The King of Venoms (simplified: 毒手药王, traditional: 毒手藥王, pinyin: Dúshǒu Yàowáng, jyutping: duk6 sau2 joek6 wong4), also known as Master Wuchen (无嗔大师), was a renowned master of medicine and poison in Side Story of the Flying Fox. He was the author of the Medicine King Divine Record (药王神篇) and the master of Cheng Lingsu, who inherited his legacy.
Biography
Early life and religious names
The King of Venoms underwent a spiritual transformation throughout his life, reflected in the changes to his Buddhist name. Initially, he had a violent temper and took the name “Master Dachen” (大嗔, meaning “Great Anger”). As he cultivated his character and made progress, he changed his name to “Master Yichen” (一嗔, meaning “One Anger”). Eventually, he reached the state of “Master Wuchen” (无嗔, meaning “No Anger”), achieving a state of peace and equanimity.
Apprenticeship and teachings
The King of Venoms had four disciples. His first three disciples—Murong Jingyue, Jiang Tieshan, and Xue Que—were unskilled and often abused their power, causing trouble and making enemies. Disappointed with them, he took Cheng Lingsu as his closing disciple and passed down all his knowledge to her.
Before his death, the King of Venoms wrote the Medicine King Divine Record, a comprehensive work on medicine and poison. He instructed Cheng Lingsu that if any of the three senior disciples showed remorse and remembered their master, she should show them the Medicine King Divine Record. However, if they showed no grief or remembrance, their master-disciple relationship would be severed.
Relationship with Miao Renfeng
The King of Venoms was a friend of Miao Renfeng and had promised to help him if needed. When Miao Renfeng’s eyes were poisoned by the Heartbreak Grass (断肠草), Cheng Lingsu fulfilled her master’s promise and cured Miao Renfeng’s blindness.
Conflict with Shi Wanchen
The King of Venoms had a junior brother, Shi Wanchen, who had studied with him in their youth. However, Shi Wanchen used poison without restraint and harmed innocent people, leading to his expulsion from the school. Shi Wanchen’s actions eventually contributed to the death of Hu Yidao, who was poisoned during his duel with Miao Renfeng.
The King of Venoms was forced to clean up his school and confront Shi Wanchen. Although he was superior to Shi Wanchen in both martial arts and poison techniques, he showed mercy and only temporarily blinded Shi Wanchen, preventing him from causing harm for several years.
Legacy
The King of Venoms passed down the Medicine King Divine Record to Cheng Lingsu, who successfully cultivated the Seven Heart Begonia (七心海棠), a deadly poison plant that even her master had been unable to grow. After his death, Cheng Lingsu used her master’s teachings to eliminate the traitorous Shi Wanchen and protect the legacy of the Medicine King school.
Personality
The King of Venoms was depicted as a wise and compassionate master who had achieved inner peace through years of cultivation. Despite his expertise in poison, he was fundamentally kind-hearted and unwilling to harm others unnecessarily. His transformation from “Great Anger” to “No Anger” reflects his spiritual journey and growth as a person.
Relationships
- Cheng Lingsu (Closing Disciple): His most trusted disciple, who inherited his legacy and fulfilled his final wishes.
- Murong Jingyue, Jiang Tieshan, Xue Que (Disciples): His first three disciples, who disappointed him with their lack of skill and moral character.
- Shi Wanchen (Junior Brother): His evil junior brother, whom he expelled from the school and later confronted.
- Miao Renfeng (Friend): A renowned martial artist whom he promised to help if needed.
- Hu Yidao (Victim): The legendary hero whose death was indirectly caused by Shi Wanchen’s poison.
Martial Arts and Skills
The King of Venoms was a master of both medicine and poison. He authored the Medicine King Divine Record, which contained comprehensive knowledge of herbal medicine, poison techniques, and their antidotes. He was skilled in surgical procedures and poison techniques, though Cheng Lingsu eventually surpassed him in some areas, particularly in cultivating the Seven Heart Begonia.
Legacy
The King of Venoms represents the ideal of a master who combines great skill with moral integrity. His transformation from anger to peace demonstrates the possibility of spiritual growth and redemption. His legacy lives on through Cheng Lingsu, who used his teachings to help others and eliminate evil, fulfilling his final wishes even after his death.