Jade Fish

Biodata

Background / History

Bai Lang acquired the Jade Fish as a customary share of pawnshop spoils while serving the Changle Gang. The crude, half-finger-long ornament broke when he squeezed it; after its shard drew his blood, it rejoined, flicked its tail like a living fish, and caused Bai Lang to vanish. 5

Bai Lang reappeared in a modern Japanese city, where the fish vanished and an associated voice ordered him to find the Jade Fish within ten years. The artifact soon reappeared at his feet and issued a second message: it was charging and would be full in ten years. 6 Despite this stated schedule, it announced completion roughly three years later and returned Bai Lang to his prior world, where time appeared to have remained frozen during his absence. His Golden Bell Shield cultivation returned with him, but his modern PPK pistol did not. 26 27

Bai Lang later wore the fish in a silver mount around his neck. 28 During the Cao Yuqing mission, a voice imposed a twelve-hour assassination objective under threat of erasure; once Cao Yuqing was killed, it declared the mission complete and initiated the group’s return. 29 33 Afterward, the Jade Fish appeared more hydrated and almost alive before transporting Bai Lang again through a void. 34 35 By Bai Lang’s service under the Ming, it had not yet recovered. 44

Appearance

The Jade Fish ordinarily resembles a small, poorly made carving of inferior white jade, though it can display lifelike movement and increasingly vivid qualities. 5 27 34

• Barely half a finger long when first taken by Bai Lang. 5
• Has black jade eyes that appear to look at its holder. 6
• Can reform after shattering when exposed to Bai Lang’s blood. 5
• Changes from crude white jade to a more hydrated, nearly living appearance after missions. 27 34
• Was set in a silver mount and worn as a necklace by Bai Lang. 28

Abilities & Functions

Spatial-Temporal Transport

The Jade Fish repeatedly displaces Bai Lang between worlds or locations, often through a tail-flicking motion and a sudden blur of vision. 5 6 26 34

• Returned Bai Lang from the modern world to his Changle Gang world while preserving his martial cultivation. 26 27
• Appears capable of keeping time stationary in the destination world during an absence, according to Bai Lang’s observation. 27
• Does not reliably carry modern equipment across worlds; Bai Lang’s PPK pistol was absent upon his return. 27
• Can seize Bai Lang without warning, including while he was mid-training. 34 35
• Leaves Bai Lang conscious but unable to control his body during some arrivals. 35

Charging Cycle

The artifact announces periods of charging or recovery before further movement. Its stated timelines have proven unreliable. 6 26 44

• Initially gave Bai Lang a ten-year deadline and claimed it would be fully charged after ten years. 6
• Declared itself fully charged years ahead of that schedule, then immediately prepared Bai Lang’s return. 26
• Was still recovering after Bai Lang entered Ming service. 44
• Does not answer Bai Lang’s questions about its altered schedule or behavior. 26

Mission Interface

A voice associated with the artifact can issue compulsory missions, define failure conditions, and trigger return after completion. 29 33

• Assigned Bai Lang and five other martial artists to kill Baiyun Hall Master Cao Yuqing within twelve hours. 29
• Threatened erasure for revealing mission information or failing the objective. 29
• Announced the mission’s completion and initiated return after Cao Yuqing was killed. 33
• Allows the possibility of revival through sufficient points and heavenly treasures, according to the voice’s rules. 34

Relationships

• Bai Lang — bearer and unwilling participant in the Jade Fish’s transfers, charging cycles, and missions. Bai Lang relies on its ability to preserve and extend his cultivation time, but regards its behavior as unpredictable and potentially dangerous. 6 26 27 34

Notable Quotes

“Find the Jade Fish within ten years, or bear the consequences.” 6

“Charging complete, preparing to return!” 26

“Killed Cao Yuqing, mission complete, initiating return.” 33

Trivia

• Bai Lang repeatedly considers throwing the Jade Fish away, but keeps it because of the threatened consequences and its value as a means of travel. 6 26 27
• Although its movements and the mysterious voice are closely linked, Bai Lang questions whether the Jade Fish was truly responsible for every later mission and displacement. 34