Li Da Yong
Career as a Guard
Li Da Yong assisted with his father's estate and trained to be a city guard, though he and his brother Hao Shou spent more time helping at home after his father fell ill. Da Yong grew disillusioned with the emperor's reign during his time as a guard. He encountered rampant corruption and feared for the future of the country. As a result, he and his brother joined the rebel army - Hao Shou left first, followed by Da Yong after he arranged his father's affairs for a move to a safer location.Service during the War
"Emperor Zou is very capable of showing and rewarding force and power, but after 15 years that is still all he seems proficient in.[...] Any corruption no longer feels the need to hide its face as diligently. I fear what will become of the empire if this continues... we both do."Da Yong ended up serving in the 23rd Division of the Old Empire Rebels, along with his friend Duàn Xueqin. After the 23rd Division was rescued by Zhang Shu Qing and Xun Ying Ti, Da Yong tried to court Shu Qing, but had difficulty conversing with her due to his polite and mild temperament. While not as blunt or forceful as Shu Qing, however, he was tenacious in his courtship. He managed to convince Zhang Ke Yuan of his sincerity and followed his advice to work with Shu Qing at the army stables in the morning.
"Li Da Yong, I know a great many admire her for that rescue, and they should. But if you're looking for someone admirable and capable, you are going to find that my sister is a lot of other things as well. To be blunt, she's difficult. She deserves someone who admires all of her qualities and doesn't put her on a pedestal." - Zhang Ke YuanLi Da Yong survived the Battle of the Red Tide with a stab wound and a broken arm. Shu Qing found him and he asked if he could visit her after things settled. She agreed.
Life After the War
After the war, Li Da Yong realized that his chances of pursuing Shu Qing were slim, as she was suddenly among the most eligible young women in the country, but he nonetheless persisted. He contacted the Zhang Family on his own with a letter from his parents, as his father was still unwell. Zhang Xiong eventually agreed to the match after learning of his friendship with Shu Qing during the war."That young man who endured Yin Li's horse instruction hasn't been scared off yet, so we're taking him before he changes his mind." - Zhang Xiong to Gao Zhong Hu
Da Yong and Shu Qing married within months and relocated to Da Yong's father's home to care for him. Shu Qing eased his chronic pain with cultivation. However, she found the peaceful life there difficult to handle after growing up in the hostile environment of the White Sea Sect and then serving in the war. She had little practice in the skills expected of a civilian wife, and the nearest cultivator sect offered only limited interaction. Da Yong found himself at a loss for how to help her, though Duàn Xueqin pointed out that by all rights Hao Shou should be the one taking care of his father, Hao Shou being the elder sibling.
During a visit to the Zhang family in Yinguonan, Zhang Huai Shi asked Shu Qing for help in lifting the demonic curse on Du Rui Sheng, taking their mother Zhang Yin Da by surprise with stories of Shu Qing's skills in healing during the war. Da Yong supported the request, having seen Shu Qing's talent as well. The process of lifting the curse with her mother led to Shu Qing realizing she had unusual talent for healing - a skill other than combat that she could develop further.
It wasn't until a second visit to the Zhang family in commemoration of the war that Da Yong realized it would be better for both of them to move into the Cold Wolf Sect. He spoke with his older brother about taking over care of their parents, and he and Shu Qing moved shortly after - in time to assist with the wedding of Huai Shi and Rui Sheng. Both Da Yong and Shu Qing quickly found themselves involved in assisting with the growth and maintenance of the sect. Da Yong took great pleasure in seeing his wife flourish there.
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