Qu Yang (simplified: 曲洋, traditional: 曲洋, pinyin: Qū Yáng, jyutping: kuk1 joeng4) was an elder of the Sun Moon Order renowned for his exceptional skill with the qin (guqin). He formed a deep friendship with Liu Zhengfeng, a master of the Hengshan School, through their shared love of music. Together, they created the legendary qin-xiao duet “Laughing in the Wind” (笑傲江湖), which became a central motif of the novel.
Biography
Friendship with Liu Zhengfeng
Qu Yang met Liu Zhengfeng through their mutual passion for music. The two became close friends, always playing qin and xiao together when they met, never discussing martial arts. Liu Zhengfeng regarded Qu Yang as his only true confidant and best friend, saying: “In this world, I believe no one can match Qu Elder Brother in playing the qin, and no one can match me in playing the xiao. Although Qu Elder Brother is a member of the demonic sect, from his qin music I deeply understand that his character is noble and pure, with a broad and open-minded heart.”
Together, they spent several years creating the qin-xiao duet “Laughing in the Wind,” confident that this piece was unique and unprecedented.
The golden basin hand-washing ceremony
When Liu Zhengfeng decided to retire from the jianghu and announced a golden basin hand-washing ceremony, the Songshan School, led by Zuo Lengchan, intervened, accusing Liu Zhengfeng of associating with Qu Yang, a Sun Moon Order elder. Despite Liu Zhengfeng’s explanation that their friendship was purely musical, the Songshan School massacred Liu Zhengfeng’s entire family.
Qu Yang helped Liu Zhengfeng escape, and the two found themselves in the mountains outside Hengshan City, where they performed their final duet of “Laughing in the Wind.”
Final duet and death
The music was described as transcendent, reaching perfection in life, music, and emotion. As they played, they spoke of their friendship and their creation:
Liu Zhengfeng said: “We have thus been able to play one more duet. From now on, there will never again be such qin-xiao music in this world. How can these vulgar people understand the noble sentiments of our friendship through music?”
Qu Yang sighed: “In the past, Ji Kang, before his execution, played the qin one last time and sighed that ‘Guangling San’ would henceforth be lost. ‘Guangling San’ was exquisite, but how can it compare to our ‘Laughing in the Wind’?”
Liu Zhengfeng laughed: “Tonight we have played this ‘Laughing in the Wind’ to perfection. This piece has existed in the world, and we have played it. What more could one ask of life?”
After completing their duet, both men, having been injured by Ding Mian and Lu Bai’s palm strikes, severed their own meridians and died together.
Personality & traits
Qu Yang was portrayed as a man of noble character and refined temperament. Despite being a member of the so-called “demonic sect,” his character demonstrated that true virtue transcends sectarian boundaries. His friendship with Liu Zhengfeng showed that art and human connection could be more important than sectarian loyalty.
He was described as having elegant speech and a broad, open-minded heart. His mastery of the qin reflected his inner character, demonstrating that true artistry comes from the soul rather than external labels.
Musical abilities
Qu Yang was exceptionally skilled with the qin, believed by Liu Zhengfeng to be unmatched in the world. His musical talent was the foundation of his friendship with Liu Zhengfeng and their joint creation of the “Laughing in the Wind” piece.
Laughing in the Wind
Together with Liu Zhengfeng, Qu Yang created the qin-xiao duet “Laughing in the Wind,” which became a central motif of the novel. The piece was ultimately passed down to Linghu Chong and Ren Yingying, who became its inheritors and performers.
Relationships
Qu Yang’s relationship with Liu Zhengfeng was the central focus of his story. They were true friends who had found each other through their shared love of music, transcending the boundaries between orthodox and demonic sects. Their friendship demonstrated that art and human connection could be more important than sectarian loyalty.
He had a granddaughter, Qu Feiyan, who was killed during the massacre at Liu Zhengfeng’s golden basin hand-washing ceremony.
Behind the scenes
Qu Yang’s story serves as an allegory about the conflict between personal friendship and sectarian loyalty. Jin Yong uses this episode to question whether the jianghu should allow friendships that cross the boundaries between so-called “orthodox” and “demonic” sects.
Literary significance
The golden basin hand-washing ceremony and Qu Yang’s tragedy represent one of the novel’s early climaxes. Jin Yong’s position is clear: he believes that secular views are narrow, using sectarian prejudice to deny artistic value. These prejudices are based on the inability of ordinary people to appreciate the highest realms of art. Only those who have experienced such realms know that before great artistic achievement, any sect becomes insignificant.
The “Laughing in the Wind” piece that Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng created becomes a central motif of the novel, ultimately being passed down to Linghu Chong and Ren Yingying, who become its inheritors and performers.
Portrayals
Qu Yang has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
- 1978 film – Yu Rong
- 1984 series – Gan Guowei
- 1985 series – Qin Wei
- 1990 film – Lam Ching-ying
- 1996 series – Lai Hon-chi
- 2000 series – Liu Changsheng
- 2001 series – Li Zonghan
- 2013 series – Zhang Yijian
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Liu Zhengfeng – Qu Yang’s friend
- Sun Moon Order – Qu Yang’s faction
- Laughing in the Wind (piece) – The musical piece Qu Yang created with Liu Zhengfeng
External links
- Qu Yang (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia