TV-Series
Description
Shoutaishi, also known as Advisor Sho or Sho Yosei, serves as one of the Emperor of Saiunkoku's three Grand Advisors, holding the position of Taishi. His true identity is Shi Shou, the Purple Immortal and the strongest of the Eight Immortals. Over 1,000 years old, he originally aided Sou Gen, the first emperor, in founding Saiunkoku. Sho's loyalty lies not with the country, but with individuals proving themselves worthy rulers, prompting minimal intervention unless the empire's survival is at stake.
In his human guise, Sho poses as a shriveled elderly man with a long beard, employing a sly, humorous, and easygoing demeanor to manipulate events. His true immortal form manifests as a young man bearing long black hair, cold purple eyes, and attire from an older era, revealing a ruthless, short-tempered nature. He shifts forms according to context, displaying his sardonic wit more openly among fellow immortals or close acquaintances like Kou Shouka.
During Emperor Shi Senka's reign, Sho served as Prime Minister, wielding keen intellect and devious strategies to eliminate threats against Senka, whom he respected for resembling Sou Gen. After Senka's death, he refused support to any prince during the succession struggle, deeming none worthy. When Shi Ryuuki ascended, Sho orchestrated Kou Shuurei's entry into the imperial harem as a consort to motivate Ryuuki, indirectly exposing Sa Enjun's assassination plot. Though Enjun was his friend, Sho deemed his death necessary. This act caused Shouka, leader of the Wolves of the Wind, to renounce obedience to Sho and vow revenge after Shuurei and Seiran faced danger.
Following the downfall of the corrupt official Ou Ki, Sho erased his existence from public memory. He observed Shuurei's funeral as a crow and departed, returning years later to watch over Ryuuki and Shuurei's daughter, Shi Chouka. In crow form, he guided and protected Chouka during her travels, unnerved by her ability to perceive his true form as an "unhappy old man." Chouka developed a deep attachment to him, rejecting suitors like Ran Shijaku (whom Sho despised). After Chouka witnessed his bloody past—walking over skulls of past emperors—she kissed his cheek, leaving him speechless. When Chouka chose to become empress, Sho broke the immortals' non-interference pact to reenter court, passing the national exams as "Jougen" to serve her, implying his acknowledgment of her worthiness.
His relationships reflect selective interest in humans: he revered Sou Gen and Senka, frequently clashed with the foul-tempered Kou Shouka, and harshly criticized Ryuuki for political missteps. He comforted Enjun in his final moments in immortal form and later summoned his spirit. Despite general disdain for humans, he showed concern for Shuurei, enjoying her cooking and visiting her during illness. With Chouka, he displayed uncharacteristic protectiveness and confusion toward her affection, noting her unique eyes after over a millennium of solitude.
Later, Sho revived Ryuuki from near-death by striking him with "Kanshou," leading to a netherworld argument where Ryuuki demanded Sho take responsibility for Chouka. Sho retorted by demanding Ryuuki's treasury, referencing his role in bringing Shuurei to Ryuuki, before sending the emperor back to the living world with a roundhouse kick.
In his human guise, Sho poses as a shriveled elderly man with a long beard, employing a sly, humorous, and easygoing demeanor to manipulate events. His true immortal form manifests as a young man bearing long black hair, cold purple eyes, and attire from an older era, revealing a ruthless, short-tempered nature. He shifts forms according to context, displaying his sardonic wit more openly among fellow immortals or close acquaintances like Kou Shouka.
During Emperor Shi Senka's reign, Sho served as Prime Minister, wielding keen intellect and devious strategies to eliminate threats against Senka, whom he respected for resembling Sou Gen. After Senka's death, he refused support to any prince during the succession struggle, deeming none worthy. When Shi Ryuuki ascended, Sho orchestrated Kou Shuurei's entry into the imperial harem as a consort to motivate Ryuuki, indirectly exposing Sa Enjun's assassination plot. Though Enjun was his friend, Sho deemed his death necessary. This act caused Shouka, leader of the Wolves of the Wind, to renounce obedience to Sho and vow revenge after Shuurei and Seiran faced danger.
Following the downfall of the corrupt official Ou Ki, Sho erased his existence from public memory. He observed Shuurei's funeral as a crow and departed, returning years later to watch over Ryuuki and Shuurei's daughter, Shi Chouka. In crow form, he guided and protected Chouka during her travels, unnerved by her ability to perceive his true form as an "unhappy old man." Chouka developed a deep attachment to him, rejecting suitors like Ran Shijaku (whom Sho despised). After Chouka witnessed his bloody past—walking over skulls of past emperors—she kissed his cheek, leaving him speechless. When Chouka chose to become empress, Sho broke the immortals' non-interference pact to reenter court, passing the national exams as "Jougen" to serve her, implying his acknowledgment of her worthiness.
His relationships reflect selective interest in humans: he revered Sou Gen and Senka, frequently clashed with the foul-tempered Kou Shouka, and harshly criticized Ryuuki for political missteps. He comforted Enjun in his final moments in immortal form and later summoned his spirit. Despite general disdain for humans, he showed concern for Shuurei, enjoying her cooking and visiting her during illness. With Chouka, he displayed uncharacteristic protectiveness and confusion toward her affection, noting her unique eyes after over a millennium of solitude.
Later, Sho revived Ryuuki from near-death by striking him with "Kanshou," leading to a netherworld argument where Ryuuki demanded Sho take responsibility for Chouka. Sho retorted by demanding Ryuuki's treasury, referencing his role in bringing Shuurei to Ryuuki, before sending the emperor back to the living world with a roundhouse kick.