Yan Qinyu

Biodata

Power Progression

History

Yan Qinyu first takes a direct interest in Qin Yao during a court literary contest, praising his poem and later meeting him privately. Disguised in plain clothes at Grand Tutor Du Huaixia’s residence, he listens to Qin Yao recite patriotic verse and promises him an opportunity to serve Great Yan against the Golden Frost Barbarians 455 471 472.

He authorizes extensive academy resources for Qin Yao’s cultivation. After receiving reports of Qin Yao’s rapid breakthroughs, he permits him to study higher-ranked techniques in the royal Scripture Pavilion. Yan Qinyu also investigates the source of Qin Yao’s unusual progress and learns of the false meridians that threaten his life 476 480 484 496.

When Qin Yao reaches the Third Layer of the Innate Realm, Yan Qinyu appoints him Northern Expedition General with command of thirty thousand troops. During the frontier war, he later grants Qin Yao authority to act as circumstances demand, temporary command of the entire Northern Frontier, and fifty thousand reinforcements 497 641.

Diwu Chijin’s arrival overturns Yan Qinyu’s control of the court. After Diwu kills the Sword Ancestor Eunuch and threatens the kingdom, Yan Qinyu chooses negotiation over a battle he believes Great Yan cannot win. He summons Qin Yao from the frontier after Diwu claims he intends to reward him 664 665. Diwu subsequently gives Yan Qinyu a pill that raises him to the Fifth Layer of the Innate Realm, then uses true qi left in his body and threats against the imperial clan to force him into a plot to poison Qin Yao 680 681 682.

Yan Qinyu welcomes the returning general and invites him to a private drinking session. After Qin Yao is poisoned, Diwu publicly accuses Yan Qinyu of the murder and restrains him with a fiery chain, preventing him from explaining Diwu’s role in the plot 688 689 693.

Appearance

Yan Qinyu wears imperial court robes and a twelve-tasseled crown during formal appearances. At Du Huaixia’s residence, he instead wears a plain black robe and gathers his hair with a jade hairpin 472 493.

• Bearing — Stands tall and straight during his private visit to Du Huaixia 472.
• Disguise — In plain clothes, he could pass for a well-to-do middle-aged scholar rather than the ruler of Great Yan 472.

Personality

Yan Qinyu is an attentive but calculating patron. He rewards Qin Yao’s talent and military service generously, yet privately feels relieved when Qin Yao’s false meridians remain unrepaired: a prodigy with decades to grow could threaten the throne or his descendants 480 496. He is willing to sacrifice his son Yan Yangyi rather than risk an unjust judgment provoking Qin Yao 509.

His response to danger is pragmatic. Faced with Diwu Chijin’s superior strength, he accepts public humiliation to avoid a confrontation that could cost him his life and kingdom. Under direct threats to himself and the imperial clan, however, he agrees to betray Qin Yao 664 681 682.

Abilities & Skills

Innate Realm Cultivation

• At the Peak Fourth Layer, Yan Qinyu considers himself capable of defending the palace against several Innate Realm attackers with its guards, formations, and other defenses; he does not believe those measures would suffice against Diwu Chijin 664.
• After reaching the Fifth Layer, he senses substantially fuller and more freely flowing true qi 680 681.

Spirit Sense

• His awakened Spirit Sense lets him perceive his surroundings within several dozen paces even with his eyes closed 671.

Statecraft and Military Command

• He keeps powerful officers and Innate Realm experts in the Imperial Capital as a final defensive reserve while entrusting the northern frontier to Qin Yao 642.
• He grants Qin Yao temporary frontier command and dispatches fifty thousand reinforcements when the Battle Puppet threat becomes urgent 641 642.

Relationships

• Qin Yao — Favored general whom Yan Qinyu cultivates and promotes, while privately fearing his potential to threaten the throne. He later poisons Qin Yao under Diwu Chijin’s coercion 480 496 497 682 693.
• Diwu Chijin — Powerful cultivator whom Yan Qinyu initially appeases, then obeys after Diwu makes a threat against the imperial clan 664 681 682.
• Eunuch Nur — Long-serving chief eunuch and confidant who understands Yan Qinyu’s temperament and discusses the danger posed by Diwu with him 477 671.
• Yan Yangyi — His son, the Fourth Prince; Yan Qinyu refuses to shield him at the cost of an unjust judgment against Qin Yao 459 509.
• Du Huaixia — Grand Tutor whose residence Yan Qinyu visits to assess Qin Yao privately 472.
• Huo Enting — Imperial Capital Academy headmaster who reports Qin Yao’s progress to him and implements his orders to support Qin Yao’s cultivation 477 479 480.

Notable Quotes

“Whatever Qin Yao needs, provide it. If Imperial Capital Academy does not have it, I will find a way.” 480

“Compared to losing my life, what does losing a little face amount to?” 664