A Hero Born--The Definitive Edition Read online

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  INTRODUCTION

  DEAR READER,

  It begins with a storyteller, with news from the north, a tale of crushing defeat and humiliation, a great Chinese Empire in tatters and fleeing south.

  It begins with a court corrupt to the core, willing to sacrifice the Chinese people to the invading Jurchen tribes for the chance of gold and escape.

  It begins with two patriots, two farmers self-taught in the martial arts, and one Taoist priest determined to avenge their deaths.

  It begins with two sons, still in their mothers’ bellies when their fathers are slain, divided and taken into enemy hands, brought up far away from their Chinese motherland.

  This is the start of an explosive epic of courage, honor, and justice by one of the world’s best-loved writers.

  You are about to begin a journey that will span the lengths of the Chinese Empire and beyond, traverse centuries, and witness dynasties rise and fall in brutal wars and deceitful invasions, brave men fight and die for their homeland, and traitors exchange honor for personal gain. You will meet young men and women with remarkable kung fu skills, and you will encounter gruff men who, despite appearances, always respect the code of honor that governs the martial arts world. You will be amazed by semi-celestial animals, magic medicinal concoctions, and poison-tipped weapons. You will come face-to-face with princes who manipulate and mothers who are easily manipulated, men whose love is undying and women whose hearts never err.

  Jin Yong was the pen name of Louis Cha, born in Zhejiang Province in China in 1924. As Jin Yong, his fictional universe has captured the imagination of generations of Chinese readers ever since his first novel appeared in serialized form in the Hong Kong newspaper New Evening Post in 1955. He went on to write fourteen novels, most of which are in fact the length of several novels by modern publishing standards, and one final short story. These epics, of which Legends of the Condor Heroes is considered one of his best, quickly cemented Jin Yong’s reputation as a master of the wuxia genre, which can be roughly translated as “martial heroes” literature. The genre has its antecedents in some of the earliest vernacular writing found in Chinese. Although disparaged by some early commentators, elements now considered fundamental to this literature have been argued to be present in great works of “serious” literature such as Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji). Wuxia fiction’s counterculture credentials have, however, always formed a large part of its appeal. While there are features that feel familiar to us from western chivalric literature, the martial arts fighters who populate Jin Yong’s books are often lone figures from the lower levels of society rather than members of court, who burn with a strong sense of justice and righteousness, or sometimes mere ego and greed.

  Unashamedly entertaining, even to this day some have wished to write martial arts fiction off as merely the stuff of pulp, but with Jin Yong’s writing came a serious challenge. Born into a wealthy landowning family later stripped of their wealth under Maoism, Louis Cha attended law school before turning to journalism after moving to Hong Kong. Yet this was merely the start of a life of learning, which saw him gain two PhDs in his eighties, one on Tang dynasty history at Cambridge University and one in Chinese literature at Peking University. The depth of his knowledge of Chinese history and the classics of Chinese writing are evident everywhere in his novels. Furthermore, his body of writing has given rise to an area of academic study all of its own, known as Jinology.

  Remarkably, you hold in your hands the first edition of Legends of the Condor Heroes to have ever been published in English in the United States. Considering that he has sold in the hundreds of millions and his reputation extends over most of East Asia, it is astonishing that it has taken sixty years to get here. Why, may you ask? Many have considered Jin Yong’s world too foreign, too Chinese, for an English-speaking readership. Impossible to translate. The fact that it hadn’t been done was proof that it could never be done.

  I first came across Jin Yong in my first term of reading Modern Chinese Studies at Oxford University. I was still stuck in the rudimentaries, shakily tracing my first characters and trying to sound out the correct tones of ni hao, hello. Even then, without a hope of being able to read them, Chinese friends were telling me about their favorite author. “You must read his books! I’ve loved them since I was a child,” I kept hearing. It was to take me another three years of intensive study to even dare to open one and try. And instantly, I was hooked. With a dictionary by my side, I started to wander great emotional landscapes of love, loyalty, honor, and the power of the individual against successive corrupt governments and invading forces.

  It was to be some years later, however, that I would actually try to translate Jin Yong’s writing. I had published a few translations of contemporary Chinese novels already and was starting out on my career as an agent representing Chinese writers when I got the chance to try pitching and translating Legends of the Condor Heroes. I was convinced that it would work in English, that people would fall in love with these stories the way Jin Yong’s readers had in China if only they got the chance. The supposed “untranslatability” of it seemed strange to me, as the fundamental emotional worlds of these characters felt as universal as any story could hope to be. And yet … my first attempt was a disappointment, dry and flat. The action felt dead on the page. I was beginning to understand why it was considered difficult. After months of work, edits, and feedback from the agent I was working with, we had a draft that was ready to be shown to editors. And the reaction was instant. Six publishers were keen, but one of the UK’s most eminent editors was determined to have it for his list. Before I knew it, I was embarking on a full-length translation.

  It was, and as I continue through the series continues to be, a life-defining challenge to translate these books. Jin Yong’s status, his many, many, many adoring fans, and their expectations have worn heavy on my shoulders. But my greatest debt lies to you, the English reader, those of you who cannot pick up an original copy and discover Jin Yong on his terms alone. Perhaps this is always the hardest part of being a translator. To me, the most important thing is to try to re-create the feeling of reading Jin Yong in Chinese, the pace, the excitement, the emotional highs and lows. There will be words and concepts unfamiliar, quotations from ancient verse and philosophical texts alongside amusing set pieces and great humor. These are the things that make Jin Yong a master, my shifu if I may presume to call him such, because he can combine the profound and the comical like no other. In 2018, we lost Louis Cha. But we will always have Jin Yong, and his legacy lives on now in ever more languages around the world.

  So, dear reader, all that is left is to enter through these pages into a universe at once fantastical and based on real historical events, one both foreign and intimately familiar, a story full of heart and of remarkable physical prowess.

  —ANNA HOLMWOOD,

  TRANSLATOR

  CHARACTERS

  As they appear in this, the first volume of Legends of the Condor Heroes: A Hero Born

  MAIN CHARACTERS

  Guo Jing, son of Skyfury Guo and Lily Li. After his father’s death before he was born, he grows up with his mother in Mongolia, where they are looked after by the future Genghis Khan.

  Yang Kang, son of Ironheart Yang and Charity Bao, sworn as brother to Guo Jing while both are still in their mothers’ bellies.

  Lotus Huang is highly skilled in kung fu, but she refuses to reveal the identity of her Master when challenged.

  THE SONG PATRIOTS

  Ironheart Yang, descendent of Triumph Yang, onetime rebel turned patriot who served under General Yue Fei. Ironheart practices the Yang Family Spear, a technique passed from father to son.

  Married to Charity Bao, daughter of a country scholar from Red Plum Village.

  Skyfury Guo, sworn brother to Ironheart Yang, he is descended from Prosperity Guo, one of the heroes of the Marshes of Mount Liang. Skyfury fights with the double halberd, in keeping with the Guo family tradition.

  Married to Lily Li, Guo Jing’s mother. She escapes the attack on Ox Village and ends up in Mongolia with Guo Jing.

  Qu San, owner of Ox Village’s only tavern, he keeps his kung fu skills secret from the rest of the villagers.

  Mu Yi travels all across Song- and Jin-controlled lands with his daughter Mercy Mu, organizing a martial contest in order to find her a suitable husband.

  SONG IMPERIAL TRAITORS

  Justice Duan, an army officer to the Song who, in actual fact, works for the Jin.

  Wang Daoqian, a military official in the Song court, he is killed by Qiu
Chuji for accepting bribes by the Jin.

  THE FIVE GREATS

  Considered the five greatest martial artists after a contest was held on Mount Hua. Only two are mentioned in this first book in the series:

  The Eastern Heretic Apothecary Huang, a loner and radical who practices his unorthodox martial arts on Peach Blossom Island along with his wife and six students. He holds traditions and their accompanying morals in contempt and believes only in true love and honor. His eccentricity and heretical views make others suspicious of him, an image he himself cultivates.

  Double Sun Wang Chongyang, founder of the Quanzhen Sect in the Zhongnan Mountains, with the aim of training Taoists in the martial arts so that they might defend the Song against the Jurchen invasion. A real historical figure, he lived from A.D. 1113 to 1170.

  THE QUANZHEN TAOIST SECT

  A real branch of Taoism, whose name means “Way of Complete Perfection.”

  THE SEVEN IMMORTALS, STUDENTS OF WANG CHONGYANG

  Only three of the Immortals make their appearance in this first book of the series:

  Scarlet Sun Ma Yu, the oldest of the Immortals, teaches internal kung fu based on breathing techniques.

  Eternal Spring Qiu Chuji befriends Ironheart Yang and Skyfury Guo at the beginning of the series and vows to protect their unborn offspring. To this end, he devises a martial contest with the Seven Freaks of the South. He becomes teacher to Yang Kang.

  Jade Sun Wang Chuyi, the Iron Foot Immortal, befriends Guo Jing after hearing of Qiu Chuji’s contest with the Seven Freaks of the South.

  Harmony Yin, apprentice to Qiu Chuji.

  THE SEVEN FREAKS OF THE SOUTH

  Also known as the Seven Heroes of the South when being addressed respectfully by other characters. They refer to themselves as a martial family, despite being of no blood relation.

  Ke Zhen’e, Suppressor of Evil, also known as Flying Bat. The oldest of the Freaks, he is often referred to as Big Brother. Blinded in a fight, his preferred weapon is his flying devilnuts, iron projectiles made in the shape of a kind of water chestnut native to China.

  Quick Hands Zhu Cong the Intelligent is known for his quick thinking and even quicker sleight of hand. His dirty scholar’s dress and broken oilpaper fan, really made from iron, belie his real martial skill. He is particularly knowledgeable in acupressure points, using them to disable his opponents in a fight. At times, he might also use his skills to steal gold and other items, but only from those he thinks dishonorable and thus deserving of such trickery.

  Ryder Han, Protector of the Steeds, only three feet in height but a formidable fighter when sitting astride a horse.

  Woodcutter Nan the Merciful, known for his kind, if not shy, nature, teaches Guo Jing saber technique. He fights with an iron-tipped shoulder pole.

  Zhang Asheng, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is a burly man dressed as a butcher, whose preferred weapon is a butcher’s knife. He is secretly in love with Jade Han.

  Gilden Quan the Prosperous, Cloaked Master of the Market, is a master of the rules of the marketplace and always looking for a good deal. He fights with a set of scales.

  Jade Han, Maiden of the Yue Sword, is the youngest and only female of the group. She is trained in the Yue Sword, a technique particular to the region surrounding Jiaxing and developed when the Kingdom of Yue was at war with the Kingdom of Wu in the fifth century B.C.

  THE MONGOLIANS

  The Great Khan Temujin, one of the great warlords who will go on to unite the various Mongolian tribes and assume the name Genghis Khan.

  Temujin’s children:

  Jochi, Temujin’s eldest son.

  Chagatai, the second son.

  Ogedai, the third son.

  Tolui, the fourth son, and Guo Jing’s sworn brother.

  Khojin, one of many daughters whose names are mostly lost to history. Temujin betroths her first to Tusakha, son of his rival Senggum, and then to Guo Jing.

  Temujin’s allies and followers:

  Jamuka, Temujin’s sworn brother and ally.

  Jebe, whose name means “arrow” and “Divine Archer” in Mongolian, is made a commander of Temujin’s men after demonstrating his great skill with a bow and arrow, and showing himself to be a loyal fighter of considerable principle.

  Temujin’s Four Great Generals:

  Muqali, Bogurchi, Boroqul, and Tchila’un.

  Temujin’s rivals:

  Ong Khan, sworn brother of Temujin’s father.

  Senggum, son of Ong Khan.

  Tusakha, son of Senggum, is only a few years older than Guo Jing and bullies him and Tolui when they are young.

  THE JIN EMPIRE

  Wanyan Honglie, Sixth Prince, titled Prince of Zhao, has made conquering the Song his own personal mission, in order to secure his reputation and legacy among his own people. He is an astute tactician, using rivalries and jealousies within the Song court and the wulin to his own advantage.

  Wanyan Hongxi, Third Prince, lacks his younger brother’s political sense, especially when dealing with the Mongols.

  Wanyan Kang, son of the Sixth Prince Wanyan Honglie, is arrogant and entitled, but possesses considerable martial skill. He fights Guo Jing after refusing to marry Mercy Mu.

  Consort to the Sixth Prince, mother of Wanyan Kang.

  FOLLOWERS OF THE SIXTH PRINCE WANYAN HONGLIE

  Gallant Ouyang, Master of White Camel Mount in the Kunlun Range, nephew to one of the Five Greats, Viper Ouyang, Venom of the West.

  The Dragon King Hector Sha controls the Yellow River with his four rather more useless apprentices, whose lack of skill infuriates their Master, despite the fact that it is most likely his foul temper that has prevented them from learning anything more than their rather basic moves.

  The Four Daemons of the Yellow River

  Shen Qinggang the Strong, whose weapon is a saber called the Spirit Cleaver.

  Wu Qinglie the Bold fights with a spear called the Dispatcher.

  Ma Qingxiong the Valiant is known for his Soul Snatcher whip.

  Qian Qingjian the Hardy is armed with a pair of axes known as the Great Reapers.

  Browbeater Hou, the Three-Horned Dragon, so named for the three cysts on his forehead.

  Graybeard Liang, also known as Old Liang, the Ginseng Immortal and, more disparagingly, the Ginseng Codger. He comes from the Mountain of Eternal Snow (Changbai Mountain) up in the northeast, close to the current border with Korea, where he has practiced kung fu for many years as a hermit, as well as mixing special medicinal concoctions with the aim of prolonging life and gaining strength.

  Lama Supreme Wisdom Lobsang Choden Rinpoche, from Kokonor, now known as Qinghai. He is famed for his Five Finger Blade kung fu.

  Tiger Peng the Outlaw, Butcher of a Thousand Hands, has command of much of the mountainous region surrounding the Jin capital, Yanjing, which would later become Peking.

  PEACH BLOSSOM ISLAND

  Twice Foul Dark Wind were apprentices of Apothecary Huang, who fled Peach Blossom Island and eloped after stealing the Nine Yin Manual. Husband Hurricane Chen, known as Copper Corpse, and wife Cyclone Mei, known as Iron Corpse, are masters of Nine Yin Skeleton Claw. They killed Ke Zhen’e’s brother, Ke Bixie the Talisman.

  THE IMMORTAL CLOUD SECT

  Abbot Withered Wood, of Cloudy Perch Temple, is uncle to Justice Duan. He hates his treacherous nephew, but is tricked into enlisting the help of Scorched Wood and the Seven Freaks of the South to fight against Qiu Chuji.

  Reverend Scorched Wood, of Fahua Temple, is a fellow disciple of Withered Wood’s martial Master.

  CHAPTER ONE

  SUDDENLY A SNOW STORM

  1

  The Qiantang river stretches from the west, where its waters swell day and night, past the new imperial capital of Lin’an and the nearby Ox Village, on to the sea in the east. Ten cypresses stand proudly along its banks, their leaves red like fire. A typical August day. The grasses are turning yellow beneath the trees and the setting sun is breaking through their branches, casting long, bleak shadows. Under the shelter of two giant pine trees, men, women, and children have gathered to listen to a traveling storyteller.