Du Baidang

Du Baidang (simplified: 杜百当, traditional: 杜百當, pinyin: Dù Bǎidāng, jyutping: dou6 baak3 dong1) was a martial artist from Western Sichuan whose son was killed by Xie Xun. He lived in seclusion at the foot of Mount Shaoshi (少室山), near Shaolin Temple, with his wife Yi Sanniang. They helped Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min by providing lodging when the two were seeking to rescue Xie Xun. Du Baidang and his wife were killed by Zhou Zhiruo using the Nine Yin White Bone Claw (九阴白骨爪).

Biography

Family tragedy

Du Baidang’s son was killed by Xie Xun during Xie Xun’s killing spree in the jianghu. Xie Xun had murdered numerous innocent people in an attempt to draw out his master Cheng Kun, leaving behind messages claiming “The killer is the Primordial Chaos Thunderbolt Hand Cheng Kun.” Du Baidang’s son was one of these innocent victims.

Feud with the Qinghai Three Swords

Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang had a feud with the Qinghai Three Swords (青海三剑)—Ma Fatong (马法通), Shao He (邵鹤), and Shao Yan (邵燕)—from the Yuzhen Temple (玉真观) over what they considered a small misunderstanding. This feud led them to live in seclusion at the foot of Mount Shaoshi to avoid further conflict.

Du Baidang was deaf and mute, which was a significant change from his earlier years when he was known for his skill in “listening to the wind to distinguish secret projectiles” (听风辨器), a unique skill in the jianghu. It is unclear how he lost his hearing and speech, but this disability did not prevent him from maintaining his martial arts abilities.

Life in seclusion

Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang lived in a simple thatched hut at the foot of Mount Shaoshi, near Shaolin Temple. They maintained a vegetable garden and lived a quiet, reclusive life, appearing to be ordinary farmers. However, they continued to practice martial arts, developing a unique coordinated technique using short blades designed to counter Xie Xun’s Seven Injury Fist (七伤拳).

Encounter with the Qinghai Three Swords

When the Qinghai Three Swords tracked down Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang to Mount Shaoshi, they discovered that both parties had developed techniques specifically designed to counter Xie Xun’s Seven Injury Fist. The Qinghai Three Swords wanted the Dragon-slaying Sabre to dominate the jianghu, while Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang wanted revenge for their son’s death.

Realising their common purpose, the five of them made a pact: they would work together to infiltrate Shaolin Temple, with Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang seeking revenge and the Qinghai Three Swords obtaining the Dragon-slaying Sabre. However, the Qinghai Three Swords went to Shaolin Temple alone and were killed by the monks before this plan could be executed.

Helping Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min

When Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min came to Mount Shaoshi disguised as a brother and sister seeking to rescue Xie Xun, they asked for lodging at Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang’s hut. Yi Sanniang, recognising their true nature as lovers but moved by Zhao Min’s story, agreed to help them.

The couple provided Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min with lodging and food, treating them with kindness and care. Yi Sanniang in particular showed great affection toward Zhao Min, helping them maintain their disguise and providing a safe place to stay while they planned their rescue of Xie Xun.

Du Baidang, though deaf and mute, worked in the garden and maintained the household. His exceptional internal energy was evident in the way he carried buckets steadily, demonstrating his continued martial arts cultivation despite his disabilities.

Death

While Zhang Wuji was away attempting to rescue Xie Xun from Shaolin Temple, Zhou Zhiruo attacked the hut. Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang fought back using their coordinated short blade technique, but they were ultimately killed by Zhou Zhiruo using the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.

When Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min returned, they found the couple dead, with broken ribs on their chests and backs, and short blades scattered throughout the room, indicating a fierce battle. The five-finger claw marks on their bodies clearly showed that they had been killed by the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.

Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min buried the couple, kneeling and bowing to show their respect. They were deeply saddened by the loss, particularly remembering Yi Sanniang’s loving care toward them.

Personality & traits

Devoted husband and father

Du Baidang was a devoted husband and father who was driven by the desire for revenge for his son’s death. His commitment to seeking justice for his son, even after many years, demonstrated his loyalty and love for his family.

Resilience

Despite losing his hearing and speech, Du Baidang continued to practice martial arts and maintain his skills. His ability to adapt to his disabilities and continue his cultivation demonstrated his resilience and determination.

Kindness

Despite his own suffering and desire for revenge, Du Baidang and his wife showed kindness to Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min when they needed help. They provided shelter and care, demonstrating that their desire for revenge did not consume their basic humanity.

Martial arts abilities

Short blade technique

Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang developed a unique coordinated fighting technique using twelve short blades (each holding six blades). This technique involved constantly exchanging blades between hands and between partners, creating a complex and unpredictable fighting style.

The technique was specifically designed to counter Xie Xun’s Seven Injury Fist and Lion’s Roar. The constant movement and blade exchanges made it difficult for opponents to defend against, and the coordinated nature of the technique allowed one partner to attack while the other defended.

Exceptional internal energy

Despite his disabilities, Du Baidang maintained exceptional internal energy. This was evident in the way he carried buckets of water steadily, demonstrating his continued cultivation and martial arts abilities.

Relationships

With Yi Sanniang

Du Baidang’s relationship with his wife Yi Sanniang was central to his life. They worked together as a team, both in daily life and in combat. Their coordinated fighting technique demonstrated their deep understanding and cooperation, with each partner able to seamlessly exchange weapons and roles.

With his son

Du Baidang’s son was killed by Xie Xun, creating a desire for revenge that drove much of Du Baidang’s actions. His commitment to seeking justice for his son demonstrated his love and dedication as a father.

With Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min

Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang showed kindness to Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min, providing them with lodging and care despite not knowing their true identities. Their help was crucial to Zhang Wuji’s mission to rescue Xie Xun, though ironically, it was Xie Xun who had killed their son.

Behind the scenes

Narrative significance

Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang represent the innocent victims of Xie Xun’s killing spree and the long-lasting consequences of violence. Their story demonstrates how one person’s actions can create cycles of revenge and suffering that span decades.

Their death at the hands of Zhou Zhiruo demonstrates the brutality of Zhou Zhiruo’s transformation and her willingness to kill innocent people to achieve her goals. The couple’s kindness toward Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min contrasts with Zhou Zhiruo’s cruelty, highlighting the moral decline of the Emei Order under her leadership.

Symbolic meaning

Du Baidang and Yi Sanniang represent the human cost of violence and revenge. Their story shows that seeking revenge can consume one’s life, but also that even those consumed by revenge can still show kindness to others. Their death serves as a warning about the consequences of extremism and the importance of breaking cycles of violence.