Dong Gu

Overview

Dong Gu (董谷) is the Second Senior Brother (二师兄) of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect (龙泉剑宗) and the first of Ruan Qiong's newly accepted disciples to reach the Jin Dan (金丹) Earth Immortal realm. Because his master, the Military School Saint Ruan Qiong, focuses almost entirely on sword forging, and his Eldest Senior Sister, Ruan Xiu, is indifferent to sect politics, the heavy burden of managing the sect's administrative and external affairs falls squarely on Dong Gu's shoulders.

Despite not being a sword cultivator in a sect defined by the sword, Dong Gu is deeply loyal, pragmatic, and highly respected within the sect. He acts as the primary disciplinarian and instructor for the younger generation of disciples, maintaining order while the Dragon Springs Sword Sect navigates its rapid expansion within the Dali Empire.

Appearance and Personality

Dong Gu is an imposing figure who habitually wears a black robe. He is famously strict and unsmiling (不苟言笑), projecting a severe demeanor that often terrifies the younger, newly accepted disciples of the sect.

He is incredibly diligent and knows his place within the sect hierarchy. While he presents a stern face to the juniors to maintain discipline, he is deeply respectful of his master's rules and displays a humble, patient attitude regarding his own cultivation. He refuses to claim privileges he feels he has not fully earned, demonstrating a grounded and steady Dao heart.

History

Instructing the New Disciples

When the Dali Empire sent a batch of twelve highly talented youths—including a congenital sword embryo—to Shenxiu Mountain, Dong Gu was the one tasked with receiving them. Because most of the youths were ignorant of the true heights of the cultivation world, Dong Gu took it upon himself to explain the division of realms, teaching them the difference between Jin Dan and Yuan Ying, and revealing the existence of the Upper Five Realms (玉璞, 仙人) to temper their arrogance.

Refusing to Open a Peak

As the first disciple in the Dragon Springs Sword Sect to reach the Earth Immortal (地仙) realm, Dong Gu was entitled by prior agreement to establish and open his own mountain peak (开峰) as a formal branch of the sect. However, despite the prestige this would bring him, Dong Gu formally declined the privilege. He earnestly requested that his master allow him to wait until he successfully broke through to the Yuan Ying (元婴) realm before officially opening a peak. Ruan Qiong approved of this grounded mindset and agreed to his request.

The Flying Sword Proposal

As the Dragon Springs Sword Sect gained official "Zong" (宗) status, Dong Gu proposed to Ruan Qiong that the sect should begin engraving their name on their flying swords used for communication, matching the practices of other major sects like Taiping Mountain. However, Ruan Qiong, who maintained incredibly strict standards, grew furious at the suggestion, retorting that a sect without a single Yuan Ying cultivator had no right to act arrogant. Terrified by his master's iron-clad standards, Dong Gu immediately withdrew the suggestion.

Cultivation

Dong Gu is a Jin Dan Realm (金丹境) cultivator. Unlike the core identity of his sect, he is not a sword cultivator but a standard Qi refiner (练气士). Despite lacking the overwhelming offensive power of sword immortals, his steady progression and reliable Earth Immortal status make him the foundational pillar of the sect's day-to-day operations.

Relationships

• Ruan Qiong: His master. Dong Gu deeply reveres Ruan Qiong, meticulously carrying out his master's sparse orders and enduring his strict reprimands without complaint.
• Ruan Xiu: His Eldest Senior Sister. Though she rarely involves herself in sect affairs, Dong Gu respects her status and acknowledges her unique position at the top of the disciple hierarchy.
• Xie Ling: The Fourth Senior Brother of the sect. While Dong Gu is serious and strict, Xie Ling has a completely different demeanor, though they both fall under Dong Gu's administrative umbrella as senior disciples.
• Junior Disciples: To the vast majority of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect's younger disciples, Dong Gu represents the strict, face-to-face authority of the sect, inspiring awe and fear in equal measure.

References

• 剑来12：人间羊肠道，第一章 — 山水依旧: Details Dong Gu's role as the black-robed Second Senior Brother, his instruction of the new disciples regarding cultivation realms, and his humble decision to delay opening a mountain peak until reaching the Yuan Ying realm.
• 剑来12：人间羊肠道，第九章 — 磨剑: Covers Dong Gu's proposal to engrave the sect's name on flying swords and his subsequent scolding by Ruan Qiong for acting ahead of the sect's actual strength.