Qi Shan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Qi Shan (祈善)
Alias(es)	Qi Yuanliang; “Evil Scheme”; Tan Qu; Tan Qingguang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kang Country; Shen Tang’s retainer
Occupation/Role	Literary Scholar; strategist; Director of the Secretariat; Grand Tutor
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Sixth Rank, Mid-Low Literary Heart	7	Condenses a deep-cyan Literary Heart Sigil engraved with “Sixth Rank, Mid-Low” and “Qi Clan Yuanliang.” Literary Heart grades are innate and cannot be raised through later cultivation. 7
Way of the Scholar: “Master-Slaying”	71	Can borrow a feudal lord’s Literary Heart and obtain an ability; in exchange, it binds him to absolute loyalty to that lord. 71
Second Way of the Scholar: Masterful Painting and Calligraphy	175	Acquires a second Way of the Scholar, used to assume identities and alter his appearance. 175

Background

Qi Shan’s given name is Shan and his courtesy name is Yuanliang. His public identity as “Qi Shan” is an impersonation: the original Qi Shan was a mentor and friend who had aided him in the past. After the real Qi Shan’s death, he adopted that name to preserve it in the human world. 7 170 175

Before meeting Shen Tang, he endured exile and used the condition of a cat named Huai Xu to overturn a death sentence. He later served seven different lords, gaining the notorious reputation of “Evil Scheme.” 176 1165

Qi Shan encountered Shen Tang while she was a fugitive and recognized the exceptional nature of her Literary Heart and connection to the National Seal. Though initially intending to use one another as “tools” toward their respective aims, the two developed into lord and retainer; Qi Shan chose to follow her because he saw her benevolence, ambition, and capacity to change the world. 26 134 1178

He remained at Shen Tang’s side through the Xiaocheng conflict, the founding struggles of Kang Country, and later campaigns. Shen Tang eventually granted him the honorary title of Grand Tutor to reinforce his political standing among the noble families. 1178 923

Appearance

Qi Shan presents himself as a refined, elegant young scholar whose carefully arranged clothing and handsome features conceal a far more dangerous reputation. He commonly wears his dark-green Literary Heart Sigil at his waist and carries Su Shang, his cat, in his sleeves or arms. 108 1177

• Deep-green Literary Heart Sigil, engraved with his rank and courtesy name. 7
• Often wears tea-white scholar’s robes. 108
• Skilled enough with disguise to transform into a young maiden through Literary Qi. 651
• Frequently carries a personal saber; maintains several sabers suited to different assumed identities. 1032

Personality

Qi Shan is observant, calculating, and exceptionally patient when pursuing a goal. He is known for military planning, encrypted Word Spirits, misdirection, and a willingness to employ underhanded methods when he considers them necessary. His reputation as “Evil Scheme” reflects both his political history and the fear he inspires in enemies. 39 840 1051

Despite his scheming nature, he is deeply principled about acting without betraying his conscience. He is fiercely loyal to Shen Tang, willing to suffer injuries on her behalf, and reacts intensely when the people he values—especially the original Qi Shan—are threatened or dishonored. 134 249 1273

He also has a playful, petty side: he teases allies, competes with Qin Li, accepts payment readily for his paintings, and can be openly jealous when excluded from social interactions. 108 109 1202 1208

Abilities & Skills

Literary Heart and Word Spirits

Qi Shan possesses a Sixth Rank, Mid-Low Literary Heart. He is highly knowledgeable about Word Spirits, their military applications, and the distinction between Literary Hearts and Martial Galls. 7 8 11

• Compiled and annotated common Word Spirits used by strategists. 8
• Employs Word Spirits for troop deployment, interference, and military formations. 8 596
• Can sustain a Literary Qi wall for defense, though he considers its endurance inferior to the Gongxi High Priest’s divine power. 973
• Can simultaneously monitor multiple targets through Three Hearts, Two Minds. 596

Master-Slaying

His first known Way of the Scholar permits him to borrow a feudal lord’s Literary Heart and receive an ability, but binds his life and loyalty to that lord’s absolute trust. 71

• Its full effects are not publicly understood. 249
• His injuries during Shen Tang’s duel with Gongxi Chou suggest that the ability allows him to bear harm connected to his lord. 248 249
• The bond makes betrayal of his lord exceptionally consequential. 71

Masterful Painting and Calligraphy

Qi Shan’s second Way of the Scholar is centered on painting and calligraphy, serving both artistic and covert purposes. 175

• Alters his appearance to impersonate other people, including women. 175 651
• Creates detailed visual disguises and “skin experience cards.” 1208
• His painting skill is admired even by suspicious adversaries and is convincing enough to be used as a test of identity. 108 109
• Can attend court through a Literary Qi Incarnation when unable to appear in person. 961

Strategy and Swordsmanship

Qi Shan is an experienced battlefield planner and a capable close-combat fighter despite being a Literary Scholar. 109 596

• Organizes ambushes and military formations. 596
• Defeated a group of thieves who followed him outside Xiaocheng. 109
• Fought Qin Li to a draw; both emerged injured. 895
• Uses a saber forged to suit Tan Qu’s sword-wielding habits; the weapon is connected to the Gongxi Clan. 1032 1033

Equipment / Companions

• Literary Heart Sigil — Deep-cyan/green sigil identifying him as “Qi Clan Yuanliang” and recording his Sixth Rank, Mid-Low Literary Heart. 7
• Personal saber — A weapon associated with his Tan Qu identity and recognized by Gongxi Chou as a unique Gongxi Clan artifact. 1032 1033
• Su Shang — His cherished cat, often carried in his sleeve; Qi Shan is notably protective of her and her kittens. 108 214 962
• Painting and calligraphy tools — Used for artwork, identity tests, and the activation of his disguise-based Way of the Scholar. 108 175

Relationships

• Shen Tang — Lord and trusted ally. Qi Shan recognized her potential early, guides her in Literary Heart knowledge, and remains loyal through Kang Country’s founding and expansion. 8 134 249 1178
• The original Qi Shan — Mentor and friend whose identity Qi Shan adopted after his death; the loss remains a defining grief and motive. 170 175 1273
• Qin Li — Long-standing rival and former target of Qi Shan’s recruitment schemes. Their hostility frequently turns into open conflict, though they later serve the same court. 250 895 1208
• Gu Chi — Fellow Literary Scholar and frequent collaborator. Gu Chi is familiar with Qi Shan’s hidden motives and assists when Qi Shan is injured. 72 248 1178
• Kang Shi — Relative connected to the original Qi Shan’s family line; Qi Shan disclosed his impersonation to him and discussed preserving the family legacy. 235
• Qi Miao — Adopted daughter. Qi Shan supports her medical training and takes evident pride in her later work. 916 1570
• Su Shang — Beloved cat and constant companion; Qi Shan’s concern for her health can override even his court duties. 961 962
• Gongxi Chou — Old acquaintance who reunites with Qi Shan after more than twenty years; their connection is complicated by the annihilation of the Gongxi Clan and Qi Shan’s saber. 1033
• Yan Cheng — Enemy whose treatment of the original Qi Shan and conduct during Qi Shan’s exile fuel Qi Shan’s hatred. 175 176

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Shen Tang

Qi Shan first appears as the Literary Scholar who teaches the fugitive Shen Tang how to condense her Literary Heart Sigil. He shares Word Spirit knowledge, lends her clothing and sandals, and gradually becomes her guide to the world of cultivation, warfare, and national seals. 7 8 11

Xiaocheng and the Identity Reveal

While investigating the Sibao Prefecture Prefect and the Ten Crows’ influence, Qi Shan maintains the persona of an unremarkable scholar. His old enemy eventually forces him to reveal himself as Qi Yuanliang, bringing his past, the original Qi Shan, and his exile into the open. 39 108 171 176

Shen Tang’s Retainer

Qi Shan formally commits to Shen Tang’s cause, believing that her character and National Seal make her suited to establish a new order. His Way of the Scholar turns this commitment into a bond of absolute loyalty. 71 134

Kang Country Official

As Shen Tang’s force develops into Kang Country, Qi Shan serves as a senior strategist and administrator. His public biography later identifies him as Director of the Secretariat, while Shen Tang appoints him Grand Tutor to consolidate political support. 923 1177

Assembly of Gods Infiltration

Qi Shan secretly rises through the Assembly of Gods’ Outer Circle, avoiding suspicion while collecting information and building influence. His concealed involvement reinforces the fear attached to his “Evil Scheme” reputation. 840

Notable Quotes

“I only ask to be worthy of others, worthy of my heart, and worthy of myself.” 134

“My real name isn't Qi Shan. It doesn't matter what it is; in this world, there's only Yuan Liang.” 170

Trivia

• His given name, Shan, can mean “virtue,” while his courtesy name, Yuanliang, carries the sense of “goodness.” 7
• He owns multiple sabers to suit his many identities, though he is most proficient with the saber linked to Tan Qu. 1032
• His household’s most persistent source of scandalous rumors is not a lover, but his large number of cats. 1202
• He is vulnerable to cold and cannot swim; he once used a Literary Qi avatar to avoid being pushed into water by Qin Li. 1202 1208