He Zudao

He Zudao (simplified: 何足道, traditional: 何足道, pinyin: Hé Zúdào, jyutping: ho4 zuk1 dou6), also known as the Three Kunlun Sages (昆仑三圣), was a master of chess, sword, and zither from the Western Regions who later became a senior member of the Kunlun School. Despite the name “Three Sage” suggesting three people, it referred to a single person—He Zudao himself—who was exceptionally skilled in three arts: chess, swordsmanship, and zither playing. He changed his name to “He Zudao” (meaning “not worth mentioning”) to avoid arrogance, though he had established a considerable reputation in the Western Regions.

Biography

Early reputation in the Western Regions

He Zudao established a small reputation in the Western Regions, where local friends praised his chess, sword, and zither skills as superb. People said he was fit to be a saint in the zither, a saint in chess, and a saint in swordsmanship. However, He Zudao recognised that the title of “saint” was not something that could easily be assumed, so he changed his name to “He Zudao” (何足道, “not worth mentioning”) so that when others heard his name, they would not think him an arrogant or overbearing man.

The name “Three Kunlun Sages” (昆仑三圣) was actually a misnomer—it referred to one person, not three. The name came from He Zudao’s excellence in three different arts, leading people to refer to him as if he were three separate sages.

Encounter with Yin Kexi

In the spring of the previous year, He Zudao was at Mount Kunlun, Jing Shen Peak (精神峰), playing the zither when he suddenly heard fighting noises. He found two men struggling on the ground, both heavily injured but still wrestling with each other. He yelled at them to stop, but they continued, so he walked over to push them aside. When he did so, one of them fell down and died, while the other was still breathing.

He Zudao took the survivor to his home and gave him some medicines. After half a day, the man was revived, but he was mortally wounded and no medicine could prolong his life. Before he died, the man said his name was Yin Kexi. Yin Kexi explained that he and Xiaoxiangzi had stolen a manuscript from Shaolin Monastery and had both become suspicious of each other. They had fought to the death at Jing Shen Peak, with Yin Kexi ultimately gaining the advantage because Xiaoxiangzi had been injured at Mount Hua and had not fully recovered.

Before his death, Yin Kexi, pricked by his conscience, begged He Zudao to go to Shaolin Monastery and tell a monk called Jueyuan that “the manuscript is in the oil” (经在油中, “jing zai you zhong”). However, Yin Kexi was delirious at this point, and his speech was incoherent. He actually meant to say “jing zai hou zhong” (经在猴中), meaning “scriptures inside the monkey,” but He Zudao heard it as “jing zai you zhong,” meaning “scriptures inside the oil.”

Journey to Shaolin Monastery

He Zudao kept his promise and journeyed to the distant Central Plains to convey the message to Jueyuan. Since he had never been to China before, he decided to tour around for some time. On his way, he left a note at Shaolin Monastery challenging the Shaolin monks, saying: “Shaolin martial arts have been proclaimed to be invincible throughout China for many years. Ten days from now, The Three Kunlun Sages will see all Shaolin skills.”

The note was delivered by messengers, and it caused concern at Shaolin Monastery, as people assumed “The Three Kunlun Sages” referred to three people coming to challenge the temple.

Meeting Guo Xiang

When He Zudao arrived at Shaolin Monastery, he met Guo Xiang, the daughter of Guo Jing and Huang Rong. He Zudao was immediately captivated by Guo Xiang’s beauty and talent, and he fell in love with her. The two engaged in musical and martial arts exchanges, with He Zudao playing the reed pipe in response to Guo Xiang’s stone chimes.

However, Guo Xiang’s heart remained fixed on Yang Guo, and she did not return He Zudao’s affections. This encounter demonstrated He Zudao’s admiration for Guo Xiang’s talents, but also showed how unrequited love could affect even masters like He Zudao.

Battle with Shaolin disciples

He Zudao had arranged to meet three old men from the Western Shaolin Monastery (西域少林寺), who were disciples of the “Tian” generation (the same generation as Tianming, the abbot of the Central Plains Shaolin Monastery). These three men had heard of He Zudao’s reputation as “The Three Kunlun Sages” and wanted to duel with him. On their way to Shaolin, they kept boasting that Shaolin martial arts were unequalled in the realm, saying that He Zudao was permitted to be a saint in chess and the zither but not in swordsmanship, so he should be called “Two Saints” instead of “Three Saints.”

He Zudao had sent someone to notify these three old men to meet him at Shaolin Monastery. When they arrived, He Zudao fought and defeated them. Guo Xiang, who witnessed the battle, initially thought these three old men were “The Three Kunlun Sages,” but she was corrected when He Zudao explained that he himself was “The Three Kunlun Sages”—one person, not three.

Delivering the message to Jueyuan

After the battle, He Zudao went to Shaolin Monastery to deliver Yin Kexi’s message to Jueyuan. However, due to the misheard message (“jing zai you zhong” instead of “jing zai hou zhong”), Jueyuan failed to comprehend the meaning. This misunderstanding eventually led to significant consequences, as the true location of the Nine Yang Manual (hidden inside the white ape’s belly) remained unknown.

Despite the misunderstanding, He Zudao had kept his promise to deliver the message, demonstrating his honour and reliability.

Later years and the Kunlun School

After these events, He Zudao established the Kunlun School and became a senior member of the organisation. In later years, the Kunlun School would become one of the Six Major Factions in the jianghu, with He Taichong serving as the school leader during the time of The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre.

Personality & traits

Modesty and humility

He Zudao demonstrated exceptional modesty by changing his name to “He Zudao” (not worth mentioning) despite his considerable reputation and skills. This showed his understanding that true mastery did not require arrogance or boasting.

Musical and artistic talent

He Zudao’s excellence in chess, swordplay, and zither playing demonstrated his diverse talents. His ability to excel in multiple disciplines made him a unique figure in the jianghu, where most masters specialised in martial arts alone.

Honour and reliability

He Zudao kept his promise to Yin Kexi to deliver the message to Jueyuan, travelling all the way from the Western Regions to the Central Plains to fulfil his commitment. This demonstrated his sense of honour and reliability.

Romantic nature

He Zudao fell in love with Guo Xiang at first sight, showing his romantic nature. However, his feelings were unrequited, as Guo Xiang’s heart belonged to Yang Guo.

Martial arts abilities

Swordsmanship

He Zudao was recognised as having exceptional swordsmanship skills, earning him the reputation of being a “saint” in swordsmanship in the Western Regions.

Zither playing

He Zudao’s zither playing was so excellent that he was considered a “saint” in the art of the zither. His musical talents allowed him to engage in exchanges with Guo Xiang, who was also musically gifted.

Chess

He Zudao’s chess skills were recognised as being at the level of a “saint,” demonstrating his intellectual and strategic abilities.

Relationships

With Guo Xiang

He Zudao fell in love with Guo Xiang when he met her at Shaolin Monastery, but his feelings were unrequited. Guo Xiang’s heart remained fixed on Yang Guo, and she did not return He Zudao’s affections.

With Yin Kexi

He Zudao helped Yin Kexi in his final moments, taking him to his home and attempting to treat his wounds. Before his death, Yin Kexi entrusted He Zudao with delivering a message to Jueyuan, which He Zudao faithfully fulfilled.

With Jueyuan

He Zudao delivered Yin Kexi’s message to Jueyuan, though due to a misunderstanding in the message, Jueyuan was unable to comprehend its true meaning.

With the Kunlun School

He Zudao later became a senior member of the Kunlun School, which he may have helped to establish. The school would become one of the Six Major Factions in the jianghu.

Behind the scenes

Name symbolism

The name “He Zudao” (何足道, “not worth mentioning”) reflects He Zudao’s modesty and humility. Despite his considerable reputation and skills, he chose a name that suggested his accomplishments were not worth mentioning, demonstrating his understanding that true mastery does not require arrogance.

The epithet “Three Kunlun Sages” (昆仑三圣) is intentionally misleading, as it suggests three people when it actually refers to one person who excels in three different arts. This naming reflects how reputations and titles can be misunderstood or misrepresented in the jianghu.

Cross-book appearance

He Zudao appears in both The Return of the Condor Heroes (in the epilogue/episode with Guo Xiang at Shaolin) and The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre (as a senior member of the Kunlun School). This connection between the two novels demonstrates Jin Yong’s interconnected storytelling and the continuity of his fictional world.

Role in the Nine Yang Manual story

He Zudao’s role in delivering Yin Kexi’s misunderstood message contributes to the mystery surrounding the Nine Yang Manual. The misunderstanding about the manual’s location (in the oil vs. in the monkey) adds to the complexity of the story and demonstrates how small details can have significant consequences.