Equality Guardian King (simplified: 平等宝树王, traditional: 平等寶樹王, pinyin: Píngděng Bǎoshùwáng, jyutping: ping4 dang2 bou2 syu6 wong4) was the sixth of the Twelve Precious Tree Kings of the Persian Ming Order, an expert in scriptures and doctrines who was captured by Zhang Wuji during the Spirit Snake Island confrontation.
Biography
Spirit Snake Island confrontation
The Equality Guardian King was among the eleven Precious Tree Kings who arrived at Spirit Snake Island aboard Persian ships to oversee the capture of Daiqisi.1 He was initially captured by Zhang Wuji when he attempted to confront the group on one of the Persian ships.2 The Equality Guardian King was held as a hostage, with Zhang Wuji placing his hand on the Guardian King’s neck to ensure his safety.3
During the confrontation, the Mysterious Wind Messenger accidentally struck the Equality Guardian King with his Sacred Fire Token, leaving Persian characters imprinted on the Guardian King’s left cheek.4 These characters were inscriptions from the Sacred Fire Token, which inadvertently revealed key insights into the Persian martial arts to Zhang Wuji and Xiaozhao.5
The Equality Guardian King remained a hostage throughout the confrontation, with Xie Xun using him as leverage to negotiate with the other Precious Tree Kings.6 Eventually, Zhang Wuji and his companions successfully escaped with the Equality Guardian King still in their custody.7
Personality & traits
As one of the Precious Tree Kings, the Equality Guardian King was primarily an expert in scriptures and doctrines rather than martial arts.8 His position within the Persian Ming Order hierarchy placed him in a role similar to that of the Four Guardian Kings of the Central Earth Ming Order.9
Martial arts abilities
Unlike the Three Messengers, the Precious Tree Kings were primarily experts in religious law and doctrine rather than martial arts.10 However, the Equality Guardian King did possess some neili (neili), as Zhang Wuji detected when he held him captive.11
Relationships
Twelve Precious Tree Kings
The Equality Guardian King was the sixth-ranking member of the Twelve Precious Tree Kings, who held positions of authority within the Persian Ming Order similar to the Four Guardian Kings of the Central Earth Ming Order.12 The twelve kings were: Great Holiness (first), Wisdom (second), Victorious (third), Palm of Fire (fourth), Diligent Cultivation (fifth), Equality (sixth), Faith (seventh), Suppressing Evil (eighth), Integrity (ninth), Virtue (tenth), Unity (eleventh), and Transparent (twelfth).13
Persian Ming Order
As one of the Precious Tree Kings, the Equality Guardian King held a high position within the Persian Ming Order hierarchy, serving as a grandmaster of scripture and doctrine.14
Behind the scenes
The Equality Guardian King serves as a plot device in the Spirit Snake Island sequence, providing Zhang Wuji with crucial information about the Persian martial arts when he is accidentally struck by the Mysterious Wind Messenger. The imprinting of the Persian characters on his face serves as a key moment that helps Zhang Wuji understand the techniques of the Persian Ming Order.