Nian Songyu

Biodata

Background

Nian Songyu is the second son of Nian Zanli, Governor of Xun Prefecture. Before arriving in Blackwater City, he claims to have entered and returned safely from the perilous Endless Sea twice while acting under royal orders. 11 14

He accompanies State Preceptor Sun Fuping to Blackwater City on a mission tied to the fallen Woling Pass and the recovery of the Great Square Pot from the Coiling Dragon Desert. He serves as the skilled commander supplied by his father to support Sun's expedition. 11 13

Appearance

Nian Songyu is first seen as a white-robed youth of roughly seventeen or eighteen, riding a Ferocious Horse through Blackwater City's market. He later wears formal lake-green brocade embroidered at the collar and shoulders. 8 11

• Delicate brows and bright, piercing eyes. 8
• Usually presents himself in refined, costly clothing. 11 18
• His intense stare is described as physically oppressive to He Lingchuan. 17
• His cheekbones flush noticeably after drinking. 18

Personality

Nian is proud, status-conscious, and openly contemptuous of people he considers provincial or beneath him. He repeatedly treats the He family as minor frontier officials despite needing their troops, guides, and local knowledge for the expedition. 14 18 37

He is impatient when plans do not proceed on his schedule, readily threatening subordinates, conscripted bandits, and the He family to compel obedience. His hostility toward He Lingchuan becomes increasingly personal after the deaths of the Donglai Manor guards and later extends to threats against He Lingchuan's family. 23 29 30 42

Nian is also predatory toward He Yue, attempting to use promises of advancement in the capital to draw him closer and later trying to seize him physically. 18 19

Abilities & Skills

Combat Skill

Nian is a capable cultivator and close-range fighter. He reacts quickly to He Lingchuan's ambush, counters a punch with his own fist and kick, and evades a concealed short-blade strike. 19

• Blocked the Great Wind Army commander's initial charge with his Prism Shield. 46
• Deflected a subsequent cavalry charge, though the impact injured his hands. 46
• Uses a water-dipped blade to kill a vengeful spirit once the pool water's properties are discovered. 47
• Notices that the Great Wind Army can harm physical bodies only after contact with the pool water. 47

Command and Fieldcraft

Nian takes an active command role throughout the Coiling Dragon Desert expedition.

• Questions the sand bandits for survival methods and permits the use of Scented Dumplings to lure an Earth Dragon. 29
• Helps lure and secure the Earth Dragon that tows the Walnut Boats across the desert. 30
• Uses prearranged whistle signals to direct the expedition's next stage upon reaching the ruined auxiliary city. 31
• Helps organize the troops into a circular defensive formation when the Great Wind Army attacks. 46
• Follows He Lingchuan into the pool after Sun Fuping determines the passage must be scouted. 47

Equipment

• Prism Shield — A shield made from the shell of a Leatherback Turtle Demon with 150 years of cultivation. Its grid-patterned surface absorbs force and offsets part of magical attacks; with Sun Fuping's support, it can block attacks from vengeful spirits. 46
• Blade — Used in the battle against the Great Wind Army after being dipped in the pool water. 47

Relationships

• Nian Zanli — Father; Governor of Xun Prefecture. Nian Songyu acts under his orders and leads men supplied by him. 11 13
• Sun Fuping — State Preceptor and expedition partner. They jointly pursue the Great Square Pot, though Sun repeatedly restrains Nian from provoking premature internal conflict. 13 23 45
• He Lingchuan — Political rival and mutual enemy. Their conflict begins with the market incident and escalates through the death of Little Gray, the Donglai Manor guards, and repeated threats during the expedition. 11 17 23 42
• He Yue — Target of Nian's unwanted interest. Nian offers to recommend him for advancement in the capital, then attempts to grab him before He Lingchuan intervenes. 18 19
• He Chunhua — Necessary but unwilling expedition ally. Nian pressures him to provide troops and take risks, but the two cooperate during the crisis at the Mitian Temple. 14 21 43

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Blackwater City mission: Nian arrives with Sun Fuping, announces Woling Pass's fall, and requests He Chunhua's assistance in locating Zhong Shengguang's relic and reaching the Great Square Pot. 11 13 14
• Conflict at the He Residence: He and Sun move into the He Residence while seeking the Sand Leopard's token. His pressure tactics, harassment of He Yue, and concealment regarding intelligence about He Lingchuan deepen the feud between the two families. 17 18 19 20
• Coiling Dragon Desert expedition: Nian joins the force assembled by He Chunhua, directs portions of the desert crossing, and clashes repeatedly with He Lingchuan over authority, methods, and the lives of the soldiers. 29 30 37 42
• Furious Sand Season: After the blood-filled pool awakens the vengeful spirits, Nian fights beside the expedition against the Great Wind Army and protects the group from the commander’s initial assault. 43 46 47
• City of Undead: After entering the pool passage, Nian takes the lead in investigating the alternate manifestation of Coiling Dragon City and compels Mao Tao to test whether its wine is real. 50

Notable Quotes

“Killing you is as easy as killing a chicken!” 37

“Be sensible and do as you're told—be a good dog—and perhaps you and your father might make it back alive.” 42