Yuan Benyu

Biodata

Name	Yuan Benyu (袁本瑜)
Alias(es)	Lord Yuan; Qingzhou Commander
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Qingzhou Demon Suppressing Division; Yuan Family of Jizhou
Occupation/Role	Commander-in-Chief of the Qingzhou Demon Suppressing Division 48 162
Status	Active 576
First Appearance	Chapter 42 42

Background

Yuan Benyu is a member of the Yuan Family of Jizhou, a powerful aristocratic clan. He was once regarded as one of the family’s talented younger members, but was transferred to Qingzhou years before the present story; the posting caused him to miss his youngest sister’s marriage to Xu Meng of the Overlord Saber Sect. 162 173

By the time Li Xian rose in Yangzhou, Yuan served as Qingzhou’s Demon Suppressing Division Commander. He monitored the conflict between Li and White Dragon Temple, initially judging that the Buddha Son’s superior cultivation techniques made Li’s defeat inevitable. Even so, he regretted the loss of Li’s potential because he had hoped to recruit him into the Division. 42 43

Personality

Yuan Benyu is ambitious, calculating, and highly attuned to shifts in power. After Qingzhou’s demon and rebel crisis, he immediately planned a wide-ranging purge to build prestige and attract the attention of important figures in Zhongzhou. 91

He is adept at presenting humility when it benefits him. During Eunuch Hai’s takeover of Qingzhou, he endured public humiliation, offered to relinquish his command, and cultivated the image of a powerless victim; internally, he intended to distance himself from responsibility while allowing Li Xian to become the focus of the eunuch’s hostility. 100 101 102

Despite his political instincts, Yuan Benyu is protective of family and subordinates. He worries over Yuan Fengnan’s safety and romantic interest in Li Xian, attempts to keep her away from dangerous places, and later seeks Li’s help when he believes she needs protection. 181 214

His time around Li Xian changes his outlook. Yuan increasingly concludes that strength, rather than formal loyalty or status, governs the world, and considers that even the Dagan imperial family might have to appease Li if his power continues to grow. 295

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation

Yuan Benyu is a martial artist of the Upper Two Ranks. He considers this the limit of his current talent, age, and ambition, and recognizes the enormous gap between himself and Li Xian. 162

• Retains enough perception to judge the danger posed by powerful opponents and artifacts, including the threat represented by Li Xian’s sealed divine abilities. 379 380
• Relies on planning, authority, and prepared trump cards when facing opponents beyond his direct combat ability. 375 379

Political Strategy

Yuan Benyu is an experienced administrator and schemer within the Demon Suppressing Division.

• Exploited the aftermath of Li Xian’s victories to purge Qingzhou’s demons and rebels, capturing demon marshals and gathering evidence against Zheng Ningji. 91 98
• Tried to redirect Eunuch Hai’s suspicions toward Li Xian, intending for Li to serve as a scapegoat for Qingzhou’s disorder. 101 102
• Maintained composure under Eunuch Hai’s pressure, accepting house arrest rather than openly resisting a stronger imperial official. 100 103
• Chose to investigate the Tie Family’s suspicious conduct rather than act without proof, mindful of the political consequences of abusing his authority. 236 237

Talisman Deployment

Yuan Benyu understands the strategic value of Li Xian’s divine artifacts and uses them decisively.

• Activated a bamboo slip containing Li Xian’s Lightning Law when Wugou Saint King attempted to flee from Fengjin City. 379 380 381
• Used one of Li Xian’s talismans against Green Lotus Sect Vice Leader Duan Jiuxiu, injuring him badly enough to force his retreat. 445

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Lightning Law Bamboo Slip — A bamboo slip given by Li Xian, containing a sealed Lightning Law divine ability. Yuan Benyu used it as his trump card during the Fengjin City confrontation. 375 380 381
• Li Xian’s Talismans — Protective talismans obtained before the Fuhu Mountain operation. Yuan Benyu values them above other defensive treasures and later expends one against Duan Jiuxiu. 410 445

Relationships

• Li Xian — Initially a prospective recruit for the Demon Suppressing Division, then a necessary ally and, at times, an attempted scapegoat. Yuan Benyu ultimately treats Li as a close and overwhelmingly powerful partner whose assistance he repeatedly seeks. 43 102 375 410
• Yuan Fengnan — His niece. Yuan Benyu is protective of her, introduces her to Li Xian, and worries that her growing interest in Li will lead to heartbreak or political trouble. 162 163 181 214
• Alun — Trusted subordinate and confidant. Yuan Benyu mentors him in political perception and discusses major developments with him. 42 107 132
• Eunuch Hai — Imperial official whose arrival strips Yuan Benyu of authority and places him under house arrest. Yuan Benyu responds with outward deference while maneuvering to preserve himself. 94 100 103
• Zheng Lengqiu — Deputy Commander from the Central Prefecture Demon Suppressing Division and later investigative partner. The two travel together through Yunzhou and confront the Green Lotus Sect in Fengjin City. 294 375 379
• Yuan Benhe — Yuan Benyu’s elder brother. They support lending Yuan Family troops to Zhao Xuanji’s cause and share Li Xian’s talismans during the Youzhou campaign. 412 445 572
• Yuan Boting — Eldest brother and head of the Yuan Family. Yuan Benyu briefs him on Li Xian’s power during the family’s debate over supporting Zhao Xuanji. 572 573
• Xu Kuanglie — Nephew through Yuan Benyu’s youngest sister’s marriage into the Overlord Saber Sect. Yuan Benyu receives him kindly after Li Xian defeats him and later negotiates for the return of his saber. 173 177

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qingzhou Demon and Rebel Crisis

Yuan Benyu recognizes Li Xian’s value after the latter defeats the Buddha Son and becomes the Canoe Gang’s Dragon King. He warns Li of the coming threat to Yangzhou, requests his assistance in a future crisis, and later uses the aftermath of Li’s victories to conduct a major purge of Qingzhou’s demon and rebel factions. 46 48 91 98

Conflict with Eunuch Hai

When Eunuch Hai arrives from Central Prefecture, Yuan Benyu reports that Li Xian was responsible for Qingzhou’s salvation. The eunuch doubts the account, humiliates Yuan publicly, and demands that Li appear before him. Yuan attempts to push Li into the conflict, but Li sees through the scheme and refuses, leaving Yuan Benyu stripped of authority and confined to house arrest. 94 99 102 103

Return to Command and the Yuan Family

Yuan Benyu eventually resumes his position as Commander-in-Chief. He welcomes Yuan Fengnan to Qingzhou, arranges her first meeting with Li Xian, and becomes a mediator between the two as their rivalry and connection develop. 162 163 164 177

Yunzhou and the Tie Family

Ordered to investigate threats in Yunzhou, Yuan Benyu travels with Zheng Lengqiu and becomes involved in the investigation of the Tie Family. He urges caution around the family, suspecting hidden motives but refusing to act without evidence. 214 236 237

Green Lotus Sect Campaign

Yuan Benyu and Zheng Lengqiu travel to Fengjin City to investigate the Green Lotus Sect’s activities. Anticipating danger, Yuan Benyu swallows his pride and requests a life-saving divine ability from Li Xian. He later uses the bamboo slip and Li’s talismans against the Green Lotus Sect’s leaders. 375 379 380 410 445

Yuan Family’s Alliance Debate

When Zhao Xuanji seeks troops from the Yuan Family, Yuan Benyu advocates supporting her cause. He emphasizes Li Xian’s overwhelming strength, claiming that Li could erase Shilan City with a single hand if he wished, helping convince the family to cooperate. 572 573