Chi Ji

**Chi Ji** *(Chinese: 赤骥 Pinyin: Chìjì)* is a human from Dishan Village. He is the leader and **First Brother** of the **Eight Brothers**, orchestrating the manufacturing and experimentation of the Jixuan Pills. After discovering the Qilin's son was taken by Wenren Yixuan, Chi Ji and his forces chase after them, becoming the secondary antagonists of Season 2.

## Appearance

Chi Ji is an older man with a deceptively solid build for his short frame. His wears his black hair shaved down and stylized around the sides and back of his head while he keeps the hair on his crown long and styled up. His long beard and moustache are neatly trimmed with the moustache encircling his mouth save for the philtrum and the beard covering only his chin. His eyes are dark cyan and match the facial coloration on his forehead caused by demonification.

For clothing, Chi Ji wears a high-collared forest green robe with a gold trim reminiscent of mountains on the cuffs, and a two-tone gold trim on the placket and collar. The robe sports gold-trimmed, dark-green and pointed shoulder guards with the same gold design as the robe's cuffs encircling the area around the collar and clavicle, with matching tassets on his hips and bracers on his forearms. Holding the robe and tassets in place are a large gray cloth waistband with black trim and a smaller gold one. Chi Ji wears black pants decorated with thin, horizontal gold lines tucked into his dark-green and tan boots.

When activating his demonic abilities, Chi Ji's skin turns pale red, his fingernails and ears become pointed, and his sclera turn black, while his irises shrink and glow bright green. His facial markings extend down to his upper body and the portions around his collar bones glow the same hue as his eyes.

## Personality

Chi Ji is a focused and intimidating man, carrying an aura of authority wherever he goes. However, compared to Bai Yi who focuses his concerns on the village and cares about his friends and family, Chi Ji prioritizes experimenting with the Juxian Pills and retrieving the baby Qilin rather than the aftermath of Chen Shou's attack. He will still prioritize the safety of his Brothers, though whether it is out of concern or pragmatism remains to be seen.

In comparison to his relationship with the Brothers, Chi Ji's relationship with Rongcheng Zeqi is more professional. He is aware of her past and promised her he would help her gain the Wood Powers of her clan if she aided him in his work with the Juxian Pills. However, this relationship turned hostile when Zeqi's conflicting loyalties convinced her to help the Wenren Brothers rather than Chi Ji. In response, Chi Ji became condescending towards her and didn't hesitate to stab her in the back to get the Baby Qilin, showing that at the end of the day Chi Ji will prioritize goals over his allies.

## Abilities and Powers

**Demonification:** Due to prolonged use of the Juxian Pills, Chi Ji has begun the process of turning into a Demon. His already impressive strength, speed, and skill now exceed normal humans and he can tap into new powers the longer he uses the pills or absorbs demons into his body.

**Guandao Proficiency:** Chi Ji showed extreme skill wielding a straight-bladed Guandao. In combat, he emphasized strong swipes and cuts while parrying attacks to turn redirect attacks and perform counters. Chi Ji can also wield it effectively as a projectile, able to throw it or redirect it in midair through precise kicks to counter his opponents.

**Feathers:** During the battle against Shan Zhu, Chen Shou's feathers began to grow out of Chi Ji's arms and forehead. By splitting them from his body, he could control them telekinetically to attack with, but not as skillful as Chen Shou.

**Telekinesis:** Due to his demonification, Chi Ji gained the ability to move objects with his mind. When using it, Chi Ji generates energy similar green electricity around the object he is trying to control. He primarily uses it to control his guandao in combat to attack his opponents from a distance.

## Trivia

* Chi Ji, like the other Eight Brothers, is named after one of the eight steeds driven by the famous charioteer **Zaofu** *(Chinese: 造父; pinyin: Zàofù)* in the story *Tale of King Mu, Son of Heaven.* He is named after the First Horse, **Chi Ji**, a bright red horse that represents Wealth.