Nan Xiren

Nan Xiren (南希仁 – Nán Xīrén) was the fourth master of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan and one of Guo Jing’s teachers. Known as the “Southern Mountain Woodcutter” (南山樵子 – nán shān qiáo zǐ), he specialised in powerful striking techniques and was known for his strong, silent nature.

Biography

Nan Xiren was one of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan, ranked fourth among the sworn siblings. He dressed as a woodcutter and had a robust, muscular build. Though he rarely spoke, when he did speak, his words were always to the point, earning him considerable respect among the Seven Eccentrics.

Nan Xiren participated in the initial confrontation with Qiu Chuji at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, which led to the Seven Eccentrics’ journey to Mongolia to find and train Guo Jing. During their eighteen years in the desert, he played a crucial role in Guo Jing’s martial arts education, teaching him the fundamentals of martial arts and the principles of chivalry and righteousness.

Tragically, Nan Xiren met his end on Peach Blossom Island when he was bitten on the tongue by a snake from Ouyang Feng’s staff. Despite being poisoned, he managed to survive for several days before succumbing to the venom. In his final moments, he attempted to write the name of his killer, managing only to write “十” (ten) before dying, which was meant to represent the character “杨” (Yang) for Yang Kang.

Personality

Nan Xiren was characterised by his strong, silent nature. He rarely spoke but when he did, his words were always precise and to the point. This quality earned him considerable authority among the Seven Eccentrics. Despite his quiet demeanor, he was a righteous and chivalrous hero who embodied the principles of martial virtue.

Martial arts

South Mountain Fist Technique

Nan Xiren’s primary martial art was the South Mountain Fist Technique (南山拳法 – nán shān quán fǎ). This technique emphasised powerful, direct strikes and was characterised by its straightforward, hard-hitting approach. His punches and palm strikes were known for their exceptional force and effectiveness.

Southern Mountain Bladework

Nan Xiren also mastered the Southern Mountain Bladework (南山刀法 – nán shān dāo fǎ), which complemented his fist techniques. This blade method was designed for practical combat situations and emphasised efficiency and power over complex movements.

Weapons

Nan Xiren’s primary weapon was a steel carrying pole (纯钢扁担 – chún gāng biǎn dān), which he used with devastating effectiveness in combat. This weapon was particularly effective for attacking opponents’ lower body, as demonstrated when he used it to strike at Mei Chaofeng’s ankles during their battle.

He also carried an axe (斧头 – fǔ tóu), which was both a practical tool for his woodcutter profession and a formidable weapon in combat situations.

Combat abilities

Nan Xiren’s martial prowess was ranked third among the Seven Eccentrics, surpassed only by Ke Zhen’e and Zhu Cong. His strength and endurance were exceptional, allowing him to maintain his fighting ability longer than his brothers Zhang Asheng, Han Baoju, and Quan Jinfa during extended battles.

During the battle with the Twin Evils of Dark Wind, Nan Xiren demonstrated his combat skills by using his steel carrying pole to strike Chen Xuanfeng in the back, causing the Copper Corpse to cry out in pain. Even in dangerous situations, he showed the ability to counter-attack effectively, using his carrying pole to block and strike at his opponents.

Death and legacy

Nan Xiren’s death on Peach Blossom Island was particularly tragic and mysterious. After being bitten by Ouyang Feng’s snake, he was poisoned and began to behave erratically, attacking Guo Jing with increased strength that seemed unnatural. His final moments were spent trying to communicate the identity of his killer, but he could only manage to write the character “十” before dying.

The poison that killed him eventually found its way to Yang Kang through Huang Rong’s soft hedgehog armour, ultimately leading to Yang Kang’s death. This created a complex chain of events that would have significant implications for the story’s development.

Relationships

Martial lineage

As Guo Jing’s fourth shifu, Nan Xiren played a crucial role in the young hero’s development. He taught Guo Jing not only martial arts techniques but also the principles of chivalry and righteousness that would define Guo Jing’s character throughout his life.

Sworn siblings

Nan Xiren was the fourth brother among the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan, maintaining close bonds with all his sworn siblings. His death on Peach Blossom Island had a profound impact on the group and became a turning point in their collective story.

Legacy

Nan Xiren’s death significantly influenced Guo Jing’s development and the remaining Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan. His teachings about chivalry and righteousness were passed down to his disciples, and his death on Peach Blossom Island led to major plot developments in the story.

Portrayals

Nan Xiren has been portrayed by various actors in adaptations of The Legend of the Condor Heroes:

Television Series

1983 series – Chan Wai-man as Nan Xiren
1988 series – Liu Dan as Nan Xiren
1994 series – Wang Weiguo as Nan Xiren
2003 series – Bao Tianming as Nan Xiren
2008 series – Wang Gang as Nan Xiren
2017 series – Li Hongtao as Nan Xiren
2021 series – Liu Zhihao as Nan Xiren

Most adaptations emphasize Nan Xiren’s strong, silent nature, his powerful striking techniques, and his tragic death, while showcasing his loyalty to the Seven Eccentrics and his role as one of Guo Jing’s teachers.