Located at the foot of the mountains where the Wu Family Sect is based, the Nine Rivers Theatre Troupe (九江劇團) is a cheap, popular haunt for cultivators and non-cultivators alike. Run by the Zhao family, the theatre's premises are open from maoshi (5pm) to zishi (midnight), five days of the week.
During the daylight hours, Xu Yanjie and his friends loiter, bicker, gossip, enjoy snacks, and share stories in the closed venue.
THEN:
The sharp-eyed, sharp-tongued, socially fluent second daughter of the Zhao family, and a low-level outer sect disciple of the Wu Family Sect. Fount of knowledge regarding the day-to-day drama of everyone within four to five degrees of acquaintance. Likes a good party. Takes a cold but practical view of domestic partnerships as vehicles of social mobility and little else. Resentful of her brother, who will nominally inherit the business.
NOW:
Continues to juggle many different social groups.
THEN:
Never one to stay long: a rogue cultivator and ladies woman used to life on the road. Raised local by busy grandparents before apprenticing herself to a traveling Daoist. Sounds grounded when she speaks, but was also the mastermind of a fireworks heist that has passed into legend. Enjoys a little sponateity in life. Skilled at hand-to-hand; weapon of choice is butterfly knives.
NOW:
What does she do for a living? No one knows, but she's finally married to Wu Jiaxin, so she might not need to work. Wears big jackets, looks effortlessly cool on her motorbike, and plays volleyball.
THEN:
NOW:
THEN:
A young non-cultivator occasionally employed as a bouncer. Bald with a snake tattoo winding up his neck to the side of his head. Elusive and indifferent. Has a wry sense of humor. Knows more than you think he does. Once dated Ouyang Rui.
NOW: