Bei Haishi (simplified: 贝海石, traditional: 貝海石, pinyin: Bèi Hǎishí, jyutping: bui3 hoi2 sek6) was the deputy leader and de facto ruler of the Changle Guild, known as “Touching Spring” (着手成春) for his medical skills. He orchestrated the death of Situ Heng and installed Shi Zhongyu as a puppet leader to avoid accepting the Reward Good Punish Evil token.
Biography
Joining the Changle Guild
Bei Haishi joined the Changle Guild and became Situ Heng’s deputy, despite being more skilled in martial arts than Situ Heng. He chose to serve as second-in-command while secretly building his own power base within the guild.
Plotting against Situ Heng
When Situ Heng refused to accept the Reward Good Punish Evil token, Bei Haishi saw an opportunity to seize control. He secretly developed his own faction within the guild, recruiting members like Mi Hengye to support him.
After Situ Heng was defeated by Shi Potian (mistaken for Shi Zhongyu) and left the guild headquarters, Bei Haishi poisoned him and hid his body in a cave behind the guild headquarters. He then spread the story that Situ Heng had become disillusioned and retired to seclusion.
Installing Shi Zhongyu as puppet leader
Bei Haishi installed Shi Zhongyu as the new guild leader, knowing that Shi Zhongyu would be forced to accept the Reward Good Punish Evil token when it arrived. This would allow Bei Haishi and the guild to avoid the threat posed by the Heroes Island envoys.
The confusion with Shi Potian
When Shi Zhongyu fled before the Reward Good Punish Evil token arrived, Bei Haishi found Shi Potian, who looked identical to Shi Zhongyu, and brought him to the guild headquarters. He convinced everyone that Shi Potian was the guild leader, despite Shi Potian’s protests that he was not.
Bei Haishi was the only person who knew that Shi Potian was not Shi Zhongyu, as he had carefully crafted the deception to ensure that someone would be available to accept the Reward Good Punish Evil token.
Final confrontation
When the Reward Good Punish Evil envoys Zhang San and Li Si arrived, they revealed Bei Haishi’s deception. However, Shi Potian, in his kindness, still accepted the token to save the guild members.
Later, Bei Haishi was severely injured by Xie Yanke when Xie Yanke came to the guild headquarters to confront Shi Zhongyu.
Personality and characteristics
Cunning and manipulative
Bei Haishi was a master of manipulation and deception. He carefully orchestrated Situ Heng’s death and the installation of Shi Zhongyu as a puppet leader, all while maintaining the appearance of loyalty to the guild.
Self-preservation
Bei Haishi’s primary motivation was self-preservation. He was willing to sacrifice others, including Situ Heng and Shi Zhongyu, to avoid the threat posed by the Reward Good Punish Evil token. His actions demonstrated a complete lack of loyalty or moral principles.
Medical skills
Despite his villainous nature, Bei Haishi was genuinely skilled in medicine, earning him the epithet “Touching Spring.” He used his medical knowledge to treat guild members and maintain his position of influence.
Martial arts abilities
Bei Haishi was skilled in the Five Elements Six Harmonies Palm, a powerful technique that was renowned throughout the jianghu. His martial arts abilities were superior to Situ Heng’s, though he chose to remain as deputy leader to avoid drawing attention to himself.
Behind the scenes
Bei Haishi represents the theme of manipulation and betrayal in Ode to Gallantry. His character demonstrates how power can corrupt and how individuals will go to great lengths to preserve themselves, even at the expense of others.
The character’s name, “Bei Haishi” (贝海石), combines “Bei” (贝), meaning “shell” or “treasure,” with “Haishi” (海石), meaning “sea stone,” suggesting a character who appears valuable but is actually hard and unyielding. His epithet “Touching Spring” reflects his medical skills, though it also suggests a deceptive nature, as spring can be both life-giving and unpredictable.