Tianxu (simplified: 天虚, traditional: 天虛, pinyin: Tiānxū, jyutping: tin1 heoi1) was the leader of the Shangqing Monastery and Shi Qing’s senior brother. He received a Reward Good Punish Evil token and was willing to go to Heroes Island, but Shi Qing and Min Rou tried to take the token in his place.
Biography
Leadership of Shangqing Monastery
Tianxu served as the leader of the Shangqing Monastery, a Taoist temple that was home to several skilled martial artists. He was the senior brother of Shi Qing, who had left the monastery to establish Xuansu Manor with Min Rou.
Receiving the Reward Good Punish Evil token
When the Heroes Island envoys Zhang San and Li Si delivered a Reward Good Punish Evil token to the Shangqing Monastery, Tianxu accepted it. He was willing to go to Heroes Island, knowing that those who went there never returned.
Shi Qing and Min Rou’s intervention
Shi Qing and Min Rou, concerned for Tianxu’s safety, came to the Shangqing Monastery and tried to take the token in his place. However, Tianxu refused to let them sacrifice themselves for him, demonstrating his sense of responsibility and honor.
Encounter with Shi Potian
When Shi Potian came to the Shangqing Monastery, he accidentally injured Tianxu and Chongxu with a palm strike while trying to help Min Rou obtain the token. This led to a misunderstanding, as the monastery members thought that Shi Qing and Min Rou had planned this attack.
Confrontation
Tianxu and other monastery members pursued Shi Qing and Min Rou, believing they had been betrayed. However, Shi Potian intervened and defeated Tianxu and the others using only one hand, demonstrating his incredible martial arts abilities.
Personality and characteristics
Sense of responsibility
Tianxu demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility as the leader of the Shangqing Monastery. He was willing to accept the Reward Good Punish Evil token and go to Heroes Island, even though it meant certain death, rather than endanger his disciples.
Honor and integrity
Tianxu refused to let Shi Qing and Min Rou take the token in his place, showing his honor and integrity. He would not allow others to sacrifice themselves for him, even if it meant his own death.
Martial arts abilities
Tianxu was skilled in the Shangqing Sword Technique, a thirteen-move sword technique that was fast and agile. However, his abilities were not sufficient to defeat Shi Potian, who was able to defeat him and several other monastery members using only one hand.
Behind the scenes
Tianxu represents the theme of responsibility and sacrifice in Ode to Gallantry. His character demonstrates how leaders must be willing to make difficult decisions and accept the consequences of their actions, even when it means personal sacrifice.
The character’s name, “Tianxu” (天虚), combines “Tian” (天), meaning “heaven” or “sky,” with “Xu” (虚), meaning “empty” or “void,” suggesting a character who seeks spiritual emptiness and connection with the heavens, fitting for a Taoist monastery leader.