Lin Jiu

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Lin Dafu’s Retainer

Lin Jiu was an orphan whom Lin Dafu took in as a child. He became a longtime guard of the Lin estate and learned the family’s inherited Life-Severing Saber. In his final letter, Lin Dafu described him as trustworthy and asked Lin Yuan to keep him by his side 3 10 28.

When Lin Dafu was ambushed at Black Wind Mountain, Lin Jiu escaped only because his master fought desperately to protect him. He concealed Lin Dafu’s belongings in a natural cave in Falling Goose Valley and carried the letter intended for Lin Yuan 3 4.

Escape from Blackstone Town

Lin Yuan discovered Lin Jiu bloodied and near death after killing Zhang San, then brought him to Master Wu for treatment. Upon waking, Lin Jiu revealed that hardened soldiers had participated in Lin Dafu’s ambush and disclosed the hiding place of his belongings 3 4.

While recovering, Lin Jiu captured Liu San after the deserter entered the clinic at night. His interrogation exposed the presence of soldiers who had fled Weishui City, prompting Lin Yuan, Master Wu, and Lin Jiu to leave Blackstone Town 5.

The three subsequently encountered Liu Lie and his men. Lin Jiu stayed behind to protect Lin Yuan’s escape, using the Life-Severing Saber to kill six soldiers and fatally wound Liu Lie, a First-Grade martial artist weakened by a prolonged fever. The technique left Lin Jiu unconscious with severely depleted blood essence 6 7.

Recovery in Ping’an County

Lin Yuan carried Lin Jiu to Ping’an County and arranged passage through a hole in the city wall. At the Heavenly Delight Inn, Lin Jiu taught him the Life-Severing Saber without withholding its secrets 7 8 10.

Century-old ginseng restored Lin Jiu enough to function normally, but he remained unable to fight. His lingering weakness visibly distressed him. Full recovery came when Lin Yuan obtained a Qi and Blood Pill from Shen Qing; its medicinal power also advanced him to Body Tempering Perfection 13 15 22.

Reclaiming the Lin Estate

During Lin Yuan’s return to the estate, Lin Jiu killed a servant who discarded the Lin ancestors’ spirit tablets. He then received Lin Dafu’s tablet from Lin Yuan and held it through the confrontation. After Zhao Yan’s death, he tearfully declared that his master had been avenged 24 26.

Lin Jiu also attacked Song Mo from behind during the ensuing battle. Song Mo trapped his saber between two fingers and was about to strike him down when Lin Yuan unleashed his own attack 27.

His familiarity with the household proved useful during the estate’s purge: he identified Zhou Fu’s responsibilities, recognized Yunniang as Lin Yuan’s former wet nurse, and helped distinguish longstanding servants from Zhao Clan associates. Lin Yuan subsequently assigned him to take over the family businesses with Lin Liu assisting 28 29.

Afterward, Lin Jiu continued guarding Lin Yuan’s residence and accompanying him on business. He later joined the Dragon Guard recruits’ training at Lin Yuan’s instruction and entered the First-Grade Qi and Blood Realm 32 36 39 40 41.

Appearance

• A robust, dark-faced man with a weathered face and powerful hands 5 10 28.
• Following his use of the Life-Severing Saber, he becomes markedly thinner, with a paper-pale complexion and sunken cheeks 10 11.

Personality

Lin Jiu’s loyalty rests on his gratitude to Lin Dafu. He regards his debt to his master as weightier than his own life and willingly risks death to protect Lin Yuan. His attachment to the family is also evident in his fury over the discarded ancestral tablets and his tears when Lin Dafu is avenged 6 24 26.

Despite his ferocity in combat, he is deferential toward Lin Yuan and calls himself “only a servant.” He initially discourages Lin Yuan from troubling himself over his treatment, then kneels in gratitude when given the pill that restores him 10 14 22.

He also has a competitive streak over his place in the household. When Lin Liu wins Master Wu’s favor and receives Lin Yuan’s approval, Lin Jiu privately dismisses him as a bootlicker and promptly returns to guarding the gate, determined to secure his own role 40.

Abilities & Skills

Life-Severing Saber

The Lin family’s Human-tier life-staking secret art burns blood essence to unleash several times the user’s normal power 10.

• Blood-fueled strike: Lin Jiu draws his hand across the blade, producing blood mist that the saber absorbs before his aura rises 6.
• Saber Qi: His desperate horizontal slash breaks opposing sabers, cuts through padded armor, and kills six soldiers at once 6.
• Fighting above his realm: The same attack fatally wounds Liu Lie, though Liu Lie’s fever has substantially reduced his strength 6 7.
• Severe cost: The technique nearly drains Lin Jiu dry, requiring century-old ginseng and a Qi and Blood Pill for recovery 7 10 22.
• Instruction: He teaches the complete technique and explains its blood-essence cost to Lin Yuan 10.

Guarding and Close Combat

• Overpowers Liu San by the throat, throws him to the ground, and forces him to disclose his identity through interrogation 5.
• Detects approaching people by pressing his ear to the ground while traveling toward Ping’an County 5.
• Guards Lin Yuan’s courtyard during cultivation and treats protection of the residence as his principal duty 32 33 40.

Household Knowledge

• Knows the estate’s longtime servants and identifies Zhou Fu as the steward responsible for its money, grain, and land deeds 28.
• Recognizes Yunniang and helps secure the release of servants during Lin Yuan’s purge 28.
• Supervises the identification of honest workers without Zhao Clan ties, watching for favoritism 28.

Equipment / Items

• Saber — His regular weapon and the medium for the Life-Severing Saber 6 27.
• Iron token bearing the Lin character — Found on him when Lin Yuan discovers him wounded 3.
• Lin Dafu’s letter — Carries his master’s final message, which reveals Lin Shan’s parentage and vouches for Lin Jiu’s loyalty 3.
• Lin Dafu’s spirit tablet — Retrieves it through Lin Yuan after its desecration and holds it while witnessing his master’s revenge 24 26.

Relationships

• Lin Dafu — Benefactor and former master. Took Lin Jiu in as an orphan and sacrificed himself to enable his escape from the ambush 3 4.
• Lin Yuan — Young master and protector in turn. Lin Jiu risks his life for him, teaches him the family saber art, and receives lifesaving treatment and further cultivation opportunities 6 10 22 41.
• Master Wu — Physician and traveling companion. Treats his wounds, diagnoses his blood-essence depletion, and helps him absorb the Qi and Blood Pill 3 7 22.
• Lin Liu — Assistant in taking over the Lin businesses and a source of household rivalry when his ingratiating behavior wins approval 29 40.

Notable Quotes

“I have one saber strike. Please instruct me!” 6

“Master, did you see? The young master has avenged you!” 26