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Zhuo Tianxiong

Zhuo Tianxiong

Zhuo Tianxiong (simplified: 卓天雄, traditional: 卓天雄, Jyutping: coek3 tin1 hung4, pinyin: Zhuó Tiānxíong) was a formidable imperial guard serving the Qing emperor, known for his mastery of the Thirty Heaven-shaking Palms technique and the Eighteen Whips of Huyan. He disguised himself as a blind man to infiltrate and monitor the transport of the legendary Mandarin Duck Blades.

Biography

Imperial mission and disguise

Zhuo Tianxiong was sent by the emperor to secretly assist Zhou Weixin in transporting the Mandarin Duck Blades to the capital. Fearing potential mishaps along the way, the Sichuan-Shaanxi Governor ordered Zhuo Tianxiong to disguise himself as a blind man and secretly help Zhou Weixin. This disguise allowed him to observe events while remaining undetected by most martial artists.

Confrontation with Yuan Guannan and Xiao Zhonghui

During the journey, Yuan Guannan and Xiao Zhonghui plotted to steal the Mandarin Duck Blades and defeated Zhuo Tianxiong using the newly learned Husband-Wife Blade Technique. This defeat marked the beginning of Zhuo Tianxiong’s troubles in the story.

Investigation and pursuit

Later, Zhuo Tianxiong discovered that the person who stole the Mandarin Duck Blades was Xiao Zhonghui, the daughter of Xiao Banhe. At Xiao Banhe’s birthday banquet, Zhuo Tianxiong came to demand the return of the Mandarin Duck Blades, leading to a chaotic battle where he was again defeated by Yuan Guannan and Xiao Zhonghui using the Husband-Wife Blade Technique.

Final defeat and capture

Zhuo Tianxiong was ultimately captured by the Four Xias of Taiyue, ending in disgrace and defeat. His failure to secure the Mandarin Duck Blades marked the end of his imperial mission.

Personality and traits

Formidable martial artist

Zhuo Tianxiong was known for his exceptional martial prowess and was highly skilled in the jianghu. His mastery of both the Thirty Heaven-shaking Palms and the complete Eighteen Whips of Huyan made him a formidable opponent. His calm demeanor during combat situations reflected his mastery and experience in martial arts.

Loyal imperial servant

As an imperial guard, Zhuo Tianxiong demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Qing court and carried out his duties with precision and determination. His commitment to imperial security drove his actions throughout the story, even when it meant serving as a “lackey of the powerful.”

Strategic and cunning

Zhuo Tianxiong was described as being “old and cunning,” demonstrating strategic thinking in his approach to missions. His decision to disguise himself as a blind man showed his understanding of how to gather intelligence while remaining undetected, and his ability to adapt to various situations in the martial world.

Martial arts abilities

Mastery of Thirty Heaven-shaking Palms

Zhuo Tianxiong was the known master of the Thirty Heaven-shaking Palms (震天三十掌), a formidable palm technique that combined internal energy with devastating striking power. This technique was renowned throughout the martial world and established his reputation as a formidable opponent.

Complete knowledge of Eighteen Whips of Huyan

Unlike Zhou Weixin, who only knew seventeen of the eighteen whip techniques, Zhuo Tianxiong had mastered the complete Eighteen Whips of Huyan (呼延十八鞭) system, including the legendary eighteenth technique that had been lost to most practitioners. His iron staff techniques were described as fierce and domineering.

Superior combat skills

Zhuo Tianxiong’s overall martial abilities far exceeded those of most characters in the story, including the Four Xias of Taiyue and other martial artists. His reputation in the martial world was formidable, and he was known for his exceptional skill and cunning approach to combat.

Relationships

Imperial court connections

Zhuo Tianxiong’s primary relationships were within the imperial court structure, where he served as a high-ranking imperial guard. His position gave him authority and access to imperial resources, and he was trusted with important missions such as securing the Mandarin Duck Blades.

Zhou Weixin

Zhuo Tianxiong had a complex relationship with Zhou Weixin, the head of the Weixin Armed Escort. While Zhou Weixin was his martial arts junior (having learned seventeen of the eighteen whip techniques), Zhuo Tianxiong was sent to secretly assist him in transporting the Mandarin Duck Blades, demonstrating the imperial court’s concern for the mission’s success.

Behind the scenes

Character significance

Zhuo Tianxiong serves as a representative of the imperial power structure within the martial world, demonstrating the vast resources and martial capabilities available to the Qing court. His character establishes the power hierarchy that exists between imperial forces and independent martial artists, while also showing the limitations of imperial authority when faced with superior martial techniques.

Martial arts commentary

The character’s mastery of both the Thirty Heaven-shaking Palms and the complete Eighteen Whips of Huyan serves as commentary on the relationship between martial knowledge and power. His ultimate defeat by the Husband-Wife Blade Technique demonstrates that even the most skilled imperial guards can be overcome by superior martial arts.

Imperial authority representation

Zhuo Tianxiong represents the imperial court’s ability to project power into the martial world, but also shows the challenges faced by imperial forces when dealing with independent martial artists who possess superior techniques and knowledge.

See also