Lu Xiaofeng

Lu Xiaofeng is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel series Lu Xiaofeng Series (陆小凤系列) by Gu Long.

Personal information

Lu Xiaofeng is best identified by his distinctive "Four Eyebrows" (四條眉毛), as he sports two strands of moustache that resemble his eyebrows, making him seem as though he has four eyebrows. He is described as a good-looking and attractive figure to many female admirers in the novel series. He is an alcoholic, a flirt and a regular brothel visitor.

Lu Xiaofeng's true personality and abilities are actually hidden behind his image of a flirt and alcoholic. He is extremely intelligent and observant like a fox, although it may not seem obvious, which enables him to solve the several mysteries in the novel series. His wit and cunning has also helped to deliver him from danger, often turning the tables on his enemies unexpectedly when he is apparently on the losing end. Lu Xiaofeng also values friendship and often risks his own life to help his friends when needed.

Martial arts

Lu is best known for his "Lingxi Finger" (靈犀一指), which allows him to catch and hold enemies' weapons between his fingers. He does not really use any particular weapon and often relies on his fingers to fight enemies, even when he is being surrounded. Lu is a qinggong expert as well, and although Gu Long did not state explicitly Lu's qinggong capability in comparison with other characters, Lu is no doubt one of the top ten qinggong exponents in the series.

Supporting characters

• Hua Manlou (花滿樓) - a close friend of Lu Xiaofeng. He lost his sense of sight in his childhood but he becomes sharper and more observant towards his surroundings. He is intelligent and understands Lu very well, to the extent that he can even identify Lu Xiaofeng by listening to his footsteps. Lu taught him "Lingxi Finger". He is skilled in martial arts and handles himself well in fights. However, he prefers to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner as opposed to using violence.

• Sikong Zhaixing (司空摘星) - a close friend of Lu Xiaofeng. He is highly-skilled in martial arts and arguably the top qinggong exponent in the series. He specializes in the art of thieving and disguise. He appears at random to help Lu Xiaofeng when the latter is troubled.

• Ximen Chuixue (西門吹雪) - a close friend of Lu Xiaofeng. Nicknamed "God of Sword" (劍神), he is the best swordsman in the jianghu after his triumph over Ye Gucheng. He is married to Sun Xiuqing of the Emei Sect after he saves her life. He appears as a cold-blooded, unfeeling and ruthless killer. He is willing to help Lu Xiaofeng whenever Lu asks for his assistance.

• Zhu Ting (朱亭) - a friend of Lu Xiaofeng. He is a master craftsman who is rumoured to have inherited the skills of Lu Ban. It is said that there is no lock in the world that he cannot open.

• Ye Gucheng (葉孤城) - the lord of White Cloud City (白雲城) who is nicknamed "Sword Deity" (劍仙). Like Ximen Chuixue, he appears cold and unfeeling. He challenges Ximen Chuixue to a duel on the roof of the Forbidden City to determine who is the best swordsman in the jianghu. He is eventually defeated and slain by Ximen Chuixue.

• Taoist Mu (木道人) - one of the elders of the Wudang Sect. He is ranked third in the jianghu after Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng in terms of swordplay skills. As a friend of Lu Xiaofeng, he often helps the latter in troubling situations. However, in Youling Shanzhuang, he is revealed to be actually the mysterious villain, Laodao Bazi, who has been plotting to dominate the jianghu. He is defeated and killed by Lu Xiaofeng and his friends.

• Truthful Monk (老實和尚) - a friend of Lu Xiaofeng. Lu Xiaofeng often consults him for advice in solving mysteries. He is said to be a very honest person and speaks the truth all the time, as his name implies.

• Tortoise Master (龜孫大爺) - a mysterious hermit who provides Lu Xiaofeng with information in solving mysteries in return for payment.

Novels

Lu Xiaofeng Chuanqi

Chinese title: 陸小鳳傳奇; literally: The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng

The mysterious sect Qingyilou (青衣樓) stirs up some bloodshed in the jianghu after its sudden appearance. Lu Xiaofeng's curiosity spurs him to investigate the case and he meets Princess Fengdan (鳳丹公主) of the Kingdom of the Golden Bird (大金鵬國) in the western regions. Princess Fengdan requests for his help on behalf of her father, the king, who is seeking vengeance on three traitors. The three traitors have changed their identities and are currently the wealthiest and most powerful pugilists in the jianghu. Lu Xiaofeng is aware that he is unable to complete the mission alone so he recruits Hua Manlou and Ximen Chuixue to help him. They defeat the three traitors after encountering danger numerous times, but the case is still not over yet. Hua Manlou and Princess Fengdan go missing later and Lu Xiaofeng discovers that the king is actually an impostor. On the brink of imminent danger, Lu Xiaofeng manages to reverse the situation unexpectedly and succeeds in solving the mystery.

Xiuhua Dadao

Chinese title: 繡花大盜; literally: The Embroidery Bandit

A mysterious brigand known as the "Embroidery Bandit" is suspected of having robbed the Zhenyuan Escort Agency 800,000 worth of gold and having broken into the Pingnan Prince's residence. The authorities send the constable Jin Jiuling (金九鈴) to investigate the case and arrest the bandit. Jin Jiuling seeks Lu Xiaofeng's help to crack the mystery within eight days. Together with Sikong Zhaixing, Xue Bing and the Serpent King, Lu Xiaofeng succeeds in luring the bandit into a trap, and the bandit unsuspectingly reveals himself to be Jin Jiuling. Lu Xiaofeng defeats Jin Jiuling after a fight and retrieves the stolen gold.

Juezhan Qianhou

Chinese title: 決戰前後; literally: Before and After the Duel

Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng, the best swordsmen in the jianghu, arrange for a duel at the highest rooftop of the Forbidden City on the night of the full moon. News of the event spread like wildfire and became a current topic of interest, with many pugilists gathering in the capital city to watch the duel and wagering among themselves on the eventual outcome. Before the duel, however, Ximen Chuixue disappears mysteriously and Ye Gucheng is wounded. Lu Xiaofeng is worried for his friends and he investigates the issue. Li Yanbei (李雁北) and Tortoise Master, Lu Xiaofeng's acquaintances, are murdered and Lu's love interest Ouyang Qing (歐陽情) is mysteriously poisoned. Lu Xiaofeng has no clue to the identity of the perpetrator and believes that the duel is actually a mask for something sinister. Ye Gucheng is eventually revealed to be the mastermind behind an assassination plot on the emperor and he is stopped by Lu Xiaofeng and Ximen Chuixue. The duel still proceeds as planned and Ximen Chuixue emerges victorious by slaying Ye Gucheng.

Yingou Dufang

Chinese title: 銀鉤賭坊; literally: The Silver Hook Gambling House

The son of the Demonic Cult's (魔教) leader is murdered and Lanhuzi (藍鬍子), owner of the Silver Hook Gambling House (銀鉤賭坊), frames Lu Xiaofeng for it. Lanhuzi promises to help Lu Xiaofeng clear his name on the condition that Lu helps him find his ex-wife, Li Xia (李霞), and the Rakshasa Tablet (羅剎牌), the cult's sacred artifact. Lu Xiaofeng recovers the tablet but finds it to be a fake one, and the real one is with Lanhuzi. In fact, Lanhuzi had used Lu Xiaofeng to divert the cult's attention so he can seize control of the cult with the tablet. Lu Xiaofeng defeats Lanhuzi and returns the tablet to its rightful owner.

Youling Shanzhuang

Chinese title: 幽靈山莊; literally: Phantoms' Mountain Manor

Lu Xiaofeng had apparently molested Ximen Chuixue's wife and incurred the wrath of Ximen, who has been pursuing and trying to kill him. To avoid Ximen Chuixue, Lu Xiaofeng seeks refuge in the sinister Phantoms' Mountain Manor under its master Laodao Bazi (老刀把子). Laodao Bazi is planning an "Operation Thunder" (天雷行動) to eliminate four of his rivals and obtain a notebook that records the secrets of the jianghu. The book is concealed inside the hat of the Wudang Sect's leader. Lu Xiaofeng foils and exposes Laodao Bazi's evil plans, unveiling Laodao Bazi's true identity as Taoist Mu, an elder of Wudang. In fact, Lu Xiaofeng and Ximen Chuixue had staged the hunt-and-kill incident to trick Laodao Bazi so that Lu can infiltrate the manor and disrupt the operation.

Fengwu Jiutian

Chinese title: 鳳舞九天; literally: The Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens

A large amount of gold belonging to the Taiping Prince has been robbed during its delivery and the 109 escorts have gone missing as well. Lu Xiaofeng is roaming the land freely when his help is much needed. He meets Yue Yang (岳洋) and Niuroutang (牛肉湯; literally: Beef Soup), pugilists in disguise, and he follows them on board a ship secretly. He is shipwrecked during a storm and cast onto a desolate island. While exploring his surroundings, Lu Xiaofeng discovers that the island is home to a group of pugilists and the missing people are held captive there by a man named "Gong Jiu" (宮九). He also meets a mysterious maiden called Sha Man (沙曼) and falls in love with her. Lu Xiaofeng escapes with Sha Man and Gong Jiu spreads rumours in the jianghu, framing Lu for the crime and forcing Lu into hiding. Lu Xiaofeng enlists the help of Ximen Chuixue and through a series of investigations, they confirm that Gong Jiu is actually the mastermind behind the robbery. Lu Xiaofeng confronts Gong Jiu and fights him. Lu Xiaofeng unleashes his legendary power "Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens" and defeats Gong Jiu.

Jianshen Yixiao

Chinese title: 劍神一笑; literally: Laughter of the God of Sword

Ximen Chuixue seeks Lu Xiaofeng's help in finding Liu Chengfeng (柳乘風) of the Mount Ba Sword Sect (巴山劍派). Lu Xiaofeng travels to a town at the desert border and finds Liu Chengfeng, but Liu is already dead. Lu Xiaofeng realises that the town is full of lurking dangers and tracks the murderer of Liu Chengfeng to a former imperial consort called Gong Susu (宮素素). Lu Xiaofeng also finds hidden treasure in the desert after a series of adventures. However, the pugilists hiding in town followed him secretly and Lu Xiaofeng is stabbed after finding the treasure. At that moment, Ximen Chuixue arrives and reveals that Lu Xiaofeng is still alive and they had actually set a trap for the villains. All the enemies are killed and the heroes leave in triumph. For the first time ever, the cold and unfeeling Ximen Chuixue laughs at the end of the novel.

Adaptations

Films

Television

Others

• Luk Siu-fung (陸小鳳) - the theme song of Part 1 of the 1976 TV series. It was composed by Joseph Koo, lyrics by Wong Jim and performed by Adam Cheng in Cantonese.

External links

• (Chinese) Lu Xiaofeng on Baidu Baike
• English translations of the Lu Xiaofeng Series at Wuxiapedia