Yang Buhui

Yang Buhui (simplified: 杨不悔, traditional: 楊不悔, pinyin: Yáng Bùhuǐ, jyutping: joeng4 bat1 fui3), whose name means “Never Regret,” was the daughter of Yang Xiao, the Bright Left Messenger of the Ming Order, and Ji Xiaofu, a disciple of the Emei Order. Her name, chosen by her mother, expressed Ji Xiaofu’s feelings that she did not regret her relationship with Yang Xiao despite the consequences. Yang Buhui later married Yin Liting, her mother’s former fiancé, in one of the most unusual and touching romantic resolutions in Jin Yong’s works.

Biography

Birth and early childhood

Yang Buhui was born to Ji Xiaofu, who had gone into seclusion at Shungeng Mountain (顺庚山), west of Butterfly Valley, after leaving the Emei Order. Ji Xiaofu chose the name “Buhui” (不悔, Never Regret) to express that she did not regret her relationship with Yang Xiao, despite the loss of her reputation, position, and ultimately her life.

Ji Xiaofu initially entrusted Yang Buhui to others for care, but when Yang Buhui was approximately five years old, after Ji Xiaofu left the Emei Order, she began raising her daughter personally. During her childhood, Yang Buhui was described as innocent, lively, and very cute, bringing joy to her mother’s difficult life.

Meeting Zhang Wuji

Yang Buhui’s life changed dramatically when she and her mother went to Butterfly Valley seeking medical treatment from Hu Qingniu. There, at approximately eight or nine years old, she met the young Zhang Wuji, who treated her mother’s injuries. The two children became close friends, with Zhang Wuji calling her “Buhui Meimei” (不悔妹妹, Little Sister Buhui) and Yang Buhui calling him “Wuji Gege” (无忌哥哥, Elder Brother Wuji).

Their relationship was one of innocent childhood friendship, as they played together and supported each other during the difficult circumstances of their lives. This bond would prove important later, when Zhang Wuji would honour Ji Xiaofu’s dying request.

Witnessing her mother’s death

At Butterfly Valley, Miejue, the leader of the Emei Order, tracked down Ji Xiaofu and confronted her about her relationship with Yang Xiao. When Ji Xiaofu refused Miejue’s order to kill Yang Xiao, Miejue struck her with a palm strike, killing her instantly.

Yang Buhui, still a child, witnessed her mother’s death, an experience that would shape her character and worldview for the rest of her life. Before dying, Ji Xiaofu entrusted Yang Buhui to Zhang Wuji, asking him to deliver her daughter to Yang Xiao in the distant Kunlun Mountains.

The journey to find Yang Xiao

Zhang Wuji, honouring Ji Xiaofu’s dying request, embarked on a long and dangerous journey with Yang Buhui to find her father. This journey from Butterfly Valley to the Kunlun Mountains in the Western Regions was one of the longest journeys in Jin Yong’s works, making Yang Buhui perhaps the youngest traveller in the novels.

During this journey, the two children faced numerous dangers and hardships. They encountered threats from various sources, including being nearly captured and killed by hungry people who wanted to eat them, and facing danger from martial artists from the Kunlun Order, who attempted to poison them. Through all these difficulties, Zhang Wuji and Yang Buhui supported each other, developing a deep bond of trust and friendship.

Reunion with Yang Xiao

Eventually, Zhang Wuji successfully delivered Yang Buhui to Yang Xiao at Bright Peak, the Ming Order’s headquarters. The reunion between father and daughter brought joy to both, though it was also marked by sadness over the loss of Ji Xiaofu. Yang Xiao, learning that Ji Xiaofu had named their daughter “Never Regret” and had died rather than kill him, was deeply moved and overcome with grief.

Yang Buhui and Yang Xiao developed a close relationship, with Yang Xiao taking great care of his daughter and teaching her martial arts. Despite the difficult circumstances of her upbringing and the loss of her mother, Yang Buhui grew into a beautiful and strong young woman who resembled her mother in appearance.

Life at Bright Peak

Yang Buhui lived with her father at Bright Peak, where she was raised as a member of the Ming Order. She learned martial arts from her father, though her abilities were sufficient for self-defence rather than serious combat. Her personality was shaped by her experiences—she was strong-willed, independent, and determined, characteristics inherited from both her parents.

However, the traumatic experiences of her childhood, particularly witnessing her mother’s death and the dangers she faced during her journey, also made her suspicious and protective of herself and her loved ones. She developed a belief that she needed to be hard-hearted to protect herself and those she cared about, and she only trusted herself, her father, and Zhang Wuji.

Encounter with Xiaozhao

When Xiaozhao came to Bright Peak as a servant, Yang Buhui, influenced by her suspicious nature and her father’s discovery that Xiaozhao secretly possessed martial arts, became distrustful of her. Father and daughter used Ming Order’s dark iron shackles to restrain Xiaozhao, and Yang Buhui, fearing that Xiaozhao might pose a threat, even considered killing her pre-emptively.

However, when Yang Buhui saw how well Xiaozhao treated Zhang Wuji, whom she regarded as her elder brother, she began to trust Xiaozhao and stopped viewing her as a threat. This demonstrated that beneath her suspicious exterior, Yang Buhui had a capacity for trust and recognition of genuine kindness.

Meeting Yin Liting

During the Six Major Factions’ attack on Bright Peak, Yin Liting, who had been Ji Xiaofu’s fiancé, attempted to kill Yang Xiao to avenge what he perceived as the theft of his fiancée. Yang Buhui, seeing her father in danger, stepped forward to defend him.

In a powerful moment, Yang Buhui publicly revealed the truth about her mother’s death, telling Yin Liting that Miejue had killed Ji Xiaofu because she refused to kill Yang Xiao. She told him that Yang Xiao was her mother’s true love and that her mother had never regretted their relationship, as evidenced by her choice of name for their daughter.

Yin Liting, upon seeing Yang Buhui, was overcome with emotion because she so strongly resembled her mother. Learning the truth about Ji Xiaofu’s feelings and death, he was devastated and lost all will to fight, leaving Bright Peak alone and distraught.

Caring for Yin Liting

After leaving Bright Peak, Yin Liting encountered five monks from the Western Regions Shaolin Diamond Sect and was severely injured, nearly paralysed. When he was brought to Bright Peak for treatment, Yang Buhui, feeling that her mother had wronged Yin Liting by breaking their engagement, voluntarily took care of him as a way to atone for her mother’s actions.

Yang Buhui cared for Yin Liting day and night, tending to his needs and keeping him company during his recovery. During this period of care, she witnessed Yin Liting’s deep, unwavering love for her mother, and she was moved by his loyalty and devotion. Gradually, her feelings changed from a sense of obligation to atone for her mother’s actions to genuine affection and love.

Marriage to Yin Liting

Yang Buhui made the decision to marry Yin Liting, despite the unusual circumstances—he had been her mother’s fiancé and was significantly older than her. She demonstrated her strong will and independence by first telling Yin Liting directly of her feelings and intentions, and then persuading Zhang Wuji to speak to her father on her behalf.

Yang Buhui’s approach to securing her father’s consent demonstrated both her intelligence and her understanding of relationships. She appealed to Zhang Wuji by reminding him of their childhood bond and her mother’s trust in him, and she knew that Zhang Wuji’s position as the Ming Order Leader would carry weight with her father.

Yang Xiao, initially surprised by his daughter’s decision, ultimately accepted it. He recognised that his daughter’s happiness was what mattered most, and he understood that this unusual marriage could bring healing and closure to both Yang Buhui and Yin Liting. The marriage was happy, and Yang Buhui later became pregnant with their child.

Later life

After her marriage, Yang Buhui moved to Wudang Mountain with Yin Liting, where they lived as husband and wife. Their relationship was described as deeply affectionate and harmonious, with Yang Buhui finding the happiness and security she had lacked during her childhood. The unusual circumstances of their marriage—Yang Buhui being the daughter of Yin Liting’s former fiancée and the man who had “stolen” her—were transcended by genuine love and mutual respect.

Personality & traits

Strong-willed and independent

Yang Buhui inherited the strong will and independence of both her parents. She was determined and decisive, willing to make difficult choices and stand by them. Her decision to marry Yin Liting, despite the unusual circumstances and potential objections, demonstrated her ability to follow her heart and make her own choices about her life.

Loyal and protective

Yang Buhui was extremely loyal and protective of those she cared about, particularly her father and Zhang Wuji. She was willing to stand up for them, even when it meant facing danger or confrontation. Her defence of her father against Yin Liting demonstrated both her courage and her loyalty.

Capable of deep love

Despite her suspicious nature and protective tendencies, Yang Buhui was capable of deep love and genuine affection. Her care for Yin Liting during his recovery was initially motivated by a sense of obligation, but it developed into genuine love as she witnessed his character and his devotion to her mother’s memory.

Pragmatic and intelligent

Yang Buhui demonstrated intelligence and pragmatism in how she approached her relationship with Yin Liting. She understood the need to secure her father’s consent and knew how to appeal to Zhang Wuji to help her achieve her goals. Her approach demonstrated emotional intelligence and understanding of relationships.

The legacy of “Never Regret”

Yang Buhui’s name, “Never Regret,” became not just a reminder of her mother’s feelings but also a reflection of her own character. Throughout her life, she demonstrated a willingness to make choices and stand by them, to follow her heart regardless of conventional expectations, and to find happiness in unusual circumstances.

Relationships

Yang Xiao

Yang Buhui’s relationship with her father was close and affectionate. After their reunion, Yang Xiao took great care of his daughter, teaching her martial arts and providing for her needs. Despite the loss of Ji Xiaofu, father and daughter found happiness and support in each other. Yang Xiao supported Yang Buhui’s marriage to Yin Liting, demonstrating his love for his daughter and his willingness to accept her choices.

Ji Xiaofu

Yang Buhui’s relationship with her mother, though brief, was profound. Ji Xiaofu’s choice of name for her daughter expressed her deepest feelings, and her sacrifice to protect Yang Xiao demonstrated her love and principles. Yang Buhui carried her mother’s legacy throughout her life, and her decision to care for Yin Liting was partly motivated by a desire to honour her mother’s memory.

Yin Liting

Yang Buhui’s relationship with Yin Liting was one of the most unusual and touching in Jin Yong’s works. Beginning with her desire to atone for her mother’s actions, it developed into genuine love as she witnessed Yin Liting’s character and his devotion to her mother. Their marriage brought healing and closure to both, and they found happiness together despite the unusual circumstances.

Zhang Wuji

Yang Buhui’s relationship with Zhang Wuji was one of deep friendship and trust, beginning in their childhood and continuing throughout their lives. She regarded him as an elder brother and trusted him completely. Zhang Wuji honoured her mother’s dying request by delivering her to her father, and later he helped facilitate her marriage to Yin Liting, demonstrating his continued care and support for her.

Behind the scenes

Yang Buhui represents one of Jin Yong’s most successful examples of healing and resolution through unusual circumstances. Her marriage to Yin Liting, while initially appearing strange or even inappropriate, actually represents a beautiful resolution to the complex emotional entanglements left by her parents’ relationship. Through her choice, she brought healing to Yin Liting, honoured her mother’s memory, and found her own happiness.

Her character demonstrates themes of choice, consequence, and the power of love to transcend conventional boundaries. Her name, “Never Regret,” becomes not just a reflection of her mother’s feelings but also a statement about her own approach to life—she was willing to make difficult choices and stand by them, finding happiness in her own way.

The journey that Yang Buhui and Zhang Wuji undertook together is one of the longest and most arduous in Jin Yong’s works, making her perhaps the youngest long-distance traveller in the novels. This journey, while traumatic in many ways, also demonstrated her resilience and strength of character.

Yang Buhui’s story ultimately represents hope and healing. Despite the loss of her mother, the dangers she faced, and the unusual circumstances of her life, she found happiness and love, demonstrating that even the most difficult beginnings can lead to happy endings.