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Thread: Did the early Mongolia-based chapters of LOCH lack wuxia action?

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    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
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    Default Did the early Mongolia-based chapters of LOCH lack wuxia action?

    Critics of LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES have often noted that one of the story's weaknesses is the extended Mongolia prologue that featured great, memorable passages about Gwok Jing's early development (in martial arts and character) as well as descriptions of the early formation of the Mongol Empire...which of course was central to the themes of LOCH. What these critics often complain about is the decided lack of *wuxia* action early in LOCH. The story begins with a few skirmishes between Yau Chui Gei and the Gong Nam 7 Freaks and a little later, the Freaks and Chan Yeun Fung/Mui Chiu Fung. After that, however, there's virtually nothing until Gwok Jing migrates to China and meets Wong Yung. Even then, the wuxia action didn't really kick into gear until North Beggar Hung 7 Gung showed up and by then, LOCH was about 1/3 finished already.

    Do you agree that this story, as great as it was, took a while to get going from a purely wuxia point of view?

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    Senior Member ChronoReverse's Avatar
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    I personally think that it's because it wasn't non-stop "wuxia action" that LOCH can be so great. It's what differentiates a good story from tired drivel so to speak (fanfics often suffer from this).


    In terms of wuxia, the buildup for GJ just makes it more sweeter when he finally achieves greatness in the realm of martial arts.

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    Senior Member CC's Avatar
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    I would have liked a bit more action, but compared to the DGSD start where I had to put up with Duan Yu before Xiao Feng appeared, that was far worse!

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    Senior Member HuangYushi's Avatar
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    It is perhaps a good thing to consider the word "wuxia", which is made up of "wu" (martial arts) and "xia" (chivalry). JY himself once wrote in the endnotes to one of his novels that there often tends to be more "wu" than "xia" in "wuxia" novels. In this vein, it might be good for the "wuxia" genre in general to have a bit more "xia" and a little less "wu" in the first quarter of LOCH, to set the tone for the rest of the story. For example, the initial "wu"-based bet that Qiu Chuji had with the Jiangnan Seven soon became a highly-commendable "xia" endeavour as the Seven roughed things out in the northern deserts until they found Guo Jing and contributed to his growth in both "wu" and "xia".

    My two cents...
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    Senior Member ghostdarTeal'c's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by HuangYushi
    It is perhaps a good thing to consider the word "wuxia", which is made up of "wu" (martial arts) and "xia" (chivalry). JY himself once wrote in the endnotes to one of his novels that there often tends to be more "wu" than "xia" in "wuxia" novels. In this vein, it might be good for the "wuxia" genre in general to have a bit more "xia" and a little less "wu" in the first quarter of LOCH, to set the tone for the rest of the story. For example, the initial "wu"-based bet that Qiu Chuji had with the Jiangnan Seven soon became a highly-commendable "xia" endeavour as the Seven roughed things out in the northern deserts until they found Guo Jing and contributed to his growth in both "wu" and "xia".

    My two cents...
    a real enlightening two cents i must say....

    a lill OT here: any idea when is the translation of She Diao Ying Xiong Zhuan gonna finish?
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    Senior Member Candide's Avatar
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    Those first chapters, especially the part about the Mongolians with their great ambition, courage and spirit, are what make LOCH great. It makes you appreciate the "Hero" in Legend of the Eagle Shooting Hero. Then of course as HYS mentioned, the bet between QCJ and Jiangnan 7 Freaks and how the Freaks did their best to keep the promise. If that's not plenty of wuxia, I don't know what wuxia is anymore.

    What's not very wuxia is stuff like some crybaby kissing a girl's eyebrows because he misses his gugu.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Candide View Post
    Those first chapters, especially the part about the Mongolians with their great ambition, courage and spirit, are what make LOCH great. It makes you appreciate the "Hero" in Legend of the Eagle Shooting Hero. Then of course as HYS mentioned, the bet between QCJ and Jiangnan 7 Freaks and how the Freaks did their best to keep the promise. If that's not plenty of wuxia, I don't know what wuxia is anymore.

    What's not very wuxia is stuff like some crybaby kissing a girl's eyebrows because he misses his gugu.
    Yeah, I really like the bet between QCJ and the Jiangnan 7 Freaks. It's unique and classic.

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