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Thread: Plot Device/Inconsistency Victim --> Xiao Feng?

  1. #1
    Senior Member PJ's Avatar
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    Default Plot Device/Inconsistency Victim --> Xiao Feng?

    Believe it or not, there are several instances where Xiao Feng was made by Jin Yong to look extremely impotent. Here are the cases:

    1) Unable to kill a tiger
    2) Unable to kill Ah Zi with all his might
    3) Unable to kill Ah Zhu instantly with all his might

    Now, even people like Hao Datong should be able to accomplish these tasks, and yet Xiao Feng (who could accomplish much greater feats) could not. #2 and #3 can be considered plot devices, where the author needed Ah Zi to live and Ah Zhu to utter those final words. Specifically, I am interested in discussing case #3.

    In DGSD, Xiao Feng launched a palm assault at Ah Zhu, the fake Duan Zhengchun. It hit fake Duan Zhengchun and knocked her back considerably. After this happened, Xiao Feng became puzzled as to why his opponent neither blocked nor withstood the attack.

    Now consider a similar case. In HSDS, Zhang Wuji used all his might to launch a palm assault at Zhou Zhiruo. When their palms were about to meet, Zhang realized that Zhou did not use any strength to counter, so in that instant he retracted all his power.

    Setting aside the million dollar question why Xiao Feng's palms, when making physical contact with the fake Duan Zhengchun's chest, did not feel the presence of her breasts... why didn't Xiao Feng retract his power? This is especially a taunting question since the principle of XL18Z is to be retractable at will (Hong Qigong said so). Alas, we must set aside the BILLION dollar fact that Jin Yong needed Ah Zhu to die in Xiao Feng's hands for the plot.

    Some possible answers are:
    1) Xiao Feng did not have the proficiency to retract his power once released.
    2) Xiao Feng was not using XL18Z, so he couldn't apply XL18Z's retracting capabilities.
    3) Xiao Feng was so determined to kill Duan Zhengchun that he prepared extra effort to make sure his palm power delivered maximum force under any circumstance.

    The book did not seem to mention that he used XL18Z. Also in the third edition, Xiao Feng seemed to grasp all the principles of XL18Z's retracting and 30/70 rules.

    So, what do you find to be the most logical explanation for Xiao Feng not retracting his palm at fake Duan Zhengchun? Plot device factor not withstanding.
    Last edited by PJ; 04-06-07 at 01:31 PM.
    忽见柳荫下两个小孩子在哀哀痛哭,瞧模样正是武敦儒、武修文兄弟。郭芙大声叫道:「喂,你们在干甚麽?」武 修文回头见是郭芙,哭道:「我们在哭,你不见麽?」

  2. #2
    Senior Member PJ's Avatar
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    Before anyone blasts Xiao Feng for not retracting his power, we must not forget that even the God of Sword, Sword of God, SWORD GOD himself was not able to retract/change his power once fully released. But that instance worked particularly well, since his inability to retract his power made way for his accomplishment of Thrusting Delicate Blade Into Solid Granite 1 Inch Deep, which solicited a massive cheering session from the crowd of experts.

    Anyway, back to more Xiao Feng pondering...
    忽见柳荫下两个小孩子在哀哀痛哭,瞧模样正是武敦儒、武修文兄弟。郭芙大声叫道:「喂,你们在干甚麽?」武 修文回头见是郭芙,哭道:「我们在哭,你不见麽?」

  3. #3
    Senior Member CC's Avatar
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    I suppose if we ignore the real reason of 'plot device' we would have to come up with conjecture like : The energy which Xiao Feng injected into Ah Zhu during her Jin Gang Zhang injury (and commented by Dr Xue as very strong) was still in her and it acted as a buffer.
    Its BIxie Jianfa Gawdammit you guys!!!!

  4. #4
    Senior Member PJ's Avatar
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    The question at hand is why Xiao Feng did not retract the power like Zhang Wuji did when he sensed that his opponent was powerless.

    Regarding this, I personally have a theory which I admit upfront is unlikely, and that is: Xiao Feng actually DID retract most of the power of his palm, which is why what was left of his palm power failed to kill Ah Zhu instantly. This is unlikely/contradictory because it's stated that Xiao Feng used all his might to deliver that blow.
    忽见柳荫下两个小孩子在哀哀痛哭,瞧模样正是武敦儒、武修文兄弟。郭芙大声叫道:「喂,你们在干甚麽?」武 修文回头见是郭芙,哭道:「我们在哭,你不见麽?」

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    Wait, so in the novel, Xiao Feng intended to end it with the very first palm strike?

    Xiao Feng was surprised that DZC did not do anything. So does that mean, Xiao Feng feels if he can't kill DZC in three moves, then he will forgive him.

    I thought the scenario was similar to Reverend Kongjian standing still taking the blows from Xie Xun.

    Did Xiao Feng actually let DZC try to counter and stuff?

  6. #6
    Senior Member ChronoReverse's Avatar
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    I thought that XF assumed that DZC at that point was willing to die for his trespasses and thus didn't fight back.

  7. #7
    Senior Member PJ's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ChronoReverse
    I thought that XF assumed that DZC at that point was willing to die for his trespasses and thus didn't fight back.
    Nah, Xiao Feng was surprised that Duan Zhengchun neither blocked nor withstood his attack, that's why he went to check on him and eventually discovered it was Ah Zhu.
    忽见柳荫下两个小孩子在哀哀痛哭,瞧模样正是武敦儒、武修文兄弟。郭芙大声叫道:「喂,你们在干甚麽?」武 修文回头见是郭芙,哭道:「我们在哭,你不见麽?」

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