Xiao Lie

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Lie (萧烈)
Alias(es)	Carefree Prince; Carefree Swordsman; A-Lie 30 44
Gender	Male 44 45
Affiliation	Great Qian imperial family; cooperates with the Martial Alliance 44 130
Occupation/Role	Imperial prince; wandering swordsman 44 45
Family	Youngest son of the Empress Dowager; Emperor Wu’an’s younger brother by the same mother; Princess Kangning’s younger brother 44 45 46
Spouse	Bai Lixi, Holy Son of the Southern Border 30 56 89
Age	Not much older than his nephew Xiao Yuanqi 44 46
Status	Alive; survives a betrayal during a treasure hunt 172
First Appearance	Chapter 30, “Imperial Uncle” 30

Background / History

Defiance of the Late Emperor

When the late emperor sought to replace the future Emperor Wu’an as Crown Prince with a favored consort’s son, Xiao Lie stormed into the consort’s palace and argued with his father. His defiance nearly resulted in execution; although spared, he was expelled from the palace 45.

After Wu’an ascended the throne, Xiao Lie returned and received his princely title. The next day, he departed with his sword to roam the martial world. Over the following six or seven years, he returned only two or three times, though he regularly wrote to his mother 45.

Life in the Martial World

Xiao Lie preferred freedom to court politics. His martial ability, loyalty, and righteousness earned him the name Carefree Swordsman 44.

He also formed close friendships with other martial-world figures. One later summoned him to help combat the Longevity Pavilion; another, whom he trusted after repeatedly facing life-threatening dangers together, lured him into a treasure-hunting setup 128 172.

Relationship with Bai Lixi

Xiao Lie and Bai Lixi began as rivals, moving from an argument and a proposed duel to mutual assistance and friendship. A Passion Gu incident affecting both men led to intimacy. Xiao Lie offered to take responsibility afterward, but Bai Lixi refused to marry without love. Xiao Lie stayed to care for him, and their attraction gradually became genuine affection 44 45.

By their return to the Capital, they had been together for more than two years. Xiao Lie had already met Bai Lixi’s clan elders and received their approval. The couple planned eventually to choose a tribal child as Bai Lixi’s disciple and adopted heir 30 45 89.

Appearance

• Sharply defined features and a frequent smile: His approachable appearance contrasts with his reputation as the imperial family’s most unruly member 45.
• Sturdy build: Emperor Wu’an remarks that he has grown sturdier during his absence and approvingly pats his solid arm 46.
• Coordinated clothing: He and Bai Lixi wear outfits of the same style and color to the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet 94.
• Weathered after hardship: Following the treasure hunt, he appears markedly worn and has the air of a rugged older man 172.

Personality

Xiao Lie is proud, outspoken, and resistant to authority. He once confronted his own father over the succession, and senior ministers remain wary enough to warn their families not to offend him. He openly acknowledges that his younger self lived boldly, showed little deference, and readily answered provocation 45 60.

His affection for Bai Lixi makes him gentler and more attentive. He prepares food for his husband, tends his wounds, and refuses to make him endure difficult travel while injured. Xiao Lie recognizes this change himself, reflecting that love has softened his formerly sharp-edged nature 60 129 130.

He enjoys teasing and gossip, particularly where his nephews’ romances are concerned. He drags Bai Lixi along to investigate Xiao Jinyi’s apparent sweetheart and later jokes about Jinyi treating Shen Shixu like a wife. Yet his humor coexists with practical discretion: Prince Kang considers him unreliable in small matters but trustworthy when something important is at stake 55 57 139.

His protective temper can be severe. Bai Lixi has to restrain him from attacking Li Wenqian during the plot against Xiao Jiayi, and he initially favors killing the captured cultists rather than handing them over for lawful punishment 59 130.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Martial Arts

Xiao Lie is a highly skilled martial artist whose reputation in the martial world is founded partly on his fighting ability 44.

• Carries and uses a sword; instinctively attacks a concealed figure before recognizing Shen Shixu’s voice 127.
• Ordinarily considers the cultists pursuing him beneath his notice as opponents 127 128.
• Can still be overcome through ambush, poison, and attacks made while he is separated from Bai Lixi 128.

Internal Energy

Xiao Lie uses internal energy for practical purposes as well as managing his condition 30 128.

• Dries himself with internal energy after entering a river to catch a fish 30.
• Suppresses residual poison while waiting for Bai Lixi to regain consciousness 128.
• Admits that he is poor at identifying poisons; internal energy does not fully neutralize the poison used against him 128.

Golden Silkworm Gu Bond

Xiao Lie and Bai Lixi each host one insect from a twin pair cultivated by Bai Lixi. They implant the gu through cuts in their wrists 30.

• Allows either host to sense when the other is injured 30.
• Provides a vague sense of the other host’s location, not precise tracking 30.
• Does not support the storybook claim of immortality; Bai Lixi explicitly dismisses life-extension claims about Golden Silkworm Gu 60.

Awareness of Shen Shixu’s Thoughts

Xiao Lie can hear Shen Shixu’s inner thoughts, including information about the conspiracy against Xiao Jiayi 56.

• Initially learns about Shen’s extraordinary ability from Xiao Jinyi and asks to meet him 47.
• Later recognizes a public screen as 011’s creation after Bai Lixi traces the system’s number on his hand 139.

Martial-World Coordination

His knowledge of martial factions helps connect official investigations with martial-world enforcement 130.

• Knows the Longevity Pavilion’s Left Protector and understands that escaped members remain dangerous 130.
• Argues against deploying ordinary soldiers because confronting skilled martial artists through numerical superiority could cause heavy casualties 130.
• Contacts the Martial Alliance and secures reinforcements for the operation in Pingcheng County 130 138.

Equipment / Items

• Sword — Taken with him when he first leaves to roam the martial world; still carried during the cultists’ pursuit 45 127.
• Dagger — Used to cut his wrist when implanting the Golden Silkworm Gu 30.
• Golden Silkworm Gu — One half of the paired bond shared with Bai Lixi 30.
• Truth-Telling Gu — Previously given to Xiao Jinyi, who uses it to uncover Liang Junda’s true motives 29 30.
• Jade Dew Pill — Supplied by Xiao Jinyi after the ambush; reduces the poison’s effects without removing it completely 128.
• Condensed Jade Pill — Administered by Bai Lixi to neutralize the remaining poison 128.

Relationships

• Bai Lixi — Husband and martial-world companion. Xiao Lie promises to leave his family behind if they mistreat Bai Lixi; their bond is also reinforced by paired Golden Silkworm Gu 30.
• Emperor Wu’an — Elder brother. Xiao Lie defended his claim to the throne and later offers to help him become more receptive to Xiao Jinyi’s love for Shen Shixu 45 56.
• Empress Dowager — Mother. Although frustrated by his long absences, she follows his life through his letters and accepts Bai Lixi before the couple arrives 45.
• Princess Kangning — Elder sister. She warmly welcomes Bai Lixi while teasing Xiao Lie about his temper and courtship 46.
• Xiao Jinyi — Nephew and trusted ally. Xiao Lie supports his romantic intentions; Jinyi later rescues him and Bai Lixi from the cultists 56 127 128.
• Xiao Yuanqi — Nephew, close to him in age. Their playful disputes include Yuanqi withholding an explanation as payback for Xiao Lie once calling his safety advice nagging 46 47.
• Shen Shixu — Friend treated as a younger family member. Xiao Lie dispenses with formalities around him and later accepts his insistence on lawful treatment of captives 57 130.
• Xiao Jiayi — Niece. He and Bai Lixi help expose the conspiracy against her and protect her during the spring outing 59 61.
• Prince Kang — Older cousin. Xiao Lie discreetly explains 011’s screen and devises a response to the honey trap threatening Kang’s reputation 139 142.
• Unnamed martial-world friend — Formerly a deeply trusted companion who had shared repeated life-and-death experiences with him. His betrayal during the treasure hunt leaves Xiao Lie badly shaken 172.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to the Capital

After implanting the paired gu, Xiao Lie invites Bai Lixi to meet his family. They leave immediately rather than waiting for a reply from Wu’an. Their journey takes more than a month, during which Xiao Lie repeatedly rehearses how to explain their relationship 30 44.

Shen Shixu’s system reveals their history at court before they arrive. The family welcomes them at Cikang Palace, with Kangning’s enthusiasm and the Empress Dowager’s teasing easing their anxiety. Xiao Lie is astonished to discover that everyone already knows Bai Lixi is his beloved 44 45 46 47.

Spring Outing and Xiao Jiayi’s Protection

After discovering Xiao Jinyi’s feelings for Shen Shixu, Xiao Lie agrees to keep them secret and help prepare Wu’an for a possible relationship. He particularly worries that the emperor might unfairly blame Shen for leading Jinyi astray 55 56.

During the Meng Mountain outing, Xiao Lie and Bai Lixi remain hidden while Jiayi questions the conspirators, then emerge once she has obtained the answers she needs. Their intervention helps turn the plot against its makers 59 60.

Longevity Pavilion and Pingcheng County

Xiao Lie and Bai Lixi leave before Xiao Yuanqi’s wedding feast to answer an urgent martial-world appeal. They assist the campaign against the Longevity Pavilion, whose members abduct children and use their blood in the pursuit of immortality 128.

Escaped cultists later ambush them, injuring Bai Lixi and poisoning Xiao Lie. While fleeing, they encounter Xiao Jinyi, Mo Yu, and Shen Shixu, who rescue and treat them 127 128.

Xiao Lie then arranges Martial Alliance reinforcements while the others investigate Pingcheng County. He leaves Bai Lixi with the group to recuperate and returns ahead of the reinforcements, eager to reunite with him. The Alliance subsequently surrounds the Elegant Grace House, where the surviving cultists have gathered 130 137 138.

Prince Kang’s Household Troubles

On returning to the Capital, Xiao Lie recognizes Prince Kang amid a public dispute and prevents him from openly questioning 011’s screen. He later proposes a plan involving Princess Consort Kang to address the honey trap and its damage to Kang’s reputation 139 142.

During the subsequent confrontation involving Xiao Mingzhu’s husband and his mistress, Xiao Lie restrains Xiao Cheng from attacking in public and advises waiting until they are inside 146.

Treasure-Hunt Betrayal

Xiao Lie and Bai Lixi return visibly exhausted after more than half a month outdoors. A trusted friend’s invitation to a treasure site proves to be a setup; they survive by discovering a hidden passage and escaping through it 172.

The experience leaves Xiao Lie disillusioned. He declares that he will never treasure-hunt again, judging human betrayal harder to handle than the site’s traps 172.

Notable Quotes

“If anyone mistreats you there, you don't have to put up with it. Just tell me, and I'll take you away and never go back.” 30

“You and Jinyi are good friends, so I regard you as one of the younger members of my own family. You can dispense with those empty courtesies.” 57

“Next time anyone mentions treasure hunting, I wouldn't go even if you beat me to death. Damn it, the traps and all that were easy enough to handle. It's people's hearts that are so fucking hard to figure out!” 172

Trivia

• Xiao Lie was the first person to touch Bai Lixi without reservations about his gu arts; Princess Kangning was the second 46.
• As children, Xiao Lie, Xiao Yuanqi, and Xiao Jinyi damaged Prince Kang’s expensive koi and were punished with copying the Three Character Classic ten times. Xiao Lie tried to pass his share of the punishment to his nephews 139.
• He and Xiao Yuanqi used to call the young Xiao Jinyi a “little ice cube” 95.