Hua Hui

Hua Hui (simplified: 华辉, traditional: 華輝, pinyin: Huá Huī, jyutping: waa4 fai1), also known as Walazi (瓦耳拉齐, Wǎ’ěrlāqí), was a skilled martial arts hermit who became Li Wenxiu’s master in White Horse Neighing in the West Wind. He was later revealed to be a Kazakh who had fled to China after losing Yalixian (Aman’s mother) to Cherku.

Biography

Early life and flight from Kazakh territory

Hua Hui was originally a Kazakh man named Walazi. He fell in love with Yalixian (雅丽仙), but when she chose Cherku (车尔库) instead, Walazi’s unrequited love turned to obsession and violence. His actions led to his expulsion from the Kazakh community, and he fled to China, where he adopted the name Hua Hui.

In China, he established himself as a skilled martial artist, earning recognition in the jianghu. However, his past continued to haunt him, and he became increasingly isolated and embittered.

Taking Ma Jiajun as apprentice

Hua Hui took Ma Jiajun as his apprentice. However, when Hua Hui ordered Ma Jiajun to poison a well used by the Kazakhs as part of his revenge plan, Ma Jiajun refused and instead wounded Hua Hui with poison needles, then fled and went into hiding as “Old Man Ji” (计老人).

Meeting Li Wenxiu

Years later, while living in seclusion in an oasis in the desert, Hua Hui was discovered by Li Wenxiu. Li Wenxiu helped remove three poison needles that had been embedded in Hua Hui’s back for over a decade—the same needles that Ma Jiajun had used to wound him.

Grateful for her help, Hua Hui taught Li Wenxiu martial arts and eventually accepted her as his disciple. Under his instruction, she trained for two years and developed into a first-class martial artist.

Return to the Gaochang Maze

Hua Hui’s identity was revealed during the events at the Gaochang Maze. He had returned to seek revenge and to retrieve what he believed to be treasures. However, the maze’s supposed treasures turned out to be merely everyday items from Central China.

Final confrontation and death

In the Gaochang Maze, Hua Hui was confronted by Ma Jiajun, his former apprentice. Their final confrontation proved fatal for both, as they fought to the death. Hua Hui died in the maze, ending his quest for revenge and closure.

Personality and traits

Skilled but tormented

Hua Hui was a highly skilled martial artist who had earned recognition in the jianghu. However, his skills were matched by the torment of his unrequited love and the bitterness of his exile from his homeland.

Driven by revenge

His actions throughout the story were driven by his desire for revenge against the Kazakhs and his inability to accept Yalixian’s rejection. This obsession ultimately led to his downfall.

Martial arts abilities

Hua Hui was a highly skilled martial artist, capable of training Li Wenxiu to become a first-class martial artist in just two years. His techniques included various sophisticated methods, though his specific martial arts are not extensively detailed in the novella.

Relationships

Apprentices

Li Wenxiu — His disciple, whom he trained for two years
Ma Jiajun — His former apprentice, who wounded him and later confronted him in the Gaochang Maze

Love and loss

Yalixian — The Kazakh woman he loved but lost to Cherku, which drove his bitterness and desire for revenge
Cherku — His rival for Yalixian’s affections

Behind the scenes

Hua Hui’s character explores themes of unrequited love, revenge, and the destructive power of obsession. His story parallels other tragic figures in the novella, particularly in how his inability to accept rejection led to a life of isolation and violence.

His relationship with Ma Jiajun demonstrates the complex dynamics between master and apprentice, and how principles can override loyalty when moral boundaries are crossed.

Portrayals

Hua Hui has been portrayed in various adaptations of White Horse Neighing in the West Wind.