Yu Qian

Biodata

Power Progression

• His colleagues learn of his Ninth Grade breakthrough approximately three days after he receives the Sun Scroll 12.
• By the time his Eighth Grade cultivation is discovered, he has been at the Court for only about five days, having arrived without cultivation 28.
• Purchasing the Moon Scroll does not establish that he becomes a Qi Refiner; his attempt to study it without origin power makes no documented progress 41.

Background / History

Yu Qian comes from another world. In his previous life, he spent years working in Syria, studied Krav Maga, and practiced survival maneuvers. He died during an unconventional spa treatment while reading the Spring and Autumn Annals 5 8 48.

He inherits the body and memories of a nineteen-year-old Tai’an resident. The original owner’s father was killed by the Green Garment Gang over the family courtyard’s deed. Despite threats and offers of money, the young man refused to surrender the property. After learning that he had passed the Court of Judicial Review’s recruitment assessment, he died under the combined strain of grief and joy 2.

A mysterious golden book is already present in Yu Qian’s mind when he awakens. Rather than investigate it immediately, he prioritizes reporting for work: the Court’s authority offers protection from the gang and a chance at a secure livelihood 2.

Appearance

• Has a slightly pale face and features described as dashing; he considers his looks an advantage in seeking influential romantic partners 2 34.
• Wears a blue-gray Flying Eagle Uniform while still a recruit, receiving a black version upon becoming an official officer 9 21.
• For a leisurely outing, dresses in a light Shu Brocade robe with a jade pendant and a Purple Sandalwood Hairpin securing his topknot 34.

Personality

Yu Qian places survival, independence, and steady cultivation above glory. He deliberately avoids outshining idle coworkers, calls for institutional backup before confronting the Green Garment Gang, and turns down headquarters transfers that would expose him to closer scrutiny. He treats retreat as sensible rather than shameful when an opponent is beyond his strength 2 8 29 41 46.

His outward sincerity frequently conceals calculated self-presentation. He attributes lethal techniques to childhood animal slaughter, invents a village-cook explanation for killing a bull-like opponent, and stages a bloodied appearance to persuade Li Nianxiang that his retreat was heroic combat. He also gives Liu Yan a slanted account of his injuries to win her sympathy 11 21 33 46.

He is money-minded and opportunistic in romance. He seeks wealthy or influential women, plans to turn Yu Xiaowan’s affection into protection and resources, and uses alternating attentiveness and indifference to influence the princess. Xiaowan’s genuine trust briefly makes him feel guilty, but does not stop his scheme 34 35 36 45.

His self-interest coexists with loyalty and practical compassion. He shares valuable medicine with Shi Da after being saved by him, protects a harassed singer while considering the risk of retaliation, and returns to safeguard Li Nianxiang during the hunting ambush. When escape requires breaking his own arm, he accepts the pain rather than leave survival to chance 31 34 39 46 49.

Abilities & Skills

Spirit Talisman

The Spirit Talisman is a golden book within Yu Qian’s mind, containing categories such as the Hundred Ghost Compendium and Hundred Demon Register. Most entries are initially obscured by mist 5.

• Spirit binding: Can bind demons and ghosts rated “Evil” or higher when their cultivation matches his own or is no more than one level above it 5.
• Supernatural combat: Its golden light destroys the Feather-Robed Ghost. His spoken “Seal” immobilizes the Yellow Ox Demon and extracts its soul 6 19.
• Cultivation fuel: Stored essence or origin power accelerates his training and supplies the breakthroughs into Ninth and Eighth Grade 5 8 26.
• Technique comprehension: Makes difficult manuals immediately intelligible, giving him an understanding compared to extensive repeated practice 5 22.
• Optimization: Improves techniques beyond their ordinary effects, consuming stored essence in the process 22.
• Resource limit: Without origin power, he cannot use this advantage; unaided study of new cultivation manuals leaves him overwhelmed 41.

Golden-Mist Perception

• Reveals an invisible attacker during the Mud Ward raid, even though the encounter does not trigger the Spirit Talisman 30.
• Lets him perceive the crimson power reinforcing Wu Cheng’s sword 31.
• Detects attackers concealed underwater during the royal hunt 46.
• Is used to inspect the surroundings before he attempts to leave the kidnappers’ cave 49.

Sun Scroll and Blood-and-Qi Power

• Practices the Court’s basic martial breathing method, comprehended and optimized through the Spirit Talisman 5 6.
• Uses Blood-and-Qi Power to break wood, leaving scorch marks around the damage 12 45.
• Gains sufficiently precise bodily control to learn practical archery after a single test shot 44.
• Temporarily uses Blood-and-Qi Power to bridge disrupted connections in his broken arm, allowing his fingers to manipulate a lockpick 49.
• Advances much more slowly once his stored origin power is exhausted 13 14.

Fierce Fist

A straightforward striking technique that concentrates Blood-and-Qi Power into a powerful punch at the cost of bodily backlash 21.

• The standard technique can deliver double force at advanced mastery; his optimized version can deliver triple force with slightly reduced backlash 22.
• Badly injures an Eighth Grade White Lotus Cult attacker in a surprise strike 46.
• Remains dangerous to its user: striking Yu Xiaowan leaves her unharmed but makes Yu Qian cough up blood 26.
• Cannot overcome the gap between him and Gongsun Yan, who neutralizes the attack while draining his Blood-and-Qi Power 40.

Thirty Blades

An all-round saber technique transformed by the Spirit Talisman’s optimization into distinct offensive and defensive modes 22.

• Defense: Reallocates blood and qi into a guard described as so tight that wind cannot pass through 22.
• Offense: Switches to a forceful, deadly attacking style 22.
• Kills the concealed monster encountered during the Mud Ward operation 30.

Close Combat and Survival

• Draws on previous-life Krav Maga training, including a neck-breaking technique that exploits an opponent’s resistance 8.
• Rigs a door-linked warning mechanism at his bedside, which wakes him during an assassination attempt 8.
• Uses practiced flexibility to move bound hands from behind his back to the front of his body 48.
• Memorizes the turns through the kidnappers’ cave and fashions a lockpick from Li Nianxiang’s hairpin wire 48.
• Breaks, repositions, and splints his own forearm to reach a keyhole without raising an alarm 49.

Legal Knowledge and Social Tactics

• Places thirty-second in the Court’s entrance examination; his official background describes him as thoroughly versed in Great Qi’s laws and policies 40.
• Uses the Court’s reputation to obtain cooperation, information, compensation, and protection 10 17 23.
• Employs flattery, selective storytelling, and invented family connections to influence others or deter retaliation 33 39 44 46.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Saber — His regular weapon, used against ghosts, assassins, gang members, and cult attackers 6 8 10 30.
• Sword/blade oil — Applied to his saber for supernatural investigations; also carries a poisonous variety effective against humans 6 21 29.
• Black Flying Eagle Uniform — Issued when he becomes a full-fledged Dingyou officer 21.
• Court identification token — Establishes his authority, secures passage through checkpoints, and can transmit a distress alert 15 19 35 46.
• Crane talismans — Used for communication; gives one to Yu Xiaowan so she can contact him 29 39.
• Lotus signal firework — An urgent Court distress signal made by the Astronomical Bureau; launches it during the hunting ambush 46.
• Recovery medicine — Gives Shi Da his Returning-Heaven Pill and later shares valuable injury pills supplied by Liu Yan 31 33 34.
• Three-Color Shell — A blessed gift from Yu Xiaowan, said to ward off calamity 39.
• Moon Scroll — Introductory Qi Refining manual purchased for 200 merit points; successful cultivation is not documented 41.
• Five-Element Escape Art — Purchased for 400 merit points. Promises greater speed and concealment in suitable surroundings, but requires Qi Refining and remains unmastered in the supplied chapters 41.

Relationships

• Ji Cheng — Office chief and protector. Secures Yu Qian’s commitment to the Dingyou Office and pursues his assassination case, though his aggressive methods clash with Yu Qian’s wish to lie low 12 24 26.
• Sun Shoucheng — First workplace guide and friendly companion. Supplies the Sun Scroll, explains Court customs, and repeatedly expresses concern for his safety 2 5 14.
• Guo Yi — Colleague and investigator of the assassination attempt. His meticulous forensic work earns Yu Qian’s admiration; he also cautions against conclusions unsupported by evidence 11 14.
• Shi Da — Trusted combat companion and cultivation adviser. Saves him from the Werewolf’s punch; Yu Qian reciprocates with medicine and gratitude 31 34.
• Wang Zhen — Supportive senior colleague. Credits him as the Feather-Robed Ghost case’s chief contributor and presents his official uniform 6 21.
• Yu Xiaowan — Powerful nonhuman friend and intended romantic prospect. Trusts his guidance, supplies money, and gives him a protective shell; he privately seeks security and resources through their closeness 28 35 36 39.
• Liu Yan — Healing Hall physician whom he calls “Big Sister.” Treats his injuries, gives him expensive medicine, and becomes protective after hearing his account of Wu Cheng’s conduct 33 34.
• Wu Cheng — Temporary mission leader and antagonist. Uses Yu Qian as bait during the Mud Ward fight; Yu Qian retaliates by dislocating his jaw and beating him, but stops short of killing him 31.
• Gongsun Yan — Ding Division superior who tests his abilities and offers personal instruction, a headquarters post, and housing. He declines, fearing closer supervision 40 41.
• Li Nianxiang / Princess Wen’an — Royal charge during the hunt and fellow captive. Cooperates with his escape plan and witnesses his painful effort to free them 43 47 48 49.
• The black-clad woman sharing Li Nianxiang’s body — Coercive recruiter and direct contact. Claims a symbiotic arrangement with the princess, promises career assistance, and implants a spirit gu to control him; her faction remains undisclosed 49 50.
• Green Garment Gang — Enemy connected to the original owner’s father’s death and attempts to acquire his courtyard. Its role in the wider conspiracy remains uncertain 2 10 23 26.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Joining the Dingyou Office

Yu Qian adapts to the office’s relaxed culture, socializes with its officers, and quietly develops his cultivation. His destruction of the Feather-Robed Ghost earns an additional ten taels and merit toward martial techniques. After revealing his extraordinarily fast breakthrough, he receives a permanent appointment and selects Fierce Fist and Thirty Blades—unintentionally making his colleagues expect him to serve on the frontline 2 4 6 12 21 22.

The Courtyard and Assassination Case

After surviving two assassins, Yu Qian confronts the Green Garment Gang and kills men connected to his father’s death. Ji Cheng’s arrival allows him to secure compensation and begin an official investigation. Leads through Longyou County and the Ghost Market eventually identify Kong Xing as the alleged employer 8 10 11 14 15 17.

Kong Xing’s suicide and confession do not convince Yu Qian. Suspecting a scapegoat and stronger hidden enemies, he demands 3,000 taels for himself and another 1,000 for Guo Yi and Shi Da, then tries to let the case rest. Ji Cheng instead escalates the investigation. It is ultimately closed after Prince Zhao’s Residence intervenes, leaving the courtyard’s significance unresolved 23 24 26.

White Lotus Cult Operations

Responding to a colleague’s distress signal near the Ghost Market, Yu Qian is separated from his team and seals the Yellow Ox Demon. Its origin power later supports both his technique optimization and Eighth Grade breakthrough 19 22 26.

During the subsequent Mud Ward raid, he kills a concealed monster but is endangered when Wu Cheng directs the Werewolf toward him. Shi Da saves his life. Yu Qian punishes Wu Cheng afterward, returns with captives and bodies, and receives treatment from Liu Yan. He and Shi Da later receive 500 merit points each for the support mission 30 31 33 39.

Official Scrutiny

His rapid cultivation attracts recruitment offers from Du Hui and Gongsun Yan. He refuses both transfers, preferring the Dingyou Office’s familiar colleagues and less demanding routine. Gongsun’s investigation confirms his apparent identity as a legitimate martial cultivator and places him among talents deserving special attention 29 40 41.

Royal Hunt and Forced Recruitment

Assigned to Princess Wen’an during the royal hunt, Yu Qian combines practical assistance with calculated courtship. A White Lotus Cult ambush interrupts the outing. He signals for help, defeats an isolated attacker, and returns to protect the princess, but a stronger black-clad woman captures them both 43 44 45 46 47.

His painful escape from their cell proves to be a test. The captor reveals that her group has monitored him since he joined the Court, then enters a claimed symbiotic arrangement with Li Nianxiang. She chooses Yu Qian for his clean background, limited institutional ties, cultivation potential, intelligence, and resolve. Bound by a spirit gu, he outwardly agrees to cooperate while intending to grow stronger; his attempts to defy her physically end in a beating and a death threat 49 50.

Notable Quotes

“I am the authorities. Leave it to me.” 38

“Your Highness, there's only one path left. I have to leave this place and bring help, because I can't guarantee we'll hold out until reinforcements find us.” 48

Trivia

• His animal-slaughter and village-cook stories are cover explanations for his combat ability. He eventually admits to Gongsun Yan that he invented his account of learning to fight at home 11 21 40.
• The supplied passages contain an address discrepancy: his home is repeatedly identified as Number Thirty-Seven, Seven Li Lane, while Gongsun Yan’s background recital names Number Thirty-Seven, Clear Water Lane 1 9 17 40.