Ping Asi (simplified: 平阿四, traditional: 平阿四, pinyin: Píng Āsì, jyutping: ping4 aa3 sei3), also known as Laitou Asi (癞痢头阿四), was a humble servant who rescued and raised Hu Fei after his parents’ death. He dedicated his life to repaying Hu Yidao’s kindness.
Biography
Early life and encounter with Hu Yidao
Ping Asi was originally a servant at an inn in Cangzhou. His family was in debt to a local moneylender, and he was crying in despair when Hu Yidao noticed him. Learning of Ping Asi’s situation, Hu Yidao generously gave him money to pay off the debt, saving Ping Asi’s family from financial ruin.
Ping Asi was deeply grateful and vowed to repay Hu Yidao’s kindness. When Hu Yidao and his wife stayed at the inn, Ping Asi served them faithfully.
Rescue of Hu Fei
During the duel between Hu Yidao and Miao Renfeng, Hu Yidao was poisoned and died. His wife committed suicide, entrusting their infant son Hu Fei to Miao Renfeng. However, Tian Guinong attempted to kill the child before Miao Renfeng could take custody.
Ping Asi, witnessing the tragedy, risked his life to rescue the infant Hu Fei. During the escape, Tian Guinong cut off Ping Asi’s right hand and slashed his face, leaving him disfigured. Despite his injuries, Ping Asi managed to escape with Hu Fei and the Hu Clan Bladeworks manual, though the first few pages were stolen by Yan Ji.
Raising Hu Fei
Ping Asi raised Hu Fei as his own son, teaching him martial arts from the incomplete manual. Because the first few pages containing the general principles were missing, Hu Fei’s progress was limited until Ping Asi recovered them at the Shang Family Castle.
Ping Asi was present during Hu Yidao’s death but did not fully understand what had happened. He initially believed that Miao Renfeng had killed Hu Yidao and held a grudge against him. However, as he learned more about the events, he came to understand that Miao Renfeng was not responsible.
Later years
Ping Asi remained loyal to Hu Fei throughout his life, accompanying him on his travels and helping him in various ways. He was a simple, hardworking man who never forgot Hu Yidao’s kindness and dedicated his life to protecting and raising Hu Fei.
Personality
Ping Asi was characterised by his humility, loyalty, and sense of gratitude. Despite being a lowly servant, he possessed a strong sense of duty and honour. He was willing to risk his life to save Hu Fei and remained devoted to him throughout his life.
He was also somewhat naive and did not fully understand the complex politics and schemes surrounding the four families’ feud. However, his simple, honest nature made him a reliable and trustworthy guardian for Hu Fei.
Legacy
Ping Asi’s rescue and raising of Hu Fei was crucial to the story. Without his intervention, Hu Fei would have been killed as an infant, and the events of both novels would not have occurred. His selfless devotion to Hu Fei demonstrated the power of gratitude and loyalty, and his story serves as a reminder that even humble people can have a profound impact on history.