Yin Wushou

Yin Wushou (simplified: 殷无寿, traditional: 殷無壽, pinyin: Yīn Wúshòu, jyutping: jan1 mou4 sau6), meaning “No Longevity,” 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. He was known for having defeated Tan Ruilai (谭瑞来), the “Sacred Spear Ruling Eight Directions” (神枪震八方), twenty years earlier. Along with his sworn brothers Yin Wufu and Yin Wulu, he served the Heavenly Eagle Order with exceptional loyalty and martial arts prowess.

Biography

Early life as a Southwest bandit

Yin Wushou 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 Wulu), 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.

During his time as a bandit, Yin Wushou achieved a significant victory when he defeated Tan Ruilai, the “Sacred Spear Ruling Eight Directions,” a well-known and respected martial artist who had established his name almost forty years earlier. This victory demonstrated Yin Wushou’s exceptional martial arts abilities and established his reputation as a formidable fighter.

Rescue by Yin Tianzheng

Twenty years before the events of The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre, Yin Wushou 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 Wushou 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.

Mission to Kaifeng

When Yin Wufu and Yin Wulu were delivering wedding gifts to Zhang Cuishan on Mount Wudang, they discovered that three escort agency leaders were planning to seek revenge against Zhang Cuishan and had mentioned asking Tan Ruilai, the “Sacred Spear Ruling Eight Directions,” to intervene on their behalf.

After Yin Wufu and Yin Wulu defeated the three escort leaders, they were concerned that Tan Ruilai might still attempt to cause trouble for Zhang Cuishan. Yin Wushou, knowing that Tan Ruilai had been defeated by him twenty years earlier and that he had compromising information about Tan Ruilai, volunteered to go to Kaifeng City to ensure that Tan Ruilai would not interfere.

Yin Wushou’s mission to Kaifeng demonstrated his willingness to go above and beyond to serve the Heavenly Eagle Order’s interests. His ability to control Tan Ruilai, a well-respected martial artist who had established his name almost forty years earlier, showed his continued martial arts prowess and the respect he commanded even among established masters.

Encounter with Yin Liting

At a later point in the story, Yin Wushou, along with Yin Wufu and Yin Wulu, encountered a young scholar (later revealed to be Yin Liting of the Wudang Order). During the fight, Yin Wushou used a sabre in combat. When Yin Wulu was injured by Yin Liting’s powerful internal energy, Yin Wushou and Yin Wufu immediately abandoned their fight to rush to Yin Wulu’s aid, demonstrating the close bond between the three servants.

Personality & traits

Loyalty and dedication

Yin Wushou’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.

Initiative and foresight

Yin Wushou demonstrated initiative and foresight when he volunteered to go to Kaifeng to deal with Tan Ruilai, recognising that the respected martial artist might still cause trouble for Zhang Cuishan even after the three escort leaders had been defeated. His proactive approach to serving the Order’s interests showed his strategic thinking and dedication.

Formidable martial arts

Yin Wushou possessed exceptional martial arts abilities that rivalled those of many established martial arts masters. His victory over Tan Ruilai twenty years earlier demonstrated his skill, and his ability to control Tan Ruilai decades later showed that he had maintained and possibly improved his abilities over the years.

Martial arts abilities

Exceptional prowess

Yin Wushou’s martial arts abilities were exceptional, placing him among the ranks of many established masters in the jianghu. His victory over Tan Ruilai, the “Sacred Spear Ruling Eight Directions,” who had established his name almost forty years earlier, demonstrated his skill and experience. His ability to control Tan Ruilai decades later showed that his reputation and abilities remained formidable.

Relationships

With Yin Tianzheng

Yin Wushou’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 Wulu

Yin Wushou, Yin Wufu, and Yin Wulu 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 Wushou and Yin Wufu immediately came to Yin Wulu’s aid when he was injured by Yin Liting.

With Yin Susu

Yin Susu always treated Yin Wushou 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 Wushou 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.