Qin Jiu

Biodata

Background / History

Examinee and Invigilator

Before becoming Invigilator 001, Qin Jiu was an exceptionally troublesome examinee. According to the stories known to 922, he nearly drove the Examination System to collapse in anger. He later became an invigilator and worked alongside Invigilator A, whose service had begun before his own 20 49.

Qin Jiu’s designation belongs to a numerical ranking system whose criteria reportedly include ability and combat strength. He cautions that being numbered 001 does not necessarily make him the first invigilator: an earlier generation used letters, including the exceptionally capable Invigilator A 48.

System Malfunction and Memory Loss

An Examination System malfunction nearly killed Qin Jiu and left gaps in his memory. Accounts given to him identify Qin Jiu and A as the only two chief invigilators in the affected area. A was subsequently removed from the system’s roster, but Qin Jiu cannot confirm whether he died. Records from those years were sealed while the system checked itself for faults 49.

Others describe Qin Jiu and A as enemies who fought both during Qin Jiu’s examinations and after they became colleagues. Qin Jiu cannot independently verify these accounts. His only remaining impression of the incident is a ruined area filled with damaged machinery, severed cables, and protective fencing. He remembers sitting bloodied on an overturned metal pipe, with another person standing before him and a windbreak forest in the distance 49.

Recalling this scene leaves him deeply unhappy, though he does not consider hatred an adequate explanation for his feelings toward A 49.

Appearance

Qin Jiu is tall and lean in outline, with a straight, powerful build. He is slightly taller than You Huo 19 33.

• Eyes: Deep black; his direct gaze unsettles even 154 and 922, who have followed him for almost three years 7 36.
• Hands: Long, slender fingers 25.
• Clothing: Wears a black overcoat with a dove-gray cashmere scarf when meeting You Huo before the foreign-language examination; also uses gloves in the snowy physics exam setting 17 31.
• Voice: Deep and frequently languid, matching his unhurried manner 18 33.

Personality

Qin Jiu habitually combines polite gestures with deliberate provocation. He smiles through You Huo’s hostility, calls him “Mr. Hmph,” and describes him as a “well-behaved-looking examinee” while investigating a serious violation. His humor also targets his colleagues: when 154 complains about being tied up, Qin Jiu remarks on how well his complaint rhymes 8 10 17.

His relaxed manner does not make him approachable. Examinees remain wary even when he smiles, and his subordinates hesitate to challenge him. You Huo compares his willingness to compromise with a resting lion: the restraint does not diminish the underlying aggression 7 25 36.

Although responsible for enforcing examination rules, Qin Jiu readily tests their boundaries. He proposes alternative punishments, negotiates directly with the system, and becomes visibly frustrated when it imposes contradictory demands. He also allows You Huo to continue unconventional tactics when no explicit rule forbids them 9 10 36 37.

His interest in You Huo extends beyond irritation. He repeatedly wonders whether they have met before and finds You Huo’s refusal to use the Help Card particularly intriguing. Alongside their antagonism, he offers practical consideration, including shelter beneath his umbrella, advice about conserving points, and food 20 22 31 40 41 48.

Abilities & Skills

Combat and Restraint

Qin Jiu demonstrates fast reactions and effective physical control against both people and supernatural threats 19 25 49 50.

• Binds You Huo’s hands in one coordinated sequence, turning him by the shoulder and tightening a leather cord around both wrists 19.
• Anticipates and steps out of reach of You Huo’s attempted strike 25.
• Stops a cleaver-wielding ghost arm at the moment it attacks, preventing it from moving closer 49.
• Restrains the agile arm and its cleaver with a leather cord 50.

Invigilation

As chief invigilator, Qin Jiu investigates violations, administers penalties, and supervises designated examinees 17 18 31.

• Provides continuous on-site supervision after You Huo’s third consecutive violation makes him a special subject 18 19.
• Explains that an examinee deprived of subject choice must take the subject assigned to their chief invigilator 31.
• Can generally choose which subject to supervise, though he says he prefers leaving the selection to chance 31.
• Administers You Huo’s reward-card draws after the physics examination 25 26.

Rule Interpretation and Restrictions

Qin Jiu can negotiate arrangements with the system, but he is not exempt from its regulations 9 36.

• His wrist device warns him when he proposes unauthorized changes to punishments or duties 9 10 36.
• Cannot disclose confidential information about the Examination System; he warns that repeated questioning could result in an examinee’s expulsion 36.
• Resolves the conflict between continuous supervision and the prohibition on sharing a room by taking the sofa while You Huo uses the bedroom 36.
• Capturing the ghost arm does not consume You Huo’s Help Card because the arm attacked Qin Jiu himself, making his intervention self-defense 50.

Equipment / Items

• Leather cord — Used to restrain You Huo and later bind the ghost arm together with its cleaver 19 50.
• Wrist warning device — Emits beeps and flashing lights when the system detects a potential violation involving him 9 36.
• Phone — Displays the correct local examination time when the examinees’ phones do not 35.
• Black umbrella — Used to shelter himself and You Huo before the foreign-language examination 31.
• Invigilator’s Help Card — You Huo’s reward card, which Qin Jiu carries during the foreign-language exam. It remains unused after the ghost-arm encounter despite his repeated offers to redeem it 35 40 47 50.
• Spare lodging key — Uses it to enter You Huo’s bedroom after attempting to wake him 50.

Relationships

• You Huo — Examinee under his supervision and frequent sparring partner in verbal exchanges. Qin Jiu suspects a prior acquaintance, but You Huo initially denies it. Their confrontations increasingly include practical cooperation and small acts of consideration, such as You Huo bringing him a quilt for the sofa 19 20 31 49.
• 154 — Subordinate who has followed him for almost three years. Handles regulations and repeatedly reins in discussion of Qin Jiu’s past, knowing that he cannot remember it and that the subject is sensitive 7 9 20.
• 922 — Subordinate who also calls him “Boss.” Curious about Qin Jiu’s notorious examinee days, but unaware of his memory loss until 154 explains it 7 20.
• Invigilator A — Predecessor and former colleague. Their reported hostility is secondhand knowledge to Qin Jiu, whose own memories are largely missing 48 49.
• Unstable Chasu villager — Claims to recognize Qin Jiu and asks whether Qin Jiu remembers him. You Huo notices that the man’s apparent recognition is more focused on Qin Jiu than on the other examinees 42 45.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Physics Examination: Hunter’s Cabin

Qin Jiu oversees the examination with 154 and 922, repeatedly dealing with You Huo’s violations. After discovering that You Huo has tied up 154, he later searches for an alternative to another ineffective confinement punishment and assigns You Huo to clean a used confinement room 8 9 10.

Hunter A’s death brings the invigilators into the cabin to investigate the unprecedented destruction of the question itself. You Huo’s third consecutive violation leads to continuous supervision, during which Qin Jiu restrains him to prevent another prohibited answer submission. Their time together in the attic prompts Qin Jiu to ask whether they have met before 17 18 19 20.

Foreign-Language Examination: Chasu Village

Qin Jiu becomes the sole invigilator for You Huo’s next examination. He accompanies the group through Chasu Village, negotiates their lodging with the system, and observes their investigation into Black Granny’s dolls and the surrounding graves 31 36 39 43.

While staying with You Huo, he discusses the former letter-based rankings and his uncertain history with A. That night, a ghost arm seeking a disobedient guest attacks him after failing to provoke You Huo. Qin Jiu captures it and presents it to You Huo as a “goodnight gift,” giving the examinees a restrained specimen to investigate 48 49 50.

Notable Quotes

“Have I met you before?” 20

“Sneak attacks don't work on me.” 25

“Surprise. A goodnight gift for you. Do you like it?” 50