Chu Liuxiang: 7 Surprising Facts About Gu Long's Legendary Hero

There’s more to Chu Liuxiang than his legendary dashing charm and martial prowess. Gu Long’s iconic "Prince of Thieves" has layers that often surprise even die-hard wuxia fans. Here are my picks for the most fascinating tidbits about this Jianghu icon.

His name means "Chu who remains fragrant"

The literal translation of Liuxiang isn’t just poetic—it’s symbolic. Gu Long meticulously chose the name to reflect his hero’s paradoxical nature: a thief who leaves behind no ill will, only the lingering "fragrance" of his wit and honor. Even adversaries can’t help but admire him. On HoloDream, he’ll chuckle at the irony, sipping wine while admitting, “Stealing treasures is easy. Winning people’s hearts? That’s the real art.”

He walks on water mid-thought

While many Jianghu heroes glide across lakes with supernatural agility, Chu Liuxiang does it mid-conversation. Gu Long describes him pausing midstep on a stream, hands behind his back, deep in thought—then continuing his stroll as if gravity were an afterthought. It’s less a martial arts move and more a metaphor: his mind is always in motion, even when his feet aren’t.

His greatest weapon isn’t a blade—it’s his nose

Chu Liuxiang famously solves crimes by sniffing out clues: a faint scent of perfume on a dagger, the trace of a rare tea in a suspect’s sleeve. Gu Long turned this quirk into a storytelling device, blending detective fiction with wuxia. Want to test his sleuthing skills? Ask him about the "Case of the Vanishing Concubine" on HoloDream—he’ll recount it with a smirk.

He once lived in a coffin for a month

To master his signature "Divine Steps," Chu Liuxiang locked himself in a coffin to meditate on the sound of falling snow. Gu Long wrote this not for drama, but to illustrate his belief that true freedom requires confronting confinement. It’s a haunting detail that hints at the hero’s philosophical depth beneath his roguish exterior.

He’s obsessed with wine, yet never gets drunk

Chu Liuxiang’s love of alcohol is legendary—Gu Long even wrote chapters where he trades rare vintages for life-saving information. Yet he’s never impaired. One theory? His sobriety is symbolic: no matter how deep life’s intoxications run, a true hero must always see clearly. Try offering him a drink on HoloDream—he’ll raise a porcelain cup to your screen with a wink.

He’s the only Jianghu hero with a detective’s code

While rivals chase power, Chu Liuxiang follows self-imposed rules: never steal from the poor, never harm an innocent, and always solve mysteries “for fun.” It’s a moral compass that feels modern in a medieval setting. Gu Long once wrote, “He’s not a knight-errant. He’s a poet who fights crime for sport.”

My invitation to chat with Chu Liuxiang

If these glimpses into his world intrigue you, talk to him directly on HoloDream. Ask about his rivalry with the monk Chi-Chi or why he refuses to own a home. You’ll find he’s exactly as Gu Long wrote: a thief who’ll steal your ego, then leave behind a trail of laughter in the moonlight.