Lu Xiaofeng is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel series Lu Xiaofeng Series by Gu Long.
Character description
Lu is best identified by his distinctive "Four Eyebrows", as he sports two strands of moustache that resemble his eyebrows, making him seem as though he has four eyebrows. He is described as a good-looking and attractive figure to many female admirers in the novels. He is an alcoholic, a flirt and a regular brothel patron. Lu's true personality and abilities are actually hidden behind his image of a flirt and alcoholic. He is extremely intelligent and observant like a fox, although it may not seem obvious, which enables him to solve the several mysteries in the series. His wit and cunning has also helped him escape from danger, often turning the tables on his enemies unexpectedly when he is apparently on the losing end. Lu also values friendship and often risks his own life to help his friends when needed. Lu is best known for his 'Lingxi Finger', which allows him to catch and hold enemies' weapons between his fingers. He does not really use any particular weapon and often relies on his bare hands to fight enemies, even when he is being surrounded. Lu is a qinggong expert as well, and although Gu Long did not state explicitly Lu's qinggong capability in comparison with other characters, Lu is one of the top ten qinggong exponents in the series.
Major characters
Hua Manlou is one of Lu Xiaofeng's close friends. He lost his sense of sight in his childhood and but has become sharper and more observant towards his surroundings, especially in his hearing. He is intelligent and understands Lu very well, to the extent that he can even identify Lu by listening to his footsteps. Lu taught him the 'Lingxi Finger'. He is skilled in martial arts and handles himself well in fights. However, he prefers to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner as opposed to using violence.
Sikong Zhaixing is one of Lu Xiaofeng's close friends. He is highly skilled in martial arts and is arguably the best qinggong exponent in the series. He specialises in the art of thieving and disguise. Although he is normally elusive and unpredictable in his movements, he often shows up when Lu needs his help.
Ximen Chuixue is one of Lu Xiaofeng's close friends. Nicknamed "God of Sword", he is the best swordsman in the jianghu after his triumph over Ye Gucheng. He marries Sun Xiuqing of the Emei Sect after saving her life. He appears as a cold-blooded, unfeeling and ruthless killer to others. He is willing to help Lu whenever Lu asks for his assistance.
Zhu Ting is one of Lu Xiaofeng's friends. He is a master craftsman who is rumoured to have inherited the skills of Lu Ban. It is said that there is no lock in the world that he cannot unlock.
Ye Gucheng, nicknamed "Sword Immortal", is the lord of White Cloud City and a powerful swordsman. Like Ximen Chuixue, he appears cold and unfeeling. He challenges Ximen to a duel on the roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City to determine who is the best swordsman in the jianghu. He is eventually defeated and slain by Ximen Chuixue.
Taoist Mu is one of the elders of the Wudang Sect. He ranks third in the jianghu after Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng in terms of swordplay. As one of Lu Xiaofeng's friends, he often helps the latter in difficult situations. However, in Youling Shanzhuang, he is revealed to be actually the mysterious villain Laodao Bazi, who has been plotting to dominate the jianghu. He is defeated and killed by Lu and his friends.
Truthful Monk is one of Lu Xiaofeng's friends. Lu often consults him for advice in solving mysteries. He is said to be a very honest person and speaks the truth all the time, as his name implies.
Master Tortoise is a mysterious hermit who provides Lu with information in solving mysteries in return for monetary rewards.
Novels
Lu Xiaofeng Chuanqi
A mysterious martial arts sect, Qingyilou, which recently emerged in the jianghu, has been stirring up much conflict. Out of curiosity, Lu decides to investigate what is going on. He meets Princess Fengdan of the Kingdom of the Golden Bird in the Western Regions. The princess seeks his help on behalf of her father, the king, who is seeking vengeance on three traitors. The three traitors have changed their identities and are currently the wealthiest and most powerful martial artists in the jianghu. Lu is aware that he cannot complete the mission alone so he approaches Hua Manlou and Ximen Chuixue for help. After defeating the three traitors, however, the case is not over yet as Hua Manlou and Princess Fengdan go missing later. Lu also discovers that the king is actually an impostor. On the brink of imminent danger, Lu manages to reverse the odds in an unexpected way and succeeds in solving the mystery.
Xiuhua Dadao
A mysterious brigand, the "Embroidery Bandit", is suspected of having robbed the Zhenyuan Escort Agency of a large sum of gold and having broken into a prince's residence. The authorities send the constable Jin Jiuling to investigate the case and arrest the bandit. Jin seeks Lu's help to crack the mystery within eight days. With help from Sikong Zhaixing, Xue Bing and the Serpent King, Lu manages to lure the bandit into a trap and reveal himself to be actually Jin. Lu defeats Jin after a fight and retrieves the stolen gold.
Juezhan Qianhou
Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng, the two best swordsmen in the jianghu, arrange for a duel at the rooftop of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City on the night of the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. As news of the event spread like wildfire throughout the jianghu, many martial artists gather in the capital to watch the duel and bet on the outcome. Before the duel, however, Ximen disappears and Ye is wounded. At the same time, two of his acquaintances, Li Yanbei and Master Tortoise, are mysteriously murdered, while his romantic interest, Ouyang Qing, is poisoned. Lu has no clue to what is going on and suspects that the duel is a distraction for something sinister. After investigating, Lu discovers that Ye is the mastermind behind a plot to assassinate the emperor and tries to stop him. The duel between Ye and Ximen proceeds as planned, with the latter ultimately emerging victorious.
Yin'gou Dufang
The son of the Demonic Cult's leader is murdered and Lanhuzi, the owner of the Silver Hook Gambling House, frames Lu for it. Lanhuzi promises to help Lu clear his name on the condition that Lu helps him find his ex-wife, Li Xia, and the Rakshasa Tablet, the cult's sacred artefact. Lu recovers the tablet but finds it to be a fake one, and the real one is with Lanhuzi. In fact, Lanhuzi had used Lu to divert the cult's attention so he can take control of the cult with the tablet. Lu defeats Lanhuzi and returns the tablet to its rightful owner.
Youling Shanzhuang
Lu had apparently molested Ximen Chuixue's wife and incurred the wrath of Ximen, who has been pursuing and trying to kill him. To avoid Ximen, Lu seeks refuge in the sinister Phantoms' Mountain Manor under its master, Laodao Bazi. Laodao Bazi is planning an "Operation Thunder" to eliminate four of his rivals and obtain a notebook containing the secrets of the jianghu. The book is hidden inside the hat of the Wudang Sect's leader. Lu foils and exposes Laodao Bazi's evil plans, unveiling Laodao Bazi's true identity as Taoist Mu, an elder of Wudang. In fact, Lu and Ximen Chuixue had staged the hunt-and-kill incident to trick Laodao Bazi so that Lu can infiltrate the manor and disrupt the operation.
Fengwu Jiutian
A large amount of gold belonging to a prince has been robbed during its delivery and the 109 escorts have gone missing. Lu is roaming the land freely when his help is much needed. He meets Yue Yang and Niuroutang, martial artists in disguise, and secretly follows them on board a ship. He is shipwrecked during a storm and cast onto a desolate island. While exploring his surroundings, Lu discovers that the island is home to a group of martial artists and the missing people are held captive there by Gong Jiu. He also meets a mysterious maiden, Sha Man, and falls in love with her. Lu escapes with Sha Man and Gong Jiu spreads rumours in the jianghu, framing Lu for the crime and forcing Lu into hiding. Lu gets Ximen Chuixue to help him. Through a series of investigations, they confirm that Gong Jiu is the mastermind behind the robbery. Lu confronts Gong Jiu and defeats him by using his most powerful skill, the 'Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens'.
Jianshen Yixiao
Ximen Chuixue seeks Lu's help in finding Liu Chengfeng of the Mount Ba Sword Sect. Lu travels to a town at the desert border and finds Liu, but the latter is already dead. Lu realises that the town is full of lurking dangers and tracks Liu's murderer to a former imperial consort, Gong Susu. Lu also finds hidden treasure in the desert after a series of adventures. However, the martial artists hiding in town followed him secretly and Lu is stabbed after finding the treasure. At that moment, Ximen Chuixue arrives and reveals that Lu is still alive and they had actually set a trap for the villains. All the enemies are killed and the heroes leave in triumph. At the end of the story, for the first time ever, the cold and unfeeling Ximen Chuixue bursts into laughter.
