Gu Qingzhou

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Gu Qingzhou’s grandfather was an outlaw chieftain under the former dynasty who joined the late emperor’s uprising. At Coiling Dragon Ridge, he shielded the emperor and died with dozens of arrows in his body. After Great Chen’s founding, he was posthumously granted a ducal title 25.

Gu Qingzhou’s father, Gu Rentang, served as Minister of Works. His mother died giving birth to him, and his father never remarried. Gu Rentang later died from illness caused by overwork before reaching forty, leaving Gu Qingzhou as the surviving child of the ducal household before he was ten. Growing up with little discipline, Gu Qingzhou adopted the drinking, pleasure-seeking, and troublemaking habits of idle aristocrats 25.

He first encountered Ding Wenruo while walking along Benevolent Proclamation Gate Avenue with disreputable companions. His persistent approach provoked a confrontation between their entourages, eventually involving Dao Integration Realm guards and requiring Su Qiu’s intervention. Ding Wenruo’s father, Ding Feiyong, subsequently entered the duke’s residence and slapped him 25.

Gu Qingzhou then petitioned Emperor Chen to decree their marriage. The emperor, mindful of the Gu family’s service but unwilling to impose the match on the Ding household, promised to arrange it only if Ding Wenruo consented. When Gu Qingzhou learned that she would attend the Knowledge and Practice Institute, he asked Wei Zhilin for admission. Wei accepted out of respect for his grandfather and father, mistakenly believing that he intended to reform himself 25.

Appearance

Gu Qingzhou is exceptionally handsome, with a tall, graceful figure and a heroic bearing. His appearance draws conspicuous attention from women on Luoyang’s streets 22 24.

• Facial features: Swordlike brows, star-bright eyes, red lips, and white teeth; his face is also compared to polished jade 22 33.
• Clothing: Favors luxurious brocade robes and jade accessories 22 33.
• Notable outfit: White floral brocade, a Gold-Thread White Jade Belt, and a Pear Blossom Fox Fur Cloak 24.

Personality

Gu Qingzhou is vain, outspoken, and extravagantly generous. He calls himself the most handsome man in Luoyang and readily promises protection to new friends. Despite his arrogant speech, Fan Dazhi finds genuine warmth behind his manner, while He An considers him kindhearted and straightforward 22 33.

He enjoys fine food, wine, and lavish hospitality. At one water banquet, he pays with a hundred-tael banknote for an eighty-five-tael meal and tells the waiter to keep the change. He also prefers friends to address him as an elder brother rather than by his ducal title 26.

His hatred of bullying coexists with his own domineering behavior. He recounts defending merchants, neighborhood residents, and singing girls, yet refuses to surrender a restaurant pavilion reserved by someone else and taunts its rightful occupants. The narration explicitly notes that, although arrogant himself, he cannot tolerate others being more arrogant 25 26.

His affection for Ding Wenruo is persistent but unwelcome. He brings her favorite food, follows her into the institute, and continues approaching her despite repeated refusals. Her interest in He An makes him jealous, though his friendship with He An continues; he is relieved when He An says he regards her only as a younger sister 24 25 35 43.

Abilities & Skills

Aristocratic and Political Influence

Gu Qingzhou’s authority rests on his ducal rank, imperial favor, and the obligations owed to his family—not on a demonstrated cultivation realm 25 26.

• Imperial protection: Emperor Chen remembers the Gu family’s service, and many veteran civil and military officials have received favors from them. Cui Zhixia cites these connections as reasons he cannot yet kill Gu Qingzhou 26.
• Student prestige: Students readily make way for him, and he can disperse a gathered crowd with a few words 33 35.
• Intimidation: He drives Cui Mengshu and his followers away from his roommates without a fight 33.
• Limits: His status does not secure Ding Wenruo’s affection or an unconditional imperial marriage decree 24 25.

Intervention Against Local Abuses

Gu Qingzhou claims influence over both Luoyang’s lawful authorities and its underworld, using it to intervene on behalf of people being exploited 26.

• Helped Shopkeeper Liu of Cross Street recover a seized shop 26.
• Helped Jia Ma Camp Alley residents confront the Flying Knife Gang’s protection racket 26.
• Punished troublesome officials’ sons on behalf of the Virtue and Art House’s singing girls 26.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Gold-Thread White Jade Belt — Worn with his white floral brocade outfit 24.
• Pear Blossom Fox Fur Cloak — Part of his cold-weather attire 24.
• Imperially bestowed carriage — A rare gift from Emperor Chen, built from golden silk nanmu. Its furnishings include striped tiger-skin cushions, carved windows, beaded curtains, and concealed compartments holding pastries and fruit 26.

Relationships

• He An — Roommate and friend whom he protects from Cui Mengshu. Gu Qingzhou supports his duel, hosts his victory celebration, and asks to exchange cultivation knowledge with him. He briefly regards He An as a romantic rival before receiving reassurance 33 35 40 43.
• Fan Dazhi — Roommate whom he warmly befriends and immediately offers to protect. They later cheer together for He An’s victory 22 42.
• Bi Yunfei — Roommate and drinking companion, called Bi Feiyun in his introduction. Gu Qingzhou treats him as a younger brother and accepts his advice to become more cultured and avoid disreputable companions. Bi deliberately flatters him after recognizing his influence 22 26.
• Ding Wenruo — The object of his unrequited affection and his principal reason for joining the institute. She repeatedly tells him to stop pestering her 24 25.
• Ding Feiyong — Ding Wenruo’s father, who slaps him after the street confrontation. The memory makes Gu Qingzhou retreat when Wenruo threatens to report him again 25.
• Emperor Chen / Zhao Chang — An imperial benefactor who honors his family’s service, grants him a carriage, and offers to arrange his marriage only with Ding Wenruo’s consent 25 26.
• Wei Zhilin — Admits him to the institute out of admiration for his grandfather and father 25.
• Cui Zhixia — Enemy whom he publicly humiliates at Grand View Tower. Cui Zhixia vows to kill him once political circumstances allow 25 26.
• Cui Mengshu — Recurring antagonist whose attempts to intimidate He An and Fan Dazhi Gu Qingzhou openly obstructs 33 35.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Grand View Tower Confrontation

• After Ding Wenruo rejects another invitation, Gu Qingzhou takes Bi Yunfei drinking and occupies the reserved Cloud-Viewing Pavilion 25.
• He refuses Cui Zhixia’s request to vacate, orders the Cui party out, and demands that they pay his bill. They comply without attacking him 25 26.
• The humiliation prompts Cui Zhixia to discuss killing him after Dragon Gate Academy suppresses the Knowledge and Practice Institute and its court faction 26.
• Later that evening, Bi Yunfei proposes improving Ding Wenruo’s opinion through cultured behavior and better companions; Gu Qingzhou enthusiastically accepts the advice 26.

Aptitude Test and He An’s Duel

• At the aptitude-test queue, Gu Qingzhou hits Cui Mengshu with a pork bun and drives away the group threatening his roommates 33.
• When Sun Biao challenges He An, Gu Qingzhou initially urges acceptance and offers to fight in his place. After hearing He An’s preparations, he tells the onlookers to leave him alone 35.
• He promises a celebratory feast, accompanies He An to the Martial Restraint Hall, watches with concern, and cheers when He An wins 40 41 42.
• At the subsequent banquet, he renews his promise to protect He An from the Cui family and openly raises his anxiety about Ding Wenruo’s affection for him 43.

Notable Quotes

“In all my life, the thing I've hated most is seeing people swagger around and bully the weak.” 26

“Challenging me? You think you're worthy? Get lost!” 33

“If they still don't know what's good for them... rest easy, big brother will back you up.” 43