Huangfu Xiong

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Huangfu Xiong (皇甫雄)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Huangfu Noble Family
Occupation/Role	Young martial artist; practitioner of fist techniques
Status	Alive; returns to his family after the Wangxian incident 41
First Appearance	Chapter 29

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Deeper understanding of the Way of Fist	40	Liu Wuqiu's martial insights and the earlier Grandmaster battle shatter Huangfu Xiong's former understanding of fist techniques; he perceives a new foundation rising from it. 40

Background / History

Huangfu Xiong is a young descendant of the Huangfu Noble Family and a longtime acquaintance of Xiahou Xuan; the two have known one another since they were seven. He attends the Phoenix Banquet at Willow Catkin Villa alongside Xiahou Xuan and Xue Thirteen. 30

At the banquet, Xue Thirteen effortlessly defeats Huangfu after Huangfu challenges him for sitting on his head. The loss establishes the overwhelming gap between Huangfu and Xue Thirteen, though Huangfu remains defiant rather than discouraged. 29

Huangfu takes an interest in Wang Anfeng after observing his character and potential. He explains why appearing properly dressed at the Phoenix Banquet matters: treating the event casually would disrespect the young martial artists who devoted themselves to attending it. 30

During Wang Anfeng's arena run, Huangfu supports and comments on his matches. After Xue Thirteen is taken away, Huangfu tells Wang Anfeng where to find the ferry crossing, believing Wang is worth befriending despite the danger. 34

At the later feast, Huangfu gives Wang Anfeng the Dragon Roaming Moon Gazing Sword as compensation for the interrupted arena competition. He is subsequently incapacitated by Liu Wuqiu's poison and carried out of Willow Catkin Villa by Wang Anfeng. 36 37

After Liu Wuqiu's final battle, Huangfu receives the old man's insights into fist techniques. He helps Wang Anfeng and Xiahou Xuan bury Liu beside Mei Chuxue, honoring him as a master despite the absence of a formal discipleship. Huangfu then chooses to return home, admitting that his fist techniques are still inadequate. 40 41

Appearance

Huangfu Xiong is described as a richly dressed, burly young man with an unrestrained bearing. 41

• Frequently carries and drinks from a wine gourd. 29 34 40
• His manner is notably bold and uninhibited compared with Xiahou Xuan's refined demeanor. 31
• Uses a long saber when departing Wangxian County with his family retainer. 41

Personality

Huangfu is loud, direct, and fond of wine, often laughing heartily and speaking without restraint. He dislikes being disrespected and immediately challenges Xue Thirteen after being sat upon. 29

Beneath his boisterousness, he is observant and values sincerity. He recognizes that Wang Anfeng's clothing could be misread as disrespect toward the Phoenix Banquet and takes the time to explain the issue to him. 30 He also respects Wang's decision to leave the arena in search of Xue Thirteen, calling him someone worth befriending. 34

He is proud of his martial path but honest about his limitations. Even after learning from Liu Wuqiu, he decides to return home because he considers his fist techniques too poor to remain in the jianghu with confidence. 41

Abilities & Skills

Fist Techniques

Huangfu specializes in fist techniques and has enough understanding to assess other fighters' strengths and approaches.

• Appreciates straightforward external martial arts that use one's strengths directly against an opponent. 31
• Identifies Wang Anfeng as a “newborn tiger” whose fangs are still being sharpened. 32
• Gains a profound new understanding of the Way of Fist through Liu Wuqiu's guidance. 40
• Is decisively outmatched by Xue Thirteen and later admits his own fist techniques remain lacking. 29 41

Movement Technique

Huangfu demonstrates the ability to move through the air in short steps while entering the arena. 34

Martial Insight

Huangfu understands the value of fighting stronger peers as a means of measuring and improving one's martial learning.

• Notes that sparring Xue Thirteen would provide an unusually valuable measure of one's own skill. 30
• Recognizes that prolonged exchanges with Xue Thirteen could greatly improve a practitioner's fist techniques and cultivation. 30

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Wine gourd — Huangfu's constant companion; he continues drinking even after awakening from Liu Wuqiu's poison. 29 40
• Long saber — Carried when he leaves Wangxian County. 41
• Dragon Roaming Moon Gazing Sword — Given by Huangfu to Wang Anfeng after the arena events; Huangfu notes it is more useful for maintaining appearances than chopping trees. 36

Relationships

• Xiahou Xuan — Childhood friend and frequent verbal sparring partner; they have known each other since age seven. 30
• Wang Anfeng — Fellow young martial artist whom Huangfu advises, supports during the Phoenix Banquet, equips with a sword, and judges worthy of friendship. 30 34 36
• Xue Thirteen / Xue Qinshuang — A vastly stronger peer who easily defeats Huangfu; Huangfu is eager to obtain Xue's wine, partly to provoke jealousy and partly because encounters with Xue are rare. 29 30
• Liu Wuqiu — Receives martial insight from Liu and later joins Wang Anfeng and Xiahou Xuan in burying him as a disciple would. 40 41

Story Role / Major Arcs

Phoenix Banquet

• Challenges Xue Thirteen after being insulted and is effortlessly defeated. 29
• Advises Wang Anfeng to change into proper martial attire out of respect for the banquet and its participants. 30
• Supports Wang Anfeng's decision to enter the arena and safely returns a sect-related brocade pouch to him without prying. 31
• Provides Wang Anfeng with the direction of the northern ferry after Xue Thirteen is taken away. 34

Willow Catkin Villa Incident

• Gives Wang Anfeng the Dragon Roaming Moon Gazing Sword following the arena events. 36
• Is poisoned at Liu Wuqiu's feast and escapes only because Wang Anfeng carries him out alongside Xiahou Xuan. 37
• Recovers after medicinal wine is forced down his throat and waits with Wang Anfeng and Xiahou Xuan through Liu Wuqiu's final confrontation. 40

Liu Wuqiu's Legacy

• Receives a transformative insight into fist techniques from Liu Wuqiu. 40
• Helps bury Liu Wuqiu beside Mei Chuxue and formally honors him as a master. 41
• Returns to the northern frontier, intending to cultivate further after acknowledging his shortcomings. 41

Notable Quotes

“I hate it the most when people sit on my head. No matter who you are, I'll beat you up!” 29

“Where have I put them? Hahaha, I'm on the mountain peak now, so they're naturally beneath my feet.” 30

“Because I admire him. He's worth befriending.” 34

Trivia

• Huangfu's initial concern for Wang Anfeng's attire is partly motivated by his hope of obtaining Wang's wine, which Xue Thirteen reportedly wants. 30
• He prefers to drink the coveted wine in front of Xue Thirteen rather than use it to arrange a sparring match. 30
• Xiahou Xuan describes Huangfu as unusually stingy with words, wine, and fists. 30