Jeong Jeong

"But fire brings only destruction and pain. It forces those of us burdened with its care to walk a razor's edge between humanity and savagery. Eventually, we are torn apart."

- Jeong Jeong's expressing his thoughts on fire in "The Deserter"

Jeong Jeong, also referred to as the Deserter, is a strong, enlightened, but embittered man who has seen more than his share of the cruel reality of war. Once an honored Admiral of the Fire Nation military, he left and gained his now famous title, the Deserter. Because he was the first person to abandon the military and survive, he is considered a legend within the Fire Nation. He lives in the Earth Kingdom wilderness to avoid Fire Nation soldiers and bounty hunters, and travels with a small group of followers including Chey, the second man to survive leaving the Fire Nation army.

History


Jeong Jeong is 60 years old, has two vertical scars next to his right eye, and is a master Firebender. However despite his awesome skills, he does not think highly of Firebending and sees it as a "burning curse". In a conversation with Katara, he admitted that he had always wished that he were blessed with Waterbending skills instead. He, in a very bleak, fatalistic fashion, described Firebending as something that "brings only destruction and pain. It forces those of us burdened with its care to walk a razor's edge between humanity and savagery. Eventually, we're torn apart." His negative ideals on fire were later proven false by the teachings of the dragons, Ran and Shao.

Long ago Jeong Jeong had a pupil, Zhao, who did not improve his thoughts on Firebending in the least, and may have even contributed to them. Zhao was only concerned with the power of Firebending and how to destroy his opponents and the obstacles in his path. He held no regard for learning the discipline that came with it, much to Jeong Jeong's disappointment.



When Aang was brought by Chey to Jeong Jeong's camp in order to learn Firebending (in "The Deserter"), Jeong Jeong was furious because it was clear to him that Aang was not ready. He could tell just by watching Aang walk into the camp that he had not mastered Waterbending and Earthbending, whose disciplines would aid Aang in controlling the power of Firebending. Jeong Jeong only changed his mind on teaching Aang after receiving a chilling vision from Avatar Roku.



Jeong Jeong's teaching techniques rest heavily on discipline. Before the pupil can learn how to make fire, he must first understand the elements to controlling that power. Because Firebending draws its strength from the breath, the pupil needs to master proper breath control (by inhaling through the nose, and exhaling from the mouth). Another part of learning control is to concentrate, while the preferred stance is legs wide apart and knees bent. Holding this stance for long periods of time while meditating or in Aang's case, concentrating on the sun's warmth, is an excellent way to strengthen the mind, body, and one's discipline. When Jeong Jeong feels that his pupil is ready, then they can learn how to Firebend, and even then the steps are slow and careful. Jeong Jeong only managed to train Aang for about a day before Zhao and his men showed up. He was able to face off against Zhao's men and under the cover of fire was able to escape.

In "The Western Air Temple", Aang and the others discuss the necessity of finding a new Firebending teacher. Katara suggests they look for Jeong Jeong, and Aang replies, "Yeah right. Like we'll ever run into Jeong Jeong again".

In "Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters", Jeong Jeong returned and was revealed as a member of the "Order of the White Lotus". During Aang's battle with Ozai, Jeong Jeong, along with the rest of the Order, liberated Ba Sing Se. Jeong Jeong and Iroh both used the power of Sozin's Comet during this battle.

Abilities
A Firebending Master, Jeong Jeong is purportedly one of the most powerful Firebenders in the series. Although little of his abilities are shown, Jeong Jeong was able to create a Fire Wall to fend off Zhao's navy, so precise was his control that he could allow the flames to burn on water. Subsequently, he created a fire wall to to fend off four simultaneous fireblasts. He seems to favor this technique because it is less aggressive than other alternatives.

In Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters, Jeong Jeong was shown to be able to keep himself in the air, by extending a jet of fire below his feet. It is possible that he was only able to do this because of the Comet's power as most firebenders can only use this method for short bursts, with the possible exception of Azula and Fire Lord Ozai. However, given his vast experience and mastery of Firebending, he shows no difficulty in executing it.

Such is Jeong Jeong's control of his Firebending is that he was able to not only keep himself suspended in the air, but he was also able to block large fire blasts during the liberation of Ba Sing Se. Later, a large wall of fire was seen moving in the background as Iroh burnt the Fire Nation emblem on the Earth King's Royal Palace.

Jeong Jeong also seems to have given his fire an element of force and susbstance, as it only pushes back Fire Nation tanks rather than melting them. This is perhaps in line with his beliefs about firebending.