meaning
Could someone please explain the meaning of the following sentence?

"Zhong Kuei was a brilliant scholar who had a hideous countenance that kept him from receiving his just recognition."

does it mean that he was so ugly that no one desired to step ahead and understand his abilities?

Question

meaning
Could someone please explain the meaning of the following sentence?

"Zhong Kuei was a brilliant scholar who had a hideous countenance that kept him from receiving his just recognition."

does it mean that he was so ugly that no one desired to step ahead and understand his abilities?

Answer

'Countenance' can also mean 'facial expression' or 'look' and 'hideous' can also mean 'evil' or 'offensive'.  I think you'd have to read more to understand whether as you said, he was extremely ugly or had an evil look in his eyes, that stopped him from receiving the recognition that he deserved.