The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng (simplified: 陆小凤传奇, traditional: 陸小鳳傳奇, pinyin: Lù Xiǎofèng Chuánqí) is a series of seven wuxia novels by Gu Long, first published between 1972 and 1979. The series follows the adventures of Lu Xiaofeng, a brilliant detective and wanderer in the jianghu.
Overview
The Lu Xiaofeng series is one of Gu Long’s most celebrated works, combining mystery, suspense, and martial arts action. Unlike traditional wuxia heroes, Lu Xiaofeng is not a paragon of virtue but a flawed, witty, and deeply human character who solves crimes through intelligence rather than brute force.
The series is known for:
- Detective fiction elements — Each novel is essentially a mystery to be solved
- Complex plotting — Multiple layers of deception and betrayal
- Memorable characters — Lu Xiaofeng’s circle of friends and rivals
- Philosophical depth — Exploration of loyalty, friendship, and moral ambiguity
The Seven Novels
The series consists of seven novels, published in order:
| # | English Title | Chinese Title | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Golden Roc King | 大金鹏王 | Dà Jīn Péng Wáng |
| 2 | The Embroidery Bandit | 绣花大盗 | Xiùhuā Dàdào |
| 3 | Before and After the Duel | 决战前后 | Juézhàn Qiánhòu |
| 4 | The Silver Hook Gambling House | 银钩赌坊 | Yíngōu Dǔfāng |
| 5 | Phantom Manor | 幽灵山庄 | Yōulíng Shānzhuāng |
| 6 | The Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens | 凤舞九天 | Fèng Wǔ Jiǔ Tiān |
| 7 | The Sword God’s Smile | 剑神一笑 | Jiàn Shén Yī Xiào |
Main Characters
Lu Xiaofeng (陆小凤)
The protagonist, known as the “Four-Eyebrowed Detective” for his distinctive appearance — he trims his moustache to look like a second pair of eyebrows. Lu Xiaofeng is:
- Intelligent — Solves complex mysteries through deduction
- Skilled fighter — Master of the “Spiritual Fingers” (灵犀一指), a technique that can catch any weapon
- Flawed — A wanderer and womaniser, but deeply loyal to friends
- Reluctant hero — Constantly drawn into cases he’d rather avoid
Hua Manlou (花满楼)
Lu Xiaofeng’s closest friend, the seventh son of the Hua family. Despite being blind, Hua Manlou perceives the world more clearly than most:
- Gentle and refined — Embodies the ideal of the cultured scholar
- Perceptive — Can sense emotions and intentions through subtle cues
- Skilled fighter — Learned the “Spiritual Fingers” from Lu Xiaofeng
- Philosophical — Finds beauty in the world despite his blindness
Ximen Chuixue (西门吹雪)
The “Sword God” of Plum Blossom Manor, one of the greatest swordsmen in the jianghu:
- Obsessed with swordsmanship — Lives only for the perfect strike
- Cold and aloof — Rarely shows emotion
- Deadly — His sword “drinks blood, not snow”
- Lu Xiaofeng’s rival and friend — Their relationship is complex
Sikong Zhaixing (司空摘星)
The “King of Thieves,” a master of disguise and infiltration:
- Monkey-like appearance — Agile and quick
- Master of disguise — Can impersonate anyone
- Gambling addict — Often in trouble due to his addiction
- Lu Xiaofeng’s headache — Constantly causing problems
Plot Summaries
1. The Golden Roc King (大金鹏王)
The series opener introduces Lu Xiaofeng when a mysterious woman claiming to be Princess Shangguan Danfeng of the Golden Roc Kingdom asks him to hunt down three traitorous ministers who stole her kingdom’s treasure.
The three targets are the most powerful, wealthy, and skilled martial artists in the jianghu. Lu Xiaofeng reluctantly accepts, enlisting help from Hua Manlou and Ximen Chuixue.
Key revelations:
- The “princess” is an impostor
- The “Golden Roc King” is fake
- The mastermind is Huo Xiu, a seemingly harmless old man
2. The Embroidery Bandit (绣花大盗)
A series of brutal murders rocks the capital. The killer, known as the “Embroidery Bandit,” leaves embroidered patterns at crime scenes. Lu Xiaofeng must uncover the identity of this seemingly impossible criminal.
3. Before and After the Duel (决战前后)
The climax of the series. Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng, two legendary swordsmen, agree to a duel at the Forbidden City’s Purple Peak. But the duel is merely a cover for a deeper conspiracy involving the Emperor himself.
Themes
Friendship and Loyalty
The bond between Lu Xiaofeng and his friends is central to the series. Despite their flaws, they remain loyal to each other through impossible situations.
Justice vs. Law
Lu Xiaofeng operates outside the law but pursues justice. The series questions whether official justice systems can truly deliver fairness.
Identity and Deception
Many novels revolve around impostors, false identities, and hidden motives. The series explores how difficult it is to know anyone’s true nature.
The Wanderer’s Life
Lu Xiaofeng embodies the archetype of the wandering hero — free-spirited, unattached, but ultimately alone.
Adaptations
The Lu Xiaofeng series has been adapted numerous times for film and television, including:
- 1970s Shaw Brothers films — Starring Liu Yong as Lu Xiaofeng
- 2000 TV series — Multiple versions in Taiwan and mainland China
- 2007 film series — Starring Zhang Zhilin as Lu Xiaofeng
External Links
- Lu Xiaofeng on Chinese Wikipedia (if available)
- Gu Long author page
Last updated: 2026-04-10