Yu Lianzhou

Yu Lianzhou (simplified: 俞莲舟, traditional: 俞蓮舟, pinyin: Yú Liánzhōu, jyutping: jyu4 lin4 zau1), also known as Yu Erxia (俞二侠, Second Xia), was the second disciple of Zhang Sanfeng and the most skilled martial artist among the Seven Xias of Wudang. Known for his serious demeanour, calm rationality, and exceptional martial arts abilities, he eventually became the second leader of the Wudang Order.

Biography

Early training under Zhang Sanfeng

Yu Lianzhou was the second disciple taken by Zhang Sanfeng, making him second in seniority among the Seven Xias of Wudang. From the beginning, he demonstrated exceptional natural talent and dedication to martial arts training, combining his natural abilities with rigorous practice to become the most formidable fighter among his fellow disciples.

His serious and focused nature made him stand out among the Seven Xias. He was known for being calm, rational, and steady, rarely speaking unnecessarily and sometimes going days without saying a word. This reserved demeanour, combined with his exceptional martial arts skills, earned him deep respect throughout the Wudang Order.

Creating the Tiger Claw Absolute Extinction Hand

Yu Lianzhou was innovative in his martial arts development. Finding the standard Tiger Claw Hand (虎爪手) technique insufficiently powerful, he modified it to create the Tiger Claw Absolute Extinction Hand (虎爪绝户手), a technique that targeted vital points and could cause severe internal injuries, even affecting an opponent’s ability to have children.

However, Zhang Sanfeng, upon seeing this technique, found it too cruel and vicious. He disapproved of Yu Lianzhou using such a dangerous technique, feeling that it violated the principles of Wudang martial arts. As a result, Yu Lianzhou rarely used this technique after creating it, reserving it only for the most desperate situations.

Mastering Taiji Fist

Yu Lianzhou was the first among the Seven Xias to completely master Taiji Fist (太极拳), the signature martial art created by Zhang Sanfeng. His mastery demonstrated his exceptional talent and understanding of the principles underlying Wudang martial arts. This achievement further established his reputation as the most skilled martial artist among the Seven Xias.

Escorting Zhang Cuishan’s family

When Zhang Cuishan returned to the Central Plains with his wife Yin Susu and son Zhang Wuji, Yu Lianzhou was the first of the Seven Xias they encountered. Yu Lianzhou took on the responsibility of escorting them back to Mount Wudang, demonstrating his protective instincts and loyalty to his fellow disciples.

During this journey, Yu Lianzhou encountered Yin Susu and had the opportunity to observe her character. Unlike many orthodox martial artists who would condemn members of the Tianying Order outright, Yu Lianzhou found Yin Susu to be honest and straightforward, feeling that she demonstrated more genuine character than some self-righteous members of orthodox factions. This open-mindedness reflected Zhang Sanfeng’s teaching that one should not look down on others simply because they belong to different factions.

The Six Major Factions’ attack on Bright Peak

Yu Lianzhou led the Wudang Order’s participation in the Six Major Factions’ expedition to Bright Peak, where they fought against the Ming Order. He engaged in combat with the Ming Order’s Five Elements Banners, demonstrating his exceptional martial arts abilities and tactical thinking.

During the battle, Yu Lianzhou successfully broke through the Five Elements Banners’ defenses and fought his way to Bright Peak, contributing to the Six Major Factions’ initial success in their attack on the Ming Order’s headquarters.

Capture at Wan’an Temple

After the battle at Bright Peak, when the Six Major Factions were leaving, they fell into a trap set by Zhao Min, the Yuan Dynasty princess. The martial artists were captured and imprisoned at Wan’an Temple, where they were forced to take Ten Fragrances Soft Sinew Powder (十香软筋散), which caused them to lose all their neili.

When Zhang Wuji, who had become the Ming Order leader, came to rescue them, many were skeptical of his intentions. However, Yu Lianzhou was the first among the Six Major Factions’ leaders to trust Zhang Wuji and jump from the tower, demonstrating his courage and his recognition of Zhang Wuji’s character. His action helped convince others that Zhang Wuji’s rescue was genuine.

The Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly

At the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly (屠狮英雄会), Yu Lianzhou challenged Song Qingshu, the traitor who had killed Mo Shenggu, the youngest of the Seven Xias. Using his mastery of Taiji Fist, Yu Lianzhou defeated Song Qingshu, demonstrating his superior martial arts abilities and his commitment to justice.

After defeating Song Qingshu, Yu Lianzhou severely wounded him, breaking both of his arms and using the Twin Winds Through Ears (双风贯耳) technique to shatter his skull, leaving him crippled. This act demonstrated Yu Lianzhou’s determination to punish traitors and protect the Wudang Order’s honour.

Battle with Zhou Zhiruo

When Yin Liting, his sixth junior brother, was in danger of being killed by Zhou Zhiruo, the leader of the Emei Order, Yu Lianzhou intervened to save him. During this battle, Yu Lianzhou demonstrated his exceptional analytical abilities by quickly understanding Zhou Zhiruo’s techniques and using his Tiger Claw Absolute Extinction Hand to break her White Python Whip (白蟒鞭法) technique.

However, when Zhou Zhiruo switched to using the Nine Yin White Bone Claw (九阴白骨爪), she gradually gained the upper hand. Even with Yin Liting fighting alongside him, the two of them together were unable to defeat Zhou Zhiruo, requiring Zhang Wuji’s intervention to resolve the situation.

Battle against the Yuan army

After the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly, when Prince Chaghan Temür led twenty thousand Mongol soldiers to attack Shaolin Monastery, intending to eliminate all the martial arts heroes, Yu Lianzhou joined the other heroes in resisting the Mongol forces. He followed Zhang Wuji’s leadership in coordinating the defense, demonstrating his willingness to work with others for the common cause of opposing the Yuan Dynasty.

Becoming the second leader of Wudang Order

After Song Qingshu’s betrayal and death, Song Yuanqiao, who had been the designated successor, was removed from consideration for leadership due to his son’s actions. Zhang Sanfeng then appointed Yu Lianzhou as the second leader of the Wudang Order.

This appointment reflected Yu Lianzhou’s combination of exceptional martial arts abilities, sound judgment, and steady character. His leadership would guide the Wudang Order into its next generation, maintaining its reputation and principles while adapting to changing circumstances.

Personality & traits

Serious and reserved

Yu Lianzhou was known for his serious demeanour and reserved nature. He rarely spoke unnecessarily and sometimes went days without saying a word, preferring to observe and think rather than engage in idle conversation. This seriousness, combined with his exceptional martial arts abilities, earned him deep respect throughout the Wudang Order.

Calm and rational

Yu Lianzhou was characterised by his calm rationality and steady judgment. Unlike some of his more emotional fellow disciples, he maintained his composure even in difficult situations, allowing him to make sound decisions and assess situations accurately.

Open-minded and fair

Despite being a member of an orthodox faction, Yu Lianzhou demonstrated open-mindedness and fairness. His recognition that Yin Susu, a member of the Tianying Order, possessed genuine character demonstrated his ability to judge people on their individual merits rather than their factional affiliations. This reflected Zhang Sanfeng’s teaching that one should not look down on others simply because they belong to different factions.

Protective and loyal

Yu Lianzhou demonstrated strong protective instincts and loyalty toward his fellow disciples. His willingness to escort Zhang Cuishan’s family back to Mount Wudang and his intervention to save Yin Liting from Zhou Zhiruo demonstrated his commitment to protecting his brothers and maintaining the unity of the Seven Xias.

Courageous and decisive

Yu Lianzhou’s willingness to be the first to trust Zhang Wuji and jump from the tower at Wan’an Temple demonstrated his courage and decisiveness. He was willing to take risks when he believed it was the right course of action, and his judgment proved correct.

Martial arts abilities

Taiji Fist

Yu Lianzhou was the first among the Seven Xias to completely master Taiji Fist, the signature martial art created by Zhang Sanfeng. His mastery demonstrated his exceptional understanding of the principles of using softness to overcome hardness, circular movements, and the integration of yin and yang. He used this technique to defeat Song Qingshu at the Slaying Lion Heroes Assembly, demonstrating its effectiveness.

Tiger Claw Absolute Extinction Hand

Yu Lianzhou created the Tiger Claw Absolute Extinction Hand by modifying the standard Tiger Claw Hand technique. This technique targeted vital points and could cause severe internal injuries. However, Zhang Sanfeng disapproved of its cruelty, so Yu Lianzhou rarely used it, reserving it only for desperate situations such as when fighting Zhou Zhiruo.

Taiji Swordplay

As one of the Seven Xias, Yu Lianzhou had mastered Taiji Swordplay (太极剑), the sword technique created by Zhang Sanfeng. This technique consisted of fifty-four forms and emphasised the same principles as Taiji Fist—using softness to overcome hardness and circular movements to neutralise attacks.

Wudang Long Fist

Yu Lianzhou had mastered Wudang Long Fist (武当长拳), a fundamental technique of the Wudang Order that emphasised using the opponent’s force against them. This technique demonstrated the principle that the force returned to the opponent matched the force they had used, making it dangerous for opponents to attack with full strength.

Overall martial arts level

Yu Lianzhou was recognised as the most skilled martial artist among the Seven Xias of Wudang. His combination of exceptional natural talent, dedicated practice, and innovative thinking made him one of the most formidable fighters in the jianghu. His mastery of Taiji Fist and his ability to quickly analyse and counter opponents’ techniques demonstrated his exceptional martial arts abilities.

Relationships

Zhang Sanfeng

Yu Lianzhou was deeply loyal to Zhang Sanfeng, his master and the founder of the Wudang Order. He earned Zhang Sanfeng’s trust and was eventually appointed as the second leader of the Order, reflecting Zhang Sanfeng’s confidence in his abilities and character.

Fellow Seven Xias

Yu Lianzhou had strong fraternal bonds with his fellow Seven Xias, though his serious nature sometimes made him appear distant. He demonstrated his commitment to his brothers through his actions, such as escorting Zhang Cuishan’s family and saving Yin Liting from Zhou Zhiruo.

His relationship with Song Yuanqiao was particularly significant, as Yu Lianzhou succeeded Song Yuanqiao as leader after the latter was removed from consideration due to his son’s betrayal. This transition demonstrated the respect between the two senior disciples.

Zhang Wuji

Yu Lianzhou’s relationship with Zhang Wuji was warm and respectful. He was one of the first to trust Zhang Wuji when he came to rescue the Six Major Factions from Wan’an Temple, demonstrating his recognition of Zhang Wuji’s character and his willingness to accept him despite his connection to the Ming Order.

Yin Susu

Yu Lianzhou’s encounter with Yin Susu during the journey back to Mount Wudang allowed him to observe her character. Unlike many orthodox martial artists, he recognised her genuine nature and felt that she demonstrated more authentic character than some self-righteous members of orthodox factions. This open-mindedness demonstrated his fair judgment.

Behind the scenes

Yu Lianzhou represents the pinnacle of Wudang martial achievement among the Seven Xias, combining exceptional natural talent with dedicated practice to become the faction’s most formidable fighter. His character demonstrates how seriousness, rationality, and open-mindedness can coexist with exceptional martial arts abilities.

The character’s name “Lianzhou” (莲舟) combines “lian” (莲), meaning “lotus,” and “zhou” (舟), meaning “boat” or “vessel.” This name could symbolise purity and the ability to carry others, reflecting his character’s steady nature and protective instincts.

Yu Lianzhou’s eventual assumption of leadership responsibilities after Song Yuanqiao’s removal reflects his combination of martial excellence with sound judgment. His leadership style emphasises leading by example while maintaining the flexibility to adapt Wudang traditions to changing circumstances.

Portrayals

Yu Lianzhou has been portrayed in various adaptations of The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre:

The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre

1978 series — Lu Jianming
1984 series — Zhang Peng
1986 series — Long Tiansheng
2001 series — Liang Jianping
2003 series — Li Jinrong
2009 series — Wang Jianguo
2019 series — Huang Qian