Yun Pyeong-Gyu

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. This template should be removed from the article 11 September 2024.

"Here, I can give free rein to my imagination! What greater pleasure could there be for an engineer?!"

―Yun talking about his freedom working for the Zhang Wei Union, 1725.

Yun Pyeong-Gyu (윤평규) was a Korean Confucian scholar, engineer and official who served in the Office of Military Armaments in the Joseon dynasty during the reign of King Yeongjo. He was also an ancestor of Noa Kim.

After being rescued by the Assassin Edward Kenway from pirates who had taken him prisoner, Yun agreed to join the Assassin's organization, the Zhang Wei Union, while looking for a way to return to Korea. Subsequently, Yun became the Union's engineer, building various weapons and tools to assist his fellow Union members in their missions.

Biography

Meeting Edward Kenway

Yun: "I was hoping for a chance to properly express my gratitude, good sir! Why, I owe you my life!"

Edward: "Aye, it was no trouble... But, say, you seem to have an exceptional grasp of the English tongue."

Yun: "But of course! Speaking multiple tongues is but elementary for an aide to an envoy of the Great Qing Empire!"

—Yun introducing himself to Edward, 1725.

Yun meeting Edward

In 1725, Yun travelled to the Manchu Qing Empire as an aide to a Joseon envoy. At one point however, he was held captive alongside a number of slaves aboard a pirate ship in the South China Sea near the Philippines. He and the slaves were rescued when the ship was boarded by the British Assassin Edward Kenway. After the rest of slaves were rescued, Yun and Edward were the last to jump overboard when the ship exploded due to its gunpowder kegs catching fire.

Later on, Yun offered his services to repair the wheel of a Dutch East India Company ship that Edward had rescued from the pirates earlier. After Edward's ship escorted the Dutch vessel back to Macau, the Assassin invited Yun to work for his organization, the Zhang Wei Union, as an engineer due to his knowledge and abilities, while helping him to find a way back to his home country. Yun accepted the offer and went off to drink with Edward and his mate John Young later on.

Joining the Zhang Wei Union

"As much as I desperately yearn for the land of morning calm... I have a feeling that working with you will keep me much better entertained! Not only that, I would be remiss in my duties as a Confucian if I didn't repay the debt to my life's savior! Lacking though my skills may be, I gladly offer them at your service."

―Yun offering his services to the Zhang Wei Union, 1725.

Yun accepting Edward's request to develop weaponry

Upon joining the Zhang Wei Union, Yun set up shop at the organization's headquarters in the A-Ma Cultural Village, where he began working on a number of weapons he had developed back in Korea. When Edward visited Yun at his workshop to request his aid for an upcoming job, he was impressed by his designs and provided him with the resources and manpower needed to craft his inventions, which Edward believed could prove crucial to the job's success.

During their mission, Edward and his crew managed to capture several Chinese junks from pirates, including a large vessel they later named the Fenghuang, which became the flagship of the Union. Subsequently, Yun repaired the ship and installed a number of new armaments such as European-style cannons used in Korea modified by Yun himself, swivel guns that had increased caliber, and several volley guns.

Yun presenting Edward with his modified Hidden Blade

When Edward came to check on his progress, Yun informed him about the modifications to the ship's artillery and thanked the Assassin for allowing him to express his creativity in such a way, claiming that his imagination had been severely restricted while serving in the Office of Military Armaments. He also revealed that he had modified Edward's right Hidden Blade, adding a crossbow-like mechanism to allow him to eliminate targets from a distance.

Not long after, Edward and John infiltrated a floating gambling hall owned by the merchant Sun to recover a sea log in his possession. Yun joined Rupiya aboard the Fenghuang as they waited nearby for Edward's signal in order to retrieve him and John.

However, the pair were ultimately unsuccessful in their mission and were attacked by the fleet of Admiral Jeong, who had destroyed the gambling ship. Yun and Rupiya sailed to their rescue, destroying one of Jeong's ships and forcing the admiral to withdraw, which allowed Edward, John, Shimazu Saito, and Xialun Qing to board the Fenghuang and escape to safety.

Befriending Shimazu Saito

"I haven't had so much fun in ages. I look forward to many more archery contets in the future. I'll consider you a friend as long as the arrows fly at least."

―Yun agreeing to work alongside Saito, 1725.

Following the group's return to the Zhang Wei Union's headquarters, Yun was furious to learn about Edward's decision to recruit Saito into the Union. While Edward and John were confused as they had never seen Yun in such an agitated state, Zhang explained that Yun's animosity towards Saito roused from the Imjin War fought between their respective countries over a century prior. Yun clarified that he had ancestors who had perished in the war and that, while he did not dislike all Japanese people, he could not trust Saito due to her nature as a samurai.

Yun and Saito becoming allies

However, Yun's attitude towards Saito changed after she approached him during one of his archery training sessions. Yun at first refused to acknowledge her presence, but Saito complimented the Joseon bow he had built and showcased her own archery skills. This led to a contest between the two, observed by the entire Zhang Wei Union, in which Saito ultimately emerged victorious, ending Yun's win streak. The engineer subsequently recognized Saito's abilities and dropped all animosity towards her, agreeing to work together as members of the Union.

Later, Yun and Saito joined Edward in deciphering the contents of the sea log the Assassin had failed to recover, which Saito had memorized. Together, the three were able to find a hidden message saying that they should follow in the footsteps of the explorer Ferdinand Magellan to find the lost Khmer city of Angkor, which was rumored to house a treasure belonging to the Isu. The group deduced that this meant they had to travel to the Philippines to find Magellan's resting place.

Journey to the Philippines

Edward: "Mister Yun, am I right in thinking you've still got a trick up your sleeve for us?!"

Yun: "Oh, most assuredly, sir! I'm sure you'll find it a blast from the past--"

—Yun telling Edward about the explosive barrels he created, 1725.

Yun and the others leaving on their journey

In preparation for the long journey to the Philippines, Yun created a suit of armor for Saito outfitted with a Hidden Blade-inspired retractable kunai, and a blowpipe for Edward at the Assassin's own request. Due to lacking the necessary medical knowledge to create the poison darts for the blowpipe, Yun enlisted the help of Xialun Qing to do so. After presenting Saito and Edward with their respective "gifts", Yun joined them, John, Qing and Rupiya aboard the Fenghuang as the group left Macau and sailed towards the Philippines.

As the Fenghuang neared Manila, the ship suddenly came under attack by Jeong's fleet, which had followed the crew. After Edward ordered the crew members to return fire, Yun told the Assassin about his latest invention: fire barrels which exploded on impact. The crew members subsequently dropped several barrels into the sea, causing considerable damage to the enemy vessels and allowing them to lose their pursuers.

Following their apparent escape from Jeong's fleet, the crew cheered for Yun, who pridefully stated that regular ships were no match for his advanced weaponry. Not long after, however, the Fenghuang was boarded by the Chinese Assassins Xiao Han, Liu Qing and Xue Yan, who had accompanied Jeong.

During the chaos, Yun deduced that the bombs thrown by the Assassins were filled with Greek fire, which water was useless against, and instructed the crew to use sand to put out the flames. As they did so, Yun suddenly came face-to-face with Xiao Han. Fearing for his life, his feet froze in place and he could do nothing but beg for mercy until Edward intervened and saved him, engaging Xiao Han in a duel.

Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun

After the Chinese Assassins were defeated and retreated back to Jeong's ship, Edward ordered Rupiya to sail into an incoming storm to lose their pursuers. Although one of Jeong's ships managed to follow the Fenghuang, it was sunk by a Dutch East India Company vessel captained by Jan van Aert, whom Edward subsequently allowed to join the Union in their search for Angkor.

Later, inside the Fenghuang's hull, Yun successfully recreated the formula for Greek fire, but claimed that he required large quantities of petroleum to produce more. To this, Edward suggested making a stop in Java, whose inhabitants were renowned for using petroleum to waterproof their ships, and Yun agreed.

Arrested in Manila

"What an unexpected boon to find petroleum here! Mister Kenway will be delighted to see this!"

―Yun after finding the barrels of petroleum in Manila, 1725.

Before the Union members could sail to Java, both the Fenghuang and Jan's ship were attacked by two Spanish Men O' War, forcing them to surrender. The crews of the two ships were subsequently brought to Manila, where they arrested by the Spanish authorities due to Jan's alleged involvement in the assassination of the Governor-General of the Philippines, Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda, six years prior.

While Jan and his men were imprisoned in Fort Santiago's dungeon, the Fenghuang's crew were forced to remain inside their ship, under heavy guard. During their imprisonment, John managed to learn that Governor Bustamante had been killed in a riot by supporters of the Archbishop of Manila, Francisco de la Cuesta, and relayed this information to the others. Edward then decided to take matters into their own hands and had Qing distract the guards by bringing them food, allowing the crew to escape the ship.

Yun and the others fighting Spanish soldiers at the harbor

While Edward and Saito went to rescue Jan's crew, Yun and the others engaged in a fight with the Spanish soldiers at the harbor to retrieve their confiscated weapons and supplies. In the process, they discovered a warehouse filled with barrels of petroleum, which Yun promptly ordered to be loaded aboard the Fenghuang.

After Edward and Saito returned to the Fenghuang, the ship set sail away from Manila, followed closely by Jan and his crew. When the Spanish Navy gave chase, Jan volunteered to distract their pursuers to give the Union members time to flee. Once they had escaped from the Spanish fleet, Edward told Yun and the others about his and Saito's encounter with a monk who wielded a Piece of Eden in the shape of a crescent amulet. The Assassin then ordered the crew to set a course for Cebu.

Voyage to Monkey Island

"Feast your eyes upon the fulfillment of humanity's most ancient dream... the gift of flight! Behold! I present to you the Celestial Chariot!"

―Yun introducing the Celestial Chariot to his fellow Union members, 1725.

Following their escape from Manila, Yun and John discovered that the Spanish authorities had confiscated all of their food rations and asked Edward for permission to attack two passing Spanish schooners to take their supplies. After sinking the ships and rescuing the surviving crew members, the Fenghuang docked at a nearby village to resupply. There, the villagers instantly recognized and greeted the Union members, as Zhang had recently begun trading with them.

Yun and Qing attempting to produce Greek fire

While Edward recruited several of the villagers into the Union, Yun and Qing attempted to produce Greek fire using the petroleum the former had found in Manila. However, they were interrupted by the screams of John, who was attacked by an animal that had snuck aboard the Fenghuang. Rushing to his aid, Yun, Edward and Rupiya discovered the animal to be a baby monkey, much to their amusement. Ultimately, Qing was able to calm down the agitated monkey and John decided to adopt it.

Later, after the Fenghunag departed the village, Yun continued to work alongside Qing on their experiments. However, as the ship passed Monkey Island, it was suddenly bombarded with mortar fire. Rupiya was able to steer the Fenghuang to safety and Edward instructed him to take cover behind some rocks.

With the crew trapped and unaware of where the mortar fire had come from, Qing offered a solution and revealed her and Yun's latest invention: a hot air balloon, which they dubbed the Celestial Chariot. After Yun suggested that they use it to survey the island from above, Qing volunteered to pilot the balloon due to her light weight. John protested at first, but relented after Yun assured him that he had taken all the necessary safety precautions.

After the Celestial Chariot took flight, Qing was able to mark the locations of all enemy encampments on Monkey Island, allowing the Fenghuang's crew to fire on them. However, the balloon then suffered a malfunction mid-flight and caught fire, with Qing still inside.

Legacy

When Noa Kim, a descendant of both Yun and Edward, relived the latter's memories during his imprisonment by Abstergo Industries, he quickly deduced that Yun was his ancestor upon "meeting" him as Edward. Believing that Noa wished to learn more about Yun, Doctor Shimazu Sei added a database entry for him, which contained details about his life.

Personality and traits

"I'm rather confident in my skills, if I do say so myself!"

―Yun to Edward Kenway, 1725.

Yun wielding a bow

As a scholar, Yun was a well-cultured man who possessed a great deal of knowledge about various subjects. He also took great pride in his work as an engineer and would enthusiastically talk about his inventions at any given opportunity. Yun was frustrated by his workload at the Office of Military Armaments, where he could never build the inventions he desired due to budgetary restrictions, and as such was grateful to Edward for providing him with the opportunity to give free rein to his imagination.

While Yun maintained a generally cheerful attitude, he could lose his composure in certain situations. The Imjin War, in which many of Yun's ancestors had perished, was a particularly touchy subject and caused Yun to develop animosity for all Japanese warriors, especially samurai. As a result, he was initially hostile towards Shimazu Saito but the two were eventually able to develop a strong friendship over their shared passion for archery.

Skills and equipment

A skilled engineer, Yun was capable of designing and building a variety of weapons, including hwachas, swivel guns, and volley guns. He was also shown to have some experience repairing ships, as he easily fixed the broken wheel of a Dutch East India Company vessel, and later oversaw repairs to the Fenghuang.

However, perhaps his most remarkable feat was his invention of a prototype Phantom Blade for Edward, several decades before the weapon's implementation by the French Assassins. Other notable inventions of Yun included Shimazu Saito's suit of armor, fire barrels which exploded on impact, and the Celestial Chariot, a prototype hot air balloon.

Aside from his engineering talents, Yun's skills included his multilingualism; in addition to his native Korean, he was able to perfectly understand and communicate in English, as well as presumably other languages. He was also a proficient archer, regarded as the best in the Zhang Wei Union until the arrival of Saito.

Gallery

• 
  Yun and Edward in the water after escaping from the pirate ship
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  Edward and John celebrating Yun's recruitment to the Zhang Wei Union
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  Edward checking on Yun's progress repairing the Fenghuang
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  Yun and Rupiya aboard the Fenghuang
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  Yun protesting against Saito's recruitment into the Zhang Wei Union
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  Yun producing Greek fire
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  Yun unveiling the Celestial Chariot

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple