Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang held the position of Imperial Preceptor in the Tiandou Empire and was known throughout the soul master world as “the Master.” He relied heavily on this reputation when attempting to command Tiandou soldiers during Shi Hao’s succession crisis. 26

During the Tiandou Palace incident, Yu Xiaogang joined Liu Erlong and Flender in a martial soul fusion, creating the Sacred Giant Dragon to prevent Qian Renxue from killing Tang San. 22 After Qian Renxue was weakened in the ensuing battle, Yu Xiaogang directed the fusion to attack her and later targeted Shi Hao as her apparent accomplice. 23 24

Fairy Yuechan destroyed the Sacred Giant Dragon with A Sword From the West. Because the dragon was a fusion technique, the damage rebounded onto Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Flender, leaving all three severely injured and depleted. 24 25

Following his capture and imprisonment, Yu Xiaogang endured prolonged mistreatment by prisoners and jailers. Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing later infiltrated the dungeon, with Tang San killing Yu Xiaogang’s abusers and freeing him. 73 74 However, the escape ultimately failed; after Tang San’s defeat, Shi Hao sent Yu Xiaogang back into the dungeon, where guards chained and returned him to his cell. 86 88

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is depicted with a distinctive flat-topped or crew-cut hairstyle. Following the palace conflict, his face becomes severely swollen and bloodied from Yuechan’s strike. 26 27

• Flat-topped / crew-cut hair. 26 49
• Formerly carries himself with the authority of an Imperial Preceptor. 26
• Is left physically debilitated after the Sacred Giant Dragon’s destruction and subsequent punishment. 24 27
• During imprisonment, his hair, clothing, and body become filthy and disheveled from abuse and forced labor. 73 74
• Is further injured when Shi Hao kicks him back into the dungeon following his failed escape. 88

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is strongly attached to his former rank and public reputation. Even while injured and surrounded by soldiers who support Shi Hao, he invokes his titles as Imperial Preceptor and “Master” in an effort to restore his authority. 26

He remains resistant to Shi Hao’s rule, accusing Shi Hao and Yuechan of kidnapping Emperor Xue Ye and coercing the imperial succession despite being too injured to act against them. 25 Once imprisoned and unable to access enough soul power to defend himself, his defiance gives way to fear, pleas for mercy, and repeated appeals for Tang San’s rescue. 49 50

Yu Xiaogang’s imprisonment reveals his willingness to submit and humiliate himself to survive. He calls the jailer “Grandpa,” sings for food while begging Tang San to rescue him, and later kneels before Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er to plead for Tang San’s life. 73 86 Despite his fear, he remains emotionally dependent on Tang San and places his hope of safety entirely in his disciple. 73 74

Abilities & Skills

Sacred Giant Dragon Martial Soul Fusion

Yu Xiaogang can combine his power with Liu Erlong and Flender to form the Sacred Giant Dragon, also referred to as the Sacred Giant Insect in descriptions of the fusion’s arrival. 22

• Intervened in Qian Renxue’s battle with Tang San and attacked her Angel Avatar. 22 23
• Was directed by Yu Xiaogang to pursue Qian Renxue and Shi Hao after locating them near the palace. 24
• Damage sustained by the fusion is transmitted to all three users. Yuechan’s sword strike severely injured Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Flender through this backlash. 24
• Yu Xiaogang exploited Qian Renxue’s depleted soul power to order the fusion’s attack, successfully shattering her Angel Avatar before the Sacred Giant Dragon was destroyed. 23

Soul Power

Yu Xiaogang possesses soul power and attempts to summon his martial soul, calling for “Sanpao,” while imprisoned. However, his reserves are too depleted for him to use a soul skill. 49

• His exhausted soul power prevents him from resisting ordinary prisoners. 49
• His physical weakness worsens after the fusion backlash and public punishment. 25 27
• His extended confinement, forced labor, injuries, and repeated abuse leave him unable to meaningfully resist even after Tang San temporarily rescues him. 73 74
• Following his recapture, he remains physically powerless against Stone Kingdom guards. 88

Power Progression

Relationships

• Tang San — Master and disciple. Yu Xiaogang depends on Tang San as his hoped-for rescuer after his capture, repeatedly calling for “Little San” from captivity. 37 48 50 Tang San eventually infiltrates the dungeon, kills Yu Xiaogang’s abusers, and temporarily frees him, reversing their usual dynamic as Tang San becomes Yu Xiaogang’s protector. 73 74 Yu Xiaogang later humiliates himself before Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er in an unsuccessful effort to save Tang San. 86
• Liu Erlong — Golden Triangle fusion partner. She is devastated by Yu Xiaogang’s injuries and fears that his castration has ended their possibility of having children. 24 27
• Flender — Golden Triangle fusion partner; both suffer backlash when the Sacred Giant Dragon is cut down. 22 24
• Ma Hongjun — Loyal ally who attempts to carry Yu Xiaogang to safety; both are captured in an iron net and later imprisoned together. 29 48 Ma Hongjun is temporarily freed alongside Yu Xiaogang during Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing’s dungeon raid. 74
• Shi Hao — Political enemy who ends Yu Xiaogang’s tenure as Imperial Preceptor, publicly punishes him, and orders his imprisonment. 26 27 48 After Yu Xiaogang’s escape attempt fails, Shi Hao personally kicks him back into the dungeon and has guards chain him again. 88
• Fairy Yuechan — Shi Hao’s enforcer. She defeats the Sacred Giant Dragon, publicly assaults Yu Xiaogang on Shi Hao’s command, and helps establish his defeat. 24 26
• Huo Ling’er — Shi Hao’s companion who witnesses Yu Xiaogang’s defeat alongside Tang San and is present when Yu Xiaogang kneels to plead for Tang San’s life. 75 86
• Head jailer and prison guards — Yu Xiaogang’s captors and abusers. The head jailer forces him to serve as a human cushion and clean latrines, while later guards recapture, chain, and return him to his cell. 49 50 88

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tiandou Palace Incident

Yu Xiaogang joins Liu Erlong and Flender to form the Sacred Giant Dragon, interrupting Qian Renxue’s attempted execution of Tang San. 22 He exploits Qian Renxue’s exhaustion after her battle with Tang San, but the fusion is ultimately overwhelmed by Shi Hao and Fairy Yuechan. 23 24

Opposition to the Stone Emperor

After Shi Hao takes Emperor Xue Ye’s dragon robe and prepares to claim the throne, Yu Xiaogang publicly alleges that Xue Ye has been kidnapped and coerced. 25 He later invokes his former office and reputation to persuade soldiers to oppose Shi Hao, but the army largely accepts Shi Hao as the Stone Emperor. 26

Shi Hao has Yuechan seize and publicly beat Yu Xiaogang before declaring the end of his era as Imperial Preceptor. Shi Hao subsequently inflicts an injury that leaves Yu Xiaogang a eunuch. 26 27

Capture and Abandonment

Ma Hongjun attempts to fly Yu Xiaogang from the battlefield, but Shi Hao strikes them down and his soldiers bind both men in an iron net. 29 When the Willow Deity’s appearance forces Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to withdraw, Tang San leaves Yu Xiaogang and Ma Hongjun behind, promising to return for them later. 45

Imprisonment

Following the Tiandou Empire’s renaming as the Stone Kingdom, Shi Hao orders Yu Xiaogang and Ma Hongjun imprisoned as symbols of the new regime’s shame. 48 In the dungeon, Yu Xiaogang’s old titles earn him no protection: prisoners and the head jailer beat and humiliate him, force him to serve as a human cushion, and compel him to clean a filthy latrine by hand. 49 50

Yu Xiaogang submits to the jailer’s demands in the hope of remaining alive until Tang San can rescue him. He is forced to call the jailer “Grandpa” and sing a plea for Tang San, allowing Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing to locate his cell. 73

Rescue and Recapture

Tang San breaks into Yu Xiaogang’s cell, kills the jailer and prisoners who had abused him, and helps his traumatized teacher out of the dungeon. 73 74 Yu Xiaogang briefly regains his freedom alongside Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun, but remains physically weak and fearful. 74

After the escapees are intercepted and defeated by Shi Hao’s side, Yu Xiaogang kneels and repeatedly calls Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er “Dad” and “Mom” in an effort to spare Tang San. 86 Shi Hao nevertheless sends Yu Xiaogang back to the dungeon, where guards bind him in chains and return him to imprisonment. 88

Notable Quotes

“I am Imperial Preceptor Yu Xiaogang... I was once the Master renowned throughout the entire world of soul masters!” 26

“Little San, Little San, where are you? Come save your teacher!” 50

“Xiao San, you finally came to save your teacher... I, Master Yu, have never suffered like this in my entire life...” 73