Novel character dossier · English edition
The Four Great Guardians 四大护法 — 东 · 南 · 西 · 北
Idle Wife, Evil Husband (闲妻邪夫) by Mo Feng (墨枫). Four senior martial officers of Chu Changge’s Demon Sect (魔教).
The Four Great Guardians are Chu Changge’s trusted companions, bodyguards and senior subordinates. Beneath their comic arguments lie exceptional martial abilities and, in several cases, identities they deliberately conceal. This guide distinguishes confirmed revelations from names the consulted text does not establish.
Identity comparison
| Guardian | Name or lineage | Signature detail | Key chapter(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East (东护法) | Personal name unverified | Head of the Four Guardians | Ch. 126 |
| South (南护法) | Guo Shaoqi (郭少齐) | Bloody Handprint (血手印); former chivalrous reputation | Ch. 29 |
| West (西护法) | Disciple of Liu Chengfeng (柳乘风); personal name unverified | Nine-Bend Exquisite Chain (九曲玲珑链) | Ch. 39, 80 |
| North (北护法) | Gu (顾), son of General Gu Yueyang (顾岳阳); given name unverified | Gu Family Spear Technique (顾家枪法) | Ch. 39, 62, 150 |
Note: “Personal name unverified” means a complete personal name is not demonstrated in the chapters referenced here. It does not claim the novel never supplies one elsewhere.
Character details
Open each Guardian’s section to read their identity, background, skills, personality, plot contributions and direct chapter references.
01 — East Guardian (东护法)
East · Senior of the Four Great Guardians
East Guardian (东护法)
Head of the Four Great Guardians • Da Dong (大东)
Personal details
| Official title | East Guardian (东护法) |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Da Dong (大东) |
| Personal name | Not verified |
| Position | Head of the Four Great Guardians (四大护法之首) |
| Affiliation | Demon Sect (魔教) |
| Superior | Chu Changge (楚长歌) |
| Notable skills | Internal energy, palm techniques and interrogation |
| First verified source here | Chapter 6 |
Background and identity
East Guardian is the senior member and head of the Four Great Guardians. He generally acts as the group’s spokesman, relaying information to Chu Changge and coordinating assignments carried out by the other Guardians.
His birth family, real personal name and former identity are not established in the chapters checked. His directional title should not be mistaken for a personal name.
Role, abilities and character
He tends to be more organised and decisive than his companions, but is capable of ruthless action. When Murong Yunshu demands answers from a one-eyed pirate, East Guardian carries out a harsh interrogation and stops North Guardian from killing the prisoner before he can provide information.
He also helps protect Yunshu and investigate threats to the Murong household. Later, he reacts with a mixture of jealousy and comic indignation when North Guardian receives a separate assignment to western Shu.
Key appearances
- Chapter 6 — Reports intelligence about Hua Lingtian to Chu Changge.
- Chapter 26 — Explains the significance of the jade pendant entrusted to Yunshu.
- Chapter 126 — Acts as the head of the Guardians during the pirate interrogation.
- Chapter 157 — Comments on North Guardian’s separate mission and the group’s close bond.
02 — South Guardian (南护法)
South of the Four Great Guardians
South Guardian (南护法)
Guo Shaoqi (郭少齐) • Da Nan (大南)
Personal details
| Official title | South Guardian (南护法) |
|---|---|
| Confirmed personal name | Guo Shaoqi (郭少齐) |
| Nickname | Da Nan (大南); also referred to as Xiao Nan (小南) in informal references |
| Former epithet | Bloody Handprint (血手印) |
| Signature martial art | Bloody Handprint (血手印) |
| Former reputation | A well-regarded chivalrous martial artist |
| Affiliation | Demon Sect (魔教) |
| Superior | Chu Changge (楚长歌) |
Background and identity
Before joining the Demon Sect, South Guardian was known as Guo Shaoqi (郭少齐), a martial artist with a reputation for chivalry. His identity comes to light during a confrontation with the Five Tigers of Kaishan (开山五虎).
When the eldest of the five recognises the mark left by the Bloody Handprint technique, he identifies South Guardian by name. South Guardian responds that Guo Shaoqi was who he used to be, making the identity revelation explicit while leaving his reasons for joining the Demon Sect largely unexplained.
Role, abilities and character
South Guardian is one of the group’s most formidable close-combat fighters. His palm technique is recognisable enough that an enemy identifies him from it alone.
He is often portrayed as controlled, laconic and serious. In the military-camp exchanges, his calm observations contrast with West Guardian’s indignation and North Guardian’s jokes.
Key appearances
- Chapter 29 — The Five Tigers of Kaishan recognise the Bloody Handprint technique and name him Guo Shaoqi.
- Chapter 126 — Works with the other Guardians while searching for Chu Changge.
- Chapter 150 — Comments on North Guardian’s military ambitions and exchanges dry remarks with his companions.
03 — West Guardian (西护法)
West of the Four Great Guardians
West Guardian (西护法)
Disciple of Liu Chengfeng (柳乘风) • Da Xi / Xiao Xi (大西 / 小西)
Personal details
| Official title | West Guardian (西护法) |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Da Xi (大西); Xiao Xi (小西) |
| Personal name | Not verified |
| Martial arts master | Liu Chengfeng (柳乘风) |
| Master’s title | Eccentric Hero associated with the Nine-Bend Exquisite Chain |
| Signature weapon | Nine-Bend Exquisite Chain (九曲玲珑链) |
| Affiliation | Demon Sect (魔教) |
| Superior | Chu Changge (楚长歌) |
Background and identity
West Guardian’s martial lineage is confirmed, although his personal name is not. At the martial arts tournament he produces the Nine-Bend Exquisite Chain (九曲玲珑链), a weapon famous in the jianghu.
In Chapter 80 an onlooker associates the weapon with the veteran martial artist Liu Chengfeng (柳乘风). Asked whether he is Liu’s successor, West Guardian calls Liu his master (家师). He is Liu Chengfeng’s disciple, not Liu Chengfeng himself.
Role, abilities and character
West Guardian is capable of using the chain to strike with immense force. At the tournament, the very sight of his weapon intimidates the orthodox martial arts factions; later, he defeats an attacker threatening Yunshu.
He is lively, proud, quick-tempered and particularly fond of arguing with North Guardian. His verbal sparring with the others gives the group much of its comic energy.
Key appearances
- Chapter 39 — Reveals the Nine-Bend Exquisite Chain during the martial arts tournament.
- Chapter 80 — His connection to Liu Chengfeng is identified; he and the Guardians investigate the attackers.
- Chapter 150 — Argues with North Guardian and South Guardian over military ambitions and personal pride.
04 — North Guardian (北护法)
North of the Four Great Guardians
North Guardian (北护法)
Surviving eldest Gu son (顾家嫡长子) • Xiao Bei (小北)
Personal details
| Official title | North Guardian (北护法) |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Xiao Bei (小北) |
| Family surname | Gu (顾) |
| Personal given name | Not verified |
| Father | Gu Yueyang (顾岳阳) |
| Father’s title | Former Great General Who Protects the Nation (前护国大将军) |
| Grandfather | An unnamed Gu family general |
| Family position | Eldest legitimate son (嫡长子) |
| Family tragedy | Gu household executed about five years before the tournament |
| Signature technique | Gu Family Spear Technique (顾家枪法) |
| Public accusation | A fugitive wanted by the imperial court |
| Affiliation | Demon Sect (魔教) |
Background and identity
North Guardian descends from the prominent Gu military family (顾家). His father is General Gu Yueyang (顾岳阳), formerly the Great General Who Protects the Nation. His grandfather was also a general. North Guardian is identified as the surviving eldest legitimate son of a family that was executed on imperial orders.
In Chapter 39, Fang Hongfei recognises the distinctive Gu Family Spear Technique. When Fang remarks that the art was passed only to the legitimate eldest son, he realises whom he is fighting. North Guardian does not deny the revelation. Instead, he openly explains that the family’s loyalty was rewarded with execution and that few organisations besides the Demon Sect would shelter a wanted survivor.
In Chapter 62, asked for his name, he replies “我没有名字” — “I have no name.” That denial is part of the scene and does not supply a given name. In Chapter 150, he explains that he understood military command from the age of ten and had once expected to become a general like his father and grandfather.
Role, abilities and character
North Guardian is an extremely accomplished spearman and has practical military knowledge. His family background helps explain why he can speak seriously about leading troops even though he is normally treated as the group’s comic relief.
He is outspoken, impetuous and frequently teased by West Guardian. Beneath his easy-going behaviour lies the loss of his family and a frustrated ambition to serve as a military commander. Later, he receives an assignment to western Shu, leaving his three companions behind.
Key appearances
- Chapter 39 — Gu Family Spear Technique exposes his family origins and identity as General Gu’s surviving eldest son.
- Chapter 62 — Refuses to state his name; Fang Hongfei calls him a wanted fugitive.
- Chapter 150 — Reveals his general-officer family background and childhood military training.
- Chapter 157 — Leaves for western Shu on a separate mission, much to the others’ displeasure.
Shared relationships and group dynamics
Chu Changge (楚长歌): their Sect Leader, to whom they remain fiercely loyal even as they complain about his eccentric orders.
Murong Yunshu (慕容云舒): addressed as Furen (夫人), their leader’s wife, whom they escort, protect and serve.
Chu Murong (楚慕容): called the Young Sect Leader (小教主), whose infant care becomes a source of comedy and attachment.
Among themselves: East often coordinates; South stays composed; West is outspoken; North provides comic relief, despite the most extensively revealed tragic background. Chapters 131, 150 and 157 capture their banter.
Terminology and editorial notes
Guardian (护法, hùfǎ): senior member entrusted with protecting the sect and serving its leader. “Protector” is also possible in other translations, but this page consistently uses Guardian.
Demon Sect (魔教): the group led by Chu Changge. Jianghu (江湖) means the wider martial arts world.
Da / Xiao (大 / 小): informal forms of address here, roughly “Big” and “Little”, rather than a replacement for a confirmed personal name.
Read with care: appearances and motivations are summarised from the chapter scenes. Interpretations of personality are distinguished from explicit family, lineage and martial arts revelations. Chinese characters are preserved and English spelling follows British English.
Chapter references
- Four Guardians report to Chu Changge — 第六章: 原来是他
- Guardians serve Murong Yunshu — 第二十六章: 锁魂玉
- South Guardian / Guo Shaoqi — 第二十九章: 冤家路窄
- North and West Guardians at the tournament — 第三十九章: 武林大会(下)
- North Guardian refuses to reveal his name — 第六十二章: 大难临头各自飞
- West Guardian and Liu Chengfeng — 第八十章: 婆媳一台戏
- East Guardian interrogates the pirate — 第一百二十六章: 严刑逼供
- The four debate the baby’s surname — 第一百三十一章: 教主上当了
- North Guardian’s military background — 第一百五十章: 小孩子嘲笑大人是不对的
- Guardians react to North’s assignment — 第一百五十七章: 小慕容练轻功
External chapters open in a new tab. Their websites may not permit embedding inside iframes. The page therefore uses normal source links rather than forced website popups.
COMMENTS