Overview
Du Ping (杜平) is Zhong Kui's closest friend in the traditional mythology. After Zhong Kui killed himself by hurling himself against the palace steps, Du Ping was the one who arranged a proper burial. An act of loyalty that carried real social risk, since Zhong Kui had committed a public act of defiance against the emperor.
The wedding procession
In the traditional story, Zhong Kui never forgot Du Ping's kindness. After becoming the King of Ghosts in the Chinese underworld, Zhong Kui returned home during New Year celebrations and gave his younger sister (called Amei, 阿妹, in Song dynasty sources) in marriage to Du Ping as an expression of gratitude.
The famous painting tradition "Zhong Kui Marrying Off His Sister" (钟馗嫁妹, Zhong Kui Jia Mei) depicts this event. A ghostly wedding procession with Zhong Kui escorting his sister's palanquin, flanked by banner-carrying, horn-sounding demon attendants. The phrase is a deliberate pun: "嫁妹" (jia mei, marry off sister) sounds nearly identical to "嫁魅" (jia mei, send away evil spirits). So the paintings simultaneously depict a wedding and an exorcism.
The earliest extant painting of this scene is by Gong Kai (1222-1307), held at the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution. Another famous version by Yan Geng (late 13th century) is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. For more, see Zhong Kui in art.
Historical note
The sister does not appear in the earliest versions of the Zhong Kui legend. The "marrying off his sister" story is a later addition, with no evidence for it before Ming dynasty plays. However, Chan monk Yuanwu (1063-1135) referenced "a dance of Zhong Kui and his little sister" during Dragon Boat Festival celebrations, showing the pairing existed in performance tradition by the Song dynasty.
Character and role
Du Ping is typically portrayed as an honest, decent man: the kind of straightforward moral character who contrasts with the more complex, tormented Zhong Kui. Their friendship is central to the mythology because it shows that Zhong Kui, despite his rage and supernatural power, still values human loyalty above all else.
Expected role in the game
Du Ping has not been confirmed for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, but leaving him out would be surprising. He is one of the most important characters in any retelling of the story. He could appear as a key NPC, a figure in flashbacks to Zhong Kui's mortal life, or someone whose family Zhong Kui is trying to protect.