Qi Zhangfa (simplified: 戚长发, traditional: 戚长发, pinyin: Qī Zhǎngfā, jyutping: cik1 zoeng2 faat3), known as “Iron Chain Across the River” (铁索横江), was Mei Niansheng’s third apprentice and Di Yun’s master. He was the most cunning and scheming of the three brothers who betrayed their master.
Biography
Apprenticeship and betrayal
Qi Zhangfa was the youngest of Mei Niansheng’s three apprentices, alongside Wan Zhenshan and Yan Daping. Together, the three conspired to kill their master and steal the Liancheng Swordplay manual.
Life in rural Hunan
After the betrayal, Qi Zhangfa went into hiding in rural Hunan, where he raised his daughter Qi Fang and took Di Yun as his disciple. He deliberately taught them corrupted versions of the martial arts, calling the Tangshi Swordplay (唐诗剑法) the “Corpse-Lying Swordplay” (躺尸剑法) to hide its true nature.
Feigned death
When Wan Zhenshan invited him to Jingzhou for his birthday celebration, Qi Zhangfa saw through Wan Zhenshan’s plot. He feigned an attack on Wan Zhenshan and then pretended to be killed, actually escaping by hiding in a wall cavity. This allowed him to observe events while remaining hidden.
Final confrontation
In the end, Qi Zhangfa revealed himself and killed Wan Zhenshan during their final confrontation over the treasure. His nickname “Iron Chain Across the River” reflected his cunning nature—like an iron chain blocking a river, he was difficult to get past and always had a hidden plan.
Character
Qi Zhangfa was portrayed as the most scheming and treacherous of the three brothers. His nickname “Iron Chain Across the River” symbolized his cunning and deceptive nature. He was willing to sacrifice everything, including his own daughter’s happiness, to achieve his goals.
Martial arts
Qi Zhangfa practiced the Tangshi Swordplay (唐诗剑法), which was actually the corrupted version of the Liancheng Swordplay (连城剑法). He deliberately taught incorrect techniques to his daughter and disciple to prevent them from discovering the true nature of the martial arts.