The First Sword of Wudang, Part 2

Name: The First Sword of Wudang, Part 2
ISBN: 9789888162741

Liang Yusheng（香港）传慧出版有限公司 · Hong Kong SAR, ChinaJan 2023

3.8

Word count: 197K words
Chapters: 10
ISBN: 9789888162741

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Summary

The novel is set in the late Ming dynasty, as the Later Jin rises and the Ming court grows corrupt, and the martial world gathers a force to resist the Jin. He Qiwu, the great hero of Hunan and Hubei, is killed, and his son-in-law Geng Jingshi is falsely accused; one mysterious case and bloody tragedy follows another. Ge Zhenjun adopts Geng Jingshi's son Geng Yujing, entrusting him to the couple Lan Kaoshan, and changes the boy's surname to Lan, while he himself enters the Wudang Sect under the Taoist name Buqi. Fifteen years later, after many twists, Geng Yujing finally discovers that the deaf-mute Taoist Wang Huiwen, whom he has always held dear, is a traitor who long ago defected to the Later Jin and has plotted the murder of righteous martial artists. Geng Yujing and his beloved Xi Menyan then travel to the northeast to perform chivalrous deeds, assassinating Nurhaci and striking a blow at the Later Jin. Mu Canglang's son Mu Yiyu becomes the new Wudang master; Dongfang Liang, disciple of Kunlun's Xiang Tianming, gains the mental method of Wudang swordplay and roams the land; and three 'First Swords of Wudang' win fame at once.

Editor's review

One Sword of Wudang (Volume 2) is the core chapter of Mr. Liang Yusheng's "Wudang series" novels and an important work that serves as a bridge in his entire wuxia writing career. The book continues the plot of the previous volume, intertwining the rise and fall of the Wudang Sect more closely with the historical upheavals of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The jianghu in Mr. Liang's writing is never merely a contest of martial arts moves, but a profound stage for national righteousness, sect inheritance, and human choices. In this volume, the growth trajectory of the protagonist Geng Yujing becomes clearer; from a youth burdened with blood feuds and seeking the truth, he is gradually drawn into a larger historical vortex, and the portrayal of his inner journey is delicate and richly layered. With his profound historical knowledge and classical literary cultivation, Liang Yusheng constructs a wuxia world that is rigorously researched and vividly atmospheric. The exposition of Wudang swordsmanship and Daoist philosophy not only adds cultural depth to the martial arts descriptions but also elevates the entire story beyond a simple revenge narrative, giving it speculative space for exploring fate and moral duty. Compared with other wuxia works, the pace of this book may be steadier, but it is precisely this unhurried narrative that allows readers to immersively experience the subtle changes in characters' emotions and the majestic power of the tide of the times.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Loyal readers of Liang Yusheng's wuxia novels who wish to deeply understand the continuity of the 'Wudang series'
Enthusiasts of traditional wuxia literature who like heavy historical background and rigorous research
Readers interested in Daoist culture and the origins of Wudang martial arts who wish to learn about them from a literary perspective
Readers who appreciate elegant prose, steady narrative, and emphasis on characters' inner growth and destiny

Not a good fit for

Wuxia readers seeking fast pace, strong plot reversals, and dense combat scenes
Readers completely unfamiliar with the historical background of the Ming and Qing dynasties who are unwilling to accept any informational enrichment while reading

Reading tips

It is recommended to read the three volumes of One Sword of Wudang in order—upper, middle, and lower—to fully grasp the characters' destinies and the historical thread
While reading, pay some attention to the descriptions of Wudang sword moves and Daoist terminology to appreciate the cultural core of Liang Yusheng's wuxia
The book can be read in comparison with other works by the author from the same period (such as The White-Haired Demoness) to sense the evolution of his writing style

About the publisher

（香港）传慧出版有限公司 Hong Kong, China

(Hong Kong) Chuanhui Publishing Limited is a publishing house based in Hong Kong, China. Public information about it is limited. Judging from the books in the database, its publishing focus is on wuxia novels, especially electronic editions of works by Liang Yusheng. Titles include such full-length wuxia classics as The Legend of the Condor Heroes-style romances Pingzong Xiaying Lu, Yunhai Yugong Yuan, Baifa Monü Zhuan and Datang Youxia Zhuan, mostly presented in multiple volumes, with both upper and lower volumes and complete editions. Liang Yusheng is its core author, and the category is relatively concentrated, reflecting a systematic arrangement and digital dissemination of classic wuxia texts. Its publishing feature lies in reproducing traditional wuxia novels in e-book form, using Hong Kong ISBNs beginning with 988, so that readers can encounter Liang Yusheng's martial arts world digitally.

版权信息
梁羽生先生简介
梁羽生武侠小说作品集
故事简介
第八回幽谷寄情收义女金盆洗手斥强梁
第九回遍洒虚空无障碍妙参禅理出重关
第十回梦幻尘缘难再续飘零蓬梗欲何依
第十一回身陷囚牢成绝学客奇蒙面创新招
第十二回陌路逢仇施辣手寒潭照影起疑心
第十三回鸿爪雪泥何处觅冰心铁胆两相牵

FAQ

If I haven't read the previous volume, will going directly to the middle volume affect my understanding?

It will have a considerable impact. The plot and character relationships in this book are inherited from the previous volume, and reading the middle volume directly will cause you to miss key character backgrounds, the origins of grudges, and plot buildup. It is recommended to start from the previous volume.

How is the wuxia style of this book different from Jin Yong and Gu Long?

Liang Yusheng's wuxia emphasizes historical authenticity and literati temperament; combat descriptions are often combined with poetry and allusions, the style leans toward elegance and steadiness, and the integration of historical background is closer and more meticulously researched, forming a sharp contrast with Jin Yong's all-encompassing scope and Gu Long's expressive strangeness.

Is the depiction of the Wudang Sect in the book based on real history?

Mr. Liang Yusheng conducted extensive research into history and martial arts when writing. The organizational structure of the Wudang Sect, some historical figures, and the背景 of Daoist thought in the book have real foundations, but the specific plot and core characters are artistic fiction, a combination of literary creation and historical material.

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About the author

Liang Yusheng Author · Chinese · 1924–2009

Liang Yusheng (1924–2009), originally named Chen Wentong, was a native of Mengshan, Guangxi. After the victory of the War of Resistance, he entered Lingnan University in Guangzhou and later became an editor of the supplement of the Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao. In 1954, with The Dragon and Tiger Duel in the Capital, he pioneered the new school of Hong Kong wuxia fiction. He wrote thirty-five works before retiring his pen in 1984. His wuxia novels often draw on history, weaving real dynastic changes with martial-world feuds; his characters combine patriotic concern with romantic attachment, and his elegant prose is interspersed with poetry, giving his work a distinctive scholarly flavor. Representative works include The White-Haired Demoness, Seven Swords from Mount Heaven, The Romance of Pingzong Xiaying, and The Romance of the Cloud Sea and Jade Bow. He is often mentioned alongside Jin Yong as a leading figure of his time. Besides wuxia fiction, he also wrote modern poetry; the library holds 143 of his works.