Yin Wulu

Yin Wulu (simplified: 殷无禄, traditional: 殷無祿, pinyin: Yīn Wúlù, jyutping: jan1 mou4 luk6), meaning “No Prosperity,” was one of the three servants of Yin Tianzheng, the White-Browed Eagle King and founder of the Heavenly Eagle Order. Originally a prominent Southwest bandit, he was rescued by Yin Tianzheng twenty years before the events of the novel and became a loyal servant, changing his name as a sign of gratitude. Along with his sworn brothers Yin Wufu and Yin Wushou, he served the Heavenly Eagle Order with exceptional loyalty and martial arts prowess.

Biography

Early life as a Southwest bandit

Yin Wulu was originally a prominent bandit who operated in the Southwest region of China. Along with his two companions (who later became Yin Wufu and Yin Wushou), he gained a reputation as a formidable martial artist and bandit leader. The three were not originally brothers by blood but became close companions through their shared criminal activities.

Rescue by Yin Tianzheng

Twenty years before the events of The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre, Yin Wulu and his two companions found themselves surrounded by many powerful fighters and knew they could not escape. At this critical moment, Yin Tianzheng happened to pass by. Seeing how the three bandits maintained their integrity and refused to surrender even in the face of hopeless odds, Yin Tianzheng was moved by their courage and lent them a helping hand, rescuing them from certain death.

Becoming a servant

To prove their gratitude to Yin Tianzheng for saving their lives, the three bandits solemnly vowed to serve him as servants for the rest of their lives. They cast off their original names and changed them to Yin Wufu (殷无福, “No Fortune”), Yin Wulu (殷无禄, “No Prosperity”), and Yin Wushou (殷无寿, “No Longevity”). These names were intentionally ironic, as servant names typically contain positive words like “fortune,” “prosperity,” and “longevity.” Their choice of negative names reflected their complete renunciation of their previous identities and their total dedication to serving Yin Tianzheng.

Service to the Heavenly Eagle Order

After becoming servants, Yin Wulu and his companions served the Heavenly Eagle Order with exceptional loyalty and skill. Despite their subordinate status, they were treated with respect by Yin Tianzheng and his family, particularly Yin Susu, who was always courteous toward them and never treated them as ordinary servants.

Yin Tianzheng recognised that in terms of martial arts and fame, there were few famed fighters in the jianghu who could compete with the three servants. Their individual martial arts capabilities rivalled those of many established martial arts masters, but their willing acceptance of subordinate roles reflected their recognition of Yin Tianzheng’s superior leadership and the Order’s worthy objectives.

Delivering gifts to Zhang Cuishan

When Zhang Cuishan, the fifth disciple of the Wudang Order, married Yin Susu, Yin Tianzheng sent Yin Wulu and Yin Wufu to Mount Wudang to deliver wedding gifts. The gifts included more than two hundred items, ranging from exquisite jade lions and emerald phoenixes to expensive writing materials.

Yin Wulu appeared as a humble servant dressed in servant attire with a straight cloth hat. Zhang Cuishan noticed that Yin Wulu’s face was covered with pockmarks, giving him an unpleasant appearance despite his respectful demeanour.

Defeating the three escort leaders

During their journey to Mount Wudang, Yin Wulu and his companions overheard three escort agency leaders discussing plans to seek revenge against Zhang Cuishan. Yin Wulu was the one who issued the challenge to the three escort leaders—Qi Tianbiao (齐天标), Yun He (云鹤), and Gong Jiujia (宫九佳).

The three servants met the three escort leaders at the southern gates of Xiangyang for a duel. They agreed that if the escort leaders lost, they must leave behind their escort flags, cut off one of their arms, and promise never to set foot in Hubei Province again. Yin Wulu and his companions easily defeated the escort leaders, who were forced to surrender their flags, sever their left arms, and make the required promise.

Encounter with Yin Liting

At a later point in the story, Yin Wulu, along with Yin Wufu and Yin Wushou, encountered a young scholar (later revealed to be Yin Liting of the Wudang Order). During the fight, Yin Wulu’s sabre was blocked by Yin Liting’s sword. Yin Liting had abundant internal energy, and when their weapons collided, Yin Wulu’s sabre was shaken and bent, turning into a useless square tool. Yin Wulu himself was severely injured, with his body twisted from the force of the impact.

Yin Wufu and Yin Wushou immediately abandoned their fight with the young scholar to rush to Yin Wulu’s aid, demonstrating the close bond between the three servants.

Personality & traits

Loyalty and dedication

Yin Wulu’s most defining trait was his absolute loyalty to Yin Tianzheng and the Heavenly Eagle Order. His willingness to completely renounce his previous identity and serve as a subordinate, despite having martial arts abilities that rivalled many masters, demonstrated the depth of his gratitude and commitment.

Courage and initiative

Yin Wulu demonstrated courage and initiative when he issued the challenge to the three escort leaders who were planning to seek revenge against Zhang Cuishan. His willingness to take action on behalf of the Heavenly Eagle Order’s interests showed his proactive approach to serving his master.

Formidable martial arts

Yin Wulu possessed exceptional martial arts abilities that rivalled those of many established martial arts masters. His ability to easily defeat prominent escort agency leaders demonstrated his skill, though he was willing to use these abilities in service to Yin Tianzheng rather than for personal gain or reputation.

Martial arts abilities

Exceptional prowess

Yin Wulu’s martial arts abilities were exceptional, placing him among the ranks of many established masters in the jianghu. His ability to defeat prominent escort agency leaders in combat demonstrated his skill and experience. However, when he encountered Yin Liting, whose internal energy was extremely powerful, Yin Wulu’s sabre was bent and he was severely injured, showing that even skilled practitioners can be defeated by those with superior internal energy.

Relationships

With Yin Tianzheng

Yin Wulu’s relationship with Yin Tianzheng was one of absolute loyalty and gratitude. He owed his life to Yin Tianzheng, who had rescued him from certain death, and he dedicated the rest of his life to serving him as a sign of gratitude.

With Yin Wufu and Yin Wushou

Yin Wulu, Yin Wufu, and Yin Wushou were sworn brothers who shared a deep bond. They worked together as a team, coordinating their efforts to serve the Heavenly Eagle Order. Their loyalty to each other was demonstrated when Yin Wufu and Yin Wushou immediately came to Yin Wulu’s aid when he was injured by Yin Liting.

With Yin Susu

Yin Susu always treated Yin Wulu and his companions with respect and courtesy, never viewing them as ordinary servants. This respectful treatment reflected their status as highly skilled martial artists who had chosen to serve the Order out of gratitude rather than necessity.

Behind the scenes

Narrative significance

Yin Wulu and his companions represent the theme of redemption and loyalty in the novel. Their transformation from prominent bandits to loyal servants demonstrates how gratitude and respect can inspire complete devotion, even from those who were once enemies of the jianghu.

Their story also highlights the strength and organisation of the Heavenly Eagle Order. The fact that such skilled martial artists were willing to serve as subordinates demonstrates Yin Tianzheng’s leadership abilities and the respect he commanded in the martial arts world.

Symbolic meaning

The three servants’ names—Yin Wufu (No Fortune), Yin Wulu (No Prosperity), and Yin Wushou (No Longevity)—are intentionally ironic, as they represent the opposite of what their lives became. Having been rescued from certain death, they found fortune, prosperity, and longevity through their service to Yin Tianzheng, even if they chose names that renounced these things.