Zhan Fei (simplified: 展飞, traditional: 展飛, pinyin: Zhǎn Fēi, jyutping: zin2 fei1) was the Leopard Speed Hall master (捷豹堂堂主) of the Changle Guild. He was indebted to Situ Heng and suspected Bei Haishi of killing him. He attempted to assassinate Shi Potian but accidentally helped him break through his meridians.
Biography
Indebtedness to Situ Heng
Zhan Fei had received great kindness from Situ Heng and was deeply loyal to him. When Situ Heng disappeared after being defeated by Shi Potian (mistaken for Shi Zhongyu), Zhan Fei began to suspect that Bei Haishi had killed him.
Suspecting Bei Haishi
When Bei Haishi brought Shi Potian to the guild headquarters and claimed he was the guild leader, Zhan Fei was suspicious. He questioned Bei Haishi about what would happen if the guild leader became incompetent or insane, but Bei Haishi dismissed his concerns, citing guild rules that required absolute loyalty to the leader.
Attempted assassination
Unable to see Shi Potian during the day, Zhan Fei sneaked into his room at night, intending to kill him with his Iron Sand Palm technique. However, Shi Potian was in a state of internal energy conflict, and Zhan Fei’s attack accidentally helped him break through his Ren and Du meridians, resolving the conflict.
Trial and escape
Bei Haishi captured Zhan Fei and put him on trial. The guild members voted on whether to execute him, with the majority voting for death. However, Shi Potian, in his kindness, released Zhan Fei instead.
Zhan Fei fled to the cave where Situ Heng had practiced, hoping to find answers. There, he encountered Bei Haishi, who told him to leave and claimed that his wife had been sent to safety. However, this was a lie, and when Zhan Fei left the guild, Mi Hengye pursued him. Chen Chongzhi intervened and helped Zhan Fei escape.
Final confrontation
After the Reward Good Punish Evil envoys revealed Bei Haishi’s deception, Zhan Fei returned to confront Bei Haishi. He demanded to know whether Situ Heng was alive or dead. Bei Haishi revealed Situ Heng’s body in a hidden cave, then sealed Zhan Fei inside with him, ensuring that the truth would never be revealed.
Personality and characteristics
Loyalty to Situ Heng
Zhan Fei was deeply loyal to Situ Heng and was willing to risk his life to avenge him. His suspicion of Bei Haishi demonstrated his ability to see through deception and his commitment to justice.
Courage and determination
Zhan Fei showed great courage in attempting to assassinate Shi Potian and in confronting Bei Haishi. Despite the risks, he was determined to uncover the truth about Situ Heng’s fate.
Martial arts abilities
Zhan Fei was skilled in the Iron Sand Palm technique, which he used in his attempt to assassinate Shi Potian. However, his attack accidentally helped Shi Potian break through his meridians, demonstrating that even well-intentioned actions can have unintended consequences.
Behind the scenes
Zhan Fei represents the theme of loyalty and justice in Ode to Gallantry. His character demonstrates the difficulty of discerning truth in a world filled with deception and the importance of remaining loyal to those who have shown kindness.
The character’s name, “Zhan Fei” (展飞), combines “Zhan” (展), meaning “to unfold” or “to display,” with “Fei” (飞), meaning “to fly,” suggesting a character who seeks to reveal the truth and soar above deception.