Li Mochou

Li Mochou is a third-generation member of the Ancient Tomb Sect, recruited by the apprentice of the sect's founder, Lin Chaoying. As her master's first apprentice, she is the senior of Xiaolongnü, the female protagonist of the novel. In her early years, Li Mochou encountered Lu Zhanyuan, fell in love with him, and defied her master to be with him, resulting in her expulsion from the Ancient Tomb Sect. Later, Lu Zhanyuan broke up with her and married He Yuanjuan instead. When Li Mochou attempted to disrupt their marriage, a powerful monk intervened and compelled her to put aside her grudge for a decade. Vowing vengeance, she embraced Taoism and distanced herself from love. The novel begins by describing Li Mochou exacting vengeance on the Lu family some years after the deaths of Lu Zhanyuan and He Yuanjun. Following the murders, she kidnaps Lu Zhanyuan's niece, Lu Wushuang, and enslaves her. Li Mochou took an apprentice, Hong Lingbo, and tasked her with seizing the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra from the Ancient Tomb Sect. The plan failed when Xiaolongnü, with the assistance of Yang Guo, triggered a trap. Nevertheless, Li Mochou and Hong Lingbo managed to escape, and Li persisted in her vengeful pursuits. == Martial arts and skills ==

Li Mochou was trained in the Ancient Tomb Sect's qinggong and martial arts in her early life. After her expulsion, she created new skills such as the Red Divine Palm (), a palm-striking technique derived from the Five Venoms Manual () which allows to poison her enemies. Besides, she invented the Triple Non-existing Hands (), an extremely vicious striking technique targeting vulnerable parts of the opponent's body such as the eyes, throat, lower abdomen, and genitals. Li Mochou's primary weapon is a fuchen (fly-whisk) similar to those carried by Taoist priests and nuns. A flexible weapon in her hands, it is capable of drawing blood, breaking bones, causing internal injuries, and even disarming an opponent by wrapping around their weapon. She also uses the poison-coated Soul-Freezing Silver Needles () as her anqi (hand-thrown projectiles). == Character evaluation ==

Li Mochou's backstory, accomplishments, and flaws make her an intriguing character in studies of Jin Yong's works. Scholars have conducted positioning analyses and engaged in discussions about Li Mochou's character image and behaviour. Liu Baoqiang noted in "A New Discussion on the Character of Li Mochou in Jin Yong's Novels" that she may be interpreted as a pioneer of feminism in her pursuit of love and individual liberation. == In adaptations ==

Notable actresses who have portrayed Li Mochou in films and television series include Cheung Man-ting (1976), (1983), (1983), Chao Tien-li (1984), (1995), Pan Lingling (1998), Chen Hong (1998), Doris Lo (2001-2008), (2006), and Zhang Xinyu (2014-2015). In contrast to the character's negative portrayals in earlier adaptations of the novel, the 2014 television series The Romance of the Condor Heroes offers a nuanced and comprehensive account of Li Mochou's relationship with Lu Zhanyuan. This interpretation has significantly shifted popular perceptions of Li Mochou, transforming her into a more sympathetic character in the eyes of viewers. This shift has led to a playful phenomenon among viewers and netizens, who humorously dub the series The Biography of Li Mochou instead of its original title. Li Mochou represents the characteristics of the zodiac constellation Scorpius. She is also a playable character in the 2014 mobile fighting game The Legend of the Condor Heroes. == References ==