Hu Lan

Biodata

Background / History

Becoming Ye Fu’s Student

Hu Lan grew up in Black Stone City as the daughter of innkeeper Hu Zhifu. She refused to learn needlework or her father’s business, instead aspiring to cultivate immortality, practice swordsmanship, and travel the world righting wrongs. Her father recognized that her ambitions extended beyond the city, but considered her too young to leave. He brought her to Ye Fu’s school in the hope that she could learn more under his guidance 33.

Initially, Hu Lan dismissed studying as useless, citing a neighboring scholar who could neither earn money nor realize his ambitions. Ye Fu challenged her limited understanding of the world and her assumption that swordsmanship alone could save it. When argument failed to persuade her, he described learned swordsmen, sages, and sword immortals whose words carried as much force as their weapons. Captivated by figures and stories absent from her previous reading, she formally accepted him as her teacher 33 34.

Studying at the Three Flavors Study

Ye Fu promised to teach Hu Lan the principles of the Book of Saving the World, asking her to remain faithful to her original intention. He began with examples and discussion rather than directly imparting its deeper teachings: he judged that her temperament and foundation were not yet ready to bear the responsibility of “saving the world.” Her unconventional reasoning soon tested his patience, particularly when she spent an afternoon defending savory tofu pudding 36.

Hu Lan also became a regular at Ye Fu’s table after persuading him to let her try his cooking. He refused her request to move into the school, however. Her father subsequently paid double for her meals and asked that she be given chores rather than spoiled 36 41.

After Qu Hongxiao was injured, Ye Fu decided to include self-defense in both students’ education. Hu Lan’s daily routine continued to include lessons, debates, and storytelling; she was later shown seriously considering a problem he had assigned her 39 41 42 49.

The Black Mark

On the first day of Black Stone City’s grand curtain, a strange rune appeared between Hu Lan’s eyebrows while she slept. She discovered it the following morning and, unable to wash it away, concealed it beneath a silk scarf before hurrying to school for breakfast 45 46.

Ye Fu recognized an ancient consciousness within the mark that intended to seize her body. He wiped the mark away with his thumb and destroyed the consciousness before it could act. Hu Lan, unaware of the possession attempt, checked a mirror and celebrated the mark’s disappearance. Elsewhere, a follower sensed the loss of the “old ancestor” and sent for help 46.

Appearance

• Hair: Initially wears twin, horn-shaped pigtails. Qin Sanyue later restyles her hair to match her own 33 35.
• Eyes: Black pupils and expressive eyes that brighten when she discusses swordsmanship or hears unfamiliar stories 33 34 42.
• Temporary mark: A strangely shaped black rune appears between her eyebrows; she covers it with a silk scarf until Ye Fu removes it 45 46.

Personality

Hu Lan is lively, stubborn, and outspoken. Her desire to save others is sincere, but initially rests on little experience beyond Black Stone City. She resists instruction when it seems disconnected from her ambitions, yet responds eagerly when Ye Fu shows her how learning might support them. After becoming his student, she acknowledges that her previous reading does not make her as accomplished as she once believed 33 34 35.

Despite her mischievousness, she is considerate: noticing Qin Sanyue’s discomfort about her facial scar, she deliberately avoids asking about it. She is also unabashedly affectionate when seeking something she wants, tugging Ye Fu’s sleeve to secure a meal. Storytelling is her favorite lesson activity; horror excites her, tragedies do not visibly sadden her, and comedies make her rock with laughter 35 36 42.

Abilities & Skills

Reading and Learning

Hu Lan’s reading ability astonishes Ye Fu, who calls her a “little genius” 35.

• Has read every book she could find in Black Stone City, while acknowledging she may have missed some 33 35.
• Ye Fu estimates that the city’s bookstores contain more than a thousand different titles 33.
• Requires lessons adapted to her existing knowledge rather than ordinary introductory instruction 36.

Reasoning and Debate

Hu Lan argues fluently for her age and approaches questions from unexpected angles 33 36.

• Supports her opinions with examples, from an unsuccessful scholar to an extended defense of savory tofu pudding 33 36.
• Quickly guesses that Qin Sanyue received her name during the third month 34.
• Her cleverness exceeds her experience; Ye Fu identifies this gap as a central obstacle in preparing her to pursue her ambitions 34 36.

Relationships

• Ye Fu — Teacher and protector. Wins her respect through his knowledge, adapts lessons to her abilities, and destroys the consciousness attempting to possess her 34 36 46.
• Hu Zhifu — Father. Supports her education while refusing to let her venture into the world at nine; pays for her meals and asks the household not to spoil her 33 41.
• Qin Sanyue — Calls her “Sister Sanyue.” Asks her to style her hair and is escorted home by her after dinner 34 35 36.
• Qu Hongxiao — Fellow student whom Hu Lan immediately greets as her “eldest senior sister” upon learning that she is Ye Fu’s first student 34.

Notable Quotes

“I wish to learn a sword art that can cut down the wicked thoughts of all the countless cultivators under heaven and subdue the desire of all manner of demons to devour people.” 34

“I still think tofu pudding should be eaten savory.” 36