This article will analyze the strongest and most mysterious antagonist in the trilogy of martial arts novels by Jin Yong – The Legend of the Condor Heroes, a character that even Zhang Sanfeng and Guo Xiang dare not seek revenge against.
The strength of Guo Jing and the mystery surrounding his death
In The Return of the Condor Heroes, with the help of Huang Rong, Guo Jing learned the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms from Hong Qigong. Thanks to Huang Rong’s assistance, Guo Jing also obtained a complete version of the Nine Yin Manual.
Guo Jing’s Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms have merged with the Nine Yin Manual, reaching a state where hardness and softness coexist. Moreover, this martial art can also be combined with the Twin Handed Technique and the Heavenly Canopy North Dipper formation, creating astonishing techniques.
Guo Jing’s death in the battle of Xiangyang has left many readers puzzled. (Photo: Sohu)
However, in Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, Jin Yong skips nearly a hundred years, bringing the context of the martial world straight to the tumultuous end of the Yuan Dynasty. The original text states: “On the day Xiangyang fell, the heroic couple Guo Jing and his wife, along with Guo Polu, died simultaneously, and the Dragon-Slaying Sabre was lost. Guo Xiang was in Sichuan at that time, and by the time she rushed back to save her parents and loved ones, it was too late.”
This description leaves readers confused; with Guo Jing’s unparalleled martial arts, who could kill him? Moreover, why did Jin Yong skip nearly a hundred years without detailing Guo Jing’s death?
The mystery of Yang Guo and the appearance of Huang Shannü
The disappearance of Yang Guo is also a significant mystery. Throughout Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, Jin Yong does not mention Yang Guo even once. Perhaps Yang Guo fought alongside Guo Jing until his last breath, perishing at Xiangyang. Otherwise, given Yang Guo’s character, upon hearing of Xiangyang’s peril, he would surely not hesitate to rush to Guo Jing’s aid with Xiao Longnü. This also explains why Guo Xiang searched for Yang Guo for 24 years, even going to the Ancient Tomb without finding any trace.
The disappearance of Yang Guo is also a significant mystery. (Photo: sohu)
As for Huang Shannü in Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, she may be the abandoned child picked up by the maid in the Ancient Tomb. Jin Yong also wrote in Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber that when Guo Xiang came to the Ancient Tomb to find Yang Guo, she only saw a few maids inside the tomb. She did not see Yang Guo or Xiao Longnü at all.
The rise of the antagonist in the trilogy of novels
When mentioning antagonists in the trilogy of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, many readers still remember clearly. Ouyang Ke and Yang Kang, two villains who committed many crimes, eventually met tragic ends during the era of The Legend of the Condor Heroes. As for the Western Poison Ouyang Feng, at the beginning of The Return of the Condor Heroes, he had a deadly duel with Northern Hero Hong Qigong on the peak of Mount Hua.
By the end of The Return of the Condor Heroes, King of the Golden Wheel became the number one antagonist of the martial world at that time. After being defeated by Xiao Longnü and Yang Guo, the King of the Golden Wheel returned to Mongolia to seclude himself for 16 years, practicing the Long Elephant Suppression Technique. At this point, the King of the Golden Wheel had reached the tenth level.
By the end of The Return of the Condor Heroes, the King of the Golden Wheel became the number one antagonist of the martial world at that time. (Photo: Sohu)
In the battle at the Valley of the Absolute Love, Zhu Ba-tong did not dare to directly withstand the King of the Golden Wheel’s powerful strikes, while Master Yideng could only use the One Yang Finger to attack from a distance. It wasn’t until Huang Yaoshi arrived that the three masters were able to subdue the King of the Golden Wheel. In the battle at Xiangyang, Yang Guo did not bring the Xuan Tie heavy sword and could not perform the Silent Soul-Devouring Palm, thus he was severely beaten by the King of the Golden Wheel.
So, is the King of the Golden Wheel the strongest antagonist? The answer is no. The King of the Golden Wheel was ultimately defeated by Yang Guo, fell from the high platform, and was killed by Zhu Ba-tong. However, after the King of the Golden Wheel’s death, a most discreet antagonist of the era of The Return of the Condor Heroes quietly rose up. That is Kublai Khan!
After the King of the Golden Wheel was killed, the Great Khan Mongke was killed by Yang Guo, and Kublai Khan fled back to Mongolia with his remnants. But Kublai Khan did not stop there. According to historical records, after returning to Mongolia, Kublai Khan consolidated his forces and amassed troops. After 13 years of hiding, Kublai Khan led 100,000 iron cavalry back, besieging Xiangyang. Soon after, Kublai Khan breached Xiangyang, and all of Central Plains fell into the hands of the Mongols.
At this point, we finally understand why Jin Yong wrote so briefly about Guo Jing’s death, did not mention Yang Guo’s whereabouts, and even skipped nearly a hundred years. It is because the greatest antagonist in the story, Kublai Khan, is a real historical figure; he indeed led his army to flatten Xiangyang. Based on this historical event, Jin Yong had to portray Guo Jing as a hero who sacrificed himself for his country. Also, because of the adherence to history, even Zhang Sanfeng and Guo Xiang, two martial arts geniuses, did not dare to seek revenge against Kublai Khan.
Why did Zhang Sanfeng and Guo Xiang not dare to take revenge?
Indeed, both Zhang Sanfeng and Guo Xiang are martial arts geniuses with extraordinary memories. They only need to learn five or six parts of the Nine Yang Divine Art to establish their own sect and take in disciples. So why does Jin Yong not tell the story of Zhang Sanfeng and Guo Xiang avenging Kublai Khan?
Why does Jin Yong not tell the story of Zhang Sanfeng and Guo Xiang avenging Kublai Khan? (Photo: Sohu)
It should be noted that when he was young, Zhang Sanfeng once met Guo Jing and Yang Guo on the peak of Mount Hua. He knew that Guo Jing was a great hero who sacrificed himself for his country and had a deep connection with Yang Guo. At that time, Zhang Sanfeng had no practical combat experience and could not compete with Yuan Ke Xi, being beaten badly. It was Yang Guo who taught Zhang Sanfeng three techniques, opening the path of martial arts for him. Therefore, for Zhang Sanfeng, Guo Jing was a respected elder, while Yang Guo was a mentor. Upon hearing of Guo Jing and Yang Guo’s deaths, how could Zhang Sanfeng just stand by?
Guo Xiang is the daughter of Guo Jing, deeply in love with Yang Guo but does not take revenge for these two. (Photo: Sohu)
As for Guo Xiang, it is even more different. She is the daughter of Guo Jing and is deeply in love with the great hero Yang Guo, yet the disciples of the Emei sect do not recount the story of Guo Xiang avenging her parents and her beloved. It can be seen that although it is a fictional novel, Jin Yong is still very serious about adhering to history. He could not write against the truth, so he had to let Zhang Sanfeng and Guo Xiang “avoid” the matter of avenging Kublai Khan perfectly.
Summary
