I think what really gets me about Geshu Lin and Jiyan, regardless of how you interpret them, is the potential for what would happen if they met now, in modern day, as far as cannon goes.
Like obviously it'd depend on context but listen. Geshu Lin vanished three years ago. Jiyan was named his successor by the SENTINEL THEMSELF. It's been three years. Jiyan thwarted the TD that Geshu Lin likely faced alone, helped by someone who seemed to ABSORB its frequencies. Jiyan, even as General, found a way to keep saving lives by enforcing that non-Resonator personell don't fight on the frontlines. Jiyan has been leading the Rangers that Geshu Lin once did, but is celebrated where Geshu Lin has been dishonored.
It has been three. Years.
We've seen how Geshu Lin acts. A deep-seated desire to protect people, a willingness to put himself in harm's way if it means the threat is vanquished. When he's defeated and a blade is put to his neck, he lifts his chin, bares his throat, and DARES them to do it. Put an end to him, then. You defeated him — you earned the right to take his life.
Geshu Lin's Phantom has tormented Jiyan more than a few times. Jiyan doesn't talk about what happened that night unless prompted to. But on some level, he does seem to at least acknowledge Geshu Lin's strengths in battle. How close were they? Did Jiyan ever admire Geshu Lin's strength and refusal to back down?
So if Geshu Lin were to emerge from the shadows, what would Jiyan think? What would he do? A man you thought dead for three years, the one who led dozens of men to their death but also made brave calls nobody else would, the one whose hatred for Tacet Discords mirrors your own, shows up again, alive, after THREE YEARS, what would you do?
...I like to think that Jiyan would raise his blade, anticipating a fight or hostility or for it to all be fake.
And I think Geshu Lin would raise his chin and dare Jiyan to do it
Take your old General's life.
