Wu Family

Biodata

Background / History

Estrangement from Wu Bai

Wu Bai was the family head’s second son, born between an elder and a younger brother. Despite his attempts to build affectionate relationships, the family’s elders found fault with him while praising his brothers. After his father advanced to Dou Wang, Wu Bai offered advice that went unheeded. His father subsequently lost a fortune in gold coins and blamed the loss on Wu Bai’s supposedly ill-omened words 1.

For the following two years, his father withheld all cultivation resources as punishment. Wu Bai endured insults and beatings, while his mother remained helpless and his brothers watched without intervening. By fourteen, he had reached Ninth Stage Dou Qi without that support and viewed becoming a Dou Zhe as his best chance to escape the household 1 2.

Sending Wu Bai to the Han Family

The Han Family regularly requested young members from subordinate factions to train alongside its own descendants. Wu Bai’s father summoned the Wu Family elders to choose a participant, then nominated Wu Bai. He presented this as accepting a responsibility previously borne by the elders’ families, surprising them by offering his own son 3.

Wu Bai accepted while concealing his relief, fearing that visible enthusiasm would make his father choose someone else. A trusted steward escorted him in a carriage to prevent him from escaping and offending the Han Family. The later Gu Clan investigation explicitly described his placement as being sent to the Han Family as a hostage 3 33.

Rejection of His Achievements

Wu Bai’s Third-Rank Alchemist recognition became public news throughout Tianbei City and reached the Wu Family. His father refused to believe it, dismissing the reports as rumors because he still regarded his son as a weakling. He also accused the Han Family of spreading those rumors. Han Chi considered retaliating but refrained to spare Wu Bai further trouble 8 9 10.

Members and Organization

Relationships

• Han Family — The stronger faction uses its training program to cultivate influence over families such as the Wu Family. Participants can become sympathetic contacts through whom it strengthens its control 3.
• Han Chi — Repeatedly questions the Wu Family’s judgment after discovering Wu Bai’s talent. Once Wu Bai demonstrates rapid alchemical progress, Han Chi resolves that the Wu Family will not get him back 5 6.
• Yellow Springs Demon Saint — Wu Bai’s secret teacher is disturbed by his treatment at home. He regards the boy’s guardedness and premature maturity as consequences of his harsh upbringing 2 7.

Effect on Wu Bai

• Distrust of family obligations: Wu Bai initially treats the Han Family’s support as an exchange of resources for future assistance, rather than a reason to regard its members as family 4.
• Emotional guardedness: His difficult childhood leaves him uncomfortable with praise and cautious about others’ motives 7.
• Fear of repeating his father’s behavior: Before leaving for Jia Nan Academy, he questions whether marrying and having children might turn him into a father like his own 11.