The items of Side Story of the Flying Fox reflect the novel’s focus on Hu Fei’s origin story and his development from a young boy into the legendary Flying Fox. The novel explores the martial arts world of the Qing dynasty through the eyes of its young protagonist.
Named weapons
Character weapons
- Hu Family Blade (胡家刀 — Hú Jiā Dāo) — The Hu family’s ancestral weapon technique, passed down from Hu Yidao
- Iron Staff (铁杖 — Tiězhàng) — Used by various martial artists including Zhao Banshan
- Sabres (刀 — Dāo) — Common weapons among the Red Flower Society members and Qing soldiers
Manuals & scriptures
Martial arts manuals
- Hu Family Martial Arts (胡家武功 — Hú Jiā Wǔgōng) — The combined martial arts techniques of the Hu family
- Red Flower Society Techniques (红花会武功 — Hónghuāhuì Wǔgōng) — Various martial arts taught by the Society’s chiefs
- Qinggong Techniques (轻功 — Qīnggōng) — Lightness skills essential for Hu Fei’s development as the Flying Fox
Artifacts & treasures
Personal items
- Hu Yidao’s Legacy (胡一刀遗物 — Hú Yīdāo Yíwù) — Items left by Hu Fei’s father, including weapons and martial arts manuals
- Ping Asi’s Mementos (平阿四遗物 — Píng Āsì Yíwù) — Items from Hu Fei’s humble guardian
- Red Flower Tokens (红花会令牌 — Hónghuāhuì Lìngpái) — Tokens identifying members of the Red Flower Society
Imperial items
- Qing Imperial Seals (清朝玉玺 — Qīngcháo Yùxǐ) — Symbols of imperial authority
- Official Documents (官文 — Guānwén) — Government papers and edicts
Notable generic items
- Swords (剑 — Jiàn) — Used by various martial artists
- Sabres (刀 — Dāo) — Single-edged blades common among fighters and soldiers
- Staffs (杖 — Zhàng) — Walking sticks and fighting staffs
- Hidden Weapons (暗器 — Ànqì) — Various poisoned darts and needles
- Horses (马 — Mǎ) — Essential for travel across Qing dynasty China
Cross-novel connections
Side Story of the Flying Fox connects extensively to other Jin Yong novels:
- Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain — Direct prequel to Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain
- The Book and the Sword — Continues the story of the Red Flower Society from The Book and the Sword
- Qing dynasty setting — Shared with The Book and the Sword, The Deer and the Cauldron, and Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain
- Li Zicheng’s legacy — The rebel leader’s treasure connects to Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain
- Fuk’anggan — The Manchu noble appears in both novels