If they had a *bidding* war (auction) for the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre...

[Ken Cheng]

Imagine that instead of fighting over it with martial arts, the individuals and sects of wulin (all - from all novels and time periods by all authors) had a bidding war for ownership of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre. Whoever offers the highest bid (in money, of course) gets ownership of the two weapons. Who do you think will make the winning bid?

[tape]

Probably one of Gu Long's minor characters/families. There's been families that have supposedly accumulated more wealth than all of China.

[kidd]

Maybe Huo Xiu from LXF - Golden Roc Empire. Hua Man Lou's family is also very rich, but, I don't think they are interested in the Sabre and Sword.

[Ian Liew]

Shangguan Jinhong could probably make a good bid for that too. I suspect both SGJH and Huo Xiu could make bids which would beat even the Emperor from the Duel. Even if he was richer than the aforementioned two his sense of responsibility to his people would ensure that he wouldn't waste a cent on such frivolous things. He'd say "You have the sword and sabre in your hand, but you have no sword and sabre in your heart". Such a cool chap!

Jin Yong has a fair share of royal characters such as Duan Yu, Xu Zhu (later on), Kangxi, Qianlong, Wanyan Honglie, Dorgon, even Zhao Min - all who would probably be able to come up with a substantial bid too.

[smurf120]

The whole weapons or the broken weapons with the secret already gone or is that buyer's risk?

Did they ever try to melt the broken pieces of sword and sabre to create new weapons?

[Ken Cheng]

The whole weapons or the broken weapons with the secret already gone or is that buyer's risk?

Both weapons intact, presumably with their secret contents also intact.

Did they ever try to melt the broken pieces of sword and sabre to create new weapons?

The Ming Cult repaired the Dragon Sabre, but I don't know if the Heaven Sword was ever repaired.

[Doc Kwok]

The Ming Cult repaired the Dragon Sabre, but I don't know if the Heaven Sword was ever repaired.

There is a popular theory that the tip of the Heaven sword was eventually made into Wei Xiaobao's dagger, but there is zero textual support for this.

[Ken Cheng]

There is a popular theory that the tip of the Heaven sword was eventually made into Wei Xiaobao's dagger, but there is zero textual support for this.

I like that idea, and it isn't implausible. Too bad it isn't canon.

[smurf120]

I think the person with highest amount of liquid cash assets available for spontaneous auction is WXB but I don't think he would want the weapons. Wu Sangui was said to have riches rivaling the Qing court (China was much larger in Qing dynasty also - does that mean more cash/gold equivalents??)

I always imagined that DKQB's original sword was forged from the Black Iron Tablets found in Ode to Gallantry.

[Ian Liew]

I think the person with highest amount of liquid cash assets available for spontaneous auction is WXB but I don't think he would want the weapons. Wu Sangui was said to have riches rivaling the Qing court (China was much larger in Qing dynasty also - does that mean more cash/gold equivalents??)

I think the Qing Court during Kangxi's rule was only just getting by due to, among other things, military expenses. It wasn't until the era of Yongzheng that the finances got back on track, and Qianlong's reign was arguably the richest the Qing Dynasty ever got.

[Ken Cheng]

I think the Qing Court during Kangxi's rule was only just getting by due to, among other things, military expenses. It wasn't until the era of Yongzheng that the finances got back on track, and Qianlong's reign was arguably the richest the Qing Dynasty ever got.

...and to think his stupid dad's advice was to not raise taxes.

[Ian Liew]

...and to think his stupid dad's advice was to not raise taxes.

He had no choice really - Shunzhi saw what happened with the Yuan, and knew that the Qing could not afford to make the same mistakes. The early Qing wasn't so much a problem with low income as in badly-managed expenditure anyway, if I remember correctly. The skirmishes with some rebel tribes didn't end until during Yongzheng's time, which was a huge drain on the coffers. Kangxi also had to try to avoid confrontation with his officials early on, many of whom were amassing their own fortunes at the court's expense.

[Doc Kwok]

I always imagined that DKQB's original sword was forged from the Black Iron Tablets found in Ode to Gallantry.

Although the exact time isn't clear, Ode to Gallantry definitely takes place long after HSDS, since Zhang Sanfeng was being referenced alongside Damo as one of the greatest martial artists of all time.