Xie Jin

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xie Jin (谢瑾) 71
Alias(es)	Shen Feng, a name used while concealing his identity 150
Species/Race	Human 12
Gender	Male 12
Affiliation	Xie family; Great Jing military 12 70
Occupation/Role	Commander of the Outer City Command, responsible for security outside Zhaojing and in nearby towns 144
Status	Alive 184
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 2; first appears in Chapter 12 2 12

Background and History

Xie Jin grew up in an army family. His grandfather took him to the frontier, where he saw soldiers defending Great Jing; the experience shaped his decision to serve despite the hardships of military life. His grandfather and father also hired teachers for him, giving him an education alongside his martial training 69 70.

His first wife died, leaving their young son, Xie Hongwen. Jin's second marriage, to Shen Lantang, was arranged before either knew the other. Military duties kept him away from home much of the time, and their early exchanges were courteous but restrained. He gradually became more attentive to Lantang, making time for outings with her and Hongwen and apologizing when the household failed to protect her from Nanny Feng 2 12 13 14 26 27.

Jin initially dismissed his mother's claim that she could hear Lantang's thoughts. When he heard them himself, he questioned his parents, then accepted what had happened without changing how he treated his wife 12 71 72.

On a journey to visit his grandfather in Tongxiang, Jin and Lantang were ambushed and fell from a cliff. He survived with severe injuries, including a broken leg and snake venom that temporarily prevented him from using his internal force. While recovering, he concealed his identity and investigated whether the attackers were connected to Northern Rong agents or corrupt local officials 136 137 143 148 149 150.

The investigation led Jin to intercept carts carrying stolen evidence-store property and grain, as well as an abducted young woman, Zhu Keying. He later challenged Magistrate Zhang Xiaoqing and Prefect Lin Jin in public, calling for a trial in the capital and inviting residents to testify about the officials' abuses 177 178 183 184.

Appearance

Jin has the Xie family's well-defined, handsome features, with eyes and a nose that resemble his mother's. His bearing retains a gentler elegance, though years in the army have given it a harder edge 12.

• Build: Lean and strong from military training 111.
• Eyes: Dark and piercing, especially noticeable when he wears a mask 89.
• Bearing: Refined even in plain or borrowed clothes 61 143.

Personality

Jin is dutiful and reserved. He believes that peace does not remove the need to defend Great Jing, and his work repeatedly takes precedence over family plans. Although courteous to his wives, he has little experience expressing closeness or comforting someone who has been wronged 26 62 70.

He tends to show care through actions: spending his limited time at home with his family, giving Lantang gifts, arranging protection for her, and listening when she challenges him. His secrecy during the investigation protects sensitive information but also strains their trust 13 27 106 150 160 174.

Abilities and Skills

Martial Arts and Internal Force

Jin is an accomplished fighter who practices with a spear and wins a mounted halberd contest. He can also use internal force to aid his recovery 14 90 143.

• Fights with a sword while shielding Lantang during the roadside ambush 137.
• Can cross rooftops even while favoring his injured leg 158 160.
• Cannot draw on his internal force while weakened by snake venom; after treatment, it helps heal damaged flesh but does not mend his broken leg 143.

Military Command and Investigation

As Outer City Command commander, Jin patrols routes near Zhaojing and has led troops against bandits. After the ambush, he directs guards to protect Lantang, track suspects, and gather evidence before confronting local officials 144 150 166 174.

• Recognizes that the ambushers' equipment, coordination, and apparent preparation make them unlikely to be ordinary bandits 150.
• Assigns Li Lan and Mo Qing to watch the Liu residence and follow Magistrate Zhang 166.
• Leads the interception of the Liu residence's carts and keeps the captured guards alive for questioning 177.

Education

Jin received instruction from teachers hired by his father and grandfather. At a lantern-riddle contest, he solves a difficult riddle that impresses Lantang 69.

Equipment and Items

• Sword — used during the ambush; later lost, leaving him without his customary weapon 137 164.
• Dagger — a replacement weapon bought for him by Lantang during their stay in the county town 164.
• Spear — used in his martial-arts practice 14.
• Black Armor Army armor and silver mask — worn for a military contest 89 90.

Relationships

• Shen Lantang — second wife. Their arranged marriage develops from formal courtesy into mutual care, though his secrecy and difficulty expressing himself sometimes cause friction 12 27 141 163 174.
• Xie Hongwen — son. Jin is affectionate with him despite spending long periods away on duty 12 13 27.
• Xie Heng and Xie Madam — parents. They advise him about his marriage and knew of Lantang's thought-hearing phenomenon before he believed it 12 26 71.
• Xie Mingyuan — grandfather, the Marquis of Zhenyuan. Jin plans to visit him in Tongxiang; the marquis later arrives with cavalry to support him against the local officials 136 170 183.
• Song Qi — sworn younger brother and fellow soldier 56 70.
• Tan Shaoyuan — childhood friend 29 30.
• Madam Zhao — shelters Jin and Lantang while he recovers and investigates the county officials 147 148.
• Uncle Gao and Aunt Gao — rescue the couple after their fall and help care for Jin through his injuries 143 146.

Notable Quotes

“We're family. There's no need for such formalities. Eat something yourself.” 13

“Even so, the Xie Family failed you.” 27

“Your Lordship thinks all our lives combined are worth less than your son's, is that it?” 183