Perfected Person Xuanji

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Jade Void Mountain and the Imperial Court

Xuanji grew up in a Daoist sect and became a senior member of Jade Void Mountain, where Lü Taiqing was her senior martial brother. She taught both the future Empress and Dongfang Liren. The Empress Dowager first visited her before entering the palace, and their subsequent years together in the capital made Xuanji her closest female friend 3 55 216.

After her disciples completed their studies, Xuanji returned to Jade Void Mountain and visited the capital infrequently. Following the Empress’s accession, however, she spent ten years traveling in search of the Dragon-Mingling Diagram to prolong her disciple’s life. Her journeys reached the northern snowfields, the eastern sea, and the western deserts 55 247 373.

Her annual autumn visits to the capital concealed another responsibility: guarding the Empress during the unexplained seasonal weakness that followed her seizure of the throne 220.

Separation from Luo Ning

Xuanji and Luo Ning were once close companions at Jade Void Mountain. Luo Ning secretly left to join Xue Baijin and the Sky-Pacifying Sect, knowing Xuanji would oppose the match because of the sect’s conflict with the Imperial Court. Believing Luo Ning had been abducted, Xuanji traveled to rescue her and nearly fought Xue Baijin 185.

Xuanji later remembered Luo Ning as the restrained, scholarly young woman who had repeatedly tried to curb her wild behavior. Their reunion exposed how much both women’s lives had changed 216.

Appearance

• Face and hair: Exquisitely delicate features, peach-blossom eyes, dark brows, and long, ink-black hair usually secured with a hairpin 185 584.
• Build: Slender and graceful, with a willow-like waist and long legs 185 207.
• Usual clothing: A snow-white gown decorated with a few plum blossoms, matching embroidered shoes, and sometimes a gauzy outer robe or veil hat 186 324 407.
• Recognizable accessories: The Acacia Sword and a vermilion wine gourd worn at her waist 207 407.
• Bearing: An apparently serene, otherworldly beauty offset by a naturally irreverent expression. Her age is difficult to discern from her appearance 185 187.

Personality

Xuanji is carefree, provocative, and largely indifferent to conventional propriety. Luo Ning describes a sharp contrast between her ethereal public image and her private habits of drinking, sleeping, and bathing outdoors. Xuanji regards this not as a failure of cultivation but as “entering the world” and returning to simplicity 186 216 233.

She enjoys theatrical displays of mastery, teasing her companions, and adopting the manner of a stern teacher. Her pride can undermine these performances: while recovering from poisoning, she attempts an elegant restraint maneuver on Ye Jingtang, only for her impaired circulation to spoil it 187 302.

Her irreverence does not erase her loyalty or judgment. She spends years seeking a cure for the Empress, rushes back at great physical cost when the sovereign is endangered, and recognizes the limits of her authority when Ye Jingtang presents an imperial token 215 259 373.

Love unsettles her more than danger. Although accustomed to observing worldly affairs as an outsider, she becomes reluctant to leave Ye Jingtang and return to mountain seclusion. Her eventual openness contrasts with Luo Ning and Xue Baijin’s anxiety about their disciples’ reactions to their relationships 333 336 562.

Abilities & Skills

Mastery of Multiple Martial Schools

Xuanji’s strength lies in the breadth of her martial foundation rather than dependence on a particular weapon 222.

• Can apply elite martial skill to swords, sabers, flexible weapons, unarmed combat, and concealed weapons 185 222 311.
• Combines internal and external cultivation to produce overwhelming force through apparently simple movements 222.
• Is described as nearing No Moves Beating Moves; her versatility makes her especially dangerous in an unrestricted fight rather than a narrowly defined contest 281.
• Her saber specialization falls short of Xuanyuan Chao’s, despite her broader capabilities 222.

Swordsmanship and Flexible-Weapon Combat

Xuanji freely changes her weapon’s reach and behavior by combining the Acacia Sword with her flowing sleeves 311.

• Launches the sword like a crossbow bolt while retaining control through a trailing sleeve 311.
• Turns the sword-and-sleeve combination into a flexible spear, then immediately returns it to a soft, evasive form 311 341.
• Uses sleeves like steel whips and conceals golden needles beneath their movements 311.
• Pressures Duansheng Ji through distance control, evasions, and repeated attacks rather than a direct contest of strength 311.

Movement and Perception

Her movement techniques combine explosive acceleration with fine balance and body control 185 214.

• Outpaces Ye Jingtang through a forest despite suppressing multiple poisons 185.
• Skims across water while drinking and instructing Dongfang Liren without losing her footing 214.
• Covers the journey from Sanhe Town toward Yun’an—more than two hundred li—at exceptional speed, though the exertion heavily taxes her 259.
• Detects hidden presences and recognizes major changes in Ye Jingtang’s meridians and internal circulation 202.
• Maintains a perfectly steady handstand even while tipsy 414.

Tracking, Investigation, and Intelligence

Gathering intelligence on Northern Liang forms part of her duties as Great Wei’s Imperial Preceptor 311.

• Keeps on Fan Qinghe’s trail for more than half a year 311 493.
• Reconstructs movement from faint footprints, judging their depth and force to estimate direction and landing points 311.
• Infiltrates the Thousand Mechanisms Sect and takes materials connected to its military work 311.
• Recruits Cao Aning and Xu Tianying to infiltrate the Left Xian King’s Manor and report to the Imperial Court 276.
• Uses knowledge gained during her travels to scout a potential military route through the Northern Wasteland 536.

Scholarly Arts and Craftsmanship

Xuanji is accomplished in scholarly pursuits as well as martial arts 240.

• Painting: Taught Dongfang Liren and continues painting in Ye Jingtang’s household 240 584.
• Calligraphy and poetry: Tests Ye Jingtang’s imitation of her handwriting and exchanges poetic couplets with him 324 336.
• Music: Plays the pipa 336.
• Carving: Shapes jade with the Acacia Sword and smooths it with internal force; later crafts a fitted hilt and scabbard for Ye Jingtang’s Sword Strip 240 369.
• Daoist practices: Uses the Ziwu Formula hand seal, inscribes properly formed talismans, and performs ritual consecration 311 324 369.

Limitations

• Not immune to poison: Blood-Congealing Powder disrupts her circulation, while the Heart-Rending Needle leaves her blood and qi dangerously unstable 187 311 312.
• Recent recovery training has limits: Her early Flame-Rebirth Diagram practice is insufficient against the Heart-Rending Needle’s poison 311.
• Susceptible to medicinal powders: Lustful Radiance Incense, Dreamlike Illusion Powder, and Blazing Body Powder all affect her 195 274 289.
• Martial Saint status remains unconfirmed: At her explicitly documented breakthrough, she still lacks the necessary cultivation accumulation 479.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Acacia Sword — One of the Ten Famous Swords, carried in a white scabbard. Used for conventional swordsmanship, sleeve-assisted flexible attacks, and precision carving 187 240 311.
• Vermilion Wine Gourd — Her habitual drinking vessel, usually carried at her waist; she shares it with Ye Jingtang after his confession 207 312.
• Flowing white sleeves — Serve as whips, flexible weapon shafts, and cover for concealed needles 311.
• Golden needles — Concealed weapons used against Duansheng Ji and displayed while threatening Fan Qinghe 254 311.
• Veil hat — Regular traveling attire worn with her white gown 270 407.

Relationships

• Ye Jingtang — Martial pupil in practice, though not her formal disciple, and later her lover. His rescue and confession lead to their first explicit romantic commitment; their marriage plans are subsequently known to Lü Taiqing 312 333 377.
• The Empress / Yu Hu — Disciple and sovereign. Xuanji searches for a means to extend her life and guards her during periods of vulnerability 55 220 373.
• Dongfang Liren / Prince Jing — Disciple. Xuanji teaches her martial arts and painting and retains considerable personal authority over her 3 215 240.
• Lü Taiqing — Senior martial brother and one of the Two Sages. He knows of her intended marriage and explains Ye Jingtang’s potential responsibility as Great Wei’s next protector 3 377.
• The Empress Dowager / Huaiyan — Longstanding closest female friend. Xuanji escorts her, spends leisure time with her, and eventually learns that they share Ye Jingtang as a lover 55 378 407.
• Luo Ning — Old friend whose departure for the Sky-Pacifying Sect once prompted a rescue attempt. Their shared involvement with Ye Jingtang later forces an awkward reckoning 185 353.
• Fan Qinghe — Initially a pursued opponent whom Xuanji detains and searches; later a drinking companion and fellow member of Ye Jingtang’s household 254 336 584.
• Xue Baijin — Former adversary over Luo Ning and a political opponent as Sky-Pacifying Sect Master. Their later contact becomes less hostile, and Ye Jingtang eventually entrusts Xuanji with keeping her from acting rashly 185 370 546.
• Pei Xiangjun — Companion within Ye Jingtang’s circle. During his absence, Xuanji obtains a female official’s badge for her so they can travel together and visit Dongfang Liren’s palace 455.
• Niao Niao — Scouting companion who helps locate Xuanji and brings Ye Jingtang to her when she is in distress 195 311 312.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wu Prefecture and Meeting Ye Jingtang

Ye Jingtang first encounters Xuanji while she is fleeing through a forest under the effects of several poisons. After she collapses, Luo Ning recognizes her as Shuishui and administers a White Emperor Pill. Her unexpected vulnerability clashes with Ye Jingtang’s impression of the supposedly untouchable Imperial Preceptor 185.

Xuanji resumes pursuing the Northern Liang Thief Saint after recovering. A later encounter with Lustful Radiance Incense leaves her disoriented, and Ye Jingtang stays with her until its effects subside 188 195.

Imperial Investigations and the Diagram Search

Concerned about Ye Jingtang’s involvement with Luo Ning, Xuanji confronts him as a possible rebel agent. His imperial token establishes the sovereign’s trust in him and makes her withdraw her questioning 215.

Her demonstration of an apparently unadorned saber stroke helps prompt new insight in Ye Jingtang before his confrontation with Xuanyuan Chao. After his victory, she treats his injuries and asks him to find the Golden Scale and Dragon-Elephant diagrams, offering assistance and a favor in return 222 223 225.

She subsequently assists with the Imperial Fist Academy murder investigation and traces suspicious medicinal shipments. Her detention of Fan Qinghe yields information about large Crowfeather Grass purchases, a man afflicted with bone spurs, and the possibility that Prince Yan’s heir possesses the Dragon-Elephant Diagram 232 254.

Heart-Rending Needle and Romantic Commitment

While searching for Ye Jingtang, Xuanji encounters Shen Lin and Duansheng Ji. Her flexible-weapon techniques force Duansheng Ji onto the defensive, but Shen Lin strikes her through a tree with a concealed Heart-Rending Needle 311.

Ye Jingtang finds her cooling herself beneath the snow, removes the needle, and draws out poisoned blood. Moved by his distress, she accepts his confession and kisses him. Fan Qinghe later confirms that she is largely out of danger but needs rest 312 313.

Choosing Life in the Mortal World

Xuanji’s attachment to Ye Jingtang prolongs her stay in the capital. She struggles between returning to Jade Void Mountain and preserving their relationship; during a couplet exchange, his answer reassures her that he takes their bond seriously 333 336.

Their relationship becomes increasingly visible to Luo Ning, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager. By her reunion with Lü Taiqing, her senior brother already knows of her marriage plans 353 373 377 378.

Later Travels and Household Life

Xuanji continues searching for Ye Jingtang when he disappears beyond the border, correctly deducing that he would seek refuge with the Dongming Tribe. She later tracks him through the Wuma Tribe’s caves and remains with him during a severe internal crisis at the lotus pool 412 493.

Her later activities combine court service, travel, and life with Ye Jingtang’s household. She scouts a Northern Wasteland route for possible military operations, joins palace gatherings, and continues her artistic pursuits and teasing at the New Residence 536 551 584.

Notable Quotes

“Just call me Miss Shui’er, Young Master Ye. ‘Perfected Person,’ ‘Daoist Master,’ and the like sound far too old.” 187

“Every movement I make is a technique, and flowers plucked and leaves picked become deadly weapons. Whether I hold a saber or a sword makes no difference to me, so I suppose I do.” 222

“To live in drunkenness and die in dreams is a rare blessing. Besides, he can’t keep me in line...” 313

Trivia

• Jade Void Mountain’s Daoist nuns originally called her Shuixian, but changed it to Shui’er because her drinking, sleeping, and outdoor bathing hardly resembled an immortal maiden’s conduct. She defends the change as a return to simplicity and truth 233.
• She recalls passing Ye Jingtang’s childhood home roughly ten years before their adult acquaintance and seeing a small boy holding fish by the road 270.
• Despite her casual attitude toward most conventions, she behaves properly before the Three Pure Ones and leaves her wine gourd outside their hall 377.
• She gives the Empress Dowager the ritually consecrated Phoenix Gallbladder to bolster her courage 324.