Great Hero of Southern Mountain

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Great Hero of Southern Mountain (南山大侠)
Alias(es)	Great Hero Long; Great Hero Dragon
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Roaring Dragon Villa; publicly aligned with Eunuch Cao Dan before turning on him
Occupation/Role	Master of Roaring Dragon Villa; leader of the righteous path
Status	Severely wounded after being stabbed by his younger brother, Longchuan 50
First Appearance	Chapter 36

Background / History

Roaring Dragon Villa had endured for centuries, with every generation producing a great hero. As its current master, the Great Hero of Southern Mountain held enough prestige to summon renowned martial artists from both the righteous and unorthodox paths to Roaring Dragon Villa. He was widely regarded as the leader of the righteous path and one of the world’s foremost experts. 44 46

He is married to Huang Lei, the junior sister of Blood Hand Tian Ming. Through Huang Lei, Tian Ming was drawn into the planned assassination of Grand Eunuch Cao Dan. In Tian Ming’s original history, the Great Hero’s apparent betrayal led Tian Ming and other martial artists into an army ambush, where they died. 36 41

During the operation against Cao Dan, he presented himself as Cao’s subordinate and helped lure the gathered martial artists into a trap. Cao Dan later revealed that the Great Hero had been forced to submit after one of Cao’s adopted sons uncovered compromising information about Roaring Dragon Villa. 48

His submission was ultimately part of a deeper assassination attempt. While standing beside Cao Dan during the battle, he launched the Swimming Dragon Sword Slash from a concealed weapon, then drew a smaller blade from within his sword. Little Wu Zi followed with a poisoned dagger strike to Cao Dan’s back. 49 50

The attempt failed when Cao Dan caught the concealed sword and revealed his immunity to poison. At the moment of failure, Longchuan stabbed the Great Hero from behind, declaring allegiance to Cao Dan. Gravely wounded, the Great Hero fought his brother while condemning him for abandoning Roaring Dragon Villa’s duty to uphold justice. 50

Appearance

The Great Hero of Southern Mountain is described as a burly man with a hearty, imposing presence. His arrival at Roaring Dragon Villa immediately commands respect from martial artists of both major factions. 46

• Carries a long sword concealing a smaller black blade. 49 50
• Holds himself with the dignified manner expected of Roaring Dragon Villa’s master. 46

Personality

The Great Hero maintains a public image of magnanimity and righteousness. He speaks of protecting Jin State and its people, promises equal treatment to righteous and unorthodox martial artists, and humbly “implores” powerful allies to join the effort against Cao Dan. 46 47

Behind this image, he is highly secretive and willing to let other martial artists become sacrifices in order to get close enough to assassinate Cao Dan. His participation in Cao Dan’s trap causes widespread outrage when the apparent betrayal is exposed. 48 50

Even after Longchuan turns on him, he continues to identify Roaring Dragon Villa’s purpose as preserving justice “for the country and the people,” condemning his brother’s cooperation with Cao Dan as a betrayal of their ancestors. 50

Abilities & Skills

Soaring Dragon Swordplay

Roaring Dragon Villa’s inherited sword art is passed only through the legitimate male line. Huang Lei states that its techniques cannot be taught outside the family. 42

• The art is associated with the Great Hero’s status as Roaring Dragon Villa’s master. 42 46
• Its secrecy is considered important because known techniques can be studied and countered. 42

Swimming Dragon Sword Slash

A sudden sword technique used in his attempted assassination of Cao Dan.

• He unleashed it from his scabbard as a streak of black sword light aimed at Cao Dan’s waist. 49
• Cao Dan blocked the strike with his True Qi-enhanced palm, leaving the Great Hero unable to finish the attack directly. 49

Mother-Child Sword

A concealed-weapon method built into his long sword.

• After the first slash was blocked, he drew a smaller black sword from within the larger blade for a second attack. 49
• Cao Dan caught the smaller sword between two fingers, neutralizing the technique. 50

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Long sword — contains a concealed smaller blade used in the Mother-Child Sword technique. 49 50
• Concealed black sword — drawn from within the long sword during the assassination attempt on Cao Dan. 49 50

Relationships

• Huang Lei — wife; she assists his plot against Cao Dan and blocks Cao’s adopted sons when he makes his move. 36 50
• Longchuan — younger brother; resents living in his brother’s shadow and ultimately stabs him in the back to secure Roaring Dragon Villa for himself. 46 50
• Zhang Yunhao / Blood Hand Tian Ming — uneasy ally in the Cao Dan operation; Zhang Yunhao distrusts him, repeatedly challenges his authority, and mocks his apparent betrayal. 46 48 49
• Cao Dan — apparent superior after the Great Hero is forced into submission; his true target in a long-planned assassination attempt. 48 49 50
• Little Wu Zi — co-conspirator in the assassination attempt; attacks Cao Dan with a poisoned dagger after the Great Hero’s sword assault. 50
• Fierce Arhat — ardent admirer who is devastated upon learning of the Great Hero’s apparent defection to Cao Dan. 45 48

Story Role / Major Arcs

Gathering the Anti-Cao Coalition

The Great Hero uses Roaring Dragon Villa’s reputation to gather nearly a hundred martial artists for an operation against Cao Dan. He welcomes Zhang Yunhao and Lei Jue, recognizing that their strength improves the group’s odds, while declining Zhang Yunhao’s request for a sparring match. 46 47

The Manor Trap

He leads the coalition toward a manor outside the capital, withholding key details of the plan. The group learns that he has apparently joined Cao Dan when he and his confidants greet the eunuch at the end of a secret passage, while an army surrounds the remaining martial artists. 47 48

Assassination and Fratricide

After gaining Cao Dan’s trust, the Great Hero attacks with his hidden sword techniques while Little Wu Zi strikes with poison. Cao Dan survives both attacks, and Longchuan immediately betrays the Great Hero, leaving him severely wounded and struggling to defend himself. 49 50