Ke Baisui

Ke Baisui (simplified: 柯百岁, traditional: 柯百岁, pinyin: Kē Bǎisuì, jyutping: o1 baak3 seoi3) was the leader (掌门, zhangmen) of the Funiu School, a martial arts faction based in Nanyang, Henan province. He was killed by Murong Bo using his own school’s signature technique, the Hundred Victories Divine Whip (百胜神鞭), which created the appearance that he had been killed by someone using the Murong family’s philosophy of “using others’ techniques against them.”

Biography

Leadership of the Funiu School

Ke Baisui served as the leader of the Funiu School, a regional martial arts faction in the Central Plains. As zhangmen, he was responsible for training disciples and maintaining the school’s reputation. His disciples included Guo Yanzhi, known as the “Soul Chasing Whip” (追魂鞭), and his junior brother Cui Baiquan, known as the “Golden Abacus” (金算盘).

The Funiu School was known for its whip techniques, with the Hundred Victories Divine Whip being their signature martial art. While Ke Baisui was not considered a top-tier martial artist, his skills were described as combining both cleverness and power, making him a respected figure in the jianghu.

Death

Ke Baisui was killed by Murong Bo, who was in a state of suspended animation and had been secretly orchestrating various killings to frame his son, Murong Fu, and create chaos in the jianghu. Murong Bo used the Funiu School’s own technique, the Hundred Victories Divine Whip, specifically the move “Shattering of the Heavenly Spirit” (天灵千裂), to crush Ke Baisui’s skull.

This method of killing was designed to create the appearance that the Murong family’s philosophy of “using others’ techniques against them” (以彼之道，还施彼身) had been employed, initially leading investigators to suspect Murong Fu as the killer. However, the true perpetrator was Murong Bo, who was using these killings as part of a larger scheme to destabilise the jianghu.

Investigation and aftermath

Ke Baisui’s death triggered an investigation by his disciples, particularly Guo Yanzhi, who travelled to Dali Kingdom to seek help from his uncle, Cui Baiquan. The investigation eventually revealed the involvement of the Murong family, though the true identity of the killer (Murong Bo) was not immediately apparent.

Ke Baisui’s death became one of several killings that were part of Murong Bo’s larger conspiracy, which aimed to create conflict and chaos in the jianghu while advancing his own hidden agenda.

Personality and traits

Respected leader

As the leader of the Funiu School, Ke Baisui was a respected figure in the jianghu. His skills, while not at the highest level, were considered to combine both cleverness and power, earning him recognition among regional martial artists.

Dedicated teacher

Ke Baisui was dedicated to training his disciples, including Guo Yanzhi, who became known as the “Soul Chasing Whip” for his mastery of the school’s techniques. His commitment to passing on the school’s martial arts traditions demonstrated his role as a teacher and leader.

Martial arts abilities

Hundred Victories Divine Whip

Ke Baisui was a master of the Hundred Victories Divine Whip (百胜神鞭), the signature technique of the Funiu School. This technique included the move “Shattering of the Heavenly Spirit” (天灵千裂), which was used to kill him, demonstrating both the technique’s power and the irony of his death.

While Ke Baisui was not considered a top-tier martial artist, his skills were described as combining both cleverness and power, making him a respected figure in regional martial arts circles.

Relationships

Master to Guo Yanzhi

Ke Baisui was the master of Guo Yanzhi, who became known as the “Soul Chasing Whip” for his mastery of the school’s whip techniques. Their relationship was one of teacher and student, with Guo Yanzhi deeply respecting his master and seeking revenge after his death.

Senior brother to Cui Baiquan

Ke Baisui was the senior brother of Cui Baiquan, known as the “Golden Abacus,” who lived in seclusion in Dali Kingdom. Their relationship demonstrated the bonds within the Funiu School and Cui Baiquan’s loyalty to his master.

Behind the scenes

Role in the narrative

Ke Baisui’s death serves as a key plot point in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, connecting the Funiu School with the broader conspiracy orchestrated by Murong Bo. His killing method, using his own school’s technique, was designed to create the appearance of the Murong family’s “using others’ techniques against them” philosophy, initially framing Murong Fu and creating confusion in the investigation.

This incident illustrates the complex web of relationships and hidden agendas in the jianghu, where even seemingly straightforward killings could be part of larger conspiracies. Ke Baisui’s death, along with other similar killings, eventually helped reveal Murong Bo’s true identity and his role in the broader plot.

Portrayals

Ke Baisui has been portrayed in various adaptations of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, including:

1982 version: Played by Cen Qianbo (岑潜波)
2013 version: Played by Qi Qinglin (齐庆林)