A Zi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Zi (Chinese: 阿紫; pinyin: ā zǐ; literally "purple") is the younger sister of A Zhu in the book Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. She is fifteen years old when she makes her first appearance in the book, two years younger than A Zhu.

She shares the same parents with A Zhu (阿朱), Duan Zheng Chun (段正淳) and Ruan Xing Zhu (阮星竹) and they have other half-sisters, like Wang Yuyan (王語嫣 / 王语嫣), Zhong Ling (鍾靈 / 钟灵) and Mu Wanqing (木婉清).

A Zi looks sweet and innocent, but in reality, she is cruel and inhumane. Given away at a young age she acknowledged the evil Ding Chunqiu (丁春秋) or Old Demon of the Star Resident (星宿海) as her master and teacher. Under the bad influence of her master and his other dicisples she grew up with no regard for the life of others. She thinks nothing of torturing or causing harm to an innocent person. In one episode, she even tried to hurt her brother-in-law, Xiao Feng (蕭峰 / 萧峰), with a poisoned needle just because she did not want her brother-in-law to leave her. She is so upset with You Tan Zhi (游坦之), who intends to kill Xiao Feng to avenge his father and uncle, that she "flies" him as if he were a kite, forces a burning iron mask on his head, thrashes him and makes a lion bite his iron head.

Having said that, A Zi is not without redeeming qualities. Although persistent in her cruel ways, she truly loves Xiao Feng. Her sister, A Zhu (阿朱), entrusted her to Xiao Feng on her deathbed. After A Zhu's death, A Zi grew attached to her brother-in-law, Xiao Feng, and even wanted to stay by his side forever. However, Xiao Feng detests A Zi for her indifference towards human life and takes care of her only because of his lover's last wish.

After Qiao Feng committed suicide, a heartbroken A Zi, carrying Qiao Feng's corpse, jumped off the cliff at Yan Men Guan (雁门关).