Chu Liuxiang


Chu Liuxiang is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel series Chu Liuxiang Series by Gu Long. His given name "Liuxiang" literally means "lingering fragrance". Nicknamed "Daoshuai" or "Xiangshuai", he steals from the rich to help the poor and upholds justice in the jianghu. He has been portrayed in numerous films and television series adapted from the novel series by notable actors such as Ti Lung, Adam Cheng, Michael Miu, Richie Ren, Ken Chu, and Ken Chang.

Character description

Chu Liuxiang is a martial artist whose prowess in qinggong is among the best in the jianghu. He carries a metal hand fan and uses it only for self-defence. Despite his combat skills and impressive qinggong, he has never killed anyone. Usually, he relies on his wit, experience and calm to solve mysteries and overcome enemies who are far more powerful than him. The identity of his martial arts master is unknown, and even the well-informed Shuimu Yinji could only deduce that he is an apprentice of Ye Di, a character from Daqi Yingxiong Zhuan, another of Gu Long's novels.
Although his age is not mentioned in any of the novels, Chu Liuxiang is in his 30s when the events of the novels take place. In Bianfu Chuanqi, his childhood friend, Hu Tiehua, is 33, so Chu Liuxiang is presumably around the same age as him since they grew up together.
Chu Liuxiang lives on a houseboat, called "Xiang's Pavilion", with three women who are the closest to him apart from his two best friends, Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan. They come from pitiful backgrounds and have been following Chu Liuxiang since they were 11 or 12. The first, Su Rongrong, is kind and understanding and specialises in the art of disguise. The second, Li Hongxiu, is very clear and alert and has a good memory. The third, Song Tian'er, is a good chef and is the most mischievous of the three. Chu Liuxiang also meets several other women on his adventures, such as Heizhenzhu, Shi Xiuyun, Hua Zhenzhen, Dong Sanniang, and Xinyue. He eventually marries Zhang Jiejie, whom he meets in Taohua Chuanqi.
A legendary figure in the jianghu, Chu Liuxiang has a wide network of friends, acquaintances and contacts, including: Hu Tiehua, his childhood friend who has a penchant for alcoholic drinks; Ji Bingyan, who appears cold and indifferent but is actually very warm-hearted; Wuhua, a Buddhist monk who later turns out to be a villain; Zhongyuan Yidianhong, a powerful swordsman and contract killer; Zuo Qinghou, the hospitable master of Cup-Throwing Manor; Zhang San, a marine expert.

Novels

''Xuehai Piaoxiang''

Xuehai Piaoxiang, literally Fragrance in the Sea of Blood, is the first novel in the series, forming a story arc with Da Shamo and Huameiniao. This novel first introduces Chu Liuxiang, who has stolen a rare flower and taken it back to his houseboat. When he notices the dead bodies of several martial artists drifting towards him, he decides to investigate. Meanwhile, the Heaven's One Holy Water, a deadly potion, is stolen from the all-female martial arts sect Holy Water Palace. Chu Liuxiang immediately becomes the prime suspect because, given his prowess in qinggong and martial arts, he is probably the only person capable of stealing it and getting away undetected. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds and a pressing deadline, Chu Liuxiang solves the mystery and clears his name. Wuhua, Chu Liuxiang's friend, turns out to be the mastermind behind everything. After being defeated by Chu Liuxiang in a fight, Wuhua commits suicide by consuming poison.

''Da Shamo''

Da Shamo, literally The Vast Desert, was first published in 1967, and forms the middle part of a story arc with Xuehai Piaoxiang and Huameiniao. In this novel, Chu Liuxiang returns to his houseboat after defeating Wuhua and discovers that his close companions Su Rongrong, Li Hongxiu and Song Tian'er have gone missing. While searching for them, he ends up in the desert, where he meets his friends Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan. Through a series of strange encounters, Chu Liuxiang learns that the mysterious Shiguanyin is the mastermind behind a sinister plot. One of her accomplices is Wuhua, who has survived after attempting suicide. Chu Liuxiang foils Shiguanyin's plot and defeats her, resulting in her taking her own life. Even after everything is over, Chu Liuxiang has not found his three missing companions yet.

''Huameiniao''

Huameiniao, literally The Thrush, is the third novel in the series and forms the last part of a story arc with Xuehai Piaoxiang and Da Shamo. In this novel, Chu Liuxiang encounters Li Yuhan and his wife, Liu Wumei, who was also Shiguanyin's apprentice. He gets into a one-on-one fight with Shuimu Yinji, the mistress of the Holy Water Palace. After defeating her, he exposes another plot by Li Yuhan and Liu Wumei, and rescues his three missing companions.

''Bianfu Chuanqi''

Bianfu Chuanqi, literally The Legend of the Bat, follows Chu Liuxiang's adventures on the mysterious Bat Island, a secret trading post for black market items in the jianghu. From time to time, the island's master, "Bat Gongzi", will send exclusive invitations to guests to carry out trading in a dark cave on the island to maintain secrecy.
Through a series of serendipitous encounters, Chu Liuxiang, along with his friends Hu Tiehua and Zhang San, make their way to Bat Island. He also meets Yuan Suiyun, a blind but formidable martial artist from a reputable family. On the island, he uncovers a sinister plot by the island's elusive master, who turns out to be Yuan Suiyun. At a critical moment, Jin Lingzhi, who has secretly fallen in love with Hu Tiehua, saves everyone by setting up a plan to stop Yuan Suiyun.

''Guilian Xiaqing''

Guilian Xiaqing, literally Phantom Love and Heroic Romance, is alternatively known as Guilian Chuanqi and Jieshi Huanhun. In this novel, Chu Liuxiang is recruited by a friend, Zuo Qinghou, to solve a mystery. Zuo Qinghou's daughter, Zuo Mingzhu, had seemingly died from a strange illness shortly before another woman, Shi Yin. At the moment of Shi Yin's death, Zuo Mingzhu had suddenly returned to life, claiming to be possessed by Shi Yin's spirit.
Chu Liuxiang investigates the mystery and learns that it is tied to two pairs of star-crossed lovers. On one hand, Zuo Mingzhu is in love with Xue Bin, but they cannot be together due to a longstanding feud between their families. On the other hand, Shi Yin is in love with Ye Shenglan, but her parents have arranged for her to marry Xue Bin. Zuo Mingzhu and Shi Yin have therefore come up with an elaborate plan to trick their families into believing that Shi Yin is dead and that Zuo Mingzhu is possessed by Shi Yin's spirit, so that Shi Yin can elope with Ye Shenglan while Zuo Mingzhu can marry Xue Bin. Chu Liuxiang secretly helps the lovers get together and gives them his blessings.

''Taohua Chuanqi''

Taohua Chuanqi, literally The Legend of the Peach Blossom, follows Chu Liuxiang's entanglements with a martial arts clan of unknown origin. In every generation, a girl will be chosen from the clan to serve as their Sacred Maiden and she must then take a vow of celibacy. The next Sacred Maiden's mother, not wanting her daughter to spend the rest of her life in solitude, thinks that Chu Liuxiang might be an ideal husband for her daughter. She sets up an elaborate plan to lure Chu Liuxiang into undergoing a series of challenges to assess his suitability. The novel ends on a cliffhanger resembling the paradox in the English short story The Lady, or the Tiger?.

''Xinyue Chuanqi''

Xinyue Chuanqi, literally The Legend of the New Moon, follows Chu Liuxiang's adventures as he deals with a pirate lord, Shi Tianwang, who poses a threat on the sea and in the jianghu] due to his formidable fighting prowess and highly unpredictable and elusive nature. "Mr. Du", the mysterious female leader of a martial arts clan seeking to eliminate the pirates, has pretended to offer the hand-in-marriage of her daughter, Xinyue, to Shi Tianwang, so that Xinyue can find an opportunity to assassinate the pirate lord.
Chu Liuxiang gets involved when, by chance, he meets Xinyue's father, Jiao Lin, who seeks his help in finding his long-lost daughter. He also learns that "Mr. Du" has recruited his friend, Hu Tiehua, to escort Xinyue to meet Shi Tianwang. As news of Xinyue and Shi Tianwang's upcoming wedding spread, more figures from the jianghu get involved. Chu Liuxiang also encounters Ishida Hitoshihiko-Saemon, a ninja master seeking vengeance on Shi Tianwang for stealing his concubine, Baoji. Baoji, fearing that she will lose Shi Tianwang's favour after he marries Xinyue, has sent assassins to kill Xinyue.
Chu Liuxiang starts a romantic relationship with Xinyue, who also pledges her love to him even though she ultimately marries Shi Tianwang. On the wedding night, Xinyue successfully completes her mission by distinguishing the real Shi Tianwang from his six decoys and kills him, restoring peace in the jianghu.

''Wuye Lanhua''

Wuye Lanhua, literally The Midnight Orchid, opens with rumours in the jianghu that Chu Liuxiang is dead. A mysterious "Mr. Orchid" believes that Chu Liuxiang is still alive so he/she sets up an elaborate plot to lure him out of hiding.

Adaptations

Films

Television

Video games