Xingqiu

Biodata

Background / History

Xingqiu is the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, one of Liyue’s foremost commerce guilds. He received childhood instruction in music, strategy games, calligraphy, and painting, and also trained at a martial sect. Despite his family’s standing, he identifies himself as a member of the Guhua School when confronting injustice rather than invoking the guild’s influence 16 19 21.

Under the pen name Pillow Jade, he became a contracted author at Yae Publishing House. Yae Miko reveals that his newly signed book is selling well, while Kamisato Ayaka recognizes him as the author of Records of Jinyu and has read its first volume. His publication in Inazuma began only recently, and even Chongyun initially knew nothing about it 22 25.

Appearance

• Fair complexion and slender legs: Viewers repeatedly remark on these features during his clothing punishment 3 42.
• Feminine-looking features: The narration states that he could pass for a girl without makeup, aside from his flat chest 42.
• Punishment costume: The livestream forces him into a blue women’s outfit with waist slits. Viewers also note a long wig and apparent chest padding; these are costume additions, not his normal appearance 2 3.

Personality

Xingqiu models his conduct on literary chivalry. He believes justice is independent of social status and regards repaying kindness as a hero’s duty. After Chang the Ninth lends him a book, he insists that his promise to help was not empty talk; once the dispute is settled, he prefers to leave without taking public credit 19 24.

His love of books can make him appear inattentive. He repeatedly returns to reading while Lumine and Paimon investigate Mao Cai Gong, provoking Paimon’s irritation even though he already has a plan. He also draws comparisons and nicknames from martial-arts fiction, including calling Kaeya the “Ice-Crossing Adeptus” 7 20 21.

He enjoys teasing Chongyun but is deeply embarrassed when the joke turns on him. His forced performance keeps him indoors for seven days, and the later exposure of his handwriting leaves him lamenting that the entire continent knows about it 6 15 22.

Abilities & Skills

Guhua Swordsmanship

• Fights alongside Lumine against more than ten household servants and Fatui members, defeating them despite being outnumbered 20.
• Displays refined swordsmanship during the Feiyun Commerce Guild warehouse confrontation 23.
• Uses swift, nimble water-sword attacks during the Spiral Abyss challenge 32.

Hydro Vision and Techniques

• Hydro Vision: Demonstrates control of Hydro while fighting Mao Cai Gong’s Fatui allies 23.
• Fatal Rainscreen: Uses this named technique in the warehouse battle; the passage does not specify its individual effects 23.
• Raincutter / Guhua Secret Art: Deploys water swords in combat and combines his Hydro attacks with Hu Tao’s Pyro strikes 23 32.

Tactical Coordination and Business Strategy

• Organizes a Cor Lapis buyout using the Feiyun Commerce Guild’s resources, depriving Mao Cai Gong of the materials needed for his Fatui contract 21 23.
• Resolves the resulting shortage through a lawful sale at three times the market price 23 24.
• Assigns Fischl to support Itto in the Spiral Abyss while he partners with Hu Tao 32.
• Gathers enemies and draws their attention so Hu Tao can land sweeping attacks 32.

Writing and Literary Knowledge

• Writes novels under Pillow Jade, with strong sales in Inazuma 22 25.
• Exchanges verses with Hu Tao, who praises his literary talent and knows he is writing a collection of strange tales 25.
• Records Chongyun’s newly acquired techniques in a notebook as material for a future novel 38.
• His handwriting is exceptionally illegible but recognizable: Yanfei says no one could imitate it, and A-Xu can identify it at a glance 22.

Relationships

• Chongyun — Close friend and frequent target of his tricks. Xingqiu’s false confidence leads Chongyun into a chili-eating punishment, but later advice, backed by Diluc, helps him win Naruto’s three signature techniques 6 16 38.
• Shenhe — Along with Chongyun, receives a 400,000-Mora loan from Xingqiu after the first livestream’s penalties 16.
• Hu Tao — Poetry friend and effective combat partner. She knows about his writing, laughs at his handwriting, and coordinates closely with him in the Spiral Abyss 21 25 32.
• Lumine and Paimon — Allies in the streamed Cor Lapis dispute. They investigate Mao Cai Gong, deliver Xingqiu’s letter, and buy stock for his plan; Paimon calls him “Bookworm” because of his constant reading 20 21 23.
• Chang the Ninth — Fellow admirer of Legend of the Shattered Halberd. Lending Xingqiu his remaining book prompts Xingqiu to repay the kindness by protecting his business interests 16 19 23.
• Yae Miko — Publishing contact who publicly reveals his Pillow Jade identity and correctly answers the quiz about his handwriting 22.
• Albedo — States that he has a working relationship with Xingqiu and Yae Miko; its precise nature is not explained in the supplied passages 22.
• A-Xu — Household servant who recognizes Xingqiu’s handwriting and provides five million Mora for the Cor Lapis purchases 22 23.
• Mao Cai Gong and Changhu — Antagonists in the streamed Liyue story. Xingqiu counters their coercive trade practices through combat and a guild-backed supply buyout 16 20 23 24.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Darknight Hero Quiz and Forced Performance

Xingqiu wins the first elite answer slot and guesses that Charles is the Darknight Hero. The incorrect answer earns him ten minutes of livestreaming in women’s clothing at Liyue Harbor’s docks, together with three shouted declarations of “I am Xingqiu” 2 3.

When he refuses the costume, the system takes control of his body and adds mandatory dialogue. It forces him to walk with a catwalk gait and ask the audience whether he is beautiful. Itto, Kaeya, Chongyun, and Keqing spread the Cross-Dressing Master nickname afterward 2 3.

“The Jianghu Asks Not of One’s Origins”

The second livestream centers on a Liyue story involving Xingqiu. The footage is treated as a possible future: Xingqiu notes that only four volumes of Legend of the Shattered Halberd currently exist, while the broadcast mentions a sixth, and Changhu points out that the confrontation has not happened yet 15 16 19.

The accompanying quizzes expose his pen name and handwriting. A later question asks about his novel’s sales in Liyue; Ningguang and La Signora incorrectly choose that it had not been published there, despite bookstore inquiries finding no remembered record of it 22 25.

Spiral Abyss Challenge

Assigned to the Seventh Floor with Hu Tao, Arataki Itto, and Fischl, Xingqiu warns that it will be more dangerous than the First Floor and proposes their combat arrangement. His Hydro attacks and Hu Tao’s Pyro strikes help defeat more than thirty corrupted Hilichurls 30 32.

When over thirty corrupted Mitachurls surround the team, he again gathers enemies for Hu Tao’s sweeping attacks. The supplied account shows the second battle beginning but does not establish his team’s final result 32.

Continuing Livestream Appearances

• Public teasing persists: After the Liyue broadcast, merchants joke about his supposed expertise in women’s fashion. He rushes to Wanwen Bookhouse to read its newly arrived books 34.
• Chongyun’s successful answer: Helps encourage Chongyun toward a correct choice, then visits Wanmin Restaurant to watch and document his rewards 38.

Notable Quotes

“Justice has nothing to do with status. You're merely a few servants throwing your master's weight around.” 19

“By lending me his book, he has done me a kindness. Repaying that kindness is the very essence of chivalry.” 19

“Once the deed is done, depart without a backward glance, concealing both your deeds and your name. That is a true chivalrous hero.” 24