Gu Jiuque

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Gu Jiuque (顾九阙)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gu family; Antique Appreciation Studio; Jingzhou City Museum
Occupation/Role	Cultural relic restorer, antique appraiser, archaeological-plan contributor, prop consultant
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Blood-bound Jade Celestial Pivot	6	Activates the Gu family heirloom by dripping his blood on it; the jade enters his brow and recognizes him as its owner.
Restoration simulation	7 8	Uses the artifact to appraise old items and repeatedly practice calligraphy-and-painting restoration in a resetting environment, allowing him to refine procedures tens of thousands of times.
Fire warning and structural vision	9 14	The Jade Celestial Pivot warns him of danger during the Western Wing fire and provides X-ray-like vision and a 3D structural view that helps him evade hazards.
Practice-gated 3D modeling	18 19	After completing ten thousand surveys of the Western Wing, the artifact independently compiles his notes into a 3D model. Gu Jiuque concludes that advanced functions require repeated practice to unlock.
Excavation simulation	126	The artifact creates a simulated ancient-tomb excavation environment for him to test plans and deductions.
Danger sensing and advanced appraisal	72 196	Its energy can warn him when danger approaches and assist his appraisal of objects, including reverse-engineering the production processes of modern imitation crafts.

Background

Gu Jiuque was raised within a family of cultural-relic restorers. From childhood, his grandfather and grandmother trained him in material identification, traditional craftsmanship, calligraphy-and-painting restoration, color matching, and repair work. His grandfather made him Luban locks and taught him to distinguish materials such as jade and wood, while his grandmother guided his earliest mounting and restoration exercises. 8

In his previous life, Gu Jiuque loved and trusted his childhood friend Bai Yuesheng. He taught Bai Yuesheng antique appraisal and artifact dating, shared his professional connections, made him a partner in rebuilding Antique Appreciation Studio, and saved him from the fire at the Gu Family Ancestral Residence. 4 The fire left Gu Jiuque disfigured, paralyzed, and unable to speak; his family died, the ancestral residence was destroyed, and the studio closed. 5 While Gu Jiuque spent years trying to restore the residence, revive the studio, and clear his grandfather’s name, Bai Yuesheng rose to fame using the bloodstained Jade Celestial Pivot. 5 76

Gu Jiuque was eventually burned to death on Bai Yuesheng’s wedding day. After death, he learned that his world had been presented as a novel in which Bai Yuesheng was the protagonist and Gu Jiuque was a disposable supporting character whose suffering existed to advance others’ success. 1 3 He then returned ten years into the past, to when he was eighteen, before the destruction of his family and home. 1 18

In his second life, Gu Jiuque refuses to surrender the Jade Celestial Pivot, binds it with his blood, and commits himself to protecting his family, restoring the Gu business, and exposing those responsible for the Gu family’s tragedies. 1 5 6

Appearance

Gu Jiuque is a strikingly handsome young man with a tall, elegant bearing. His appearance and poise draw frequent public attention, including during the Antique Appraisal Tournament and at his university graduation. 110 192

• Long, slender hands suited to delicate restoration and carving work. 139
• Described as graceful and refined in black hanfu and a Jinxian Crown at graduation. 192
• His appearance, figure, and bearing led Producer Wang to pursue him for an acting role. 140
• Often carries a toolbox while inspecting or restoring artifacts. 6

Personality

Gu Jiuque is gentle, polite, and humble in professional settings, but his prior life has made him guarded, vigilant, and difficult to deceive. He treats restoration with extraordinary seriousness and has little patience for anyone who threatens his family or exploits his goodwill. 6 15 138 153

He has a direct moral outlook: he believes wrongdoing should be punished. 74 His revenge is usually deliberate rather than impulsive; he gathers evidence, anticipates hostile moves, and even uses Bai Yuesheng as bait to draw out Crazy San. 63 71

Despite his self-reliance, Gu Jiuque values reciprocal learning and treats colleagues with kindness. When specialists become impressed by his abilities, he encourages mutual exchange rather than placing himself above them. 20 21 Over time, his relationship with Shen Heng and the return of his family allow him to develop interests beyond survival, revenge, and restoration. 211

Abilities & Skills

Cultural Relic Restoration

Gu Jiuque is an unusually versatile restorer with practical knowledge across multiple artifact categories. His foundation comes from lifelong family instruction, years of obsessive practice in his previous life, and the Jade Celestial Pivot’s simulated practice environments. 8 76 142

• Restores ancient books, calligraphy, paintings, and mounting work independently. 78 109
• Completed backing removal on an imitation Ancient Trees and Crows painting in under an hour. 76
• Masters restoration methods for Ming–Qing-era architecture after exhaustive surveying of the Western Wing. 18
• Rotates through museum restoration teams, including ceramics and embroidery, and demonstrates rapid mastery in each field. 182 189
• Recreates historically styled props, including a Han-inspired lacquer box, for Western Han Wind and Clouds. 139 140

Antique Appraisal and Artifact Dating

Gu Jiuque possesses exceptional knowledge of cultural relics, including their dynasties, origins, manufacturing techniques, historical value, and related history. 109

• Identifies genuine antiques among mixed or misleading appraisal items at a glance. 109
• Uses his expertise to explain antiques to market visitors and assist stall owners. 26
• Won the Antique Appraisal Tournament’s grand prize through his own ability. 124 155
• Is regarded publicly as an appraisal prodigy after his tournament performance. 110 124

Architectural Surveying and Archaeological Planning

Gu Jiuque combines traditional restoration knowledge with modern technical tools and archaeological research methods. 19 20 137

• Hand-draws detailed 3D structural models and learned CAD drafting within an afternoon. 20 21
• Led the survey and restoration planning for the Gu Family Ancestral Residence. 19
• Developed a crucial excavation plan for a Han tomb; Dean Qin and the archaeological team credit him as a major contributor to the excavation’s smooth progress. 128 136
• Builds hypotheses from available field data, reconstructs excavation conditions, and compares his deductions against published findings to improve his methods. 137
• Discovered The Thirteen Emperors, later selected as a featured artifact for the television program Treasures with Souls. 201

Jade Celestial Pivot

The Jade Celestial Pivot is the Gu family heirloom and Gu Jiuque’s supernatural advantage. It recognizes ownership through a drop of Gu family blood and provides abilities connected to appraisal, restoration, simulation, structural analysis, and danger detection. 6 164

• Can appraise cultural relics and assist in identifying genuine items. 7 26
• Creates repeatable practice environments for restoration techniques. 8 19
• Provides structural models, X-ray-like vision, and danger warnings. 9 19 72
• Its higher functions appear dependent on extensive repetition and practice; Gu Jiuque cannot freely access every ability without meeting those conditions. 19
• Cannot be fully used by outsiders in the same way; Gu Jiuque believes its complete power is tied to Gu family blood. 8 164

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Jade Celestial Pivot — Gu family heirloom bound to Gu Jiuque through blood; resides in his brow after activation. 6 14
• Restoration toolbox — Used while inspecting the ancestral residence and performing restoration work. 6
• Replica Jade Celestial Pivot — A copy carved by his grandfather and used as bait to test Bai Yuesheng’s intentions. 15

Relationships

• Gu Eight Blades — Grandfather, master craftsman, and one of Gu Jiuque’s earliest teachers; supports his restoration career and protects his long-term development. 8 128
• Yue Jinmei — Grandmother and master restorer of calligraphy and paintings; taught Gu Jiuque restoration techniques from childhood. 8
• Gu Yugui — Father; proud of Gu Jiuque’s achievements and supportive of his professional choices. 140
• Shen Heng — Romantic partner and steadfast ally. Shen Heng protects Gu Jiuque, supports the Gu family, and is accepted by both families; the two later plan to move in together. 74 164 187
• Bai Yuesheng — Former childhood friend and confessed lover turned enemy. Gu Jiuque believes Bai Yuesheng sought the Jade Celestial Pivot and was implicated in the destruction of the Gu family. 4 13 151
• Jin Weixie — Rival connected to the Jin family’s schemes against the Gu family; Gu Jiuque rejects his invitation to form a tournament team. 109 124
• Shentu Fang — The man responsible for Gu Jiuque’s death in his previous life. In the present, Shentu approaches him as an archaeological consultant while repeatedly provoking and threatening him. 124 138 150
• Sun Qing — Museum restorer and Gu Jiuque’s chosen mentor; their relationship develops into mutual respect and technical exchange. 74 78 122
• Fang Zhimiao — Restoration specialist who initially doubts Gu Jiuque, then becomes an admirer and trusted collaborator. 20 21 128
• Dean Qin — Museum dean and archaeological excavation leader who recognizes Gu Jiuque’s ability and entrusts him with major opportunities. 74 136 201

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rebirth and Protection of the Gu Family

After dying in the ancestral-residence fire, Gu Jiuque returns to the past determined to prevent his family’s destruction. He refuses Bai Yuesheng’s request for the Jade Celestial Pivot, binds the heirloom to himself, and begins investigating the source of the fire. 1 5 6 14

Restoration of the Western Wing

When a fire breaks out in the Western Wing, Gu Jiuque rescues Bai Yuesheng despite suspecting him of involvement. He then surveys the damage thousands of times, gains mastery of the building’s structure, and leads the residence’s restoration work alongside Cultural Heritage Management Bureau specialists. 9 18 19

Exposure of the Jin Family’s Schemes

Gu Jiuque retraces the events that framed his grandfather and uncovers connections among Zhou Mu, Pei Liujun, the High-End Auction House, and the Jin family. His preparation helps expose Jin Zhongxuan’s role in the plot against the Gu family’s reputation. 23 51 57

Antique Appraisal Tournament

Gu Jiuque enters the tournament independently, rejects Jin Weixie’s offer to team up, and overwhelms competitors with his appraisal knowledge. His performance earns him widespread fame, more than a million livestream followers, and the tournament’s grand prize. 109 110 124

Archaeological Excavation

As a first-year cultural relic restoration student, Gu Jiuque contributes an influential excavation plan for a Han tomb. Though his grandparents prevent him from attending a high-level meeting due to his junior qualifications, the expert team recognizes the plan’s quality and later credits him as a key contributor. 128 136 138

Museum Career and New Life

Gu Jiuque becomes a full employee of Jingzhou City Museum after graduating early, rotating through restoration departments to expand his practical expertise. He also serves as Jingzhou City Museum’s presenter for Treasures with Souls, introducing The Thirteen Emperors to a national television audience. 189 192 201

Notable Quotes

“Bad people should be punished for doing bad things.” 74

“This is the holy land of all cultural relic restorers.” 74

“Such as friendship, such as love, such as anything that interested him.” 211