A Hero Borm Read online

  Jin Yong

  Legends of the

  Condor Heroes I

  A Hero Born

  Translated from the Chinese by

  Anna Holmwood

  First published in the Chinese language as

  Shediao Yingxiong Zhuan (1) in 1959; revised in 1976, 2003

  First published in Great Britain in 2018 by

  MacLehose Press

  An imprint of Quercus Editions Ltd

  Carmelite House

  50 Victoria Embankment

  London EC4Y 0DZ

  An Hachette UK company

  Copyright © Jin Yong (Louis Cha) 1959, 1976, 2003

  English translation copyright © 2018 by Anna Holmwood

  Illustrations © Jiang Yun Xing ()

  The moral right of Jin Yong (Louis Cha) to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  Anna Holmwood asserts her moral right to be identified as the translator of the work.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

  EBOOK ISBN 978 1 84866 791 4

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  www.quercusbooks.co.uk

  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 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, honour 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, witness dynasties rise and fall in brutal wars and deceitful invasions, brave men fight and die for their homeland and traitors exchange honour for personal gain. You will meet young men and women with remarkable kung fu skills, you will encounter gruff men who, despite appearances, always respect the code of honour 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.

  We start in the year 1205, as the Song Empire has been pushed southwards out of its capital by the Jurchen Jin Empire. Meanwhile, the great Mongol commander Temujin, who will later be known as Genghis Khan, is gathering power and men out on the steppes. We will end the series with the Yuan dynasty, established by Genghis Khan’s grandson Kublai Khan, crumbling as patriots fight to regain China.

  Legends of the Condor Heroes spans twelve volumes, split into three larger epics consisting of four volumes each. The first of the trilogy, known simply by that name, follows Guo Jing, son of patriot Skyfury Guo, who is determined to avenge the death of his father and help regain his motherland from the Jin Empire. But as the good-hearted young man discovers, a hero is not merely born, he is honed in the moments when his love and loyalty are most sorely tested.

  Set against the backdrop of the Mongol betrayal of their old allies the Song, the next in the trilogy, The Return of the Condor Heroes, known as the greatest love story of martial arts fiction, moves the action into the next generation. We follow Yang Kang’s son as he fights to regain a love nearly lost. Along the way, he meets a giant condor who becomes his companion and teacher, and whose martial skill trumps that of nearly all other fighters of the south.

  The third and last set of volumes in the series form Heaven Sword, Dragon Sabre, the story of two legendary martial arts weapons and a world of conflicting unorthodox martial arts cults. The weapons are said to allow the wielder to rule over the martial arts world. The hero of these last books is a bold, handsome young man whose parents were killed in pursuit of these magical weapons. Reluctantly the young man takes leadership of a mysterious cult of kung fu fighters; those outside of it are never sure of its motives, but they have a self-professed mission to “deliver mankind from suffering and eliminate all evil”. To them, it is clear this must include overthrowing the Mongol Yuan dynasty and regaining the imperial house for the Han Chinese. Unfortunately, six other unorthodox cults are determined to thwart them . . .

  You hold in your hands the first volume of one of the world’s best-loved stories and one of its grandest epics, a series that can count its fans in the hundreds of millions. And yet this is the first time it has been published in English, despite making its appearance in a Hong Kong newspaper over half a century ago. Jin Yong (pen name of Louis Cha) is the Chinese-speaking world’s best-selling author. Generations of young readers have stayed up past their bedtimes, huddled under covers, following Guo Jing and his descendants in their fight to regain the glories of the past, when the Chinese could lay claim to having the strongest Empire in the world.

  Many have considered Jin Yong’s world too foreign, too Chinese, for an English-speaking readership. Impossible to translate. And yet this story of love, loyalty, honour and the power of the individual against successive corrupt governments and invading forces is as universal as any story could hope to be. The greatest loss that can occur in translation can only come from not translating at all.

  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

  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 mother’s 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, one-time rebel turned patriot who served under General Yue Fei. Ironheart practises 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 daughte
r Mercy Mu, organising 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 practises 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 honour. 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 Eldest Brother. Blinded in a fight, his preferred weapon is his flying devilnuts, iron projectiles made in the shape of a kind of water chesnut 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 oil-paper 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 dishonourable and thus deserving of such trickery.

  Ryder Han, Protector of the Steeds, only three foot 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 sabre 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 pair of scales. 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 the use of a spear.

  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 sabre 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.

  Greybeard 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 practised kung fu for many years as a hermit, as well as mixing special medicinal concotions 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.

  Prologue

  THE YEAR IS 1205. FOR DECADES THE SONG EMPIRE HAS BEEN fighting an invasion from the north by the Jurchen tribes of Man
churia. Skilled horsemen and keen archers, the diverse Jurchen tribes were first united under the charismatic chieftain Wanyan Aguda in 1115, after which they set their sights on the riches of their Han Chinese neighbours. Within ten years of unification, the newly established Jin Empire had taken the Liao’s southern capital, the city that would be captured and recaptured under successive dynasties and eventually be known as Peking. A brief alliance between the Song and the Jin Empires against the Liao brought peace to the plains of Manchuria, but after the Jin attacked and captured the Song capital in Kaifeng not two years later, the Song have been fighting the Jin ever since. Successive defeats have pushed the Song further south, past the Yangtze and the River Huai, much to the anxiety of the Chinese who have fled with their Empire to safety.

  The River Huai has long marked the psychological boundary between north and south China. The south is lush in comparison with the northern steppes and central plains, its landscape criss-crossed with rivers and spotted with lakes. The climate is hotter and more humid, wheat fields give way to rice paddies, and karst peaks soar up into the clouds. Having always been far from the capital in the north, this is a landscape that has long resisted the taming forces of the Empire, where the Great Canal’s manmade torrents flow into the wild rapids of the southern rivers.

  But for all its seeming lawlessness, the soils of the south have proved fertile ground for the fleeing Song Empire. Here they have established one of the world’s largest cities, Lin’an, a bustling commercial centre of towering, overcrowded wooden buildings, grand stone courtyard houses, stalls selling pork buns and steaming bowls of noodles, as well as elegantly decorated tea houses serving the finest imperial delicacies of crispy duck, steamed crab, and badger and goose meat.

  Despite its grandeur, however, this is a troubled city. The local Chinese population cannot be sure if their officials are working for them, or for the Jin. In the surrounding villages, food is scarce as the Empire diverts resources from hardworking farmers into the army’s fight against the Jin, lining their pockets as they do so. Taxes are crippling and the officials who are supposed to protect them seem to care little for their plight. Far from being a civilising force, the Empire appears to be little concerned for its citizens, and is rather more interested in making its officials rich.