Lu Xiaofeng

Lu Xiaofeng is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel series Lu Xiaofeng Series (陸小鳳系列) by Gu Long.

Character description

Lu 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 novels. He is an alcoholic, a flirt and a regular brothel visitor.

Lu'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 series. His wit and cunning has also helped him escape from danger, often turning the tables on his enemies unexpectedly when he is apparently on the losing end. Lu also values friendship and often risks his own life to help his friends when needed.

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 bare hands 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 one of the top ten qinggong exponents in the series. Lu Xiao Feng was live and born In Tang & Ming dynasties.

Characters

• Hua Manlou (花滿樓; 花满楼; Huā Mǎnlóu; Faa1 Mun5-lau4) is one of Lu Xiaofeng's close friends. He lost his sense of sight in his childhood and but has become sharper and more observant towards his surroundings, especially in his hearing. He is intelligent and understands Lu very well, to the extent that he can even identify Lu by listening to the latter's footsteps. Lu taught him the '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; Sīkōng Zhāixīng; Si1-hung1 Zaak6-sing1) is one of Lu Xiaofeng's close friends. He is highly skilled in martial arts and is arguably the best qinggong exponent in the series. He specialises in the art of thieving and disguise. He appears at random to help Lu when the latter faces trouble.
• Ximen Chuixue (西門吹雪; 西门吹雪; Xīmén Chuīxuě; Sai1-mun4 Ceoi1-syut3) is one of Lu Xiaofeng's close friends. Nicknamed "God of Sword" (劍神), he is the best swordsman in the jianghu after his triumph over Ye Gucheng. He marries Sun Xiuqing of the Emei Sect after saving her life. He appears as a cold-blooded, unfeeling and ruthless killer to others. He is willing to help Lu whenever the latter asks for his assistance.
• Zhu Ting (朱亭; Zhū Tíng; Zyu1 Ting4) is one of Lu Xiaofeng's friends. 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; 叶孤城; Yè Gūchéng; Jip6 Gu1-sing4), nicknamed "Sword Immortal" (劍仙), is the lord of White Cloud City (白雲城) and a powerful swordsman. Like Ximen Chuixue, he appears cold and unfeeling. He challenges Ximen to a duel on the roof of the highest building in 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; Mù Dàorén; Muk6 Dou3-jan4) is one of the elders of the Wudang Sect. He ranks third in the jianghu after Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng in terms of swordplay. As one of Lu Xiaofeng's friends, he often helps the latter in difficult situations. However, in Youling Shanzhuang, he is revealed to be actually the mysterious villain Laodao Bazi (老刀把子; Lǎodāo Bàzǐ; Lou5-dou1 Baa2-zi2), who has been plotting to dominate the jianghu. He is defeated and killed by Lu and his friends.
• Truthful Monk (老實和尚; 老实和尚; Lǎoshí Héshàng; Lou5-sat6 Wo4-soeng6) is one of Lu Xiaofeng's friends. Lu 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.
• Master Tortoise (龜孫大爺; 龟孙大爷; Guīsūn Dàyé; Gwai1-syun1 Daai6-je4) is a mysterious hermit who provides Lu with information in solving mysteries in return for monetary rewards.
• Princess Fengdan (鳳丹公主; 凤丹公主; Fèngdān Gōngzhǔ; Fung6-daan1 Gung1-zyu2)
• Jin Jiuling (金九鈴; 金九铃; Jīn Jǐulíng; Gam1 Gau2-ling4)
• Serpent King (蛇王; Shé Wáng; Se4 Wong4)
• Xue Bing (薛冰; Xuē Bīng; Sit3 Bing1)
• Li Yanbei (李雁北; Lǐ Yànběi; Lei5 Ngaan6-bak1)
• Ouyang Qing (歐陽情; 欧阳情; Ōuyáng Qíng; Au1-joeng4 Cing4)
• Lanhuzi (藍鬍子; 蓝胡子; Lánhúzǐ; Laam4-wu4-zi2; "Blue Beard")
• Li Xia (李霞; Lǐ Xiá; Lei5 Haa4)
• Yue Yang (岳洋; Yuè Yáng; Ngok6 Joeng4)
• Niuroutang (牛肉湯; 牛肉汤; Níuròutāng; Ngau4-juk6-tong1; "Beef Soup")
• Gong Jiu (宮九; 宫九; Gōng Jǐu; Gung1 Gau2)
• Sha Man (沙曼; Shā Màn; Saa1 Maan6)
• Liu Chengfeng (柳乘風; 柳乘风; Lǐu Chéngfēng; Lau5 Sing4-fung1)
• Gong Susu (宮素素; 宫素素; Gōng Sùsù; Gung1 Sou3-sou3)

Novels

Lu Xiaofeng Chuanqi

陸小鳳傳奇; 陆小凤传奇; Lù Xiǎofèng Chuánqí; Luk6 Siu2-fung6 Cyun4-kei4; "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng"

The mysterious sect Qingyilou (青衣樓) stirs up some bloodshed in the jianghu after its sudden appearance. Lu's curiosity spurs him to investigate the case and he meets Princess Fengdan of the Kingdom of the Golden Bird (大金鵬國) in the western regions. The princess requests for his help on behalf of her father, the king, who is seeking revenge on three traitors. The three traitors have changed their identities and are currently the wealthiest and most powerful martial artists in the jianghu. Lu 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 discovers that the king is actually an impostor. On the brink of imminent danger, Lu manages to reverse the situation unexpectedly and succeeds in solving the mystery.

Xiuhua Dadao

繡花大盜; 绣花大盗; Xìuhuā Dàdào; Sau3-faa1 Daai6-dou6; "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 a prince's residence. The authorities send the constable Jin Jiuling to investigate the case and arrest the bandit. Jin Jiuling seeks Lu's help to crack the mystery within eight days. Together with Sikong Zhaixing, Xue Bing and the Serpent King, Lu succeeds in luring the bandit into a trap, and the bandit unsuspectingly reveals himself to be Jin Jiuling. Lu defeats Jin after a fight and retrieves the stolen gold.

Juezhan Qianhou

決戰前後; 决战前后; Juézhàn Qiánhòu; Kyut3-zin3 Cin4-hau6; "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, which becomes a current topic of interest as many martial artists gather in the capital to watch the duel and wager among themselves on the eventual outcome. Before the duel, however, Ximen disappears mysteriously and Ye is wounded. Lu is worried for his friends and he investigates the issue. Li Yanbei and Master Tortoise, Lu Xiaofeng's acquaintances, are murdered and Lu's love interest Ouyang Qing is mysteriously poisoned. Lu 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 and Ximen Chuixue. The duel still proceeds as planned and Ximen emerges victorious by slaying Ye.

Yin'gou Dufang

銀鉤賭坊; 银钩赌坊; Yín'gōu Dǔfāng; Ngan4-ngau1 Dou2-fong1; "The Silver Hook Gambling House"

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

Youling Shanzhuang

幽靈山莊; 幽灵山庄; Yōulíng Shānzhuāng; Jau1-ling4 Saan1-zong1; "Phantoms' Mountain Manor"

Lu 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, Lu seeks refuge in the sinister Phantoms' Mountain Manor under its master Laodao Bazi. 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 foils and exposes Laodao Bazi's evil plans, unveiling Laodao Bazi's true identity as Taoist Mu, an elder of Wudang. In fact, Lu 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

鳳舞九天; 凤舞九天; Fèngwǔ Jǐutiān; Fung6-mou5 Gau2-tin1; "The Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens"

A large amount of gold belonging to a prince has been robbed during its delivery and the 109 escorts have gone missing as well. Lu is roaming the land freely when his help is much needed. He meets Yue Yang and Niuroutang, martial artists 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 discovers that the island is home to a group of martial artists and the missing people are held captive there by a man named Gong Jiu. He also meets a mysterious maiden called Sha Man and falls in love with her. Lu escapes with Sha Man and Gong Jiu spreads rumours in the jianghu, framing Lu for the crime and forcing Lu into hiding. Lu 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 confronts Gong Jiu and fights him. He unleashes his legendary power, the 'Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens', and defeats Gong Jiu.

Jianshen Yixiao

劍神一笑; 剑神一笑; Jiànshén Yīxiào; Gim3-san4 Jat1-siu3; "Laughter of the God of Sword"

Ximen Chuixue seeks Lu's help in finding Liu Chengfeng of the Mount Ba Sword Sect (巴山劍派). Lu travels to a town at the desert border and finds Liu Chengfeng, but the latter is already dead. Lu realises that the town is full of lurking dangers and tracks the murderer of Liu Chengfeng to a former imperial consort called Gong Susu. Lu also finds hidden treasure in the desert after a series of adventures. However, the martial artists hiding in town followed him secretly and Lu is stabbed after finding the treasure. At that moment, Ximen Chuixue arrives and reveals that Lu 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) is also the title of the theme song of Part 1 of the 1976 Hong Kong television series. It was composed by Joseph Koo, lyrics provided by Wong Jim, and sung by Adam Cheng in Cantonese.

External links

• (simplified Chinese) Full text of the novels