Ninth Uncle

Biodata

Background / History

Observing Xu Taiping

Sword Nine takes notice of Xu Taiping after hearing him defend the principle of doing good even in an evil abyss. Although impressed by the boy’s words, he wants to see whether Taiping can actually uphold that heart of the Dao. He privately considers accepting him as a disciple if he reaches the Gate Opening Realm within three years and distinguishes himself in the Seven Peaks Sword Challenge 25 28.

He also condemns West Wind Pavilion for extorting outer sect disciples and failing to investigate the destruction of a spring supplying a cultivation site. Calling himself their ancestral master, he expresses disgust that such misconduct requires his personal intervention 28.

The Green Bamboo Abode Feast

White Rainbow brings him to Green Bamboo Abode under the modest introduction of a friend called “Old Nine,” concealing his true standing from Taiping. Ninth Uncle offers a pouch containing three hundred Merit Coins for dinner, but Taiping takes only seven. Amused rather than offended, he helps tend the kitchen fire and tries to bargain down the price 28.

During the feast, Ninth Uncle reprimands West Wind Pavilion Master Liu Songshan for speaking rudely to Taiping, then has him summon Raging Wind Hall Master Xu Youzhi. He instructs Xu Youzhi to strengthen patrols around Green Bamboo Abode, noting that sect rules restrict how much direct cultivation assistance they can provide 29 30.

When Taiping produces the talisman left by Zuo Ju, the senior guests recognize its connection to the patrolmen’s extortion scheme. Ninth Uncle makes Liu Songshan pay Taiping for it and summon Zuo Ju and Zhou Gu. The pair arrive expecting to intimidate Taiping, only to be forced into a cramped meal beside their frightened superiors 30 31.

The Northern Frontier Mission

After leaving, Ninth Uncle tells White Rainbow that Taiping’s refusal to flatter him is precisely what he admires. He revises his prospective discipleship condition: if Taiping reaches the Gate Opening Realm during his coming two-year absence, he will accept him as a Personal Disciple and teach him all his swordsmanship, even with only white-bone aptitude. This promise is made to White Rainbow, not directly to Taiping 32.

His destination is the Heavenly Pool of Greedy Wolf Country, where a demon lotus threatens to create another demon kingdom on the Divine Continent. He intends to destroy it before it emerges and warns White Rainbow that the journey offers “nine chances of death and one of survival.” White Rainbow nevertheless chooses to accompany him 32.

Taiping subsequently reaches the Gate Opening Realm, though no formal discipleship is established in the provided chapters. Ninth Uncle’s intervention also prompts Raging Wind Hall to send Taiping a Message Talisman as a gesture of goodwill 37 38.

Appearance

• An old man with graying hair and a beard 28.
• Has small eyes that become sharply piercing when angered 28.
• Wears clothing with a rag-like sleeve and carries a wine gourd at his waist 25 28.

Personality

Ninth Uncle is playful with Taiping but intimidating toward sect officials. He laughs at the boy’s blunt insistence on payment, bargains over dinner, and envies White Rainbow’s invitation to return freely. His enormous appetite requires Taiping to prepare additional dishes; Taiping estimates that he eats four or five times as much as an ordinary person 28 29 31 32.

He values conduct over flattery. Taiping’s neither-servile-nor-arrogant manner earns unusually strong praise, while empty declarations of righteousness provoke his contempt. Despite claiming not to need gratitude, he becomes irritated when Taiping credits White Rainbow alone for the help he receives 25 30 32.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

• Possesses swordsmanship sought by disciples of the Seven Peaks 32.
• Previously refused to teach those disciples even when the sect leader personally asked 32.
• Offers to pass on his entire swordsmanship to Taiping if the boy meets his condition for becoming a Personal Disciple 32.

Sword Flight

• Rides a bronze longsword through the sky 28.
• His departure from Green Bamboo Abode produces a gust that splits the overhead clouds and mist 32.
• Taiping recognizes the feat as the legendary Sword Flight 33.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bronze longsword — Carries him through the air during sword flight 28.
• Wine gourd — Worn at his waist; he frequently drinks from it 25 28.
• Merit Coin pouch — Contains three hundred Merit Coins when he offers to pay for Taiping’s meal 28.

Relationships

• Xu Taiping — Prospective Personal Disciple. Ninth Uncle protects his cultivation site and admires his integrity, composure, and lack of deference to status 30 32.
• White Rainbow — Sect junior who regards him as a granduncle-master; brings him to Taiping and accompanies him on the dangerous northern mission 28 29 32.
• Liu Songshan — West Wind Pavilion Master who fears his authority. Ninth Uncle rebukes his arrogance and makes him pay Taiping and summon his subordinates 29 30 31.
• Xu Youzhi — Raging Wind Hall Master whose master once brought him to meet Ninth Uncle. Ordered to improve protection around Green Bamboo Abode 29 30.
• Zuo Ju and Zhou Gu — Patrolmen implicated in extorting Taiping. Ninth Uncle summons and intimidates them but does not personally punish them during the feast 31 32.

Notable Quotes

“Dwell in an evil abyss yet do good. If that is your heart of the Dao, then show me how you intend to defend it. I, Sword Nine, despise braggarts above all!” 25

“He knew I was no ordinary person, yet remained neither servile nor arrogant. That temperament far surpasses his peers. It’s rare even among the Inner Sect Disciples of the Seven Peaks.” 32