He Tieshou (simplified: 何铁手, traditional: 何铁手, pinyin: Hé Tiěshǒu, jyutping: ho4 tit3 sau2), later renamed He Tishou (何惕守 — Hé Tìshǒu), was the leader of the Five Poisons Order (五毒教) who became a disciple of Yuan Chengzhi and joined the Huashan School. She was a formidable martial artist skilled in poison-based techniques and the Iron Wugou (铁蜈钩). After leaving the Five Poisons Order, she accompanied Yuan Chengzhi and his companions into exile and later taught martial arts to Shuanger.
Biography
Early life and becoming leader
He Tieshou was born the daughter of the previous leader of the Five Poisons Order, a faction based in Yunnan that specialised in poison-based martial arts. From a young age, she was trained in the Order’s techniques, which required extreme dedication and sacrifice.
To master the Iron Wugou (铁蜈钩) technique, one of the Five Poisons Order’s signature weapons, He Tieshou made a significant sacrifice: she cut off her left hand and replaced it with an iron hook. This drastic measure allowed her to practice and master the Iron Wugou techniques, demonstrating her determination and commitment to martial arts.
After her father’s death, He Tieshou succeeded him as the leader of the Five Poisons Order, becoming one of the most powerful and feared figures in the jianghu. Her martial arts skills were exceptional, placing her among the top masters of the era, second only to figures like Mu Renqing, Musang Daozhang, Gui Xinshu, Huang Zhen, Yuzhenzi, and Yuan Chengzhi.
Encounter with Yuan Chengzhi
He Tieshou’s path crossed with Yuan Chengzhi when the Five Poisons Order became involved in the conflicts surrounding the jianghu. Initially, the Order appeared as antagonists, but circumstances led to a change in their relationship.
In some versions of the story, He Tieshou developed romantic feelings for Xia Qingqing when Xia Qingqing was disguised as a man (using the name Wen Qing). However, in the revised third edition, Jin Yong changed this aspect of the story: He Tieshou’s interest in Yuan Chengzhi was purely to learn superior martial arts techniques, rather than being motivated by romantic feelings.
Becoming Yuan Chengzhi’s disciple
After various conflicts and interactions, He Tieshou was deeply impressed by Yuan Chengzhi’s martial arts abilities and moral character. She decided to leave the Five Poisons Order and become his disciple, joining the Huashan School.
Yuan Chengzhi accepted her as a disciple and gave her a new name: He Tishou (何惕守), which meant “to be vigilant and not do evil, to strictly observe rules, and to be upright and proper” (警惕别做坏事，严守规矩，正正派派 — Jǐngtì bié zuò huàishì, yánshǒu guījǔ, zhèngzhèngpàipài). This name change symbolised her transformation from a leader of an unorthodox faction to a member of an orthodox martial arts school.
Life after joining Huashan
After becoming Yuan Chengzhi’s disciple, He Tishou joined him and his companions when they went into exile to an island near Brunei. She became a loyal and respected member of their community, demonstrating her commitment to her new path and her respect for her master and his wife, Xia Qingqing.
He Tishou’s transformation was significant: she went from being a feared leader of a poison-based faction to a disciple of the orthodox Huashan School, showing that people could change and find redemption through martial arts and proper guidance.
Later life in The Deer & the Cauldron
In The Deer and the Cauldron, set many years later, He Tishou made a brief appearance. She gave Wei Xiaobao a hidden weapon called “Hidden Shadow” (含沙射影 — Hánshā Shèyǐng) for self-defence. She also became the martial arts teacher of Shuanger, one of Wei Xiaobao’s wives, passing on her knowledge and techniques.
He Tishou remained single throughout her life, dedicating herself to martial arts and her role as a disciple and teacher. Her life exemplified the possibility of transformation and redemption through proper guidance and moral principles.
Personality and character
He Tieshou was initially portrayed as a powerful and somewhat ruthless leader of an unorthodox faction. However, she demonstrated intelligence, determination, and a genuine appreciation for superior martial arts. Her willingness to sacrifice her hand for martial arts mastery showed her dedication and commitment.
After becoming Yuan Chengzhi’s disciple, He Tishou showed loyalty, respect, and a commitment to orthodox principles. She treated Xia Qingqing with respect as her master’s wife and became a valued member of their community.
Her transformation from a feared poison master to a respected disciple of an orthodox school demonstrated the redemptive power of proper guidance and moral principles. Her character showed that people could change and find a better path, even after being involved with unorthodox factions.
Martial arts
He Tieshou was one of the most powerful martial artists of her time, skilled in the unique techniques of the Five Poisons Order:
Weapons and techniques
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Iron Wugou (铁蜈钩) — The signature weapon of the Five Poisons Order, which required cutting off one’s hand and replacing it with an iron hook. He Tieshou mastered this technique, using the hook as if it were a living hand. When used with both hooks, the techniques became even more lethal.
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Soft Red Spider Silk (软虹蛛索) — A weapon evolved from spider webs, consisting of thin, long silk threads. Multiple threads could be used for attack or defence, creating an impenetrable defence with no weaknesses. He Tieshou used this weapon in combat with Yuan Chengzhi.
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Scorpion-Tail Whip (蝎尾鞭) — A unique weapon with fine barbs and hooks throughout, coated with deadly poison. He Tieshou used this weapon effectively in combat.
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Hidden Shadow (含沙射影) — A hidden weapon worn at the waist, fired by a mechanical device. It could be launched without raising one’s hand, making it nearly impossible to defend against. He Tishou gave this weapon to Wei Xiaobao in The Deer and the Cauldron.
Poison techniques
As leader of the Five Poisons Order, He Tieshou was skilled in various poison-based techniques, though after joining the Huashan School, she likely focused more on orthodox martial arts while retaining her knowledge of poisons.
Relationships
Teachers
- Yuan Chengzhi — He Tieshou’s master, who accepted her as a disciple and gave her the name He Tishou. She respected him greatly and followed him into exile.
Master’s family
- Xia Qingqing — The wife of Yuan Chengzhi, whom He Tishou treated with respect as her master’s wife. In some versions of the story, He Tieshou had initially developed feelings for Xia Qingqing when she was disguised as a man, but this was changed in later editions.
Disciple
- Shuanger — One of Wei Xiaobao’s wives in The Deer and the Cauldron, who became He Tishou’s disciple and learnt martial arts from her.
Former faction
- Five Poisons Order — The faction that He Tieshou once led. After joining the Huashan School, she left the Order behind, though she retained her knowledge of their techniques.
Legacy
He Tieshou/He Tishou represented one of Jin Yong’s more complex supporting characters, demonstrating the possibility of transformation and redemption. Her journey from a feared leader of an unorthodox faction to a respected disciple of an orthodox school showed that people could change when given proper guidance and moral principles.
Her character also represented the theme of sacrifice for martial arts mastery, as demonstrated by her willingness to cut off her hand to master the Iron Wugou technique. This extreme dedication, combined with her eventual transformation, made her a memorable character in Jin Yong’s works.
He Tishou’s brief appearance in The Deer and the Cauldron showed her continued development and her role as a teacher, passing on her knowledge to the next generation. Her life remained dedicated to martial arts, and she remained single, focusing on her role as a disciple and teacher.