Lian Qiluo

Lian Qiluo is the Right Envoy of the Flower Deity Cult and the Deputy Governor of Dongdu city of the Tang Empire.

## Personality and Traits

Lian Qiluo is popular among the citizens of Dongdu. However, she is a calculating woman; she attempted to exploit Ji Yuntao to seek revenge on Cui Rong for harassing disciples of her sect. She is rather hypocritical; she developed a grudge against Xie Yan for rejecting her advances when she secretly attempted to enslave him and impair his cultivation using an unpopular martial art.

## Plot

Lian Qiluo first appears with Ji Yuntao at the Immortal Fame Stage, an arts competition hosted by the Flower Deity Cult. Impressed with Ji Yuntao's sublime musical performance, Lord Lu is about to declare him the winner when some of Cui Rong's friends heckle and accuse the Gentle Dignified Prince of plagiarism. Xie Yan resolves the situation by delivering a more impressive musical performance, winning the competition. Xie Yan, Ji Yuntao, and Xie Ran become distinguished guests at the Youmeng Tower for the night, where they are attended upon by almost all the courtesans. Envious of the Youmeng Tower's preferential treatment of the trio, Cui Rong and his friends cause trouble and spread unpleasant gossip about the three friends. Ji Yuntao senses Lian Qiluo's intention of instigating the group against Cui Rong and immediately leaves with Xie Yan and Xie Ran. As the trio leave, the other patrons suddenly begin to lynch Cui Rong, which causes Lian Qiluo to suspect that Xie Yan might be behind this.

Several days later, Lian Qiluo escorts the young master of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect, Yu Long'er, to the Gu Wang Establishment. There, she meets the trio again and they all enjoy the performances in the Establishment. After the Gu Wang Establishment closes for the night, Lian Qiluo, Xie Yan, Ji Yuntao, and Xie Ran witness the destructive confrontation between the elders of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect and Gongsun Hao. Eventually, Xie Yan and Ji Yuntao take action and resolve the conflict. Lian Qiluo is impressed upon witnessing Xie Yan's skill in the Finger Of Flowery Swords. As Xie Yan prepares to leave with Xie Ran and Gongsun Hao, Lian Qiluo asks him out on a date.

Later that night, Xie Yan receives the Daoist Canon Of The Heavenly Demon from Gongsun Hao and wonders how to begin its cultivation. He decides to toy with Lian Qiluo's feelings, believing that deceiving a manipulative woman like her wouldn't hurt his conscience. On the appointed day, Xie Yan and Lian Qiluo go on a date. Lian Qiluo admits that she wanted to instigate Ji Yuntao and Xie Yan against Cui Rong. She also reveals the reason to Xie Yan: Cui Rong once kidnapped a junior disciple of the Flower Deity Cult. The girl was traumatised by the incident and eventually, she left the sect because she couldn't cultivate further. Since the girl wasn't so talented, the sect dropped the matter. Later, on the day of the Immortal Fame Stage, Cui Rong kidnapped another junior disciple, but Lian Qiluo rescued the girl. Outraged that Cui Rong forgot about the girl whose life he ruined before, she decided to humiliate him at the Immortal Fame Stage using Ji Yuntao. She also reveals her sadness about being unable to travel the world due to her responsibilities as a deputy governor.

Xie Yan begins to feel guilty when he is unable to detect any discrepancy between Lian Qiluo's emotions and actions. However, when he infiltrates Lian Qiluo's room in the Flower Deity Cult's branch, he realises that she cultivated the Maiden's Vine Heart Sutra, a wicked martial art created by Wen Tingyun's jealous ex-girlfriend, Ruo Xihua, who specifically designed it to cripple the Finger Of Flowery Swords' Primordial Spirits. Since the effects of the Maiden's Vine Heart Sutra have never been tested before, Lian Qiluo decided to experiment on Xie Yan and yielded herself to the influence of the martial art. Having discovered Lian Qiluo's ploy, Xie Yan steals her Emerald Sala Fruit. Later, Xie Yan takes Lian Qiluo on an illusory journey to some of the finest destinations in the Han Empire. Afterwards, as they dance under the moonlight, Xie Yan shoves Lian Qiluo and accuses her of flirting with men much younger than her despite being an old woman. Lian Qiluo is shocked when the Maiden's Vine Heart Sutra dissipates, and the woman bears a grudge against Xie Yan. When she returns, she is further enraged upon learning about the burglary in her room. Lian Qiluo decides to issue a warrant against the burglar, Sa Beiling. Later, when the famous detective, Bian Shifei investigates the recent incidences in Dongdu, Lian Qiluo decides to frame Xie Yan for all the crimes despite the lack of evidence. When the deputy governor attempts to convict Xie Yan for many crimes, Gongsun Pianxian arrives and criticises her actions. When Gongsun Pianxian thwarts Lian QIluo's plans, the latter insists on taking Xie Yan to the Flower Deity Cult's branch. However, Lian Qiluo's overbearing behaviour enrages Xie Yan, who threatens to fight her.