Jiao Ting was from Zhongshanfu, and inherited a set of martial arts from his ancestors, who laid down a law that this set of skills should only be passed from father to son in the Jiao family. Thus, Jiao Ting excelled in martial arts, but was forbidden to take in any students. He also led an anonymous life, with no one knowing his real name or identity, earning himself the nickname 'Unnamed one' (没面目).
Once, Jiao Ting wished to join the bandits on Kushu Mountain in Kouzhou. On the way there, he met Li Kui, who was on his way to Lingzhou to kill Shan Ting-gui and Wei Ding-guo. The hot-tempered Li Kui was unhappy when Jiao Ting kept staring at him and raised his fists, wanting to fight Jiao Ting. Jiao Ting was unfazed by both Li Kui's bravado or his fearsome beastly appearance. Jiao Ting proceeded by punching Li Kui in the face then easily knocked Li Kui to the ground after wrestling for a short while. Li Kui was so impressed with Jiao Ting and asked for his name, then invited Jiao Ting to join the Liangshan band.
