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Azi

Azi

Azi (simplified: 阿紫, traditional: 阿紫, Jyutping: aa3 zi2, pinyin: Āzǐ) was a complex and morally ambiguous figure. As the youngest daughter of Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu, she was raised in the cruel and ruthless environment of the Xingxiu Order under Ding Chunqiu. Her character represented the dark side of human nature, combining beauty with cruelty and demonstrating how environment shapes personality.

Biography

Early life and upbringing

Azi was born as the second daughter of Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu, making her the younger sister of Azhu. She was raised in the cruel environment of the Xingxiu Order under Ding Chunqiu, which shaped her into a ruthless and manipulative individual.

Escape from Xingxiu Order

Azi’s escape from the Xingxiu Order was motivated by more than just her cruel nature. As she grew older, her master Ding Chunqiu began to show inappropriate interest in her, making her uncomfortable and afraid. This, combined with her desire to practice the “Everlasting Youth Skill” (不老长春功), led her to steal the “Divine Wood King Cauldron” (神木王鼎), one of the three treasures of the Xingxiu Order. This cauldron was essential for practicing the “Transformation Skill” (化功大法), and its theft made her a target of pursuit by her former master and fellow disciples.

You Tanzhi

Azi’s relationship with You Tanzhi was complex and tragic. She initially treated him with cruelty, using him as a test subject for her poison experiments and forcing him to capture the ice silkworm (冰蚕) for her. However, You Tanzhi developed an obsessive love for her, willing to endure any suffering to be near her. This relationship ultimately led to tragedy, as You Tanzhi’s blind devotion and Azi’s cruel nature created a destructive dynamic that contributed to both their downfalls.

The Divine Wood King Cauldron

The Divine Wood King Cauldron (神木王鼎) was one of the three treasures of the Xingxiu Order, essential for practicing the Transformation Skill. Azi stole this artifact not only to escape her master’s inappropriate advances but also to practice the Everlasting Youth Skill. The cauldron’s theft made her a target of pursuit by Ding Chunqiu and his disciples, forcing her to seek protection from Qiao Feng and eventually leading to her involvement in the broader conflicts of the martial world.

Meeting Qiao Feng

After Azhu’s death, Qiao Feng promised to take care of Azi as his sister-in-law. Despite not loving her romantically, he protected her and showed her kindness. Azi, however, developed deep romantic feelings for Qiao Feng, which would become a source of great emotional turmoil for her.

Martial arts and abilities

Xingxiu martial arts foundation

Azi was trained in the cruel martial arts of the Xingxiu Order, specializing in poison techniques and hidden weapons. Her training under Ding Chunqiu gave her a formidable arsenal of deadly skills.

Turtle Breathing Skill

Azi mastered the Turtle Breathing Skill (龟息功), a technique that allowed her to control her breathing and appear dead or unconscious. This skill was useful for both combat and deception.

Corrupting Corpse Poison

She was skilled in using Corrupting Corpse Poison (腐尸毒), a deadly technique that utilized the toxins from decaying corpses to attack enemies. This technique was one of the Xingxiu Order’s most feared abilities.

Green Phosphorus Needles

Azi was proficient with Green Phosphorus Needles (碧磷针), a type of hidden weapon that could be used for both attack and assassination. These needles were often coated with poison for maximum effectiveness.

Divine Wood King Cauldron

After stealing the Divine Wood King Cauldron from Ding Chunqiu, Azi used it to practice the Corrupting Skill (化功大法), which allowed her to absorb and neutralize the internal energy of her opponents.

Personality and character

Complex moral nature

Azi possessed a deeply complex personality that combined beauty with cruelty. She was described as having a childlike appearance but possessing a heart that was “bad beyond redemption” - cruel, cold-blooded, snobbish, and proud.

Manipulative and cruel

Azi showed no remorse for harming others, including her father’s trusted subordinates. She treated her biological parents with contempt rather than respect, and often mocked Qiao Feng’s grief over Azhu’s death.

Passionate and obsessive in love

Despite her cruel nature, Azi was incredibly passionate and obsessive when it came to love. She could hate someone with the most cruel methods of torture, but love someone with the intensity of a blazing fire.

Key plot involvement

You Tanzhi

You Tanzhi (游坦之) fell deeply in love with Azi after seeing her, becoming completely obsessed with her. He willingly submitted to her cruel treatment and was particularly fascinated by her beautiful feet. Azi took advantage of his infatuation, treating him as a slave and even branding him with a hot iron mask, earning him the nickname “Iron Ugly” (铁丑).

Escape from Ding Chunqiu

When Ding Chunqiu began to show inappropriate interest in her, Azi stole the Divine Wood King Cauldron and fled to the Central Plains. This act of defiance showed her resourcefulness and determination to escape her oppressive environment.

Attempts to win Qiao Feng’s love

Azi made several attempts to win Qiao Feng’s love, including using poison needles on him. However, her attempts were unsuccessful, and Qiao Feng only saw her as a sister-in-law, not as a romantic partner.

Blinding and You Tanzhi’s sacrifice

After being blinded by Ding Chunqiu’s poison, You Tanzhi begged Xuzhu to give his own eyes to restore Azi’s sight. Azi showed no gratitude for this sacrifice and, to avoid owing him anything, later dug out her own eyes and threw them back at him.

Tragic ending

In the final moments of the story, Azi finally achieved her wish to be with Qiao Feng forever. She embraced his dead body and jumped off a cliff, ensuring they would never be separated again. You Tanzhi, still obsessed with her, also jumped after them.

Relationships

Family connections

Azi was the daughter of Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu, making her a member of the Duan royal family. She had several half-sisters including Wang Yuyan, Mu Wanqing, and Zhong Ling.

Master-disciple relationship

Ding Chunqiu was Azi’s martial arts master, but their relationship became increasingly problematic as he developed inappropriate feelings for her. This ultimately led to her escape from the Xingxiu Order.

Complex relationship with Qiao Feng

Azi developed deep romantic feelings for Qiao Feng, her brother-in-law. Despite his kindness and protection, he only saw her as a sister-in-law, which caused her great emotional pain and contributed to her increasingly twisted personality.

Behind the scenes

Character development

Azi’s character represents one of the most complex and morally ambiguous figures in Jin Yong’s works. Her combination of beauty and cruelty, love and hate, makes her a fascinating study in how environment and circumstances can shape personality.

Literary significance

Azi’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of unrequited love and the consequences of growing up in a cruel environment. Her character demonstrates how even the most beautiful individuals can become corrupted by their circumstances.

See also