Su Xiong

Biodata

Background / History

Su Xiong arrived in Hong Kong and Kowloon from the mainland five years before Hua Shanrong recounted his history, accompanied by a junior fellow disciple. The two initially conducted small business. After joining a gang, Su Xiong’s formidable kung fu and ruthless methods quickly earned him the rank of Double-Blossom Red Pole, its top enforcer 15.

According to Hua Shanrong, Su Xiong subsequently killed the boss who had brought him into the gang over a minor dispute, reorganized the outfit, and made himself its sole authority. His reputation deteriorated, but his wealth and influence continued to grow. Attempts by the major gangs to unite against him failed to stop his rise 15.

Appearance

• Build: Tall and broad 48.
• Face: Sharply defined features and slightly narrow eyes 48.
• Expression: A ruthless sharpness around his brows, contrasting with the hearty manner he adopts when welcoming Chen Ying 48.

Personality

Su Xiong combines lethal ruthlessness with calculated hospitality. He has little attachment to conventional underworld rules: his rise involved killing his own boss, and he later orders Sha Wei to kill a well-paid employee who has been selling him out. With Chen Ying, however, he is solicitous, generous, and careful to explain the dangers of the artifact he offers 15 48.

His central principle is to “think big.” He considers favors and influential relationships more valuable than replaceable magical artifacts, money, or underworld prestige. When his disciples question his generosity toward Chen Ying, he makes clear that even sacrificing Fire Dragon or losing face would be acceptable if it secured more valuable connections 49.

He also seeks social standing beyond gang leadership. Rather than remaining dependent on police patrons, he wants Tung Sing to become an organization that foreigners and wealthy figures can openly do business with 48 49.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts and Body-Hardening

Su Xiong’s fighting ability helped him rise rapidly through the underworld 15.

• Possesses formidable body-hardening kung fu, according to Hua Shanrong 15.
• Chen Ying describes his spirit-possession training as allowing him to withstand blades 15.
• His ability to withstand bullets is not established; Chen Ying raises it only as a possibility while discussing ways Hua Shanrong might take revenge 15.

Maoshan Altar Arts

Su Xiong identifies himself as having studied under the Maoshan Altar. Hua Shanrong also reports that he is skilled in its arts 15 48.

• Granny Chen distinguishes his Maoshan connection from the Soul-Calling methods used against her grandson and rules him out as the attacker 1.
• Maintains access to magical artifacts through Ma Qi, an artisan versed in Eastern and Western techniques 48.
• Chen Ying suspects that Su Xiong intends to develop half-human, half-ghost soldiers after observing Sha Wei’s dealings in the Ghost Market; this is Chen Ying’s interpretation, not a plan Su Xiong personally confirms 14.

Organization and Negotiation

Su Xiong builds influence through both commercial incentives and violence 48.

• Uses money to open official and underworld channels, while armed force establishes his authority 48.
• Shares profits sufficiently to retain supporters within the Police Force 48.
• Recognizes the importance of Chen Ying’s backing and instructs his staff to admit him directly on future visits 48.
• Treats assistance to newcomers with powerful connections as a long-term investment 49.

Tung Sing Company

Su Xiong organizes Tung Sing as a modern corporation rather than a traditional triad society. He serves as chairman, supported by professional managers and departments for finance and human resources, instead of offices such as dragon head, lodge master, or Numbers Manager 48.

Hospital Project

Su Xiong approves a hospital financing proposal despite his staff’s concerns about its financial return. He publicly emphasizes spiritual merit and social benefit; privately, he explains that rebuilding the hospital will help transform his reputation from gangster to prominent member of society 48 49.

Equipment / Items

• Ma Qi’s desire-seeking compasses — Su Xiong purchased three compasses modeled on a Western magical artifact. Each can be activated with a drop of blood to point toward the user’s strongest desire, but causes thirteen days of bad luck and becomes useless after three uses. By Chen Ying’s visit, only one compass remains, with a single use left; Su Xiong gives it to him 48.
• Coffin-wood box — Made from a three-hundred-year-old coffin plank to contain the compass, since magical objects can attract sinister entities. Su Xiong includes the box with his gift 48.

Relationships

• Chen Ying — A connection Su Xiong actively cultivates. He invites Chen Ying to call him “Senior Brother,” gifts him the compass without demanding payment, and regards the favor as an investment in the Chen family’s future influence. Chen Ying’s earlier claim that they are distant cousins is not established as genuine kinship 15 48 49.
• Sha Wei — One of his three chief disciples and a trusted enforcer. Su Xiong approves of his handling of Chen Ying and assigns him the killing of a disloyal employee 48.
• Bian Zhi — Chief disciple reputed to be the cleverest of the three. Su Xiong asks for his assessment of Chen Ying before explaining his broader strategy 49.
• Du Ke — Chief disciple with the fiercest reputation among the three. He objects to giving Chen Ying the compass and worries about losing face over Fire Dragon 49.
• Fire Dragon — A defector operating under Tung Sing’s protection. Su Xiong nevertheless considers him expendable compared with the benefits of cultivating Chen Ying 48 49.
• Ma Qi — The Eastern- and Western-trained master from whom Su Xiong purchased his compasses 48.
• Hua Shanrong — A surviving member of the faction attacked by Su Xiong’s followers. Hua Shanrong wants revenge for Fat Bear’s death but believes he cannot overcome Su Xiong through ordinary gang advancement 15 30.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict with Wo On Sing

Fire Dragon’s defection provides Su Xiong with an opening against Wo On Sing. During Fire Dragon’s confrontation with Fat Bear, Sha Wei leads an armed attack that devastates Fat Bear’s group. Fat Bear is killed, while Chen Ying and Hua Shanrong escape 9 10 12.

The pressure continues afterward. Wo On Sing’s elders report that Su Xiong has smashed four venues within a fortnight, and some argue that his recruitment of Fire Dragon and destruction of Fat Bear’s faction demonstrate an intention to dominate the underworld 35.

Suspected Involvement in Attacks on Chen Ying

When gang hostility and police action converge against him, Chen Ying initially considers Su Xiong a possible organizer. He rejects that explanation after examining the timing, Granny Chen’s earlier response, and Su Xiong’s lack of reason to acquire another powerful enemy 38.

The Compass Gift

Facing a looming confrontation with the Faceless Man, Chen Ying visits Tianxin Mansion to ask about Sha Wei’s compass. Su Xiong welcomes him personally, explains the artifact’s function and costs, and gives him its final use 47 48.

Chen Ying subsequently uses it to locate the Wrongful Death Ghost Market. Su Xiong, meanwhile, explains to his disciples that the gift is intended to attract further valuable relationships and advance Tung Sing beyond the limitations of a conventional gang 49.