them. After defeating Gao Lian, the outlaws find Chai Jin hidden in a dry well by a jailer to protect him from Gao Lian. Li Kui volunteers to go down the dark deep well to take Chai up. Campaigns and death Li Kui is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. Li Kui is against Song Jiang's quest for amnesty from Emperor Huizong, seeing it as capitulation to the imperial court. He sabotages Song Jiang's meeting in Dongjing with Li Shishi, a courtesan whom the emperor secretly patronises. Song has hoped the woman could move the monarch to pardon Liangshan. When the first edict of amnesty arrives at Liangshan, Li Kui tears it up before it is read out to the outlaws. After government forces suffered defeats at the hands of Liangshan, the emperor decides to grant them amnesty again. This time Li Kui could do nothing. Li Kui is one of the few Liangshan heroes who survive the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory. He is appointed an official in Runzhou (潤州; present-day Runzhou District, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu) for his contributions. Missing his carefree life on Liangshan, Li Kui shows no interest in the job and spends most of his time drinking. When Song Jiang realises that he has been poisoned by corrupt officials of the court, he is worried that Li Kui might stir up trouble and besmear the name of Liangshan. He summons Li to his office in Chuzhou (楚州; present-day Huai'an, Jiangsu) and offers him the same poisoned wine. Upon learning what he has drunk, Li Kui embraces his fate and requests to be buried next to Song Jiang. He dies after returning to Runzhou. Li Kui appears in Emperor Huizong's dream in the novel's last chapter, charging at the monarch with his axes in an attempt to avenge their wrongful deaths. Other cultural depictions of Li Kui In the video game Jade Empire by Bioware, a character who resembles Li Kui and also goes by the nickname "The Black Whirlwind" joins the player's party as it gets underway. He displays many of the same traits as the Water Margin character and wields the same fighting weapon (twin axes). The OVA adaptation of Mitsuteru Yokoyama's Giant Robo could not obtain licence for the original