Er Gou

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Er Gou (二狗)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Squad Jia; Third Battalion of the North-Rejecting City garrison
Occupation/Role	Soldier; Li Jinshui's subordinate
Status	Alive; last seen fleeing south with Monkey after being sent ahead by Li Jinshui 50
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Er Gou served in Squad Jia under Li Jinshui. By the patrol through Eagle Beak Ravine, Li Jinshui's repeated survival and battlefield leadership had earned Er Gou and the squad near-instinctive trust in their commander. When Li ordered them to block an encirclement, Er Gou followed despite his fear. 7

After the patrol, he remained among the four surviving veterans of Squad Jia. Li Jinshui refused replacements for the fallen and subjected the survivors to intensive daily saber training. 9

Er Gou endured the escalating losses suffered by the squad during patrols and battles. Zhang Shuan'er died during Wang Tiezhu's imposed month of dangerous patrol duties, while Er Gou received a scar on his left arm. 13 He later became one of only two surviving members of Squad Jia alongside Li Jinshui after the valley campaign. 16

When North-Rejecting City fell, Er Gou escaped with Li Jinshui and Monkey. The three fled through the forest, survived by relying on Li Jinshui's strength, and continued south in search of safety. 45 46 47

Appearance

Er Gou is described as a lean youth around eighteen or nineteen years old, with sharp, alert eyes. 7

• Later described by Li Houde as a burly soldier with arms thicker than Li Houde's thighs. 20
• Carries two short axes while guarding Li Jinshui during Li Houde's visit. 20
• Uses a military saber in Squad Jia's drills and battlefield engagements. 9 10
• Bears a scar on his left arm from the month of patrols. 13

Personality

Er Gou is loyal but openly fearful in situations where Li Jinshui remains composed. He worries about his squad leader's safety, protests Wang Tiezhu's unfair punishment, and is visibly unsettled by Li Jinshui's concealed intentions toward his enemies. 9 12 15

Despite his fear, he follows orders in battle and remains close to Li Jinshui. His trust becomes increasingly dependent during the escape from North-Rejecting City, when he and Monkey rely on Li Jinshui for protection, food, and direction. 45 47

Abilities & Skills

Body Forging Cultivation

Er Gou has reached the seventh level of Body Forging by the group's flight from North-Rejecting City. 47

• Retained enough endurance to survive repeated patrols, sieges, and the escape from the fallen city. 13 45
• Is substantially weaker than Li Jinshui and becomes exhausted after fleeing for a day and a night. 47
• Previously suffered an arm injury during the defense of North-Rejecting City but continued fighting. 10 23

Saber Combat

Er Gou trains in Li Jinshui's standardized saber drills and fights as part of Squad Jia. 9 10

• His saber stance became noticeably steadier after Li Jinshui's training. 9
• Follows Li Jinshui's defensive formations and stays close to him during large-scale assaults. 7 10
• Can switch his saber to his left hand after his right-side injury during the city-wall battle. 10

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Military saber — used in Squad Jia's training and combat. 9 10
• Two short axes — carried at his waist while accompanying Li Jinshui during Li Houde's visit. 20

Relationships

• Li Jinshui — Squad leader and protector. Er Gou follows his commands even in deadly situations, worries over his safety, and increasingly relies on his leadership during their escape. 7 12 45 47
• Monkey — Fellow survivor and travelling companion. The two flee with Li Jinshui after North-Rejecting City's fall and share the hardships of the journey south. 45 47 50
• Wang Tiezhu — Feared superior. Er Gou protests when Wang assigns Li Jinshui to a month of dangerous patrol duty, but falls silent under Wang's threat. 12
• Zhang Shuan'er — Squad Jia comrade whose death left his place to be filled by his younger brother, Zhang Yishuan. 9 13

Story Role / Major Arcs

Eagle Beak Ravine Patrol

Er Gou warns Li Jinshui that Eagle Beak Ravine is unnaturally quiet shortly before Squad Jia is ambushed by Northern Di soldiers. He joins the squad in blocking the right flank and later prepares to rush to Li Jinshui's aid against an overwhelmingly stronger enemy before being ordered to retreat. 7

Squad Jia Training and Wang De Conflict

He trains under Li Jinshui's harsh regimen and questions why his leader tolerates Wang De's threats. He obeys Li Jinshui's command to sheath his weapon rather than escalate the confrontation, then witnesses the defensive power of Li Jinshui's Iron Shirt firsthand. 9

Defense of North-Rejecting City

Er Gou fights beside Li Jinshui during the Di assault on the city walls. A barbarian injures his shoulder, forcing him to use his saber with his left hand, but he remains in formation until the battle ends. 10

Wang Tiezhu's Patrol Punishment and Mountain Campaign

He is frightened by Wang Tiezhu's intimidation but tries to speak for Li Jinshui. During the subsequent patrol month, he survives repeated engagements and later worries when Li Jinshui is ordered into Wang Tiezhu's search team. 12 13 14 He is relieved when Li Jinshui returns from the mountain campaign and helps guide him back to Zhou Kui's camp. 15

Fall of North-Rejecting City and Escape

Er Gou remains close to Li Jinshui and Monkey when the city falls. He initially breaks down in fear during their flight, but follows Li Jinshui through the forest, witnesses his repeated destruction of Di search parties, and helps carry scavenged food and water. 45 46 47 When Li Jinshui returns to confront the aftermath of Yun Ruoxi's pursuit, Er Gou and Monkey are ordered to run ahead and hide. 50

Trivia

• Er Gou is one of the last surviving original members associated with Squad Jia after its repeated battlefield losses. 16
• Li Jinshui once slaps Er Gou to stop him from making noise while hiding from a Di search party. 45
• He doubts Li Jinshui's claim that all of his strength came solely from effort and sweat. 47