Thirteenth Son

Biodata

Background / History

Thirteenth Son comes from the Du family implicated in the Du He Case. His forebears had held high office, but the family was executed after becoming embroiled in a rebellion case. As an infant in swaddling clothes, he was exempted from punishment and sent to a monastery to be raised. He remembers neither his parents’ affection nor the family’s former wealth, and recounts its destruction without personal anguish 9.

He later became the youngest fellow disciple of Wei Xun under Chen Shigu, also known as Old Chen, the Mound-Raiding General. His master died before he completed his apprenticeship. Although he recognized Chen Shigu’s extensive knowledge, he feared the man’s terrible temper and admitted that the disciples felt relieved when he died 3 13 25.

When Chen Shigu’s mantle passed to the second disciple, Wei Xun left rather than contest the succession. Thirteenth Son caught up with him and insisted on following him, choosing to remain his lookout instead of joining the more profitable ventures of their other fellow disciples 3.

Appearance

• Small, shaven-headed novice: His youthful appearance and bald head are repeatedly noted 5 30.
• Dark eyes: Described when he sincerely reassures Baozhu during Wei Xun’s illness 25.
• Firm musculature: Despite his size, his muscles, sinews, and bones are noticeably more developed than those of ordinary boys 38.
• Monk’s robes: Usually travels in novice robes; his clothing is described as gray during Luo Chengye’s capture 8 32.

Personality

Thirteenth Son is deeply loyal to Wei Xun, but his loyalty does not prevent him from criticizing his senior brother. He urges Wei Xun to apologize to Baozhu, points out her kindness to them, and challenges his attempts to avoid discussing the possible cure for his illness 3 34.

His concern for Baozhu develops beyond his initial resentment that rescuing her delayed Wei Xun’s urgent work. He helps nurse her despite that resentment, checks on her after her suicidal crisis, and later risks leaving a sealed temple to comfort her while she is confined 5 7 25.

Street experience makes him practical about money, food, bribery, and criminal dealings. He dislikes unnecessary lodging expenses and saves leftover food, yet loses his bearings when confronted with a major investigation involving powerful officials. His worldly knowledge coexists with youthful innocence and an incomplete understanding of court politics 13 18 19 47.

He is playful and sometimes indiscreet: he laughs uncontrollably at the accidental use of Wei Xun’s childhood nickname and teases Baozhu about blushing. He is also easily embarrassed by affection, retreating to dress after Baozhu embraces him following his rescue 12 13 38.

Abilities & Skills

Prajna Repentance and Body-Hardening

Thirteenth Son practices the Prajna Repentance internal art alongside external body-hardening techniques. Huo Qilang describes his training as tempering the sinews and forging the bones 25 35.

• Withstands a blow from Baozhu’s wooden stick without apparent injury; the stick splits instead 25.
• Survives repeated prison whippings and remains capable of climbing walls and windows afterward 37 38.
• Can easily break a wooden cangue and forcibly snap his wrist shackles 36 37.
• Limit: He explicitly denies matching Fourth Senior Brother, who has more than ten additional years of training. His resistance does not prevent pain or visible wounds 25 37.

Close-Quarters Combat

He can fight effectively at close range, particularly when protecting others or restraining a wounded opponent 20 32.

• Places himself between Baozhu and an unidentified intruder with his wooden staff ready 20.
• Subdues Luo Chengye after Baozhu shoots him in the thigh, using punches and kicks before dislocating both shoulders and binding him 32.

Lightness Skills

Thirteenth Son has little talent for lightness techniques, unlike Wei Xun 25.

• Can climb through windows and over courtyard walls, sometimes using ladders or assisting Baozhu with his shoulder 25.
• Reaches a high roof beam by catching Wei Xun’s lowered belt and using it for an additional boost 30.
• Limit: He cannot keep pace with Wei Xun’s speed and openly acknowledges his poor lightness skills 4 30.

Lookout Work and Underworld Knowledge

Keeping watch is his established job, and he understands the methods used by thieves and martial-world travelers 13.

• Guards the entrance to Princess Wanshou’s tomb and helps remove excavated earth 4.
• Recognizes valuable coffin materials, including imported Kucha Wood and imperial golden-thread phoebe 13.
• Reads coded wall marks that identify travelers, party size, injuries, and direction of travel 13.
• Bribes gate officials and investigates local underworld leadership and checkpoint arrangements 13 16 18.
• Limit: His low standing prevents him from contacting Xiagui’s local outfit successfully. As an unfinished apprentice without an established reputation, he cannot leave his own martial-world mark 13 18.

Buddhist Recitation

He uses Buddhist scripture both to comfort others and to confront frightening circumstances 7 12 49.

• Recites the Blood Bowl Repentance, associated with women in childbirth, while comforting Baozhu 7.
• Recites scripture for the dead discovered in Wealthy Master Fang’s storeroom 12.
• Silently chants the demon-banishing Shurangama Mantra when Tuoba Sanniang appears at the inn 49.
• Limit: Tuoba Sanniang’s shout destabilizes his qi despite his resistance; he admits that he is no match for her 50.

Equipment / Items

• Iron begging bowl — His regular means of obtaining sustenance 8.
• Wooden staff — Kept beside his bedding while guarding Baozhu and used when confronting an intruder 20.
• Monastic registration and travel pass — His lawful monk’s identity provides cover for his work with Wei Xun. The pass initially permits travel throughout Jingzhao Prefecture’s twenty counties; travel farther requires additional authorization 7 16.

Relationships

• Wei Xun — Eldest senior brother and chosen traveling partner. Thirteenth Son admires his abilities, guards his secrets, and remains with him despite warnings that following him offers no future 3 6 25.
• Li Baozhu / Princess Wanshou — Traveling companion whom he calls “Ninth Lady.” Their relationship grows from reluctant assistance into mutual concern; she fears for his safety during his arrest and embraces him after his rescue 5 9 35 38.
• Chen Shigu — Deceased master. Thirteenth Son respects his knowledge but remembers him chiefly as frightening and ill-tempered 25.
• Fourth Senior Brother — Fellow practitioner of external body-hardening arts, substantially more advanced than Thirteenth Son. He warns Baozhu against provoking him 9 25.
• Huo Qilang / Huo Qi — Seventh senior fellow disciple. He recognizes her during her nighttime visit; she later helps Wei Xun free him from prison 20 37.
• Tuoba Sanniang — Third senior sister, known as the Pipa-Tone Demon. He is deeply afraid of her and cannot withstand her attack 49 50.
• Yang Xingjian — Initially mistaken for a threat to Baozhu. After his identity is established, Yang arranges for Thirteenth Son to return to Lotus Flower Temple and answer roll call 21.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Princess Wanshou’s Rescue and Departure

• Keeps watch while Wei Xun enters the princess’s tomb, then remains behind to clean up the tunnel after her rescue 4.
• Helps bring broth and water during her recovery at Green Micro Temple 5.
• Follows her attempted return to Chang’an and joins Wei Xun in distracting her from suicide after she is turned away 6.
• Helps prepare for travel, explains why her recognizable jewelry must be melted before sale, and accompanies her departure toward Youzhou 8.

Eastward Journey and Fang Mansion

• Connects Baozhu’s personal name with the phrase “Living Pearl,” an early clue to the remedy sought for Wei Xun 9.
• Explains the staged haunting at Wealthy Master Fang’s mansion and identifies the supposedly missing treasure as the valuable coffin itself 12 13.
• Introduces Baozhu to the coded signs used by martial-world travelers 13.

Xiagui Pearl-Theft Case

• Scouts Xiagui’s underworld before Wei Xun disappears, then stays with Baozhu during the citywide search 18 20.
• Returns to Lotus Flower Temple because his name is on its register. When the confined monks run out of food, he secretly leaves to visit Baozhu 21 25.
• Reveals that Wei Xun is incapacitated by a recurring cold affliction, not fleeing with stolen treasure. After searching nearby hiding places, he leads Baozhu to Wei Xun’s concealed attic 25.
• Assists the murder-scene reconstruction and captures the disguised Luo Chengye 30 32.
• Tells Wei Xun that Baozhu may be the Phoenix Embryo, also called the Living Pearl, that Chen Shigu said could cure his fatal illness 34.

Arrest and Prison Break

• Is arrested by Bao Lang. Although capable of breaking his cangue, he avoids escaping by force because it might implicate Baozhu 35 36.
• Endures repeated whipping while chained in prison. Wei Xun cuts him free, after which he breaks his own wrist shackles 37.
• Escapes during Wei Xun and Huo Qi’s broader prison break and rejoins Baozhu with his mobility intact despite extensive lash wounds 37 38.

Lingbao and the Pipa-Tone Demon

• Continues east after the Xiagui case, joins Baozhu’s playful stream fight against Wei Xun, and later helps with her hair and hunting preparations 40 43 44 48.
• His sweating, silent recitation alerts Baozhu that the wandering pipa player is dangerous 49.
• After the confrontation, identifies the woman as Tuoba Sanniang and explains her recurring feud with Wei Xun 50.

Notable Quotes

“If I went with Second Brother, who would keep watch for you?” 3

“Keeping watch for Eldest Senior Brother is my job.” 13