severely damage him 1901.

Notable Quotes

“This is the Soul Devouring Hand. How is it, are you enjoying the service of your Uncle Gou?” 763

“Sometimes real is fake, and fake can be real. It’s difficult to define.” 782

“I really didn’t want to kill him. Because when I fought him, I felt like I was fighting myself.” 1568

Trivia

• Ying Gou's habit of rarely smiling is significant enough to expose a replica with all of his memories 1567.
• He initially relies heavily on brute force, including escaping an illusionary prison by destroying it with his fists 1817.
• Despite his pride, Ying Gou openly acknowledges opponents he cannot defeat, including the Yellow Emperor and certain unknown ancient figures 787 1312.
• He is willing to absorb Dark Matter even after being warned that the process could seriously harm his body 1901.