Gui Xinshu (simplified: 归辛树, traditional: 归辛樹, pinyin: Guī Xīnshù, jyutping: gwai1 san1 syu6), known as the Invincible Divine Fists (神拳无敌 — Shénquán Wúdí), was the second disciple of Mu Renqing, the leader of the Huashan School, and the shixiong of Yuan Chengzhi in Sword Stained with Royal Blood. He was married to Gui Erniang and had a son, Gui Zhonglian (归钟 — Guī Zhōng).
Biography
Training under Mu Renqing
Gui Xinshu was trained by Mu Renqing, the leader of the Huashan School, becoming his second disciple after Huang Zhen (黄真). Under Mu Renqing’s guidance, Gui Xinshu became an exceptionally skilled martial artist, earning the epithet “Invincible Divine Fists” (神拳无敌 — Shénquán Wúdí) due to his formidable fist techniques.
Marriage and family
Gui Xinshu married Gui Erniang (归二娘 — Guī Èrniáng), and the couple had a son named Gui Zhonglian (归钟 — Guī Zhōng). The family was close-knit, and Gui Xinshu and Gui Erniang were devoted to their son.
However, Gui Zhonglian suffered from a serious illness that required the Poria and Shouwu Pills (茯苓首乌丸 — Fúlíng Shǒuwū Wán) to cure. This need for the medicine would lead to a conflict between Gui Xinshu and Yuan Chengzhi.
Conflict with Yuan Chengzhi
Gui Xinshu’s relationship with his shidi Yuan Chengzhi was complicated by several factors:
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Hierarchy and jealousy — As Mu Renqing’s second disciple, Gui Xinshu was Yuan Chengzhi’s shixiong. However, Yuan Chengzhi was Mu Renqing’s favourite disciple, which may have created some tension.
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Disciples’ behaviour — Gui Xinshu’s disciple Sun Zhongjun (孙仲君) had committed violent acts, including killing Hong Shenghai’s family and cutting off Luo Liru’s arm. This reflected poorly on Gui Xinshu as a master, and Mu Renqing personally punished Sun Zhongjun, bypassing Gui Xinshu’s authority.
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The Poria and Shouwu Pills incident — At Meng Bofei’s (孟伯飞) residence in Baoding Prefecture (保定府 — Bǎodìng Fǔ), there was an incident involving the Poria and Shouwu Pills, which Gui Xinshu needed for his son’s illness. This led to a confrontation between Gui Xinshu and Yuan Chengzhi, though the conflict was eventually resolved through Yuan Chengzhi’s diplomatic skills.
Relationship with his disciples
Gui Xinshu had several disciples, including Mei Jianhe (梅剑和), Liu Peisheng (刘培生), and Sun Zhongjun (孙仲君). However, Sun Zhongjun’s violent behaviour and lack of restraint created problems for Gui Xinshu, as her actions reflected poorly on him as a master.
When Mu Renqing personally punished Sun Zhongjun for her crimes, cutting off one of her fingers and forbidding her from using a sword, it demonstrated that Gui Xinshu had failed to properly discipline his disciple, which may have been a source of embarrassment and conflict.
Personality and character
Gui Xinshu was characterised by his martial arts prowess and his devotion to his family. His epithet “Invincible Divine Fists” suggested that he was a formidable martial artist, particularly skilled in fist techniques.
However, his relationship with Yuan Chengzhi was marked by tension, possibly due to jealousy over Mu Renqing’s favour itism or conflicts arising from his disciple’s behaviour. Gui Xinshu’s inability to properly control his disciple Sun Zhongjun may have indicated a lack of strict discipline or a failure to properly guide his students.
His devotion to his son, as demonstrated by his willingness to seek the Poria and Shouwu Pills for Gui Zhonglian’s illness, showed his commitment to his family.
Martial arts
Gui Xinshu was an exceptionally skilled martial artist, having been trained by Mu Renqing in the Huashan School’s techniques. His epithet “Invincible Divine Fists” (神拳无敌 — Shénquán Wúdí) suggested that he was particularly skilled in fist techniques, making him one of the most formidable practitioners of the Huashan School’s martial arts.
Techniques
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Huashan School fist techniques — Gui Xinshu’s primary strength was in fist techniques, as indicated by his epithet. He would have been trained in the Huashan School’s various fist techniques, including the Shattering Jade Fist (破玉拳 — Pòyù Quán).
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Huashan School palm techniques — As a disciple of Mu Renqing, Gui Xinshu would have been trained in the Huashan School’s palm techniques as well.
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Hunyuan Skill (混元功 — Hùnyuán Gōng) — The core neili technique of the Huashan School, which Gui Xinshu would have mastered under Mu Renqing’s guidance.
Relationships
Family
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Mu Renqing — Gui Xinshu’s master and the leader of the Huashan School. Gui Xinshu was Mu Renqing’s second disciple.
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Gui Erniang — Gui Xinshu’s wife, with whom he had a son.
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Gui Zhonglian — Gui Xinshu’s son, who suffered from an illness that required the Poria and Shouwu Pills to cure.
Martial arts lineage
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Huang Zhen — Gui Xinshu’s shixiong, Mu Renqing’s first disciple.
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Yuan Chengzhi — Gui Xinshu’s shidi, Mu Renqing’s third disciple. Their relationship was marked by tension and conflict.
Disciples
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Mei Jianhe (梅剑和) — One of Gui Xinshu’s disciples, known as “the Shadowless” (无影 — Wúyǐng).
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Liu Peisheng (刘培生) — One of Gui Xinshu’s disciples.
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Sun Zhongjun (孙仲君) — One of Gui Xinshu’s disciples, known as the “Flying Demoness” (飞天魔女 — Fēitiān Mónǚ), whose violent behaviour created problems for Gui Xinshu.
Legacy
Gui Xinshu’s story represented the complexities of martial arts hierarchies and the challenges of being a master. His failure to properly discipline his disciple Sun Zhongjun, which led to Mu Renqing personally intervening, demonstrated the importance of proper guidance and discipline in martial arts schools.
His conflict with Yuan Chengzhi highlighted the tensions that could arise within martial arts schools, particularly when favour itism or different approaches to martial arts and morality created divisions.
Gui Xinshu’s devotion to his family, particularly his son, showed that even formidable martial artists had personal concerns and responsibilities that could affect their actions and relationships. His story demonstrated that martial arts prowess alone was not enough—proper character, discipline, and relationships were also essential for a martial artist’s success and reputation.