Huang Yaoshi

Huang Yaoshi is a fictional character in the wuxia novel ''The Legend of the Condor Heroes'' and its sequel, ''The Return of the Condor Heroes'', by Jin Yong. He is one of the Five Greats of the '' wulin'' (martial artists' community) during the Song dynasty, alongside Wang Chongyang, Hong Qigong, Ouyang Feng and Duan Zhixing. He is nicknamed "Eastern Heretic" for being an unorthodox radical who behaves as he wishes without showing any regard for formalities or moral ethics. He loathes the dogma of traditional rites in Chinese society and admires only genuine honour and pure love. As such, he is often regarded by his contemporaries as a cultural heretic. His nickname may be translated to "Eastern Evil" because the character ''xié'' () in his nickname also refers to "evil" and "unorthodoxy" in ''jianghu'' terminology.

Fictional character biography

Background

Huang Yaoshi is the master of Peach Blossom Island and one of the Five Greats, the five most powerful martial artists in the ''jianghu'' (martial artists' community). Apart from being a formidable fighter, he is well-versed in other fields such as military strategy, music and divination. Known to be a loner who harbours "heretical" views on traditional Chinese social norms, he is nicknamed "Eastern Heretic" and his eccentric personality makes him a much dreaded figure in the ''jianghu''. He is married to Feng Heng, who died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Huang Rong, the female lead character in the novel. He has six apprentices: Chen Xuanfeng, Mei Chaofeng, Qu Lingfeng, Wu Mianfeng and Feng Mofeng.

''The Legend of the Condor Heroes''

Huang Yaoshi makes his first appearance in the middle of the novel when he is searching for Huang Rong, who has run away from home after a quarrel with her father. He meets Guo Jing, whom his daughter is romantically attracted to, and learns about the fates of his six apprentices. Chen Xuanfeng had been killed by Guo Jing; Mei Chaofeng has been blinded but still retains her fighting prowess; Qu Lingfeng and Wu Mianfeng are dead; Feng Mofeng is missing; and Lu Chengfeng, now a cripple, has settled in a manor on Lake Tai. He later accepts Qu Lingfeng's daughter Shagu and Lu Chengfeng's son Lu Guanying as his grand-apprentices.

As the story progresses, Guo Jing visits Peach Blossom Island with his master Hong Qigong to compete for Huang Rong's hand-in-marriage against Ouyang Ke, Ouyang Feng's nephew. Guo Jing also meets Zhou Botong, who has been in a 15-year-long conflict with Huang Yaoshi over the ''Nine Yin Manual''. Huang Yaoshi sets a series of tests for Guo Jing and Ouyang Ke. Guo Jing wins, much to Huang Yaoshi's chagrin because he dislikes Guo Jing, who is slow in learning and appears dumb. However, he ultimately gives his blessings to his daughter and Guo Jing after Guo Jing proves his worth and shows that he truly loves Huang Rong.

''The Return of the Condor Heroes''

Huang Yaoshi makes several brief appearances in the sequel. He rescues Cheng Ying from Li Mochou and accepts the child as his apprentice. He also develops a special bond with Yang Guo, the protagonist, as both of them share the same distaste for the social norms of their time, and he teaches Yang Guo two of his most powerful skills. Huang Yaoshi also joins his daughter and son-in-law in defending the city of Xiangyang from Mongol invaders. At the end of the novel, he retains his position as the "Eastern Heretic" of the new Five Greats.

Skills

Unlike most of the other top-level masters in his era, Huang Yaoshi has a wide variety of martial skills, reflecting his eclectic approach to combat.

* Jade Waves Palm ()
* Complex Five Turns () is a palm technique based on the Qi Men Dun Jia.
* Holy Turtle Steps () is a type of ''qinggong''.
* Fallen Hero Divine Sword Palm ()
* Whirlwind Leaves Sweeping Leg ()
* Orchid Acupuncture Point Brushing Hand () is an acupuncture point sealing technique.
* Finger Flicking Skill () is a technique involving the channelling of a great amount of inner energy into a single finger and releasing it with a precise amount of control. It can be used to propel objects with both force and accuracy.
* Jade Flute Swordplay () is a swordplay technique primarily focused on attacking an opponent's acupuncture points
* Jade Leaking Silver Pushing Sword ()
* Three Fork and Three Palm Styles () is a six styles skill involving the use of the '' cha''. The moves are simple in nature and require great strength. Huang Yaoshi teaches Shagu this skill for self-defence.

In film and television

Notable actors who have portrayed Huang Yaoshi in films and television series include Shih Kien (1958), Michael Chan (1976), Kenneth Tsang (1983), David Chiang (1993), Leslie Cheung (1993), Tony Leung Ka-fai (1994), Felix Lok (1994), Chen Shucheng (1998), Yu Chenghui (2006), Anthony Wong (2008), Christopher Lee (2014), Michael Miu (2017) and Eddie Kwan (2021).

Notes

References

* Tan, Xianmao (2005)
Huang Yaoshi: The Practitioner of Eccentric Swordsmanship
In ''Rankings of Jin Yong's Characters''. Chinese Agricultural Press.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Huang, Yaoshi
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
The Return of the Condor Heroes
Condor Trilogy
Jin Yong characters
Fictional wushu practitioners
Literary characters introduced in 1959
Characters in novels of the 20th century
Fictional Song dynasty people
Fictional Han people
Fictional traditional Chinese medicine practitioners