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Ke Zhen'e
Wuxia Wiki | The Legend of the Condor Heroes | Characters

Ke Zhen'e

Introduction

Ke Zhen’e (simplified: 柯镇恶, traditional: 柯鎮惡, Jyutping: O1 Zan3 Ok3, pinyin: Kē Zhènè), known as the “Flying Bat”[^feitianbianfu] (飞天蝙蝠), was the blind leader of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan and the primary martial arts teacher of Guo Jing. Despite his blindness, he possessed extraordinary skills in staff combat and throwing poisoned caltrops, becoming one of the most respected figures amongst the martial artists of the jianghu[^jianghu] during the Southern Song dynasty.

Biography

Early life

Ke Zhen’e was born in the Song Dynasty to a family originally from Shandong[^shandong] Province’s Wenshan County. His family later migrated to Anhui[^anhui] Province before finally settling in Ke Family Village in Jiaxing[^jiaxing], Zhejiang[^zhejiang] Province. His elder brother Ke Pixie[^kepixie], known as the “Flying Divine Dragon” (飞天神龙), was also a skilled martial artist.

In his youth, Ke Zhen’e lived in poverty and often performed as a street entertainer, spinning plates and bowls to earn money for food. This harsh upbringing instilled in him both pride and sensitivity about his humble origins, traits that would define his character throughout his life.

Loss of sight and formation of the Seven Eccentrics

Two years before finding Guo Jing, tragedy struck when Ke Pixie was invited to join an alliance of martial artists to eliminate the notorious Black Wind Dual Evils[^heifengshuangsha]—Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng, who had mastered the deadly Nine Yin White Bone Claw[^jiuyinbaizhzhao]. Ke Zhen’e was unable to assist his brother as he was searching for Guo Jing with his six sworn siblings in Shandong and Hebei[^hebei] provinces. During the ensuing battle, Ke Pixie died heroically, and Ke Zhen’e lost his sight in the conflict.

Following this tragedy, Ke Zhen’e united with six other martial artists to form the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan. Each member brought unique skills: Zhu Cong the Swift-handed Scholar, Han Baoju the Divine Horse King, Nan Xiren the Southern Woodcutter, Zhang Asheng the Laughing Buddha, Quan Jinfa the Hidden Hero in the Busy City, and Han Xiaoying the Yue Maiden Swordswoman.

Quest for Guo Jing and training in Mongolia

The Seven Eccentrics embarked on their fateful mission after making a wager with Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen School. They agreed to find and train the sons of the recently deceased patriots Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin, with the goal of determining whose student would prove superior in eighteen years time.

After discovering six-year-old Guo Jing living amongst the Mongols under the protection of Temüjin (later Genghis Khan), Ke Zhen’e and his sworn siblings were initially dismayed by the boy’s apparent lack of natural talent. However, they recognised his earnest nature and unwavering determination, deciding to honour their commitment to his father’s memory.

For over a decade, Ke Zhen’e served as Guo Jing’s primary master, teaching him the fundamentals of the Demon-Subduing Staff Technique[^fumozhuangfa] and instilling in him the principles of righteousness and justice. Despite Guo Jing’s slow learning pace, Ke Zhen’e’s patience and strict discipline gradually transformed the boy into a capable martial artist.

Conflict with the Black Wind Dual Evils

During their time in Mongolia, the Seven Eccentrics encountered Mei Chaofeng, now known as the Iron Corpse. In the ensuing battle, Zhang Asheng was killed by her Nine Yin White Bone Claw, whilst young Guo Jing accidentally killed Chen Xuanfeng, the Copper Corpse, during the chaos. This encounter marked Guo Jing’s violent introduction to the deadly realities of the jianghu.

Return to the Central Plains

After eighteen years in Mongolia, Ke Zhen’e and the remaining Six Eccentrics returned to the Central Plains with Guo Jing for the appointed contest at Jiaxing. However, their homecoming was marred by tragedy when they were lured into a trap on Peach Blossom Island by the schemes of Ouyang Feng and Yang Kang.

Five of the remaining Six Eccentrics were killed in this conspiracy: Zhu Cong died from Ouyang Feng’s Toad Stance[^hamagonggong], Han Baoju was killed by Yang Kang’s Nine Yin White Bone Claw, Nan Xiren succumbed to snake venom, Quan Jinfa was also killed by Ouyang Feng, and Han Xiaoying took her own life rather than submit to dishonour.

Survival and later years

Ke Zhen’e was the sole survivor amongst the Seven Eccentrics. He escaped from Peach Blossom Island and later participated in the great battle at the Misty Rain Pavilion[^yanyulou] in Jiaxing, where he fought alongside Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qigong, Zhou Botong, and the Seven Masters of Quanzhen against Ouyang Feng, Wanyan Honglie, and Qiu Qianren.

After Guo Jing and Huang Rong married and took charge of defending Xiangyang[^xiangyang], Ke Zhen’e chose to live in solitude on Peach Blossom Island, spending his remaining years in contemplation of the past and the honour of his fallen sworn siblings.

Final encounter with Yang Guo

In his advanced years, estimated to be over ninety, Ke Zhen’e had a significant encounter with Yang Guo, the son of Yang Kang. When Yang Guo came to pay respects at his father’s grave in the Iron Spear Temple[^tieqiangmiao], he encountered Ke Zhen’e, who was there to honour a promise to four martial artists. During this meeting, Ke Zhen’e revealed the truth about Yang Kang’s treacherous life, helping Yang Guo understand his father’s true nature and inspiring him to reject his father’s path of betrayal and cowardice.

Personality and traits

Physical appearance

Ke Zhen’e was blind, with sharp cheekbones and a somewhat fierce countenance that reflected his stern disposition. He typically dressed in white clothing with a white cloth wrapped around his head, and carried his signature iron staff wherever he went. Despite his disability, his bearing commanded respect, and his acute hearing allowed him to function with remarkable efficiency in both daily life and combat situations.

Character traits

Ke Zhen’e possessed a complex personality marked by unwavering righteousness but also stubborn pride and quick temper. He embodied traditional values with a strong patriarchal outlook and deep respect for conventional social norms. His sense of justice was absolute, with little tolerance for moral ambiguity or compromise.

His most distinctive trait was his extreme sensitivity about his blindness. He could not tolerate even unintentional references to his condition and would often respond with anger or violence. This touchiness extended to his general demeanour—whilst fundamentally honourable, he was often harsh in his judgements and quick to suspect ill intentions.

Despite these rough edges, Ke Zhen’e was fundamentally loyal and devoted to those he cared about. He demonstrated remarkable patience in teaching Guo Jing, and his protection of the innocent never wavered throughout his long life. He once declared, “In my life I have been upright and honourable. For decades, there has not been a single matter where I have failed to live up to heaven and earth.”

Values and principles

Ke Zhen’e held an unwavering belief in traditional Chinese virtues: loyalty to one’s country, filial piety, keeping one’s word, and defending the weak against the strong. His motto of “a thousand pieces of gold cannot buy a promise” reflected his absolute commitment to honour and reliability.

He maintained strict standards of conduct and expected the same from others. When he gave his word, whether to protect someone or accept death, he considered it inviolable. This principle guided his final encounter with Yang Guo, where he was prepared to sacrifice his life to honour a commitment to four adversaries, demonstrating that his sense of honour transcended personal enmity.

Martial arts abilities

Demon-Subduing Staff Technique

Ke Zhen’e’s signature martial art was the Demon-Subduing Staff Technique[^fumozhuangfa], a powerful staff method characterised by crushing force and precise technique. Each strike carried tremendous power, and the staff could be used effectively with both ends, incorporating techniques for both striking and acupoint attacking. The technique’s strength lay in its overwhelming force and straightforward approach, making it particularly effective against opponents who relied on elaborate or deceptive techniques.

This was the primary martial art he taught to Guo Jing, and it became one of the foundational techniques in his student’s extensive martial repertoire. The technique was specifically developed and refined during Ke Zhen’e’s time in Mongolia, where he enhanced its effectiveness for potential future encounters with Mei Chaofeng.

Wind-listening Perception

Perhaps even more remarkable than his staff technique was Ke Zhen’e’s extraordinary ability to perceive his environment through sound. His mastery of this skill reached such heights that he could detect and intercept projectiles, identify the precise location of opponents, and navigate complex terrain with accuracy that often surpassed that of sighted individuals.

This skill allowed him to catch and redirect thrown objects, precisely aim his own projectiles, and detect approaching enemies from considerable distances. During combat, he could identify not only the location of opponents but also anticipate their movements based on subtle audio cues such as breathing patterns and the sound of fabric rustling.

Caltrop mastery

Ke Zhen’e was renowned for his skill with poisoned iron caltrops, which he could throw with deadly accuracy despite his blindness. These caltrops were coated with potent toxins and could be launched in multiple directions simultaneously, creating a defensive perimeter or pursuing fleeing opponents.

His accuracy with these weapons was legendary—he could strike specific points on an opponent’s body and even catch and redirect caltrops thrown by others. During his confrontation with Ouyang Feng in his later years, he demonstrated the ability to catch two of his own caltrops in mid-air after they had been deflected back towards him.

Relationships

Family relationships

Ke Zhen’e’s relationship with his elder brother Ke Pixie was one of deep mutual respect and shared commitment to justice. Ke Pixie’s death while fighting the Black Wind Dual Evils was a defining tragedy in Ke Zhen’e’s life, providing both the source of his blindness and the motivation for his unwavering pursuit of righteousness.

The loss of his brother created a profound sense of responsibility in Ke Zhen’e, who felt obligated to carry on the family’s tradition of fighting evil and protecting the innocent. This burden contributed to his stern demeanour and his intolerance for any behaviour that reminded him of the villains who had killed Ke Pixie.

Master-disciple relationships

Ke Zhen’e’s relationship with his primary disciple, Guo Jing, began with disappointment but evolved into deep pride and affection. Initially frustrated by the boy’s slow learning and apparent lack of natural talent, Ke Zhen’e gradually recognised Guo Jing’s rare qualities: unwavering determination, moral integrity, and absolute loyalty.

The training relationship was characterised by strict discipline and high expectations. Ke Zhen’e demanded perfection in both martial technique and moral conduct, instilling in Guo Jing the principles that would guide him throughout his heroic career. Even after Guo Jing far surpassed his master’s abilities through training with other renowned figures, their relationship remained one of mutual respect and deep affection.

During the tragic conspiracy on Peach Blossom Island, Ke Zhen’e briefly suspected Guo Jing of betraying the Seven Eccentrics, leading to a painful confrontation. However, when the truth was revealed through Huang Rong’s investigation, their relationship was restored, and Ke Zhen’e acknowledged his error with characteristic directness.

Friendships and rivalries

The Six Eccentrics who died on Peach Blossom Island represented Ke Zhen’e’s closest relationships. Each sworn sibling contributed unique skills and perspectives to their group, but all shared an commitment to fighting injustice and protecting the innocent. Their deaths represented not just personal loss but the destruction of a way of life built on simple moral principles and unwavering loyalty.

His relationship with Huang Rong began with deep suspicion and hostility. Ke Zhen’e initially viewed her as a “demon girl” whose influence might corrupt Guo Jing. However, when Huang Rong saved his life and helped expose the truth about the conspiracy that killed his sworn siblings, he gradually came to respect her intelligence and good heart, ultimately calling her “dear Rong’er” and treating her with grandfatherly affection.

Ke Zhen’e’s encounters with Yang Guo were complex, coloured by his knowledge of Yang Guo’s father’s treachery. Despite this history, he recognised Yang Guo’s potential for both good and evil, ultimately choosing to reveal the truth about Yang Kang rather than simply condemning the son for the father’s crimes.

Behind the scenes

Character creation and literary significance

Jin Yong created Ke Zhen’e as a representation of traditional Chinese virtues, embodying the classic ideals of righteousness, loyalty, and moral integrity that form the foundation of the wuxia genre. His blindness serves as both a physical limitation and a metaphor for moral clarity—whilst he cannot see the physical world, his moral vision remains unclouded by compromise or self-interest.

The character demonstrates Jin Yong’s interest in exploring how physical disabilities can be transcended through spiritual strength and determination. Ke Zhen’e’s mastery of sound-based combat techniques reflects traditional Chinese beliefs about compensation and the development of extraordinary abilities through adversity.

His role as mentor to Guo Jing establishes one of the most important teacher-student relationships in the novel, showing how moral education is as crucial as martial training in the development of a true hero. Through Ke Zhen’e’s influence, Guo Jing learns not just combat techniques but the principles of justice and loyalty that will guide his legendary career.

Cultural impact

Ke Zhen’e has become an iconic figure in wuxia literature, representing the archetypal stern but just mentor whose moral instruction proves as valuable as martial training. His famous declaration about living without shame before heaven and earth has entered popular Chinese culture as an expression of moral integrity.

The character’s combination of physical limitation with extraordinary ability has inspired numerous adaptations and influenced the portrayal of disabled characters in martial arts fiction. His story demonstrates that true strength comes from moral conviction rather than physical perfection.

Portrayals

Ke Zhen’e has been portrayed by numerous actors in film and television adaptations of Jin Yong’s novels:

The Legend of the Condor Heroes

The Return of the Condor Heroes

Jiang Yi’s multiple portrayals across different series in the 1980s and 1990s are particularly noteworthy for establishing the character’s definitive screen presence, combining stern authority with underlying compassion.