Clan Leader Yao (姚宗主, Yáo-zōngzhǔ) is the leader of the Yao Clan, location unknown.
Appearance[]
Clan Leader Yao is described as a middle-aged cultivator of the arts, with a slim figure and gleaming eyes.[1]
Personality[]
Clan Leader Yao primarily sees the world in absolutes. He seems to view himself as an arbiter of justice. He maintains that Wei Wuxian,[1] and later, Jin Guangyao,[2] deserved extermination for their evil deeds.
He likewise refuses to believe that whoever sought to expose Jin Guangyao was anything less than a man of justice, merely citing that the person was "on [their] side" as evidence.
In addition, Clan Leader Yao seems to have a low opinion of women, as he chides Jin Ling's weeping over Jin Guangyao's death as "the kindness of the fairer sex."[2]
History[]
Night-Hunt on Mount Baifeng[]
Clan Leader Yao is among the cultivators who join with Jin Zixun to incorrectly claim that Wei Wuxian taking a third of the prey violated the rules.[3]
Second Siege of the Burial Mounds[]
Clan Leader Yao first appears with the rest of the cultivators who arrive at the Burial Mounds, intent on a second siege against Wei Wuxian. Unlike those who lost parents or body parts to Wei Wuxian, Clan Leader Yao proclaims that he had no personal grudge against Wei Wuxian. Rather, he simply desires to see "justice."[1]
He declares that Wei Wuxian "deserved to be punished by everyone," and vows that "no matter how many times [he] crawls out of [his] grave, [they] will send [him] back inside again."[1]
The first wave of Fierce Corpses arrives after his speech, and Clan Leader Yao is among those who lost their spiritual power to Su She's music.[4] Like the rest of the cultivators, retreats into the Demon-Quelling Cave and relies on the juniors, Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Wen Ning to protect him. Eventually, as wave after wave of fierce corpses comes, he presumably joins the fight with the rest of the adults despite his lack of spiritual energy.[5]
Lotus Pier[]
As the survivors of the siege journey back to Lotus Pier to rest, Clan Leader Yao becomes alarmed when Wei Wuxian approaches the juniors' boat.[6]
Once Sisi and Bicao arrive to tell their story, Clan Leader Yao is quick to believe Sisi's tale of witnessing Jin Guangyao murder Jin Guangshan, claiming that her details are too vivid to be lies.[7]
Clan Leader Yao likewise supports Bicao's explanation that Jin Guangyao had married his sister Qin Su. He even suggests that their child, Jin Rusong, had been murdered by his own father.[7]
Clan Leader Yao theorizes that Jin Rusong was mentally disabled because of his incestuous origins, and thus Jin Guangyao had killed him at a young age before anyone could realize that something was wrong. Recalling that the man who had been executed for Jin Rusong's death had opposed Jin Guangyao's watchtowers, Clan Leader Yao further suggests that Jin Guangyao had used the opportunity to rid himself of a political opponent. In his analysis, Clan Leader Yao acknowledges that Jin Guangyao's motives might have stemmed from society's continued shaming of his mother's origins.[7]
When Wei Wuxian confronts Bicao on her motives for telling Qin Su the truth, Clan Leader Yao insists that her motives had to be pure because the truth was told, though she had been bribed with a bracelet. He likewise declares that the man who sent the two women to Lotus Pier is a "man of justice" because he is "definitely standing on [their] side.[7]
Clan Leader Yao slams his fist on the table and demanded an attack on Golden Carp Tower, dismissing Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's misgivings.[7]
Guanyin Temple[]
Clan Leader Yao is among the cultivators who arrive in the aftermath of Jin Guangyao's death. He presumes that the statues of Jin Guangyao's mother are actually of Jin Guangyao himself, declaring that Jin Guangyao arrogantly considered himself as a god. When he witnesses Jin Ling shedding tears for his uncle, Clan Leader Yao dares to chastise Jin Ling for being "weak," recognizing that the Lanling Jin Clan will no longer be powerful enough to retaliate against him for disciplining a junior outside of his clan.[2]
Jin Ling, however, shouts at Clan Leader Yao to leave him alone. Embarrassed and angered, Clan Leader Yao dismisses Jin Ling as a "young brat" who cannot discern right from wrong.[2]
Animation Divergence[]
In the animation, Clan Leader Yao appears in a forest outside the Cloud Recesses. He attacks Jin Ling due to hallucinations induced by the resentful energy of the area, but Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian stop him and restore his consciousness.[8]
Manhua Divergence[]
The manhua omits Clan Leader Yao's words on justice at the Burial Mounds. He is introduced in the aftermath when he scolds Wei Wuxian for being on the juniors' boat.[9] When he appears at Lotus Pier two chapters later, he appearance is significantly younger than the middle-aged cultivator described in the novel and shown in his first appearance.[10]
Web Series Divergence[]
In the Web Series, the Yao Clan hails from Pingyang. The Qishan Wen Clan nearly exterminates the Yao Clan shortly before the massacre of Lotus Pier. Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Yanli smuggle the injured Clan Leader Yao to Lanling for his safety.[11]
Gallery[]
.JPG "Clan Leader Yao Concept Draft (Donghua).JPG (1.22 MB)")
Trivia[]
- When discussing Jin Rusong's death, Clan Leader Yao confidently declares that "most children born from closely related brothers and sisters turn out to be dull-witted."[7] While it is true that inbreeding results in a higher risk of death or major disability, the word "most" is inaccurate here. Statistically, between 20-36% of inbred children will have major complications. As Jin Rusong was only born from half-siblings, his chances of major complications were even less.
References[]
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