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Ri Hyou | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chinese | Lǐ Piāo Piāo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kanji | 李漂 漂 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Romaji | Ri Hyou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“ | Shin, our physical strength and the strength of our hearts are the same. The two of us are one. If you take flight to the heights of the Heavens, then I'll be there with you. Shin, take me to those heights, please! | ” |
—Hyou's last words to Shin. |
Ri Hyou, formerly known just as Hyou, is the late adoptive/sworn brother of Ri Shin [1]. Hyou was once an orphan who was raised as a slave in Jouto, a small village in the state of Qin's countryside, after losing both his parents in a war. But desiring a life outside his situation, Hyou dreamt of joining the Qin Military and fighting on the battlefield in order to one day become the Greatest General underneath the Heavens while attaining rewards along with the status of a noble and spreading his name across China alongside Shin. [2].
One day in the midst of training, Hyou and Shin met Shou Bun Kun, an official of the Qin courts, who unexpectedly bought his freedom and left the village with him after saying goodbye to Shin. However, he was in fact taken to be the official body double of Ei Sei, the 31st King of Qin as the king was facing dangers from political enemies and his younger half-brother, Sei Kyou.[3].
After Sei Kyou joined forces with Ketsu Shi, the Chancellor of the Left, they instigated a rebellion against Ei Sei, Hyou was used a decoy guarded by Shou Bun Kun and his personal army as they were escaping Kanyou but was ambushed by the Ou Ki Army [4]. After Shou Bun Kun fall from a cliff, Hyou led the official's army in a counterattack against the Great General's army and was able preserve their strength before dueling the assassin, Jo Kan of Clan Shukyou which ended in his defeat and being fatally wounded. [5] Hyou, while heavily wounded, was able make his back to Shin and entrust him with the mission of meeting up with Ei Sei along with continuing their shared dream before passing away from his wounds.[6]
Hyou's death was the catalyst that led to Shin meeting Ei Sei and Ka Ryo Ten and taking the first real steps in becoming a Great General, paving the start of the series. While deceased, Hyou's legacy lives on through Shin as he continues working towards their dreams of becoming a Great General and spreading his name across the Warring States.
Appearance[]
Hyou greatly resembled the king of Qin, Ei Sei but he had brown eyes and dark long hair. For clothing, he usually wore a green colored ragged robe patterned with squares just like Shin's own and always carried around a wooden sword. After being taken as a body double by Shou Bun Kun, he would dress up like royalty in order to serve as the king's double.
Personality[]
Hyou was much more a level-headed man when compared to Shin's heated brashness, he was a very kind and openhearted person, often seen with a smile on his face. Despite his easy-going character, he was clever and quick witted as knew what he needed to do in order to accomplish great things in the future to fulfill his dream. When called to serve as the king's double, he was delighted to accept the task, showing a great sense of courage and responsibility. He was liked and admired by the people who knew him, and his personality shined as an example for Shin. As noted by Shin and Sei, he wasn't the type to hold grudges against others.
History[]
Not much was known of Hyou's family or his early overall past. When he lost his parents in the war, he was taken in by the head of the Joutou village at around the age of six. There, he was raised as a servant. When Shin first arrived at the village head's home, Hyou befriended him and shared his dream of becoming the greatest general under the heavens.
Story[]
Sei Kyou's Rebellion Arc[]
At the beginning of the story, Shin and Hyou were seen sparring against each other, in order to get stronger and achieve their life dream of becoming great generals. One day a wealthy-looking man, Shou Bun Kun, appeared in front of them and showed interest in meeting the two boys. The same night, he visited the house their protector, the village head, and offered to take Hyou with him to leave in the royal palace and serve the king. Hyou felt honored by this proposal but was sad that Shin couldn't follow him. He asked for a day to think about his answer and, after discussing it with Shin, he decided to accept the offer.
Several months had passed, when one night, Hyou reappeared wounded at Shin's door. Shin rushed to help his friend but, Hyou told him it was already too late for him. He went on to explain that he was being chased by Sei Kyou's assassins, who would be probably arriving soon. With his dying breath, Hyou gave Shin a map and asked his friend to go to Kokuhi village in his place, saying that it was all up to him now. It was later explained that Hyou had been taken in the palace to be King Ei Sei's body double because their faces were uncannily similar. Hyou accepted the task gladly, was dressed as the king, and was transferred away from the Qin capital, working as a decoy. On the road, his convoy got attacked by general Ou Ki's army, but Hyou took control of some guards and managed to fight his way to a safe escape route. However, it wasn't long before Sei Kyou's assassins tracked him down and one of them, Jo Kan, ended up mortally injuring him. Hyou's funeral was held a few days after he died. It was huge and paid for by the village head. Apart from Shin, everyone in the village showed up to mourn him, and even some people from the neighboring village came, showing he was well-liked. Shin himself did not visit his grave, saying that he will do it only when he becomes a Great General and keeps his promise.
Western Zhao Invasion Arc[]
Sei recalled his time with Hyou in a flashback. Hyou was asked by Shou Bun Kun and the Qin king to choose a last name for himself, but he had trouble in choosing one, but he would choose the name Ri, after seeing Sei eating a plum. Ei Sei would recount this story to Shin and Ten when it came time for the newly promoted General to choose a last name for his new life as a military noble. Shin, showing his ever-present nonchalance, would choose the same and honor his late brother as Ri Shin.
Abilities[]
STATS | |
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Strength | 78 |
Leadership | 75 |
Intelligence | 80 |
Experience | E |
? |
STATS | |
---|---|
Strength | 78 |
Leadership | 75 |
Intelligence | 80 |
Experience | E |
? |
Despite his young age, Hyou was rather strong and skilled with the sword, as proven by the results of his duels with Shin. He also had more self-evident abilities as a leader than Shin and was far more intelligent even as a child, as shown when he charged into the enemy reinforcements during Ou Ki's attack raid and inspired the Shou Bun Kun Army's troops, leading them in battle. Even after realizing his true identity, the surviving soldiers were still captivated by his charisma and could never forget him and his sacrifice.
Apart from that martial and combative skills, he was noted to be a great cook and had good cleaning skills, acquired during his time spent as a servant for the Joutou village head's family.
Duels[]
Trivia[]
- Hyou was usually responsible for most of the cooking for the Li Dian and his family.
- Whenever Shin would suggest they use their swordsmanship for thievery, Hyou would scold him.
- Hyou's character was probably based on the real-life Li Xin's father, Li Yao. But unlike Hyou here, he was a governor of Nanjun Commandery.
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