Ouyang Household

Biodata

Background

An older martial expert associated with the Ouyang Household was remembered as stronger than Hall Master Huang and rumored to have pursued a path to Hidden Force. He had disappeared long before the Household’s later actions in Long River Town. 15

The missing expert was identified as Ouyang Dongli, an Internal Force practitioner who had been investigating a new martial path. The Ouyang Household later connected Lin Xiaotian to Dongli’s disappearance, based on Lin’s unexplained absence, traces linked to Qin Yueyao found in his courtyard, and the gradual blurring of the town’s memories concerning Song Wanyan. 21 26

Known Members

Resources and Influence

• Mineral vein — The Household controls a vein containing Refinement Stones used for weapon forging. 26
• Spirit herb site — A special herb growing deep in the vein increases the efficacy of important cultivation pills by roughly twenty percent. 26
• Beast-training grounds — Beasts living on the medicinal ore serve as targets for Ouyang Household training; the vein is dangerous but used for cultivation opportunities. 26
• Political leverage — Its strength forced Huang Family Martial Hall into a compromise over Lin Xiaotian rather than allowing the hall to reject the Household outright. 26

Story Role

Investigation into Ouyang Dongli

After an Internal Force expert’s death was sensed in Long River Town, discussion of an Ouyang-associated senior raised Lin Xiaotian’s fear that Dongli’s fate could eventually be traced back to him. 15

Qin Yueyao later identified the old man connected to Lin’s disappearance as Ouyang Dongli. She stated that Dongli had been exploring a new martial path and likely abducted Lin because of that investigation. 21

Pressure on Lin Xiaotian

Three Ouyang representatives visited Huang Family Martial Hall and privately met with Hall Master Huang. Afterward, Nianci singled out Lin for a sparring match despite holding the higher Blood Tempering realm. 24

When Lin intervened to protect his senior sister, Zhentian recognized that he had reached Skin Tempering and publicly compared his future potential to Qin Yueyao’s. 25

The Household subsequently sent healing medicine for Lin and attempted to recruit him directly. Huang refused, even exchanging blows with Zhentian, but accepted a compromise: Lin would be tested through an opportunity in the Household’s mineral vein. 26

If Lin performs well, the Household will grant him the vein-training opportunity and allow him to retain his gains; if he performs poorly, it intends to take him to the Ouyang Household. 26

Mine Trial

Lin was given two weeks to decide whether to enter the mineral vein. The Household’s restraint is temporary: Lin later learns that it may resort to force after roughly one month, limited only by Long River Town’s unstable balance of power. 26 27

Hall Master Huang agrees to accompany Lin and prevent anyone above External Force from following him into the trial, though Lin must remain wary of participating Ouyang members. 27

Relationships

• Ouyang Dongli — Zhentian’s missing martial uncle; Dongli’s disappearance is the basis of the Household’s investigation into Lin Xiaotian. 21 26
• Ouyang Zhentian — Household Head; directs the Household’s attempt to recruit, test, or seize Lin Xiaotian. 25 26
• Ouyang Nianci — Household member who conducted the hostile sparring test at Huang Family Martial Hall. 24
• Lin Xiaotian — Suspected of knowing Dongli’s whereabouts; considered valuable enough for recruitment, testing, and possible forced detention. 26 27
• Huang Family Martial Hall — Political counterpart and temporary obstacle; Hall Master Huang negotiated the mineral-vein test after refusing to surrender Lin. 26