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Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Ning Que (宁缺) |
| Alias(es) | Woodcutter of Shubi Lake; Thirteenth Mister of the Academy 1236 1260 |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Great Tang Academy 1260 |
| Occupation/Role | Former border soldier; proprietor of Shubizhai; Academy disciple and student of Yan Se 1234 1242 1261 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 1232 1232 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to cultivate | 1233 1236 | Eleven of the seventeen meridians in his qi sea and snow mountain are blocked, preventing him from sensing and controlling the world's elemental energy. |
| Meridians gradually cleared | 1244 1255 | Wang Yue's treatments open seven, then eight meridians. Ning Que later returns with thirteen connected channels and the ability to cultivate. |
| Beyond peak Perception | 1257 | Senses spiritual energy; Wang Yue judges him close to Bewilderment. |
| Ninth rank in Si Gu Jian | 1257 | Reaches this level after only a few days of studying Wang Yue's sword technique. |
| Mystic Insight | 1261 | Reaches the realm after opening thirteen channels and begins learning talismans under Yan Se. |
| Upper-stage Mystic Insight | 1265 | Holds off Long Qing with his combat experience and gifts from his Academy seniors. |
| Initial-stage Fate Knowing | 1268 | Advances after accepting Liansheng's inheritance; can fight Xia Hou to a standstill, though Xia Hou escapes with Liansheng's ashes. |
Background and History
Ning Que comes from Wei City and carries the Taishang Ganying Pian for years despite being unable to cultivate. After Wang Yue reads it and succeeds in cultivating, Ning Que asks him for guidance. He later joins Princess Li Yu's returning convoy to seek advice from Lü Qingchen, who confirms the obstruction in his meridians 1232 1233 1234 1236.
In Chang'an, Ning Que and Sang Sang run Shubizhai in Lane 47. Wang Yue repeatedly treats Ning Que's blocked meridians, while Yan Se prepares to teach him talismans. Once thirteen channels have opened, Ning Que can cultivate; he subsequently defeats Prince Long Qing and becomes the Academy's Thirteenth Mister 1239 1244 1255 1260 1261.
Ning Que's pursuit of revenge is tied to the destruction of General Lin Guangyuan's household: he is the son of the Lin family's steward, not the general's son. After his origins are exposed, he challenges Xia Hou. The King of Tang approves the duel, and Ning Que kills Xia Hou, sustaining injuries in the fight 1274 1278.
Personality
Ning Que is protective of Sang Sang, asking Wang Yue to keep her safe during the princess's journey and later leaving Shu Mountain with her to draw Xiling Divine Palace's pursuit away from its inhabitants 1234 1282. He is also cautious with enemies: after striking Long Qing, he checks the body and beheads him rather than risk his recovery 1265.
His revenge can override that caution. After General Xu warns him against further killings, Ning Que kills two more people connected to his past; at the Academy, he kills Dao Shi when he senses murderous intent and is confined to Si Gu Cliff for excessive killing 1274 1270.
Abilities & Skills
Swordsmanship
- Learns Si Gu Jian from Wang Yue and reaches its ninth rank within days; later combines it with Vast Sword Energy against Xia Hou 1256 1257 1268.
- Uses Shu Mountain sword techniques for both individual and group combat, including Sword Flight. Against Xia Hou, his swordplay shatters Mingguang Armor 1278 1282.
- Has not fully mastered every advanced technique Wang Yue teaches him: during the Xia Hou duel, he cannot use Heavenly Sword's unity of person and sword 1278.
Archery and talismans
- Fires Yuan Thirteen Arrows, one of which pierces the already wounded Long Qing's qi sea 1265.
- Studies talismans under Yan Se and becomes a half-step Talisman Master; later works on repairing Chang'an's Divine Shock Formation 1261 1288.
Other techniques
- Uses Tai Chi Sword to redirect Xia Hou's force, though it cannot initially break his defense 1278.
- Learns the Nine Yang Divine Skill from Wang Yue and uses it to help stabilize Sang Sang's Yin and Cold power 1279 1282.
Equipment and Items
- Black horse — a steed Ning Que tames after the group escapes bandits 1232.
- Taishang Ganying Pian — a cultivation text he keeps with him for years 1232 1236.
- Black umbrella — an item Li Manman once sought in exchange for a Heavenly Book scroll 1265.
- Formation Go board — a gift from his Academy seniors that helps open the Demon Sect's mountain gate 1266.
- Protective talisman — one of two single-use talismans Wang Yue gives to Ning Que and Sang Sang 1247.
Relationships
- Sang Sang — his maidservant and closest companion. He prioritizes her safety, seeks treatment for her illness, and plans to marry her 1234 1274 1278.
- Wang Yue — a friend Ning Que calls “Big Brother.” Wang Yue helps clear his meridians and teaches him swordsmanship and other techniques 1244 1256 1279.
- Yan Se — his talisman teacher, who anxiously follows the treatment of Ning Que's meridians 1255 1261.
- The Teacher — head of the Academy, who confines Ning Que after Dao Shi's death and later saves him and Sang Sang from Xiling Divine Palace 1270 1282.
- Chao Xiaoshu — a friend who arranges assets for Ning Que in Chang'an and helps him obtain a talisman for Sang Sang 1257 1278.
- Long Qing — a rival whose qi sea Ning Que pierces with an arrow before confirming his death 1265.
- Xia Hou — an enemy Ning Que challenges over the destruction of the Lin household and kills in their duel 1274 1278.