Ouyang Zizhen (欧阳子真, Ōuyáng Zizhēn) is a junior disciple and the heir to the Baling Ouyang Clan.
Appearance[]
His appearance is not described in the novel.
Personality[]
Ouyang Zizhen displays a sentimental nature, as he is able to describe A-Qing's bloodied ghost as "bound to be lovely" after "some grooming."[1] He also suggests the juniors burn paper money for her spirit after hearing the full story behind her ordeal.[2][3]
Ouyang Zizhen also reveals bravery and integrity by defending Wei Wuxian against his own father, the Clan Leader of Baling Ouyang, despite the criticisms of many cultivators.[3] Furthermore, Ouyang Zizhen even disobeys his father to join the fight during the Second Siege of the Burial Mounds.[4]
History[]
Yi City[]
Ouyang Zizhen is among the group of juniors lured to Yi City after first encountering dead cats in Langya.[5] After encountering Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, the juniors then enter a house to brew congee to cure their Corpse Poisoning. After the ghost of A-Qing appears outside the house, Wei Wuxian insists that all the junior disciples take turns observing her.[1]
Despite her ragged and bloodied appearance, Ouyang Zizhen describes A-Qing in minute detail, including her fox-headed hairpin, and even compliments her as "lovely”. His description prompts Wei Wuxian to tease him for being the "sentimental type”.[1]
Ouyang Zizhen cries after finding out about A-Qing's gruesome past and death, and suggests that they burn money to honor her.[2][3]
Second Siege of the Burial Mounds[]
Later, Ouyang Zizhen is among the many juniors kidnapped as bait at the second siege of the Burial Mounds. After Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Wen Ning rescue the juniors, Ouyang Zizhen quickly joins Lan Sizhui in following their rescuers out of the Demon-Quelling Cave.[3]
After his father appears among an army of cultivators who intended to rescue the juniors and battle Wei Wuxian, Ouyang Zizhen speaks in defense of the Yiling Patriarch. He reminds his father that Wei Wuxian had saved him in Yi City, and had saved him again now. This earns Ouyang Zizhen an immediate scolding from his father, who dismisses his claims as the careless words of a child.[3]
After their rescuers lose their spiritual powers thanks to Su She's melody, Ouyang Zizhen convinces his father to retreat into the cave rather than continue trying to fight the onslaught of Fierce Corpses without his spiritual energy.[6]
Once safely inside the cave, Ouyang Zizhen peppers his father with questions to determine the reason the cultivators had lost their power. His theory that their loss in spiritual energy was related to killing the corpses helps Wei Wuxian uncover the truth about Su She.[7]
When the corpses breaks through, Ouyang Zizhen joins the juniors who still had spiritual energy to protect their parents and rescuers. This terrifies his father, as a fierce corpse nearly grabbs Ouyang Zizhen's throat. Lan Qiren comes to his rescue, astonishing Ouyang Zizhen with his sword skills.[4]
When Wei Wuxian expresses his plan to use his own body as bait, Ouyang Zizhen is among the juniors who protest, vowing that he could "kill a hundred more”.[4]
After the siege, Ouyang Zizhen accompanies his fellow juniors on the boat ride back to Lotus Pier. When he again defends Wei Wuxian to Clan Leader Yao, Jiang Cheng coldly comments to Clan Leader Ouyang that his son has a "silver tongue”.[8] Afraid that Jiang Cheng will begrudge his young son, Clan Leader Ouyang demands his son leave the boat with the juniors and join his boat. Ouyang Zizhen refuses, calmly telling his father to focus on recovering his spiritual energy.[8]
He later expresses concern when Wei Wuxian collapses, and remarks to Lan Sizhui that he is puzzled that Wei Wuxian enjoys the ever-silent Lan Wangji's company.[8]
References[]
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