Legend of the Condor Heroes: A Hero Born, by Jin Yong (Gum Yoong in Cantonese, aka Louis Cha)

Translated by Anna Holmwood

(1957-1959, translated 2019)

St. Martin’s Press

(Wuxia Epic)

In 1959, Jin Yong co-founded Ming Pao, a Hong Kong newspaper. To promote sales, he began publishing episodic adventures featuring martial arts heroes. His experiment took off. People bought, saved, and recirculated these stories. In time, he became one of the most widely read authors in Chinese. He has been called the “Tolkien of China,” and his works have inspired countless kung fu movies and television series from the 1970s to the present day. His work continues to be popular with Chinese middle and high schoolers. Jin wrote at least 18 volumes of the wuxia epic. A Hero Born focuses on the origin story of the generations-long conflict between the families of two Han patriots: Yang Tiexin (“Ironheart Yang”) and Guo Xiaotian (“Sky Fury Guo.”) The two vow to drive the Jurchen invaders from their home, making a pact that they will never part. Inflamed by their loyalty to their country and one another, they vow that when their children come of age, if they are two boys, they will be sworn brothers, and if they are a boy and a girl, they will join in marriage. However, treacherous Jin and Jurchen invaders, accompanied by corrupt Han, kill Sky Fury Guo and drive Ironheart Yang into hiding. One of the wives of the heroes, Charity Bao, pregnant with the son of Yang, is captured by a Jurchen prince who raises the son as his own.  Meanwhile, the widow of Sky Fury Guo gives birth to Guo Jing. This child, known for his good heart and kindness, travels to Mongolia where he becomes a friend of Jebe, a member of Ghengis Khan’s inner circle. Jebe trains the boy in the arts of Mongolian archery and horsemanship, while the Seven Freaks of the South, an eccentric band of martial arts practitioners, teach the boy Wulin kung fu and how to fight with a variety of exotic weapons. A Daoist also joins in the training of Guo Jing, teaching the boy Na-gong, the arts of breathing and sleeping. The boy will be tested in military combat, court intrigue, and martial arts. He will learn the secrets of Chinese medicine, avenge his father, and fight for true love. All of the action takes place during the Jin-Song Dynasty in the 10th century and the first quarter of the 11th century. The stories are adventurous, fast-paced, and full of righteous anger, the unflagging pursuit of noble behavior, and a conviction that good must always defeat evil.

“’Fine.’ Qiu Chuji smiled coldly. ‘You have supporters. Without them, defeat would be certain. But I will not let this go. You are hiding two women in a sacred temple, which is sin enough. Why kill their husbands, two such loyal patriots?”

‘Elder Eternal Spring claims the Venerable Monk Scorched Wood is hiding the women, and the Venerable Monk insists he is not,’ Ke Zhen’e summarized. ‘Why don’t we go to Fahua Temple and see who is telling the truth? I may be blind, but the rest of my martial family are perfectly able to see.’ The others agreed.”