MDZS Month Day 1 - Favorite Character: Xiao Xingchen
For a character we never meet in person, who is long since dead by the time the story begins, who is never mentioned again after the first half of the novel⊠itâs incredible how much Xiao Xingchenâs character arc touched my heart.
Iâve always had a soft spot for the âgood to a faultâ character archetype. And Xiao Xingchen is my absolute favorite example of this archetype done right.Â
He had really noble ideals, probably the best in the cultivation world: forming a cultivation sect based on shared goals and ideals, as opposed to the easily corrupted bonds of kin.Â
He had a strong sense of righteousness, always willing to help those in need. He sought out justice for the murdered Chang clan when no one else would. He opposed the unscrupulous and powerful Jin sect when no one else would.Â
He had endless compassion and kindness, and adorable optimism. He left BaoShan SanRenâs mountain because he truly believed in humanityâs potential for good. He never asked anything in return for his good deeds, no matter how much he suffered for them. He cared for A-Qing and Xue Yang with an infinite well of patience despite their freeloading (LOL).
All in all, Xiao Xingchen was basically an angel in human form.
He gets completely and utterly shit on for being a good person.Â
His ideals are shattered and his justice subverted by the whims of politics and corrupt underhanded dealings. He loses his friends thanks to othersâ manipulations. He is tricked into killing innocents. His enemies take advantage of his compassion to torture him and mock every one of his efforts as futile.Â
He commits suicide in total despair, believing that his existence on this earth did not accomplish a single thing.
And yet, even after reaching such an empty end⊠Those touched by his kindness could not forget him.Â
He inspired A-Qing to stand up and fight for justice. Song Lan wanders the earth searching for a way to save him. Even Xue Yang, the âliving demonâ and his cruelest nemesis, could not help but admire him to the point of obsession.
Xiao Xingchen is a perfect example of how to make a âincorruptibly pure and goodâ character compelling. You put them through hell so their compassion becomes a weakness, so they suffer through the worst and most sinful side of this world.Â
And then you show how their goodness and kindness ultimately influences the flawed humans around them for the better. Even I want to be someone who Xiao Xingchen could be proud of.Â
So wherever you are, the bright moon and gentle breeze⊠I hope you can finally find peace.
ââââââââââââ
P.S. Xiao Xingchenâs name is super awesome. I want a name as cool as âDawn Stardust.â
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