Xiao Wu

Biodata

Background / History

Pursuit of Ma Sandao

Xiao Wu grew up carefree, reading martial arts novels and listening to legends of the martial world. As a young bounty hunter, he boasted about his exploits, but local diners openly mocked him. Spotting Ma Sandao in Luoshui City, he followed the wanted criminal in hopes of finally earning their respect 6 9.

From a rooftop, Xiao Wu witnessed Ma Sandao kill four attackers in fewer than three breaths. He fled after narrowly avoiding a throwing knife, but another struck behind his knee. Despite his fear and injury, he stood with his saber and urged the nearby Li Ping'an to escape and summon the authorities 6.

Li Ping'an, introducing himself as Blind Man, offered to capture Ma Sandao if Xiao Wu delivered him to the authorities for a thirty-seventy bounty split. Xiao Wu agreed and subsequently brought Ma Sandao alive to Captain Zhang. The capture became citywide news. Grateful for his rescue and more interested in reputation than money, Xiao Wu offered Li Ping'an the entire hundred-tael reward; Li Ping'an insisted on honoring their agreement 6 7.

The Liu Bo Commission

Credited with Ma Sandao's capture, Xiao Wu received increasingly dangerous commissions involving notorious outlaws, cultists, and beast attacks. Unable to fulfill them himself without exposing his actual limitations, he sought Li Ping'an's help and offered him the full bounty 8.

When Li Ping'an requested ingredients for Life-Pulse Powder, Xiao Wu introduced him to Wang Dali, the proprietor of Tong Ren Tang. Wang Dali offered discounted ingredients and additional medicine in exchange for capturing Liu Bo, a former employee who had stolen medicinal formulas and killed his nephew. While searching near the river, Xiao Wu asked Li Ping'an to teach him the saber move used against Ma Sandao; Li Ping'an did not respond 8.

Rescue, Death, and Aftermath

Their search was interrupted by an attack that engulfed Princess Liu Yun's treasure ship in flames. Li Ping'an tried to lead Xiao Wu away before the authorities could treat them as suspects, but Xiao Wu noticed a survivor in the water and went to investigate 8 9.

Xiao Wu rescued Liu Yun and inferred her identity after she demanded to see the prefect. Excited by the prospect of rewards—and even a romance resembling those in his novels—he approached men he mistook for Brocade-Clad Guards. Their questions made him suspicious, and he reached for his saber, but the disguised assassins struck his throat before he could defend himself. Liu Yun escaped amid poisonous smoke as Xiao Wu collapsed 9.

The authorities found his body near those of two soldiers killed by Li Ping'an and treated Xiao Wu as a suspect. His parents, other family members, and several friends were imprisoned, and his portrait circulated throughout the city. Wang Dali also feared implication because he had hired Xiao Wu and Li Ping'an; Li Ping'an later resumed the Liu Bo commission 9 11.

Appearance

• Youthful face: He blushes visibly when diners ridicule his boasting 6.
• Belly scar: He displays it as evidence of his prowess, but a diner claims it came from a beating by his father after he stole money 6.
• Injured leg: He limps after Ma Sandao's throwing knife strikes behind his knee 6 7.

Personality

Xiao Wu is boastful and eager for recognition. He claims to have faced the Seven Monsters of Lingnan alone, though the surrounding diners dismiss his story. The fame from Ma Sandao's capture matters far more to him than the bounty, but his enjoyment of public praise turns into anxiety when clients expect him to undertake genuinely dangerous work 6 7 8.

His romantic understanding of heroism makes him less cautious than Li Ping'an. Nevertheless, his courage is not entirely theatrical: even after Ma Sandao terrifies and wounds him, he offers to hold the criminal off so an apparent bystander can escape. His rescue of Liu Yun combines a willingness to help with fantasies of glory, wealth, and love 6 9.

Abilities & Skills

Pursuit and Agility

• Recognizes Ma Sandao from behind and follows him through the city 6.
• Uses a rooftop to observe an alley, then escapes through a tall tree and over a wall 6.
• Cannot contend with Ma Sandao's throwing knives; his attempted retreat ends with a disabling leg wound 6.

Bounty-Hunting Access and Contacts

• Possesses the official token needed to collect criminal bounties, allowing Li Ping'an to obtain payment through him 6 7.
• Knows that the unusual Life-Pulse Powder ingredients are available through the black market and identifies Wang Dali as a possible supplier 8.
• His celebrated capture record depends on Li Ping'an's combat ability, rather than demonstrated mastery of a named technique 6 8.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Saber — Carried during his pursuit of Ma Sandao and reached for when he recognizes danger from the disguised assassins 6 9.
• Bounty hunter's identity token — Proof of his officially recognized occupation 6.

Relationships

• Li Ping'an / Blind Man — Rescuer and bounty-hunting partner; Xiao Wu admires his skill, repeatedly calls him “Hero,” and asks for saber instruction 6 7 8.
• Captain Zhang — Official who receives Ma Sandao from him and is astonished by the live capture 7.
• Wang Dali — Client who hires him to capture Liu Bo on the strength of his reputation 8 11.
• Liu Yun — Princess he rescues from the river shortly before his death 9.
• Parents, family, and friends — Arrested after the authorities label him a suspect in the treasure-ship incident 9.

Notable Quotes

“Run! He's the wanted criminal Ma Sandao! Go get the authorities! I'll hold him off!” 6