Hongling

is an NPC on The Xianzhou Luofu, located on the Skysplitter.
==Profile==
Hongling has a rather delusional mindset. His affection for Yanqing is near-obsessive, and this trait is seen in his various interactions with the Trailblazer. He becomes upset when the Trailblazer tells him that they defeated his idol in the past, and pushed them into apologizing for doing so. Hongling also believes that he knows Yanqing the best and thinks the Trailblazer is lying when they state that they know him quite well. He became quite riled up when the Trailblazer spoke about their relationship with him, and had to calm himself down with a breathing exercise. 
Hongling has always wanted to become a swordsmaster, but due to his skill level, he could not pass the Cloud Knights selection examination. However, when he initially came across Yanqing's accomplishments, possibly when he was appointed as Jing Yuan's retainer and received the title of Sword Champion, Hongling felt re-inspired to pursue his dream once more. He also claims that seeing Yanqing's battle performances is akin to watching his own aspirations become a reality. Albeit minor, his efforts seem to have paid off as he was able to outrun the Cloud Knights for a while.
Hongling has gone as far as to hug Yanqing without his consent and refused to let go of him to the point that he had to be pulled away from him by force. When Yanqing ordered the Cloud Knights to not take any drastic actions against him, Hongling saw that response as the Lieutenant caring about his "fans." Hongling also dismissed the fact that he was put on a blacklist after the encounter, which may have been a restraining order against him.
==Location==
==Voice Lines==
;(Version 1)
:: "Someday, I will become a swordsman like Master Yanqing!"
;(Version 2)
:: "In preparation to meet my idol, I practiced long-distance running and joint techniques for a month!"
==Dialogue==
;(First interaction)
:Hongling: C—Can you hit me?
: (Whack lightly.)
::Hongling: I feel pain!? It was all real!
: (Whack violently.)
::Hongling: I didn't ask you to hit that hard... But now, I'm certain that it's real!
: (Shake head in confusion.)
::Hongling: You can't do it? What a nice person.
:Hongling: *sob*... Did you know? I actually hugged Master Yanqing! We even took a photo together! This photo is going to be my family heirloom!
:Hongling: If only I ran a little faster, perhaps I could have even gotten Master Yanqing's autograph.
: Congratulations, you succeeded in meeting your idol.
::Hongling: Hehe, although Master Yanqing appears smaller than in the photo, it doesn't hinder his mighty image in my heart.
: It's just Yanqing, someone who I once defeated.
::Hongling: How dare you? Apologize to Master Yanqing immediately!
:: I apologize to Master Yanqing.
:::Hongling: That's better.
:: Actually, I know Yanqing pretty well...
:::Hongling: I don't believe you. Can anyone claim to know Master Yanqing better than me?
:Hongling: Hold on. Deep breaths — breathe in, breathe out — I need to calm myself down. Alright, look for me anytime you want to talk about Master Yanqing.
;(Continue to dialogue options below)
----
;(Subsequent interactions)
:Hongling: We meet again. Are you here to join the Yanqing Galactic Fan Club?
: I would like to ask you something.
::Hongling: Is it concerning Master Yanqing? Then let's have a good chat about it!
:: You mentioned that you hugged Yanqing?
:::Hongling: Hehe, it's actually very simple. As the saying goes, "in the world of martial arts, speed is king." It's the same thing with chasing after your idol. All that matters is being fast enough.
:::Hongling: To raise my speed and strength, I trained so much in running and grappling techniques for a month that I even wore out several pairs of shoes.
:::Hongling: Those Cloud Knights in charge of security could not even catch up to me. When I got onto the stage, I hugged Master Yanqing tightly, and it took quite a while before they managed to separate us.
::: The Cloud Knights did not lock you up?
::::Hongling: Master Yanqing instructed the Cloud Knights to not make things difficult for me, so they only severely reprimanded me.
::::Hongling: Master Yanqing is truly a top-class idol who cares about his fans. Ahh... Who wouldn't like him!?
::: Did you manage to talk to Yanqing?
::::Hongling: *sigh* Let's not mention that. I prepared a long speech to say to him, but completely forgot everything when I met him.
:::Hongling: Apparently, I'm on some blacklist right now... What a joke. I don't care about that!
:: What exactly do you like about Yanqing?
:::Hongling: Because he is the ideal that I've always aspired to become!
:::Hongling: Since young, I've dreamed of becoming an unparalleled swordmaster, eradicating abominations for the Xianzhou and accomplishing outstanding feats. However, due to my mediocre talent, my sword skills remained rudimentary, and I could not even pass the selection examination for the Cloud Knights...
:::Hongling: However, the appearance of Master Yanqing reignited the spark within me. Compared to someone mediocre like me, he's a genius of the sword, and I hope that my dreams can be realized through him.
:::Hongling: But watching Master Yanqing is like watching my dreams come to fruition. When I look at how hard he works, I feel like I've gained some strength too. Even without talent, I'll continue to pursue swordsmanship in hopes of one day becoming a swordmaster like Master Yanqing!
:: Actually, I have always been supportive of Yanqing.
:::Hongling: Then you must join our Yanqing Galactic Fan Club!
::: Fan club?
::::Hongling: The fan club is a group created by fans to better support Master Yanqing.
::: Galactic?
::::Hongling: What's wrong? Since we're part of a galaxy, isn't the use of that term appropriate?
:::Hongling: We periodically organize fan events where we wear the same fan outfits and shout fan slogans together. We also hold publicity and promotional events, fan gatherings, and fan work creation events...
:::Hongling: You can talk about this in-depth if you're interested to find out more.
:: That's all that I wanted to ask.
:::Hongling: Alright, remember that you're always welcome to join the Yanqing Galactic Fan Club.
: I don't have anything to talk about today.
::Hongling: Alright, remember that you're always welcome to join the Yanqing Galactic Fan Club.
==Trivia==
* Hongling's fanatical behavior may be a reference to the stage invader of 2022 when was announced the Game of the Year.
===Etymology===
* literally translates to "Red Spirit," which is a reference to the Dark Spirits in the series.
==Other Languages==
==Change History==