YokaiInvestiture of the GodsMythical CreatureMythological Figure

Jiutou Zhiji Jing

Jiutou Zhiji Jing (Hu Ximei) is a nine-headed pheasant spirit and fictional character in ''Investiture of the Gods'' who helps Nu Wa corrupt King Zhou to end the Shang dynasty.

1. Overview

Hu Ximei (胡喜媚Hú XǐmèiChinese), also known as Jiutou Zhiji Jing (九头雉鸡精Jiǔtóu Zhìjī JīngChinese, meaning "Nine-Headed Pheasant Spirit"), is a prominent fictional character in the classic Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi). She is depicted as a powerful spirit whose true form is a nine-headed pheasant. As one of three influential spirits serving the goddess Nu Wa, Hu Ximei plays a crucial role in the prophesied downfall of the Shang dynasty. Alongside her sworn sisters, the fox spirit Daji and the pipa spirit Wang Guiren, she enters the human realm to corrupt King Zhou, encouraging his tyrannical reign and contributing to the kingdom's ultimate demise. Her actions are central to the narrative's themes of divine retribution, justice, and the transition of dynastic power from Shang to Zhou.

2. Identity and background

Hu Ximei's fundamental identity is rooted in her spiritual nature and her allegiance to a powerful deity, combined with her distinct physical attributes as a mythical creature.

2.1. Names and true form

Hu Ximei is primarily known by two names: her human guise, Hu Ximei (胡喜媚Hú XǐmèiChinese), which can be interpreted as "Splendor," and her true spiritual designation, Jiutou Zhiji Jing (九头雉鸡精Jiǔtóu Zhìjī JīngChinese), meaning "Nine-Headed Pheasant Spirit." This name accurately reflects her original form as a yaojing, a type of spirit or demon, that transformed from a pheasant with nine heads. When she assumes a human form, she is described as a strikingly beautiful woman, typically adorned in a large red robe, cinched at her slender waist with a silk sash, and wearing small red linen shoes. Her eyes are said to possess a captivating beauty, often compared to the serene depth of an autumn lake, reflecting her alluring and deceptive nature.

Zhiji Jing depicted with a pheasant's head, alluding to her true form.
Zhiji Jing depicted with a pheasant's head, alluding to her true form.

2.2. Affiliations and relationships

Hu Ximei is one of three powerful specters or demonesses who serve the revered ancient Chinese goddess Nu Wa. She is considered the younger sister to the influential fox spirit Daji (the Millennium Fox Spirit) and Wang Guiren (the Jade Pipa Spirit), forming a trio known for their beauty and cunning. These three spirits are bound by a shared mission entrusted to them by Nu Wa: to accelerate the decline of the Shang dynasty by tempting and corrupting its last ruler, King Zhou. This divine mandate positions Hu Ximei not merely as a villain, but as a direct instrument of heaven's will, playing a pivotal role in the grand narrative of dynastic change and the ultimate rise of the Zhou dynasty.

3. Role in Investiture of the Gods

Hu Ximei's actions and influence are integral to the unfolding events of Investiture of the Gods, particularly in her direct involvement in the downfall of the Shang dynasty and King Zhou's tyrannical reign.

3.1. Initial appearance and mission

Hu Ximei first appears in the narrative when Daji, under the divine instruction of the goddess Nu Wa, seeks her out at the Xuanyuan Tomb, which serves as a dwelling for various spirits. Nu Wa had been provoked by King Zhou's disrespectful poem, which he had inscribed at her temple, a direct insult to her divine presence. In her wrath, Nu Wa dispatched the three spirits-Daji, Hu Ximei, and Wang Guiren-with a crucial mission: to infiltrate the Shang court and accelerate the demise of the dynasty. Their objective was to mislead King Zhou, encouraging him to abandon his righteous governance and instead engage in cruel and decadent behavior, thereby fulfilling heaven's decree for the Shang dynasty's end. Daji initially intended for her and her cohorts to disguise themselves as heavenly maidens to deceive the king at a royal banquet.

3.2. Events at Xuanyuan Tomb and revenge

A significant event in Hu Ximei's story is the burning of the Xuanyuan Tomb. During an absence of Daji from the tomb, key figures loyal to the Shang court, including Huang Feihu, Bi Gan, and later under the direction of Jiang Ziya, attacked and set fire to the spirits' dwelling. This act resulted in the death of many of the demonic residents, including Daji's other fox cohorts. However, Hu Ximei, due to her unique abilities, was the sole survivor of this devastating attack. Filled with intense resentment and a desire for retribution, she joined Daji in a plot to exact revenge, particularly against Bi Gan. Through their cunning machinations, Hu Ximei played a part in the gruesome act of offering Bi Gan's heart to King Zhou, further solidifying the king's descent into depravity and tyranny. Following this, she returned to the capital, Zhaoge, with Daji, transforming herself into an even more captivating beauty.

3.3. Corrupting King Zhou

Upon her return to Zhaoge, Hu Ximei entered King Zhou's palace, leveraging her exquisite beauty to further ensnare the already deluded monarch. She actively engaged in seduction and deception, spending personal time with the king and fully supporting Daji's schemes to divert him from his state duties. Her presence encouraged King Zhou's already growing tyranny and debauchery, as she immersed herself in a life of luxury and excess within the palace, reveling in copious amounts of wine. Despite her collaborative efforts with Daji, a subtle undercurrent of jealousy developed between the two powerful spirits, especially as King Zhou's attention was divided by Hu Ximei's allure. Nevertheless, her primary focus remained on fulfilling her divine mission to accelerate the Shang dynasty's collapse through the corruption of its ruler.

3.4. Final fate

Towards the conclusion of the novel, as the forces of the Xiqi army, led by Jiang Ziya, advanced on Zhaoge and the Shang dynasty faced its final moments, Hu Ximei attempted to escape the impending destruction alongside her sisters, Daji and Wang Guiren. However, their escape was short-lived. During a confrontation near Zhaoge, she bravely engaged the Xiqi forces, even donning armor, riding a peach horse, and wielding two treasured swords in battle. Despite her efforts, she was ultimately apprehended by Jiang Ziya's men. In a decisive moment, she was captured by Nu Wa's powerful Binding Demon Rope (Baku Yousaku) and subsequently executed by the formidable deity Yang Jian, also known as Erlang Shen, alongside Daji and Wang Guiren. This collective execution marked the ultimate downfall of the three demonic agents and the conclusion of their role in the epic struggle between the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

4. Origin of the character

The character of Hu Ximei, the Nine-Headed Pheasant Spirit, is believed to have her origins deeply rooted in ancient Chinese mythology and folklore. Her true form, the "nine-headed pheasant," draws inspiration from the mythical creature often referred to as the Nine-headed bird. This legendary creature, known for its multiple heads and often associated with ominous or supernatural phenomena, provides a strong mythological basis for Hu Ximei's unique and formidable identity within the narrative of Investiture of the Gods. This connection imbues her character with a sense of ancient power and otherworldly significance.