Feng Wanli (simplified: 封万里, traditional: 封萬里, pinyin: Fēng Wànlǐ, jyutping: fung1 maan6 lei5), known as Wind Fire Divine Dragon (风火神龙), was the eldest apprentice of Bai Zizai and one of the two ‘Snowy Mountain Twin Heroes’ (雪山双杰), along with Bai Wanjian, known as ‘Cold Air of the Northwest’ (气寒西北). He was the master of Shi Zhongyu and lost his right arm as punishment for failing to properly discipline his disciple.
Biography
Early career
Feng Wanli was the eldest disciple of Bai Zizai, zhangmen of the Snowy Mountain School. He was renowned for his swordplay and, together with Bai Wanjian, was known as one of the ‘Snowy Mountain Twin Heroes’ for their exceptional martial arts abilities.
Teaching Shi Zhongyu
Feng Wanli accepted Shi Zhongyu, the son of Shi Qing and Min Rou, as his disciple. However, his teaching methods were inadequate, and he failed to properly discipline the young man. Shi Zhongyu, already spoiled by his parents, took advantage of his family’s reputation and misbehaved at the Snowy Mountain School.
The crisis with Bai Axiu
When Shi Zhongyu attempted to rape Bai Axiu, the thirteen-year-old granddaughter of Bai Zizai, the incident caused a major crisis. Bai Axiu jumped from a cliff in shame, and Bai Zizai, enraged, held Feng Wanli responsible for failing to properly discipline his disciple.
As punishment, Bai Zizai cut off Feng Wanli’s right arm, destroying over twenty years of martial arts training. This severe punishment left Feng Wanli permanently disabled and unable to use his sword with his dominant hand.
Aftermath
The loss of his arm had profound consequences for Feng Wanli. He had many enemies in the jianghu, and without his sword arm, he no longer dared to leave the mountain. His personality changed significantly as a result of the incident, and he, along with his fellow disciples, came to deeply resent Shi Zhongyu.
Imprisoning Bai Zizai
When Bai Zizai descended into madness and began killing disciples, Feng Wanli, along with other senior disciples, drugged Bai Zizai’s food and imprisoned him in a stone chamber with iron chains. This act, while necessary to protect the school, was considered a betrayal of the zhangmen, and Feng Wanli’s fellow disciples began to shun him.
Later events
When Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu returned to Lingxiao City with the Reward Good Punish Evil messengers, the school’s internal conflicts were resolved. Feng Wanli’s role in imprisoning Bai Zizai, while necessary, had damaged his standing within the school.
Personality and characteristics
Loyalty and duty
Despite losing his arm due to Bai Zizai’s punishment, Feng Wanli remained loyal to his master and the Snowy Mountain School. His willingness to imprison Bai Zizai when he went mad demonstrated his commitment to protecting the school, even at the cost of his own reputation.
Changed personality
The loss of his arm and the responsibility for Shi Zhongyu’s crimes changed Feng Wanli’s personality significantly. He became more withdrawn and bitter, though he continued to serve the school as best he could with his disability.
Martial arts abilities
Before the injury
Feng Wanli was renowned for his swordplay and was considered one of the two best disciples of the Snowy Mountain School, along with Bai Wanjian. His mastery of the Snowy Mountain Swordplay earned him the title ‘Wind Fire Divine Dragon’.
After losing his arm
After losing his right arm, Feng Wanli was forced to adapt his martial arts. He eventually developed a left-handed sword technique, though he never regained his former level of skill. The loss of over twenty years of training was a devastating blow to his martial arts career.
Behind the scenes
Feng Wanli serves as a tragic figure who suffers severe consequences for the actions of his disciple. His character demonstrates the responsibility that masters bear for their students’ behaviour and the harsh punishments that can result from failure to properly discipline disciples.
The loss of his arm represents not just a physical disability but also the destruction of his life’s work and reputation. His character explores themes of responsibility, punishment, and the long-term consequences of failure in one’s duties.