Shi Xiaocui (simplified: 史小翠, traditional: 史小翠, pinyin: Shǐ Xiǎocuì, jyutping: si2 siu2 ceoi3), also known as Granny Shi (史婆婆), was the wife of Bai Zizai, zhangmen of the Snowy Mountain School, and the founder of the Golden Crow School. In her youth, she was considered a beautiful women in the wulin, attracting the admiration of both Bai Zizai and Ding Busi. She created the Golden Crow Blade Technique (金乌刀法) specifically to counter the Snowy Mountain Swordplay, demonstrating her exceptional martial arts talent and independent spirit.
Biography
Early life and marriage
In her youth, Shi Xiaocui was renowned for her beauty and attracted the attention of two prominent martial artists: Bai Zizai, who would become zhangmen of the Snowy Mountain School, and Ding Busi of the Six Harmonies Ding Family. Shi Xiaocui’s parents, considering Bai Zizai’s higher status and better prospects, arranged for her to marry him.
Although Shi Xiaocui never fully approved of Bai Zizai’s arrogance and self-importance, she found Ding Busi’s character even worse and accepted the marriage. She moved to Lingxiao City and became the wife of the Snowy Mountain School zhangmen.
Life at Lingxiao City
After marrying Bai Zizai, Shi Xiaocui found herself with little to do. She began studying the Snowy Mountain Swordplay and dedicated herself to finding ways to counter it. This research eventually led to the creation of the Golden Crow Blade Technique, a blade technique specifically designed to overcome the weaknesses of the Snowy Mountain Swordplay.
The technique was so effective that when used in combination with the Snowy Mountain Swordplay, it could actually enhance the sword technique’s power, demonstrating Shi Xiaocui’s deep understanding of martial arts principles.
The crisis with Shi Zhongyu
When Shi Zhongyu attempted to rape Bai Axiu, the thirteen-year-old granddaughter of Bai Zizai and Shi Xiaocui, the incident caused a major crisis. Bai Axiu, overcome with shame, jumped from a cliff. Shi Xiaocui managed to save her, but the incident created a deep rift between Shi Xiaocui and Bai Zizai.
When Bai Zizai struck Shi Xiaocui during an argument about the incident, she left Lingxiao City in anger, taking Bai Axiu with her.
Encounter with Ding Busi
After leaving Lingxiao City, Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu encountered Ding Busi, who had never given up his infatuation with Shi Xiaocui. Ding Busi invited Shi Xiaocui to visit Biluo Island (碧螺岛) with him, hoping to fulfil his long-held desire. However, Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu refused, leading to a confrontation.
The two were rescued by Shi Potian, who was being pursued by various martial artists. Shi Xiaocui initially mistook Shi Potian for Shi Zhongyu and nearly killed him, but Bai Axiu’s intuition recognised that he was different.
Founding the Golden Crow School
After being stranded on Purple Mist Island (紫烟岛) with Shi Potian and Bai Axiu, Shi Xiaocui decided to establish her own school, the Golden Crow School, to compete with the Snowy Mountain School. She took Shi Potian as her disciple and renamed him Shi Yidao (史亿刀), meaning ‘Shi Billion Blades’, to show superiority over the Snowy Mountain School’s ‘Wan’ (万, ten thousand) generation.
She taught Shi Potian the Golden Crow Blade Technique, and Bai Axiu also taught him a technique called ‘Side Attack’ (旁敲侧击) to help preserve her father’s reputation.
Return to Lingxiao City
When Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu returned to Lingxiao City with the Reward Good Punish Evil messengers, they discovered that the school was in turmoil. Bai Zizai had gone mad, and the senior disciples had attempted to seize power. Shi Xiaocui, despite having left the school, still held authority as the zhangmen’s wife.
She arranged for Shi Potian to spar with Bai Zizai, which helped restore Bai Zizai’s sanity. She then helped resolve the school’s internal conflicts and restore order.
Journey to Xiake Island
Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu made a pact: if Shi Potian did not return from Xiake Island by the third day of the third month, they would commit suicide by jumping into the sea. When the deadline passed (though they did not account for an intercalary month), they prepared to carry out their plan, but Shi Potian returned in time to save them.
Personality and characteristics
Independent and strong-willed
Shi Xiaocui demonstrated remarkable independence and strength of character. Despite being married to one of the most powerful men in the wulin, she maintained her own identity and created her own martial arts school. Her ability to create a technique that could counter the Snowy Mountain Swordplay showed her exceptional talent and determination.
Protective of family
Shi Xiaocui was fiercely protective of her family, particularly her granddaughter Bai Axiu. When Bai Axiu was violated, Shi Xiaocui saved her life and left her husband to protect her. Her willingness to sacrifice herself alongside Bai Axiu if Shi Potian did not return demonstrated the depth of her love and commitment.
Martial arts genius
Shi Xiaocui’s creation of the Golden Crow Blade Technique demonstrated her exceptional understanding of martial arts. The technique not only countered the Snowy Mountain Swordplay but could also enhance it when used in combination, showing her sophisticated grasp of martial arts principles.
Martial arts abilities
Golden Crow Blade Technique
The Golden Crow Blade Technique was Shi Xiaocui’s masterpiece. Each move was designed to counter a specific weakness in the Snowy Mountain Swordplay, yet when used together, the techniques could complement each other, creating a more powerful combined technique.
Snowy Mountain Swordplay
As the wife of the Snowy Mountain School zhangmen, Shi Xiaocui was familiar with the Snowy Mountain Swordplay, though her creation of a counter-technique showed her critical understanding of its weaknesses.
Behind the scenes
Shi Xiaocui represents a strong, independent female character who maintains her identity and authority despite being in a subordinate position within the patriarchal structure of the wulin. Her creation of the Golden Crow School and the Golden Crow Blade Technique demonstrates that true martial arts mastery comes from understanding and innovation, not just from following established traditions.
Her character also explores themes of family loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexity of marital relationships. Despite her conflicts with Bai Zizai, she ultimately helped save him and restore order to the Snowy Mountain School, showing that love and duty can coexist with independence and self-respect.