Lin Yuantu (simplified: 林远图, traditional: 林遠圖, pinyin: Lín Yuǎntú, jyutping: lam4 jyun5 tou4), formerly known as the Shaolin monk Duyuan (渡元), was the founder of the Fuwei Armed Escort and one of the most powerful martial artists of his generation. His name means “Far-reaching Plan” or “Grand Vision.” He created the Evil-Warding Swordplay based on the Sunflower Manual, becoming a legendary figure whose reputation would haunt his descendants for generations.
Biography
Early life as a Shaolin monk
Lin Yuantu was originally a monk at Putian Shaolin Temple, where he was a disciple of Hongye (红叶), one of the temple’s most respected masters. He was known as Duyuan (渡元) and was considered one of Hongye’s most promising disciples.
The Sunflower Manual incident
When Yue Su and Cai Zifeng of the Huashan School visited Putian Shaolin Temple and secretly copied the Sunflower Manual, Hongye discovered their actions and sent Duyuan to Huashan to investigate.
At Huashan, Yue Su and Cai Zifeng apologised for their actions but also asked Duyuan for guidance on the manual’s contents. Duyuan had not yet read the Sunflower Manual, but when he saw it, he memorised its contents and provided explanations to Yue Su and Cai Zifeng while secretly learning the techniques himself.
After staying at Huashan for eight days and memorising most of the manual’s contents, Duyuan left and went to a cave, where he combined what he had learned from the Sunflower Manual with his own understanding to create a new martial art—the Evil-Warding Swordplay—which he wrote on his monk’s robe.
Leaving the monastery and founding the escort
Duyuan’s worldly desires were awakened, and he decided to leave the monastery and return to secular life. He reversed his dharma name “Duyuan” (渡元) to create his secular name “Yuantu” (远图) and took the surname Lin.
Using the seventy-two forms of the Evil-Warding Swordplay, along with the one hundred and eight forms of the Sky-Turning Palm (翻天掌) and eighteen Silver Feather Arrows (银羽箭), Lin Yuantu defeated martial artists throughout the jianghu, including Changqingzi, the leader of the Qingcheng School, who was known as “Number One in Swordplay West of the Three Gorges.”
Founding the Fuwei Armed Escort
Lin Yuantu founded the Fuwei Armed Escort, which became famous throughout the jianghu. In the six coastal provinces, escort wagons needed only to display the “Fuwei Armed Escort” flag and have the escorts shout “Fuwei Peace” (福威平安), and even the most powerful bandits would not dare to look at the wagons.
During his time running the escort, Lin Yuantu followed Hongye’s teachings, acting righteously and helping those in need. Although he was no longer a monk, he continued to practice Buddhist principles.
However, because the Evil-Warding Swordplay was too strange and ruthless, Lin Yuantu did not teach its true essence to anyone, including his adopted sons Lin Bofen and Lin Zhongxiong. He only taught them a fake version that lacked the true technique’s power.
Later years and death
Lin Yuantu continued to run the escort until his seventieth birthday, when he performed a golden basin hand-washing ceremony and passed the escort to his second son, Lin Zhongxiong. He died soon after, leaving behind a family instruction: “The ancestral items in the old house on Xiangyang Lane must not be casually examined.”
This instruction referred to the true Evil-Warding Sword Manual hidden in the Lin family’s ancestral home, which would later become the object of desire for many martial artists.
Personality & traits
Lin Yuantu was portrayed as a legendary martial artist whose abilities were unmatched in his generation. However, his decision to keep the true Evil-Warding Swordplay secret from his descendants, while leaving the manual hidden where it could be discovered, created the conditions for his family’s eventual destruction.
He was described as following Buddhist principles even after leaving the monastery, demonstrating that true virtue comes from action rather than religious affiliation.
Martial arts abilities
Evil-Warding Swordplay
Lin Yuantu created the Evil-Warding Swordplay based on the Sunflower Manual. The technique was incredibly fast and strange, with each form having dozens of variations. When fully developed, the technique became extremely complex and powerful, making it one of the most sought-after martial arts in the jianghu.
Sky-Turning Palm
Lin Yuantu also mastered the Sky-Turning Palm, a technique with one hundred and eight forms. This technique demonstrated his versatility beyond swordplay.
Silver Feather Arrows
Lin Yuantu was skilled with Silver Feather Arrows, a technique using eighteen arrows. This demonstrated his mastery of ranged weapons in addition to close combat.
Relationships
Lin Yuantu’s relationship with Hongye was one of master and disciple. Hongye’s teachings influenced Lin Yuantu’s conduct even after he left the monastery.
His relationship with his adopted sons was complex. He did not teach them the true Evil-Warding Swordplay, only a fake version, which led to the decline of the family’s martial arts abilities over generations.
Behind the scenes
Lin Yuantu represents the paradox of power—those who possess great martial arts abilities may create problems for their descendants by leaving behind powerful techniques that others covet. His character demonstrates that even legendary martial artists can make mistakes that have long-term consequences.
Literary significance
Lin Yuantu’s story serves as the historical background for the novel’s main plot. His creation of the Evil-Warding Swordplay and his decision to hide the true manual while teaching only a fake version to his descendants set in motion the events that would destroy his family generations later.
His character demonstrates the theme that power and secrets can be both a blessing and a curse, and that the actions of one generation can have profound effects on future generations.
Portrayals
Lin Yuantu has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Lin Zhennan – Lin Yuantu’s great-grandson
- Lin Pingzhi – Lin Yuantu’s great-great-grandson
- Fuwei Armed Escort – Lin Yuantu’s faction
- Evil-Warding Swordplay – Lin Yuantu’s signature technique
- Sunflower Manual – The source of Lin Yuantu’s technique
External links
- Lin Yuantu (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia