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Qiu Qianzhang

Qiu Qianzhang

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Qiu Qianzhang (simplified: 裘千丈, traditional: 裘千丈, pinyin: Qiú Qiānzhàng, jyutping: kau4 cin1 zoeng6) was the elder twin of Qiu Qianren and the brother of Qiu Qianchi. Unable to match Iron Palm Keep’s true successor, he spent his life bluffing as “Iron Palm Water-walker”.

Biography

Roots in Iron Palm Keep

After Qiu Qianren inherited Iron Palm Keep’s deepest teachings, Qiu Qianzhang abandoned serious practice and roamed the rivers and lakes masquerading as the sect master, complete with white beard, palm fan, and dramatic entrances to sell the disguise.

Scams at the Manor of Gathering Clouds

At the Manor of Gathering Clouds he demanded the release of Yang Kang and Duan Tiende, then staged parlour tricks—splitting wine cups with diamond rings, crushing flour bricks, breathing tobacco smoke, and swallowing a telescoping sword—before Huang Rong and Zhu Cong exposed every prop.

Manipulating Quanzhen and the Mongols

Still posing as Qiu Qianren, he convinced the Quanzhen Seven that Zhou Botong had died at Huang Yaoshi’s hands, then joined Ouyang Feng in kidnapping Princess Huazheng and Prince Tuolei before faking stomach pains to escape when matters became dangerous.

Death on Iron Palm Mountain

While stealing weapons from Iron Palm Mountain’s forbidden vault, he ran into Guo Jing and Huang Rong just as his brother torched the mountain. Terrified that Qiu Qianren would discover his theft, he wrestled Huang Rong for a place on the white eagles they were riding, was pecked off the saddle, and plunged to his death.

Personality and traits

Qiu Qianzhang was vain, loud, and ultimately comic—desperate to look heroic yet terrified whenever danger loomed. His personality reflected his inability to match his brother’s genuine martial prowess, leading him to rely entirely on deception and theatrical displays rather than authentic skill.

Martial arts abilities

Qiu Qianzhang depended on sleight of hand rather than genuine martial arts: diamond rings that “cut” glass, flour bricks that crumbled in his palm, telescoping swords hidden in his robe, and tobacco smoke vented behind his back. When pressed, he could only muster Tongbei Six Harmonies Fist, proving the “Iron Palm” title was entirely for show.

Relationships

Family relationships

Qiu Qianzhang’s relationship with his twin brother Qiu Qianren defined his entire existence. Unable to match his brother’s genuine martial arts mastery, he spent his life impersonating Qiu Qianren rather than developing his own skills. His relationship with his younger sister Qiu Qianchi remains largely undocumented in surviving records.

Behind the scenes

Contemporary commentators call Qiu Qianzhang a cautionary foil to Qiu Qianren’s eventual repentance. His character serves as comic relief while also highlighting the contrast between genuine martial arts mastery and empty posturing.

Portrayals

  • 1976 ATV adaptation – Huang Guoliang
  • 1983 TVB adaptation – Shek Kin
  • 1993 TVB The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Mystery of the Condor Heroes – Chu Tieh-Ho
  • 1994 TVB adaptation – Hung Chiu-Fung
  • 2003 CCTV adaptation – Li Yu
  • 2008 Tangren adaptation – Wang Jianguo
  • 2017 Dragon TV/Youku adaptation – Jiang Yiming
  • 2024 Jin Yong Wuxia Universe – Zhao Jian

See also

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