Chong Heihu

Chong Heihu (Heihu literally means black tiger) is a character in the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi. He is the younger brother of Chong Houhu, the Grand Duke of the North.

Legend
Chong Heihu had a distinctive appearance, often seen wearing a Nine-Cloud-Burning-Flame helmet, a jade belt, a bright red robe, and golden chain mail. He had a long red beard and eyes that resembled two golden bells. He was also armed with dual golden axes, which added to his fearsome reputation for being exceptionally skilled.

During Chong Houhu's third retreat, Chong Heihu arrived from the Cao region with a contingent of three thousand flying tiger soldiers to offer assistance. Eventually, Chong Heihu and his elder brother approached the city gate of Ji province. However, Chong Heihu's intention was merely to have a conversation with his old friend, Su Hu. Instead, he encountered Su Hu's son, Su Quanzhong, who expressed discontent and confronted Chong Heihu with harsh words. In response, Chong Heihu raised his legendary golden axes to assert his authority and put Quanzhong in his place.

To Chong Heihu's surprise, Quanzhong displayed exceptional skill with his spear during their ensuing battle. Impressed, Chong Heihu decided to retreat, and Quanzhong pursued him relentlessly. Taking advantage of the situation, Chong Heihu unleashed a legendary magical gourd that he carried on his back (a gift from a superior). In an instant, black smoke billowed out from the gourd, obscuring the sun. Chong Heihu also summoned a sacred eagle to aid him. He knocked Quanzhong off his horse and successfully captured him.

After some time, the famous crow commander Zheng Lun appeared before the camp of Chong Heihu and challenged him to battle. Chong Heihu responded sharply, saying, "How dare you make such audacious remarks, man! Your master, who has rebelled against the king, will face severe punishment with his body crushed and bones pulverized. You, my friend, will suffer the same fate!" This incident showcased Chong Heihu's reputation and prowess in his encounter with Zheng Lun.

Zheng Lun, a remarkable individual destined for greatness, quickly recognized the magical potential of Chong Heihu's large gourd. He unleashed two powerful jets of smoke from his nostrils, which knocked Chong Heihu unconscious and caused him to fall from his saddle. Once captured, Chong Heihu shared a drink with his old friend Su Hu. When Ji Chang intervened and ended the coalition through a simple letter, Chong Heihu returned to his region while expressing deep respect and gratitude.

Chong Heihu was appointed as the deity of Nanyue Emperor (南岳大帝), one of the Five Sacred Emperor Gods, in the end.

Worship
Chong Heihu is worshipped in Chinese folk religion and known as the Nanyue Dadi (Nanyue Emperor, 南岳大帝), one of the Five Sacred Mountain Gods. In Fengshen Yanyi, it is mentioned that Huang Feihu, Chong Heihu, Wenpin, Cui Ying, and Jiang Xiong met their demise at the hands of Zhang Kui during the battle. Following their death, they were revered as the Five Sacred Emperors. In Chinese folk belief, the Five Mountains Emperors are highly respected, with Dongyue Dadi being particularly esteemed. When enshrining the Gods of the Five Sacred Mountains, it is customary to position Dongyue Huang Feihu at the center, while Nanyue Chong Heihu and Zhongyue Wenpin are placed on both sides. The Nanyue Temple, located in Banqiao District, Taiwan, is dedicated to Chong Heihu, the great emperor of Nanyue. Each year, the birthday festival is celebrated on December 16 to honor his legacy.

Nanyue Hengshan, situated in Hengshan County, Hunan Province, boasts 72 peaks, with the main peak, Zhurong Peak, rising 1290 meters above sea level. At the foot of Nanyue Mountain, there is the main temple dedicated to the Nanyue Emperor.

In popular culture

 * Chong Heihu paper-cutting, a captivating art form originating from Yuxian County, draws its inspiration from the vibrant facial makeup of Chong Heihu in the traditional opera "Sishuiguan". This distinctive style of paper-cutting showcases intricate designs and is highly regarded for its cultural value.
 * The story of Chong Heihu is depicted in the Yiqiang Sangsidiao Opera.