Xiang Shu

* Novel
* Audio Drama
* Manhua

### Occupation

Great Chanyu (former), Chen Xing's Martial God Protector ( protector of an Exorcist).

## Physical description

### Gender

Male

Xiang Shu (Han name, from mother's side) , Hu name Shulü Kong, is the 20 year old Great Chanyu and destined protector of Chen Xing. Two years prior to the start of the novel, he left Chi Le Chuan and headed south where he became a death row prisoner in the Xiangyang City dungeons after being falsely accused for killing more than two thousand people, whether they were Hu, Han, women, children
or animals. This misunderstanding would be cleared later on.

## Personality

Xiang Shu has a notoriously cold and fiery personality with extraordinary physical prowess to back it up, but he hides a heart soft for romance. He has an unexpected stubborn side, which leads the most of the Daily arguments he has with Chen Xing, even after confirming each other's affections. He naturally assumes leadership in many situations- as he is born into position of future leadership- but despite being capable, he does not like that these positions are thrust upon him. In fact, his violent outbursts and impatience were triggered by power building up within him, and upon the resolution of that issue, he becomes calmer, allowing his quieter and more thoughtful side to surface.

Often appearing rather brooding, Xiang Shu is shown to think as much as he does act. However, perhaps due to his experiences growing up, he is intensely protective of Chen Xing, often wishing that they could simply leave the Divine Land rather than risking Chen Xing's life.

## Appearance

Xiang Shu is described as a very handsome man with a great body to enhance it. He's known to have a striking face with sharp eyes, shaped eyebrows and a notoriously attractive side-profile that is complimented by a high nose bridge. His body is sculpted as that of a martial expert, with Chen Xing highlighting his incredibly tall stature, long legs, broad back and thin waist.

*yes chen xing we know he's beautiful, he's hot*

Despite belonging to the Tiele (Turkic) tribe, he's known to have a lot of Han features given his heritage from his mother's side.

## Abilities

As a Tiele (Turk), Xiang Shu is an expert marksman, capable of shooting flying targets from horseback.

Xiang Shu is also noted to have far above average physical prowess, owing to his true physique. Prior to the reveal, he did not have any understanding as of why he was rather explosive, but it is later explained that the accumulation of power that could go nowhere was causing him great internal irritation.

## Weapons

### Acala Blade

Sword crafted with seven lights and inscribed by Budong Mingwang. Can change into five different forms, it was later known that the sword can only be used and inherited by Xiang's( his mother's side), which is the thing that the Devil God fears (very much so). The god Acalanātha( from Buddhist origins) along with God Dīpankara's(also Buddhist origins) Heart lamp to boost it's power to fight against resentment.

## Background

Xiang Shu is the only son and child of Shulu Wen, the previous Great Chanyu, and thus was since birth the successor to the title. He lost his mother at a young age, and became disconsolate in the aftermath, much to his father's worry. Growing up, it was her gentleness and temperament that made him yearn for a lover who is learned and kind, and it was the yearning to get in touch with the Han side of his ancestry that led him south 2 years prior the start of the story.

## Story

### Book 1: Senluo Wanxiang

#### Out of Xiangyang and to Chang'an

At the start of the novel Xiang Shu had been kept in the Xiangyang City dungeons for a long time, being freed only after Chen Xing entered the city to seek his destined Protector. After Chen Xing fed him a medicinal pill and got them both out of the besieged town, Xiang Shu proceeded to rob him, before then heading to Mai City to try and withdraw gold using the sheepskin contract passed down by his father, only to be seen as a bank robber when they refused to acknowledge it. There, he met Chen Xing once again, though they briefly parted ways once more before an inevitable reunion on the way to Chang'an.

#### In Chang'an

After Chen Xing's failed attempt at finding them accommodation in Chang'an with his old acquaintance, Xiang Shu infiltrates the palace with him only to be found and recognized immediately by the emperor Fu Jian. It is later revealed that Xiang Shu is actually the long awaited Great Chanyu.

Their rocky relationship is deepened when Chen Xing is discovered by the Chanyu in the Feng brothers' household, leading him to be accused of conspiration against the emperor by Xiang Shu himself which results in a fight. It is later revealed that Chen Xing had found the old Exorcist Department on the Feng Family safe, but both of them end up being trapped on the *Ying Yang Mirror world* alongside Feng Qianjun by his own older brother, Feng Qianyi.

After finally escaping the trap with the help of the heart lamp, Xiang Shu and Chen Xing find themselves incriminated of murdering the princess consort of Fu Jian, Qinghe, forcing them to hide with the help of Chen Xing's recent acquaintance Tuoba Yan.

## Relationships

### Chen Xing

Although Xiang Shu originally did not appear to be fond of Chen Xing nor did he want to become his fated protector, he had actually fallen for him the moment they met. They bicker a lot, as shown mostly comically by the way they named the dog Chen Xing took in with each other's names, but there was palpable attraction between them from the start.

As their relationship develops during moments where they were on constant edge at losing their lives while fighting against Drought Fiends and Wang Hai, As including Chen Xing's fated short lifespan. This revelation of Chen Xing's fated age, and especially the thought of Chen Xing dying, leaves a deep imprint within Xiang Shu, often wanting to leave the Divine Land if "Chen Xing asks him to". Showing how much he cares for his beloved Lover.

Although he is still quite stubbornly persistent on not accepting that he had fallen for him First, it is shown that although he does priorties his Xing'er foremost-ly by pampering him with any thing he fancies, or wishes to have/own and even making him Noodles, ( which were too salty; said by Chen Xing ). It was later on known that despite knowing how to play Guqin he feigned ignorance, just to have his Xing'er teach him closely. ( I internally screamed)

### Shulu Wen

Xiang Shu's father is mostly shown as someone who was there for his son and taught him a lot, *if not almost all*, of his skills. His death left a greatly traumatic impression on teenage Xiang Shu.

### Xiao Shan

After Xiao Shan was entrusted to Chen Xing by Lu Ying, Xiang Shu teaches him martial arts and takes care of him alongside Chen Xing. Xiao Shan notoriously calls Xiang Shu "Gege", even going as far as imitating him on things such as the way he sits and walks (Which later leads to Chen Xing feeling like Xiao Shan looks like Xiang Shu's son from time to time).

### Feng Qianjun

Despite them having a lot of differences at first because of their respective backgrounds, they both have great martial skills and work well together to protect Chen Xing when needed.

### Tuoba Yan

As Tuoba Yan is openly attracted to Chen Xing, comical jealousy ensures.

### Che Luofeng

He's known to be Xiang Shu's '*Anda*' (Sworn brother) from the Rouran tribe. The two of them were close since childhood having both grown up in Chi Le Chuan, but Che Luofeng's later attraction towards Xiang Shu caused great tension in their relationship which is later manifested as extreme jealousy towards Chen Xing. Nevertheless, it can be seen throughout the novel that Xiang Shu still cares about him a lot despite their fallouts.

### Zhou Zhen

Despite not much of their relationship being shown when Zhou Zhen was alive, they become great enemies once he's revealed to be one of Shi Hai's most powerful underlings. This feeling immediately deepens when he begins to constantly try to harm Chen Xing.

### Princess Qinghe

Despite not being shown together much in the novel, it is seen that both of them are good friends. Xiang Shu is shown to be sympathetic for her situation of being 'trapped' as a noble consort in the palace.

## Adaptations

In the audio drama, Xiang Shu is voiced by Xiao Hong Jun. His character introduction is done together with Chen Xing, where they introduce each other and banter.

## Gallery

### Novels

from Volume 1 of the Simplified physical edition
### Audio Drama

Audio Drama promotional image, with Xiang Shu and Chen Xing
### Manhua

Manhua cover featuring Xiang Shu and Chen Xing
### Donghua

Chen Xing and Xiang Shu on the physical book coverChen Xing and Xiang Shu in the audio drama promo imageAudio Drama art
## Notes and Trivia

* Xiang Shu is often referred to by many nicknames in the Chinese fandom, including 大馋鱼 and 柠檬树.
* He is known to be a closet romantic which he takes after his father.
* His ideal type is referred to be extremely similar to Chen Xing; a Han person that is gentle, kind-hearted, well-versed, between others.
* He plays the Qiang flute which his father taught him.
* Despite usually being very serious, Chen Xing is surprised when he discovers Xiang Shu does have a *'funny bone'* .