Yanqing

The spirited lieutenant of the Xianzhou Luofu, and also its most proficient swordsman. He was born for the sword and is obsessed with it. Whenever a sword rests in Yanqing's hand, none would dare underestimate this genius still in the early days of his youth. Perhaps the only thing capable of dulling his treasured blade's sharp edge is time.

Youngest lieutenant in the history of the Cloud Knights. Retainer to General Jing Yuan. Collector of antique swords from the Artisanship Commission... With all these auspicious titles and street gossip swirling around this one wunderkind, it's scarcely believable that he is still a child. Ever since he could remember, Yanqing would follow Jing Yuan around like a shadow, helping the Seat of Divine Foresight resolve problems. And Jing Yuan in return taught him the art of swordplay — and the art of war. After years of training, Yanqing's mind is as quick and sharp as the spotless sword he keeps. Cloud Knight combat drills attest that controlling six simultaneous flying daggers is something even Cloud Knight chief drillmasters can't master in a century. The phrase agreed among the Xianzhou people to describe the combat talents of Yanqing is "A gifted swordsman born to fight."

It's recorded in the military annals of the Cloud Knights how Jing Yuan came to discover the young boy, stood his ground against public opinion, and incorporated him into the armed forces. However, in the family lineage column, Yanqing's lineage was relegated to the category of unknown. Most talented officers display military talent from childhood. For millennia, several talented unicorns have emerged ahead of the pack during the hunt. However, Yanqing earned a military commission before he was a teen. Some would criticize that "the general is absurd" on this matter. However, this genius' debut on the battlefield was even more explosive, and any critical voices soon fell silent. When hunting near a distant star, the monstrously huge mechabeast Windguard created by the Denizens of Abundance was pulverizing defense forces, as though they were ants. But this kid met against it face-to-face, claiming its scalp and routing the enemy to the point of collapse. As for subsequent victories: He broke the borisin's Devouring Wolf formation with Jing Yuan, beheading three Brood Lords. He also fought viciously against the wingweavers, ultimately sinking their almighty Cloudseizer Fleet... These are just a small footnote in the annals of his courageous swordplay.

If you ask Yanqing what other interests he has besides sword fighting, you'll be met with a simple answer — "Interests would only affect the speed of my sword!" Like a child infatuated with toys, he spares no expense in buying most of the blades manufactured by the Artisanship Commission — flying swords controlled by qi, daggers for close combat, flexible swords that can bend and adjust... He knows different sword's spec and function like the back of his mind. He'll even buy an extra copy — one to use in combat, and one for his collection. This leaves his finances in a sorrowful situation at the end of each month, where he could only beg the general for food and daily necessities. It's completely natural for teenage boys to love swords, but a specific dream flickers and dances among the Xianzhou swords in his collection. To become the best on the Luofu — no, the best across all the Xianzhou ships. To take the title of Sword Champion on the Luofu, and even take the title of Sword Preeminence across the Alliance. Since the Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae, the title of Sword Champion among the Luofu Cloud Knights has remained vacant for centuries. Not that nobody wants to claim it, but for a rather more embarrassing reason: The previous Sword Champion, a legendary swordmaster with 13 outstanding accolades, violated the laws of heaven and resulting in her name being wiped from the face of the galaxy. Even the prestigious title that she bore became a sore spot for others. But for this vastly impressive teen, it's now time to turn over a new page in the annals of history and write another chapter.

"Bout #123: Yanqing, Jing Yuan." "General, let's call it a day! I'm exhausted..." "Didn't you say you have the confidence to remain undefeated as long as you hold a sword? Why are you acting so weak?" "What kind of retainer would take up arms against the person they vowed to protect? What if I accidentally hurt..." "If your sword is half as quick as you mouth, I'd already have lost. I'll keep one hand behind my back. Now, be quick!" "No no, two hands please! Or maybe you can consider not using the Lightning-Lord, general?" "You think is like the Sky-Faring Commission's business, where you can barter your way out? Hmm, let me see..." "Aha — a weakness! Watch this!" "I knew you'd do that. Counter!" "Ow-ow-ow, darn it! I'd been waiting for ages for my shot." "All's equal in war, and sneak attacks are a good idea. It's too bad your sword is so focused on the flourish and can't conceal its form. Is this what they call youthful vigor?" "General, let's go again! This time I'll try to be as inconspicuous as possible..." Jing Yuan spent much time and energy in raising Yanqing. Some speculated that he was cultivating an heir, others claimed he only kept him around just to use this kid as a secret weapon. Jing Yuan never offered a response. Yanqing became an unrivaled fighter aboard the Xianzhou Luofu as his skills grew more and more advanced. Jing Yuan gradually began thinking about ways to restrain Yanqing's edge, to take him down a peg without curbing his confidence. Too solid and it can shatter. Too sharp and it can blunt. More than just a sharp edge — a sword also needs a scabbard that can restrain it. In Jing Yuan's view, Yanqing has grown up exceedingly fast — beyond expectations. What Yanqing needs right now is not more strength, but the ability and experience of curbing that strength — something that can only manifest by the passage of time.

Yanqing, lieutenant of the Luofu Cloud Knights, reporting in! If you have some free time, Trailblazer, would you mind sparring with me? Don't worry, I won't go easy on you.

Like the other Xianzhou ships, the Luofu also holds the Stellar Martial Competition to test the strength of the Cloud Knights, and whoever wins the sword competition receives the title of Sword Champion!

The general has no need to show his martial prowess with me around. Since he acknowledges my strength, I need to help shoulder his burdens that much more!

Tingyun would ask me to write introductory pieces for blades when her Codex on Goods contains a section on them.

Sushang has a good sword, but a good sword is not always an easy-to-use sword. One needs to apply ten times more power to make it perform just one-tenth better.

I visited the Sky-Faring Commission once and saw Madam Yukong staring alone at the leather target for a long time. She didn't fire a single arrow that day, but perhaps she did shoot thousands in her mind.

So, Diviner Fu wants to be the general... Well, firstly, she needs to fix the issue where everyone just wants to nap as soon as she starts to talk.

At first, I thought he always fights using that sword casket. That thing looks really strange... I need to figure out a way to fight him and get him to use his skills for real...

I used to think there was only one way to become a true swordmaster... but General, Jingliu, and even myself... we all ended up on different paths.

When I fought Dan Heng, his spear mastery was almost perfect... but he was completely detached from it as an art. Maybe for him it's just a means to an end?

He can detect any swing of the sword before it lands... Would I be able to defeat him with my swordplay alone?

What kind of sword training will you do today? Do you wish for me to accompany you?

I remember her... One time she was carrying a beautiful sword, so I thought I'd strike up a conversation. But then she swallowed the sword down her throat! To this day I still haven't figured out which sword-fighting style that technique is from...

It feels like the stars just got brighter...

How many battles lie between me and my dreams?

My swordplay is ready. Time to put it to the test.

"He's got a bright future." If I had a strale for every time I heard that one...

Orders received, General.

What's your outlook for the coming battle, Master Diviner?

Cloud Knights assemble!

Is my swordplay good enough to learn from a master like him?

Is my swordplay good enough to learn from a master like him?

The sword needs to return to its scabbard... See you tomorrow, Teacher!

The general let you off the hook. Consider yourself lucky.

There are no more fitting opponents for me on the Luofu, but out there among the stars... there may be someone yet.

I can talk all day about swords made by the Artisanship Commission. I always buy two swords per model: one for the battlefield and one for my collection... Buuut my allowances might run a bit short by the end of the month. I'm sure the general will buy me food and things if I nag him a bit...

Hmph, a one-time enemy.

A strong adversary. Help me improve!

So, how many of my moves can you block?

Time for some swordplay!

The sword is like water, it cannot remain still.

Blade, in flight.

Strike... with heart!

How...?

Impressive.

Not having the title of Sword Champion just means my skill still needs sharpening, but the general said I don't need more skills, just more time... *sigh* How exactly am I worse than that Sword Champion...

Practice is over.

Swords, descend!

I've dishonored... the blade...

I won't underestimate the enemy twice.

I can breathe easy again.

Shift the balance.

Victory by the blade~

This can go towards my allowance.

Cooool.

Let's go say hi!

After buying a new sword, I would spend even more effort on the scabbard. Should the body be made of black pear wood, or silk? Should the locket and the carrying ring be dragon- or tiger-shaped? And the chape, the decorative plaque... It's great fun deciding on each piece!

Wonder if I'll discover any rare swords...

A few more like this and I can buy a new sword!

No need to pester the general for a while!

It worked! Save the next one for me too!

Sometimes I find multiple good sheaths for a new sword, and I end up buying them all. And yet, one sword can only use one sheath...

"What can one do after one has made history?" I once asked the general this question, but he said he can't answer it because he never wanted to be a general, and that I should try to answer it myself. Um...