Situ Qianzhong

Situ Qianzhong (simplified: 司徒千钟, traditional: 司徒千鐘, pinyin: Sītú Qiānzhōng, jyutping: si1 tou4 cin1 zung1), known as the Drunk Immortal (醉不死), was an independent martial artist who appeared at the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly. He was known for his sarcastic wit, love of wine, and his tendency to speak truth to power, often mocking various factions. He was killed by Jingjia of the Emei Order using Thunderbolt Fire Bullets (霹雳雷火弹) after offending the Order with his sarcastic remarks.

Biography

Independent martial artist

Situ Qianzhong was an independent martial artist who belonged to no school or organisation. He was described as cynical and carefree, never taking a master, never accepting disciples, and having no affiliation with any faction. He rarely engaged in combat, and no one knew his true martial arts abilities. However, he was known for his sharp tongue and sarcastic wit, often making cutting remarks that hit the mark.

He was described as a solitary figure with no backing or support, yet he maintained a defiant nature and enjoyed provoking others with his words. Throughout his life, this tendency to speak out had caused him trouble, but he never changed his ways.

The Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly

At the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly (屠狮英雄会), Situ Qianzhong appeared and made several sarcastic comments that mocked various factions and leaders. He questioned the motives behind the assembly, suggesting that the real purpose was to display the Dragon-slaying Sabre rather than to deal with Xie Xun.

He mocked the Kongtong School’s Seven Injury Fist, saying that it “killed without spilling blood” and sarcastically noting that even Kongjian, the most senior of Shaolin’s Four Holy Monks, had died under the Seven Injury Fist. These remarks offended both the Kongtong School and Shaolin Order.

He also mocked the Emei Order, jokingly suggesting that the conference should be called a “heroines’ assembly” since the Emei Order members were women. He engaged in banter with various participants, including Zhou Dian and Shuobude of the Ming Order, often serving as comic relief in tense situations.

Death

When Jingjia, a Jing-generation disciple of the Emei Order, made a cold statement that fighters should fight to the death with no need for arbitrators, Situ Qianzhong sarcastically commented: “Tsk, tsk, tsk! What a fierce Emei Order! There’s a saying: ‘A good man does not fight a woman, a good drunkard does not fight a nun!’”

As he raised his wine cup to drink, Jingjia fired three Thunderbolt Fire Bullets at him. The bullets exploded, destroying his wine gourd and cup, and creating a large hole in his chest. He was thrown backward several zhang, and his clothes caught fire. He died instantly, still holding the wine cup, with a smile frozen on his face, apparently unaware that death was coming until it was too late.

His friend Xia Zhou rushed forward to help, but Situ Qianzhong was already dead. Xia Zhou would later also be killed by Jingjia when he protested the killing and demanded that the Emei Order leader Zhou Zhiruo discipline her disciple.

Personality & traits

Sarcastic wit

Situ Qianzhong’s defining characteristic was his sharp tongue and sarcastic wit. He had a talent for making cutting remarks that revealed uncomfortable truths, often mocking powerful factions and leaders. His comments were frequently accurate but provocative, earning him enemies despite his independent status.

Love of wine

Situ Qianzhong was known for his love of wine, carrying a wine gourd with him and constantly drinking. His nickname “Drunk Immortal” reflected both his fondness for alcohol and his carefree attitude toward life.

Defiant independence

Situ Qianzhong maintained his independence throughout his life, never joining any faction or organisation. He was willing to speak out against anyone, regardless of their power or status, demonstrating a commitment to truth-telling even at great personal risk.

Courage and principle

Despite his sarcastic nature, Situ Qianzhong demonstrated genuine courage and principle. He was willing to speak uncomfortable truths, even when it meant offending powerful factions. His death at the hands of the Emei Order demonstrated the danger of speaking truth to power in a martial arts world dominated by factionalism and violence.

Relationships

With Xia Zhou

Situ Qianzhong had a friendship with Xia Zhou, another independent martial artist. When Situ Qianzhong was killed, Xia Zhou rushed to help him, demonstrating their bond. Xia Zhou’s subsequent death while protesting Situ Qianzhong’s killing showed the depth of their friendship.

With the Ming Order

Situ Qianzhong seemed to have a generally positive relationship with the Ming Order members, engaging in friendly banter with Zhou Dian and Shuobude. His comments often supported the Ming Order’s position, suggesting he recognised their righteousness despite his independent status.

Behind the scenes

Narrative significance

Situ Qianzhong serves as a tragic figure whose death demonstrates the dangers of speaking truth to power. His sarcastic comments often revealed uncomfortable truths about the motivations and actions of various factions, but his independent status made him vulnerable to retaliation.

His death, along with Xia Zhou’s, highlights the brutality of the Emei Order under Zhou Zhiruo’s leadership and the willingness to use extreme violence to silence critics. The incident shocked many at the assembly and demonstrated how far the Emei Order had fallen from its traditional values of compassion and righteousness.

Symbolic meaning

Situ Qianzhong represents the voice of reason and truth in a world dominated by factionalism and violence. His willingness to speak uncomfortable truths, even at the cost of his life, demonstrates the importance of independent voices in challenging power and hypocrisy.

His death serves as a warning about the dangers of extremism and the importance of maintaining principles of justice and mercy, even in times of conflict.