Xu Qingshan

Biodata

Background / History

Xu Qingshan joined the Demon Suppression Division to distinguish himself from the Xu Family’s overlooked collateral line. After five years, he had earned little Merit: fearing death, he generally chose low-risk missions. He had reached the Liquid Condensation Realm, Early Stage, but had never found a regular partner 40.

He met Yang Xiao in the Division’s manual archive and recommended the Foundation-Solidifying Qi-Condensing Art when Yang sought a way to improve his cultivation. Yang later invited him to form a team. Xu disclosed his modest record before accepting, while Yang valued his knowledge of the Division’s rules and missions 39 40.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Swordsmanship

• Xu has Liquid Condensation Early Stage spiritual power and fights with a sword. During the Painted-Skin case, he severed an attacker’s wrist and fought a demon clone 40 44.
• He has focused more on internal cultivation than martial techniques; his combat techniques are mostly at a beginner’s level 44.

Institutional and Investigative Knowledge

• He knows the Division’s rules and manual archive well, and explains how recruits obtain breakthrough arts through Merit 39 40.
• In Heishui County, he reviewed case files and missing-person records, helped gather evidence, and submitted the completed dossier 43 47.
• He recognized that the Seven Demons of She Mountain acting together in Division territory was unusual and warned Yang that their attack might have a hidden purpose or backer 98.

Relationships

• Yang Xiao — Former mission partner and continuing friend. They resolved the Painted-Skin case together; after Yang’s promotion to deputy general, Xu still offered him advice and warnings 40 47 70 98.
• Xu Mingting — A direct-line Xu Family member who belittles Xu’s contributions and later uses him to convey a marriage proposal to Yang 48 84 135.
• Xu Qinglan — A prominent direct-line Xu Family member whom Xu names to test whether Mingting’s proposed marriage offer genuinely includes the family’s most valued candidates 84.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Painted-Skin case: Xu selects the Heishui County investigation for his first mission with Yang. Yang leads the fighting, while Xu assists and handles the case evidence. Xu receives 400 Merit points; direct-line Xu youths subsequently accuse him of riding Yang’s coattails 41 47 48.
• Guanlan River operation: Xu brings Yang news that River Inspection Envoy Jiang Chen has conspired with the Flood Dragon Lord and warns that the Qingzhou Division may send them as reinforcements. Xu is later assigned to guard a relatively quiet river mouth 50 51 70.
• Xu Family marriage proposal: Mingting asks Xu to approach Yang about a marriage alliance. Xu eventually presents the offer over a meal; Yang refuses because he does not want family obligations to constrain his path 84 134 135.