The Most Powerful Martial Arts School in the World of Jin Yong
Tiểu Lâm is considered the most powerful martial arts school in Jin Yong’s works. When evaluating the strength of a martial arts school, there are a few standards that cannot be overlooked, such as historical significance and the influence of stories. A martial arts school that has lasted for a long time is a testament to its strength.
However, in the world of martial arts constructed by Jin Yong, Tiểu Lâm does not have many top-tier masters achieving the title of “Heavenly First.” Only Vô Danh Thần Tăng in Thiên Long Bát Bộ is regarded as the strongest master of that era. Furthermore, even in the world of martial arts created by Jin Yong, it is not certain that it was the highest rank at that time. Because Tiểu Ngạo Giang Hồ has a clear hierarchy, but what this school conveys is mainly a method of body training. This shows the influence of Đạt Ma Tổ Sư on the later martial arts schools, which primarily focused on spiritual cultivation.
In subsequent works such as Anh Hùng Xạ Điêu, Thần Điêu Hiệp Lữ, Ỷ Thiên Đồ Long Ký, and Tiểu Ngạo Giang Hồ, Tiểu Lâm often seems to be at the pinnacle of martial arts. However, Tiểu Lâm also has periods of relative silence. For example, during the “Song Điêu” era (Anh Hùng Xạ Điêu and Thần Điêu Hiệp Lữ), Tiểu Lâm had to weaken for a while due to the events of Hỏa Công Đầu Đà. Hỏa Công Đầu Đà is known primarily for one individual specializing in the art of deceit, while Tiểu Lâm belongs to the school of Tiểu Lâm. Although the past was filled with resentment, Tiểu Lâm has always been a significant presence in the martial arts world.
In fact, after overcoming difficult periods, Tiểu Lâm re-emerges as one of the strongest schools in the period of Ỷ Thiên. From time to time, one can see the immense strength of Tiểu Lâm being very formidable.
According to Sohu, another school also holds the title of three strongest masters in the heavenly realm just within a few decades: This is Toàn Chân giáo during the Song Điêu period.
Võ lâm thời Song Điêu lấy Ngũ Tuyết để định vị võ lâm, nhưng thực tế, thực lực của Đông Tà, Tây Độc, Nam Đế, Bắc Cái đều không bằng Vương Trung Dương. In the first encounter at Hoa Sơn, all four people had to face Vương Trung Dương.
However, the martial arts school created by him is not as strong as the strength of him at any level, but rather that Toàn Chân giáo in just a few decades has revealed the three strongest masters in the heavenly realm.
Three strongest masters in the heavenly realm of Toàn Chân giáo
The first master of Toàn Chân giáo is indeed Vương Trung Dương. Đông Tà, Tây Độc, Nam Đế, Bắc Cái are characters that could dominate horizontally in martial arts, but when mentioning Vương Trung Dương, they cannot hide their reverence. Take Đông Tà Hoàng Dược Sư, a famous arrogant character as an example; he once commented about Vương Trung Dương as follows: “Since Vương Trung Dương stepped into the martial arts world, there has been no one left standing with the title of Heavenly First.”
Còn Chu Bá Thông when mentioning Hoa Sơn luôn kiếm năm xưa, also confirmed the remarkable strength between Vương Trung Dương and the four others. The writing principle states: “It was at the end of the year when on top of Hoa Sơn, the snow covered the mountain. Those who were on its side were discussing the martial arts, while the snow fell heavily, like that until the day ended. Finally, Đông Tà, Tây Độc, Nam Đế, Bắc Cái must acknowledge the martial arts of Vương Trung Dương, he is the strongest in the heavenly realm.”
If not completely winning, how could this martial arts school regain the title of Heavenly First? Moreover, the winners also obtained the title of Cửu Âm Chân Kinh. The defeat of nature is simply because there is no longer a hint of hope left.
The third strongest master of Toàn Chân giáo is indeed Chu Bá Thông, known as “Lão Ngoan Đồng” in Hoa Sơn luôn kiếm lần thứ ba. The controversy surrounding whether he is the strongest master at this time still depends on the comments of Hoàng Dược Sư. Hoàng Dược Sư stated: “Lão ngoan đồng is a true lão ngoan đồng, the one who has lost his strength. I, Hoàng Dược Sư, consider fame as a burden, while Nhật Đăng đại sư regards fame as a burden. Only one person, with a heart full of longing, does not carry fame, thus surpassing us all. Đông Tà, Tây Cuồng, Nam Tăng, Bắc Hiệp, Trung Ngoan Đồng, in the snowy weather, he is the first!”
However, it is clear that when he was chosen to be the first master of Ngũ Tuyết, Chu Bá Thông was already an old man whose lifespan was not much left. So who will be the one worthy of the title of Heavenly First? Surely it will be two individuals regarded as the top masters in Ngũ Tuyết: Quách Tĩnh and Dương Quá.
Regardless of whether it is Quách Tĩnh or Dương Quá (only choosing one of the two), both could be considered legends of Toàn Chân giáo. Quách Tĩnh was once favored by Mã Ngọc only for a moment, while Dương Quá was the main character. They both belong to the same school of Toàn Chân giáo. Thus, the Song Điêu era can also be considered the era of Toàn Chân giáo.
During several decades, the title of Heavenly First always remained in the hands of the top masters of Toàn Chân giáo. However, eventually, this school lost its mark after the conclusion of Thần Điêu Hiệp Lữ. Why is that so?
Toàn Chân giáo “Sooner or later, I will fall”
In fact, the decline of Toàn Chân giáo can be seen from two angles.
Firstly, during the battle to protect Tưỡng Dương later, Toàn Chân giáo almost became a unified force. Including both teachings of Lý Chí Thường and many other sects also volunteered to be the first line of defense, rushing into the battlefield. In the fighting between the two armies, even though later the army of Tưỡng Dương achieved a small victory over Dương Quá even with the death of Mông Kha, they could be expected to lose many top-tier Trung Nguyên masters. One could say that in this battle, Toàn Chân giáo certainly suffered from heavy losses.
Secondly, the legacy of Vương Trung Dương, or also known as Toàn Chân thật tử, after falling and reforming into Toàn Chân giáo. They established a school, becoming the masters of other martial arts schools. For example, the Hoa Sơn school appeared quite frequently in Jin Yong’s works, mainly due to Hách Đại Thông, one of the founders of Toàn Chân thật tử.
Here, we do not consider why Hách Đại Thông in martial arts literature has a bias, but rather that in history, the Hoa Sơn school was indeed founded by Hách Đại Thông. So, although according to the historical context, Toàn Chân giáo cannot be compared with the “great masters” like Tiểu Lâm, Cái Bang, Võ Đang. However, considering the talent and skills that emerged, Toàn Chân giáo can be said to be incredibly strong.
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