| “ | Why not be bothersome? Because it's shameful? This relates to the survival of your kingdom, shouldn't you cause trouble and annoy us to death? Is it so hard to lower yourself a little? | ” |
— Ox
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Rain Master Huang's Ox is an immortal guardian steed under Yushi Huang and her closest acquaintance. He takes the appearance of a black ox most of the time, but has the ability to turn human.[1]
Appearance[]
He usually remains in his animal form, a buff black ox with a strong, solid body and long snout.[1]
When transformed human, he takes the appearance of a tall, bare-backed strong man with well-defined muscles and rather handsome looks. He's said to have a stubborn expression and a steel nose-ring hooked through his nose.[1][2]
Personality[]
He's a sociable, friendly soul with a lot of confidence, not afraid to call out the behavior of others or talk back to people of high status, such as Xie Lian and Pei Ming.[1][3] Even when he first comes to meet people, he's easy-going and willing to help them out.[1] However, he's also quite stubborn and petty, making sarcastic remarks and picking on people he doesn't like.[2][4]
History[]
Beast Door Knocker[]
The ox was originally one of the golden door knockers of the royal cultivation hall of Yushi, the Temple of Yulong. There was a custom that the people would rub these beast door knockers to add a bit of life aura to them. Usually devotees only rubbed holy beasts such as tigers, dragons and herons, so the ox was deserted and lonely. The only person to regularly visit him was Yushi Huang, who would come rub the head of the ox door knocker every time she went to seek water.[4]
Over time, the door knocker became soaked in her life essence and when she ascended, he ascended alongside her. Other than him, she didn't appoint any of the other beasts.[4]
Fall of Xianle[]
Shortly after Yushi Huang's ascension, Xie Lian visited the small village they resided at to ask for the Rain Master Hat. After turning human in front of him, the ox greets Xie Lian and informs him that Yushi Huang is unable to speak to him due to recovering from her neck injury. He talks to Xie Lian about the drought, stressing that it's necessary to be bothersome if it's about ones own kingdom in danger and also that Yushi Huang has no obligation to lend him the spiritual device. He's amused by Xie Lian's slightly angered reaction.[1]
He proceeds to give him the Rain Master Hat in her name, telling him that although Yushi Huang will lend him the device, the rest is up to him.[1]
Hiding from General Pei[]
Eight hundred years later and in an attempt to hide Shi Qingxuan from Pei Ming, Xie Lian and the others all end up going to Yushi Huang's domain. Pei Ming soon follows after them and the ox takes his human form once again, teasing Pei Ming. He also blocks his attempt to get to Shi Qingxuan who was inside the cottage at the time.[3]
Reopening of Tonglu Mountain[]
He accompanies Yushi Huang into Tonglu Mountain after it reopens. Riding upon the ox, she interrupts the brawl between Pei Ming, Xuan Ji and Rong Guang.[5] He later carries her, Pei Ming, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian to the foot of the Kiln. Before going any further, Corpse-Eating Rats had started to gather around them. Yushi Huang rode away with her ox, leaving a trail of rice to lead the rats away from the others.[4]
They eventually escaped Tonglu Mountain with the help of Xie Lian and his statue.[6]
Battle of the Heavenly Court[]
Yushi Huang and him catch Pei Ming after he was set on fire and sent flying out of the Great Martial Hall.[7] They set him down and proceed to cut down the Corpse-Eating Rats alongside the other Heavenly Officials and ghosts.[8]
In the aftermath of the battle, he arrives together with Yushi Huang at Taicang Mountain, carrying boxes of produce for the Heavenly Officials to replenish their spiritual powers.[9]
Relationships[]
Yushi Huang[]
He's one of Yushi Huang's oldest and closest friends, seemingly taking the position of her right-hand man. He also seems to be the one in charge of her domain when Yushi Huang is absent or when she was recovering from her neck injury, indicating that they share a bond of trust.[1] He's seen to be very loyal and caring towards her.
Pei Ming[]
He dislikes Pei Ming, most likely due to the role he played in the fall of the Yushi Kingdom and in Yushi Huang's life. He frequently picks on and teases him, such as when he intentionally threw Pei Ming off his back multiple times.[4] While he often makes sarcastic remarks towards him like exaggerated flattery, Pei Ming remains respectful and polite towards him.[3][2] He even tried to pet him, but was almost bitten by the ox instead.[9]
Abilities[]
- Shape-Shifting: Like mentioned, he has the ability to switch between his ox and human form, but he is also capable of changing his general size. He did so when carrying Yushi Huang, Pei Ming, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng down the Kiln, growing into three times his size to fit all of them on his back.[4]
- Speed: He's incredibly fast, able to travel across landscapes very quickly even when carrying multiple people.[4]
- Leg Power: Yushi Huang states that he has incredible leg strength, most likely what makes it possible for him to have such an outstanding speed.[5]
Trivia[]
- He was the only person to gift Yushi Huang a lantern at the Mid Autumn Festival Banquet.[10]
References[]
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