Cong Buqi (simplified: 丛不弃, traditional: 叢不棄, pinyin: Cóng Bùqì, jyutping: cung4 bat1 hei3) was a disciple of Feng Buping and a member of the exiled Sword faction of the Huashan School. He was known for his unscrupulous behaviour and his defeat by Linghu Chong using the Dugu Nine Swords technique.
Biography
Exile and return
After the Sword faction was defeated by the Qi faction at Mount Yufeng, Cong Buqi went into exile with Feng Buping and other Sword faction members. They lived in seclusion until they received support from Zuo Lengchan to challenge Yue Buqun for control of the Huashan School.
Attempt to regain control
Cong Buqi accompanied Feng Buping and Cheng Buyou when they returned to challenge Yue Buqun. During the confrontation, Feng Buping ordered Cong Buqi to execute Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, claiming they were traitors who had stolen the Evil-Warding Sword Manual.
Confrontation with Ning Zhongze
Cong Buqi attempted to search Ning Zhongze for the Evil-Warding Sword Manual, claiming it was hidden on her person. This was a deliberate attempt to humiliate her, as searching a woman’s body was considered a great insult.
Ning Zhongze challenged Cong Buqi to a duel, and despite being injured, she was able to hold her own against him. However, she was eventually exhausted and unable to continue fighting.
Defeat by Linghu Chong
When Linghu Chong intervened to protect Ning Zhongze, Cong Buqi attacked him. However, Linghu Chong was able to defeat Cong Buqi using the Dugu Nine Swords technique, piercing his shoulder blade with his sword.
Cong Buqi was forced to retreat after being injured, and he and Feng Buping were unable to regain control of the Huashan School.
Personality & traits
Cong Buqi was portrayed as unscrupulous and villainous, willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals. He was described as being shameless and willing to humiliate others, particularly women, demonstrating his lack of honour and morality.
His behaviour toward Ning Zhongze demonstrated his contempt for women and his willingness to use sexual harassment as a weapon. This made him one of the most despicable characters in the novel.
Martial arts abilities
Cong Buqi was a skilled swordsman who specialised in the Sword faction’s techniques, which emphasised swordplay over neili. He was described as being skilled in Huashan Swordplay, though his exact techniques were not detailed in the novel.
However, his defeat by Linghu Chong demonstrated that even skilled martial artists could be overcome by superior techniques, particularly the Dugu Nine Swords.
Relationships
Cong Buqi’s relationship with Feng Buping was one of disciple and master. He followed Feng Buping into exile and supported his attempt to regain control of the Huashan School.
His relationship with Ning Zhongze was one of enmity and disrespect. He attempted to humiliate her by searching her body, demonstrating his contempt for women and his lack of honour.
Behind the scenes
Cong Buqi represents the worst aspects of the jianghu: unscrupulous behaviour, lack of honour, and willingness to use any means necessary to achieve goals. His character demonstrates that even in the jianghu, there are those who lack basic decency and morality.
Literary significance
Cong Buqi’s character serves to contrast the ideal of martial arts honour with the reality of unscrupulous behaviour. His defeat by Linghu Chong demonstrates that superior techniques and moral principles can overcome even skilled but dishonourable opponents.
Portrayals
Cong Buqi has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Feng Buping — Cong Buqi’s master
- Cheng Buyou — Cong Buqi’s companion
- Linghu Chong — Cong Buqi’s defeater
- Huashan School — Cong Buqi’s faction
- Sword faction — Cong Buqi’s sub-faction
External links
- Cong Buqi (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia