Xiao Feng (pinyin: Xiāo Fēng, jyutping: Siu1 Fung1, simplified: 萧峰, traditional: 蕭峰) is one of the three male protagonists in Jin Yong’s Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils . He was also known as Qiáo Fēng (simplified: 乔峰, traditional: 喬峰), his adoptive name. As Qiao Feng, he was the charismatic chief of the Beggars’ Guild.
Xiao Feng cut an imposing figure that commanded immediate respect. Tall and powerfully built, he possessed striking features including thick eyebrows, large eyes, a high bridge nose, and a broad mouth set in a square face that typified the classical Chinese ideal of masculine beauty. His bearing carried natural authority—even a casual glance could convey remarkable presence and power.
His physical presence reflected his character, combining strength with dignity in a way that earned him tremendous popularity among readers. He exemplified the ideal of the ultimate xiao or hero through both his appearance and demeanour.
He was a great leader with exceptional martial arts prowess. The people in the jianghu referred to the two towering pillars of the wulin as “Qiao Feng in the North, Murong in the South.” As the leader of the Beggars’ Guild, Qiao Feng mastered the Dog-beating Staff Technique and the Eighteen Palms of Dragon-subduing, two renowned martial arts feats in the jianghu.
However, he fell from grace after his heritage as a Khitan, a nomadic people regarded as the enemy of Han Chinese, was revealed. He was subsequently wrongly-accused for several murders, and he became an outcast of the wulin. During his travels, he beacme sworn brothers with Dali Prince Duan Yu and Shaolin monk Xuzhu.
Xiao Feng decided to seek the truth of his heritage and investigate the murders to clear his name. His travels brought him to live with the Jurchen tribes and he became sworn brothers with the ruler of the Khitan Liao Empire, worsening his relations with the Han Chinese wulin.
Biography
Early life
Xiao Feng was born in 1045 into the noble Xiao clan of the Liao Empire, the same clan that produced the Empress Xiao. His father, Xiao Yuanshan, was a formidable martial artist who would later play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of his son’s life. When Xiao Feng was still an infant, his parents embarked on a journey to the Song Empire.
During their travels, the family was ambushed by a group of masked assailants at Yanmen Pass. In the ensuing battle, Xiao Feng’s mother was killed while his father sustained grave injuries defending his family. Before attempting suicide, Xiao Yuanshan carved a final message in the Khitan language on a nearby rock.
In what appeared to be his last moments, he leapt from a cliff with his family. However, Xiao Yuanshan ultimately could not bear kililng his son and tossed the infant upward before his descent. The surviving attackers caught the child and, in an act of mercy that contrasted sharply with their previous violence, decided to spare his life.
They entrusted the infant to Qiao Sanhuai and his wife, a Han Chinese peasant couple who would raise him as their own son. They named him Qiao Feng.
Path to mastery
From an early age, Qiao Feng displayed both extraordinary martial potential and a complex nature that would define his later life. A pivotal moment occurred when he was seven years old, revealing both his strong sense of justice and capacity for decisive action.
After a prejudiced doctor refused to treat him, young Qiao Feng took matters into his own hands and killed the man, displaying both his powerful sense of moral justice and his capability for violence when confronted with injustice. This early experience profoundly shaped his understanding of power, responsibility, and the sometimes harsh nature of justice in an imperfect world.
His formal martial arts journey began when he encountered Xuanku, a Shaolin monk who recognized his innate potential and became his first master. Under Xuanku’s guidance at the Shaolin Temple, Qiao Feng’s natural talent and dedication quickly became apparent, leading him to master several of Shaolin’s renowned techniques.
After his initial training, he joined the Beggars’ Guild, where he caught the attention of Wang Jiantong, known throughout the martial arts world as Sword Beard.
Wang Jiantong, secretly aware of Qiao Feng’s Khitan heritage, established an unusually stringent set of requirements for leadership succession: three major challenges and seven achievements that Qiao Feng would need to complete. Despite—or perhaps because of—the difficulty of these tasks, Qiao Feng’s reputation and abilities grew tremendously during this period.
Rise to leadership
Through his accomplishments and leadership qualities, Qiao Feng rose to become the chief of the Beggars’ Gang following the death of the previous leader Wang Jiantong. His tenure began with a stunning display of martial prowess at the Mount Tai conference, where he single-handedly defeated nine powerful opponents, establishing both his personal reputation and the guild’s prominence in the martial arts world.
By the time he reached his thirties, he had established himself as arguably the most formidable fighter in the jianghu, with his mastery of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms becoming particularly legendary.
During his eight years of leadership, the Beggars’ Guild underwent significant transformation. He successfully led the organization in defending against numerous Khitan invasions, unaware of the irony in fighting against his own people.
His administrative reforms strengthened the guild’s internal structure, while his personal charisma and sense of justice earned him the loyalty of members from all ranks. He established new protocols for member advancement and resource distribution, ensuring that the guild served not only as a martial arts organization but also as a force for social justice.
Brotherhood bonds
Qiao Feng encountered Duan Yu, a young prince from the Dali Kingdom, who initially mistook himself for Murong Fu. Despite their eleven-year age difference, they formed an immediate connection over shared wine.
Their brotherhood was cemented when Duan Yu revealed his extraordinary internal neigong power during a drinking contest, using his Six Meridians Divine Sword technique to match Xiao Feng’s legendary alcohol tolerance.
Later, along with Xuzhu, they would form a triumvirate of sworn brothers whose combined abilities and loyalty would prove crucial in future challenges.
Fall from grace
The pivotal moment in Qiao Feng’s life came during a guild meeting in Apricot Forest near Wuxi, where his Khitan heritage was dramatically revealed.
This disclosure coincided with accusations that he had murdered Ma Dayuan, the guild’s deputy chief who had been safekeeping a sealed letter containing details of Qiao Feng’s background. The revelation sent shockwaves through the jianghu and shattered the life he had built.
Although he had previously shown mercy to several senior members who had attempted to overthrow him upon learning his heritage, the widespread knowledge of his Khitan blood created an untenable situation.
Rather than cling to his position, he made the difficult decision to resign from his leadership role in the guild, displaying the integrity that had always marked his character.
Hunt for truth
This period of crisis deepened when his adoptive parents and master Xuanku were found murdered, with suspicion immediately falling upon him. While investigating these deaths at Shaolin Temple, he discovered his master’s body and found himself cornered in the Puti Temple behind a Buddha statue, where he faced the three most senior monks of Shaolin.
During this investigation, he encountered Azhu, a servant of the Murong clan who was disguised as a monk attempting to steal the Yijin Jing manuscript. When she was critically wounded by Reverend Xuancong’s Great Golden Buddha Palm during the confrontation, Qiao Feng made the dangerous decision to seek help for her at Heroes Gathering Manor, despite knowing that the martial arts world had gathered there to pass judgment on him.
At the manor, heavily outnumbered, he was forced into a devastating confrontation with his former allies, culminating in a battle where he was compelled to fight against hundreds of martial artists. Though he had vowed not to kill Han Chinese, the circumstances forced him to break this oath to protect both himself and Azhu. The battle became one of the most famous in martial arts legend, ending only when a mysterious masked fighter intervened to save him from certain death.
Exile and romance
After recuperating from his injuries, Qiao Feng made his way to Yanmen Pass where he found Azhu, who had also recovered from her wounds. Their relationship deepened during this period of exile, offering a rare bright spot in his increasingly complex life.
His acceptance of his Khitan identity came gradually, catalyzed by the discovery of a wolf tattoo on another Khitan man that matched his own. As he delved deeper into his past, he discovered his birth name was Xiao Feng, leading him to abandon his former identity as Qiao Feng and begin his quest to identify the Mastermind Senior, the mysterious leader of the ambush that had killed his mother decades earlier.
This period was marked by several crucial discoveries, including learning that his father, Xiao Yuanshan, had survived the tragedy at Yanmen Pass. The revelation that his father lived transformed his quest from one of self-discovery to one of understanding his family’s tragedy.
This search led to a tragic sequence of events when Kang Min, Ma Dayuan’s widow, falsely identified Duan Zhengchun as the culprit. The situation became even more complex when Azhu discovered she was actually Duan Zhengchun’s illegitimate daughter.
To prevent Xiao Feng from killing her father and facing the inevitable consequences from the Dali royal family, Azhu made the ultimate sacrifice by disguising herself as Duan Zhengchun during the planned duel. Xiao Feng, unaware of the deception, mortally wounded her. Only in her final moments did she reveal her true identity, using her last breath to ask him to care for her younger sister, Azi.
Life in the northern lands
Bearing the weight of grief and regret, Xiao Feng wandered into the northeastern territories with Azi. There, fate brought him into contact with Wanyan Aguda, the son of a Jurchen chieftain. During a conflict between Jurchen and Khitan forces, Xiao Feng captured but chose to spare Yelü Hongji, the emperor of the Liao Empire. This act of mercy led to an unexpected brotherhood between them.
His service to the Liao Empire reached its peak when he helped suppress a prince’s rebellion. In a remarkable display of martial prowess, he fought against thousands of soldiers, killed Duke Yelü Nielugu, captured the Military Commander Yelü Zhongyuan, and saved Emperor Yelü Hongji’s life. For these achievements, he was appointed Southern Chancellor and granted residence in Yusheng Palace.
Truth revealed
Xiao Feng’s return to the Song Empire brought him to another martial arts gathering at Shaolin Monastery, where he fought alongside his sworn brothers Duan Yu and Xuzhu. After the battle, the mysterious masked fighter who had saved him at Heroes Gathering Manor revealed himself as Xiao Yuanshan, Xiao Feng’s father, who had survived the fall at Yanmen Pass.
His father had spent the intervening years hiding within Shaolin, learning various martial arts while plotting his revenge. The revelation included the painful truth that Xiao Yuanshan had been responsible for the deaths of the Qiao couple, Xuanku, and others who knew the identity of the Mastermind Senior.
The final piece of the puzzle fell into place with the identification of Mastermind Senior as Xuanci, the abbot of Shaolin. After Xuanci’s death in acceptance of his crimes, and following the intervention of a nameless Shaolin sweeper monk who helped heal both body and spirit, Xiao Yuanshan renounced his quest for vengeance and took monastic vows.
Final sacrifice
Xiao Feng’s return to the Liao Empire forced him to confront his most challenging moral dilemma. Emperor Yelü Hongji’s plans to invade the Song Empire placed him in an impossible position between his adopted homeland and his birth nation.
His refusal to lead the invasion force, motivated by his debt to the land that had raised him, led to his imprisonment through a scheme involving a “love potion” administered through Azi’s unwitting help.
After a daring rescue by his sworn brothers and allies from the martial arts world, the situation culminated in a siege at Yanmen Pass. Breaking through the Liao forces, Xiao Feng captured Emperor Yelü Hongji and forced him to swear that no Liao troops would ever cross the border into Song territory.
However, the weight of having threatened his sworn brother and acted against his adopted nation’s interests proved too heavy a burden. In a final act that demonstrated both his personal honor and his commitment to peace between the two nations, Xiao Feng took his own life at Yanmen Pass. In a poetic ending to his tragic life, Azi, still devoted to him despite his unwavering love for her sister Azhu, carried his body into the same ravine where his father had jumped with his mother’s body years before.
This brought his story full circle, ending where it had begun, at Yanmen Pass.
Personality and traits
Character and values
Xiao Feng embodied the classical virtues of the martial world, displaying righteousness (义 yì) in all his dealings and unwavering loyalty to his principles. Despite his overwhelming martial prowess, he consistently showed both mercy to opponents and a deep sense of justice that transcended personal gain. This commitment to principle was most evident in his voluntary resignation from the Beggars’ Guild when his heritage was revealed, choosing integrity over power and position.
His personality was marked by a unique combination of strength and restraint. Though capable of great violence when necessary, as demonstrated in the battle at Heroes Gathering Manor, he preferred peaceful resolutions whenever possible. This balance between power and mercy earned him both respect and devotion from his followers.
Leadership style
As Chief of the Beggars’ Guild, Xiao Feng demonstrated exceptional leadership through his combination of martial prowess and administrative wisdom. He led by example rather than authority alone, personally involving himself in important matters rather than delegating from afar. His reforms within the guild focused not just on martial excellence but also on improving the lives of its lower-ranking members, showing his commitment to social justice.
His approach to leadership emphasized practical solutions to real problems while maintaining traditional values. This was evident in his handling of the attempted coup within the guild, where he showed mercy to the conspirators while still addressing the underlying issues that had led to their actions.
Wine and character
Perhaps his most famous personal characteristic was his legendary capacity for alcohol. His ability to drink vast quantities without becoming intoxicated became almost mythical in the jianghu. However, this trait was more than mere tolerance—it reflected his extraordinary internal energy and self-control.
More significantly, he often used wine drinking as a means of evaluating others’ characters and intentions. His first meeting with Duan Yu over wine, where they became sworn brothers, illustrated how he could forge genuine connections through shared cups, seeing past social barriers to recognize true character.
Cultural identity and moral complexity
Xiao Feng’s struggle with his dual identity as both Han-raised and Khitan-born formed a core aspect of his character. Rather than choosing one identity over the other, he strove to embody the best qualities of both cultures. This was reflected in his later actions as Southern Chancellor of the Liao Empire, where he worked to prevent conflict while maintaining his principles.
His sense of justice was notably complex and nuanced. Unlike many martial heroes who saw justice in black and white terms, Xiao Feng recognized the grey areas of human nature. This understanding was evident in his treatment of both friends and enemies, showing compassion even to those who had wronged him while maintaining firm boundaries when necessary.
Relationships and loyalty
Xiao Feng’s approach to relationships was characterized by deep loyalty and emotional authenticity. His brotherhood bonds with Duan Yu and Xuzhu demonstrated his ability to form meaningful connections across cultural and social boundaries. His tragic romance with Azhu and subsequent care for her sister Azi showed his capacity for both profound love and principled restraint.
In all his relationships, whether as leader, brother, or lover, he maintained a consistent integrity that earned him deep respect even from his adversaries. This was perhaps most powerfully demonstrated in his final choice at Yanmen Pass, where he sacrificed his life rather than compromise his principles or betray either his birth nation or adopted homeland.
Martial arts abilities
Xiao Feng’s approach to martial arts reflected his character—direct, powerful, and principled. Unlike many practitioners who relied on elaborate techniques, his style emphasized overwhelming force tempered with precise control.
His fighting philosophy integrated internal power with external techniques, allowing him to adapt his approach based on his opponent’s capabilities. This philosophy manifested most clearly in his mastery of the Twenty-eight Palms of Dragon-subduing, where he could modulate the force of his strikes from lethal to merely incapacitating with exceptional precision.
Xiao Feng’s martial prowess was demonstrated most vividly through several legendary confrontations that would be long remembered in the martial arts world. At the Mount Tai conference early in his leadership of the Beggars’ Guild, he single-handedly defeated nine powerful opponents in succession.
Perhaps his most famous battle occurred at Heroes Gathering Manor, where he engaged hundreds of martial artists single-handedly while protecting the injured Azhu. His confrontation with the Three Venerable Elders of Shaolin tested his skills against the monastery’s most powerful monks and he was able to hold his own against the combined might of the three masters.
His final display of martial excellence came during the siege at Yanmen Pass, where he broke through thousands of Liao soldiers to reach Emperor Yelü Hongji
Internal Energy
Xiao Feng possessed extraordinary internal energy, demonstrated most famously through his legendary alcohol tolerance. His profound internal power allowed him to fight multiple skilled opponents simultaneously and maintain his strength in extended battles.
This internal energy also enhanced his ability to adapt the power of his techniques, particularly the Twenty-eight Palms of Dragon-subduing, making him equally capable of destroying powerful opponents or subduing lesser ones without causing permanent harm.
Evolution of Style
Throughout his life, Xiao Feng’s martial arts style evolved to reflect his experiences and philosophical growth. His early training emphasized power and direct confrontation, while his later years showed greater integration of restraint and precision.
This evolution was particularly evident in his refinement of the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, where he demonstrated that simplification, when done with deep understanding, could lead to greater power and effectiveness than complexity.
Core skills
His foundation was built on Shaolin martial arts, learned during his early training under Master Xuanku. These included the Taizu Long Fist (太祖长拳 Tàizǔ chǎngquán), a fundamental fighting style emphasizing practical combat applications.
From the Shaolin Temple, Xiao Feng mastered several specialized skills that formed important components of his fighting repertoire. The Dragon Claw Hands (龙爪手 lóngzhǎoshǒu) and Demon-subduing Palm (降魔掌 jiàngmózhǎng), both among Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Supreme Skills, gave him formidable close-combat capabilities.
Taizu Long Fist
Named after Emperor Taizu of Song, this fundamental fighting style formed the backbone of Xiao Feng’s martial foundation. The technique emphasized practical combat application through quick, lightning-like movements.
Its principle of continuous flow, where the leading hand initiates while the rear hand follows in rapid succession, created an almost unstoppable chain of attacks. This style particularly suited Xiao Feng’s direct approach to combat, allowing him to overwhelm opponents with superior speed and power.
Dragon Claw Hands
Among the Seventy-Two Supreme Skills of Shaolin, the Dragon Claw Hands technique represented one of their most formidable close-combat abilities. Under Xiao Feng’s mastery, this technique allowed his fingers to develop strength comparable to steel, capable of tearing through solid objects with terrifying efficiency.
The technique’s power lay not just in its offensive capabilities but in its versatility, allowing him to break through defenses or disarm opponents with equal effectiveness.
Demon-subduing Palm (Third Edition)
On of Xiao Feng’s favoured technique, it was also one of Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Supreme Skills. It emphasized the use of palm strikes to push away opponents, creating space for Xiao Feng to maneuver and strike. The technique required precise timing and coordination, showcasing his mastery of basic palm techniques.
The Demon-subduing Palm exemplified the principle that true power need not always be obvious. The technique’s genius lay in its subtle execution—palm strikes appeared gentle and almost ethereal, yet contained hidden power that could devastate opponents.
This palm technique perfectly complemented Xiao Feng’s fighting philosophy, combining internal force with external technique in a way that made its power difficult to defend against.
It was called the Twin Palms of Cloud Pushing in the Second Edition, but was later renamed the Demon-subduing Palm.
Special techniques
He also mastered the Dragon Grappling (擒龙功 qínlónggōng), which allowed him to seize weapons and control opponents with extraordinary precision.
Dragon Grappling
The Dragon Grappling demonstrated Xiao Feng’s mastery over precision and control in combat. This specialized technique allowed him to intercept objects in mid-air and disarm opponents with remarkable accuracy.
The skill’s true sophistication lay in its ability to turn captured weapons against their original wielders, making it particularly effective in situations where Xiao Feng faced armed opponents.
Signature feats
Xiao Feng was most renowned for two legendary techniques. The first was the Dog-beating Staff Technique (打狗棒法 dǎgǒubǎngfǎ), the hereditary weapon skill of the Beggars’ Guild. This technique encompassed eight core principles: binding, chopping, entangling, stabbing, lifting, leading, sealing, and turning. Under his mastery, the seemingly simple staff technique became an art of extraordinary sophistication.
His most famous skill was the Twenty-eight Palms of Dragon-subduing (降龙二十八掌 jiànglóng èrshíbā zhǎng). Each palm strike could generate enormous power, earning the technique its reputation as the most powerful external martial art. The style was particularly noted for its adaptability, allowing him to adjust the force of his strikes from deadly to merely incapacitating.
Twenty-eight Palms of Dragon-subduing
The Twenty-eight Palms of Dragon-subduing stands as Xiao Feng’s most renowned technique and was one of the most treasured techniques of the Beggars’ Guild. This martial art was considered the supreme yang force technique of its time. It was the skill that was only passed down to the Beggars’ Guild chiefs.
Each movement corresponds to one of the twenty-eight constellations in the night sky. At its core, the technique embodied the perfect balance between hardness and softness—rigid when rigidity was called for, gentle when gentleness was needed.
Its true mastery lay in the practitioner’s ability to seamlessly blend and alternate between these opposing forces, allowing them to express both supreme hardness and ultimate softness within the same form. A master of this technique could vary the force of their strikes from lethal to merely incapacitating, demonstrating the perfect union of power and control.
Considered the pinnacle of external martial arts, the technique appeared deceptively simple in its movements. However, each palm strike manifested with the presence of a dragon, carrying limitless power. The essence of the technique lay not in complex movements but in the profound manipulation of force—how one gathered, controlled, and released energy. Though the number of moves was limited, each strike possessed the momentum of a dragon’s roar and a tiger’s howl, making it nearly unstoppable.
Later, Xiao Feng and his sworn brother Xuzhu refined the original twenty-eight movements, distilling them to their essential core of eighteen palms. This refinement, far from diminishing the technique, enhanced its power and effectiveness. The streamlined version demonstrated even greater precision in force application and increased striking power.
During the Northern Song period, when Xiao Feng was chief of the Beggars’ Guild, he used this technique to challenge the greatest fighters in the martial arts world. Historical accounts note that very few could withstand even two or three moves from him, and his mastery of the technique was so complete that it overwhelmed all contemporary martial artists, leaving them with no counter.
Dog-beating Staff Technique
As the hereditary skill passed down through generations of guild chiefs, the Dog-beating Staff Technique carried both martial and symbolic significance. For hundreds of years, whenever the Beggars’ Guild faced crisis, the chief would personally take the field wielding this technique, using it to eliminate enemies and strike fear into the hearts of villains.
The technique’s sophistication lay in its eight fundamental principles: binding, chopping, entangling, stabbing, lifting, leading, sealing, and turning.
When executed properly, the staff moves like a dancing shadow, as nimble as a divine dragon, swift as a meteor chasing the moon. Its versatility allowed practitioners to seamlessly transition between offense and defense, making it equally effective for both attacking and protecting.
Under Xiao Feng’s mastery, the seemingly simple staff technique became an art of extraordinary sophistication.
Relationships
Despite his towering reputation in the jianghu, Xiao Feng was a man who placed heroic duty above romantic pursuits. As the saying goes, “Short is the passion of love, long is the spirit of heroism.” As a result, his romantic life was marked by tragedy.
However, he valued people of character and forged brotherhood bonds with several individuals who would become central to his life.
Azhu
At the heart of Xiao Feng’s story lies his relationship with Azhu, which embodied both the greatest joy and deepest tragedy of his life. They met during his period of exile, when he had lost everything that had defined his life - his position, his reputation, and his sense of identity.
Azhu’s ability to see beyond the accusations and prejudices that surrounded him spoke to a deep understanding between their spirits. Their love developed gradually, built on mutual trust and understanding rather than mere passion.
The tragedy of their relationship reached its apex when Azhu chose to sacrifice herself by impersonating her father, Duan Zhengchun, whom Xiao Feng believed to be his parents’ murderer. Her sacrifice was twofold—not only to save her father but also to protect Xiao Feng from the inevitable consequences of killing a member of the Dali royal family. Her final words about their unfulfilled promise to live a simple life raising cattle beyond the Great Wall became a poignant symbol of their thwarted dreams.
Azi
His relationship with Azi, Azhu’s younger sister, was complex and bittersweet, developing into one of the most complex bonds in his life. Following Azhu’s dying wish, he reluctantly but dutifully looked after Azi despite his reservations. As time passed, Azi developed romantic feelings for him, but Xiao Feng’s heart remained faithful to Azhu, offering Azi only protective care and guidance.
His treatment of Azi demonstrated both his unwavering loyalty to Azhu’s memory and his compassionate nature, as he continued to care for and protect Azi while maintaining clear boundaries.
Azi’s unrequited love for Xiao Feng following her sister’s death created a different kind of tragedy. Her devotion, while genuine, could never replace what he had lost with Azhu. The depth of Azi’s devotion would ultimately be demonstrated in her final act of carrying his body into the ravine at Yanmen Pass, joining him with Azhu in death as she could not in life.
Duan Yu
His brotherhood bonds represented another facet of his capacity for deep relationship. His friendship with Duan Yu, formed over shared wine and immediate mutual understanding, transcended their cultural differences and later political complications.
Their relationship demonstrated how true friendship could bridge the gaps between Han and Khitan cultures that others found insurmountable.
Duan Yu was also Xiao Feng’s brother-in-law through his engagement to Azhu.
Xuzhu
Similarly, his brotherhood with Xuzhu was built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared values, despite their different approaches to life and martial arts. He first met the humble Shaolin monk under tense circumstances at Shaolin Temple, but their bond was officially formed at Lingjiu Palace on Piaomiao Peak where they became sworn brothers.
Despite their contrasting personalities—Xiao Feng being bold and decisive while Xuzhu was modest and sometimes hesitant—they shared a deep mutual respect and understanding. Their brotherhood was tested multiple times, particularly during the crisis at Shaolin Temple, but their loyalty never wavered.
When Xiao Feng faced his final dilemma at Yanmen Pass, Xuzhu, along with Duan Yu, came to his aid without hesitation, demonstrating that their brotherhood transcended political and ethnic boundaries.
Xiao Feng chose to entrust Xuzhu with the Beggars’ Guild’s prized treasures, the Twenty-eight Palms of Dragon-subduing and the Dog-beating Staff Technique, along with the task of imparting these skills to the next elected guild chief.
Emperor Yelü Hongji
Xiao Feng’s relationship with Yelü Hongji, the emperor of the Liao Empire, was one of the most complex and pivotal in his life. Their bond began when Xiao Feng, during a conflict between Jurchen and Khitan forces, captured but chose to spare Yelü Hongji. This act of mercy laid the foundation for a deep and genuine brotherhood between them.
Yelü Hongji recognized Xiao Feng’s exceptional martial prowess and leadership qualities, appointing him as the Southern Chancellor of the Liao Empire. In this role, Xiao Feng helped suppress a rebellion, demonstrating his loyalty and strategic acumen by saving Yelü Hongji’s life and securing the emperor’s trust.
However, their relationship was tested when Yelü Hongji planned to invade the Song Empire. Xiao Feng found himself torn between his loyalty to his sworn brother and his moral obligation to prevent bloodshed. His refusal to lead the invasion force, motivated by his debt to the land that had raised him, led to his imprisonment through a scheme involving a “love potion” administered through Azi’s unwitting help.
Despite these challenges, Xiao Feng’s integrity and commitment to peace remained unwavering. In a daring rescue, his sworn brothers and allies from the martial arts world freed him, culminating in a siege at Yanmen Pass. There, Xiao Feng captured Yelü Hongji and forced him to swear that no Liao troops would ever cross the border into Song territory.
This final confrontation highlighted the central conflict of Xiao Feng’s life—the tension between personal loyalty and larger moral obligations. That he could maintain the essence of their friendship even while opposing Yelü Hongji’s military ambitions spoke to his remarkable ability to balance competing loyalties without compromising his principles.
In the end, Xiao Feng’s relationship with Yelü Hongji exemplified his role as a bridge between cultures, demonstrating that true brotherhood could endure even amidst political and personal turmoil.
Wanyan Aguda
Xiao Feng’s relationship with Wanyan Aguda, the son of a Jurchen chieftain, marked a significant turning point in his life. Their first meeting occurred during a conflict between Jurchen and Khitan forces, where Xiao Feng’s martial prowess and honor impressed the Jurchen prince.
Despite being from traditionally antagonistic peoples, they formed a strong bond based on mutual respect and shared values. Wanyan Aguda recognized in Xiao Feng the qualities of a true hero—strength tempered by wisdom, and power guided by principle.
Their friendship proved particularly significant as it represented Xiao Feng’s growing acceptance of his complex identity. Through Wanyan Aguda, he found a connection to the northern peoples that helped him reconcile his Khitan heritage with his Han Chinese upbringing.
This relationship also highlighted Xiao Feng’s unique position as a bridge between different cultures. While maintaining his personal integrity, he was able to forge meaningful connections across ethnic and political divides, demonstrating that true brotherhood knows no boundaries.
Behind the scenes
Name
The Feng in his name uses 峯 in print. This is less common variant form of the character 峰. Since the latter is more widely used, his name is usually rendered as 乔峰/萧峰 most of the time, especially in digital content.
Age discrepancy
According to the revised edition, Xiao Feng lived from 1062 to 1095. However, historical records indicate that Emperor Yelü Hongji was born in 1032, and the text notes that he was either 13 years (Second Edition) or 8 years (Third Edition) older than Xiao Feng. This would place Xiao Feng’s birth year at either 1045 or 1040, creating some ambiguity in the precise chronology.
The later dates (1062-1095) align better with the broader narrative of the Song-Liao relations depicted in the novel, while the earlier dates (suggesting birth in 1040 or 1045) better match the historical timeline of Emperor Yelü Hongji’s reign.
Historical inspiration
Jin Yong’s portrayal of the Song-Liao relationship through Xiao Feng’s story closely mirrors historical reality while taking creative liberties for dramatic effect. The political tensions, cultural prejudices, and social dynamics depicted in his story accurately reflect the complex relationship between these two powers during the Northern Song period.
The author’s decision to place a Khitan character at the center of this narrative provided a unique perspective on this historical period, allowing readers to see events from multiple viewpoints.
The historical parallel between Xiao Feng and figures like Yelü Xianzhong, a historical Khitan general known for his loyalty and military prowess, grounds his fictional story in historical reality. However, Jin Yong’s characterization goes beyond historical inspiration to create a figure who embodies both classical martial heroism and modern psychological complexity. The details of his character—from his preference for simple clothing to his legendary alcohol tolerance—serve to humanize what could otherwise have been an impossibly noble figure.
Unique characterisation
One of Xiao Feng’s most notable distinctions was that he stands as the only protagonist in Jin Yong’s works to debut already at the peak of martial arts mastery. Unlike other heroes who typically progress from modest beginnings to eventual greatness, Xiao Feng possessed formidable skills from his very first appearance.
His martial arts capabilities were consistently portrayed at the highest level throughout the narrative. This unique characteristic added to the tragic elements of his story—his challenges stemmed not from any lack of ability but from the complex moral and identity issues he faced.
Themes and literary analysis
At its core, Xiao Feng’s story explores fundamental questions about identity and moral choice. His discovery of his Khitan heritage raised questions about the relationship between nature and nurture, between inherited identity and chosen values.
His consistent choice to act according to his principles rather than ethnic loyalty or political expedience demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of moral obligation that transcended simple categories of loyalty.
The tragic elements of his story serve to highlight larger philosophical questions about fate and human agency. While his life was shaped by circumstances beyond his control—his birth, the attack at Yanmen Pass, the revelation of his identity—his responses to these circumstances remained steadfastly his own. His final sacrifice illustrated how individual choice could triumph over circumstance, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Xiao Feng’s story shares thematic similarities with the classic Greek tragedy of Oedipus. Both characters are defined by their complex identities and the tragic consequences of their quests for truth. Xiao Feng’s struggle with his dual heritage and the revelation of his Khitan identity mirrors Oedipus’s discovery of his true parentage. In both narratives, the protagonists’ attempts to confront or escape their fates lead to personal and social upheaval, highlighting the timeless themes of identity, fate, and self-discovery.
These parallels enrich Xiao Feng’s character, positioning him within a broader literary tradition of tragic heroes whose journeys reflect the complexities of human nature and the inexorable pull of destiny.
Cultural impact and genre influence
Xiao Feng’s story transcends the typical boundaries of wuxia literature to engage with fundamental questions of identity, loyalty, and the nature of justice. In the context of Chinese literature, his character represents a sophisticated exploration of the complex relationship between personal and national identity. His struggle with his Khitan heritage against the backdrop of Song-Liao relations provides a lens through which to examine questions of ethnic identity that remain relevant in modern times.
In the broader context of wuxia literature, Xiao Feng set new standards for character development and moral complexity. His story demonstrated that the genre could handle sophisticated themes while maintaining its traditional emphasis on action and heroism. The way his tale interweaves personal tragedy with historical events helped establish a template for how wuxia stories could engage with serious historical and philosophical themes without losing their entertainment value.
Revisions
Jin Yong revised Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils twice, bringing significant refinements to Xiao Feng’s character arc.
Second Edition
Xiao Feng was only known as Qiao Feng in the First Edition. Jin Yong added the birth name Xiao Feng in the Second Edition to deepen the impact of his Khitan heritage revelation and strengthen the thematic exploration of identity.
The author refined several plot points, particularly those concerning Xiao Feng’s relationships and motivations, to create a more coherent narrative.
The descriptions of his martial arts techniques were also enhanced to better illustrate both his physical prowess and the philosophical principles underlying his fighting style. These changes culminated in the name of the technique as Twin Palms of Cloud Pushing.
Third Edition
The Third Edition further developed the philosophical themes central to Xiao Feng’s story. Jin Yong placed greater emphasis on the complexities of identity, loyalty, and cultural conflict—themes that had become increasingly significant in his later works.
This edition provided richer historical and cultural context for Xiao Feng’s journey, particularly in his interactions with characters from different ethnic backgrounds. His relationships, especially with Azhu and his sworn brothers, were imbued with additional nuance and emotional depth.
Jin Yong replaced the Twin Palms of Cloud Pushing with the Demon-subduing Palm as the latter is one of the Seventy-Two Supreme Skills of Shaolin, thus providing a more accurate representation of Xiao Feng’s martial prowess emerging from his Shaolin foundation.
Portrayal
The enduring popularity of Xiao Feng’s character across multiple adaptations speaks to how his story touches on universal themes while remaining distinctly Chinese.
In television and film adaptations, different aspects of his character have been emphasized - some focusing on his martial prowess, others on his tragic romance with Azhu, and still others on his political and ethical dilemmas. Each interpretation has added new layers to the understanding of his character while maintaining his essential nobility and tragic heroism.
Various actors who have portrayed Xiao Feng have brought different dimensions to the character. Some emphasized his physical presence and martial arts prowess, while others focused on his internal struggles and emotional depth. These diverse interpretations have helped keep the character relevant for new generations, with each adaptation finding fresh aspects to explore in his complex personality.
Television series
- Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1982) by TVB – Bryan Leung
- Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1990) by CTV – Austin Wai
- Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1997) by TVB – Felix Wong
- Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003) by Ciwen Film & TV Production – Hu Jun
- The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2013) by Zhejiang Huace Film & TV Production – Wallace Chung
- New Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2019) by Tencent Video – Tony Yang
Films
- The Battle Wizard (1977) by Shaw Brothers studio – Danny Lee
- Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1983) by New Century Film – Norman Chui
- Sakra by Mandarin Motion Pictures – Donnie Yen
External links
- Qiao Feng on Wikipedia
- Qiao Feng on Wikipedia (Chinese)
- Xiao Feng on Baidu Baike (Chinese)