Qi Family

Biodata

Background / History

The Qi Family is a prominent Mount Wei City clan with businesses across multiple industries, though medicinal materials are its core lifeline. Its herbs originate from a secret location on Wei Mountain and pass through the family's Herb Gathering Pavilion. The family also supplies the Poison Water Army's poison formulas. 1 7

Through its influence in selling official positions, the family controls the Eastern Commandant of the Five Directions Commandant and has effectively turned its Poison Water Army into a private force. Family influence extends into patrols and public security in the eastern districts. 1 10

Qi Zhendong led the family for decades and structured its leadership around his three sons: Qi Changfu of the First Branch, Qi Changji of the Second Branch, and Qi Changshun of the Third Branch. The lack of a clear owner for the Herb Gathering Pavilion created sustained conflict between the branches. 20

Organization and Assets

Branch Conflict

Old Master Qi sought to concentrate the Herb Gathering Pavilion under the Second Branch to support Qi Feng's advancement. Qi Changshun resisted, citing the prior agreement that management would go to whichever branch first cultivated a Heavenly Flame Flower. 20

The dispute exposed the family's unequal internal power structure. Qi Zhendong favored Qi Feng, while the Third Branch feared being consumed by the Second Branch if it did not produce a capable successor. 21

Qi Yu's rapid rise changed the balance. After he won First Class in the Provincial Examination, the First and Third Branches forcefully took the Herb Gathering Pavilion from the Second Branch. 41 44

Umbrella Sect Connection

Qi Changfu and Qi Changshun joined the Umbrella Sect as ordinary disciples known as Rain Avoiders. They attend gatherings, spread doctrine, pay offerings, and cooperate with sect missions. 44

Qi Zhao holds the purchased position of Internal Affairs Envoy, or Umbrella Holder, handling the sect's finances and land on the family's behalf. Her position requires continued offerings of Qi Family assets and sacrifices, leaving the family dependent on Master Chen's faction. 44 47

Relationships

• Qi Zhendong — Patriarch of the Qi Family; prioritizes clan prosperity and heavily favors the Second Branch's Qi Feng. 20 21
• Qi Changfu — Eldest son and head of the First Branch; an Eighth Rank martial artist who later cooperates with Qi Changshun to protect their branches' interests. 2 20 41
• Qi Changji — Second son, Poison Water Army Commandant, and head of the powerful Second Branch. 20
• Qi Changshun — Third son and head of the Third Branch; father of Qi Yu and sworn brother of Song Qinghong. 1 20
• Qi Yu — Third Branch heir whose martial talent and Provincial Examination victory become a major source of leverage for the First and Third Branches. 20 40 44
• Qi Feng — Qi Changji's son; a Seventh Rank Poison Water Army officer favored by Qi Zhendong and positioned as Qi Yu's principal family rival. 20 21
• Qi Zhao — First Branch daughter and Umbrella Sect Internal Affairs Envoy; assists Qi Yu during the Provincial Examination and manages the family's sect interests. 32 44
• Song Qinghong — Qi Changshun's sworn brother; their families arranged Qi Yu and Song Xue's childhood engagement after Changshun helped Song settle in Mount Wei City. 1
• Umbrella Sect — An outside power tied to the First and Third Branches through offerings, assets, sacrifices, and Master Chen's authority. 44 47

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qi Yu's Reform

Qi Yu's decision to train at the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall transforms public perception of the Third Branch. Madam Liu deliberately spreads reports of his martial talent and charity to repair his former reputation and restore marriage-alliance opportunities. 4

Resource Struggle

Qi Yu's breakthrough to Eighth Rank prompts Qi Changshun to request the Heavenly Flame Flower for him. Old Master Qi rejects the request, condemning what he believes to be force-fed cultivation and reallocating resources toward the Second Branch. 20

Provincial Examination

The First and Third Branches treat Qi Yu's examination campaign as a means to alter the family's internal hierarchy. Qi Zhao provides intelligence on rival candidates, while the branches expect his success to secure political standing and resources. 32 33

Qi Yu wins First Class, raising the Qi Family's prestige across Mount Wei City and giving the First and Third Branches the leverage to reclaim the Herb Gathering Pavilion. 40 41 44

Dependence on the Umbrella Sect

Despite its renewed strength, the family remains constrained by its Umbrella Sect ties. Master Chen treats Qi Yu's prospective partnership with Xiang Nanfeng as a decision already made, revealing the sect's leverage over the Qi Family. 45 47