Li Mochou

Li Mochou (simplified: 李莫愁, traditional: 李莫愁, Jyutping: lei5 mok6 sau4, pinyin: Lǐ Mòchóu) was a former disciple of the Ancient Tomb School and the senior martial sister of Xiaolongnü. Known by her nickname the Scarlet Serpent Fairy (赤练仙子), she was once a kind and gentle woman who became a ruthless killer after being betrayed by her lover Lu Zhanyuan, transforming into one of the most feared figures in the martial arts world.

Her tragic story of love turned to hatred, combined with her formidable martial arts skills and cruel methods, made her both a terrifying antagonist and a deeply sympathetic character. Li Mochou’s relationship with the infant Guo Xiang revealed the remnants of her humanity, while her ultimate fate in the Valley of Heartlessness provided one of the novel’s most memorable and poignant scenes.

Background and Early Life

Origins in the Ancient Tomb

Li Mochou was originally a disciple of the Ancient Tomb School, trained by one of Lin Chaoying’s maids who had inherited the school’s martial arts traditions. As the senior disciple, she was expected to follow the school’s strict rules, including the vow never to leave the ancient tomb and to remain celibate for life.

The Ancient Tomb School’s training emphasized:

Internal cultivation and meditation
Martial arts techniques designed to counter Quanzhen Order methods
Emotional detachment from worldly affairs
Isolation from the outside world

Li Mochou excelled in her training and showed exceptional talent, but she struggled with the restrictive lifestyle and yearned for the outside world.

The Fateful Encounter

Li Mochou’s life changed dramatically when she encountered Lu Zhanyuan (陆展元), the master of the Lu family estate in Jiangnan. This meeting occurred during one of her rare ventures outside the tomb, and it marked the beginning of her tragic downfall.

Initial Attraction: Lu Zhanyuan was handsome, cultured, and represented everything she had been denied in her isolated life

Growing Love: Their relationship developed into deep romantic attachment

Forbidden Feelings: Her love conflicted directly with her martial arts vows and school rules

Internal Conflict: She faced a choice between duty to her school and personal happiness

The Betrayal

The relationship between Li Mochou and Lu Zhanyuan seemed destined for happiness, but fate had other plans:

Lu Zhanyuan’s Injury: During their courtship, Lu Zhanyuan was seriously injured, and Li Mochou nursed him back to health, disregarding propriety and social conventions

Deepening Bond: Their time together during his recovery strengthened their emotional connection

Promise of Marriage: Lu Zhanyuan appeared to reciprocate her feelings and made promises of a future together

The Cruel Abandonment: Despite her devotion and care, Lu Zhanyuan ultimately chose to marry He Yuanjun (何沅君), abandoning Li Mochou without explanation or consideration

Devastating Impact: This betrayal shattered Li Mochou’s world and fundamentally altered her personality

Transformation into the Scarlet Serpent Fairy

Expulsion from the Ancient Tomb

Li Mochou’s involvement with Lu Zhanyuan violated the fundamental rules of the Ancient Tomb School:

Breaking the Vow: Her romantic relationship directly contradicted her vow of celibacy

Leaving the Tomb: She had repeatedly left the tomb to meet Lu Zhanyuan

Emotional Attachment: She had formed worldly attachments, contrary to the school’s teachings

Master’s Disappointment: Her master, already preferring the younger Xiaolongnü, expelled Li Mochou from the school

Loss of Home: She was permanently banished from the only home she had ever known

Psychological Transformation

The combination of romantic betrayal and loss of her martial arts family created a perfect storm of psychological trauma:

Love to Hatred: Her deep love for Lu Zhanyuan transformed into an equally intense hatred

Innocence Lost: Her trusting nature was replaced by cynicism and cruelty

Identity Crisis: She lost both her role as a disciple and her identity as a beloved woman

Emotional Numbness: To protect herself from further pain, she suppressed her capacity for normal human emotion

Vengeful Purpose: Revenge became her primary motivation and reason for living

Adoption of the Scarlet Serpent Persona

Li Mochou deliberately cultivated her fearsome reputation:

The Name: “Scarlet Serpent” (赤练) referenced both a venomous snake and her red-themed martial arts

Distinctive Appearance: She wore apricot-yellow Daoist robes and carried a horsetail whisk

Signature Methods: She developed cruel and efficient killing techniques

Psychological Warfare: Her reputation preceded her, often defeating enemies through fear alone

Systematic Approach: She left bloody handprints at crime scenes, with each print representing one victim

Martial Arts and Combat Abilities

Ancient Tomb School Foundation

Despite her expulsion, Li Mochou retained her training in Ancient Tomb School martial arts:

Internal Energy Cultivation: Strong foundation in internal energy development

Lightness Skills: Exceptional qinggong abilities allowing for swift movement and escape

Combat Techniques: Comprehensive training in both armed and unarmed combat

Strategic Thinking: Tactical approach to martial arts emphasizing efficiency and surprise

Signature Weapons and Techniques

Ice Soul Silver Needles (冰魄银针)

Li Mochou’s most feared weapon was her collection of poisoned needles:

Physical Description: Exquisitely crafted silver needles with intricate patterns

Deadly Poison: Contact with the needles caused immediate poisoning, turning the skin black

Instant Lethality: Even a small puncture wound would cause death within moments

Concealment: The needles were small and easily hidden, making them perfect for surprise attacks

Psychological Impact: The reputation of these needles often paralyzed enemies with fear

Scarlet Serpent Divine Palm (赤练神掌)

Her signature palm technique combined martial arts with poison:

Poisonous Energy: The palm strikes carried toxic energy that infected wounds

Distinctive Marks: Wounds appeared bright red like cinnabar, giving the technique its name

Painful Death: Victims suffered extreme pain and itching before dying with blackened faces

Self-Created Technique: She developed this art by studying toxicology and combining it with her martial training

Written Manual: She documented the technique and its antidotes in her “Five Poisons Secret Manual”

Three No Three Not Hand (三无三不手)

A vicious fighting technique that embodied Li Mochou’s ruthless nature:

No Hole Not Entered (无孔不入): Attacked all the enemy’s vital points simultaneously

No Place Not Reached (无所不至): Targeted obscure and difficult-to-defend pressure points

No Act Not Performed (无所不为): Struck soft and vulnerable areas like eyes, throat, and groin

Systematic Cruelty: The technique was designed to maximize suffering and ensure victory

Psychological Aspect: The name itself was meant to intimidate opponents

Combat Style and Strategy

Li Mochou’s fighting approach reflected her personality and background:

Efficiency Over Honor: She prioritized winning over fighting fairly

Psychological Warfare: Used fear and reputation to gain advantages

Surprise Attacks: Preferred ambush tactics and unexpected strikes

Poison Integration: Incorporated toxins into all aspects of her combat

Emotional Manipulation: Exploited opponents’ emotions and relationships

Major Storylines and Conflicts

The Lu Family Massacre

Li Mochou’s most infamous act was the systematic elimination of the Lu family:

Ten-Year Wait: She had promised a Dali monk to wait ten years before seeking revenge

Perfect Timing: She arrived exactly when the period expired

Methodical Killing: She murdered Lu Zhanyuan’s relatives one by one

Symbolic Handprints: Left nine bloody handprints on the wall, representing her nine victims

Emotional Motivation: The massacre was driven by her need to erase all traces of Lu Zhanyuan’s happiness

Collateral Damage: She also killed anyone whose name resembled He Yuanjun’s

Pursuit of Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying

After the massacre, Li Mochou relentlessly pursued the two young women who had escaped:

Lu Wushuang: The daughter of Lu Zhanyuan’s brother, who became her reluctant disciple

Cheng Ying: He Yuanjun’s cousin, who also escaped the initial attack

Cat and Mouse: She enjoyed the psychological torture of hunting them

Training Lu Wushuang: She taught Lu Wushuang martial arts while keeping her under control

Complex Relationship: Her treatment of Lu Wushuang revealed her conflicted nature

Encounters with Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü

Li Mochou’s interactions with the protagonists were central to the novel’s plot:

Ancient Tomb Invasion: She repeatedly attempted to enter the tomb to steal the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra

Martial Arts Contests: Engaged in several battles with Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü

Jealousy of Xiaolongnü: Resented her junior sister’s favored status with their master

Gradual Recognition: Came to respect Yang Guo’s character and abilities

Complicated Emotions: Her feelings toward the couple mixed hatred, jealousy, and grudging admiration

The Guo Xiang Incident

One of Li Mochou’s most significant character developments involved the infant Guo Xiang:

Kidnapping for Leverage: She initially took the baby to use against Guo Jing and Huang Rong

Unexpected Maternal Feelings: The baby’s innocence awakened dormant maternal instincts

Protective Behavior: She found herself genuinely caring for Guo Xiang’s welfare

Internal Conflict: This experience forced her to confront her suppressed humanity

Character Revelation: Showed that beneath her cruelty, traces of her original kindness remained

Confrontations with Major Heroes

Li Mochou faced several of the era’s greatest martial artists:

Battle with Ke Zhene

Her encounter with Ke Zhene, the leader of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan:

Mutual Respect: Despite being enemies, they recognized each other’s abilities

Tactical Combat: Ke Zhene used his experience to partially counter her advantages

Merciful Victory: She could have killed him but chose not to, showing restraint

Strategic Withdrawal: She retreated rather than risk attracting Guo Jing and Huang Rong’s attention

Conflict with Huang Rong

Her battles with Huang Rong were particularly significant:

Intellectual Equals: Both were highly intelligent and strategic fighters

Tactical Maneuvering: Their conflicts involved complex psychological and strategic elements

Mutual Caution: Each recognized the other as a formidable opponent

Guo Xiang Factor: Their relationship was complicated by Li Mochou’s care for Huang Rong’s daughter

Character Development and Psychology

The Tragedy of Unrequited Love

Li Mochou’s character was fundamentally shaped by her romantic tragedy:

Idealistic Love: Her love for Lu Zhanyuan was pure and all-consuming

Complete Devotion: She sacrificed everything for their relationship

Devastating Betrayal: His abandonment destroyed her faith in love and humanity

Inability to Move On: She remained emotionally frozen at the moment of betrayal

Love as Obsession: Her definition of love became possessive and destructive

The Duality of Her Nature

Li Mochou embodied contradictory characteristics:

Cruelty and Kindness: Capable of both extreme violence and unexpected mercy

Intelligence and Irrationality: Brilliant strategist who was driven by irrational emotions

Strength and Vulnerability: Formidable warrior who was emotionally fragile

Independence and Dependence: Self-reliant but emotionally dependent on her memories of Lu Zhanyuan

Teacher and Destroyer: Could nurture disciples while destroying enemies

Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Her behavior patterns revealed sophisticated psychological defenses:

Emotional Numbness: Suppressed normal emotions to avoid further pain

Projection: Blamed others for her suffering rather than accepting her choices

Control: Sought to control others as compensation for her own powerlessness

Reputation Management: Cultivated fear to prevent others from getting close enough to hurt her

Ritualistic Behavior: Her systematic killing methods provided psychological comfort

Relationships and Interactions

With Lu Wushuang

Her relationship with Lu Wushuang was complex and evolving:

Surrogate Daughter: Lu Wushuang represented both her connection to Lu Zhanyuan and her suppressed maternal instincts

Teaching and Tormenting: She trained Lu Wushuang in martial arts while psychologically manipulating her

Conflicted Feelings: Simultaneously wanted to protect and punish the girl

Gradual Affection: Over time, developed genuine care for Lu Wushuang’s welfare

Ultimate Sacrifice: Her final act was partially motivated by concern for her disciple

With Hong Lingbo

Hong Lingbo served as Li Mochou’s loyal disciple:

Absolute Loyalty: Hong Lingbo was completely devoted to her master

Emotional Support: Provided Li Mochou with the unconditional acceptance she craved

Tragic Devotion: Hong Lingbo’s loyalty ultimately led to her death

Master’s Regret: Li Mochou’s treatment of Hong Lingbo revealed her capacity for remorse

With Xiaolongnü

Her relationship with her junior martial sister was complicated by jealousy and resentment:

Sibling Rivalry: Felt that their master had unfairly favored Xiaolongnü

Martial Competition: Constantly compared their respective abilities and achievements

Emotional Projection: Saw Xiaolongnü’s happiness with Yang Guo as a reminder of her own loss

Grudging Respect: Eventually acknowledged Xiaolongnü’s martial arts and character

Unresolved Conflict: Their relationship remained tense until Li Mochou’s death

With Yang Guo

Her interactions with Yang Guo evolved significantly:

Initial Hostility: Saw him as an obstacle to her goals

Growing Recognition: Came to respect his character and abilities

Complicated Emotions: Her feelings mixed antagonism with reluctant admiration

Surrogate Relationship: In some ways, Yang Guo represented what Lu Zhanyuan might have been

Final Understanding: Their last encounter showed mutual respect despite their conflicts

The Valley of Heartlessness

The Passion Flower Poison

Li Mochou’s final storyline took place in the Valley of Heartlessness:

Deadly Flora: The valley contained passion flowers whose pollen was lethal

Ironic Poisoning: She was poisoned by flowers named for the emotion that had destroyed her

Symbolic Justice: The poison represented the toxic nature of her obsessive love

Inevitable Fate: Her poisoning seemed like poetic justice for her crimes

No Antidote: The poison was incurable, making her death inevitable

Final Confrontations

Her last battles revealed her true character:

Surrounded by Enemies: Faced multiple opponents including Wu family members and her former disciples

Desperate Fighting: Fought with the knowledge that death was approaching

Protecting Lu Wushuang: Despite everything, she tried to ensure her disciple’s survival

Facing Reality: Finally confronted the consequences of her choices

Seeking Redemption: Her actions suggested a desire for some form of atonement

The Death Scene

Li Mochou’s death was one of the novel’s most memorable and tragic scenes:

Choosing Her Death: Rather than dying slowly from poison, she chose to end her life on her own terms

Into the Flames: She walked into a fire of burning passion flowers

Final Song: Even as she burned, she sang the poem that had defined her life: “Ask the world, what is love, that it makes life and death pledges?”

Symbolic Imagery: Her death by fire purged her of earthly attachments

Tragic Beauty: The scene combined horror with a strange, terrible beauty

Redemptive Elements: Her final moments suggested spiritual release from her torment

Literary and Cultural Significance

Themes Embodied

Li Mochou’s character explored several important themes:

Love and Obsession: The difference between healthy love and destructive obsession

Revenge and Justice: The cost of pursuing vengeance and its ultimate futility

Redemption and Forgiveness: The possibility of finding peace through acceptance and sacrifice

Gender and Power: How women responded to powerlessness in a male-dominated society

Fate and Choice: The interplay between destiny and personal responsibility

Cultural Impact

Li Mochou became one of Jin Yong’s most memorable characters:

Archetypal Figure: Represented the “woman scorned” archetype in Chinese literature

Sympathetic Villain: Demonstrated how antagonists could be complex and relatable

Tragic Heroine: Her story resonated with readers who understood her pain

Literary Influence: Influenced subsequent portrayals of tragic female characters in wuxia fiction

Popular Culture: Became a recognizable figure in Chinese popular culture

The Famous Poem

The poem associated with Li Mochou became iconic:

“Ask the world, what is love, that it makes life and death pledges?”

This line, from Yuan Haowen’s poem about devoted geese, became Li Mochou’s theme song and one of the most quoted passages in Jin Yong’s works. It perfectly captured her tragic obsession with love and the way it had consumed her entire existence.

Adaptations and Legacy

Film and Television

Li Mochou has been portrayed by numerous actresses across different adaptations:

Visual Impact: Her distinctive appearance made her memorable in visual media

Acting Challenges: The role required balancing cruelty with underlying vulnerability

Iconic Scenes: Her death scene became a highlight of most adaptations

Character Development: Different versions emphasized different aspects of her personality

Literary Analysis

Scholars and critics have extensively analyzed Li Mochou’s character:

Psychological Complexity: Her character demonstrated Jin Yong’s sophisticated understanding of human psychology

Social Commentary: Her story reflected issues of women’s agency and social constraints

Moral Ambiguity: She challenged simple notions of good and evil

Narrative Function: Served as both antagonist and tragic figure

Influence on the Genre

Li Mochou’s character influenced the wuxia genre in several ways:

Complex Villains: Helped establish the tradition of morally ambiguous antagonists

Tragic Backstories: Showed how personal trauma could create compelling villains

Emotional Depth: Demonstrated that action stories could explore deep psychological themes

Character Arcs: Her development from victim to villain to tragic figure became a template for other characters

Philosophical Implications

The Nature of Love

Li Mochou’s story raised profound questions about love:

Possessive vs. Selfless Love: Her love was ultimately selfish and destructive

Love as Identity: She defined herself entirely through her romantic relationship

The Price of Attachment: Her story illustrated Buddhist concepts about the suffering caused by attachment

Love and Hate: Showed how extreme love could transform into equally extreme hatred

Justice and Revenge

Her pursuit of vengeance explored moral complexities:

Personal Justice: Whether individuals had the right to seek their own justice

Proportional Response: The relationship between the offense and the punishment

Collateral Damage: The innocent victims of personal vendettas

Cycle of Violence: How revenge perpetuated rather than resolved conflicts

Redemption and Forgiveness

Despite her crimes, Li Mochou’s story suggested possibilities for redemption:

Self-Awareness: Her final moments showed understanding of her choices

Sacrifice: Her care for Guo Xiang and Lu Wushuang demonstrated retained humanity

Spiritual Release: Her death suggested liberation from earthly torments

Reader Sympathy: Jin Yong encouraged readers to find compassion even for his villains

Conclusion

Li Mochou stands as one of Jin Yong’s most complex and memorable characters, embodying the tragic consequences of obsessive love and the possibility of redemption even in the darkest circumstances. Her transformation from innocent young woman to fearsome killer to tragic victim illustrated the profound impact of betrayal and loss on the human psyche.

Her story serves as both a cautionary tale about the dangers of defining oneself entirely through romantic love and a meditation on the nature of justice, revenge, and forgiveness. The Scarlet Serpent Fairy remains one of literature’s most compelling examples of how personal trauma can create monsters, while also suggesting that even monsters retain traces of their original humanity.

Through Li Mochou, Jin Yong explored themes that resonate across cultures and centuries: the power of love to both elevate and destroy, the complexity of human motivation, and the possibility of finding peace through acceptance and sacrifice. Her final scene, singing about love as she burns in the passion flower flames, remains one of the most haunting and beautiful moments in all of wuxia literature.