Yanqing

Biodata

Power Progression

Yanqing’s documented advancement consists of improvements in physique, sword control, and technique rather than named cultivation realms.

Background and History

Jing Yuan’s Disciple

Jing Yuan raised Yanqing and kept him close as a guard to broaden his experience. Although Yanqing preferred sword practice to board games, he valued what he learned from playing against the general—even while resenting Jing Yuan’s habit of secretly removing pieces to handicap himself 188 208 627.

Yanqing aspired to fill the Sword Champion position left vacant since the Imbibitor Lunae Cataclysm. Jing Yuan considered his swordsmanship spirited but excessively sharp-edged, with insufficient maturity for the title 250.

Training with Jiang Yu

Before becoming Jiang Yu’s regular sparring partner, Yanqing admired Mr. Xiyan’s Cosmic Sword Immortal, whose stories drew substantially on Jiang Yu’s experiences. Jing Yuan encouraged the boys to spend time together, hoping another genius would temper his disciple’s pride 188 199 202.

Their matches were consistently one-sided. Jiang Yu broke Yanqing’s swords, disarmed him without warning, and overwhelmed him with repeated basic attacks. Rather than abandoning practice, Yanqing recognized the need to strengthen his body and trained harder 200 203.

Witnessing Jiang Yu’s Skyfall left him dejected for nearly five days. He eventually stopped treating Jiang Yu as a rival he could realistically surpass, while continuing to spar with him and developing his own imitation of the technique 221 253.

The Ambrosial Arbor Crisis

While following Jing Yuan’s assignment to apprehend Blade, Yanqing encountered Jingliu and initially treated her as a stranded civilian needing protection. He did not recognize either her identity as his grandmaster or the historical significance of her stated home, Cangcheng 250.

Their encounter became a contest against Mara-Struck Abominations, followed by a direct confrontation. Believing Jingliu intended to kill him, Yanqing gathered power for Skyfall as a means of buying time to escape. Jiang Yu intervened after the exchange, defeated Jingliu, and brought her back with Yanqing 251 252.

Yanqing later protected Dan Heng from Blade and improvised his chained Jumping Slash style during their fight. Blade’s regeneration prevented his flying swords from securing a decisive victory. Yanqing subsequently learned that Jing Yuan had been cooperating with the Stellaron Hunters without telling him 254 255.

Before the confrontation deeper within Scalegorge Waterscape, Jiang Yu ordered him to remain with the Cloud Knights because the enemies exceeded his current strength. Yanqing reluctantly accepted the judgment rather than joining the main assault 258 259.

Belobog and Molten Torch

During the visit to Belobog, Yanqing trained his physique and sparred with Argenti. Like Jiang Yu, Argenti defeated him in every documented match, but provided a different learning environment through deliberate, serious combat 348.

Later, Yanqing followed the Heliobus Molten Torch to Dragonprayer Terrace to study its sword formation. The Ghost-Hunting Squad feared he had been bewitched, but he revealed that his cooperation had been voluntary. He rejected Molten Torch’s glorification of killing and refused to sacrifice his humanity for greater skill 396 397.

Penacony

Yanqing’s concern for security extended beyond the Luofu: in Penacony, he judged the hotel’s protection inadequate by his own standards. He also accompanied Jiang Yu, Argenti, and Huohuo on Cocona’s request to retrieve a lost record from the Dream Hotel 448 482.

When Jiang Yu disappeared, Yanqing proposed searching the Dreamscape and contacting the Family. He later relayed information about the Luofu’s movement toward Penacony and briefed Argenti’s group on the suspected Dreamscape crisis and the Xianzhou fleet’s preparations to land 505 526 571.

Yunli and March 7th’s Apprenticeship

Ahead of the Wardance, Jing Yuan selected Yanqing to represent the Luofu as its defending swordsman. Yanqing also investigated the presence of Borisin prisoners in Starskiff Haven and became concerned that he had overlooked the political pressure facing his master after the Ambrosial Arbor crisis 625 627 630.

Yunli’s refusal to return Black Cleave and her insults toward the Luofu’s swordsmen provoked him into competition. Yanqing killed more abominations in their timed contest, then defeated her in a duel while repeatedly sparing her from severe injury. Yunli conceded and apologized 636 637 639.

Despite initially questioning whether an unfinished apprentice could teach someone else, Yanqing became March 7th’s instructor alongside Yunli. He supplied March with two swords and promised to teach her Cloud Knights’ swordsmanship well enough to defeat at least one Wardance opponent 643 645.

Hoolay’s Escape

After the prison break, Yanqing relinquished his defending-swordsman position to prioritize the Luofu’s safety. March 7th was assigned to take his place in the arena 679 681.

He accompanied Feixiao during preparations to draw out the Borisin, then joined Jiang Yu and Yunli aboard the Contest of Blades Ship. After encountering disguised Borisin in the Engine Room, they reached the arena as the Cloud Knights surrounded Hoolay 689 699.

Personality

Yanqing is disciplined, polite, and unusually mature in his public conduct, but remains a proud adolescent beneath that composure. He dislikes being underestimated because of his age and can interpret well-meant assistance as doubt in his abilities 200 250.

His pride rarely prevents him from working. Even after exhausting daily training and repeated defeats, Jiang Yu never saw him skip practice. Exposure to stronger opponents gradually redirected his ambition from proving himself superior to improving his own shortcomings 203 253 396.

Jiang Yu also brings out his more childish and mischievous side. Yanqing becomes more willing to complain to Jing Yuan, ask for backing, and tease opponents, while remaining far more easily embarrassed than Jiang Yu 200 252 253.

His sense of duty ultimately outweighs competitive recognition. Though he had prepared extensively for the Wardance, he gave up his arena position because fulfilling his responsibilities as a Cloud Knight Lieutenant came first 679.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Yanqing is the Luofu’s young sword prodigy, trained directly by Jing Yuan within the lineage of Jingliu. Jiang Yu considers his ability to understand and master sword techniques exceptional 214 250 491.

• Uses precise strikes against vital points rather than relying solely on wide, forceful attacks 637.
• Reads unfamiliarity in an opponent’s movements, correctly identifying techniques Jiang Yu had only just learned 202.
• Initially favors relentless offense; both Jing Yuan and Jingliu criticize his lack of restraint and concealed intent 250.
• Later incorporates feints and hidden follow-ups, addressing that earlier weakness 637.

Flying-Sword Control

Yanqing controls Artisanship Commission swords by linking his spiritual consciousness to their internal Skyfaring Shuttles. This is distinct from Jiang Yu’s intuitive, shuttle-free Sword-Riding 248.

• Commonly deploys six flying swords alongside his handheld blade 220 254 637.
• Uses them for defense, interference, attacks from multiple directions, and aerial footholds 203 254.
• Conceals secondary attacks behind an opponent’s response to the first wave 637.
• Controlling additional swords requires talent; fast, sustained Sword-Riding Flight demands further training 248.

Skyfall

Yanqing’s strongest documented technique is an imitation of Jiang Yu’s Skyfall, developed through repeated practice 221 251.

• Manifests a gigantic descending ice sword and locks onto its target 222 251.
• Produces a blade two or three hundred meters long during his confrontation with Jingliu 251.
• Initially remains incomplete and physically draining; by the later Wardance preparations, he can execute it reliably 251 254 636.
• Never matches the scale or power of Jiang Yu’s original in the provided account 222 636.

Jumping Slash Style

Yanqing adapts Jiang Yu’s repeated Jumping Slashes into a style suited to his own strength and flying swords 254.

• Steps on flying swords to gain height and reposition between attacks.
• Combines heavy downward strikes with thrusts and supporting sword attacks.
• Temporarily forces Blade onto the defensive, but cannot sustain Jiang Yu’s overwhelming power or endurance 254.

Mental Discipline

Yanqing maintains control of himself despite Molten Torch’s attempted bewitchment. He consciously studies the Heliobus’s techniques without accepting its beliefs or surrendering his identity 397.

• Attributes his resistance to the willpower developed through Jiang Yu’s training.
• Rejects wanton killing and advancement purchased at the cost of his humanity 397.

Teaching

As March 7th’s instructor, Yanqing emphasizes discipline, a clear reason to train, and methods suited to the student’s strengths 645 646 655.

• Prioritizes footwork and flexible coordination for dual-sword combat 646.
• Argues for developing strengths first, then using them to compensate for weaknesses 646.
• Helps March identify her ambition to become an upright, honorable swordswoman 655.

Equipment

• Artisanship Commission flying swords — Mechanism-equipped weapons responsive to his spiritual consciousness. He frequently spends his money buying new models, leaving Jing Yuan to cover the expense 197 208 248.
• Heavier flying swords — His later training weapons weigh more than twice as much as his earlier swords, reflecting his increased emphasis on strength 636.
• Blade’s Shard Sword — Temporarily catches and uses it during their fight; its unusual weight helps him deliver his improvised Jumping Slashes 254.

Relationships

• Jing Yuan — Master, guardian, and commanding officer. Uses challenging opponents and practical assignments to develop Yanqing’s judgment as well as his martial ability 199 208 250 627.
• Jiang Yu / Little Fish — Close friend, regular sparring partner, and trainer. Yanqing trusts his strength and judgment, even after accepting that surpassing him is unrealistic 202 221 253 258.
• Jingliu — Grandmaster through Jing Yuan. Their first encounter exposes both Yanqing’s technical weaknesses and his ignorance of her identity 250 251.
• Argenti — Physical-conditioning and sparring instructor. His serious matches help Yanqing identify weaknesses and measure progress 348 636.
• Yunli — Rival and fellow teacher of March 7th. Their initial conflict ends in her defeat and apology, though they continue arguing over training methods 639 645 646.
• March 7th — Swordsmanship pupil. Her teasing initially embarrasses him, but he takes responsibility for her training seriously 645 655.
• Feixiao — Guides him during the hunt for Hoolay, emphasizing patience and the need to wait for an opening 681 689.

Notable Quotes

“Martial skills only improve through daily honing. And when it comes to honing them, nothing beats actual combat!” 202

“Though I wish to reach a higher realm, I’m not about to give up being human for it.” 397

“Before I take on the honor of being the Defending Champion Swordsman, I must first fulfill my duties as a Cloud Knight Lieutenant.” 679

Trivia

• Yanqing’s affection for flying swords is expensive enough to contribute to Jing Yuan’s strained personal finances 197 208.
• He notices that Jiang Yu, Yunli, March 7th, and he himself all favor Jumping Slashes, and imagines the spectacle of all four descending on one enemy together 646.
• In the player-facing storyline, Brother Yellow Pee loses three consecutive Jiang Yu banner 50/50s to Yanqing before obtaining three guaranteed Jiang Yu copies 298.