Yanqing

Biodata

Background

Yanqing is General Jing Yuan’s young disciple. Jing Yuan keeps him close as a guard to give him practical experience and selects him to represent the Luofu’s Cloud Knights as the Wardance’s defending swordsman 83.

Before the Astral Express’s return for the Wardance, Yanqing had challenged Dan Heng and Blade alone. Dan Heng later invokes that encounter as a reminder of Yanqing’s courage, advising him to recover the resolve he showed when he put life and death out of his thoughts 92.

Appearance

• Youthful build: Frequently remarked upon by others; Lingsha is surprised that Jing Yuan’s attendant is so young 88.
• Blue-and-white clothing: Hanxing uses this description when locating him in the Starskiff Haven crowd 80.
• Short stature: Feixiao teases him about his height, prompting an indignant response 107.
• Flying swords: Several blades hover around him when he forms a sword seal 116.

Personality

Yanqing is courteous toward guests and conscientious about his responsibilities. He formally welcomes Hanxing and Firefly, apologizes for delays, and interrupts his escort duties immediately when civilians are threatened 81. His sense of duty ultimately outweighs his competitive ambitions: after Hoolay escapes, he relinquishes his Wardance position rather than pursue personal honor while the Luofu is in danger 107.

His restraint has limits. Although he initially describes Yunli’s taking of his sword as fairly as possible, her repeated refusals and insults eventually provoke him into demanding a contest. He explains that he had tolerated her conduct because she was a guest from the Zhuming 83 89.

Despite his accomplishments, Yanqing is openly aware of his shortcomings. Recent defeats and the strength displayed by Hanxing and Feixiao unsettle his confidence before the Wardance 92. He also worries that he has failed to recognize Jing Yuan’s political burdens, but responds to encouragement by resolving to complete the duties entrusted to him 85.

Abilities & Skills

Flying-Sword Control

• Directs several swords at once, launching them toward opponents with hand gestures 81 114.
• Forms a sword seal to keep multiple blades hovering in readiness 116.
• Strikes several Borisin during the fighting preceding the Skysplitter confrontation 114.
• His control is not infallible: several swords lodge in a wall during the Starskiff Haven attack, and Yunli intervenes against the remaining Borisin 81.

Swordsmanship

• Trained by Jing Yuan and chosen to defend the Wardance arena against challengers from other worlds 83 110.
• Previously possessed the resolve to challenge Dan Heng and Blade alone 92.
• Does not regard himself as undefeated; he acknowledges recent losses and accepts Dan Heng’s guidance before the tournament 92.

Investigation and Command

• Knows prisoner-transfer procedures and challenges the decision to bring dangerous Borisin prisoners through a passenger terminal 82.
• Coordinates escorts, evidence handling, and containment after the company’s wolf-shaped mech attacks 88.
• Uses inconsistencies in purported employees’ accounts to help expose Borisin infiltrators at Stargazer Navalia 110 111.
• Recognizes diplomacy as part of an officer’s work, while admitting that negotiations—particularly with company representatives—are more difficult for him than combat 84.

Equipment

• Flying swords — A set of remotely controlled blades used for ranged attacks and battlefield readiness. Yunli takes one during the Starskiff Haven incident; it is eventually returned through Hanxing after Feixiao interrupts their duel 81 91 116.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Astral Express Reception and Starskiff Haven Attack

Yanqing meets the returning Astral Express crew at Starskiff Haven and introduces himself to Hanxing and Firefly. Acting on Jing Yuan’s instructions, he begins escorting them to meet the general, but a Borisin attack interrupts the visit. He deploys his flying swords, while Yunli assists against one attacker and leaves with one of his blades 81.

During the investigation, Yanqing questions the Cloud Knights about the prisoners’ arrival. He initially accepts Lujun’s explanation of an emergency rescue, but Hanxing’s warning that the officer is disguised leads him to recognize the possibility of a larger plot 82.

Dispute with Yunli

At the Seat of Divine Foresight, Yanqing discovers that the sword-taker is Yunli, Huaiyan’s descendant-disciple. She refuses to return the weapon, invoking a Zhuming custom that a sword lost on the battlefield must be reclaimed there 83.

Their argument resumes at the Alchemy Commission. Lingsha redirects the confrontation into an abomination-slaying contest, and Yanqing reluctantly lets Hanxing compete on his behalf. Hanxing wins, but Yunli refuses to honor the wager and instead duels him 89 90.

Feixiao stops the duel, after which Yunli hands the flying sword to Hanxing for its return. Yanqing remains dissatisfied with her lack of an apology, while Yunli declares that her own match with him is still unresolved 91.

Company Cargo Investigation

Jing Yuan assigns Yanqing to placate company representatives protesting the detention of their cargo. The Astral Express volunteers to help, and the investigation uncovers suspected biological material inside the shipment 84 85 86.

Yanqing and Caelus press Scott to permit an inspection. When the container opens, a wolf-shaped mech attacks toward Yanqing; Hanxing destroys it during an interval the others cannot perceive 87 88.

Afterward, Yanqing orders the company guests escorted to the Sky-Faring Commission and requests secure containment of the dangerous material at the Prison of Deep Seclusion. At the Alchemy Commission, he also encourages Lingsha to consult Jing Yuan about reform, later inviting her to discuss her mentor’s exile with the general directly 88 89 91.

Disappearance and Hoolay’s Escape

Yanqing, Yunli, and March 7th go missing after visiting the Sky-Faring Commission. Firefly finds them under attack by Borisin and rescues them while wearing Sam 94 95.

After learning that Hoolay has escaped, Yanqing abandons his defending-swordsman position to concentrate on the Luofu’s safety. March 7th takes over the tournament duty. Feixiao intervenes when his anxious searching leaves him without food or drink, insisting that he recover his strength before confronting Hoolay 106 107.

Hunt for the Borisin

At Stargazer Navalia, Yanqing accompanies Feixiao and Caelus in investigating possible infiltrators. Their questioning exposes disguised Borisin, and Yanqing pins one to the ground during the ensuing fight. Feixiao deliberately allows another to escape so that he can lead the Cloud Knights toward Hoolay 110 111.

After further fighting, Feixiao sends Yanqing and Caelus to the Skysplitter to hold Hoolay off while the others protect civilians. Yanqing accepts without visible fear, counting on Yunli and March 7th’s support. When Hoolay arrives to seize the ship, all four stand with the Cloud Knights against him 113 114 116.

Relationships

• Jing Yuan — Master and commanding officer. Yanqing wants to ease his burdens and carries out assignments ranging from guest reception to security and diplomatic disputes 83 84 85.
• Dan Heng — Respected adviser whom he calls “Teacher Dan Heng.” Dan Heng helps him understand the politics behind the visiting generals and regain confidence before the Wardance 85 92.
• Caelus — Familiar ally whom he also addresses as “Teacher.” They negotiate with Scott, investigate infiltrators, and prepare to face Hoolay together 86 106 110 114.
• March 7th — Returning friend who teases him about his youthful appearance and offers help with his assignments. She later takes over his Wardance duty 81 85 107.
• Hanxing — New ally who defends his claim to the stolen sword, competes against Yunli on his behalf, and returns the weapon to him 83 90 91.
• Yunli — Rival whose taking of his flying sword sparks repeated confrontations. Despite their unresolved contest, they later stand together against Hoolay 83 89 91 116.
• Feixiao — Senior general who guides him during the fugitive hunt, teaching patience, preparation, and caution rather than a blind pursuit 107 110.
• Lingsha — Collaborator in the cargo investigation and Alchemy Commission discussions. Yanqing encourages a direct conversation between her and Jing Yuan over her mentor’s exile 88 89 91.
• Firefly — Rescues him, Yunli, and March 7th from Borisin attackers as Sam 95.

Notable Quotes

“Slaying abominations is a Cloud Knight's duty. Even without you asking, Miss Lingsha, I will wipe them out.” 89

“The Luofu's safety takes priority for me right now. Before I accept the honor of being its defending swordsman, I must first fulfill my duties as a Cloud Knight Lieutenant.” 107