Danqingsheng

Danqingsheng

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Danqingsheng (simplified: 丹青生, traditional: 丹青生, pinyin: Dānqīngshēng, jyutping: daan1 cing1 sang1) was one of the Four Friends of Jiangnan and a wine connoisseur and swordsman. He was a former member of the Sun Moon Order who, along with his three companions, guarded Ren Woxing at Plum Manor in Hangzhou. His name means “Cinnabar and Azure Life,” referring to the traditional Chinese painting colours (丹青), and he was known for his three passions: wine, painting, and swordplay.

Biography

Early life and Sun Moon Order

Danqingsheng was originally a member of the Sun Moon Order during Ren Woxing’s leadership. He and his three companions—Huangzhonggong, Heibaizi, and Tubiweng—joined the order with the intention of doing good deeds and making a name for themselves in the jianghu.

However, they became disillusioned with Ren Woxing’s leadership, finding him too temperamental and autocratic. When Dongfang Bubai took over as leader, the situation worsened, as Dongfang Bubai favoured sycophants and eliminated old members of the order.

Life at Plum Manor

The four friends requested the assignment of guarding Ren Woxing at Plum Manor in Hangzhou, far from the order’s headquarters at Blackwood Cliff. This allowed them to distance themselves from the order’s internal politics and enjoy a peaceful life by West Lake, pursuing their interests in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

For twelve years, Danqingsheng and his companions lived a quiet life, with Danqingsheng focusing on his wine collection, painting appreciation, and swordplay practice.

Meeting Linghu Chong

When Linghu Chong came to Plum Manor with Xiang Wentian and Ren Yingying, Danqingsheng was the first of the Four Friends to meet them. He was impressed by Linghu Chong’s knowledge of wine, particularly when Linghu Chong suggested chilling Turpan wine with ice, which would enhance its flavour.

Danqingsheng was so impressed that he asked Heibaizi to use his Mysterious Heaven Finger technique to create ice for the wine. This demonstration of the technique impressed Linghu Chong and Xiang Wentian.

Challenge and defeat

Danqingsheng challenged Linghu Chong to a duel, hoping to win a painting by Fan Kuan (范宽) that Xiang Wentian had brought. However, Linghu Chong was able to defeat him using the Dugu Nine Swords technique, pointing out the flaws in Danqingsheng’s swordplay.

Despite his defeat, Danqingsheng developed a friendship with Linghu Chong based on their shared appreciation for wine, and the two became drinking companions.

Submission to Ren Woxing

After Ren Woxing was freed and regained control of the Sun Moon Order, Danqingsheng and his companions were faced with the choice of returning to Blackwood Cliff or facing the consequences. Unlike Huangzhonggong and Tubiweng, who chose suicide, Danqingsheng submitted to Ren Woxing and took the Three Corpse Brain Pill (三尸脑神丹) as a sign of loyalty.

Personality & traits

Danqingsheng was portrayed as a passionate and enthusiastic character who loved wine, painting, and swordplay. He was described as having a long beard that reached his abdomen and being known for his “three excellences” (三绝): wine, painting, and swordplay.

He was portrayed as being more willing to compromise than his companions, choosing to submit to Ren Woxing rather than commit suicide. This demonstrated a more pragmatic approach to survival, though it came at the cost of his freedom.

Martial arts abilities

Splashing Ink and Hemp-Cutting Swordplay

Danqingsheng’s signature technique was the Splashing Ink and Hemp-Cutting Swordplay (泼墨披麻剑法), a unique sword technique that mimicked the brush strokes used in Chinese painting. The technique included moves such as:

  • “White Rainbow Pierces the Sun” (白虹贯日)
  • “Soaring Dragon Rises Phoenix” (腾蛟起凤)
  • “Spring Breeze and Willow” (春风杨柳)
  • “Jade Dragon Hangs Upside Down” (玉龙倒悬)
  • “Left and Right Mutual Combat” (左右互博)
  • “Wild Geese Alight on Sand” (平沙落雁)

The technique’s most powerful move was the “Jade Dragon Hangs Upside Down” (玉龙倒悬), which combined dozens of sword techniques into a single attack, creating numerous variations and killing moves.

However, Linghu Chong was able to see through the technique’s flaws, pointing out that it had too many openings and was not as refined as it appeared.

Relationships

Danqingsheng’s relationship with his three companions—Huangzhonggong, Heibaizi, and Tubiweng—was one of mutual respect and shared values. They worked together as the Four Friends of Jiangnan, each specialising in a different art form.

His relationship with Linghu Chong was one of friendship based on their shared appreciation for wine. The two became drinking companions, and Danqingsheng was impressed by Linghu Chong’s knowledge and taste.

His relationship with Ren Woxing was complex. He had originally joined the Sun Moon Order to serve under Ren Woxing, but became disillusioned with his leadership style. When Ren Woxing was freed and demanded their return, Danqingsheng chose submission over death, demonstrating a more pragmatic approach to survival.

Behind the scenes

Danqingsheng represents the passionate pursuit of artistic and sensory pleasures, valuing wine, painting, and swordplay over power and conflict. His character demonstrates that martial artists can find joy in life’s simple pleasures and that friendship can be built on shared interests.

Literary significance

Danqingsheng’s character serves to contrast the jianghu’s power struggles with the peaceful life of artistic pursuit. His decision to submit to Ren Woxing rather than commit suicide demonstrates the different ways people respond to pressure and the cost of survival in a world driven by power and ambition.

Portrayals

Danqingsheng has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:

Laughing in the Wind

See also

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