Jin Ling (金凌, Jīn Líng), courtesy name Jin Rulan (金如兰, Jīn Rúlán), is the heir to the Lanling Jin Clan at the beginning of the novel. He is the only son of Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan, the grandson of Jin Guangshan, Madam Jin, Jiang Fengmian, and Yu Ziyuan and the nephew of Jin Guangyao, Qin Su, Mo Xuanyu, and Jiang Cheng. At the end of the novel, he succeeds his paternal uncle to become Clan Leader.[1]
Appearance[]
The novel describes Jin Ling's features as delicate yet sharp. He bears a strong resemblance to his uncle Jiang Cheng, to the extent that they can almost pass as brothers. He wears the peony-adorned robes of the Lanling Jin Clan and a vermilion mark between his brows.[2]
Personality[]
Jin Ling is a prideful and short-tempered junior; his uncle Jiang Cheng claims he has the temper of a "young mistress”.[3] As a result, he often has difficulty getting along with his peers.[4] Wei Wuxian describes him as having learned "all of his uncle and father’s faults but none of his mother’s strengths”.[5]
Jin Ling is acutely sensitive to being an orphan.[2][6] He initially loathes Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning for killing his father, yet slowly warms to Wei Wuxian after his aid in the Stone Castles, Yi City, and the Second Siege of the Burial Mounds. Jin Ling demonstrates his capacity for forgiveness when he seeks Wei Wuxian out after the latter leaves Lotus Pier.[7] After Wen Ning saves his life along with Jiang Cheng's, Jin Ling releases his long-lasting resentment, reflecting that he does not know who to hate anymore.[8] He likewise refuses to believe that Jin Guangyao's kindness and good intentions have all been a lie.[9]
Jin Ling also has a strong desire to prove himself,[10] to the extent that he recklessly endangers his life multiple times to meet Jiang Cheng's strict demands that he capture a monster.[11][12]
Additionally, Jin Ling is adept at noticing people's thoughts and desires. He is able to manipulate Jiang Cheng with rumors of Wen Ning to to free Wei Wuxian, whom he believes to be his uncle Mo Xuanyu at the time.[13] At the Guanyin Temple, Jin Ling correctly perceives that Jiang Cheng has more to confess to Wei Wuxian.[9]
After inheriting the position of clan leader, Jin Ling displays maturity and selflessness. He is cautious not to involve Jiang Cheng in many disputes, lest conniving cultivators consider him a target. He insists on caring for the common people and continues his friendships with the other juniors, including Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, and Ouyang Zizhen.[14]
Trivia[]
- Jin Ling takes after his uncle Jiang Cheng's manner of naming pets. Jin Ling named his dog Fairy, while Jiang Cheng once named his dogs Princess, Jasmine, and Love.[13]
- Wei Wuxian gave Jin Ling his courtesy name, Rulan.[15] According to author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Jin Ling dislikes the name, considering it "sissy."[16]
- According to the author's notes, Jin Ling was originally intended to die near the end of the novel and be resurrected as a conscious Fierce Corpse. Mo Xiang Tong Xiu eventually decided there was not enough foreshadowing for his death and that killing Jin Ling would provide only shock value and angst.[17]
- Jin Ling’s courtesy name, Jin Rulan, means “like an orchid." It comes from the Confucian phrase 君子如兰,空谷幽香 (lit. An orchid grows in a valley and no one is there to appreciate its scent, and a gentleman cultivates his own morals, which do not change from misfortune.)
References[]
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