Gu He

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Gu He (古何)
Alias(es)	Pill King
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yun Lan Sect; Ruyi Zhai
Occupation/Role	Yun Lan Sect elder; Sixth-grade Alchemist; Ruyi Zhai helper/employee
First Appearance	73

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Two-star Dou Ling	408	Reaches this realm through Ruyi Zhai’s pastries.

Background / History

Gu He first comes to Ruyi Zhai while other Imperial Capital forces are investigating the shop. His presence initially worries Xiao Cheng, who is unsure how to handle his questions and interest in the business 73.

He repeatedly asks Xiao Cheng to teach him pastry-making. After Xiao Cheng refuses to pass on his method directly, Gu He asks to work at the shop instead. Xiao Cheng accepts him as a helper and teaches him to make sweet Sticky Rice Strips; after eating one, Gu He gains an epiphany regarding alchemy and enters seclusion 77.

While managing Ruyi Zhai during Xiao Cheng’s absence, Gu He protects Little Doctor Immortal from Jia Lie'ao’s unwanted advances 115. He is later identified to Xiao Zhan as an elder of the Yun Lan Sect and a Sixth-grade Alchemist 124.

When Gu He learns that his disciple Liu Xi is implicated in the Jia Lie Family’s suppression of the Xiao Family, he confronts Liu Xi and expels him from his tutelage. The Jia Lie Family subsequently abandons its suppression campaign and prepares to apologize to Gu He 124 126.

Gu He later accepts Gu Ni as a registered disciple at the Mitel Auction House 140. Although initially reluctant to instruct him, he repeatedly provides Gu Ni with alchemy guidance 188 225 288.

Personality

Gu He is curious and adaptable, approaching pastry-making with the same enthusiasm he brings to alchemy. His insistence on learning from Xiao Cheng ultimately leads him to join Ruyi Zhai rather than abandon the subject 77 136.

He is highly competitive in games, particularly Gomoku, and often lets this hobby interfere with his duties. He quarrels with Haibodong over games, worries about losing to Qing Lin, and spends extended periods playing against Gu Ni 175 208 213.

Despite his playful and occasionally irresponsible conduct, Gu He is decisive when his reputation or disciples are involved. Liu Xi’s misconduct provokes him to act immediately and sever their master-disciple relationship 124 126.

Abilities & Skills

Sixth-grade Alchemy

Gu He is a Sixth-grade Alchemist and is known as the Pill King 124 136.

• Can advise and teach others on medicine refinement, including Gu Ni 188 225 288.
• Was sought by Xiao Zhan to formulate a healing medicine capable of competing with the Jia Lie Family’s Spring Return Powder 124.
• Offers to refine pills for Haibodong during one of their job-swap disputes 270.
• Achieves an alchemical epiphany after eating a Sticky Rice Strip made at Ruyi Zhai 77.

Pastry-Making

Gu He learns basic pastry preparation under Xiao Cheng after becoming a Ruyi Zhai helper 77.

• Learned to make sweet Sticky Rice Strips 77.
• Takes an active interest in Ruyi Zhai’s ingredients and pastry-making methods 136.
• Purchases pastries for the Yun Lan Sect after reaching Two-star Dou Ling 409.

Shop Work

Gu He assists with operations at Ruyi Zhai, though his performance is inconsistent.

• Helps manage the shop with Little Doctor Immortal while Xiao Cheng is away 115.
• Successfully takes over a sales position from Haibodong, proving he can handle the work despite Haibodong’s doubts 232.
• Opens Ruyi Zhai early through an oversight and is punished by Little Doctor Immortal with a self-criticism report 399.
• Volunteers for security-guard duty but later expresses boredom with the role 280.

Relationships

• Xiao Cheng — Employer and pastry-making mentor. Gu He joined Ruyi Zhai after Xiao Cheng accepted his request to work there; their early friction develops into mutual respect and camaraderie 77 130 149.
• Little Doctor Immortal — Fellow Ruyi Zhai employee. Gu He protects her from Jia Lie'ao, but she also disciplines him when he neglects work 115 399.
• Haibodong — Fellow Ruyi Zhai worker and frequent gaming rival. Gu He initially treats the Ice Emperor with great respect, but their later relationship is marked by petty disputes, job swaps, and mutual teasing 130 175 270 397.
• Liu Xi — Former disciple. Gu He expels him after discovering his involvement with the Jia Lie Family and disapproving of his conduct 124 126.
• Gu Ni — Registered disciple. Gu He is often reluctant to teach him, yet provides alchemy advice and recruits him to help at Ruyi Zhai 140 188 260 288.
• Xiao Zhan — Seeks Gu He’s assistance during the Xiao Family’s business crisis; Gu He’s action against Liu Xi resolves the immediate Jia Lie Family threat 124 126.
• Payne — Acquaintance at Ruyi Zhai. Gu He is impressed when Payne quickly solves a Rubik’s Cube that had frustrated him and becomes eager to teach him 225 403.
• Jia Xing Tian — Recognizes Gu He when visiting Ruyi Zhai and is surprised to find the Pill King working alongside Haibodong 175.

Trivia

• Gu He is frequently distracted from work and alchemy by cats, Gomoku, cards, and Rubik’s Cubes 124 208 288.
• He struggles repeatedly to solve Rubik’s Cubes, becoming frustrated when others solve them more easily 288 372 403.
• Xiao Cheng privately considers Gu He’s alchemical path to have become increasingly unserious after his involvement with Ruyi Zhai 136.