Xu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xu Xiaogang (许小刚)
Alias(es)	Xu Wuchang — a name he uses when attempting to conceal his identity from Xu Suwen 21
Species/Race	Human 705
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Duke Zhenguo's Mansion; formerly the Eastern Garrison Command; commander within the Zhenchi Army 244 607
Occupation/Role	Duke Zhenguo; Commander of the Sword Pool Pass Garrison; military general 244 607
Status	Active 722
First Appearance	Chapter 18

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Seventh-Rank Martial Dao — Muscle Refining Realm	90	His body had already reached the realm's peak, but he lacked the catalyst needed to advance.
Sixth-Rank Martial Dao — Innate Realm	99	Successfully breaks through, greatly strengthening his physique and Magic Power.

Background / History

Xu Xiaogang is the son of Xu Dingwu of Duke Zhenguo's Mansion and the younger brother of Xu Suwen. He began martial training at age five, studied military texts from age seven, and learned command from veteran soldiers and generals from age nine 244.

Before becoming Duke Zhenguo, he served with the Eastern Garrison Command. He was assigned to assist Xu Suwen's investigation in Nanzhou, where he initially tried to pass himself off as “Xu Wuchang” to avoid her reprimands 18 21. He fought alongside Jiang Yun in several supernatural cases, though his martial approach was often disadvantaged against illusion techniques, evil cultivators, and powerful demons 22 62 80.

When Xu Dingwu was believed to have defected to the Northern Hu, Xu Xiaogang first concealed his intentions behind drunkenness and apparent indifference. Privately, he resolved to preserve his family and assume responsibility for Sword Pool Pass 242 243. He appeared before Emperor Xiao Yuzheng in black armor, resigned from the Imperial Guards, and requested command of the garrison. The Emperor appointed him Duke Zhenguo and Commander of the Sword Pool Pass Garrison 244.

Appearance

Xu Xiaogang is a young nobleman and officer whose appearance changes noticeably between his carefree days in the Capital City and his years commanding troops at the frontier.

• Often described as fair-skinned and handsome in his youth, with “red lips and white teeth” when carefully dressed 223.
• Wears black armor and carries a sword when acting in his capacity as Duke Zhenguo and military commander 243 244.
• Later returns from the frontier with a beard, darker skin, and a markedly more forceful bearing 607.
• Has also been seen carrying a folding fan during social engagements and investigations 223.

Personality

Xu Xiaogang is initially vain, theatrical, and eager to establish himself as a heroic martial artist. He enjoys being admired, waits for opportunities to display his swordsmanship, and is frustrated when others fail to recognize his identity or status 27 680. His habit of boasting frequently earns Xu Suwen's irritation.

Despite this immaturity, he is loyal to his family, protective of Jiang Yun and Xu Suwen, and deeply committed to the soldiers under his command. During the Mushan City food crisis, he accepted the same sparse porridge-and-vegetable rations as his troops rather than privately taking better food 262.

As a commander, he is decisive and cautious. He studies battlefield conditions, resists rash action, scouts dangerous terrain before marching, and is willing to challenge corrupt officials or politically convenient decisions when soldiers' lives are at stake 263 272 641.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Dao and Swordsmanship

Xu Xiaogang is a Sixth-Rank Innate Realm martial artist with strong physical conditioning and practical swordsmanship.

• Easily destroys a group of slow-moving Living Corpses with his Magic Power-infused longsword 27.
• Can endure attacks that would likely kill an ordinary person, including a strike from a Yao Python's tail 29.
• Reached the peak of the Seventh-Rank Muscle Refining Realm before advancing to the Sixth-Rank Innate Realm 90 99.
• His close-combat style is less effective against intangible illusions, regenerative Gu People, and opponents whose cultivation significantly exceeds his own 22 62 705.

Military Command

Xu Xiaogang is an experienced field commander trained from childhood in military texts and command methods.

• Earned Sword Pool Pass soldiers' support through his family ties and familiarity with the garrison's officers 244.
• Managed severe supply shortages at Mushan City while preparing for a Northern Hu siege 256 262.
• Prioritizes troop welfare, including rationing supplies equally rather than preserving privileged provisions for himself 262.
• Led the defense of Mushan City, helped repel the Northern Hu, and later commanded major Zhenchi Army operations against Wang Longzhi's rebels 267 513 641.
• Uses reconnaissance and deliberate marching procedures when moving through difficult terrain in the southwestern provinces 641.

Investigation and Field Knowledge

His years with the Imperial Guards give Xu Xiaogang useful knowledge of supernatural threats and criminal methods.

• Recognizes the danger posed by evil cultivators who must be stopped before completing their incantations 62.
• Identifies the black-smoke intruder targeting him as an illusion rather than an evil spirit after working through the clues with Jiang Yun 80.
• Knows of the Confucian sixth-rank technique External Body Transformation and its use in creating deceptive manifestations 80.
• Correctly identifies the scent of rosemary used by the Imperial Guards 27.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Longsword — his usual weapon; it can be imbued with Magic Power in battle 27.
• Black armor — worn when he petitions the imperial court for command of Sword Pool Pass 243 244.
• Heirloom sword — entrusted to him by Tao Yuelan before his departure for the frontier 245.
• Folding fan — carried during social encounters and when meeting Qin Yunhua 223.

Relationships

• Xu Suwen — elder sister; she frequently reprimands his recklessness, but remains concerned for his safety and understands his character better than most 21 272.
• Jiang Yun — brother-in-law, investigative partner, and trusted ally. Xu Xiaogang relies on Jiang Yun during military and supernatural crises 80 256 708.
• Xu Dingwu — father and former Duke Zhenguo. Xu Xiaogang initially believes his father defected, later learns of his role in luring the Northern Hu into an ambush, and resolves to continue his legacy 244 285 286.
• Tao Yuelan — mother; she worries over his choices, family reputation, and safety, while later accepting his feelings for Dongfang Yao 245 691.
• Feng Yu — adviser and political ally who accompanies him during military affairs and reports with him after the Mushan City victory 233 267.
• Jiang Yubo — trusted military subordinate who assists with supplies, intelligence, and strategic discussions at Mushan City 256 263.
• Qin Hong — Tongyou Guard leader who rescues Xu Xiaogang from the Snake Clan and serves in military operations under his command 513 708.
• Dongfang Yao — romantic interest and later beloved. Xu Xiaogang values her independence and martial spirit, protects her during the Snake Clan's abduction attempt, and asks to seek an imperial marriage decree after she agrees to be with him 691 705 716.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Eastern Garrison Command Investigations

Xu Xiaogang joins Xu Suwen and Jiang Yun during their early investigations of Gu People, Living Corpses, demons, illusionists, and evil cultivators. These cases establish his swordsmanship, Imperial Guard experience, and tendency to be outshone by Jiang Yun's Daoist Arts 22 27 62 80.

Succession of Duke Zhenguo

After Xu Dingwu's apparent defection, Xu Xiaogang volunteers to command Sword Pool Pass rather than allow another noble to take over the Xu family's army. His petition succeeds, making him the new Duke Zhenguo and garrison commander 243 244.

Mushan City and the Northern Hu Campaign

Xu Xiaogang assumes command amid food shortages, corrupt supply dealings, and a looming Northern Hu siege. He manages the crisis, works with military advisers, and leads the defense that forces the barbarian army to retreat 256 263 267.

Conflict with the Court

Following the Mushan City victory, Xu Xiaogang openly criticizes Duan Xing's mishandling of the war. Emperor Xiao Yuzheng rewards him with a Ministry of War appointment while also sidelining him from direct command, creating lasting political strain 272.

Zhenchi Army Campaigns

After learning that Duke Zhenguo's Mansion has been attacked and that Jiang Yun has been accused of murdering the Emperor, Xu Xiaogang refuses to simply surrender command to Zhang Pengyu. He leads the Zhenchi Army back toward the Capital City, then continues directing the wider war against Wang Longzhi's rebel forces 607 608 641 644.

Relationship with Dongfang Yao

Xu Xiaogang becomes drawn to Dongfang Yao because of her jianghu experience, resilience, and refusal to behave like a sheltered noblewoman. Their relationship brings him into conflict with the Snake Clan, which abducts him to force Dongfang Yao's surrender and later attacks her in Mushan City 689 705 716. After Dongfang Yao awakens as the Fox Saint, she assures him that her memories and identity remain her own 722.

Notable Quotes

“If, in the future, my father and I meet on the battlefield, I will surely let him know that a tiger father begets no dog. I will personally behead him for Your Majesty and send his head back to the Capital City.” 244

Trivia

• Xu Xiaogang's childhood rival is Duan Yongcun of Duke Cheng's Mansion; the two have fought since childhood 102.
• He once expected martial artists who robbed him to recognize him as Duke Zhenguo, only to be told that the “real” Duke Zhenguo was supposedly still fighting in the southwest 680.
• Before inheriting his title, Xu Xiaogang dreamed of becoming a renowned martial artist rather than a duke 680.