Geng Ji

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Geng Ji (耿吉)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Empire; Si Jinyan's military faction
Occupation/Role	Si Jinyan's right-hand man, subordinate, and trusted operative
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Background / History

Geng Ji serves as one of Si Jinyan's two principal aides alongside Qiu Rui. He is trusted with sensitive military and political matters, including monitoring crises, handling the Marshal's affairs during his hospitalization, and discussing threats from the Emperor and Imperial council. 6 11 33

Though an Imperial citizen, Geng Ji openly condemns the council's attempt to coerce the Gagole Region into granting resource access. He believes force should protect people rather than enable colonial aggression, and immediately suspects that the council and Emperor are using the dispute to weaken Si Jinyan politically. 6

His younger brother, Geng Xing, was once kidnapped, had his gland removed, and awakened after a month-long coma with severe memory damage and the mind of a young child. Geng Ji retaliated by torturing the kidnappers to death, an event that explains his exceptional protectiveness toward Geng Xing. 13

Appearance

Geng Ji is a uniformed military man whose relaxed demeanor makes him appear more like a “handsome hoodlum” than a conventional soldier. 11 12

• Often carries himself with a careless slouch and his hands behind his head. 12
• Resembles his younger brother, Geng Xing. 13
• Usually wears an easygoing, smiling expression, even in tense circumstances. 11 23

Personality

Geng Ji is outspoken, irreverent, and fond of provoking reactions. He teases Si Jinyan about Chi Li, calls Chi Li the Marshal's “new pet,” and falsely tells Chi Li that Si Jinyan's injured leg was amputated solely to gauge his response. 6 8 12

Behind that flippancy, he is politically aware, observant, and fiercely loyal. He recognizes that Chi Li reacts to violence with abnormal composure, later questions the unexplained deaths among the mercenaries who abducted Chi Li, and warns Si Jinyan that keeping an exposed enemy spy nearby poses serious political and security risks. 11 23 33

Geng Ji is willing to confront Si Jinyan directly when the Marshal's judgment or health is at stake. His anger over Chi Li's imprisonment stems from fear that Si Jinyan's dependence, blood loss, and declining control will ultimately endanger both of them. 50

Abilities & Skills

Military Operations and Crisis Management

Geng Ji is entrusted with operational responsibilities when Si Jinyan cannot act personally.

• Monitors major incidents from the rear and takes charge of Si Jinyan's immediate affairs while Qiu Rui manages the wider aftermath. 11
• Receives and reports sensitive political intelligence concerning the Gagole resource dispute and the Imperial council's maneuvering. 6
• Is considered capable of handling covert “bloodshed and covering up traces” that Si Jinyan cannot address publicly. 33

Observation and Investigation

Geng Ji notices details others overlook, particularly inconsistencies surrounding Chi Li.

• Detects that Chi Li is much calmer than ordinary civilians after the West City hostage crisis. 11
• Privately suspects Chi Li's connection to the deaths of six mercenaries after Chi Li returns from the coast with no visible injuries. 23
• Understands Si Jinyan's emotional attachment to Chi Li more clearly than Qiu Rui does. 33

Relationships

• Si Jinyan — His superior, confidant, and close subordinate. Geng Ji supports Si Jinyan politically but challenges him when his attachment to Chi Li and worsening instability threaten his safety. 6 33 50
• Geng Xing — His younger brother. Geng Ji is extraordinarily gentle and protective toward him after Geng Xing's kidnapping and lasting trauma. 13
• Chi Li — Initially teases and tests him, then assists him during Si Jinyan's hospitalization. Geng Ji gradually grows suspicious of Chi Li's concealed training, survival, and possible role in the mercenaries' deaths. 11 12 23
• Qiu Rui — Fellow right-hand man to Si Jinyan. They discuss Chi Li's exposure and Si Jinyan's unusual decision to handle the matter personally. 6 33
• Lu Jiu — Shares concern over Si Jinyan's instability and the danger of keeping Chi Li nearby. 50

Story Role / Major Arcs

Gagole Political Crisis

Geng Ji briefs Si Jinyan on the Emperor and council's plan to pressure the Gagole Region for its rare metals. He views the proposal as imperialist aggression and fears it is also intended to accuse Si Jinyan of treason and seize his military authority. 6

West City Hostage Aftermath

After Si Jinyan is shot protecting Chi Li, Geng Ji authorizes Chi Li to remain outside the operating room, ensures that he eats, and temporarily oversees the Marshal's affairs. During this period, he notices Chi Li's trained composure and begins questioning his background. 11

Hospital Prank and Geng Xing's Introduction

Geng Ji falsely claims that Si Jinyan's leg was amputated, exposing Chi Li's concern for the Marshal. Soon afterward, he introduces Geng Xing and reveals the trauma that made him so protective of his brother. 12 13

Suspicion of Chi Li

Following Chi Li's abduction and return, Geng Ji reassures him that Si Jinyan will not harm him while privately examining the inconsistencies in his survival. He later warns Si Jinyan that Chi Li's identity and actions have made the situation impossible to contain indefinitely. 23 33

Opposition to Chi Li's Imprisonment

After Si Jinyan abducts and chains Chi Li in a secret base, Geng Ji openly objects. He warns that Chi Li cannot be trusted, that Si Jinyan's blood extraction and pheromone dependence are worsening his condition, and that Si Jinyan may kill Chi Li if he loses control completely. 50

Trivia

• Geng Ji is the only close subordinate who continues treating Chi Li casually rather than becoming increasingly deferential to him. 15
• He is perceptive enough to realize that Si Jinyan has softened because of Chi Li, while Qiu Rui fails to understand the Marshal's personal motives. 33