A Fei (Chinese: 阿飞, pinyin: Ā Fēi) is a young swordsman and Li Xunhuan’s closest friend in Gu Long’s Flying Daggers of Xiao Li series. He is one of the most compelling young heroes in Gu Long’s fiction — a naive, earnest swordsman whose raw talent and unwavering honesty make him the perfect foil to Li Xunhuan’s world-weary wisdom.
His name, “A Fei,” is a nickname meaning something like “Little Fly” — a humble, almost self-deprecating name that reflects his unpretentious nature.
Appearance and personality
A Fei is young, handsome, and straightforward. He has the kind of honest face that makes people trust him instinctively. His eyes are clear and direct — he has never learned to lie, and has no interest in deception.
Unlike most wuxia protagonists, A Fei is not worldly or sophisticated. He is naive, trusting, and sometimes foolishly honest. These qualities make him vulnerable to manipulation — particularly by the cunning Lin Xian’er — but they also make him one of the most genuinely good characters in Gu Long’s fiction.
A Fei’s sword is simple and unadorned, like its owner. He has no fancy techniques or elaborate forms — just raw speed, precision, and an unshakeable belief in the righteousness of his cause.
Background
A Fei grew up in the wilderness, raised by his mother in isolation from the jianghu. His mother was a martial artist of exceptional skill, and she trained her son from childhood in the art of the sword. But she also instilled in him a set of simple, unwavering moral principles that would guide him throughout his life.
When A Fei enters the jianghu, he does so with the wide-eyed innocence of someone who has never experienced betrayal, dishonesty, or moral ambiguity. This innocence is both his greatest strength and his greatest vulnerability.
Martial arts
A Fei’s swordsmanship is characterised by its simplicity and speed:
- Fast Sword: A Fei’s signature technique is simply speed — his sword is so fast that opponents cannot react in time. Unlike more elaborate sword techniques, A Fei’s approach is direct and unadorned. He does not waste movement.
- Sword intent: Despite his youth, A Fei possesses an extraordinary sword intent — a focused, almost spiritual connection to his weapon. His mother’s training has given him a foundation that most martial artists never achieve.
- Potential: A Fei is widely regarded as having the potential to become one of the greatest swordsmen in the jianghu. Li Xunhuan recognises this potential and takes it upon himself to guide the young swordsman.
Relationship with Li Xunhuan
The relationship between A Fei and Li Xunhuan is one of the emotional centres of the series. Li Xunhuan sees in A Fei a reflection of his younger self — the same honesty, the same idealism, the same willingness to sacrifice himself for others.
Li Xunhuan becomes a mentor and protector to A Fei, teaching him about the complexities of the jianghu while trying to preserve the young man’s essential goodness. Their bond is deep and genuine, built on mutual respect and affection.
Relationship with Lin Xian’er
A Fei’s relationship with Lin Xian’er is one of the series’ great tragedies. Lin Xian’er is beautiful, manipulative, and utterly ruthless — everything A Fei is not. Yet he falls deeply in love with her, blinded by his own honesty to her true nature.
Lin Xian’er exploits A Fei’s trust and affection, using him for her own purposes. Her manipulation of him is one of the cruelest plotlines in Gu Long’s fiction, and A Fei’s suffering at her hands is one of the most painful arcs in the series.
Appearances
- Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword (多情剑客无情剑)
- Border Town Wanderer (边城浪子) — Referenced
See also
- Li Xunhuan — A Fei’s mentor and closest friend
- Flying Daggers of Xiao Li — Novel series
- Lin Xian’er — A Fei’s tragic love