Xu Ping An

Xu Ping An was the charismatic, mysterious, and deranged leader of the Yellow Necks, an insurgent army that devastated the Earth Kingdom during the late 4th BG. Believing himself to be chosen for greatness, Xu envisioned a world where the socially outcast would reign supreme under his guidance. Physically strong and a powerful firebender, Xu was capable of the almost extinct ability to generate lightning, making him a deadly fighter.

Xu's origins are unknown, but he became active among the Earth Kingdom's society of outlaws, the daofei, during or shortly after Avatar Kuruk's lifetime. He preached against all law-abiders, and quickly gathered a substantial following whom he christened the "Yellow Necks". Xu then started a brutal campaign of wanton destruction in the Earth Kingdom's inner provinces that eventualy escalated into a full rebellion. For years, Xu and his army terrorized the people, but they were eventually defeated by Jianzhu and mostly massacred in 304 BG. Though officially declared dead, Xu was in fact imprisoned by Jianzhu so that his allies in the Fire Nation could study his lightning generation ability.

After years of confinement, Xu was freed by his surviving followers and Avatar Kyoshi's gang in 296 BG. After his liberation, Xu declared the Yellow Necks restored and prepared to resume his rebellion, but was stopped by Kyoshi who had realized her mistake in freeing him. The two duelled, and Xu nearly killed Kyoshi, scarring her for life. Nevertheless, he was overpowered and killed when she entered the Avatar State.

Kyoshi novels

 * The Rise of Kyoshi