Assorted LINKED CITIES discussion thread

[kidd]

I think they should be okay by Chen Jialuo's time and pretty good by Di Yun's time.

Martial art level in Di Yun time is higher than martial art level in Chen Jia Luo time eventhough Di Yun time comes later.

[Bai Qi44]

Martial art level in Di Yun time is higher than martial art level in Chen Jia Luo time eventhough Di Yun time comes later.

I don't know what you're talking about, but I thought Di Yun's time was earlier than Chen Jia Luo's. In the 3rd edition, I know Ng 6 Kee's name comes out because of the treasure thing so I assume that Di Yun's time came just after DOMD. This should still be within Hong Hee's regin. If not, then it should be at least Yong Jing's reign. Chen Jia Luo's time comes a bit later during Keen Long's reign or Young Flying Fox.

Anyway, I don't know why the previous poster would say that Chen Jia Luo is a level higher than Di Yun since one Di Yun is already at least 20 or 30 times better than Chen Jia Luo. Di Yun was way better than the 2nd tier fighters in Linked Cities and I think even the 2nd tier fighters might be 20 or 30 times better than Chen Jia Luo. No way can Yang Teet Sum and Gwok Siu Teen combined be able to withstand Di Yun. Gwok Jing, on the other hand.... I don't like Di Yun's chances against him.

[kidd]

I don't know what you're talking about, but I thought Di Yun's time was earlier than Chen Jia Luo's. In the 3rd edition, I know Ng 6 Kee's name comes out because of the treasure thing so I assume that Di Yun's time came just after DOMD. This should still be within Hong Hee's regin. If not, then it should be at least Yong Jing's reign. Chen Jia Luo's time comes a bit later during Keen Long's reign or Young Flying Fox.

Ok, my mistake. I always thought Lian Cheng Jue was set in the late Qing Dynasty. I heard this mentioned a couple of times.

[SkineePanda]

Anyway, I don't know why the previous poster would say that Chen Jia Luo is a level higher than Di Yun since one Di Yun is already at least 20 or 30 times better than Chen Jia Luo. Di Yun was way better than the 2nd tier fighters in Linked Cities and I think even the 2nd tier fighters might be 20 or 30 times better than Chen Jia Luo. No way can Yang Teet Sum and Gwok Siu Teen combined be able to withstand Di Yun. Gwok Jing, on the other hand.... I don't like Di Yun's chances against him.

It just seems like it because Di Yun himself, Ding Dian, the rapist Crimsom Monk, a few of the Luo Hua Liu Shui were the only ones who can be considered great in the novel. Everyone else sucked compared to Chen Jialuo's time. Di Yun's master and their martial brothers who were the main villains all used useless flashy moves based on the Tang poems. Their disciples of course sucked even more. I can't say much for the vast majority of what's left of wulin in that time but I guess the average martial artist is no match for the one in Flying Fox's time.

[SkineePanda]

I don't know what you're talking about, but I thought Di Yun's time was earlier than Chen Jia Luo's. In the 3rd edition, I know Ng 6 Kee's name comes out because of the treasure thing so I assume that Di Yun's time came just after DOMD. This should still be within Hong Hee's regin. If not, then it should be at least Yong Jing's reign. Chen Jia Luo's time comes a bit later during Keen Long's reign or Young Flying Fox.

Wi LiuQi was the origin of the treasure story but Wu Liuqi could've died over a hundred years ago when Lian Cheng Jue was told. It's the same as in ROCH----->HSDS, many years has passed in between those events. Jin Yong didn't specify what the exact period was, only that it was Qing. And there was no mention of Wudang or Shaolin. At least they were still around in Chen Jialuo's time. So it has to be later Qing.

[Bai Qi44]

It just seems like it because Di Yun himself, Ding Dian, the rapist Crimsom Monk, a few of the Luo Hua Liu Shui were the only ones who can be considered great in the novel. Everyone else sucked compared to Chen Jialuo's time. Di Yun's master and their martial brothers who were the main villains all used useless flashy moves based on the Tang poems. Their disciples of course sucked even more. I can't say much for the vast majority of what's left of wulin in that time but I guess the average martial artist is no match for the one in Flying Fox's time.

Just out of curiousity... have you even read Linked Cities? What do you mean a few of the Luo Hua Liu Shui when all 4 were considered equals and all 4 were equal to the rapist monk sect leader in martial arts. Ding Dian, Di Yun, and Di Yun's grand master were by far the most powerful 3 in the novel by a country mile. The 2nd tier fighters include Di Yun's martial arts master, his martial arts uncles, the rapist monk sect leader, the 4 Luo Hua Liu Shui, and not to mention those 4 guys from the south (or were they from the north). Those 4 guys never appeared in the novel, but was said to be the equals to the 4 Luo Hua Liu Shuis.

As for Di Yun's master and his martial arts uncles using flashy moves from the poem is bs. That wasn't their specialty. That was just part of the decoding moves and they did not depend on that swordplay to win fights. They used it to trick people. Di Yun's martial arts uncle taught Di Yun those moves and the purpose of that wasn't to make Di Yun a better fighter, but to make Di Yun's other martial arts uncle be sucipious of Di Yun and Di Yun's master.

Wi LiuQi was the origin of the treasure story but Wu Liuqi could've died over a hundred years ago when Lian Cheng Jue was told. It's the same as in ROCH----->HSDS, many years has passed in between those events. Jin Yong didn't specify what the exact period was, only that it was Qing. And there was no mention of Wudang or Shaolin. At least they were still around in Chen Jialuo's time. So it has to be later Qing.

Can you please provide me with a link or reference to where it is stated exactly when Linked Cities took place? By that, I don't mean just the dynasty. If JY made
Linked Cities to appear at a later time then Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox, it would seem pretty senile of him considering that Linked Cities 1st tier and 2nd tier fighters have quite powerful martial arts / inner power whereas inner power seems little to non-existent in Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox and onwards. Anyway, if JY put Linked Cities to appear ahead of Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox, it would seem pretty stupid. Unless I see a link, it doesn't make one iota of sense for Linked Cities to follow Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox.

[Ken Cheng]

This thread was split off from the Yeung Teet Sum/Gwok Siu Teen thread currently active elsewhere on this forum. Use this for further LINKED CITIES discussion.

[SkineePanda]

Just out of curiousity... have you even read Linked Cities? What do you mean a few of the Luo Hua Liu Shui when all 4 were considered equals and all 4 were equal to the rapist monk sect leader in martial arts

If I remember one of them was a coward that got bluffed by the monk and even submitted to him, so I considered him less than a equal to the others. And if I remember more, the same guy actually killed his own.....by accident. And no I haven't read all of it, so please enlighten me on the details.

As for Di Yun's master and his martial arts uncles using flashy moves from the poem is bs. That wasn't their specialty. That was just part of the decoding moves and they did not depend on that swordplay to win fights.

From the translation on http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=12248

"After 7 or 8 moves, he noticed that their inner power was far too weak, but they had so many different moves that an extra 'Lian Cheng' sword technique would be redundant. He became increasingly puzzled at the way they concentrated purely on techniques without paying any attention whatsoever to the accompanying inner power - if they met an opponent weaker than themselves, then there would be no problem but the instant they meet someone with mildly strong inner power then all of their complicated and numerous moves would be rendered useless."

"Yan DaPing's sword drew 7 circles before stabbing at Wan ZhenShan's chest. Wan ZhenShan blocked the 7 circles one after another. It looked spectacular but to Di Yun's eyes was foolish to the extreme - instead of drawing the 7 circles it would be better to stab directly, and Wan ZhenShan could have killed Yan DaPing straightaway by counter-stabbing at his abdomen instead of expending the effort in blocking every circle"

"Although Yan DaPing pretended to be unconcerned, his sword movements became more sluggish. Di Yun was still pondering why they didn't understand the simple principle that complicated techniques without an inner power basis was useless."

The two martial brothers were involved in a life and death fight and they indeed used the LIancheng sword techniques, and to Di Yun they were using useless flashy moves. Like how Qi Zhangfa taught Di Yun useless inferior moves on purpose, their master did the same to them. They also neglected the importance of inner power which makes them less fighters than they should be.

Can you please provide me with a link or reference to where it is stated exactly when Linked Cities took place? By that, I don't mean just the dynasty. If JY made Linked Cities to appear at a later time then Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox, it would seem pretty senile of him considering that Linked Cities 1st tier and 2nd tier fighters have quite powerful martial arts / inner power whereas inner power seems little to non-existent in Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox and onwards. Anyway, if JY put Linked Cities to appear ahead of Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox, it would seem pretty stupid. Unless I see a link, it doesn't make one iota of sense for Linked Cities to follow Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox.

Like I said it's all speculation when this all takes place. All we know for sure is that it definitely took place after DOMD. I'm speculating that it's after Flying Fox, you're speculating that it's b4. Since there's little reference other than the deterioration theory, no one can be right or wrong.

Since you actually read the whole thing, then can you give me the link and reference that Linked Cities is indeed right before Book and the Sword and Flying Fox? Coz I didn't read the book, and you did and yea help a brother out. Please, coz you seem so sure of it.

[Bai Qi44]

If I remember one of them was a coward that got bluffed by the monk and even submitted to him, so I considered him less than a equal to the others. And if I remember more, the same guy actually killed his own.....by accident. And no I haven't read all of it, so please enlighten me on the details.

That was Fa Ting Kong and just cause he was a coward dosen't mean his martial arts were any weaker than the other 3 Lok Fa Luo Shuis or the rapist monk. It was stated that the 4 Lok Fa Luo Shuis belong on the same level when it came to martial arts. Yes, Fa Tin Kong did kill one of the other Lok Fa Lou Shuis (think it was the 4th one), but that was mainly due to the rapist monk's malicious scheming. The rapist monk was in a do or die duel with one of the 4 Lok Fa Luo Shuis and knew that Fa Ting Kong was coming at him. He was so clever, he anticipated this and got out of the way just in time and hence Fa Tin Kong ended up stabbing and killing that Lok Fa Luo Shui (can't remember which one). I think the rapist monk was then forced to jump off a cliff and ended up landing about 800 feet down. He did flip after flip and came away unscaved, which is another reason I have a high opinion of Linked Cities fighters.

From the translation on http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=12248

"After 7 or 8 moves, he noticed that their inner power was far too weak, but they had so many different moves that an extra 'Lian Cheng' sword technique would be redundant. He became increasingly puzzled at the way they concentrated purely on techniques without paying any attention whatsoever to the accompanying inner power - if they met an opponent weaker than themselves, then there would be no problem but the instant they meet someone with mildly strong inner power then all of their complicated and numerous moves would be rendered useless."

"Yan DaPing's sword drew 7 circles before stabbing at Wan ZhenShan's chest. Wan ZhenShan blocked the 7 circles one after another. It looked spectacular but to Di Yun's eyes was foolish to the extreme - instead of drawing the 7 circles it would be better to stab directly, and Wan ZhenShan could have killed Yan DaPing straightaway by counter-stabbing at his abdomen instead of expending the effort in blocking every circle"

"Although Yan DaPing pretended to be unconcerned, his sword movements became more sluggish. Di Yun was still pondering why they didn't understand the simple principle that complicated techniques without an inner power basis was useless."

The two martial brothers were involved in a life and death fight and they indeed used the LIancheng sword techniques, and to Di Yun they were using useless flashy moves. Like how Qi Zhangfa taught Di Yun useless inferior moves on purpose, their master did the same to them. They also neglected the importance of inner power which makes them less fighters than they should be.

Well, all your describing is the Link Sing Kuet sword moves and not their actual kung fu abilities. However, I do agree with you on one thing. I haven't read Linked Cities in ages, but I remember I always put Di Yun's master and his martial arts uncles on the same level as the 4 Lok Fa Luo Shuis, the rapist monk, and the 4 guys from the south (or north). But I could be wrong on this point since I know Di Yun's master and martial arts uncles never fought any of the 4 Lok Fa Luo Shuis, the rapist monk, or those 4 guys. It's probably because they did fight Di Yun's grand master is why I have such a high opinon of them. I know they did have to trick thier master in order to beat him. I can't remember the details.

Like I said it's all speculation when this all takes place. All we know for sure is that it definitely took place after DOMD. I'm speculating that it's after Flying Fox, you're speculating that it's b4. Since there's little reference other than the deterioration theory, no one can be right or wrong.

Since you actually read the whole thing, then can you give me the link and reference that Linked Cities is indeed right before Book and the Sword and Flying Fox? Coz I didn't read the book, and you did and yea help a brother out. Please, coz you seem so sure of it.

I don't understand why you or anyone would speculate Linked Cities to take place after Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox since there's no basis for this. The only reason I speculate Linked Cities to be before Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox is because there are too many much better fighters in Linked Cities than Book and Sword. If you think about the SPT scenario, he was one man and not a whole group so his case is understandable. JY made his Book and Sword / Young Flying Fox and onwards fighters to rely more on "physical" whether than "internal" power and since a lot of Linked Cities fighters were good at "internal" powers, why would you think it took place after Book and Sword???

Anyway, JY in the 1st or 2nd editions of Linked Cities never mentioned when Linked Cities took place. All he did do was have drawings of people with pigtails (a sign of the Qing Dynasty). In his 3rd edition (I've never read this one), we know it's the Qing Dynasty cause of certain DOMD characters being mentioned. However, did anyone in Book and Sword or Young Flying Fox get mentioned in Linked Cities 3rd edition? If not, then why would you think it took place after those stories?

[Extremer88]

Anyway, JY in the 1st or 2nd editions of Linked Cities never mentioned when Linked Cities took place. All he did do was have drawings of people with pigtails (a sign of the Qing Dynasty). In his 3rd edition (I've never read this one), we know it's the Qing Dynasty cause of certain DOMD characters being mentioned. However, did anyone in Book and Sword or Young Flying Fox get mentioned in Linked Cities 3rd edition? If not, then why would you think it took place after those stories?

Wu Liuqi was the only one being mentioned that appeared in other novels. There's no Book and Swoard or Flying Fox series characters being mentioned.

Anyway, did you read the Deadly Secret's ending comments that appeared after the story written by JY, I think there's some clues/ideas in there suggesting JY wanted the novel to be set in the very late Qing Dynasty.

[yittz]

Bump!

I am reading through Linked Cities. It's an ok novel, except for the similarity with Count of Monte Cristo, and the fact dumb main characters drive me up the wall.

[Han Solo]

I always felt totally engrossed with the love situation when they were both in the avalanche.

han Solo

[ChanceEncounter]

Bump!

I am reading through Linked Cities. It's an ok novel, except for the similarity with Count of Monte Cristo, and the fact dumb main characters drive me up the wall.

It's Count of Monte Cristo done worse. I never really got into the book for that reason.

[yittz]

It's Count of Monte Cristo done worse. I never really got into the book for that reason.

Haven't finished the book. But agree on that point. Jin Yong should have made the prison chapters much better.

All the main characters I felt sorry for so far, does not match the misfortune suffered by Di Yun. He seem to bump into one misfortune to the next.

And new 'chokers':
Probably not fair on them given the environment they had to deal with. But 1=1 fighter comparing to Fire Blade Cult leader, and yet they were all subdued by him '4v1'.

[Demitre]

You couldn't even associate it with The Count of Monte Cristo.

The protagonist in Linked Cities was a freaken pussy. Did he even consider revenge against anyone? must less planned one out?

Oh yes, those damn vultures!

[jiang bao]

The protagonist in Linked Cities was a freaken pussy. Did he even consider revenge against anyone? must less planned one out?

Haven't read the third edition, but unless it was changed in the 3rd edition, he did consider revenge. It's just that he couldn't bring himself to kill Wan Gui.

---

As for the time period, because JY said the story was inspired by the story of his former servant, people speculate that the story took place in the late Qing.

To me, it would make sense if the story occurred in earlier dynasties because I find it hard to believe that a statue covered in clay could last 1000+ years without anyone discovering the secret and pillaging it.

[Demitre]

Haven't read the third edition, but unless it was changed in the 3rd edition, he did consider revenge. It's just that he couldn't bring himself to kill Wan Gui.

The point of Dantes was that death was too good for them. They had to suffer through providence for their misdeeds.

[yittz]

Di Yun was weak.
Dantes played with his food, Di Yun still got played despite his kungfu. Guess he didn't have the money, connections and looks to go with it.

[CC]

Actually, is it possible that Linked Cities occured near or at the same time as Flying Fox/Book & Sword? Maybe even a 5-10 year gap.

Qing Dynasty China is over 3-4 times the size of Southern Song.

Not too familiar with those 3 books. Any similar cities/sects mentioned?

[yittz]

One was Blood Sabre pact. They all died at the end of the book. I think they originate from Persia, and there are other branches other than this one.

The most powerful fighters other than Ding Dian was 4 North Weird, and 4 South Odd. 中原武林中武功最厉害的，除了丁典之外，有什么南四奇、北四怪。北四怪叫什么‘风虎云龙’，南四奇则是‘落 花流水’. The leader of the blood sect were equal to them. Di Yun was the grandstudent of Mei Nian Sheng, who also seemed quite powerful. I don't recall any of these fighters being mentioned in other books.