Yang Xiao

Yang Xiao (simplified: 杨逍, traditional: 楊逍, pinyin: Yáng Xiāo, jyutping: joeng4 siu1), known as Yang Zuoshi (杨左使), was the Bright Left Messenger of the Ming Order and later became its 35th leader. Renowned for his exceptional intelligence, strategic thinking, and comprehensive martial arts abilities, he was one of the most capable members of the Ming Order and served as Zhang Wuji’s trusted adviser and deputy. Together with Fan Yao, the Bright Right Messenger, he was known as one of the “Two Immortals of Wanderer” (逍遥二仙).

Biography

Early life and background

Yang Xiao was born into a wealthy family, but tragedy struck during his childhood when Yuan soldiers invaded their territory. His family managed to escape the initial attack, but after settling in the south, everyone except Yang Xiao was killed in a drowning accident, leaving him orphaned.

Despite this early tragedy, Yang Xiao demonstrated exceptional talent from a young age. He possessed extraordinary natural aptitude and received special training opportunities, developing into a formidable martial artist at an early age. His reputation spread quickly throughout the jianghu, and he became known as a rising star in the martial arts world.

Conflict with Emei Order

When Yang Xiao was approximately twenty years old, he encountered Guhongzi, a senior male disciple of the Emei Order, and the two engaged in a duel. Yang Xiao’s skills were so superior that Guhongzi did not even have the opportunity to draw his sword before being defeated. Yang Xiao then seized the Heavenly Sword from Guhongzi but disdainfully discarded it on the ground, saying that despite its reputation, it was nothing more than useless metal to him.

This act of contempt so enraged Guhongzi that he died from anger. This incident created an irreconcilable enmity between Yang Xiao and Miejue, the Emei Order leader, who was Guhongzi’s junior sister and later succeeded to the leadership.

Joining the Ming Order

After joining the Ming Order, Yang Xiao’s rise was meteoric. Before reaching thirty, he had already achieved the position of Bright Left Messenger, second only to the Order leader. Yang Dingtian, the 33rd leader of the Ming Order, personally taught him the first layer of Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, the Order’s signature martial art. Over the next ten years, Yang Xiao independently cultivated the technique to the second layer, demonstrating his exceptional talent and dedication.

Yang Dingtian held Yang Xiao in high regard and considered him as a potential successor. However, after Yang Dingtian’s death, when Yang Xiao attempted to claim leadership, the Four Guardian Kings and the Five Wanderers opposed him, leading to the Order’s fragmentation and internal conflict.

Relationship with Ji Xiaofu

After the Heavenly Eagle Order’s Sabre Conference on Wangpan Island, Yang Xiao encountered Ji Xiaofu, an Emei Order disciple who had been sent by Miejue to investigate Xie Xun’s whereabouts. Yang Xiao, then in his forties and serving as the Bright Left Messenger, was immediately captivated by Ji Xiaofu and forcibly took her with him.

After several months together, enemies seeking revenge attacked, and Ji Xiaofu took the opportunity to escape. She was already pregnant with Yang Xiao’s child and went into seclusion at Shungeng Mountain, west of Butterfly Valley, where she gave birth to their daughter Yang Buhui (Yang Never Regret).

Ji Xiaofu was later discovered by Miejue, who killed her. When Yang Xiao learned of Ji Xiaofu’s death and her choice of their daughter’s name—indicating that she never regretted her relationship with him—he was deeply moved and overcome with grief.

Retreat to Mount Kunlun

Due to the internal conflicts within the Ming Order, Yang Xiao decided to leave Bright Peak to avoid accusations of attempting to seize power. He retreated to Mount Kunlun, where he lived in seclusion at Zuowang Peak (Sit-and-Forget Peak). During this period, he spent his time studying and writing, creating a work titled Records of the Ming Order’s Spread in the Central Plains (明教流传中土记).

Protecting Bright Peak

When Miejue, having killed Ji Xiaofu and falsely accused Yang Xiao, led the Six Major Factions in an attack on Bright Peak, Yang Xiao returned to defend the Order’s headquarters. There, he engaged in a fierce battle with Wei Yixiao, the Green Winged Bat King, and the Five Wanderers, all of whom were competing for the leadership position.

Using his mastery of Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, Yang Xiao single-handedly fought against six opponents with ease. However, Cheng Kun, who had been observing, took advantage of the situation to launch a surprise attack, severely injuring Yang Xiao. Fortunately, Zhang Wuji arrived in time to save him.

Serving Zhang Wuji

After Zhang Wuji successfully resolved the crisis at Bright Peak and was recognised as the 34th leader of the Ming Order, Yang Xiao devoted himself entirely to assisting the young leader. Recognising Yang Xiao’s deep knowledge of the Order’s history and affairs, Zhang Wuji frequently consulted him, and the two developed a relationship of mutual respect despite their age difference.

Yang Xiao served as Zhang Wuji’s chief adviser, helping to coordinate the Order’s operations and strategic planning. He played a crucial role in organising the rescue of the Six Major Factions’ leaders from Wan’an Temple, devising a plan involving “wine to confuse the crane, beauty to bewitch the deer” (酒惑鹤，色迷鹿) that successfully enabled the rescue operation.

Reunion with Yang Buhui

When Zhang Wuji was escorting Yang Buhui to Mount Kunlun, they encountered danger, and Yang Xiao appeared to rescue them. This reunion with his daughter, who bore a name that reflected her mother’s feelings, brought both joy and sorrow to Yang Xiao.

Supporting Yang Buhui’s marriage

Yang Xiao felt deep guilt toward Yin Liting of the Wudang Order, who had been engaged to Ji Xiaofu before her relationship with Yang Xiao. When Yang Buhui expressed her feelings for Yin Liting and wished to marry him, Yang Xiao, with Zhang Wuji’s encouragement, overcame his reservations and agreed to the marriage, recognising it as a way to make amends for the past.

Becoming the 35th leader

After Zhang Wuji decided to retire from the leadership due to disillusionment with the political machinations within the Order, particularly Zhu Yuanzhang’s manipulations, he formally passed leadership responsibilities to Yang Xiao, Fan Yao, and Peng Yingyu. Yang Xiao eventually succeeded as the 35th leader of the Ming Order.

Personality & traits

Intelligence and strategic thinking

Yang Xiao was renowned for his exceptional intelligence and strategic acumen. He possessed deep knowledge of the Ming Order’s history, organisational structure, and operational methods. His ability to devise complex plans and coordinate large-scale operations made him an invaluable asset to the Order.

Literary and martial excellence

Yang Xiao was a rare example of someone who excelled in both literary and martial arts. He was well-read, with broad knowledge and unique insights. His scholarly nature was reflected in his appearance—often dressed in a white scholar’s robe—and in his written works on the Order’s history.

Inner warmth beneath external coldness

Despite appearing aloof and arrogant on the surface, Yang Xiao possessed deep feelings beneath his cold exterior. His relationship with Ji Xiaofu revealed his passionate nature, and his devotion to their daughter and his service to Zhang Wuji showed his capacity for loyalty and commitment.

Guilt and redemption

Yang Xiao carried deep guilt over his relationship with Ji Xiaofu and its impact on Yin Liting. This guilt led him to avoid Yin Liting and to live in relative seclusion. His eventual acceptance of Yang Buhui’s marriage to Yin Liting demonstrated his growth and his desire to make amends for past mistakes.

Martial arts abilities

Great Shift of Heaven and Earth

Yang Xiao mastered Great Shift of Heaven and Earth to the second layer, making him one of the most powerful practitioners of this technique in the Ming Order. His mastery allowed him to redirect opponents’ attacks and manipulate force in remarkable ways. During the battle at Bright Peak, he demonstrated this ability by redirecting Wei Yixiao’s Cold Ice Soft Palm back at his opponents.

Finger Flicking Divine Skill

Yang Xiao was skilled in the Finger Flicking Divine Skill (弹指神通), a technique associated with the Peach Blossom Island martial arts tradition. He used this technique to launch small stones with incredible precision, capable of striking pressure points from a distance.

Stone-throwing Point Sealing

Related to the Finger Flicking Divine Skill, Yang Xiao’s Stone-throwing Point Sealing technique allowed him to use thrown stones to strike pressure points, demonstrating his precision and internal energy control.

Forty-four Weapon Techniques

Yang Xiao’s versatility with weapons was extraordinary. During the battle against the Three Elders of the Bodhidharma Hall at Shaolin Temple, he demonstrated his mastery by using two Sacred Fire Tablets to execute forty-four different weapon techniques within less than four hundred moves, utilising twenty-two different types of weapons, each with two sets of techniques.

Comprehensive combat ability

Yang Xiao’s martial arts abilities were comprehensive and well-rounded. He combined powerful internal energy cultivation with exceptional technique, strategic thinking, and adaptability, making him one of the most formidable fighters in the jianghu.

Relationships

Zhang Wuji

Yang Xiao served as Zhang Wuji’s most trusted adviser and deputy. Despite Zhang Wuji being significantly younger, Yang Xiao respected his leadership abilities and provided invaluable support. Their relationship demonstrated mutual respect and effective collaboration.

Fan Yao

Yang Xiao’s relationship with Fan Yao, the Bright Right Messenger, was one of sworn brotherhood. Together, they were known as the “Two Immortals of Wanderer” (逍遥二仙), reflecting their status as the Ming Order’s two most prominent deputies.

Ji Xiaofu

Yang Xiao’s relationship with Ji Xiaofu was complex and tragic. Despite the circumstances of their meeting, genuine feelings developed between them, as evidenced by Ji Xiaofu’s choice of name for their daughter. Her death at Miejue’s hands left Yang Xiao with deep sorrow and guilt.

Yang Buhui

Yang Xiao’s relationship with his daughter Yang Buhui was marked by both joy and pain. The reunion with his daughter brought him happiness, but it also reminded him of the loss of Ji Xiaofu. He supported her marriage to Yin Liting as a way to honour both her wishes and make amends for the past.

Yang Dingtian

Yang Xiao had a close relationship with Yang Dingtian, the 33rd leader of the Ming Order, who personally taught him Great Shift of Heaven and Earth and considered him as a potential successor. Yang Dingtian’s death and the subsequent leadership struggle created the conditions for the Order’s fragmentation.

Behind the scenes

Yang Xiao represents the ideal of the scholar-warrior, combining intellectual depth with martial prowess. His character demonstrates how intelligence and strategic thinking can be as important as raw martial arts power in achieving goals and serving an organisation effectively.

His story also explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexity of personal relationships within the context of organisational loyalty. His eventual rise to leadership represents both his capabilities and the trust placed in him by Zhang Wuji.

Yang Xiao’s mastery of multiple weapon techniques and his comprehensive martial arts knowledge reflect Jin Yong’s emphasis on versatility and adaptability as important qualities for martial artists operating in complex political and military environments.