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Funiu School

Funiu School

Funiu School (simplified: 伏牛派, traditional: 伏牛派, pinyin: Fúniú Pài) was a martial arts faction based in Nanyang1 in Henan2 province. The school was known for their whip techniques and was considered a branch of the Central Plains martial arts community.

History

Foundation

The Funiu School was established as a regional martial arts faction in the Central Plains, based in Nanyang, Henan province. The school specialized in whip techniques and was known throughout the jianghu3 for their unique martial arts system.

Death of Ke Baisui

The school’s leader Ke Baisui (柯百岁 – Kē Bǎisuì) was killed by his own signature technique, the Hundred Victories Divine Whip (百胜神鞭 – Bǎishèng Shénbiān), specifically by the move “Shattering of the Heavily Spirit” (天灵千裂 – Tiānlíng Qiānliè). Initially, it was suspected that Murong Fu was responsible, as the killing method resembled the Murong family’s philosophy of “using others’ methods against them.” However, the true killer was actually Murong Bo, who was in a state of suspended animation.

Organisation

Leadership structure

The school was led by Ke Baisui (柯百岁 – Kē Bǎisuì), who served as the leader until his death. The organization included several senior disciples and masters who maintained the school’s traditions.

Notable members

Leadership:

  • Ke Baisui (柯百岁 – Kē Bǎisuì) - Deceased leader of the Funiu School

Senior disciples:

  • Cui Baiquan (崔百泉 – Cuī Bǎiquán) - Known as the “Golden Abacus” (金算盘 – Jīnsuànpán), Ke Baisui’s junior brother
  • Guo Yanzhi (过彦之 – Guò Yànzhī) - Known as the “Soul Chasing Whip” (追魂鞭 – Zhuīhún Biān), Ke Baisui’s apprentice

Martial arts

Hundred Victories Divine Whip

Hundred Victories Divine Whip (百胜神鞭 – Bǎishèng Shénbiān) was the school’s signature technique and the method by which Ke Baisui was killed. This technique included the move “Shattering of the Heavily Spirit” (天灵千裂 – Tiānlíng Qiānliè), which was used to kill Ke Baisui.

Soul Chasing Whip Technique

Soul Chasing Whip Technique (追魂鞭法 – Zhuīhún Biānfǎ) was another core technique of the school, practiced by Guo Yanzhi, who earned the nickname “Soul Chasing Whip” for his mastery of this technique.

Relationships

Connection to Murong family

The death of Ke Baisui created a connection between the Funiu School and the Murong Clan of Gusu. Initially, the killing method suggested that Murong Fu was responsible, as it resembled the Murong family’s philosophy of using others’ techniques against them. However, the true killer was Murong Bo, who was in a state of suspended animation.

This incident revealed the complex web of relationships and hidden agendas that existed in the jianghu, where even seemingly straightforward killings could be part of larger conspiracies.

Locations

Nanyang

Nanyang (南阳 – Nányáng) was the school’s base of operations, located in Henan province. The city served as the center of the school’s activities and training.

Henan province

The school operated throughout Henan province, maintaining their status as a regional martial arts faction in the Central Plains. Their location in this historically significant region connected them to the broader martial arts community of the Central Plains.

Behind the scenes

The Funiu School represents one of Jin Yong’s explorations of how seemingly minor martial arts schools could become entangled in larger conspiracies and power struggles. Through their story, the author examined how the death of a single leader could reveal complex webs of deception and hidden agendas.

The school’s connection to the Murong family through Ke Baisui’s death demonstrates how martial arts schools could become unwitting pawns in larger political schemes. The initial suspicion that Murong Fu was responsible for the killing shows how reputation and known techniques could lead to false accusations in the jianghu.

The revelation that Murong Bo was the true killer illustrates how the martial arts world could be manipulated by hidden figures working behind the scenes, and how even orthodox schools could become victims of larger conspiracies.

See also

  • Jin Yong factions
  • Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils factions
  • Ke Baisui – Deceased leader of the school
  • Cui Baiquan – Golden Abacus, Ke Baisui’s junior brother
  • Guo Yanzhi – Soul Chasing Whip, Ke Baisui’s apprentice
  • Hundred Victories Divine Whip – The school’s signature technique
  • Soul Chasing Whip Technique – Another core technique
  • Murong Clan of Gusu – The faction connected to Ke Baisui’s death

Footnotes

  1. 南阳 – Nányáng. City in Henan Province, known for its historical significance and cultural heritage. See Wikipedia. ↩

  2. 河南 – Hénán. Province in central China, known as the “Central Plains” and cradle of Chinese civilization. See Wikipedia. ↩

  3. 江湖 – jiānghú. The world of martial arts. A sub-society involving all who are related to the martial arts scene. ↩