Seeking a master on Zhongnan.

In the boat, Guo Jing quietly circulated his divine skill¹ and within a few days his injuries were mostly healed. The couple spoke of Ouyang Feng², more than ten years had passed, yet not only had he shown no signs of age, his martial arts had surpassed even his former self. Had that palm strike landed on Guo Jing’s chest, it would have taken far more than ten days or half a month to recover. They spoke of their shifu, Hong Qigong,³ wondering where he was and whether his old injuries had flared up again, their concern running deep. Though Huang Rong lived in seclusion on Peach Blossom Island,⁴ she still held the position of Chief of the Beggars’ Gang⁵ from afar. Gang affairs were handled by Lu Youjiao⁶ under her name. She had come to Jiangnan⁷ this time intending to meet with the gang elders to discuss gang business and to inquire after her father and Hong Qigong. But with Guo Jing injured, they had no choice but to return to the island first.

Later, the conversation turned to Yang Guo. Guo Jing said, “I have always had a wish, as you well know. Today, by heaven’s fortune, we have found Guoer, and my wish may now be fulfilled.” Years ago, Guo Jing’s father Guo Xiaotian⁸ and Yang Guo’s grandfather Yang Tiexin⁹ had sworn brotherhood, and their wives had been pregnant at the same time. The two men agreed: if both children were sons, they would be sworn brothers, if both were daughters, they would be sworn sisters, if one was a son and the other a daughter, they would be betrothed. In the end, both families had sons, and Guo Jing and Yang Guo’s father Yang Kang¹⁰ became sworn brothers as agreed. But Yang Kang took a traitor as his father, committed many injustices, and finally met a wretched death at the Iron Spear Temple¹¹ in Jiaxing.¹² Guo Jing brooded over this often, unable to let it go. Now, hearing him speak of it, Huang Rong understood his intent at once and shook her head. “I won’t agree to it.”

Guo Jing stared in disbelief. “Why not?” Huang Rong said, “How can Fu’er be betrothed to that boy?” Guo Jing said, “Though his father’s conduct was improper, the Guo and Yang families have been close for generations. I see the boy is handsome and clever. If he stays with us from now on, he’ll surely make something of himself.” Huang Rong said, “I’m afraid he’s a little too clever.” Guo Jing said, “Aren’t you clever yourself? What’s wrong with that?” Huang Rong laughed. “But I happen to like a silly fool like you.” Guo Jing smiled. “When Fu’er grows up, she may not be like you, fond of fools. Besides, a great fool like me, I doubt you could find another in all the world.” Huang Rong made a face and teased him. “As if that’s something to be proud of! Have you no shame?”

They exchanged a few more playful words before Guo Jing returned to the subject. “My father left only this one dying wish, and Uncle Yang Tiexin entrusted it to me again on his deathbed. But for Brother Yang Kang and Sister Mu’s sake, I haven’t done nearly enough. If I don’t treat Guoer as my own flesh and blood now, how can I face my father and Uncle Yang? I’ve often thought of bringing Sister Mu here so she and her son could live well, but I was afraid you might take it the wrong way. I never imagined Sister Mu would pass away so young.” He sighed deeply, a look of sorrow on his face. Huang Rong laughed. “Can’t bear to let her go, can you? You’re the one with improper thoughts, yet you blame me for taking things the wrong way. How shameless!” Guo Jing grew flustered, his face reddening. “I… how have I had improper thoughts?” Huang Rong tilted her head up. “What? You’re angry now, embarrassed into rage, do you want to hit me?” Guo Jing smiled faintly. “Do you think I’d dare?” He wrapped his arms around his wife, and Huang Rong found she could not move. She cried out, “Help! Help! Murder!” Guo Jing laughed, kissed her on the cheek, and released her. Huang Rong said softly, “Fortunately, both children are still young. There’s no need to rush. If Guoer truly has no faults when he grows up, you can do as you please.”

Guo Jing rose to his feet and bowed deeply, saying solemnly, “Thank you for agreeing. I am endlessly grateful.” Huang Rong also spoke solemnly. “I haven’t agreed. I said we’ll see whether the boy turns out bad or not.” Guo Jing had bowed all the way to the ground and was just straightening up when he heard this. He froze, then said, “Brother Yang Kang grew up in the Jin prince’s mansion, that’s why he turned bad. Guoer is on our island, there’s no way he’ll go wrong. Besides, you were the one who gave him his name back then. His name is Yang Guo, courtesy name Gaizhi¹³, even if he makes mistakes, he can correct them. You can rest easy.” Huang Rong laughed. “What does a name prove? Your name is Guo Jing¹⁴, are you quiet? You’ve been bouncing around like a monkey since you were little.” Guo Jing was left speechless, gaping. Huang Rong smiled and changed the subject, letting the matter drop.

The boat journey passed without incident, and they arrived at Peach Blossom Island. Guo Fu¹⁵ was overjoyed to suddenly have three playmates close to her own age.

After Yang Guo took Huang Rong’s antidote, the remaining poison in his body was completely purged. He and Guo Fu had some friction when they first met, but children being children, after a few days everyone forgot about it. During those days, the four of them amused themselves catching crickets and staging cricket fights.

One day, Yang Guo came out of the house, heading off to catch more crickets. He passed the Flicking Finger Pavilion,¹⁶ crossed Two-Forgetting Peak,¹⁷ and had just rounded Clear-Whistling Pavilion¹⁸ when he suddenly heard laughter and chatter from behind the hill. He hurried over and saw Guo Fu and the Wu brothers turning over rocks and parting grass, also catching crickets. Wu Dunru¹⁹ held a small bamboo tube, while Guo Fu cradled an earthenware pot.

Wu Xiuwen²⁰ flipped over a rock, and with a chirp, a large cricket leapt out. Wu Xiuwen threw himself forward, caught it in both hands, and shouted with glee. Guo Fu cried, “Give it to me, give it to me!” Wu Xiuwen picked up the cricket and said, “Alright, here you go.” He lifted the lid of the pot and placed it inside. The cricket had a square head, strong legs, massive jaws, and a thick waist, truly a magnificent specimen. Wu Xiuwen said, “This cricket is surely the Invincible General. Brother Yang, none of your crickets can beat it.”

Yang Guo, unwilling to concede, took several bamboo tubes of crickets from his bosom and selected his fiercest one to fight. After a few rounds, the large cricket opened its great jaws and bit down, seizing Yang Guo’s cricket by the waist and flinging it out of the pot. It then spread its wings and chirped, thoroughly pleased with itself. Guo Fu clapped and cheered, “Mine won!” Yang Guo said, “Wait, there’s more.” But he sent out three more crickets in succession, and all were defeated. The third was even bitten in half by the giant cricket.

Yang Guo, his face lost, said, “I’m not playing anymore!” He turned to leave. Suddenly, from the grass behind him came three chirps, cricket calls, but with a rather strange quality to them. Wu Dunru said, “There’s another one.” He parted the grass, then suddenly leapt back in alarm, crying, “Snake! A snake!” Yang Guo turned around and indeed saw a brightly patterned venomous snake coiled in the grass, its head raised and tongue flickering. Yang Guo picked up a stone, took aim, and hurled it, striking the snake squarely on the head. The snake writhed a few times and died. Beside where the snake had coiled was a small, jet-black cricket, extraordinarily ugly in appearance, spreading its wings and making chirping sounds.

Guo Fu laughed. “Brother Yang, catch that little black devil.” Yang Guo detected the mockery in her words, and his pride was stung. “Fine,” he said, “I’ll catch it.” And he did. Guo Fu laughed again. “What do you want that little black devil for? Want to fight my Invincible General?” Yang Guo said angrily, “Fight it is. A little black devil won’t be bullied either.” He placed the black cricket in Guo Fu’s pot.

Strangely, the large cricket seemed afraid of the little black cricket and kept retreating. Guo Fu and the Wu brothers shouted encouragement, cheering on the large cricket. The little black cricket raised its head and leapt forward. The large cricket dared not engage and tried to jump out of the pot. The little black cricket leapt up as well, biting the large cricket’s tail in mid-air. Both crickets fell together, and the large cricket twitched a few times before flipping over, dead. It turned out that among crickets, there is a type that likes to live alongside venomous creatures. Those that live with centipedes are called “centipede crickets,” and those that live with venomous snakes are called “snake crickets.”²¹ Because they carry the scent of venomous creatures, ordinary crickets cannot match them. The little black cricket Yang Guo had caught was precisely a snake cricket.

Guo Fu was very displeased to see her Invincible General die in a single bout, but on second thought, she said, “Brother Yang, give me that little black devil.” Yang Guo said, “Giving it to you wouldn’t be a big deal, but why did you call it a little black devil?” Guo Fu pursed her lips and said peevishly, “If you won’t give it, you won’t give it. Who cares?” She tipped the pot, dumping the little black cricket onto the ground, and brought her right foot down, crushing it instantly. Yang Guo was both shocked and furious. His blood surged, his face flushed deep red, and he could not contain himself. He swung his hand back and delivered a heavy slap across her face.

Guo Fu froze, not yet decided on whether to cry. Wu Xiuwen cursed, “You little bastard, hitting people!” He threw a punch at Yang Guo’s chest. Coming from a family with deep martial tradition, he had received personal instruction from his parents since childhood and already had a solid foundation in martial arts. This punch landed squarely on Yang Guo’s chest with considerable force. Yang Guo, enraged, punched back, but Wu Xiuwen dodged aside. Yang Guo lunged after him, but Wu Dunru hooked his leg, and Yang Guo fell flat. Wu Xiuwen spun around and leapt onto him, straddling him. The two brothers pinned him down and rained punches on his body.

Yang Guo was a year or two older than the brothers, but two fists could not match four hands, and the Wu brothers had trained in superior martial arts while Yang Guo had only learned some crude basics from Mu Nianci.²² He was no match for them. He clenched his teeth and endured the beating without making a sound. Wu Dunru said, “Beg for mercy and we’ll let you go.” Yang Guo cursed, “Fart!” Wu Xiuwen landed two more heavy blows. Guo Fu, watching the Wu brothers fight on her behalf, had stopped crying after just a few sobs and was thoroughly enjoying herself.

The Wu brothers knew that if they struck his head or face and left visible marks, Guo Jing and Huang Rong would surely scold them, so they directed all their punches and kicks at his body. Guo Fu, seeing how fierce the beating was, felt a little afraid, but touching her own cheek, still hot and stinging with pain, she also felt a sense of satisfaction and could not help calling out, “Harder! Hit him!” Hearing her cries, the Wu brothers beat him even more viciously.

Yang Guo lay face down on the ground, hearing Guo Fu’s shouts, and thought to himself, “This girl is so cruel. I will have my revenge one day.” The pain in his waist, back, and buttocks was excruciating, and he was gradually losing the strength to endure. The Wu brothers had trained since childhood, and their fists and feet carried real power, even an ordinary adult would have struggled to bear it. Had Yang Guo not also trained in some neigong, he would have long since fainted. He gritted his teeth and endured, his hands scrabbling wildly across the ground. Suddenly, his left hand touched something cold and slippery, it was the dead snake he had killed moments before. He grabbed it and swung it behind him.

The Wu brothers cried out in alarm at the sight of the brightly patterned dead snake. Yang Guo seized the moment to flip over, threw a fierce punch that bloodied Wu Dunru’s nose, scrambled to his feet, and fled. The Wu brothers, furious, gave chase. Guo Fu, eager to watch the excitement, called out repeatedly, “Catch him! Catch him!” She ran after them. Yang Guo ran for a while, then glanced back to see Wu Dunru, his face covered in blood, looking ferocious. He knew that if the brothers caught him, the beating would be far worse than before, so he raced without stopping towards the foot of Sword-Testing Peak²³ and began climbing straight up.

Though Wu Dunru had taken a punch to the nose, it did not actually hurt that much, but the sight of blood made him both frightened and angry, and he chased with redoubled speed. Yang Guo climbed higher and higher, but the Wu brothers refused to let up. Guo Fu, however, stopped halfway up the slope and looked up to watch. Yang Guo ran for a while longer until he saw a cliff ahead, there was no path forward. In years past, whenever Huang Yaoshi²⁴ devised a new move, he would leap across this cliff to the most dangerous part of the peak to test it, but how could Yang Guo make such a leap? He thought, “Even if I jump off this cliff and die, I won’t let those two brats catch me and beat me again.” He turned around and shouted, “Take one more step and I’ll jump!” Wu Dunru froze, but Wu Xiuwen yelled, “Jump if you want! Who’s afraid of you? I bet you don’t have the guts!” He climbed a few more steps.

Yang Guo’s blood boiled. He was about to throw himself over the edge when he suddenly noticed a large boulder beside him, half-resting on several smaller rocks, looking as though it was not securely placed. In his wild fury, he gave no thought to consequences. He pulled away the smaller rocks supporting the boulder, and indeed the great stone began to wobble. He leapt behind it and pushed with all his might. The boulder swayed twice, then with a thunderous crash, it rolled down towards the mountainside.

The Wu brothers saw him pushing the boulder and knew disaster was coming. Their faces drained of colour as they scrambled to dodge. The great stone, carrying countless fragments of earth and rock, rolled past them with booming crashes, crushing flowers and trees in its path before plunging into the sea. Wu Dunru, panicked, missed his footing and slid down. Wu Xiuwen grabbed him hurriedly, but neither could keep their footing on the slope, and they tumbled down together, locked in an embrace, rolling about seventy feet before a large tree below finally stopped them.

Huang Rong, hearing the tremendous noise from inside the house, rushed out and followed the sound to the foot of Sword-Testing Peak. She saw dust and sand swirling in the air, her daughter hiding in the mountain grass, too frightened even to cry, and the Wu brothers covered head to face in bruises and blood. Huang Rong rushed forward and picked up her daughter. “What happened?” Guo Fu buried herself in her mother’s arms and burst into tears. After crying for a while, she sobbingly recounted how Yang Guo had hit her for no reason, how the Wu brothers had come to her aid, and how Yang Guo had then pushed the boulder to crush them. She laid all the blame on Yang Guo, concealing entirely how she had crushed the cricket and how the Wu brothers had beaten him. Huang Rong listened and stood stunned for a long moment. Seeing her daughter’s swollen, reddened cheek, she knew the slap had been no light blow. Her heart aching with pity, she comforted her daughter without pause.

By now, Guo Jing had also rushed out. Seeing the Wu brothers’ wretched state and learning what had happened, he was deeply troubled. Fearing that something might have happened to Yang Guo, he hurried up the peak, but after searching front and back, he found no trace of him. He raised his voice and called, “Guoer! Guoer!” His shouts carried for several li,²⁵ but still Yang Guo did not appear, nor was there any answering call. Guo Jing waited a while longer, growing more and more worried. He descended the peak, took a small boat, and circled the island searching, but by nightfall, Yang Guo was nowhere to be found.

After pushing the boulder down, Yang Guo had seen the Wu brothers tumble down the slope and Huang Rong emerge. Knowing he would face severe punishment, he had squeezed himself into a crevice in the rocks. He heard Guo Jing calling but dared not answer. Enduring his hunger, he stayed motionless in the crevice, watching the twilight deepen and the sea grow dark, until no human sound could be heard anywhere. After another interval, stars began to twinkle in the sky, and a cold wind blew, chilling him to the bone. He crept out of the crevice and looked down towards the houses, where lamplight shone through the windows. He imagined Guo Jing and his wife, Ke Zhen’e,²⁶ Guo Fu, and the Wu brothers, six people sitting around the dinner table, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat spread across it. He could not help swallowing several mouthfuls of saliva. But then he thought: they must be talking about him behind his back, scolding and blaming him. Fury surged through him. Standing alone on the cliff in the sea wind in the darkness of night, he grieved his parents’ early deaths and thought of how he had been bullied and slighted his whole life. It seemed to him that now, except for his godfather,²⁷ everyone treated him with cold indifference. His thoughts churned, and he was filled with such loneliness, bitterness, and resentment that he could barely contain himself.

In truth, Guo Jing, unable to find him, had no heart for eating. Huang Rong, seeing her husband’s distress and knowing she could not persuade him otherwise, also did not eat and sat with him in silence. Before dawn the next day, the two of them were out searching again.

Yang Guo had gone hungry for half a day and a full night. By the next morning, he could endure it no longer. He crept quietly down the peak, caught a few frogs by the stream, skinned them, and gathered some dry leaves to roast them. During his time wandering, he had often survived this way. Now, afraid that Guo Jing and Huang Rong might see the smoke, he hid in a cave to build his fire. As soon as the frog legs were browned, he stamped out the flames and ate ravenously. He heard Guo Jing calling, “Guoer! Guoer!” He thought, “You want to call me out so you can beat me. I’m not coming out.”

That night, he slept in the cave. After lying there in a daze for a while, he suddenly saw Ouyang Feng walk into the cave and say, “My boy, I’ve come to teach you martial arts so those two little brats from the Wu family can’t beat you anymore.” Yang Guo was overjoyed and followed him out of the cave. He saw Ouyang Feng crouch down, make a croaking sound, and push out with both palms. Yang Guo followed and began practising, feeling that every strike and kick was perfectly executed. Suddenly, Ouyang Feng swung a fist at him. He could not dodge in time, and with a bang, it struck him right on the crown of his head. The pain was excruciating. He let out a great cry and leapt up.

Another bang struck his head. He woke with a start, it had all been a dream. He felt his scalp and found a bump had formed, quite painful. He could not help sighing and thought, “I suppose Father’s injuries have healed by now and he’s come out from under that great bell. I wonder when he’ll come to take me away and truly teach me martial arts, so I won’t have to suffer cold looks and bullying here.” He walked out of the cave and gazed at the horizon, where a few sparse stars hung above the treetops. He tried to recall the martial arts Ouyang Feng had taught him in the dream, but could not remember a single thing. He crouched down, made croaking sounds from his mouth, and tried to apply the Toad Stance Skill²⁸ formulas Ouyang Feng had taught him in Jiaxing to his fists and feet, but no matter how he tried, it would not work. He racked his brains, pushing out with both palms, the strikes and kicks that had come so effortlessly in the dream were now completely beyond him.

He stood alone on the cliff, gazing at the vast sea, his loneliness deepening. Suddenly, from the sea came a long, drawn-out call: “Guoer! Guoer!” Without thinking, he ran down the peak, shouting, “I’m here! I’m here!” He raced onto the beach. Guo Jing spotted him from afar and, overjoyed, rowed swiftly to shore and leapt onto the sand. Under the starlight, the two ran towards each other. Guo Jing gathered Yang Guo into his arms and said only, “Come back quickly and eat.” His voice was choked with emotion. Back in the house, Huang Rong prepared a meal for Guo Jing and Yang Guo. No one mentioned the past events at all.

The next morning, Guo Jing summoned Yang Guo, the Wu brothers, and Guo Fu to the main hall. He also invited Ke Zhen’e to attend and said to him, “Great Master,²⁹ your disciple requests your permission to accept four grand-disciples.” Ke Zhen’e said happily, “Nothing could be better. Congratulations!” Guo Jing said, “More than ten years ago, before Guoer’s mother passed away, Guoer performed the ceremony of taking me as his shifu. Today, we shall make it official. First, pay respects to the grand-master founder.” He instructed Yang Guo and the Wu brothers to first kowtow to Ke Zhen’e, then to the spirit tablets of Zhu Cong³⁰ and the other Five Freaks of Jiangnan,³¹ and finally to perform the master-disciple ceremony for him and his wife. Guo Fu asked with a smile, “Mama, do I have to bow too?” Huang Rong said, “Of course you do.” Grinning, Guo Fu also kowtowed to the three of them. Yang Guo had, as an infant, been instructed by his mother to take Guo Jing as his master when they first met the couple in Changxing.³² When Guo Jing and Huang Rong saw him again in Jiaxing, they had not mentioned it, and Yang Guo, having been so young at the time, had long since forgotten.

Guo Jing said solemnly, “From today onward, the four of you are fellow disciples…” Guo Fu interrupted, “No, fellow disciples, brothers and sister.” Guo Jing shot his daughter a look. “Your father hasn’t finished speaking. No interrupting.” He paused, then continued, “From now on, the four of you must love and care for one another, sharing good fortune and facing hardship together. If there is any more quarrelling or fighting, I will not be lenient.” As he spoke, he glanced at Yang Guo. Yang Guo thought to himself, “Of course you favour your own daughter. I’ll just stay out of her way from now on.”

Ke Zhen’e then recited some of their school’s rules, not to bully others with martial skill, not to harm the innocent without cause, and so on. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan each came from different schools, and Ke Zhen’e could not remember every detail, but the principles were largely the same.

Guo Jing said, “The martial arts I have learned are quite mixed. Apart from the foundation taught by the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan, I have trained in the neigong of the Quanzhen Sect,³³ and the martial arts of both Peach Blossom Island and the Beggars’ Gang, the two great schools of the south and east. A person must not forget their roots. Today, I shall first teach you the unique skills of Grand-Master Ke.”

He was about to personally impart the formulas when Huang Rong noticed Yang Guo staring into space with his head lowered, an indescribably strange expression on his face, one that vaguely resembled Yang Kang in years past. Aversion rose in her heart. She thought, “Though I did not kill his father with my own hands, it could be said he died because of me. I must not raise a tiger only to court disaster, he could become a great menace in the future.” An idea stirred in her mind, and she said, “Teaching four children by yourself is too much work. Let me teach Guoer.” Before Guo Jing could answer, Ke Zhen’e clapped his hands and laughed. “That’s wonderful! You two can compete and see whose disciple learns better.” Guo Jing was also pleased, knowing his wife was a hundred times cleverer than himself and that her teaching methods would surely far surpass his own. He agreed enthusiastically.

Guo Fu, afraid of her father’s strictness, said, “Mama, I want you to teach me too.” Huang Rong laughed. “You’re always pestering me with your mischief, you’ll never learn any real skill. Better let your father teach you.” Guo Fu stole a glance at her father and saw his eyes glaring right back at her. She quickly looked away and dared not say another word.

Huang Rong said to her husband, “Let’s set a rule: you cannot teach Guoer, and I cannot teach the other three. Moreover, these four children must not teach each other, or their training will become confused, which would do more harm than good.” Guo Jing said, “Of course.” Huang Rong said, “Guoer, come with me.” Yang Guo detested Guo Fu and the Wu brothers. Hearing Huang Rong say this meant he would not have to train alongside them, it suited him perfectly. He followed her into the inner hall.

Huang Rong led him into the study, took a book from the shelf, and said, “Your shifu has seven shifu, known as the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. The Great Master is Grandpa Ke, and the Second Master is called Zhu Cong, the Skilful Hand Scholar.³⁴ Now, I shall first teach you the skills of Second Grand-Master Zhu.” She opened the book and read aloud: “The Master said: To learn and constantly practise, is this not a pleasure? To have friends come from afar, is this not a joy?”³⁵ It was, in fact, a copy of the Analects.³⁶ Yang Guo thought this strange but dared not ask questions. He could only follow her in reciting and learning the characters.

Day after day, Huang Rong taught him only to read, never once mentioning martial arts. One day, after finishing his lessons, Yang Guo wandered alone in the hills. Thinking of Ouyang Feng and wondering where he might be now, his longing grew intense. He turned himself upside down and began spinning, imitating Ouyang Feng’s movements. After spinning for a while, he followed the formulas Ouyang Feng had taught him, circulating his qi in reverse through his meridians. The more he spun, the smoother it felt. He flipped upright, let out a croaking cry, and thrust out both palms. Instantly, he felt thoroughly invigorated, indescribably wonderful, and broke out in a full-body sweat. He had no idea that just this one session of training had already advanced his neili.³⁷ Ouyang Feng’s martial arts were uniquely innovative, a supremely formidable school of advanced skill. Yang Guo’s natural comprehension was extraordinarily high, and though he had learned only a little in that brief encounter, training in this way still yielded progress in his inner power.

From then on, he studied the classics with Huang Rong every day, and in the mornings and evenings when he had free time, he would go to a secluded spot in the hills to train. It was not that he was determined to learn martial arts and become a martial artist of astonishing skill, it was simply that every time he practised, his entire body felt indescribably comfortable. Before long, he could not go without it.

He trained in secret, and neither Guo Jing nor Huang Rong had the slightest inkling. Huang Rong taught him to read, and in less than three months, she had finished teaching him the entire Analects. Huang Rong had long grown weary of teaching, but she thought, “This boy’s intelligence seems no less than my own. If his character turns out like his father’s, and he learns martial arts, the harm he could do in the future would be immense. Better to have him study only literature, learn the teachings of the sages, which would benefit both himself and others.” So she patiently continued teaching. After the Analects, she moved on to the Mencius.³⁸ Yang Guo memorised with astonishing speed, but he often disagreed with the meanings in the texts and constantly raised difficult questions. Huang Rong often thought, “This child’s way of thinking about the sages’ teachings is very similar to my father’s. If my father were teaching him, the two of them would surely have fascinating conversations.”

Months passed, and Huang Rong never once mentioned martial arts. Yang Guo never asked. Since the day of the fight with Guo Fu and the Wu brothers, he no longer played with the three of them. He grew more and more solitary, knowing that although Guo Jing had accepted him as a disciple, martial arts would never be taught to him. He was already no match for the Wu brothers. Once Guo Jing had taught them for a year or so, any further conflict would surely end with him dead at their hands. He made up his mind: at the first opportunity, he would steal a boat and find a way to escape Peach Blossom Island.

One afternoon, after reading several passages of the Mencius with Huang Rong, Yang Guo took his leave from the study and strolled along the seashore, watching the white-crested waves roll across the ocean. He wondered when he might ever escape this predicament. White gulls came and went over the sea, and he envied their freedom to come and go as they pleased. Lost in these thoughts, he suddenly heard the sound of rushing wind from beyond the peach grove. His curiosity piqued, he quietly circled around behind the trees to look. It was Guo Jing, teaching the Wu brothers boxing and kicking techniques in a clearing in the woods. The move he was teaching was a grappling technique called “Removing the Beam and Changing the Pillar.”³⁹ Guo Jing gave verbal instructions while demonstrating the movements, ordering the Wu brothers to follow along. Yang Guo watched just once and immediately grasped the essence of the move, but the Wu brothers tried and tried without ever getting it right. Guo Jing, naturally slow-witted himself, understood this struggle deeply and showed not the slightest impatience, only teaching them over and over.

Yang Guo sighed inwardly and thought, “If Uncle Guo were willing to teach me, could I possibly be as stupid as they are?” Dejected, he returned to his room and slept. After dinner, he read for a while, but boredom set in. He went back to the beach and practised the moves Guo Jing had been teaching, but after repeating the same move a few times, he grew tired of it. Suddenly, he thought, “If I secretly learn martial arts, I’ll surely be far better than the Wu brothers, and then I won’t have to fear them beating me to death.” After this moment of satisfaction, his pride swelled: “Since Uncle Guo won’t teach me, why should I steal his learning? Hmph, even if he came begging me to learn now, I wouldn’t do it. At worst, I’ll be beaten to death, what’s so special about that?” At this thought, his pride surged, but so did his misery. He leaned against a rock and sat quietly, drifting into a dazed sleep to the sound of the waves.

The next morning, Yang Guo skipped breakfast and did not go to the study to read. He gathered some large oysters from the sea, roasted them over a fire, and ate them, thinking, “I don’t need to eat your Guo family’s food, I won’t starve.” He eyed the large boat and the small skiff by the shore and pondered, “I can’t sail the big boat, and the skiff won’t take me far. How am I going to escape?” He fretted for half the day without finding a solution, then went behind a great boulder, turned himself upside down, and began practising the neigong Ouyang Feng had taught him.

He was just at the point where his blood was circulating faster and his whole body felt wonderfully comfortable when suddenly someone shouted loudly behind him. Startled, Yang Guo toppled over, his limbs going numb, unable to climb back up. It turned out that Guo Fu and the Wu brothers had happened to come by at that moment. The area behind the great boulder was usually extremely secluded and rarely visited, but the paths, trees, and rocks of Peach Blossom Island were all arranged according to the principles of the Five Elements’ mutual generation and overcoming,⁴⁰ so Guo Fu and the Wu brothers dared not wander freely and only played in familiar areas. By chance, they had stumbled upon him training. Fortunately, Yang Guo’s skill was still very shallow at this point. Had it been deeper, their combined shouting could have caused his meridians to go into chaos, paralysing him on the spot.

Guo Fu clapped and laughed. “What mischief are you up to here?” Yang Guo braced himself against the rock and slowly struggled to his feet. He shot her a cold look and turned to walk away. Wu Xiuwen called out, “Hey, Sister Guo is asking you a question. How dare you be so rude and ignore her?” Yang Guo said coldly, “What business is it of yours?” Wu Dunru flew into a rage. “Let’s go play by ourselves. No need to provoke a mad dog.” Yang Guo said, “That’s right, mad dogs bite whoever they see. I was minding my own business here, and three mad dogs came barking and yapping.” Wu Dunru said angrily, “You say three mad dogs? You’re cursing us?” Yang Guo laughed. “I was only cursing dogs, not people.”

Wu Dunru could not contain his fury. He lunged forward and threw a punch, but Yang Guo dodged aside. Wu Xiuwen, remembering their shifu’s warning that fellow disciples must not fight and fearing that if this escalated they would be scolded, quickly grabbed his older brother’s arm. Smiling, he said to Yang Guo, “Brother Yang, you’re learning martial arts from Shimu, and the three of us are learning from Shifu. After all these months, who knows who’s progressed faster? Let’s have a sparring match and see. Do you dare?”

Yang Guo felt bitter inside and wanted to say, “I don’t have your luck, Shimu hasn’t taught me any martial arts at all.” But the moment he heard the words “Do you dare?”, filled with utter contempt, he swallowed his words of defeat. He merely snorted and looked at Wu Xiuwen askance. Wu Xiuwen said, “We’re fellow disciples testing our martial arts. Win or lose, no one goes telling Shifu or Shimu. Even if we crack our heads open, we’ll say we fell. Whoever runs to the adults after losing is a son of a bitch, a turtle’s egg. Brother Yang, do you dare?”

The words “do you dare” had barely left his mouth a second time when everything went black before his eyes, Yang Guo’s fist had landed heavily on his left eye. Wu Xiuwen staggered, nearly falling. Wu Dunru raged, “Hitting with a sucker punch, how shameless!” He used the boxing techniques Guo Jing had taught and struck at Yang Guo’s waist. Yang Guo, not knowing how to dodge, took the hit. Seeing Wu Dunru follow up with a flying kick, a flash of inspiration struck him, he recalled the move Guo Jing had been teaching the Wu brothers the day before. He crouched slightly on his right leg and used his left hand to lift Wu Dunru’s right calf from below. This was precisely the grappling technique “Removing the Beam and Changing the Pillar,” one of the skills of Quan Jinfa,⁴¹ the “Marketplace Hero.”⁴² Though not an especially profound martial art, it was quite practical in combat. Guo Jing had made the brothers practise it repeatedly the day before, and they had indeed learned it, but when it came to actually using it, they were far less nimble and skilful than Yang Guo, who had only watched in secret for a moment. With this forceful lift, Wu Dunru was sent flying far away.

Wu Xiuwen, already furious from the punch to his eye, grew even angrier seeing his brother thrown. He lunged forward, feinting with his left fist. Yang Guo dodged to the left, not knowing this was a rather basic boxing technique, feint first, strike second. Wu Xiuwen followed with a real right punch, and with a thud, it landed heavily on Yang Guo’s right cheekbone. Wu Dunru scrambled up and joined the attack. The two brothers already had a foundation in martial arts, and Yang Guo had been no match for them before. Add to that several months of Guo Jing’s instruction, how could he possibly hold his own now? After fighting for a while, he had taken seven or eight blows to his head, face, waist, and back. Yang Guo steeled his heart: “Even if you beat me to death, I won’t run.” He threw wild punches, straight up and down, with no form or technique whatsoever.

Wu Xiuwen, seeing Yang Guo gnashing his teeth and fighting with desperate abandon, began to feel afraid. Since they already had the upper hand, he had no desire to continue. He called out, “You’ve already lost. We’ll spare you, no need to fight anymore.” Yang Guo shouted, “Who wants your mercy?” He charged forward, striking wildly at his face. Wu Xiuwen blocked with his left arm and grabbed the front of Yang Guo’s shirt with his right, pulling him forward. At that moment, Wu Dunru drove both fists into Yang Guo’s lower back. Yang Guo lost his footing and fell forward. Wu Dunru pressed both hands against his head and demanded, “Do you submit?” Yang Guo raged, “Who submits to a mad dog like you?” Wu Dunru, enraged, pushed Yang Guo’s face straight down into the sand, shouting, “If you won’t submit, I’ll suffocate you!”

Yang Guo’s eyes, nose, and mouth filled with sand. He could not breathe, and after another moment, his whole body felt as though it would burst. Wu Dunru pressed down on his head with both hands, and Wu Xiuwen sat astride his neck. Yang Guo struggled but could not break free. Just as the suffocation became unbearable, the neili he had been cultivating from Ouyang Feng’s teachings suddenly surged. He felt a burst of hot qi rise from his dantian,⁴³ and without knowing how, his entire body was suddenly filled with energy. He burst upward, and before he could even open his eyes, he thrust out both palms.

The strike landed squarely on Wu Xiuwen’s abdomen. With a great cry, Wu Xiuwen was sent flying, landing on his back, and immediately lost consciousness. This palm force was Ouyang Feng’s ultimate technique, the Toad Stance Skill. Though its power was not even half a tenth of Ouyang Feng’s divine skill, and Yang Guo did not know how to properly wield it, the fact that it erupted spontaneously in a moment of crisis was still more than Wu Xiuwen could withstand.

Wu Dunru rushed over and saw his brother lying motionless, eyes rolled back. Thinking Yang Guo had killed him, he was terrified. He screamed, “Shifu! Shifu! My brother is dead! My brother is dead!” Wailing and crying, he ran back to report to Guo Jing. Guo Fu, frightened, hurried after him.

Yang Guo spat the sand from his mouth and wiped the grit from his eyes. He felt utterly drained of strength, even moving a single step was impossibly difficult. He saw Wu Xiuwen lying still and heard Wu Dunru screaming, “My brother is dead!” His mind went blank. He did not know what had really happened, but he knew that something had gone terribly, terribly wrong. Yet he had no strength to flee.

He did not know how much time had passed when he saw Guo Jing and Huang Rong racing towards him. Guo Jing picked up Wu Xiuwen and began massaging his chest and abdomen. Huang Rong walked up to Yang Guo and asked, “Where is Ouyang Feng? Where is he?” Yang Guo stared blankly, not answering. Huang Rong asked again, “When did he teach you the Toad Stance Skill?” Yang Guo seemed to hear her, yet seemed not to. His eyes stared ahead, vacant and lost. His mouth was tightly shut, afraid that if he spoke even a single word, everything would come out. Huang Rong, seeing he would not respond, grabbed him by both arms and demanded, “Speak! Where is Ouyang Feng?” Yang Guo remained utterly motionless.

Before long, Wu Xiuwen regained consciousness under Guo Jing’s neili massage. Then Ke Zhen’e arrived, following Guo Fu. Hearing Guo Fu describe how Yang Guo had been upside down and how he had “killed” Wu Xiuwen, Ke Zhen’e realised that this boy was Ouyang Feng’s disciple. All his pent-up hatred now turned towards Yang Guo. Hearing Huang Rong repeatedly ask, “Where is Ouyang Feng?” while Yang Guo ignored her completely, he stepped forward, raised his iron staff, and barked, “Where is that villain Ouyang Feng? If you don’t speak, I’ll beat you to death with one strike!”

By now, Yang Guo had resolved to throw his life away. He shouted, “He’s not a villain! He’s a good man. Beat me to death if you want, I won’t say a word.” Ke Zhen’e flew into a rage and swung his staff down in fury. Guo Jing cried out, “Great Master, don’t, “ There was a sharp crack as the iron staff struck the sand beside Yang Guo. Ke Zhen’e had thought better of killing a mere child and had deliberately shifted his aim at the last moment.

Ke Zhen’e said sternly, “You still won’t speak?” Yang Guo shouted, “If you’ve got the guts, kill me! You think I’m afraid of a blind old man like you?” Guo Jing lunged forward and delivered a heavy slap across his face, shouting, “How dare you show such disrespect to your grand-master!” Yang Guo did not cry. He only said coldly, “You don’t need to lift a finger. If you want my life, I’ll end it myself!” He turned and ran towards the sea.

Guo Jing shouted, “Guoer, come back!” Yang Guo ran even faster. Guo Jing was about to chase after him when Huang Rong said quietly, “Wait.” Guo Jing stopped at once. They watched as Yang Guo ran straight into the sea, plunging into the waves. Guo Jing cried in alarm, “He doesn’t know how to swim! Ronger, we have to save him!” He moved to go into the water. Huang Rong said, “He won’t die. Don’t worry.” After a while, seeing that Yang Guo still had not returned, she could not help admiring his pride. She leapt into the sea and swam out. An expert swimmer, rescuing someone in the shallows near shore was child’s play to her. She dived beneath the surface, dragged Yang Guo back, and laid him on a rock, letting him cough up the seawater and slowly regain consciousness on his own.

Guo Jing looked at his shifu, then at his wife, and asked, “What do we do?” Huang Rong said, “He learned this skill before coming to Peach Blossom Island. If Ouyang Feng had come to the island, we would certainly know about it.” Guo Jing nodded. Huang Rong asked, “How is Little Wu’s injury?” Guo Jing said, “He’ll probably need a month or two to recover.”

Ke Zhen’e said, “Tomorrow, I’ll return to Jiaxing.” Guo Jing and Huang Rong exchanged a glance, both understanding his meaning: he absolutely refused to live under the same roof as Ouyang Feng’s disciple. Huang Rong said, “Great Master, this is your home. Why should you have to leave because of this boy?”

That evening, Guo Jing called Yang Guo into his room and said, “Guoer, let us not speak of what has passed. You showed disrespect to your grand-master, so you can no longer remain under my tutelage. From now on, you will only call me Uncle Guo. Your Uncle Guo is not skilled at teaching and fears he would only hold you back. In a few days, I will take you to Chongyang Palace⁴⁴ on Zhongnan Mountain⁴⁵ and ask the Quanzhen Sect’s Perpetual Spring⁴⁶ Master Qiu⁴⁷ to accept you as a disciple. The martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect are the orthodox school of wulin.⁴⁸ Apply yourself diligently at Chongyang Palace, cultivate your mind and character, and I hope you will grow into a man of integrity.”

Yang Guo answered, “Yes, Uncle Guo.” He immediately changed his form of address, no longer recognising Guo Jing as his shifu.

Guo Jing rose early one morning, packed silver and luggage, bade farewell to his great master, wife, daughter, and the Wu brothers, and set off with Yang Guo. They took a boat to the Zhejiang coast and went ashore. Guo Jing bought two horses, and they travelled north, setting out at dawn and resting at dusk. Yang Guo had never ridden a horse before, but he was agile and nimble, and after a few days of practice, he could handle the reins with ease. Being a spirited youth, he often galloped ahead of Guo Jing.

Before many days had passed, they crossed the Yellow River and entered Shaanxi. By this time, the Great Jin Empire had been destroyed by the Mongols, and all lands north of the Yellow River were under Mongol rule. Guo Jing had served as a general in the Mongol army in his youth and feared that encountering former Mongol comrades might cause trouble. He traded their fine horses for two extremely thin and ugly donkeys, dressed in worn and tattered clothes, and made himself look like an ordinary country farmer. Yang Guo also put on a coarse cloth jacket and wrapped a blue cloth around his head, riding astride the scrawny donkey. The donkey had a terrible temper and walked painfully slowly. Yang Guo spent the entire journey quarrelling with it.

One day, they arrived at Fanchuan,⁴⁹ which lay at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain. The place was named after Fan Kuai,⁵⁰ the great general who helped found the Han dynasty and whose fief was located here. The road wound through rolling hills, with pines and cypresses casting deep shade, and irrigated fields and vegetable plots stretching between them, the scenery was reminiscent of Jiangnan.

Having spoken not a word about the island since leaving Peach Blossom Island, Yang Guo could not help himself now. “Uncle Guo,” he said, “this place looks a bit like our Peach Blossom Island.” Guo Jing was struck by the words “our Peach Blossom Island” and felt a pang of sorrow. “Guoer,” he said, “Zhongnan Mountain is not far now. Apply yourself to your studies under the Quanzhen Sect. In a few years, I will come back to bring you home to Peach Blossom Island.” Yang Guo turned his head away. “I will never return to Peach Blossom Island for the rest of my life.” Guo Jing had not expected such resolute words from a boy so young. He was stunned and for a moment could find no reply. After a long pause, he said, “Are you angry with your Aunt Guo?” Yang Guo said, “How would your nephew dare? It’s just that your nephew has angered Aunt Guo, that’s all.” Guo Jing, clumsy with words, did not pursue the matter.

The two of them climbed the hill and around noon arrived at a temple on the ridge. Guo Jing saw three large characters on the temple’s horizontal plaque: “Puguang Temple.”⁵¹ He tied the donkeys to a pine tree outside the temple and went in to ask for a vegetarian meal. There were seven or eight monks in the temple, and seeing Guo Jing’s shabby appearance, they treated him with extreme coldness, giving them only two portions of plain noodles and seven or eight steamed buns.

Guo Jing and Yang Guo sat on a stone bench beneath a pine tree, eating their noodles. Turning his head, Guo Jing suddenly noticed a stone tablet behind the pine tree, half-hidden by tall grass, with the characters “Perpetual Spring”⁵² visible. His heart stirred, and he walked over, brushing aside the grass to look. Carved on the tablet was a poem by Perpetual Spring, Qiu Chuji:

*Heaven is vast above, looking down upon the earth below , * Why does it not save the myriad souls from their suffering? The myriad souls torment each other day and night, Swallowing their rage, holding their breath, dying in silence. They look up to heaven and cry out, but heaven does not answer. One tiny, trivial thing, toiling in vain. If only the great cosmos could return to chaos, Spare the Creator from bringing forth sentient life.⁵³

Guo Jing gazed at the poem and was reminded of events from more than ten years ago in the great deserts of Mongolia. He stood stroking the stone tablet, silent and lost in thought, until the anticipation of soon meeting Qiu Chuji brought joy back to his heart.

Yang Guo asked, “Uncle Guo, what does it say on this tablet?” Guo Jing said, “It’s a poem by your grand-master Qiu. He saw that the people of the world suffer many disasters and felt deep sorrow.” He explained the poem’s meaning, then added, “Master Qiu’s martial arts are certainly extraordinary, but this heart of his that cares for all people is even more admirable. Your father was one of Master Qiu’s prized disciples in those days. For your father’s sake, Master Qiu will surely treat you well. Study diligently, and you will certainly achieve great things.”

Yang Guo said, “Uncle Guo, I’d like to ask you something.” Guo Jing said, “What is it?” Yang Guo said, “How did my father die?” Guo Jing’s face changed colour. He thought of what had happened at the Iron Spear Temple in Jiaxing, and his body trembled slightly. He remained silent, his expression dark. Yang Guo asked, “Who killed him?” Guo Jing still did not answer.

Yang Guo remembered how, whenever he had asked his mother about his father’s death, her expression had always turned strange and she had avoided answering. He also sensed that while Guo Jing treated him with great warmth and kindness, Huang Rong seemed somewhat distant and wary. Young as he was, he felt there must be something hidden beneath it all. Now, unable to contain himself, he burst out, “My father was killed by you and Aunt Guo, wasn’t he?”

Guo Jing flew into a rage. He brought his hand down heavily on the stone tablet and said sternly, “Who taught you to speak such nonsense?” His martial power at this point was formidable beyond measure. In his fury, this single strike made the stone tablet shudder and sway. Yang Guo, seeing his anger, quickly lowered his head and said, “Your nephew knows he was wrong. I won’t dare speak nonsense again. Uncle Guo, don’t be angry.”

Guo Jing had always been very fond of him, and hearing him admit his mistake, his anger subsided. He was about to offer some words of comfort when he suddenly heard someone behind him let out a surprised exclamation. Turning around, he saw two middle-aged Daoist priests standing at the temple gate, staring intently with expressions of great indignation on their faces. They must have witnessed his strike on the tablet just now.

The two Daoists exchanged a glance, then left the temple. Guo Jing noted their light, agile steps, they clearly possessed martial arts skill. He thought that since they were so close to Zhongnan Mountain, these two were likely members of Chongyang Palace. Both appeared to be around forty years of age and were probably disciples of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.⁵⁴ Since retiring to Peach Blossom Island, Guo Jing had not exchanged news with Ma Yu⁵⁵ and the others, so he did not recognise any of the Quanzhen disciples. He only knew that the Quanzhen Sect had been flourishing of late, with Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi,⁵⁶ and the others all having accepted many fine disciples, their reputation in wulin growing ever greater. They were known for championing righteousness, helping those in danger and relieving those in distress, having performed countless good deeds. In the jianghu,⁵⁷ whether one was a martial artist or not, the name of the Quanzhen Sect commanded deep respect. Guo Jing thought he would go up the mountain to pay his respects to Master Qiu and could travel together with these two Daoists.

He quickened his pace and hurried out of the temple gate, only to see the two Daoists already running swiftly more than a hundred feet ahead, constantly looking back. Guo Jing called out, “Fellow Daoists, please wait, I have a question.” His voice was loud and resonant, carrying far and wide, but the two Daoists did not stop. Instead, they walked even faster. Guo Jing wondered, “Could these two be deaf?” He exerted a little strength in his feet, and in a few bounds, he had circled around them and stood in front. He turned and said, “Greetings, fellow Daoists,” bowing with clasped hands.

The two Daoists, seeing how swift his movement technique was, looked alarmed. When they saw him bow, they assumed he was about to attack with neili and quickly dodged to the left and right, asking in unison, “What do you want?” Guo Jing said, “Are you two Daoists from Chongyang Palace on Zhongnan Mountain?” The thin Daoist said with a dark expression, “And what if we are?” Guo Jing said, “I am an old friend of Master Qiu, Perpetual Spring. I wish to go up the mountain to pay my respects and would be grateful for your guidance.” The other Daoist, short and stocky, sneered. “If you’ve got the guts, go up yourself. Out of the way!” With that, he suddenly swung his palm horizontally, the strike was remarkably swift. Guo Jing had no choice but to step aside to the right. But the thin Daoist and the short Daoist had trained their martial arts to work in seamless coordination, attacking separately and together. The thin Daoist followed with a palm strike from right to left, trapping Guo Jing between them. These two moves were called the “Great Gate-Closing Form,”⁵⁸ a brilliant technique of the Quanzhen Sect’s martial arts. How could Guo Jing not recognise it? He was baffled that the two Daoists, without asking any questions, would immediately use such heavy, injurious techniques. He neither neutralised nor dodged. There were two dull thuds as both palms struck his ribs.

Having taken these two strikes, Guo Jing now knew the depth of their skill. He judged that, based on their level, they were indeed disciples of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, making them his peers in the martial generation. When their palms struck, he had already braced himself with neili, but he controlled the force with perfect precision, he took no damage himself, yet did not rebound the force to cause pain or swelling in their hands. He simply absorbed it as if nothing had happened.

The two Daoists had trained this ultimate technique for more than ten years, yet when it landed on their opponent, it felt like striking a sack of cotton, completely unresisting. They were shocked beyond measure. With a simultaneous cry, they both leapt up, all four feet flying towards Guo Jing’s chest in a ferocious kick. Guo Jing wondered to himself, “The disciples of Quanzhen are all men of the Way, warm and courteous. How can it be that these disciples attack people with fists and feet for no reason at all?” He saw them use the “Mandarin Duck Chain Kick”⁵⁹ technique but still made no move, paying it no mind. A series of thuds followed as several dusty footprints appeared on his chest.

Each Daoist had kicked six times in succession, their toes feeling as though they were kicking a sandbag, soft and strangely comfortable. But seeing their opponent calm and composed, as if nothing had happened, their astonishment now exceeded even what they had felt before. They thought, “This scoundrel is this formidable? Even our masters and martial uncles don’t have skill like this.” They studied Guo Jing carefully: thick brows, large eyes, an honest and simple expression, dressed in coarse cloth like an ordinary farmer, there was not the slightest hint of anything unusual about him. They stood frozen in place, unable to speak.

Yang Guo, seeing the two Daoists striking and kicking Guo Jing while Guo Jing did not retaliate, grew angry. He stepped forward and shouted, “You two stinking Daoists, why are you hitting my uncle?” Guo Jing quickly stopped him. “Guoer, hold your tongue. Come and pay respects to these two Daoist masters.” Yang Guo was confused. “Why should Uncle Guo be afraid of them for no reason?”

The two Daoists exchanged a glance, and with two ringing sounds, drew their swords. The short Daoist used “Probing the Sea to Slay the Dragon,”⁶⁰ thrusting at Guo Jing’s lower body, while the other used “Cyclone Sweeping the Leaves,”⁶¹ slashing swiftly at Yang Guo’s right leg.

Guo Jing paid no attention to the sword aimed at himself, but seeing the thin Daoist’s vicious strike, he could not help growing angry. “This child has no grudge against you, why such a lethal move? Wouldn’t that sword cut his right leg clean off?” He shifted his body slightly, and with the edge of his left palm resting on the short Daoist’s sword hilt, he used “Following the Current to Push the Boat,”⁶² gently deflecting it to the left. The short Daoist’s sword involuntarily reversed direction and, with a clang, met the thin Daoist’s blade, deflecting his strike. This technique of using an enemy’s attack against another enemy was derived from the art of empty-hand against weapons. Even if ten or twenty opponents had attacked simultaneously, he could have used one enemy’s blade against another’s sword, one enemy’s spear against another’s whip, borrowing the enemy to strike the enemy, neutralising all attacks.

Both Daoists felt their wrists go numb and their tiger’s mouth⁶³ ache dully. They immediately leapt back at an angle, glaring at Guo Jing with a mixture of terror and grudging admiration. With a low whistle, they attacked again with both swords.

Guo Jing thought, “This is the foundational training for the Heavenly Dipper Big Dipper Formation.⁶⁴ Though it is advanced swordplay, there are only two of you, and your sword skills are not yet refined, what use is it?” Afraid that Yang Guo might be caught by their blades, he dodged both swords, reached out with his right arm to scoop up Yang Guo, and called out, “I am an old friend of Master Qiu. There’s no need for this game.” The thin Daoist said, “It wouldn’t help even if you claimed to be an old friend of Master Ma.” Guo Jing said, “Master Ma did indeed once teach me martial arts.” The short Daoist raged, “You scoundrel, spouting nonsense to mock us! I suppose our founder, Chongyang,⁶⁵ also taught you martial arts?” He thrust his sword straight at Guo Jing’s chest.

Guo Jing could see plainly that these two were clearly Quanzhen disciples, yet they treated him as an enemy, and he had no idea why. His bonds with the Seven Masters of Quanzhen were extraordinary, and he also thought that since Yang Guo was going to study at Chongyang Palace, he could not afford to offend the palace’s Daoists. So he only dodged and evaded, never striking back.

The two Daoists, both frightened and alarmed, knew full well that their opponent’s martial arts far exceeded their own and that they could not land a hit. They exchanged a signal, and suddenly their sword techniques changed. With a series of swift thrusts, every strike was aimed at Yang Guo’s chest and back, each move a lethal, merciless technique. Seeing these utterly unrestrained sword strikes all directed at a mere child, Guo Jing could not help but grow angry. As the short Daoist’s sword came in fiercely, Guo Jing lowered his right arm to set Yang Guo down, then suddenly thrust out his hand. His index and middle fingers spread apart, he caught the blade flat between them, turned his wrist slightly inward, and drove his right elbow towards the opponent’s nose. The short Daoist pulled back with all his strength but could not withdraw his sword. He saw the elbow already upon him and knew that if it struck his face, he would be either dead or gravely injured. He had no choice but to release the sword and leap back.

By now, Guo Jing’s martial arts had reached the level of true mastery, every movement of hand or foot was executed with perfect precision. With a slight dip of his right hand’s two fingers, the sword flipped upright, its hilt rebounding upward. The thin Daoist was just thrusting his sword at Yang Guo’s neck when the blade was struck squarely by the rebounding hilt. With a sharp ring, his right arm went numb and his whole body shook violently. He could only release his sword and jump aside. The two men said in unison, “The lecher is too strong, let’s go!” They turned and fled.

Guo Jing had been called many things in his life, “fool,” “idiot,” “stinking thief,” “thieving scoundrel”, but the vile label of “lecher” was a first. Slightly puzzled, he scooped up Yang Guo and gave chase. Catching up behind the two Daoists, he tapped his right foot and soared over their heads. The moment his feet touched the ground, he turned and demanded, “What did you call me?”

The short Daoist was frightened but still stubborn. “If you’re not here hoping to marry that woman surnamed Long, what are you doing at Zhongnan Mountain?” The moment the words left his mouth, he retreated three steps, fearing Guo Jing might strike.

Guo Jing froze. He thought, “I’m hoping to marry some woman surnamed Long? Who is this woman surnamed Long? Why would I want to marry her? I’ve had Ronger for a long time, how could I marry anyone else?” He stood there, utterly bewildered. The two Daoists, seeing him dazed, seized the opportunity, darted past him, and fled up the mountain.

Yang Guo, seeing Guo Jing lost in thought, quietly slipped down to the ground and said, “Uncle Guo, the two stinking Daoists are gone.” Guo Jing came back to himself with a start. “Hm,” he said. “They said I want to marry some woman surnamed Long. Who is she?” Yang Guo said, “Your nephew doesn’t know either. Those two attacked without asking any questions, they must have mistaken you for someone else.” Guo Jing laughed at himself. “That must be it. Why didn’t I think of that? Let’s go up the mountain.”

Yang Guo picked up the two swords the Daoists had left behind. Guo Jing examined the hilts and saw three small characters clearly engraved: “Chongyang Palace.” The two of them continued up the mountain. After travelling for over two hours, they reached the Golden Lotus Pavilion.⁶⁶ Beyond that, the path grew treacherous, they picked their way over loose rocks and along cliff edges, winding upward. By the time they passed Sun and Moon Crag,⁶⁷ the sky was growing dark. When they reached Child-Holding Crag,⁶⁸ the new moon had already appeared on the horizon. The crag was strangely shaped, like a great rock formation of a woman holding a child. They rested for a moment. Guo Jing asked, “Guoer, are you tired?” Yang Guo shook his head. “Not tired.” Guo Jing said, “Good. Let’s keep going.”

They walked further until a great rock face loomed before them, blocking the path. Its shape was dark and menacing, looming from above like an old crone bending down to peer at them. Yang Guo was just beginning to feel afraid when he heard several sharp whistles from behind the rock. Four Daoists leapt out, each holding a long sword, blocking the path in silence.

Guo Jing stepped forward, bowed with clasped hands, and said, “I am Guo Jing of Peach Blossom Island, here to pay my respects to Master Qiu.” A tall Daoist stepped forward and sneered. “Great Hero Guo is renowned throughout the world, the esteemed son-in-law of Old Senior Huang of Peach Blossom Island. How could he be as shameless as you? Get back down the mountain at once!” Guo Jing thought, “What have I done that’s shameless?” He kept his composure and said, “I am indeed Guo Jing. If you would guide me to Master Qiu, all will become clear.”

The tall Daoist barked, “You come to Zhongnan Mountain to flaunt your strength and act recklessly. You must truly be tired of living. If we don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll think Chongyang Palace is full of incompetents.” His words even took a jab at the short and thin Daoists from earlier. As soon as he finished speaking, his sword flickered. He stepped through the strange gate, advanced along the side path, and used “Parting Flowers and Brushing Willows”⁶⁹ to thrust at Guo Jing’s waist. Guo Jing wondered to himself, “How is it that in the ten-plus years I’ve been away from the jianghu, all the rules have changed?” He sidestepped to avoid the strike and was about to speak when the other three Daoists raised their swords, surrounding him and Yang Guo. Guo Jing said, “What must I do before you four believe I am indeed Guo Jing?”

The tall Daoist shouted, “Unless you take the sword from my hand!” With that, he thrust again, this time straight at Guo Jing’s chest. Swordplay has always emphasised lightness and agility, favouring angled thrusts and side advances, never the direct hacking and slashing of a broadsword. This strike showed complete contempt for Guo Jing, the technique appearing ostentatious and reckless.

Guo Jing felt a flicker of anger. He thought, “Taking your sword, how hard could that be?” He saw the sword tip coming and extended his index finger, curled under his thumb, flicking it against the side of the blade. There was a resonant hum, and the Daoist could not maintain his grip, the long sword flew straight up into the air. Before it could fall, Guo Jing flicked three more times in rapid succession. Three more resonant hums rang out, and three more swords flew upward, their blades glittering in the moonlight. Yang Guo cheered loudly, “Do you believe us now?” Guo Jing normally always left his opponents room to retreat, but this time, angered by the tall Daoist’s disrespectful sword technique, he had used the marvellous skill of the Flicking Finger Divine Skill.⁷⁰ This was the ultimate technique of Huang Yaoshi, and Guo Jing, having lived on the island for several years, had fully mastered his father-in-law’s true teachings. With his profound neili, its execution was naturally extraordinary.

The four Daoists’ swords had left their hands, yet they still did not understand what technique had been used against them. The tall Daoist cried, “This lecher knows sorcery! Run!” He leapt behind the Old Crone Crag and fled through the rocky terrain. The other three followed, all vanishing into the darkness in moments. Guo Jing had been called a “lecher” for the first time, and now he was being called a “sorcerer.” He found it both irritating and amusing. “Guoer,” he said, “place those swords neatly on the rock by the roadside.”

Yang Guo said, “Yes.” He did as instructed, laying the four swords alongside the two he already carried on a slab of blue stone. His admiration for Guo Jing’s martial arts was boundless. Words kept rising to his lips: “Uncle Guo, I don’t want to learn from these stinking Daoists, I want to learn from you.” But remembering everything that had happened on Peach Blossom Island, he finally swallowed those words.

The two rounded two more bends, and the terrain ahead opened up slightly. They heard the clash of weapons serving as a signal, and seven Daoists leapt out from the pine forest, each also holding a long sword.

Guo Jing saw the formation in which the seven emerged, four on the left, three on the right, arrayed in the proper “Heavenly Dipper Big Dipper Formation.” His heart tightened. “Fighting against this formation could be troublesome.” Not daring to be careless, he quietly instructed Yang Guo, “Go behind that large rock and wait for me. Stay far back so I won’t be distracted worrying about you.” Yang Guo nodded. Unwilling to show weakness before the Daoists, he undid his trousers and said loudly, “Uncle Guo, I’m going to pee.” He turned and ran, going behind the large rock to relieve himself. Guo Jing thought with quiet satisfaction, “This child is clever and quick-witted, just like Ronger. I only hope he walks the right path and lives a good life.”

He turned back to study the seven Daoists. With their backs to the moonlight, their features were hard to make out, but he could see that the six in front all had long beards under their chins, they were no longer young. The seventh, smaller in stature, seemed younger. An idea stirred in his mind: “I should hurry up the mountain to see Master Qiu and clear up this misunderstanding. Why waste time tangling with these people?” His form flickered, and he had already seized the “North Star Position”⁷¹ on the left.

The seven Daoists saw him suddenly dart far to the left without a word, not yet understanding his intent. The Daoist occupying the “Heavenly Pivot”⁷² position gave a low whistle and led the other six in turning left to surround Guo Jing. But no sooner had the seven begun to move than Guo Jing, seizing the initiative, stepped two paces to the right, once again firmly occupying the North Star Position. The Heavenly Pivot Daoist had planned to have the three at the handle of the Dipper launch a flanking attack, but he saw that Guo Jing’s position was strange, none of the three could reach him with their swords. Instead, all seven had their gates wide open, unable to defend each other, each exposed to his attacks and hard-pressed to defend. He quickly signalled with his left hand, leading the formation to rotate backward. But the moment the Flashing Light⁷³ Daoist moved, Guo Jing advanced two steps and once again stood firmly in the North Star Position. By the time the Big Dipper Formation was set, the seven were still trapped in the same awkward position, unable to attack or defend.

The Heavenly Dipper Big Dipper Formation was one of the Quanzhen Sect’s most advanced martial arts. When practised to perfection and executed by seven masters together, it could truly be said to be invincible under heaven. But Guo Jing understood the secrets of this formation deeply, he needed only to occupy the North Star Position, and he could use the master to drive the servants, binding the Big Dipper Formation hand and foot, preventing it from moving freely. It was also because these seven Daoists had not yet refined the formation to mastery, if Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, and the others had been directing it, they would never have allowed an enemy to seize the North Star Position so easily. Now, the eight of them shifted positions several times, but Guo Jing maintained his initiative, remaining calm and composed, firmly holding the pivotal position.

The Daoist occupying the Heavenly Axis⁷⁴ position was older and wiser and had already noticed something was wrong. He called out, “Change formation!” The seven suddenly scattered, charging left and right, running east and west, hoping that this chaotic disruption of the formation would confuse the enemy’s vision. Then, in a flash, the seven reformed the formation. But the handle and the bowl of the Dipper had swapped positions, and the formation had shifted from due west to the southeast. As soon as the formation was set, the Heavenly Jade⁷⁵ and Jade Sighting-Tube⁷⁶ Daoists raised their swords and charged forward, only to see the enemy standing directly north of the Dipper’s handle, feet neither too wide nor too narrow, palms crossed, a faint smile on his face. The two Daoists suddenly realised, “If we charge, Open Sun⁷⁷ and Heavenly Jade will surely be gravely wounded.” In that moment of hesitation, the Heavenly Axis Daoist had already shouted, “Don’t attack! Pull back!” The Heavenly Pivot Daoist, both alarmed and furious, gave a loud whistle and led the six through repeated formation changes.

Yang Guo watched from a distance, seeing the seven Daoists running in wild circles as if possessed, while Guo Jing only shifted a few steps east or west, south or north. The seven never dared to launch a single move against Guo Jing. The more he watched, the more fascinating he found it. Suddenly, he saw Guo Jing clap his palms together and call out, “My apologies!” He abruptly dash two steps to the left.

By now, the Big Dipper Formation was entirely under his control. When he dashed left, if the seven did not follow, their backs would be completely exposed and indefensible, an extremely dangerous situation in martial arts. They had no choice but to follow. In this way, the seven had fallen into a trap from which they could not escape. When Guo Jing ran fast, the seven ran fast, when he walked slowly, the seven walked slowly. The youngest Daoist had the shallowest neili, and after being led by Guo Jing through more than ten rapid circles, his head was spinning and his breathing laboured, he was on the verge of collapsing. Yet he knew that if the Big Dipper Formation lost even one person, the entire formation would instantly crumble, so he could only grit his teeth and struggle on.

Guo Jing was no longer young, but since retiring to Peach Blossom Island with Huang Rong, he had had little contact with the outside world and still retained much of his youthful nature. Seeing the seven Daoists running so comically, his boyish heart was stirred. He thought, “Today, for no reason at all, you’ve showered me with abuse, calling me a lecher, cursing me for using sorcery. If I don’t actually show you some sorcery, won’t I have suffered these insults for nothing?” He called out loudly, “Guoer, watch me use sorcery!” He suddenly leapt onto a high crag. The seven Daoists were now completely under his control. Since he had leapt onto the crag, if they did not follow, the Big Dipper Formation’s weaknesses would be fully exposed. Some hesitated, but the Heavenly Pivot Daoist, frantic with desperation, barked orders and led the entire formation onto the crag.

The seven had barely found their footing when Guo Jing sprang up again, this time onto a pine tree. Though separated from the Daoists, he was neither too far nor too near, still firmly occupying the North Star Position. But now, from his elevated vantage point, attacking weaknesses and exploiting gaps was even easier. The seven Daoists groaned inwardly, all thinking, “Where did this great demon come from? Our Quanzhen Sect has truly lost all face today.” But though their minds were filled with such thoughts, their feet dared not pause for an instant. Each found a foothold on the branches and leapt up. Guo Jing laughed. “Come down!” He jumped down from the tree and reached to grab the foot of the Daoist occupying the Open Sun position.

The greatest strength of the Big Dipper Formation lay in its left-right coordination and mutual support. Since Guo Jing attacked Open Sun, Flashing Light and Jade Sighting-Tube had no choice but to jump down from the tree to assist, and once these two came down, Heavenly Axis and Heavenly Pivot had to follow. In an instant, the entire formation was dragged into motion.

Yang Guo watched from the side, his heart racing with excitement and wonder. He thought, “If one day I could learn Uncle Guo’s skills, I would gladly suffer for the rest of my life.” But then another thought struck him: “How could I ever learn his skills in this lifetime? Only that girl Guo Fu and the Wu brothers have such fortune. Uncle Guo knows perfectly well that the Quanzhen Sect’s martial arts are far inferior to his own, yet he sends me to learn from these stinking Daoists.” The more he brooded, the more miserable he felt, almost to the point of tears. He turned his head away, refusing to watch Guo Jing toy with the seven Daoists. But being a child at heart, how could he resist? After only a moment, he could not help turning back to watch.

Guo Jing thought, “By now, they must surely believe I am Guo Jing. One must not go too far, I must be mindful of Master Qiu’s dignity.” Seeing the seven Daoists spinning frantically, he suddenly stopped, clasped his hands, and said, “Fellow Daoists, I have been most discourteous. Please lead the way.”

The Heavenly Pivot Daoist was hot-tempered by nature. Seeing the opponent’s martial arts were so formidable and that he understood the Big Dipper Formation so thoroughly, he was all the more convinced that this man harboured ill intentions towards their sect. He declared loudly, “Lecher, you have schemed and studied our sect’s formation with malicious intent. You wish to carry out your shameless deeds on Zhongnan Mountain, but our Quanzhen Sect detests evil as if it were a personal enemy, we will never stand idly by.” Guo Jing asked, bewildered, “What shameless deeds?”

The Heavenly Axis Daoist said, “Judging by your martial arts, you should not be one to stoop to such depravity. This humble Daoist offers you well-meaning advice: go back down the mountain at once.” His tone betrayed considerable admiration for Guo Jing’s martial arts. Guo Jing said, “I have travelled a thousand li from the south specifically to pay my respects to Master Qiu. How can I go back down without seeing him?” The Heavenly Pivot Daoist asked, “You insist on seeing Master Qiu, what is your purpose?” Guo Jing said, “Since childhood, I have received great kindness from Master Ma and Master Qiu. Not having seen them for over ten years, I miss them deeply. This time, aside from paying my respects, I also have a matter to request.”

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Pivot Daoist’s hostility only deepened, his face darkening as if covered by storm clouds. In the jianghu, the words “kindness and enmity”⁷⁸ were taken with the utmost seriousness. Sometimes, when a deep enmity had been formed, someone would say they had come to “repay kindness” when in fact they meant revenge, for example: “Twenty years ago, I had the honour of having my arm cut off by you. How could I forget such kindness for a single day? Today, I have come to repay this great favour.” And when someone said they had “a matter to request,” it often carried ill intent as well, for instance, when bandits robbed an escort convoy, they would typically say, “We brothers are short on travelling expenses and have come to ask for your help, to borrow a few tens of thousands of taels of silver.” Now, with the Quanzhen Sect facing a great enemy, the Heavenly Pivot Daoist was predisposed to suspicion. Guo Jing’s perfectly innocent words, he took as sarcasm. He said coldly, “I fear our master, Jade Sun⁷⁹ Master Wang, also once showed you kindness.”

Hearing this, Guo Jing was immediately reminded of events from his youth at Prince Zhao’s mansion⁸⁰, how Wang Chuyi, the Jade Sun Master, had disregarded his own safety, fought against a host of villains, and risked his life to save him. It was truly an enormous debt of gratitude. He said, “So you, Daoist brother, are a disciple of Jade Sun Master Wang. Master Wang indeed once showed me tremendous kindness. If he is also on the mountain, that would be even better.”

These seven Daoists were all disciples of Wang Chuyi. Suddenly, they roared in unison, each raising a long sword. Seven blades flashed with green light as they thrust at seven points on Guo Jing’s body. Guo Jing frowned. He thought to himself: the more humble he was, the more ferocious they became. He truly had no idea what was behind it all. What a pity Huang Rong had not come along, she would have understood the reason at a single glance. He sidestepped diagonally, seized the North Star Position, and declared clearly, “I am Guo Jing of Jiangnan. I have come to your honoured mountain with no ill intent whatsoever. What must I do before you will believe me?”

The Heavenly Pivot Daoist said, “You have already taken six swords from Quanzhen disciples. Why not take our seven swords as well?” The Heavenly Jade Daoist, who had remained silent all along, suddenly opened his gong-like voice and said, “You filthy lecher, you want to show off and play the hero before that woman of the Long family. Do you think our Quanzhen Sect is so easy to provoke?” Guo Jing said angrily, “What woman named Long? I, Guo Jing, have never met her.” The Heavenly Jade Daoist gave a harsh laugh. “Of course you’ve never met her. What man under heaven has ever met her? If you’ve got the guts, curse her loudly as a little slut.”

Guo Jing was taken aback. He thought: what kind of person was this woman surnamed Long? How could he curse someone without cause? He said, “Why would I curse her?” Three or four Daoists said in unison, “Isn’t that an admission of guilt?”

Guo Jing, having this false accusation pinned on him for no reason, grew more and more confused. He thought: the only way was to force his way into Chongyang Palace. Once he saw Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, and the others, everything would become clear. He said coldly, “I am going up the mountain now. If any of you try to stop me, do not blame me for being discourteous.”

The seven Daoists raised their swords and advanced two steps in unison. The Heavenly Jade Daoist shouted, “Don’t use sorcery! Let’s settle this purely on martial skill.” Guo Jing smiled. An idea had formed in his mind. He said, “But I insist on using a little sorcery. Watch: without my hands touching your weapons, I will take all seven of your swords.” The seven Daoists exchanged glances, disbelief written on every face. They all thought, “Your martial arts may be strong, but without using your hands, can you really take our weapons? Even if your empty-hand-against-weapons skill has reached the absolute pinnacle, you still need hands.” The Heavenly Axis Daoist suddenly said, “Very well, we shall witness your divine kicking technique.” Guo Jing said, “I won’t need my feet either. In short, I will not touch your weapons or your bodies in the slightest. If I do, I lose, and I will immediately turn around and go back down the mountain without further trouble.”

Hearing such bold claims, every one of the seven Daoists was incensed. The Heavenly Pivot Daoist swung his sword, immediately setting the formation in motion as they closed in.

Guo Jing darted diagonally, seizing the North Star Position, then immediately sped towards the left side of the Big Dipper Formation. The Heavenly Pivot Daoist recognised the danger and hastily led the formation to rotate right. In any duel, both parties must face each other, if the enemy circles behind, one must immediately turn to face them. The position Guo Jing was now heading towards was precisely the vulnerable back of the Big Dipper Formation. Without needing to strike, the seven Daoists were forced to rotate the formation to face him directly. But Guo Jing kept moving left without turning back, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes straight, sometimes diagonal, always running leftward. Since he firmly held the North Star Position, the seven Daoists had no choice but to follow left.

Guo Jing ran faster and faster, until his speed rivalled that of a galloping horse. With a flicker of his form, he had already covered several dozen feet. The seven Daoists’ skills were indeed not ordinary, though trapped in adversity, their formation remained perfectly intact. The positions of Heavenly Axis, Heavenly Jade, Heavenly Pearl,⁸¹ Heavenly Pivot, Jade Sighting-Tube, Open Sun, and Flashing Light were all defended with both steadiness and precision, but they were helplessly compelled to race after him.

Guo Jing could not help silently applauding. “The disciples of Quanzhen are truly remarkable.” He drew a breath and ran as though his feet never touched the ground. Occupying the central position, the seven Daoists ran circles around him, their running distance many times greater than his own.

At first, the seven could barely keep up, but as time wore on, the differences in their the skill of lightness⁸² became apparent. The three Daoists occupying Heavenly Pivot, Heavenly Axis, and Jade Sighting-Tube had higher skill and ran faster. The others gradually fell behind, and gaps began to appear in the Big Dipper Formation. Each of them was secretly alarmed, thinking, “If the enemy attacks the formation now, we may not be able to defend it.” But at this point, they could worry about nothing else. They could only pour every ounce of their neili into running circles around Guo Jing.

There is a children’s game where you tie a stone to a rope and swing it in circles. When you swing fast enough and suddenly let go, the stone flies far away, trailing the rope. The situation with the Heavenly Dipper Big Dipper Formation spinning in rapid circles was similar. The seven Daoists ran around Guo Jing, their swords raised above their heads. The faster they ran, the harder it became to hold onto their swords, as if a great force was pulling outward, trying to snatch the blades from their hands. Suddenly, Guo Jing bellowed, “Let go!” He darted sharply to the left. Caught off guard, the seven Daoists had no choice but to leap after him. Somehow, all seven swords flew from their hands simultaneously, like seven silver serpents shooting straight into the pine forest more than a hundred feet away. Guo Jing came to an abrupt halt and turned back with a smile.

The seven Daoists stood ashen-faced, frozen in place, yet each still maintained his position, the formation remained perfectly intact. Guo Jing saw that despite this bout of frantic running, their formation had not broken, which showed the depth of their usual training. The Heavenly Pivot Daoist gave a weak, breathless whistle, and the seven withdrew behind the mountain crags.

Guo Jing said, “Guoer, let’s go up the mountain.” He called twice, but Yang Guo did not answer. He searched around, Yang Guo had vanished without a trace. All he found was one of the boy’s small shoes left behind in the bushes. Guo Jing was alarmed. “So besides these seven Daoists, there were others watching in concealment who have taken him.” But he reflected that the Daoists had merely mistaken him for someone else and had some misunderstanding. The Quanzhen Sect championed righteousness. They would never harm a child. He was not overly worried. He drew a breath and raced up the mountain. Having lived in seclusion on Peach Blossom Island for over ten years, though he trained daily, he had not faced an opponent in combat for a long time and sometimes felt a sense of loneliness. Today, battling the Daoists, every move had been executed with perfect ease, and he could not help feeling a quiet satisfaction.

The mountain path now grew even more treacherous. At times, they had to edge sideways through gaps in the cliffs. After less than half an hour, dark clouds covered the moon, and the mountain was suddenly plunged into darkness. Guo Jing thought, “I’m unfamiliar with the terrain here. I must be careful that those Daoists don’t try any tricks.” He slowed his pace and advanced cautiously.

After walking for a while longer, the clouds parted and the moon emerged, bathing the entire mountain in light. Just as he was enjoying the clarity, he suddenly heard the faint sound of many people breathing from behind the mountain. The sound was barely perceptible, but with so many people, Guo Jing could detect it. He tightened his belt and rounded the mountain path.

Before him was an enormous circular clearing, surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks. At the foot of the mountains was a great pool, its waters reflecting the moon in shimmering silver light. Before the pool stood a hundred or so Daoists in scattered formation, all in yellow caps and grey robes, swords in hand, their blades glittering.

Guo Jing studied them carefully. The Daoists were grouped in sevens, forming fourteen Heavenly Dipper Big Dipper Formations. Every seven Big Dipper Formations, in turn, formed a greater Big Dipper Formation. From Heavenly Axis to Flashing Light, the display was awe-inspiring. The two greater Big Dipper Formations were arranged as one orthodox and one unorthodox,⁸³ mutually generating and overcoming, supporting each other like horns. Guo Jing was secretly alarmed. “I’ve never heard Master Qiu mention this Big Dipper Formation before. It must be something they’ve developed in recent years, even deeper than what the founder, Chongyang, passed down.” He advanced slowly.

From within the formation, someone pursed their lips and whistled. The ninety-eight Daoists suddenly scattered, shifting forward and back, their formation transforming until Guo Jing was surrounded in the centre. Every sword pointed at the ground, every pair of eyes fixed on Guo Jing. Not a word was spoken.

Guo Jing clasped his hands and turned in a full circle. “I am Guo Jing of Jiangnan,” he said. “I have come to your honoured mountain in sincerity to pay my respects to Master Ma, Master Qiu, Master Wang, and the other Daoist masters. I ask all of you, fellow Daoists, not to obstruct me.”

A long-bearded Daoist within the formation said, “Your martial arts are extraordinary. Why degrade yourself by keeping company with evildoers? This humble Daoist offers you well-meaning advice: since ancient times, lust has been the ruin of men. Do not let decades of bitter training be destroyed in a single moment. Our Quanzhen Sect has no prior acquaintance with you and bears you no grudge. Why aid the villains and join these evildoers in causing chaos on the mountain? Leave now, and there may still be room for future encounters.” His voice was low and deep, yet every word was crisp and clear, betraying profound neili. His tone was earnest, a sincere attempt at persuasion.

Guo Jing was both irritated and amused. He thought, “These Daoists have no idea who they think I am. If Ronger were here, she could easily clear up this misunderstanding.” He said, “I know nothing of any evildoers or lustful women. Allow me to meet with Master Ma, Master Qiu, and the others, and all will become clear.”

The long-bearded Daoist said sternly, “You are stubbornly unrepentant. If you insist on seeking instruction from Master Ma and Master Qiu, you must first break through our Greater Big Dipper Formation.” Guo Jing said, “I am but one man, with meagre martial skills. How could I dare contend against your honoured sect’s ultimate art? Please release the child I brought with me and guide me to your sect’s presiding master and Master Qiu.”

The long-bearded Daoist shouted, “You put on this act and mock us with your words! Before Chongyang Palace on Zhongnan Mountain, how dare a lecher like you run wild?” He swept his sword through the air, and the blade’s hum lingered long. All the Daoists swung their swords, and the ninety-eight blades cut through the air, stirring up a fierce wind. The sword light wove into a net of radiance.

Guo Jing fretted inwardly. “His two greater formations are arranged as orthodox and unorthodox, opposing each other. How can I alone seize the North Star Position? Today’s challenge is truly formidable.”

Before he could settle on a plan, the ninety-eight Daoists of the two Greater Big Dipper Formations had already closed in from left and right, their sword light interweaving so tightly that not even a fly could slip through. The long-bearded Daoist called out, “Draw your weapon! The Quanzhen Sect does not harm the unarmed.”

Guo Jing thought, “This Greater Big Dipper Formation is naturally difficult to break, but whether it can actually harm me is another matter. The formation has many members and great power, but their individual skill levels vary, there must be weaknesses. Let me observe their formation first.” Suddenly, he spun like a top and dashed towards the northwest. He used the move “Concealed Dragon, Do Not Act”⁸⁴ from the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms,⁸⁵ his palm extending and retracting as he pushed diagonally with fierce force. Seven young Daoists passed their swords to their left hands, linked together, and simultaneously thrust out their right palms, using the combined strength of seven men to block his strike. Guo Jing had trained this palm technique to the point of divine mastery, the forward-pushing force was certainly tremendous, but the even more formidable part was the retraction that followed. The seven Daoists strained to block his powerful push, never expecting that a great force would immediately pull them forward. Unable to keep their footing, all seven pitched forward involuntarily and fell flat on their faces. Though they sprang up at once, every one of them was covered in dust and deeply ashamed.

The long-bearded Daoist, seeing how formidable his attack was, felling seven martial nephews with a single move, was alarmed. He gave a long whistle and led the fourteen Big Dipper Formations to link together in overlapping layers, reasoning that even if the enemy’s palm strength were ten times greater, he could never push ninety-eight men with both hands.

Guo Jing recalled the great battle at Junshan,⁸⁶ where he and Huang Rong had fought against the Beggars’ Gang. Though their opponents’ individual martial arts were not strong, once they joined forces, they were extremely difficult to overcome. Now, he dared not engage the Daoists in a direct contest of strength. He deployed his qinggong, weaving and darting through the formation, searching for gaps.

He dashed east and leapt west, forcing the formation to shift and change. After only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he knew that relying on his strength alone, breaking this formation would be extremely difficult. First, he was unwilling to use heavy, injurious techniques. Second, the formation was so flawlessly tight that it seemed to have no weaknesses at all. Third, his mind was slow, while the formation’s transformations were fast, even if there were gaps, he could not spot them in time. Under the bright moonlight, sword light flowed like water, human shadows surged like a tide, coming and going without end.

After fighting for a while longer, the formation gradually tightened, and it became harder and harder to dart through the gaps. He thought, “Why don’t I just break out of the formation and go straight into Chongyang Palace to see Masters Ma and Qiu?” He looked up and scanned the area. On the western side of the mountain were twenty or thirty buildings, several of them grand in construction, Chongyang Palace must be among them. He dashed east, and with a few leaps, had already turned and headed west.

The Daoists saw his movement technique suddenly accelerate, a grey blur streaking through the formation like a shooting star or flash of lightning, almost impossible to track. They grew dizzy, and their attacks momentarily stalled. The long-bearded Daoist called out, “Everyone be careful! Don’t fall for the lecher’s tricks.”

Guo Jing was furious. He thought, “Over and over, they call me a lecher. If this reputation spreads through the jianghu, what kind of man will I, Guo Jing, be considered?” He also thought, “This formation is directed by him. If I can take him down, I may be able to break the formation.” He parted his palms and charged straight at the long-bearded Daoist. But one of the subtleties of this formation was precisely to lure the enemy into attacking the commander, while the smaller formations seized the opportunity to envelop from east and west, surround from south and strike from north, the enemy would then fall into the trap. Guo Jing had only advanced seven or eight steps when he sensed the danger. The pressure behind him surged, and attacks rolled in from both sides. He was about to turn right when fourteen swords from two small formations directly ahead thrust at him simultaneously. The timing and positioning of these fourteen thrusts were so perfectly coordinated that there was no way to dodge.

Trapped in danger, Guo Jing felt no fear, only growing rage. “Even if you’ve mistaken me for some villain or lecher, you’re men of the cloth who should be compassionate. Why is every move a killing blow? Do you really want my life? And what was that about ‘the Quanzhen Sect does not harm the unarmed’?” He suddenly lunged diagonally, his right foot flying out as his left hand reached forward. He kicked one young Daoist into a somersault while simultaneously seizing his sword. Seeing seven swords coming at his right side, he swept his left hand out. Eight blades met with a sharp crack, and all seven opposing swords snapped in half, while the sword in his own hand remained perfectly intact. The sword he had taken was no different from the others, not a particularly sharp or treasured blade. He had simply channelled his neili into the blade’s edge, shattering all seven opposing swords at once.

The seven Daoists were so terrified their faces turned the colour of earth. In that moment of shock, two adjacent Big Dipper Formations immediately rotated in, raising their swords to protect them. Guo Jing saw that these fourteen men each had their left hand on the right shoulder of the Daoist beside them, the strength of all fourteen had been united into one. He thought, “Let me test the true depth of my power.” He swung his sword and adhered it to the blade of the fourteenth Daoist.

That Daoist pulled back desperately, but his sword seemed welded to a bronze cauldron or iron anvil, it would not budge. The other thirteen each exerted their strength, trying to combine the power of fourteen men to neutralise the enemy’s adhering force. Guo Jing had been waiting for them to combine their strength. The moment he felt the pulling force on his hand surge, he shouted, “Careful!” He vibrated his right arm. A series of cracks rang out, like some great object being toppled. Twelve swords shattered. The last two, however, flew into the air. The fourteen Daoists, terrified beyond measure, scrambled to leap away. Guo Jing sighed inwardly. “After all, my skill is not yet perfectly refined, two swords escaped being shattered.”

This development added another layer of caution to the Daoists’ hearts, and their attacks grew even steadier. Though twenty-one Daoists had lost their weapons, their palm strikes carried the force of wind, their power undiminished. Guo Jing’s sword-shattering strike had not fully met his expectations, and he sensed the enemy formation growing ever more solid and stable. He thought: who knew what new innovations Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, and the others had made to the Big Dipper Formation over these years? If the enemy suddenly produced some brilliant new variation that he could not counter in time, he might well be captured by the Daoists. There was no time to lose, he must seize the initiative. He called out loudly, “Fellow Daoists, if you do not make way, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

The long-bearded Daoist, seeing that his side was gradually gaining the upper hand, assumed Guo Jing’s skills had reached their limit. He thought: even if you shatter all ninety-eight of our swords, you still cannot escape the Quanzhen Sect’s Greater Big Dipper Formation. Hearing Guo Jing’s shout, he merely gave a faint, cold smile and said nothing, instead driving the formation even tighter.

Guo Jing suddenly dropped low and darted to the northeast corner. He saw two small formations from the southwest shadowing him like a reflection and, in that instant, his fingertips trembled. His sword thrust fourteen times in the span of a breath, fourteen points of cold starlight seeming to shoot out simultaneously. Each thrust struck a Daoist on the outer side of the right wrist, precisely at the “Yang Valley”⁸⁷ acupoint. This was the most advanced level of swordsmanship, the blade moved like wind, swift as lightning, yet its landing points were accurate to the finest hair, as if fourteen hidden projectiles had been launched at once.

His strikes were extremely light. Each Daoist felt only a numbness in the wrist, their fingers losing strength, and fourteen swords clattered to the ground together. Terrified, they scrambled backward to examine their wrists. They saw only a faint red mark at the Yang Valley acupoint, with not a drop of blood seeping out. Only then did they realise that their opponent had used the tip of his sword to perform acupoint-sealing technique,⁸⁸ the force penetrating the acupoint without damaging the skin. The Daoists were secretly astonished, all thinking: though this lecher is shameless, he is not entirely cruel. Had he not shown mercy, severing our hands would have cost him no more effort than blowing away dust.

By now, a total of thirty-five swords had left their owners’ hands. The long-bearded Daoist was deeply angered. He knew full well that Guo Jing had not used lethal force, but the Quanzhen Sect had indeed lost face. Moreover, if they allowed such a powerful opponent to force his way into the palace, the consequences would be grave. He issued a rapid series of commands, tightening the formation, thinking: with ninety-eight Daoists closing in from all sides, we’ll crush you to death if nothing else.

Guo Jing thought, “These Daoists truly don’t know what’s good for them. It can’t be helped, I’ll have to give them a serious setback.” He drew his left palm diagonally and pushed his right palm to the left. One Big Dipper Formation’s seven Daoists rotated forward to receive it. Guo Jing dashed to the North Star Position, and a second Big Dipper Formation immediately attacked. There were now fourteen Big Dipper Formations, and thus fourteen North Star Positions. Guo Jing had no ability to divide himself and could not possibly occupy fourteen critical positions at once. He deployed his the skill of lightness, the moment he seized the first formation’s North Star Position, he immediately shifted to the second formation’s North Star Position. After several such shifts, the formation began to show signs of chaos.

The long-bearded Daoist saw the situation turning unfavourable and urgently transmitted orders, commanding the Daoists to spread far apart, stabilise their positions, and use stillness to counter motion. He knew that if everyone followed the enemy in wild rotation, the enemy’s speed would allow him to exploit the gaps and disrupt the formation. But if they held their ground, the fourteen North Star Positions were far apart from one another, no matter how fast the enemy’s movement technique, he could not seize them all at once.

Guo Jing silently applauded. “This Daoist brother understands the essentials of formation tactics, he certainly adapts quickly. Since they’re standing still, I’ll take this chance to head for Chongyang Palace.” But then another thought struck him. “Ah, no, could it be that Masters Ma and Qiu are not in the palace? Otherwise, after fighting with these Daoists for so long, how could Master Qiu and the others not know about it?” He looked up towards Chongyang Palace and suddenly saw flashes of white light at the corners of the temple buildings, as though people were fighting with weapons. The distance was too great to make out their forms, and he could not hear the clash of blades.

Guo Jing’s heart stirred. “Who would be so bold as to start a fight at Chongyang Palace? Tonight’s events are truly strange.” He wanted to rush over and see what was happening, but the fourteen Big Dipper Formations pressed closer, tangling with him ever more tightly. Anxious, he used “The Dragon Appears in the Field”⁸⁹ with his left palm and “The Arrogant Dragon Repents”⁹⁰ with his right, employing the Technique of Mutual Hands⁹¹ to attack left and right simultaneously. He saw the forty-nine men of the left Greater Big Dipper Formation blocking his left move, and the forty-nine men of the right blocking his right move. Before his moves were fully executed, he changed them midway, “The Dragon Appears in the Field” became “The Arrogant Dragon Repents,” and “The Arrogant Dragon Repents” became “The Dragon Appears in the Field.”

Using the Technique of Mutual Hands to execute different moves with each hand was already extraordinarily difficult, but to swap the moves midway, this was something the Daoists had never seen or even heard of. The left Greater Big Dipper Formation had been blocking his “The Dragon Appears in the Field,” while the right blocked his “The Arrogant Dragon Repents.” These two moves went in opposite directions, and the Daoists on both sides were straining to resist them. How could they have anticipated that in the blink of an eye, he would swap the moves? Guo Jing’s figure flickered, and he had already slipped through the gap between the two formations. The forty-nine Daoists on the left and the forty-nine on the right were just then pouring their strength into a forward charge, how could they possibly stop now? There was a thunderous crash as the two formations collided. Some had broken swords and injured arms, others had swollen noses and blackened eyes, and more than thirty had knocked each other down in the collision.

Though the long-bearded Daoist commanding the formation had dodged quickly and avoided being injured by his fellow Daoists, he was already in a wretched state. In his fury, he shouted orders repeatedly, hastily reorganising the formation. Seeing Guo Jing heading towards the great pool at the mountain’s foot, the Jade Clarity Pool⁹², he led the fourteen small formations in pursuit. The martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect originally emphasised tranquillity and non-action, using softness to overcome hardness. For the commander to lose his temper was to violate the greatest taboo of Quanzhen martial arts. With his heart restless and his qi coarse, there could be no talk of assessing the enemy’s situation or adapting to circumstances.

Guo Jing had just reached the edge of the Jade Clarity Pool when he saw the water stretching before him. He swung his right-hand sword and cut a thick branch from a willow tree by the pool, then threw down the sword. Grasping the branch with both hands, he hurled it far out into the water. He pushed off with his feet, his body soaring into the air, and tapped the tip of his right foot on the branch. The branch sank straight down, but he had already borrowed the force to leap to the opposite shore.

The Daoists were running at full speed and could not stop in time. A series of splashes rang out as forty or fifty of them tumbled into the water. The last few dozen managed to stop at the edge by stepping on the backs of those ahead. Some Daoists could not swim and bobbed up and down in the pool, while those who could swim hurried to rescue them. By the Jade Clarity Pool, the Daoists dragged through mud and water, shouting and yelling, the scene one of utter chaos.

neili (内功). Nèigōng. Cultivation of qi through meditation, breathing exercises, and specialised training. neili enhances all martial arts and is the foundation of advanced techniques. ↩
欧阳锋 – Ōuyáng Fēng. His name meaning “blade” or “cutting edge”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
洪七公 – Hóng Qīgōng. Literally Hong the Seventh Lord; the numeral seven marks seniority among sworn brothers. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
桃花岛 – Táohuā Dǎo. Huang Yaoshi’s island stronghold, continued from LOCH era. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
丐帮 – Gàibāng. Largest martial arts organisation in the jianghu, continued from LOCH era. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
鲁有脚 – Lǔ Yǒujiǎo. His name meaning “having feet”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
江南 – Jiāngnán. Prosperous region south of Yangtze River, continued from LOCH era. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
郭啸天 – Guō Xiàotiān. His name meaning “roaring at heaven”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
杨铁心 – Yáng Tiěxīn. His name meaning “iron heart”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
杨康 – Yáng Kāng. His name meaning “health” or “peace”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
铁枪庙 – Tiěqiāng Miào. Iron Spear Temple in Jiaxing, named after the iron spear of the Five Dynasties general Wang Yanzhang. It is where Yang Kang met his death. ↩
嘉兴 – Jiāxīng. City in northern Zhejiang Province, known for its South Lake and its role as a key location in Jin Yong’s novels. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
杨过 – Yáng Guò. His name meaning “fault or transgression”; his courtesy name Gaizhi means “to correct it”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
郭靖 – Guō Jìng. His name meaning “tranquillity” or “pacification”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
郭芙 – Guō Fú. Her name meaning “lotus”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
弹指阁 – Tánzhǐ Gé. Flicking Finger Pavilion on Peach Blossom Island, named after Huang Yaoshi’s signature technique, the Flicking Finger Divine Skill. ↩
两忘峰 – Liǎngwàng Fēng. Two-Forgetting Peak on Peach Blossom Island. Name evokes the Daoist concept of mutual forgetting from the Zhuangzi. ↩
清啸亭 – Qīngxiào Tíng. Clear-Whistling Pavilion, a landmark on Peach Blossom Island. ↩
武敦儒 – Wǔ Dūnrú. His name meaning “earnest scholar”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
武修文 – Wǔ Xiūwén. His name meaning “cultivate literature”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
蛇蟀 – shé xī. Literally snake cricket, a type of cricket that lives alongside venomous snakes and carries their scent, making it fearsome to ordinary crickets. ↩
穆念慈 – Mù Niàncí. Her name meaning “cherishing kindness”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
试剑峰 – Shìjiàn Fēng. Sword-Testing Peak, the highest and most dangerous peak on Peach Blossom Island, where Huang Yaoshi would test his newly devised martial arts moves. ↩
黄药师 – Huáng Yàoshī. His name meaning “medicine master”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
里 – lǐ. Traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately one-third of a mile or five hundred metres. ↩
柯镇恶 – Kē Zhèn’è. His name meaning “subduing evil”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
义父 – yìfù. Literally righteous father, a godfather. Yang Guo’s term for Ouyang Feng, who accepted him as a godson in Chapter 2. ↩
蛤蟆功 – Hámá Gōng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
大师父 – Dà Shīfu. Great Shifu, Guo Jing’s respectful term for Ke Zhen’e, the eldest of his seven shifu. ↩
朱聪、韩宝驹、南希仁 – Zhū Cōng, Hán Bǎojū, Nán Xīrén. Three of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, Ke Zhen’e’s sworn brothers. All except Ke Zhen’e were killed by Ouyang Feng and Yang Kang at Peach Blossom Island. ↩
江南七怪 – Jiāngnán Qī Guài. Group of seven martial artists from Jiaxing who followed their own code of honour. They took a bet to find and train Guo Jing and spent years in the Mongolian steppes fulfilling the vow; their integrity and loyalty were legendary. ↩
长兴 – Chángxīng. County near Lake Tai in Zhejiang Province, where Mu Nianci lived and raised Yang Guo. ↩
Quanzhen Sect (全真教). Major Daoist school founded by Wang Chongyang. In Jin Yong’s wuxia universe, it is one of the most powerful martial arts sects, based at the Chongyang Palace on Mount Zhongnan. Its seven senior disciples are known as the Seven Masters of Quanzhen. ↩
妙手书生 – Miàoshǒu Shūshēng. Skilful Hand Scholar, the nickname of Zhu Cong, the second of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. ↩
有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎 – Yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái, bù yì lè hū. Famous line from the Analects of Confucius, expressing joy at a friend’s arrival from afar. ↩
论语 – Lúnyǔ. Analects, one of the Four Books of Confucianism, recording the teachings and conversations of Confucius. It has been the foundational text of Chinese education for over two millennia. ↩
内力 – nèilì. Literally internal force. Kinetic manifestation of cultivated qi. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
孟子 – Mèngzǐ. Mencius, another of the Four Books, recording the teachings of the Confucian philosopher Mencius. Huang Rong’s choice to teach these texts reflects her hope that classical moral education might shape Yang Guo’s character. ↩
托梁换柱 – Tuō Liáng Huàn Zhù. Literally removing the beam and changing the pillar, a grappling technique of Quan Jinfa of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. Name evokes the idiom of secretly substituting one thing for another. ↩
五行 (Wǔxíng). “Five Elements” or “Five Phases”: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. They interact through cycles of mutual generation and mutual overcoming, forming the basis of Chinese cosmology, medicine, and strategic thought. ↩
全金发 – Quán Jīnfā. One of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, known as the Marketplace Hero. Trader by profession, his fighting style incorporated practical, street-smart techniques. ↩
闹市侠隐 – Nàoshì Xiáyǐn. Marketplace Hero, the nickname of Quan Jinfa, reflecting his background as a trader who concealed his martial arts skill in plain sight. ↩
丹田 – dāntián. Cinnabar field, a key energy centre in the body in Daoist internal alchemy and Chinese martial arts. Lower dantian, below the navel, is the primary centre for storing and cultivating qi. ↩
重阳宫 – Chóngyáng Gōng. Main temple of Quanzhen Order on Zhongnan Mountain. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
终南山 – Zhōngnán Shān. Sacred Daoist mountain housing both Quanzhen Order and Ancient Tomb School. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
长春子 – Chángchūnzǐ. Daoist name of Qiu Chuji, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, meaning Perpetual Spring. ↩
丘处机 – Qiū Chǔjī. His name meaning “dwelling in opportunity”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
武林 – wǔlín. Literally martial forest. Martial arts community and its schools and practitioners. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
樊川 – Fánchuān. Region at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain, named after Fan Kuai, a general who helped Liu Bang found the Han dynasty. ↩
樊哙 – Fán Kuài. Prominent military general of the early Han dynasty, known for his bravery and loyalty to Liu Bang, the founding emperor. ↩
普光寺 – Pǔguāng Sì. Puguang Temple, a Buddhist temple on the approach to Zhongnan Mountain. Puguang means universal light. ↩
长春 – Chángchūn. Perpetual Spring, part of Qiu Chuji’s Daoist name. ↩
丘处机诗 – Qiū Chǔjī shī. Poem by Qiu Chuji reflecting his Daoist worldview and compassion for human suffering. Final couplet expresses a radical Daoist sentiment: that it would be better if the universe returned to primordial chaos than for sentient beings to continue suffering. ↩
全真七子 – Quánzhēn Qī Zǐ. Seven Masters of Quanzhen, the seven personal disciples of Wang Chongyang: Ma Yu, Tan Chuduan, Liu Chuxuan, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, Hao Datong, and Sun Bu’er. ↩
马钰 – Mǎ Yù. His name meaning “precious jade”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
王处一 – Wáng Chùyī. His name meaning “dwelling in oneness”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
江湖 – jiānghú. Literally rivers and lakes. Term refers to the jianghu: the subculture of wandering knights-errant, martial artists, and sect members who live outside mainstream society, governed by its own codes of honour, loyalty, and vengeance. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
大关门式 – Dà Guānmén Shì. Great Gate-Closing Form, a Quanzhen technique in which two practitioners coordinate to trap an opponent between them. ↩
鸳鸯连环腿 – Yuānyāng Liánhuán Tuǐ. Mandarin Duck Chain Kick, a kicking technique named after mandarin ducks, symbols of inseparable pairs in Chinese culture. ↩
探海屠龙 – Tàn Hǎi Tú Lóng. Probing the Sea to Slay the Dragon, a sword technique aimed at the opponent’s lower body. ↩
罡风扫叶 – Gāng Fēng Sǎo Yè. Cyclone Sweeping the Leaves, a horizontal sword slash named after the fierce winds of Daoist cosmology. ↩
顺手推舟 – Shùnshǒu Tuī Zhōu. Following the Current to Push the Boat, a technique of redirecting an opponent’s force, named after the natural ease of pushing a boat downstream. ↩
虎口 – hǔkǒu. Literally tiger’s mouth. Web of flesh between the thumb and forefinger. ↩
天罡北斗阵 – Tiāngāng Běidǒu Zhèn. Quanzhen battle formation based on the Northern Dipper. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
王重阳 – Wáng Chóngyáng. Historical founder of the Quanzhen school of Daoism (1113–1170). In Jin Yong’s world he won the first Huashan Sword Summit and was the greatest martial artist of his era. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
金莲阁 – Jīnlián Gé. Golden Lotus Pavilion, a landmark on the path up Zhongnan Mountain. ↩
日月岩 – Rìyuè Yán. Sun and Moon Crag, a rock formation on Zhongnan Mountain. ↩
抱子岩 – Bàozi Yán. Child-Holding Crag, a rock formation on Zhongnan Mountain resembling a woman holding a child. ↩
分花拂柳 – Fēn Huā Fú Liǔ. Parting Flowers and Brushing Willows, a graceful sword technique involving a lateral sweeping motion. ↩
弹指神通 – Tánzhǐ Shéntōng. Flicking Finger Divine Skill, Huang Yaoshi’s signature technique. Practitioner flicks a finger to release a powerful burst of neili, capable of disarming opponents or launching projectiles with devastating force. ↩
北极星位 – Běijíxīng Wèi. North Star Position, the critical pivot point of the Big Dipper Formation. Whoever occupies this position controls the entire formation. ↩
天权 – Tiānquán. Heavenly Pivot, the fourth star of the Big Dipper (Megrez in Ursa Major), one of the seven positions in the formation. ↩
摇光 – Yáoguāng. Flashing Light, the seventh star of the Big Dipper (Alkaid in Ursa Major), the tip of the Dipper’s handle. ↩
天枢 – Tiānshū. Heavenly Axis, the first star of the Big Dipper (Dubhe in Ursa Major), the lead position in the formation. ↩
天璇 – Tiānxuán. Heavenly Jade, the second star of the Big Dipper (Merak in Ursa Major). ↩
玉衡 – Yùhéng. Jade Sighting-Tube, the fifth star of the Big Dipper (Alioth in Ursa Major). ↩
开阳 – Kāiyáng. Open Sun, the sixth star of the Big Dipper (Mizar in Ursa Major). ↩
恩仇 – ēnchóu. Kindness and enmity, a central concept in wulin ethics. Debts of gratitude and vengeance are taken with the utmost seriousness and often drive the plot of wuxia stories. ↩
玉阳 – Yùyáng. Jade Sun, the Daoist name of Wang Chuyi. ↩
赵王府 – Zhào Wángfǔ. Prince Zhao’s mansion, the residence of Wanyan Honglie, the Sixth Prince of the Jin Empire. Guo Jing and Huang Rong infiltrated it during The Legend of the Condor Heroes. ↩
Tian Ji (田忌). General of the Qi kingdom during the Warring States period, famous for winning a horse race against the King of Qi using Sun Bin’s strategy. ↩
轻功 – qīnggōng. Literally lightness skill. Martial art of body lightness; masters can leap great heights and move with extraordinary speed. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
正奇 – zhèng qí. Orthodox and unorthodox, a concept from Chinese military strategy. Orthodox forces engage directly while unorthodox forces manoeuvre to strike from unexpected angles. Applied here to describe the two complementary Greater Big Dipper Formations. ↩
潜龙勿用 – Qiánlóng Wùyòng. Concealed Dragon, Do Not Act, the first move of the Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing. Name comes from the first line of the Yijing hexagram for the Creative. ↩
降龙十八掌 – Xiánglóng Shíbā Zhǎng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
君山 – Jūn Shān. Island in Lake Dongting, site of the Beggar Clan assembly where Huang Rong became chief. ↩
阳谷 – Yánggǔ. Yang Valley, an acupoint on the outer wrist. Striking it precisely can numb the hand and cause the opponent to drop their weapon. ↩
打穴 – dǎ xué. Acupoint-sealing technique, the martial art of striking specific acupoints on the body to disable, paralyse, or kill an opponent. Requires extreme precision and knowledge of the body’s meridian system. ↩
“The Dragon Appears in the Field” (见龙在田). Jiàn Lóng Zài Tián. Second move of the Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing, a defensive technique. Name comes from the Book of Changes (I Ching). ↩
亢龙有悔 – Kànglóng Yǒuhuǐ. Literally the soaring dragon has regrets. First stance of the Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
左右互搏 – Zuǒyòu Hùbó. Zhou Botong’s technique of fighting with each hand independently. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
玉清池 – Yùqīng Chí. Jade Clarity Pool, a large pool at the foot of the mountains near Chongyang Palace. Jade Clarity is one of the Three Pure Realms in Daoist cosmology. ↩

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