Miao Renfeng (simplified: 苗人凤, traditional: 苗人鳳, pinyin: Miáo Rénfèng, jyutping: miu4 jan4 fung6), also known as the Golden Faced Buddha (金面佛) and the Undefeated Champion (打遍天下无敌手), was a legendary martial artist and one of Li Zicheng’s four bodyguards. He was the father of Miao Ruolan and the former husband of Nan Lan. Miao Renfeng was considered one of the top martial artists in Jin Yong’s novels, equal to Hu Yidao in skill.
Biography
Early life and family feud
Miao Renfeng was a descendant of the Miao family, one of the four bodyguard families that served Li Zicheng. The four families—Hu, Miao, Fan, and Tian—had been locked in a cycle of revenge for generations. When Miao Renfeng’s father and Tian Guinong’s father disappeared, both men suspected Hu Yidao was responsible.
To draw Hu Yidao out, Miao Renfeng adopted the title “Undefeated Champion” (打遍天下无敌手), hoping to provoke Hu Yidao into challenging him. However, Hu Yidao did not respond, instead secretly investigating the disappearance.
Marriage to Nan Lan
Miao Renfeng rescued Nan Lan, an aristocratic young woman, from attackers. During the rescue, he was poisoned, and Nan Lan saved his life by sucking the poison from his wound. Out of gratitude, Nan Lan married Miao Renfeng, and they had a daughter, Miao Ruolan.
However, the marriage was not based on love. Nan Lan was an aristocratic lady who valued refinement and romance, while Miao Renfeng was a martial artist who was taciturn and focused on his training. Their incompatibility eventually led to Nan Lan leaving him for Tian Guinong.
Duel with Hu Yidao
When Hu Yidao travelled south with his pregnant wife, Miao Renfeng and Tian Guinong intercepted them in Cangzhou. Hu Yidao attempted to resolve their feud by sending a message explaining the truth about their ancestors, but Tian Guinong intercepted it and concealed the information.
Miao Renfeng and Hu Yidao agreed to duel. Over five days, they fought during the day and drank together at night, discussing martial arts and exchanging techniques. They developed a deep mutual respect and friendship, despite being supposed enemies.
However, Tian Guinong had bribed Yan Ji to poison both their weapons. During the final exchange, Miao Renfeng accidentally cut Hu Yidao’s left arm, and the poison quickly killed him. Miao Renfeng was devastated, having lost a friend he had come to respect deeply. He accepted responsibility for Hu Yidao’s death and vowed to care for Hu Fei, though Tian Guinong’s interference prevented this.
In Side Story of the Flying Fox
After Nan Lan left him, Miao Renfeng raised Miao Ruolan alone. His eyes were poisoned by Tian Guinong’s schemes, and Hu Fei brought Cheng Lingsu to cure him. Miao Renfeng told Hu Fei about his duel with Hu Yidao, admitting that he had wounded Hu Yidao, though unaware of the poison.
Miao Renfeng was later captured by Tian Guinong and imprisoned in the Tianlong School’s dungeon, where he was tortured. He managed to escape and, despite his injuries, spared Tian Guinong’s life out of consideration for Nan Lan, only crippling his martial arts.
In Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain
Miao Renfeng arrived at Jade Brush Peak, where various martial artists had gathered seeking Li Zicheng’s treasure. When he saw Hu Fei with his daughter Miao Ruolan in a compromising situation, he misunderstood and challenged Hu Fei to a duel.
The two fought on a crumbling cliff, and in the final moment, Hu Fei faced a dilemma: strike down Miao Renfeng and violate his promise to Miao Ruolan, or allow himself to be killed. The novel ends with this unresolved question.
Personality
Miao Renfeng was characterised by his heroic and upright nature. He was taciturn and focused, often appearing cold and distant, but he possessed a deep sense of justice and honour. He was willing to trust others, as demonstrated by his friendship with Hu Yidao and his trust in Hu Fei.
He was also a devoted father, pouring all his love into raising Miao Ruolan after Nan Lan left him. He chose not to teach her martial arts, believing that the family feuds had caused too much suffering and hoping to break the cycle of revenge.
Martial arts
Miao Renfeng was a master of the Miao Clan Swordplay (苗家剑法), which emphasised precision and elegance. During his duel with Hu Yidao, he learned the Hu Clan Bladeworks (胡家刀法), and the two masters exchanged their techniques, demonstrating their mutual respect.
His martial arts were considered among the best in the jianghu, earning him the title “Undefeated Champion”, though he himself acknowledged that Hu Yidao’s skills were superior.
Legacy
Miao Renfeng’s friendship with Hu Yidao demonstrated the possibility of breaking the cycle of revenge between the four families. Despite the tragic circumstances of Hu Yidao’s death, Miao Renfeng maintained his respect for the Hu family and eventually developed a friendship with Hu Fei similar to that with Hu Yidao.