Tao Baishui (simplified: 陶百岁, traditional: 陶百歲, pinyin: Táo Bǎisuì, jyutping: tou4 baak3 seoi3) was the leader of the Yinmachuan Stronghold and a former deputy of Tian Guinong. He played a crucial role in Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain when he and his son Tao Zian discovered a treasure chest in the snowy mountains, setting in motion the events that would bring various martial artists together at Jade Brush Peak.
Biography
Background
Tao Baishui was a bandit leader who had once served as a deputy under Tian Guinong, the scheming leader of the Northern Branch of the Tianlong School. As a professional bandit, Tao Baishui was naturally drawn to wealth and treasure, which would ultimately lead to his downfall.
Discovery of the treasure chest
In Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain, Tao Baishui and his son Tao Zian discovered a treasure chest in the snowy mountains. This chest contained a precious saber connected to Li Zicheng’s rebellion, which immediately attracted the attention of various martial artists and bandits.
The discovery of this treasure chest was the catalyst for the entire plot of the novel. It drew in Master Xiong Yuanxian of the Pingtong Armed Escort, members of the Northern and Southern Branches of the Tianlong School, and eventually led to the gathering at Jade Brush Peak.
Demise
Driven by greed for Li Zicheng’s hidden treasure, Tao Baishui joined other martial artists in their pursuit of the legendary wealth. He, along with his son Tao Zian, Cao Yunqi, Ruan Shizhong, Yin Ji, Baoshu, and others, was eventually trapped by Hu Fei inside the treasure cave. He perished there, a victim of his own avarice and the treacherous environment. His death serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of greed.
Personality
Tao Baishui is depicted as a typical bandit leader—greedy, opportunistic, and driven by material gain. As a professional bandit, his love for wealth was natural, but his insatiable desire for the legendary treasure ultimately led to his destruction. His character represents the corrupting influence of avarice in the martial world.
Relationships
- Tao Zian (Son): His son who accompanied him in discovering the treasure and shared his fate.
- Tian Guinong (Former Master): The scheming martial artist under whom he once served as a deputy.
- Hu Fei (Antagonist): The protagonist who ultimately trapped him in the treasure cave.
Legacy
Tao Baishui serves as a minor but important character whose actions set the plot in motion. His discovery of the treasure chest brings together the various factions and individuals whose stories would unfold at Jade Brush Peak. His demise in the treasure cave reinforces the novel’s moral message about the consequences of greed and avarice.