Yan Xiangma

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yan Xiangma (燕相马)
Alias(es)	“Most notorious prodigal young master of Jiangnan”; “Pride of the Empire” 160 876
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yan Clan; Cui Clan through his maternal family; Xifeng Empire; Supervision Department
Occupation/Role	Supervision Chief Historian; Great General of the Left Flank; Xifeng general 201 824
Family	Yan Bolai (father); Cui Xinci (mother); Cui Xichen (maternal grandfather); Cui Xiaoxin (cousin) 28 584 585
Status	Alive 908
First Appearance	Chapter 24

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Improved cultivation (unnamed)	722	His cultivation greatly improves over two years of effort, but his earlier lax training leaves him unable to match the veteran killer Song Fuxiao. 722

Appearance

Yan Xiangma is a young, notably handsome man who cultivates the polished image of a refined nobleman. He frequently carries and flourishes a folding fan, even when posturing or provoking others. 24 31 824

• Often appears in luxurious or brocade robes. 158 160
• Commonly uses a folding fan as both an affectation and a means of expressing irritation. 24 31
• His carefully maintained appearance is part of his self-described “perfect” image. 31

Personality

Yan Xiangma initially presents himself as vain, theatrical, and obsessed with maintaining an image of perfection. He treats his own status, appearance, knowledge, and skill as proof that he should be admired, and has little patience for subordinates who make him look foolish. 31 He leans into his reputation as a notorious young master, using flamboyant threats and shameless banter to intimidate rivals or court Li Sinian. 57 160 199

Beneath the dandy persona, he is protective, sentimental, and increasingly willing to accept danger for others. His devotion to Li Sinian persists despite acknowledging that a relationship between them is impossible, and he openly prioritizes her safety over political consequences. 201 He can also be compassionate even in war, ending the Wolf Cavalry leader’s suffering rather than allowing Cui Jian to continue torturing him. 483

As his responsibilities grow, Yan becomes more politically calculating and prepared to bear disgrace for a larger purpose. During the siege of Zhongzhou, he proposes surrender to preserve soldiers for the coming war against the Demon Race, accepting that others will condemn him as a coward. 876

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation and Swordsmanship

Yan Xiangma is a capable cultivator and swordsman whose strength rises substantially after leaving Jiangnan.

• Defeats and humiliates Chen Xingyu after intervening to protect Li Sinian, forcing him to apologize and leave Yujing School. 159
• Uses a sword in combat and beheads the mortally wounded Wolf Cavalry leader to spare him further torture. 483
• Can recover enough to continue fighting after severe wounds, but is decisively outmatched by Song Fuxiao. 722 723
• His cultivation lacks the foundation and experience of long-trained battlefield veterans. 722

Yan Family Secret Pill

Yan Xiangma possesses a secret Yan Family medicinal pill capable of visibly accelerating recovery from severe injuries.

• Swallows the pill after Song Fuxiao leaves a hole in his chest. 722
• The pill restores his condition at a visible rate, though it does not allow him to overcome Song Fuxiao. 723

Leadership and Political Judgment

Yan Xiangma develops from a protected noble heir into an official and field commander willing to make unpopular decisions.

• Accepts a Supervision Department post because he believes he must become stronger to protect those important to him. 201
• Uses his position and family standing to shield Li Sinian and Cui Xiaoxin from immediate threats. 160 723
• Accepts appointment as Great General of the Left Flank despite lacking prior military experience. 824
• Recommends surrender at Zhongzhou to preserve human forces for the Demon Race invasion, knowingly risking his reputation. 876

Equipment / Items

• Folding fan — His signature accessory; used constantly while speaking, threatening, or expressing displeasure. 24 31
• Longsword — Used during the Wolf Cavalry incident and against Song Fuxiao. 483 723
• Yan Family secret pill — A powerful recovery medicine used after Song Fuxiao gravely injures him. 722 723
• Mengdie (Dream Butterfly) — Given to him by Ying Boyan as a means of contacting Li Mu Yang; Yan Xiangma instead gives it to the girl he loves. 841 854

History

Jiangnan City

Yan Xiangma first approaches Li Mu Yang as Cui Xiaoxin’s cousin, having investigated Li’s background and doubted that the supposedly dull student was truly foolish. He initially seeks to pressure Li into distancing himself from Xiaoxin, relying on the Yan Family’s status and the threat of the family’s Blazing Fist technique. 24 26

His hostility begins to soften after Crow attacks the Li family. Yan Xiangma kills Crow, then watches over Li Mu Yang’s unconscious relatives so Li can still attend his examination. This act turns their antagonistic relationship into an uneasy friendship. 37 41

During this period, Yan Xiangma becomes infatuated with Li Sinian. Her open distrust and refusal to be impressed by his family name only intensify his interest. 49 57

Tiandu and the Supervision Department

After arriving in Tiandu, Yan Xiangma publicly declares himself Li Sinian’s protector and crushes Chen Xingyu when he harasses her at Yujing School. He deliberately makes the confrontation high-profile so that anyone considering targeting her will have to confront the Yan Family first. 158 160

His protection of Li Sinian brings him into conflict with his own family, who warn him that the enmity between the Yan/Cui and Li/Lu sides makes their connection impossible. Yan nevertheless accepts a position as Supervision Chief Historian, intending to gain the strength and authority to protect her. 201

As Chief Historian, he recognizes Li Mu Yang beneath a stablehand disguise and suspects his friend’s true identity, but ultimately allows Cui Xiaoxin’s carriage to proceed. 391

False Crimes and Family Schemes

Li Mu Yang later uses Yan Xiangma’s name while traveling under an alias, causing the real Yan to be accused of killing Great Wu’s Crown Prince Wu Lie and thousands of border soldiers. Yan maintains that he never visited Jinzhou and was on duty in Tiandu when the crimes occurred. 584 586

Yan’s public expulsion from the Yan Family after defending Li Mu Yang is later revealed to have been a ruse intended to remove him from scrutiny by the great clans. He subsequently appears with Supervision Department forces against Song Tingyun and reveals that the Yan Clan has aligned itself with Prince Hui. 726 771

His maneuvering against the Cui Clan earns Cui Xichen’s anger, but Yan later promises to seek a pardon and protect the Cui family’s lives despite the political cost. 782

War Against the Peacock Dynasty

Lu Xingkong appoints Yan Xiangma Great General of the Left Flank for Xifeng’s war against the Peacock Dynasty. Yan initially resists, citing his lack of military experience, but accepts for the Yan Clan’s sake. 824

After being surrounded by Peacock forces, Yan refuses to surrender even when Ying Boyan offers him rank and status. The Peacock King captures him as leverage against Li Mu Yang and orders his execution when Li Mu Yang does not respond. 839 841 853

Yan refuses to kneel until his knees are broken and remains loyal to Xifeng on the execution platform. Li Sinian ultimately intervenes and rescues him. 853 859 Once back in Zhongzhou, Yan argues that the city should surrender rather than waste its defenders before the Demon Race invasion. His resolve earns Xu Da’s respect. 876

Relationships

• Li Mu Yang — Began as a rival over Cui Xiaoxin, but becomes Yan Xiangma’s close friend. Yan repeatedly risks his standing and safety to protect him. 26 41 650 659
• Li Sinian — The girl Yan Xiangma loves. He appoints himself her protector, though she frequently rejects or mocks his advances. 160 199 201
• Cui Xiaoxin — His cousin and someone he treats as a sister. He protects her carriage against Song Fuxiao despite sustaining severe injuries. 24 723
• Yan Bolai — His father and the City Lord of Jiangnan. Their relationship deteriorates when Yan defies family interests to stand by Li Mu Yang and Li Sinian. 44 659 726
• Cui Xinci — His mother. Yan is notably wary of her displeasure. 28 41
• Cui Xichen — His maternal grandfather. Cui Xichen questions Yan’s loyalty after the Yan Clan’s political rise, but Yan later vows to protect the Cui Clan. 584 782
• Ning Xin Hai — His martial arts master and Cui Xiaoxin’s trusted guard. 26
• Li Dalu — His long-serving but frequently incompetent subordinate. 31 205
• Song Fuxiao — A dangerous opponent who nearly kills Yan while Yan protects Cui Xiaoxin and Li Mu Yang’s secret. 722 723
• Ying Boyan — The Peacock King who captures Yan Xiangma and attempts to use him as a bargaining chip against Li Mu Yang. 841 853

Notable Quotes

“But this girl, no one can touch her.” 201

“This junior has no regrets even in death.” 876

Trivia

• Li Mu Yang’s use of Yan Xiangma’s name in Great Wu is the reason Yan is falsely accused of murdering Wu Lie and his border troops. 584 586 623
• Yan Xiangma frequently introduces himself with exaggerated variations of his “notorious prodigal young master” reputation. 160 391
• His compassion toward the Wolf Cavalry leader directly contrasts with Cui Jian’s desire to prolong the man’s death. 483