Xiao Lian

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Lian (小莲)
Alias(es)	Lord Xiao Lian; Administrator Xiao Lian
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Qingshan County Imperial Guard
Occupation/Role	Imperial Guard administrator; Ning Chuan's immediate superior; aide to Leng Hanshuang
Status	Alive, last seen accompanying Ning Chuan at Ghost Cry Ridge 49
First Appearance	Chapter 23

Background

Xiao Lian serves closely beside Leng Hanshuang in the Qingshan County Imperial Guard. While Leng investigates evidence of the Han family's collusion with bandits, Xiao Lian compiles and delivers Ning Chuan's background file, helps assess his actions, and openly worries about the risks of challenging the Han family. She addresses Leng Hanshuang as “Miss,” reflecting their familiar and caring relationship. 23

After Leng Hanshuang recruits Ning Chuan, Xiao Lian becomes his superior when he is assigned as an Imperial Guard Captain under her command. Their relationship begins tensely, as Xiao Lian distrusts his manner and finds his attention uncomfortable, though she gradually revises her opinion after witnessing his loyalty and ability. 28 34 35

Appearance

Xiao Lian is a youthful, graceful woman with snow-like skin, a bright and expressive face, and a high ponytail. She is described as having a lively, sunny presence, with long eyelashes and dimples visible when she smiles. 28 47

• Wears an Imperial Guard Flying Fish Robe secured by a jade belt. 28
• Has a slender, elegant figure and long, slender legs. 28
• Her clear voice is compared to a yellow oriole. 27
• Used a human-skin mask and white dress to assume the appearance of a strangely beautiful female demon during the Bishui Dock operation. 41

Personality

Xiao Lian is competent, direct, and protective of Leng Hanshuang's interests. She manages subordinates firmly, takes secrecy seriously, and efficiently mobilizes Imperial Guards during emergencies. 29 32 41

She initially regards Ning Chuan as an unreliable rogue and frequently scolds him for his flirtatious behavior. However, his refusal to abandon Leng Hanshuang in the face of the Han family's influence, as well as his repeated displays of strength, causes her opinion of him to improve. 34 35 36

Despite her administrative competence, Xiao Lian has limited experience in the jianghu. Ning Chuan exploits this in persuading her that posing as a married couple is the safest disguise for their mission. She later becomes increasingly affectionate and trusting toward him, though she retains a playful habit of teasing him. 41 42 47 49

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation

Xiao Lian is a martial artist at the peak of the Sixth Rank Grandmaster realm. Her true qi is strong enough that weaker bandits cannot perceive her actual cultivation. 47

• Can use true qi for practical tasks, including transmitting her voice through a door. 40
• Uses movement techniques alongside Ning Chuan while traveling between bandit strongholds. 47
• Her cultivation allows her to restrain or defeat ordinary bandits with ease. 47

Saber Techniques

Xiao Lian is skilled with a saber and uses it effectively in both combat and preparation.

• Reduced large stones to small pebbles with repeated saber strikes, supplying Ning Chuan with ammunition for Meteor Chasing the Moon. 45
• Carries out inspections of captured enemies with her saber and identifies the Six Bandit Overlords by removing their masks. 36

Investigation and Command

As an Imperial Guard administrator, Xiao Lian organizes personnel, leads investigations, and handles sensitive cases.

• Personally leads nine Imperial Guards to assist Ning Chuan in locating Ning Dagou and Xiao Hua. 29
• Delivers Leng Hanshuang's order clearing Ning Chuan's name and promoting him to Squad Leader. 32
• Commands captains during the interrogation of the Six Bandit Overlords and orders their confessions kept secret. 37 41
• Helps recover documentary evidence of the Han family's rebellion plot from Bishui Dock and other bandit territories. 41 44 48

Equipment / Items

• Flying Fish Robe and jade belt — standard attire worn during her Imperial Guard duties. 28
• Saber — used for combat, inspections, and cutting stones into projectiles. 36 45
• Human-skin mask — used to disguise herself during the covert mission to Bishui Dock. 41
• Warhorse — used with Ning Chuan while traveling between the six bandit strongholds. 41 48

Relationships

• Leng Hanshuang — Her “Miss” and commanding officer. Xiao Lian assists Leng's investigation into the Han family, remains loyal to her authority, and worries about the dangers she faces in Qingshan County. 23 32 41
• Ning Chuan — Initially her subordinate and a source of irritation; later her investigative partner and romantic interest. She assists his promotion, accompanies him on the secret evidence-retrieval mission, and gradually becomes more trusting and affectionate toward him. 28 32 41 42 47
• Zhang Lu, Wang Meng, and Huang Long — Imperial Guard captains under Xiao Lian's command. She directs them during interrogations and reprimands them for spreading rumors. 37 40 41
• Han Zhang and the Han Family — Political adversaries through her service to Leng Hanshuang and her involvement in recovering evidence of their collusion with bandits. 34 41 44

Story Role / Major Arcs

Han Family Investigation

Xiao Lian assists Leng Hanshuang's early investigation into the Han family's suspected links to Qingshan County's bandits. She provides Ning Chuan's background report and relays information about his rejection of the County Yamen's attempted recruitment. 23

Ning Chuan's Entry into the Imperial Guard

She receives Ning Chuan at the Imperial Guard yamen, guides him through his appointment process, and becomes his direct superior after he is made a Captain. 28

Search for Ning Dagou and Xiao Hua

After Ning Chuan's relatives are kidnapped, Xiao Lian arrives with nine Imperial Guards and helps conduct the inn investigation. Her interrogation of Li Da Niu produces the lead identifying Hei Er of the Black Tiger Gang as the kidnapper. 29

Promotion and Six Bandit Overlords Incident

Xiao Lian announces Ning Chuan's promotion to Squad Leader under Leng Hanshuang's orders. She later accompanies him during the ambush by the Six Bandit Overlords, identifies the captured assailants, and brings them to Heavenly Prison for interrogation. 32 36 37

Bishui Dock Evidence Mission

Leng Hanshuang entrusts Xiao Lian and Ning Chuan with a covert operation to retrieve evidence from the six bandit strongholds. Xiao Lian adopts a disguise, poses as Ning Chuan's wife to enter Bishui Dock, and helps secure documents proving the Han family's rebellion plans. 40 41 42 44

Campaign Against the Bandit Strongholds

Xiao Lian remains with Ning Chuan as he destroys Bishui Dock's bandit forces and advances through Black Wind Stronghold, Wolf Fang Mountain, Green Ox Ridge, Qingfeng Stronghold, and Ghost Cry Ridge. She guards him during his cultivation, assists in combat preparation, and provides intelligence on Ghost Cry Ridge's demonic cultivators. 45 46 48 49

Trivia

• Xiao Lian calls Ning Chuan “little rogue” and “little thief” as their relationship develops. 44 49
• She is amused to discover that Ning Chuan, despite his overwhelming strength, fears ghosts and the atmosphere of Ghost Cry Ridge. 49
• During their covert mission, she agrees to call Ning Chuan “husband” solely to maintain their married-couple cover. 41 42