Hu Bayi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hu Bayi (胡八一)
Alias(es)	Old Hu; Master Hu 2 5
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yang Xueli and Professor Chen's archaeological expedition team; appointed team leader 26
Occupation/Role	Former army company commander; feng shui specialist; expedition leader 20 26
Status	Active; continuing the desert expedition toward Jingjue Ancient City 50
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Hu Bayi served for roughly ten years in the army and rose to company commander. During a counterattack, enemy prisoners who had surrendered launched a surprise attack and killed his soldiers; Hu Bayi responded by taking up a machine gun and shooting the prisoners. He subsequently left the military rather than accept an arranged position. 1 20

His military service left him deeply traumatized by events at Kunlun Ice Mountain. In 1970, blue-flamed Fire Ladybugs killed members of his unit; Hu Bayi was forced to mercy-kill two burning comrades and became the only survivor after an avalanche. He spent over half a year recovering from his injuries and continued to suffer nightmares after returning to civilian life. 29 30

Hu Bayi inherited the Dragon Seeking Compass and the teachings of the Sixteen Character Yin Yang Feng Shui Secret Art through his grandfather's lineage. His grandfather had also raided tombs, survived a near-fatal encounter with a zombie, and abandoned the practice as sinful. This history initially makes Hu Bayi reject tomb raiding outright. 4 5 20

He ultimately agrees to raid a relatively safe tomb after Hu Ming argues that the proceeds could support the families of their fallen comrades and later fund legitimate businesses. 4

Personality

After leaving the army, Hu Bayi becomes steady, reserved, and prone to suppressing his emotions. The prospect of returning to Kunlun initially provokes an unusually intense reaction, revealing how strongly his wartime losses still affect him. 1 29 30

He is principled and protective. He opposes tomb raiding on moral grounds, repeatedly prioritizes the safety of companions over treasure, and chooses to bury the two child spirits found beneath Niuxin Mountain rather than exploit them. 4 15 19

Hu Bayi can also be proud of his specialized knowledge. He enjoys impressing the expedition members with his explanation of Celestial Star Feng Shui, though he privately recognizes that his understanding is largely theoretical. 24 25

Abilities & Skills

Feng Shui and Dragon Seeking

Hu Bayi possesses Dragon Seeking Finger Pointing and knowledge from the Sixteen Character Yin Yang Feng Shui Secret Art, allowing him to identify tomb sites and assess their layouts. 9 20

• Identified a great tomb near Wilderness Gully through its feng shui formation. 9
• Chose a suitable point to dig the tomb entrance by examining disturbed, softer soil. 10
• Uses the Dragon Seeking Compass inherited from his grandfather. 5
• Explains Celestial Star Feng Shui as the alignment of celestial signs with terrestrial dragon veins. 25
• His Celestial Star Feng Shui knowledge is initially theoretical; he admits he has not put it into practical use before the Jingjue expedition. 24

Tomb Navigation and Mechanisms

His field experience and caution make him the group's primary guide during tomb exploration.

• Uses a live rabbit to test a tomb passage for poisonous air and hidden dangers. 11
• Recognizes the danger of the Western Regions Fire Dragon Glazed Top and warns the group not to damage it. 10 13
• Helps locate and navigate concealed traps, including the Ten Thousand Spikes Heart Piercing Formation. 12
• Recognizes a mechanical iron door in the Kanto Army Fortress and opens it after ordering the group to wear gas masks in case of chemical weapons. 18

Military Knowledge and Leadership

Hu Bayi's army career informs his command style, danger awareness, and familiarity with weapons. 16 20

• Identifies and evaluates firearms in the Kanto Army Fortress, including a Type 96 light machine gun. 16
• Leads the group during the descent into Kunlun Glacier, warning everyone to support one another on the unmarked route. 33
• Takes command during emergencies, including the Fire Ladybug escape and the desert sandstorms. 40 47 48
• Possesses a battlefield-honed instinct for danger; he and Hu Ming both sense the approaching Overlord Salamander before the rest of the team. 37 41
• Determines that snow and water can counter Fire Ladybugs, based on his prior encounter with them. 30 31

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Dragon Seeking Compass — An inherited compass associated with his family's feng shui lineage. 5
• Gas mask — Uses one when opening the sealed Kanto Army Fortress door due to the risk of stored biochemical weapons. 18
• Type 96 light machine gun — Selects the weapon from the fortress armory and explains its capabilities to the group. 16
• Molotov cocktails — Carries four supplied by Hu Ming during the escape from the Overlord Salamander. 41
• Communicator — Maintains contact with the expedition while exploring the glacier area. 35

Relationships

• Hu Ming — His cousin, former military subordinate, and closest partner in tomb exploration. Hu Bayi trusts Hu Ming's judgment, while Hu Ming supports him through his Kunlun trauma. 1 2 30
• Wang Kaixuan (Fatty) — Childhood friend and sworn brother-like companion. Hu Bayi frequently scolds Fatty's recklessness but firmly insists that the three of them remain together. 2 13 27
• Yang Xueli (Shirley Yang) — Employer and expedition member. Hu Bayi distrusts her hidden motives but develops feelings for her; she saves him underwater during the Fire Ladybug escape. 35 37 41 42 45
• Professor Chen — Archaeological expedition leader. Hu Bayi respects his dedication but worries that his age and frailty endanger the party. 20 32 48
• Yingzi — Niuxin Mountain guide and tomb-raiding companion. Hu Bayi is protective of her and checks on her after she falls into the cave. 9 11
• Big Gold Tooth — Antique dealer who recognizes Hu Bayi's compass and recommends him to Professor Chen's team as a feng shui expert. 5 20
• Xiao Luan and fallen Kunlun comrades — Former soldiers whose deaths continue to haunt Hu Bayi and drive his recurring nightmares. 29 30

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to Beijing and Reunion

After leaving the army alongside Hu Ming, Hu Bayi travels to Beijing, where a nightmare exposes the trauma he carries from the battlefield. He reunites with Hu Ming and Wang Kaixuan, then helps confront Big Gold Tooth over Fatty's swindled jade pendant. 1 2 3

Decision to Raid Tombs

Hu Bayi initially rejects tomb raiding because of his grandfather's experience and his own moral objections. Hu Ming persuades him that a limited raid could provide money for the families of dead comrades, leading the trio back to Niuxin Mountain. 4 7

Niuxin Mountain and the Kanto Army Fortress

Hu Bayi leads the group through the Wilderness Gully tomb, identifies its traps, and guides them through the Kanto Army Fortress. He helps protect the group against mechanisms, undead threats, giant bats, and supernatural child spirits. 10 13 16 17

After escaping, he joins Hu Ming in giving the two child spirits a proper burial, accepting the jade items they receive as repayment for the good deed. 19

Recruitment for the Jingjue Expedition

Big Gold Tooth recommends Hu Bayi to Professor Chen and Yang Xueli because of his military experience and feng shui skills. Hu Bayi demonstrates Celestial Star Feng Shui knowledge, accepts Yang Xueli's offer, and becomes the expedition's leader. 20 25 26

Kunlun Glacier

When the expedition changes course for Kunlun, Hu Bayi's buried trauma resurfaces. He recounts the Fire Ladybug disaster that killed his unit, then chooses to return to the glacier to confront his past. 29 30

At Kunlun, he guides the expedition through the ice mountain, reacts emotionally to a dead comrade's badge, and repeatedly warns the archaeologists about Fire Ladybugs. 31 32 38

Nine-story Demon Tower Escape

At the Nine-story Demon Tower, Hu Bayi tries to force the expedition to leave before the Fire Ladybugs are disturbed. When Sa Dipeng's flash awakens the swarm, he directs everyone into the river, where Yang Xueli saves him after he briefly catches fire. 38 40 41

Disillusioned by the expedition's recklessness, Hu Bayi initially decides to abandon the mission and return the payment. He remains after Yang Xueli invokes the debt created by saving his life. 41 42

Desert Expedition

Hu Bayi insists that the team follow his survival methods in the desert and stresses that local experience is more valuable than formal expertise. He helps secure An Liman as guide, leads the group's night watches, and commands the party through successive sandstorms. 42 44 46 48

Notable Quotes

“No. 29”

“There's no path ahead, everyone needs to look out for each other.” 33

“Experience is more reliable than professionalism.” 42