Asan

Asan (simplified: 阿三, traditional: 阿三, pinyin: Ā Sān, jyutping: aa3 saam1) was a monk from the Western Regions Vajra Gate (西域金刚门, also known as 西域少林金刚门) who served Chaghan Temür’s household in the Yuan Dynasty. He was renowned for his mastery of the Great Strength Vajra Finger (大力金刚指), a powerful finger technique that he used to paralyse Yu Daiyan of the Wudang Order and to kill Kongxing, one of the Four Holy Monks of the Shaolin Order.

Biography

Service to Prince Ruyang

Asan was a member of the Western Regions Vajra Gate, a martial arts sect from the Western Regions that maintained connections to Shaolin traditions but operated independently. He entered the service of Chaghan Temür, the Prince of Ruyang (汝阳王) and one of the most powerful Yuan Dynasty princes, who was actively working to weaken and eliminate the martial arts factions that posed threats to Yuan rule.

As part of Chaghan Temür’s household, Asan carried out missions designed to eliminate or disable key martial artists from the orthodox schools, particularly those from the Wudang and Shaolin Orders. His formidable martial arts skills, particularly his mastery of the Great Strength Vajra Finger, made him a valuable agent for these purposes.

Paralyzing Yu Daiyan

Early in the novel, when Yin Susu of the Heavenly Eagle Order had paralysed Yu Daiyan, the third of the Seven Xias of Wudang, she entrusted him to the Longmen Escort Bureau to be transported back to Mount Wudang. However, as the escort party approached Mount Wudang, they were intercepted by Yuan agents disguised as Wudang disciples.

These agents, who claimed to be the “Six Heroes of Wudang,” successfully deceived Du Dajin, the leader of the Longmen Escort Bureau, and took custody of Yu Daiyan. They then handed Yu Daiyan over to Asan, who was waiting at the foot of Mount Wudang.

Asan used the Great Strength Vajra Finger to attack Yu Daiyan, shattering his bones and leaving him completely paralysed. This devastating injury left Yu Daiyan unable to move for the next twenty years, transforming him from a skilled martial artist into a helpless invalid. The attack was part of the Yuan court’s broader strategy to weaken the Wudang Order by disabling its key members.

Yu Daiyan’s paralysis had profound consequences. When Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu later discovered Yu Daiyan’s condition, Zhang Cuishan was devastated to learn that it was Yin Susu who had originally paralysed Yu Daiyan and led to his subsequent attack by Asan. This revelation contributed to the complex web of guilt and responsibility that ultimately led to Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu’s suicide.

Killing Kongxing

After the Six Schools expedition to Bright Peak, where the orthodox schools had attacked the Ming Order headquarters, the martial artists were descending the mountain when they were ambushed by Yuan Dynasty forces under Chaghan Temür’s command.

During this ambush, Asan encountered Kongxing, the youngest of Shaolin’s Four Holy Monks. Kongxing, who had just formed a friendship with Zhang Wuji during the battle at Bright Peak despite their factions being enemies, was known for his mastery of the Dragon Claw Hand (龙爪手), one of Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Supreme Skills.

The confrontation between Asan and Kongxing represented a battle of finger techniques against finger techniques (指力斗指力). Kongxing used his Dragon Claw Hand, while Asan used his Great Strength Vajra Finger. Despite Kongxing’s formidable skills, Asan’s technique, which was specifically designed to counter finger-based techniques, proved superior, and Kongxing was ultimately defeated and killed.

Kongxing’s death was a tragic loss for the Shaolin Order. When Zhang Wuji later learned of this news, he was deeply saddened, having developed genuine respect and friendship for the naive and straightforward monk despite their brief encounter.

Attack on Yin Liting

Asan was also involved in an attack on Yin Liting, the sixth of the Wudang Seven Xias. While Yin Liting was wandering in the desert, lost and distraught after learning of Yang Buhui’s relationship with her father, he encountered five monks from the Western Regions Vajra Gate who were working for Chaghan Temür’s household. Despite putting up a fierce fight and defeating two of them, Yin Liting was overwhelmed and severely injured by the Great Strength Vajra Finger, leaving him nearly paralysed.

Yin Liting’s injuries were so severe that he required treatment using Black Jade Continuous Ointment (黑玉断续膏), which was specifically designed to treat injuries caused by the Great Strength Vajra Finger. This treatment was eventually provided by Zhang Wuji, who had obtained the ointment and used his medical skills to help Yin Liting recover.

Martial arts abilities

Great Strength Vajra Finger

Asan’s signature technique was the Great Strength Vajra Finger (大力金刚指), a powerful finger technique from the Western Regions Vajra Gate. This technique was designed to target the opponent’s finger techniques directly, making it particularly effective against martial artists who specialised in finger-based techniques such as the Dragon Claw Hand.

The Great Strength Vajra Finger was capable of crushing bones and shattering joints, leaving victims permanently paralysed. It was so devastating that it required a specific antidote treatment—the Black Jade Continuous Ointment—to heal the injuries it caused. The technique demonstrated the deadly effectiveness of the martial arts from the Western Regions Vajra Gate and Asan’s mastery of this powerful skill.

Personality & traits

Ruthless agent

Asan demonstrated ruthless efficiency in carrying out his missions for Prince Ruyang. He showed no hesitation in attacking disabled opponents, as demonstrated when he attacked the already-paralysed Yu Daiyan, and was willing to kill even highly respected monks like Kongxing in service of the Yuan Dynasty’s goals.

Skilled martial artist

Asan’s mastery of the Great Strength Vajra Finger and his ability to defeat formidable opponents like Kongxing demonstrated his exceptional martial arts skills. His technique was specifically designed to counter finger-based techniques, making him a dangerous opponent for martial artists who relied on such skills.

Relationships

With Chaghan Temür

Asan served as an agent of Chaghan Temür’s household, carrying out missions to weaken and eliminate key martial artists from the orthodox schools. His actions were part of the Yuan Dynasty’s broader strategy to suppress resistance and maintain control over the jianghu.

With the Western Regions Vajra Gate

Asan was a member of the Western Regions Vajra Gate, a martial arts sect from the Western Regions that maintained connections to Shaolin traditions. The sect’s members, including Asan and his fellow monks, served as agents for the Yuan Dynasty, using their martial arts skills to eliminate threats to Yuan rule.

Behind the scenes

Significance in the narrative

Asan’s actions had profound consequences for multiple characters in the novel. His attack on Yu Daiyan set in motion a chain of events that contributed to Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu’s suicide, while his killing of Kongxing represented a tragic loss for the Shaolin Order and deeply affected Zhang Wuji.

Asan’s character exemplifies the Yuan Dynasty’s use of martial artists from various backgrounds to suppress opposition. His service to Prince Ruyang and his attacks on members of the orthodox schools illustrate the complex political landscape of the jianghu during the late Yuan Dynasty period.

The Western Regions Vajra Gate

The Western Regions Vajra Gate represents a branch of Shaolin traditions that developed independently in the Western Regions. While maintaining connections to Shaolin martial arts, the sect’s members chose to serve the Yuan Dynasty, creating a complex relationship between martial arts traditions and political allegiances.

Portrayals

Television

The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1978), portrayed by unknown actor
The Return of the Condor Heroes (1983), portrayed by unknown actor (Asan appears in a flashback sequence)
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1986), portrayed by unknown actor
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1994), portrayed by unknown actor
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2001), portrayed by unknown actor
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2003), portrayed by unknown actor
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2009), portrayed by unknown actor
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2019), portrayed by unknown actor