Drifting Cloud Messenger (simplified: 流云使, traditional: 流云使, pinyin: Liúyún Shǐ, jyutping: lau4 wan4 si2) was one of the Three Messengers of the Persian Ming Order, sent to Central Earth to capture Daiqisi and reorganise the Ming Order.
Biography
Mission to Central Earth
The Drifting Cloud Messenger, along with the Mysterious Wind Messenger and Bright Moon Messenger, was dispatched by the Persian Ming Order Leader to Central Earth after learning that the Ming Order Leader was missing and the organisation was in decline.1 The Three Messengers arrived at Spirit Snake Island carrying the Sacred Fire Tokens, intending to capture Daiqisi (also known as Golden Flower Granny) for violating the Order’s laws.2
The Drifting Cloud Messenger acted as the primary spokesperson for the group, explaining their mission and demanding obedience to the Sacred Fire Tokens.3 When they encountered Xie Xun and Zhang Wuji, the Three Messengers demanded that Xie Xun execute Daiqisi as a traitor.4 When Xie Xun refused, the Three Messengers attacked him, but were ultimately defeated by Zhang Wuji, who seized their Sacred Fire Tokens.5
Battle with Zhang Wuji
During the subsequent confrontation on the Persian ships, the Three Messengers fought Zhang Wuji again, but he had learnt their techniques from the Sacred Fire Tokens and easily defeated them.6 The Drifting Cloud Messenger was thrown back to the Persian ships along with the Bright Moon Messenger.7
Personality & traits
The Drifting Cloud Messenger was the primary spokesperson for the Three Messengers and delivered their orders with authority.8 He demonstrated a cold and unyielding attitude when enforcing the Persian Ming Order’s laws.9
Physical appearance
The Drifting Cloud Messenger had pointy whiskers and Persian Middle-Eastern features.10
Martial arts abilities
The Drifting Cloud Messenger was skilled in the Persian variant of the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, which he used in perfect coordination with the other two messengers.11 Their coordinated techniques created unpredictable attack patterns that could overwhelm even formidable opponents.12 They wielded Sacred Fire Tokens as weapons, which were extremely hard and engraved with Persian martial arts theories.13
The Three Messengers’ martial arts were based on shallow and superficial knowledge of the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, but their coordinated attacks and unique variations made them dangerous opponents.14 However, once their techniques were understood, they became predictable and manageable.15
Relationships
The Three Messengers
The Drifting Cloud Messenger worked in perfect coordination with the Mysterious Wind Messenger and Bright Moon Messenger.16 Their fighting style required complete synchronisation, with each messenger playing a specific role in their coordinated attacks.17
Persian Ming Order
As one of the Three Messengers, the Drifting Cloud Messenger held a position of authority within the Persian Ming Order and was responsible for carrying out missions on behalf of the Order Leader.18
Behind the scenes
The Three Messengers serve as antagonists in the Spirit Snake Island sequence, representing the Persian Ming Order’s attempt to reassert control over the Central Earth branch of the organisation. Their coordinated martial arts technique demonstrates Jin Yong’s interest in showing how incomplete knowledge of a technique could be developed into a new fighting style through unique variations.