Daoist Xuanyang

Biodata

Background / History

Daoist Xuanyang is a bull-nosed Daoist 21 who serves as a covert blade-handler 59 (or bladecatcher 71) for the Three Rivers County Yamen, hired to help authorities deal with dangerous martial artists that regular constables cannot handle 59. He is responsible for raising his younger sister, Li Xiaohuan, who has suffered from mental impairment since birth 59. To support her and pay for her livelihood, he sold his life to the yamen 59.

He first crosses paths with Shen Han at the County Yamen while visiting Magistrate He Guitu 12. Later, at the Stone Snake Town auction, he pays 1,200 taels of silver to successfully bid on the Wind-Thunder Steps lightness-art manual 22.

He becomes a target of the Three Rivers Five Ghosts after killing their fourth brother, Pu Song, who had attempted to forcibly seize another man's wife 57. During an ambush at a tavern in Stone Goat Town, he is temporarily blinded by black powder thrown by the gang leader Xiong Zimeng, but is saved by Shen Han (disguised as Mr. Ugly Face) 57 58. Grateful for his life being saved and for Shen Han curing his sister's condition with silver needles, Xuanyang gifts Shen Han the Wind-Thunder Steps manual and introduces him to Manorless Daoist Temple to buy rare medicinal herbs at a discount 58 59.

Later, Xuanyang discovers that Daoist Sanmiao is poisoning the wells of Stone Goat Town to create a plague and sell fake medicine 90 92. After Sanmiao defeats and injures him, Shen Han intervenes and kills Sanmiao 90 91. Xuanyang subsequently acts as an intermediary for Magistrate He Guitu to seek out Mr. Ugly Face for official missions against the Moon Worship Cult 96.

Appearance

• Distinguishing Features:
  • Wears a dark yellow Daoist robe with crooked eyebrows 21 56.
  • Carries a curved blade at his waist 57.

Personality

• Righteous and Principle-Driven: He is willing to risk his life to eliminate corrupt figures like Pu Song and expose the fraud and poisoning scheme of Daoist Sanmiao 57 90.
• Deeply Loyal and Grateful: Devoted to his sister Li Xiaohuan, he shows immense gratitude toward anyone who helps her or saves his life, offering valuable manuals and risking his safety to repay kindness 58 59.

Relationships

• Li Xiaohuan — Younger sister; they depend on each other after their parents died early, and she suffers from a lifelong mental impairment until cured by Shen Han 59.
• Shen Han (Mr. Ugly Face) — Benefactor and ally; Xuanyang deeply admires his strength and character after Shen Han saves his life and cures his sister, later helping him connect with Magistrate He 58 59 96.
• He Guitu — Superior; the county magistrate who employs Xuanyang as a blade-handler for difficult cases 59.
• Daoist Qingyun — Acquaintance; temple master of Manorless Daoist Temple, with whom Xuanyang has friendly relations 59.
• Three Rivers Five Ghosts — Enemies; hostile group who targets Xuanyang to avenge their fourth brother, Pu Song 57.
• Daoist Sanmiao — Enemy; a wicked deputy incense master of the Moon Worship Cult whom Xuanyang exposes and attempts to stop 90 91.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Curved Blade: His primary weapon, worn at his waist and used in combat against martial artists 57.
• Wind-Thunder Steps Manual: A lightness-art secret manual purchased at the Stone Snake Town auction for 1,200 taels of silver, which he later gifts to Shen Han 22 59.