Hu Yidao (simplified: 胡一刀, traditional: 胡一刀, pinyin: Hú Yīdāo, jyutping: wu4 jat1 dou1), also known as the Black-faced Divine (黑面神) and the Great Hero of Liaodong (辽东大侠), was a legendary martial artist and one of Li Zicheng’s four bodyguards. He was the father of Hu Fei and a descendant of the Flying Fox (飞天狐狸), one of Li Zicheng’s original four bodyguards. Hu Yidao was considered one of the top martial artists in Jin Yong’s novels.
Biography
Background
Hu Yidao was a descendant of the Hu family, one of the four bodyguard families that served Li Zicheng. The four families—Hu, Miao, Fan, and Tian—had been locked in a cycle of revenge for generations due to misunderstandings about their ancestors’ actions. Hu Yidao inherited the Hu Clan Bladeworks (胡家刀法) and became renowned throughout the jianghu for his martial prowess and chivalrous deeds.
His name “Yidao” (一刀) meant “one sabre”, reflecting his reputation for killing corrupt officials and local tyrants with a single stroke of his blade.
Marriage and family
While searching for clues about the disappearance of Miao Renfeng’s father and Tian Guinong’s father, Hu Yidao discovered Li Zicheng’s treasure and met the cousin of Du Ximun, the master of Jade Brush Peak Manor. The two fell in love, and when she told him he could have either the treasure or her, Hu Yidao chose her, saying that ten thousand treasures were not worth her. They married and she became known as Hu夫人 (Madam Hu).
Final duel and death
When Hu Yidao’s wife became pregnant, he took her south for childbirth. In Cangzhou, they encountered members of the Miao, Fan, and Tian families seeking revenge. Hu Yidao and his wife stayed at the Ping’an Inn in Tangguantun, where she gave birth to their son, Hu Fei.
Hu Yidao attempted to resolve the family feud by sending Yan Ji to inform Miao Renfeng of the truth about their ancestors. However, Yan Ji only reached Tian Guinong, who concealed the message to ensure Hu Yidao and Miao Renfeng would fight.
Hu Yidao and Miao Renfeng agreed to duel. Before the fight, Miao Renfeng mentioned that four years earlier, Shang Jianming of the Bagua School had killed his two brothers, sister, and sister-in-law while he was away. On the first day of their duel, the two fought to a draw. That night, Hu Yidao travelled three hundred li to Shandong Wuding County, exhausted five horses, and killed Shang Jianming using Miao Clan Swordplay, then presented Shang’s head to Miao Renfeng the next day.
Over five days, Hu Yidao and Miao Renfeng fought during the day and drank together at night, discussing martial arts and exchanging techniques. They developed a deep mutual respect and friendship. However, Tian Guinong had bribed Yan Ji to poison both their weapons. During the final exchange, Miao Renfeng accidentally cut Hu Yidao’s left arm, and the poison quickly killed him.
Before dying, Hu Yidao entrusted his infant son to Miao Renfeng. His wife, seeing her husband dead, committed suicide, leaving their son Hu Fei to be raised by Ping Asi.
Personality
Hu Yidao was characterised by his heroic and chivalrous nature. He was straightforward, honest, and valued justice above all else. Despite his fierce appearance and reputation, he had a kind heart and was willing to help those in need, as demonstrated by his assistance to Ping Asi.
He was also wise and perceptive, understanding the futility of the generational feud between the four families and actively seeking to resolve it. His choice of his wife over the treasure demonstrated his values, and his willingness to help Miao Renfeng avenge his family showed his magnanimity.
Martial arts
Hu Yidao was a master of the Hu Clan Bladeworks (胡家刀法), which emphasised precision and technique over brute force. During his duel with Miao Renfeng, he learned the Miao Clan Swordplay (苗家剑法), and the two masters exchanged their techniques, demonstrating their mutual respect and trust.
Legacy
Hu Yidao’s death set in motion the events of both novels. His son Hu Fei inherited his martial arts and sense of justice, becoming the Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain. The unresolved feud between the families continued to affect the next generation, though Hu Fei and Miao Renfeng eventually developed a friendship similar to that between Hu Yidao and Miao Renfeng.