Character Analysis: QI LING (LORD Critical World)
In the novel, Qi Ling is described as “handsome, tall and heroic looking.” He is also blessed with the flawless description of someone “born with pretty eyes and an agile figure. Despite being an errand boy wearing clothes faded from too many washes, an aristocratic aura surrounds him, like a layer of starlight so that he always stands out from the crowd.” (Translation by epikey). A lot of girls are supposedly swooning over him in his small town of Fauser.
Just by these descriptions, you would think this is a stallion or harem novel. Since this princely looking guy seems to be the main character, there’s no doubt about it. This guy would be blessed with a thousand women fighting over him while he saves the world in a totally magnificent, heroic fashion. But wait, one minute.
Is that really the case? Why does our main hero look confused 99% of the time then? The readers have been fooled ah. The guy is certainly handsome and quite tall, but is he a hero? Does he save the day? Can this guy even fight?
The answer could all be a resounding NO, unfortunately. As right off the bat in the first episode, it was Shen Yin who saved his butt from the rampaging Ice Fang. And it was Lian Quan (Lotus) and You Hua (Princess) who helped him a lot in the Mound. Needless to say, most of the time, this guy was the one being saved by the girls. He’s literally the damsel in distress in most scenarios. Shameless ah. What a shameless hero, right?
But that should be understandable though; as out of all of the main characters in this series, Qi Ling is the only civilian. Poor guy is just a tavern helper. Knows literally nothing about lords and disciples (Shen Yin has to explain it to him), and thinks all magicians are just bullies and wackos (thinks Yin Chen is fake and just wants to kidnap/ enslave him). So him overreacting to every little thing should be really understandable. Especially if “every little thing” he comes to encounter wants to kill or possess him, i.e. Ice Fang, Li Ji, Silver Priests, etc. So, excuse him for overreacting.
So this dude is just a normal guy plucked from the countryside. Look at this adorable, charming smile. He’s totally normal and just likes to play pranks with his lord and shamelessly flirts with everyone. The biggest fault with him is that he’s too affectionate and trusting. Naive to a fault, and will gamble his life to save anyone dear to him. Even though he can barely fight, he will still try to save others. He is naturally smart and cunning, but his naivete gets him into more trouble than necessary.
Case in point when he saved both Yang Ze and Shen Yin numerous times, even though both of them have lied to him and/or betrayed his trust in many occasions. Though he acts immature and disobedient towards authority, Qi Ling is still incredibly understanding, open-minded, and forgiving when it comes to his friends. Suffice to say, he will still save them no matter what.
So, is this guy finally a cool hero then? As the story progresses, Qi Ling not only grew in maturity but also in power. This darling disciple finally learns how to harness his own brains and capabilities to get him out of sticky sticky situations. He may be all bark in the beginning, but now this puppy is biting. And he’s biting hard.
(Ah the coolness of the above picture is just hhhhhnnngggggg. Whenever he saves others using his newlyfound powers, his coolness factor just increased tenfold.)
But of course, a plot twist has to ruin everything.
It’s not a good story without a climax, my dears. Without a good conflict, a story is forgettable. It’s like gourmet without spice, or ramen without those fatty pork bellies. Well you get the picture. Qi Ling’s story would not be complete if there isn’t any stain in his past. What good is a hero without a flaw, huh?
In the latter episodes, we learn that Qi Ling is indeed not ordinary. His aristocratic looks is not just for show now. He really has royalty in his blood.
I’m just kidding. Nope. He really doesn’t have royalty in his blood. This guy is an impostor. Qi Ling’s handsome looks is really just for show. The handsome Zhang Mingen (the actor) is simply chosen to play him so the series could rein in more viewers. Haha. Sorry. There really wasn’t any point in him being handsome. It’s just for eye candy and for everyone to fall in love with him.
(Which really worked. ‘Cause I think I’m in love.)
Anyways. Back to the main point. So we learned that Qi Ling is “not even human”, but only a vessel made to contain the series’ main villains. He is Lord Zero, the most powerful lord in existence.
Our great hero is actually a monster. (Please send me to the emergency room, because this pic is giving me irregular heartbeats.)
The first time we see an unhindered, uncontrollable Lord Zero was at the last episode. Yin Chen and You Hua’s deaths must have taken a toll on him, and so his mind was easily corrupted and emptied by the Silver Priests.
And just like that- our charming, adorable, naive Qi Ling is no more. He transformed into this unforgiving and ruthless weapon of destruction. He sees and hears no reason and has even attacked his friends- Shen Yin and Lian Quan. He became so destructive and powerful that even You Ming, the lord of slaughter, took an interest in fighting him. But of course, our hero is still the hero of the series. This is but a scratch, as they say. The story cannot end here.
Through his lord’s help, Qi Ling was able to wake up and push the Silver Priests’ consciousness out of his body. He was able to regain control in the end.
With a new found purpose, Qi Ling set out to find his lord. He remains determined and adamant that this is not where his story ends, and neither does his lord. He will find his beloved lord or die trying.
I like that the first pic of Qi Ling above (episode 1) heavily contrasted with this last pic below (episode 48). They still look the same but his smile has a different edge now. The first episode showed a playful, childish Qi Ling, while the last one showed a smile that is both mature and hopeful. I love both sides.
I love the character development. I enjoyed watching his struggles and progressions. From a poor, ignorant tavern helper to a powerful, full-fledged lord, this darling disciple had indeed come a long way. But I honestly already liked him even before. I love all his weaknesses and strengths, all his annoying habits and uncompromising naivete. Even at his worst, I adore this idiot and I sincerely- honestly think that Qi Ling is one of those characters that will stay with me for a long time.
I’m so lucky I found this series.
L.O.R.D. Critical World (2019)
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