While the outward appearances may seem terrifying, the reality is that these are merely the main characters in a broader narrative.
The Terrifying Yet Intriguing Characters in Martial Arts Literature
Everyone says that martial arts are terrifying, but true terror doesn’t lie in the evil itself, but rather in the hearts of people. This is why “where there are people, there are martial arts”; thus, the horror portrayed in martial arts literature cannot be entirely trusted.
For instance, the saying in “The Legend of the Condor Heroes”: “The sword creates honor, protecting the heart, understanding celestial commands, yet the heart cannot be trapped, the heavens cannot be captured, and the winds must be faced.” is completely a narrative device. Those who can harness martial arts cannot understand the military commands, but conversely, they can also capture the essence of life.
According to Sohu, among the works of Jin Yong, there are five notable characters in the martial arts world that, despite their terrifying appearances, are essentially the main characters of the narrative.
Kiếm Ma – The Unique Character of Co Cau Bai
The first character that must be mentioned is Kiếm Ma from “Co Cau Bai.” The allure of Jin Yong’s storytelling lies in characters like Co Cau Bai. Although he has never officially appeared in any of the works, he is a character that cannot be overlooked.
Because the martial arts skills he possesses are incredibly refined, they have helped Duong Qua, Phong Thanh Duong, and Lien Ho Xung rise to prominence. Despite only learning a fraction of the martial arts skills, they have managed to achieve a high level of excellence.
So who is Kiếm Ma really? Looking at the outward appearances, it seems he has trained the sword to become a ghost. Many believe that if he is a “ghost,” he surely cannot be a good person. However, the reality is not so; the tombstone of Kiếm Ma has already made it clear that he is indeed a person of integrity.
On the tombstone, it reads: “Wandered through the martial arts world for thirty years, killing the evil without a trace, defeating the heroic talents, the heavens no longer have any opponents, there is no other way, and I end up with a bird in the sky. Alas, I have spent my entire life as a person who cannot be, truly regrettable.” Thus, it is clear that he has defeated heroic foes, eliminated dangers, and that indicates he is indeed a virtuous person. However, the reputation of a true hero is not easily recognized.
Kha Tran Ac: “The Ghostly Serpent” with a Heart of Justice
The “Giang Nam Thất Quái” must be one of the most fitting characters with the essence of a true hero in Jin Yong’s stories. Of course, his martial arts skills are not high, typically ranking around level three. However, because of this, his actions for justice become increasingly admirable.
Using Kha Tran Ac as an example, it is clear that if he is known as a ghostly figure in the eyes of others, he will act without hesitation. Therefore, he has a deep connection with Dong Ta, despite causing trouble for the West. However, the conflict between him and Dong Ta is only superficial. Hoang Duoc Su does not appear to be a villain. However, Kha Tran Ac dares to challenge Nguy Tuyet, showing that he has a heart for justice.
Nonetheless, his outward appearance is that of a ghostly serpent (a dragon). The image of a dragon does not necessarily imply a good meaning, as seen in the case of Thanh Duc Bac Vuong Vi Nhat Tieu, who is certainly not a good person. Therefore, Kha Tran Ac’s outward appearance can lead to misunderstandings.
Hoang Duoc Su: “Dong Ta” but Not a Villain
As mentioned above, Dong Ta is not a villain. It is merely the title “Dong Ta” that leads people to misunderstand. In the story, there is a dialogue where Lao Doc Vat Au Duong Phong has a conversation with him, as follows: “Au Duong Phong said: ‘Brother, this morning I went from the West to a place where there is a scholar, hearing this name teaches students, saying what must be a loyal subject, brother, I heard it was too boring, so I killed him. Between you and me, Dong Ta Tay Doc, we are both in the same boat.’ After saying that, he left. The appearance of Hoang Duoc Su changed, saying: ‘I have always thought that the most loyal subject is a loyal subject.’ Then he stepped down, choosing the person next to him to be his servant.”
It can be noted that the character “ta” in “Dong Ta” does not imply evil but rather “not following the usual norms.” He only exhibits mischievous behavior, but his actions, besides causing trouble, are typically just.
Moreover, in the revised version, Jin Yong further elaborates on the character of Hoang Duoc Su, specifically mentioning that he often shows mercy to the masses, referred to as “Ta Quai Dai Hiep.” He also does not shy away from the process of reforming the code of conduct because he has already been an emperor.
Duong Qua: “Tay Cuong” but Hidden Meanings
Tay Cuong is the outward appearance of Duong Qua. The author, when following the narrative, portrays Duong Qua as a person who is what he is. Although he is not a person of great determination, before acting, he must consider things carefully. Even when facing someone who could potentially be his enemy, Quach Tinh, he still contemplates whether the person is indeed what they seem.
Despite the tumultuous journey through the martial arts world, Duong Qua still strives to maintain his integrity, as evidenced by the name Quach Nhi given to him by Quach Tinh, which means “if there is a mistake, it should be corrected.” He always knows how to turn back and ultimately becomes the Divine Hero of the Martial Arts.
During his time in Hoa Son, he once held the position of “West” in the Western region of Au Duong Phong, and even added the title “Tay Cuong,” making people feel that he is a noble person, while still being a rogue. It is difficult to distinguish, as he is also a true hero. Compared to the title of “Thần Điêu Đại Hiệp,” it sounds much better.
Truong Tam Phong: From “Lap Thap Dao Nhan” to the Pinnacle of Martial Arts
In martial arts literature, there are always notable characters, especially the heroic figures. However, many of them are often depicted in a distorted manner. For instance, in “The Legend of the Condor Heroes,” Truong Tam Phong once mentioned a great hero named Bach Ton Dao Nhan. He said: “I remember thirty years ago, Bach Ton Dao Nhan died, and the martial arts techniques were incredibly profound. The name Huyen Minh Than Chuong has become legendary, but who knows this skill?”
There is no doubt that Bach Ton Dao Nhan is a rare talent. Even Truong Tam Phong cannot compare to him, and even he cannot do anything against the legendary Dao.
As for the character of Truong Tam Phong, with his high martial arts skills, he also has an outward appearance, known as Lap Thap Dao Nhan (the legendary hero). In the narrative, it is mentioned that Truong Tam Phong often interacts with the martial arts world with this title: “Only seeing him with a tall figure, white hair, and a charming face, who seems to be very close, yet the robes made of blue silk cannot allow him to show off. Everyone knows Truong Tam Phong’s nature is carefree, not caring about trivial matters, and the martial arts world calls him ‘Lap Thap Dao Nhan,’ while some call him ‘Truong Lap Thap’; until now, no one dares to call him such.” If encountering a legendary hero with such a reputation, how could someone in the martial arts world dare to connect him with a good person? It is truly difficult to imagine.
It can be said that these characters are some of the most “miserable” heroes in Jin Yong’s stories. While they may seem terrifying, the reality is that they are the main characters.
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