Hmm, it really is a literal monkey, a White Ape. Initially a monster, it gained enlightenment in Shenyang Cave, later subdued by Xuan Nu, who accepted it as a disciple. It then mastered supreme sword skills, achieved the Nine Luminaries Unification, and inherited the Jiuxiao Sword Dao, thus earning the title Jiuxiao.
Yes, he, or it, is Jiuxiao, Yuan Jiuxiao.
Therefore, unlike the ruthless attitude over at the Hu Temple, Tie Dan has never shied away from practicing the Carefree Method, simply because he is indeed a legitimate heir of Jiuxiao...
Cough cough, of course, Jiuxiao Taoist Lord did a lot of major things back then, infamous, cough cough, known throughout the world. Additionally, with the later Dragon-Tiger Duel, the Sword Sect split into the Nine Yin Sword Sect and the Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion, leading to a fierce internal battle at the mountain gates, resulting in a bloody self-slaughter. Consequently, the sect deliberately avoided mentioning Lord Yuan and Jiuxiao.
