Yiqing (simplified: 仪清, traditional: 儀清, pinyin: Yíqīng, jyutping: ji4 cing1) was the second most senior disciple of the Yi generation in the North Hengshan School and a disciple of Dingxian. She was known for her decisiveness, her strategic thinking, and her role as the successor to Linghu Chong as leader of the school.
Biography
Early life and training
Yiqing was trained by Dingxian and became one of the ten core disciples of the North Hengshan School. She was described as being more decisive than Yilin and was often called upon to take charge in critical situations.
She was skilled in Hengshan Swordplay and particularly excelled at the Ten Thousand Flowers Sword Formation (万花剑阵), demonstrating her strategic thinking and her ability to coordinate with other disciples.
Rescue mission at Longquan Sword Forge Valley
During the rescue mission at Longquan Sword Forge Valley, Yiqing discovered broken sword tips in the backyard of the Water Moon Nunnery and gave them to Linghu Chong for analysis. She noticed that the dust in the nunnery was unusual, suggesting that no one had been there for several days.
She eventually found the school’s standard weapons in the backyard grass, confirming that Dingxian had fought there. When she discovered that the Songshan School had set up an ambush in the burning valley, Yiqing immediately organised the disciples into a sword formation to break through the encirclement.
Strategic thinking
Yiqing demonstrated her strategic thinking when she proposed lighting over a hundred Buddhist lamps to create a diversion during Dingjing’s rescue mission. This tactic successfully confused the Sun Moon Order members and allowed the rescue to proceed.
She was also able to remain calm when captured by the Sun Moon Order, waiting patiently for rescue rather than panicking.
Succession as leader
When Dingxian was dying, she wrote a blood letter clearly naming Yiqing as her successor. After Linghu Chong witnessed the blood letter, he publicly announced that Yiqing would succeed him as the leader of the North Hengshan School.
During the Five Mountains alliance ceremony, Yiqing led the North Hengshan School disciples in maintaining their position, becoming one of the few schools that did not submit to Zuo Lengchan’s coercion.
Personality & traits
Yiqing was portrayed as decisive and strategic, capable of taking charge in critical situations. She was described as being more decisive than Yilin and was often called upon to lead when quick decisions were needed.
She was also shown to be calm under pressure, as demonstrated by her ability to remain composed when captured and her strategic thinking during rescue missions.
Martial arts abilities
Hengshan Swordplay
Yiqing was skilled in Hengshan Swordplay, having learned from Dingxian. She was particularly skilled at using techniques like “Golden Needle Crossing the Tribulation” (金针渡劫) effectively in combat.
Ten Thousand Flowers Sword Formation
Yiqing excelled at the Ten Thousand Flowers Sword Formation, demonstrating her strategic thinking and her ability to coordinate with other disciples. She was able to organise the formation quickly during the rescue mission at Longquan Sword Forge Valley.
Relationships
Yiqing’s relationship with Dingxian was one of respect and loyalty. She followed her master’s teachings and was dedicated to the North Hengshan School’s principles.
Her relationship with Linghu Chong was one of respect and cooperation. She supported him as leader and was willing to work with him to maintain the school’s independence.
Her relationship with Yihe was one of cooperation. The two worked together as senior disciples, with Yihe being the most senior and Yiqing being the second most senior.
Behind the scenes
Yiqing represents the theme of succession and the ways in which capable disciples can take on leadership roles. Her character demonstrates that strategic thinking and decisiveness are important qualities for leaders.
Literary significance
Yiqing’s character serves to highlight the continuity of the North Hengshan School’s leadership and the ways in which capable disciples can succeed their masters. Her succession as leader demonstrates that the school’s traditions can be maintained even when leadership changes.
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Dingxian – Yiqing’s master
- Linghu Chong – Yiqing’s predecessor as leader
- Yihe – Yiqing’s fellow disciple
- North Hengshan School – Yiqing’s faction
External links
- Yiqing (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia