Feng Buping (simplified: 封不平, traditional: 封不平, pinyin: Fēng Bùpíng, jyutping: fung1 bat1 ping4) was the leader of the exiled Sword faction of the Huashan School. After the Sword faction was defeated by the Qi faction at Mount Yufeng, he went into exile and later attempted to regain control of the school with the support of Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan School.
Biography
Exile after Mount Yufeng
After the Sword faction was defeated by the Qi faction at Mount Yufeng, Feng Buping and his followers went into exile. They lived in seclusion, waiting for an opportunity to regain control of the Huashan School.
Attempt to regain control
With the support of Zuo Lengchan, Feng Buping and his followers—including Cheng Buyou and Cong Buqi—returned to challenge Yue Buqun for control of the Huashan School. They claimed that Yue Buqun had stolen the Evil-Warding Sword Manual and committed other crimes, justifying their attempt to take over the school.
Feng Buping challenged Yue Buqun to a duel, claiming that if he won, he should become the new leader of the Huashan School. However, Linghu Chong intervened and defeated Feng Buping using the Dugu Nine Swords technique.
Defeat and retreat
After being defeated by Linghu Chong, Feng Buping and his followers were forced to retreat. They were unable to regain control of the Huashan School and likely returned to exile.
Personality & traits
Feng Buping was portrayed as ambitious and determined, willing to use any means necessary to regain control of the Huashan School. He was described as being skilled in swordplay and having a strong sense of his own righteousness.
However, he was also shown to be willing to work with Zuo Lengchan, demonstrating his pragmatism and his willingness to use external support to achieve his goals.
Martial arts abilities
Feng Buping 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.
His defeat by Linghu Chong demonstrated that even skilled martial artists could be overcome by superior techniques, particularly the Dugu Nine Swords.
Relationships
Feng Buping’s relationship with Cheng Buyou and Cong Buqi was one of leadership and mentorship. He led the exiled Sword faction and worked with them to attempt to regain control of the Huashan School.
His relationship with Zuo Lengchan was one of mutual benefit. Zuo Lengchan supported Feng Buping’s attempt to take over the Huashan School, hoping to weaken the school and strengthen his own position.
His relationship with Yue Buqun was one of enmity. Feng Buping saw Yue Buqun as an illegitimate leader who had stolen control of the school from the Sword faction.
Behind the scenes
Feng Buping represents the theme of factional conflict and the ways in which past grievances can continue to affect the present. His character demonstrates that even after defeat and exile, people can still seek to regain what they believe is rightfully theirs.
Literary significance
Feng Buping’s character serves to highlight the ongoing conflict between the Sword and Qi factions of the Huashan School. His attempt to regain control demonstrates the ways in which past conflicts can continue to influence the present, and the ways in which external forces can exploit internal divisions.
Portrayals
Feng Buping has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Cheng Buyou — Feng Buping’s junior
- Cong Buqi — Feng Buping’s disciple
- Huashan School — Feng Buping’s faction
- Sword faction — Feng Buping’s sub-faction
- Zuo Lengchan — Feng Buping’s supporter
External links
- Feng Buping (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia