Wu Daotong (simplified: 吴道通, traditional: 吳道通, pinyin: Wú Dàotōng, jyutping: ng4 dou6 tung1), known as “Double Pen” (双笔), was a martial artist who obtained a Mysterious Iron Token and hid in Houjianji disguised as a pancake seller. He was killed by Golden Saber Stronghold members while protecting the token.
Biography
Obtaining the Mysterious Iron Token
Wu Daotong somehow obtained one of the three Mysterious Iron Tokens issued by Xie Yanke. Knowing that the token would attract attention from martial artists throughout the jianghu, he decided to hide and wait for an opportunity to use it.
Hiding in Houjianji
Wu Daotong disguised himself as “Old Man Wang,” a pancake seller in Houjianji, and lived there for three years. His weapon, a pair of Judge’s Pens, was disguised as the iron tongs he used to bake pancakes.
Attack by the Golden Saber Stronghold
When the Golden Saber Stronghold learned that Wu Daotong possessed the Mysterious Iron Token, they sent over two hundred men to Houjianji to capture him. Wu Daotong fought back using his iron tongs (which were actually his Judge’s Pens), fighting against multiple attackers.
Despite his skill, Wu Daotong was outnumbered. He was struck in the chest by Zhou Mu, a member of the Golden Saber Stronghold, and then stabbed in the abdomen by another attacker using double hooks. He fell unconscious, and the attackers, thinking he was dead, searched for the token but could not find it.
Hiding the token
Before the attack, Wu Daotong had hidden the Mysterious Iron Token inside one of his pancakes, hoping to keep it safe. When the Golden Saber Stronghold members could not find it on his person, they scattered the pancakes and left.
Final moments
Wu Daotong regained consciousness after the attackers left. Realizing that the token was missing, he searched through the scattered pancakes but could not find it. He then saw a young beggar (Shi Potian) nearby and mistakenly thought the beggar had eaten the pancake containing the token.
In desperation, Wu Daotong pulled the hook from his own abdomen and attempted to cut open the beggar’s stomach to retrieve the token. However, the wound bled profusely, and he collapsed and died before he could complete the act.
Personality and characteristics
Cunning and cautious
Wu Daotong demonstrated cunning and caution by hiding in plain sight for three years, disguising himself as an ordinary pancake seller. His ability to maintain this disguise showed his patience and careful planning.
Desperation
In his final moments, Wu Daotong’s desperation to recover the Mysterious Iron Token led him to attempt a brutal act against an innocent beggar. This demonstrated how the pursuit of power and opportunity could corrupt even those who were initially cautious.
Martial arts abilities
Wu Daotong was skilled in using Judge’s Pens, a pair of weapons that he disguised as iron tongs. He was capable of fighting multiple opponents simultaneously, demonstrating considerable martial arts skill. However, he was ultimately overwhelmed by superior numbers.
Behind the scenes
Wu Daotong represents the theme of the pursuit of power and its consequences in Ode to Gallantry. His character demonstrates how even those who are cautious and cunning can be destroyed by their own desires, and how the pursuit of martial arts secrets can lead to tragedy.
The character’s name, “Wu Daotong” (吴道通), combines the surname “Wu” (吴) with “Daotong” (道通), meaning “way through” or “path clear,” suggesting a character who seeks a way to power or success. His epithet “Double Pen” reflects his weapon of choice and his skill in using it. His role in the novel’s opening serves to introduce the Mysterious Iron Token and set the stage for Shi Potian’s journey.