Hu Fei (simplified: 胡斐, traditional: 胡斐, pinyin: Hú Fěi, jyutping: wu4 fei2), also known as the Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain (雪山飞狐), was the protagonist of both Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain and Side Story of the Flying Fox. He was the son of Hu Yidao the Black-faced Divine (辽东大侠) and a descendant of the Flying Fox (飞天狐狸), one of Li Zicheng’s four bodyguards. Hu Fei was considered one of the top martial artists in Jin Yong’s novels.
Biography
Early life
Hu Fei was born to Hu Yidao and his wife in Cangzhou during their journey south for childbirth. Shortly after his birth, his father was poisoned and killed during a duel with Miao Renfeng, and his mother committed suicide, entrusting the infant Hu Fei to Miao Renfeng. However, Tian Guinong attempted to kill the child, and Ping Asi, a servant indebted to Hu Yidao, rescued Hu Fei and raised him as his foster son.
Ping Asi possessed the Hu Clan Bladeworks manual, though the first few pages had been stolen by Yan Ji. Hu Fei trained from the incomplete manual, which limited his martial arts progress until Ping Asi recovered the missing pages at the Shang Family Castle.
In Side Story of the Flying Fox
As a young man, Hu Fei travelled the jianghu seeking justice and helping the oppressed. At the Shang Family Castle, he encountered Zhao Banshan of the Red Flower Society, and the two became sworn brothers. Hu Fei also met Yuan Ziyi and Cheng Lingsu, developing romantic feelings for Yuan Ziyi while forming a brother-sister bond with Cheng Lingsu.
Hu Fei pursued Feng Tiannan, a local tyrant who had murdered Zhong Asi and his family. Despite repeated interference from Yuan Ziyi, Hu Fei remained determined to bring Feng to justice, eventually succeeding at the Wulin Leader Conference.
When Miao Renfeng’s eyes were poisoned, Hu Fei sought Cheng Lingsu’s help to cure him. Cheng Lingsu, who had fallen in love with Hu Fei, agreed and successfully treated Miao Renfeng. However, Hu Fei was poisoned by Shi Wanchen, and Cheng Lingsu sacrificed her own life to save him by sucking the poison from his wound.
After learning that Tian Guinong had deceived him into believing Miao Renfeng had killed his father and foster father, Hu Fei vowed revenge against Miao Renfeng and travelled to the snowy mountains to guard the treasure that his family had protected for generations.
In Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain
Hu Fei arrived at Jade Brush Peak, where various martial artists had gathered seeking Li Zicheng’s treasure. There he met Miao Ruolan, Miao Renfeng’s daughter, and the two fell in love. When Miao Ruolan was threatened and stripped by the treasure seekers, Hu Fei rescued her and Miao Renfeng, though Miao Renfeng misunderstood the situation and challenged Hu Fei to a duel.
The two fought on a crumbling cliff, and in the final moment, Hu Fei faced a dilemma: strike down Miao Renfeng and violate his promise to Miao Ruolan, or allow himself to be killed. The novel ends with this unresolved question, leaving readers to speculate on the outcome.
Personality
Hu Fei was characterised by his straightforward and chivalrous nature. He actively sought to uphold justice and fairness, often intervening when he witnessed injustice. Unlike many other Jin Yong protagonists driven by national or family vendettas, Hu Fei’s sense of justice came from a pure desire to maintain moral principles and protect the weak.
He was honest and sometimes naive, trusting others too easily, which led to several dangerous situations. However, he was also quick-witted and resourceful, able to think on his feet and adapt to changing circumstances.
Martial arts
Hu Fei mastered the Hu Clan Bladeworks (胡家刀法), the signature martial art of his family, passed down from his father. He also learned the Four Symbols Step (四象步), Spring Silkworm Palm (春蚕掌法), and West Mountain Huáquán (西岳华拳). His primary weapon was the Cold Moon Treasure Sabre (冷月宝刀).
Relationships
- Hu Yidao: Hu Fei’s father, killed when Hu Fei was an infant
- Ping Asi: Hu Fei’s foster father, who raised him after his parents’ death
- Miao Renfeng: Initially believed to be his father’s killer, later revealed to be a friend
- Miao Ruolan: Miao Renfeng’s daughter, Hu Fei’s love interest in Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain
- Yuan Ziyi: A Buddhist nun and Hu Fei’s first love, who left him due to her religious vows
- Cheng Lingsu: Hu Fei’s sworn sister, who sacrificed her life to save him
- Zhao Banshan: Hu Fei’s sworn brother, third leader of the Red Flower Society