Xiya

Biodata

Background and History

Red Beard rescued Xiya from an attempted kidnapping near the Imperial Capital when the Red Wind Mercenary Group was newly formed. She later learned that some nobles believed young girls’ blood could preserve their youth. The discovery of girls murdered by blood-draining in Kru Town brings back that experience and makes her suspect a connection 39.

In the Ashen Wasteland, Xiya examines Ye Chuqi at Jun Ruofeng’s request and finds that her internal injuries are far worse than her normal appearance suggests. She treats Ye with potions, then helps her learn the local language and adjust to traveling with the group 11 12 14. When Ye’s naturally silver hair begins to show through its dye, Xiya alerts Red Beard privately and prepares a new dye to help conceal it 14 15.

Appearance

Xiya is described as a spirited woman with short chestnut hair. After Ye Chuqi adopts chestnut hair and androgynous clothes, the resemblance between them is striking enough to surprise other mercenaries 11 16.

Personality

Xiya approaches the badly injured Ye Chuqi without airs and readily comforts her. Her concern can become protective: she objects when the mercenaries want to spar with Ye while her injuries remain serious, and is visibly relieved when Ye returns safely from the Kru Town investigation 11 12 29 36.

She invites Ye to consider joining the mercenary group as a provisional member, but worries afterward that the offer may have sounded patronizing. Ye reassures her that she will think it over 17.

Abilities and Skills

Alchemy and Medicine

• Prepares healing potions; her red potion eases Ye Chuqi’s pain, while her more potent blue potion puts Ye to sleep as her body begins to heal 12.
• Treats Red Beard after his encounter with the Horned Python and monitors the poison’s effect on his eyes 13 15.
• Makes hair dye and prepares a scar-removal potion for Red Beard 15 16.
• Uses purified beast-core powder to improve potions 35.

Teaching and Practical Training

• Teaches children in the mercenary group to read and write, and gives Ye Chuqi children’s books to begin learning the local language 13 14.
• Helps Ye build vocabulary while shopping in Kru Town and explains unfamiliar resources, including the value of Red Sun Fruit 24.
• Trains with other mercenaries and can usually protect herself, although she is an alchemist rather than one of the group’s principal fighters 28.

Relationships

• Ye Chuqi (“Yezi”) — Patient and student whom Xiya treats, teaches, helps disguise, and worries over 11 12 14 15 29 36.
• Red Beard — Rescued Xiya before the mercenary group grew; she later serves as his healer and helps him keep Ye’s silver hair private 13 14 15 39.
• Jun Ruofeng — Fellow mercenary who asks her to examine Ye Chuqi; Xiya follows his instruction without question 11.
• Coke — Fellow mercenary who reassures her when Ye leaves the group’s base without telling anyone 26.