Yin Liting

Yin Liting (simplified: 殷梨亭, traditional: 殷梨亭, pinyin: Yīn Lítíng, jyutping: jan1 lei4 ting4), also known as Yin Liuxia (殷六侠, the Sixth Xia of Yin), was the sixth disciple of Zhang Sanfeng and one of the Wudang Seven Xias. He was renowned as the best swordsman among the Seven Xias and was originally engaged to Ji Xiaofu, a disciple of the Emei Order. After Ji Xiaofu’s death, he eventually married her daughter Yang Buhui, creating one of the most unusual romantic relationships in the novel.

Biography

Early life and discipleship

Yin Liting became a disciple of Zhang Sanfeng and was the sixth among the Wudang Seven Xias. In the serialized version of the novel, he was initially named Yin Liheng (殷利亨), but Jin Yong changed his name to Yin Liting to better fit the naming pattern of the Seven Xias, with names based on places near Wudang Mountain.

Yin Liting quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional swordsman, becoming known as the best swordsman among the Seven Xias. His sword techniques were renowned throughout the martial arts world, and he developed a unique sword technique called Heaven and Earth Together (天地同寿), which was intended as a desperate, suicidal technique to take revenge against Yang Xiao.

Engagement to Ji Xiaofu

Through family connections, Yin Liting was engaged to Ji Xiaofu, the daughter of the “Golden Whip Ji” (金鞭纪老英雄) from Hanyang and a disciple of the Emei Order. The engagement represented a union between two of the most prestigious orthodox factions—the Wudang Order and the Emei Order—and was considered an excellent match by all parties involved.

However, Ji Xiaofu’s relationship with Yang Xiao, the Bright Left Messenger of the Ming Order, led to the end of their engagement. When Yin Liting learned of Ji Xiaofu’s relationship with Yang Xiao and the birth of their daughter, he was devastated, and his feelings of betrayal and heartbreak would affect him for many years.

The battle at Bright Peak

During the Six Major Factions’ attack on Bright Peak, Yin Liting attempted to take revenge against Yang Xiao for what he perceived as the theft of his fiancée. However, when he encountered Yang Buhui, who bore a striking resemblance to her mother Ji Xiaofu, he was overcome with emotion and nearly fainted. Learning the truth about Ji Xiaofu’s death and her feelings for Yang Xiao, Yin Liting was devastated and left Bright Peak alone, consumed by heartbreak and anger.

While wandering in the desert, lost and distraught, Yin Liting encountered five monks from the Western Regions Shaolin Diamond Sect (西域少林金刚门) who were working for Prince Ruyang’s household. Despite putting up a fierce fight and defeating two of them, he was overwhelmed and severely injured by the Great Strength Diamond Finger (大力金刚指), leaving him nearly paralysed.

Recovery and relationship with Yang Buhui

Yin Liting’s injuries were so severe that he was nearly crippled. During his recovery, which was made possible by Zhang Wuji’s treatment using Black Jade Continuous Ointment (黑玉断续膏), Yang Buhui, feeling that her mother had wronged Yin Liting, voluntarily took care of him day and night as a way to atone for her mother’s actions.

During this period of care, feelings developed between Yin Liting and Yang Buhui. Despite the unusual circumstances—Yang Buhui was the daughter of Yin Liting’s former fiancée and the man he had once tried to kill—their relationship grew, and they eventually married. This relationship brought Yin Liting a measure of happiness and closure, as Yang Buhui later became pregnant with their child.

The Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly

At the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly (屠狮英雄会), Yin Liting engaged in combat with Zhou Zhiruo, the leader of the Emei Order, using his Taiji Swordplay against her White Python Whip (白蟒鞭法). Despite fighting for over two hundred exchanges, Yin Liting was clearly outmatched, and Zhou Zhiruo seized his sword, leaving him in mortal danger. Yu Lianzhou, his second senior brother, intervened to save him, and even fighting two against one, they were still unable to defeat Zhou Zhiruo, requiring Zhang Wuji’s intervention.

Final battles

After the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly, when Prince Chaghan Temür led twenty thousand Mongol soldiers to attack Shaolin Temple on Mount Shaoshi, intending to eliminate all the martial arts heroes, Yin Liting joined the other heroes in resisting the Mongol forces, demonstrating his commitment to the cause of opposing the Yuan Dynasty.

Personality & traits

Emotional and expressive

Yin Liting was known for being highly emotional and expressive. Unlike most martial artists who maintained stoic composure, Yin Liting was not afraid to show his emotions, particularly by crying when deeply moved or distressed. He cried when Yu Daiyan was injured, when Zhang Cuishan committed suicide, when he encountered Yang Buhui on Bright Peak, and on other occasions when overwhelmed by emotion.

This emotional expressiveness was unusual for a martial artist in the jianghu, where stoicism and emotional control were typically valued. However, it also demonstrated Yin Liting’s genuine and sincere nature, as he did not hide his feelings.

Shy and reserved

In matters of love and romance, Yin Liting was extremely shy and reserved. When his engagement to Ji Xiaofu was mentioned, he would blush and become embarrassed. This shyness, combined with his lack of assertiveness in romantic matters, may have contributed to his losing Ji Xiaofu to Yang Xiao, as he was never able to express his feelings directly or assertively.

Brave in combat

Despite his emotional nature and shyness in romantic matters, Yin Liting was a brave and skilled fighter. His combat abilities were exceptional, and he demonstrated courage and determination in battle. His sword techniques were among the best in the martial arts world, and he was willing to fight even when facing overwhelming odds.

This contrast between his emotional vulnerability in personal matters and his bravery in combat demonstrates the complexity of his character and shows that his “weakness” was limited to emotional and romantic situations, not to his martial abilities or courage in battle.

Genuine and sincere

Perhaps Yin Liting’s most defining characteristic was his genuine and sincere nature. He did not hide his emotions or pretend to be something he was not. His feelings were always genuine and expressed honestly, whether joy, sorrow, love, or anger. This sincerity made him a beloved figure among his brothers and colleagues, who appreciated his authentic nature.

Martial arts abilities

Taiji Swordplay

Yin Liting was renowned as the best swordsman among the Wudang Seven Xias, and his mastery of Taiji Swordplay was exceptional. The technique consisted of fifty-four forms, including moves such as Three Rings Set Moon (三环套月), Great Dipper (大魁星), Swallow Skimming Water (燕子抄水), Wind Swaying Lotus (风摆荷叶), Phoenix Nods (凤点头), and the final form Returning Sword to Origin (持剑归原).

Yin Liting’s sword techniques were characterised by their precision, elegance, and effectiveness. He was able to strike opponents’ Divine Gate acupoints (神门穴) with remarkable accuracy, disarming them instantly. His swordplay demonstrated the principles of Taiji—using softness to overcome hardness and circular movements to neutralise attacks.

Divine Gate Thirteen Sword

Yin Liting was skilled in the Divine Gate Thirteen Sword (神门十三剑), a technique that targeted the Divine Gate acupoint on opponents’ wrists. When struck, this acupoint caused opponents to lose all strength in their hands, forcing them to drop their weapons. Yin Liting demonstrated this technique when he arrived to help Zhang Cuishan, disarming multiple opponents with precise strikes to their Divine Gate acupoints.

Heaven and Earth Together

Yin Liting created a unique sword technique called Heaven and Earth Together (天地同寿), which was a desperate, suicidal technique designed to kill both himself and his opponent. He developed this technique in secret on Wudang Mountain after Ji Xiaofu’s death, intending to use it to take revenge against Yang Xiao.

When Zhang Sanfeng saw Yin Liting practising this technique, he sighed deeply, understanding that Yin Liting was consumed by thoughts of revenge and had no desire to live. Zhang Sanfeng named the technique “Heaven and Earth Together,” meaning that after death, the spirit is immortal and can exist forever, making it a technique of sacrificing oneself for righteousness.

Taiji Fist

Yin Liting was also skilled in Taiji Fist, demonstrating proficiency in techniques such as Grasping the Bird’s Tail (揽雀尾式) and Golden Rooster Standing Alone (金鸡独立式). He used these techniques effectively, such as when defending against Thunderfire Pellets (雷火弹) by using Grasping the Bird’s Tail to catch and redirect them.

Qinggong

Yin Liting’s qinggong abilities were considerable. He demonstrated proficiency in the Ladder Cloud Steps (梯云纵), Wudang’s signature lightness skill. During the pursuit of Wei Yixiao, he was able to keep pace with Miejue at the front of the group, though neither could match Wei Yixiao’s unparalleled qinggong.

Overall martial arts level

Yin Liting’s overall martial arts abilities were exceptional, placing him among the top tier of martial artists in the jianghu. His sword techniques were the best among the Wudang Seven Xias, and his overall combat abilities were formidable. However, he was not a match for the very top-tier masters like Zhou Zhiruo after she mastered the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, as demonstrated at the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly.

Relationships

Yang Buhui

Yin Liting’s relationship with Yang Buhui was one of the most unusual and touching in the novel. Initially, Yang Buhui cared for him out of a sense of guilt for her mother’s actions, but over time, genuine feelings developed between them. Despite the unusual circumstances—Yang Buhui was the daughter of his former fiancée and the man who had “stolen” her—their relationship brought Yin Liting happiness and closure, and they eventually married and had a child together.

Ji Xiaofu

Yin Liting’s relationship with Ji Xiaofu was marked by deep love and profound heartbreak. He was engaged to her and looked forward to their marriage, but her relationship with Yang Xiao ended their engagement. Even after Ji Xiaofu’s death, Yin Liting continued to think of her and feel pain over her loss, demonstrating the depth of his feelings.

Yang Xiao

Yin Liting’s relationship with Yang Xiao was initially one of hatred and a desire for revenge. He blamed Yang Xiao for “stealing” Ji Xiaofu and wanted to kill him. However, after marrying Yang Buhui, Yang Xiao became his father-in-law, creating a complex family relationship that transcended their former enmity.

Fellow Wudang Seven Xias

Yin Liting had close and affectionate relationships with his fellow Wudang Seven Xias, particularly Zhang Cuishan, with whom he was especially close. His emotional nature and genuine sincerity made him beloved among his brothers, who appreciated his authentic character and supported him through his difficulties.

Zhang Wuji

Yin Liting’s relationship with Zhang Wuji was warm and affectionate. He had been close to Zhang Cuishan, Zhang Wuji’s father, and treated Zhang Wuji with kindness and care. Zhang Wuji’s treatment of Yin Liting’s injuries using the Black Jade Continuous Ointment saved him from permanent disability, creating a deep bond of gratitude between them.

Behind the scenes

Yin Liting represents one of Jin Yong’s most emotionally authentic characters. His willingness to express his emotions openly, particularly through crying, challenges traditional notions of masculinity in wuxia fiction, where stoicism is typically valued. His character demonstrates that emotional expressiveness and bravery in combat are not mutually exclusive.

The relationship between Yin Liting and Yang Buhui is one of the most unusual and touching in Jin Yong’s works. The idea that Yang Buhui, the daughter of Yin Liting’s former fiancée and the man who “stole” her, would eventually marry Yin Liting and bring him happiness creates a complex narrative about forgiveness, healing, and the ways in which unusual circumstances can lead to unexpected happiness.

Yin Liting’s character also explores themes of lost love, heartbreak, and eventual healing. His journey from the devastation of losing Ji Xiaofu to finding happiness with Yang Buhui demonstrates how people can recover from profound emotional wounds and find new meaning and happiness in their lives.

The name “Liting” (梨亭) means “pear pavilion,” continuing the pattern of the Wudang Seven Xias having names based on places near Wudang Mountain. His original name “Liheng” (利亨) was part of the phrase “Yuan Zhen Li Heng” (元贞利亨), from the Book of Changes (易经), but was changed to better fit the naming pattern.