Houfu

Biography

Cautious ally in the Peacock dispute

Houfu was a reserved, cautious Daoist Master whose presence gave Li Ximing confidence during the Peacock dispute. When Yuguang threatened to expose the allies’ identities by forcing a contest, Houfu proposed that he, Lingdu, and Li Ximing stand together; their combined presence could make Yuguang retreat without requiring a fight. His Supreme Yang spirit artifact helped deter the Peacock cultivator, and Li Ximing later recognized that Houfu’s restraint had kept the blame from falling on him alone. Houfu also remained at the mountain to preach and debate the Dao, building trust through counsel as well as force. (Chapters 1226, 1228, 1238–1239, 1241–1242)

Northern campaign and withdrawal

Houfu joined the northern campaign, where the Supreme Yang light from his bag-shaped spirit artifact suppressed two Merciful Ones and later helped hold Beigu under siege. The war cost him his martial uncle, Kuiqi. After Kuiqi’s fall, Houfu used a white talisman amid the black owl light, received his martial uncle’s final order to withdraw to Jiangnan, and withdrew with the Xiukui lineage. He later sought a meeting with Qingyan and congratulated the successful pill refinement. (Chapters 1412, 1428, 1448, 1495, 1508)

Appearance and personality

Houfu is tall and thin, wearing ritual Daoist robes; later he is described in brown robes. He speaks little and is regarded as prideful, stern, and cautious, though he will put his presence and reputation behind an ally when doing so reduces the risk of wider conflict. (Chapters 1226–1227, 1238, 1448)

Abilities and cultivation

Supreme Yang Dao artifact

Houfu is a Purple Mansion Daoist Master of the Great Xiukui tradition. His gray, bag-shaped spirit artifact releases powerful Supreme Yang radiance: it once deterred Yuguang without Houfu having to unleash its full power, and later disoriented and suppressed two Merciful Ones. Its demonstrated effect was suppression: it disoriented and grounded the two opponents, but did not kill them immediately. (Chapters 1239, 1412)

Relationships

• Li Ximing: Houfu supported him during the Peacock dispute and later helped the Li family in the northern campaign. (Chapters 1228–1239, 1414)
• Lingdu: They debated the Dao for months and continued to exchange teachings. (Chapters 1226, 1241–1242)
• Kuiqi: A fellow Daoist of the Xiukui tradition whose death preceded Houfu’s withdrawal order. (Chapters 1428, 1448)
• Tinglan and Ning Wan: They served alongside Houfu in the northern campaign. (Chapters 1410, 1428)
• Qingyan: Houfu sought an introduction and later congratulated him after a successful pill refinement. (Chapters 1495, 1508)

Items

Houfu wielded a gray, bag-shaped spirit artifact that released Supreme Yang radiance. During the northern conflict he also drew out a white talisman, which drew the black owl light into itself before he returned it to his sleeve. (Chapters 1412, 1448)