Xiaolongnü

The Return of the Condor Heroes is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong, and the second part of the "Condor Trilogy". The Return of the Condor Heroes is the most extensively and deeply written novel by Jin Yong in terms of depicting emotions, and is called a "love letter" by readers. It has also been adapted into film and television works, animations, comics, and radio dramas multiple times.

Return of the Condor Heroes{char}
Book Cover
Author
Jin Yong
Genre
Novel{user}
Wuxia Series
Series
Condor Trilogy
Preceded by
Legend of the Condor Heroes
Followed by
Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
Spin-offs
Chinese Translations
Publication date
1959
Editions
Edited
First published on May 20, 1959, in the inaugural issue of Ming Pao in Hong Kong. Serialized for about three years. The final version has 40 chapters, with chapter titles all being four characters. Published in 1994 by China Publishing House, known as the Sanlian Edition. Taiwan's Yuan-Liou Publishing House published the Century New Edition of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" revised by Jin Yong in 2003. Compared to the old and new versions, the main plot has not changed, but the author has made some modifications to certain details (such as Xiao Longnu being less cold and aloof), and considering the image of historical figures, individual real names that existed in history have been changed to fictional names (such as Yin Zhiping changed to Zhen Zhiping). In 2008, the revised edition was published by Guangzhou Publishing House.

Setting
Edited
The story is set during the Southern Song Dynasty, from the third year of Duanping to the first year of Kaiqing (1236-1259 AD). The revised edition places the Qingming Festival sacrifice to the Western Venom and Northern Beggar in Xiangyang one year after the great battle of Xiangyang, thus in 1260 AD. It begins more than ten years after the end of "Legend of the Condor Heroes" and concludes 77 years before the main events of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" (Zhang Sanfeng's 90th birthday). Real historical figures appearing include Kublai Khan, the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, Wang Chongyang, Duan Zhixing, Lü Wende (Lü Wen Huan in the revised edition), Möngke Khan, Yelü Chucai, etc. The focus of the Central Plains martial arts world in the setting is the confrontation with the invading Mongol army and martial artists from the Mongol Empire, while also emphasizing the protagonist's (Yang Guo's) struggle between his personal emotions and social etiquette and customs.

Jin Yong's works are mostly related to each other to varying degrees. "The Return of the Condor Heroes," "Legend of the Condor Heroes," and "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" are particularly closely related in their background and are collectively known as the "Condor Trilogy."

Guo Jing and Huang Rong, the protagonists of "Legend of the Condor Heroes," are already married in "The Return of the Condor Heroes" and are both influential leaders in the martial arts world. Huang Rong, who was entrusted with the responsibility of becoming the leader of the Beggar Gang, the largest sect in the jianghu, in "Legend of the Condor Heroes," continued to assist Guo Jing in leading the military and civilians of Xiangyang City against the Mongol invasion until the Great Gathering of Heroes at Dasheng Pass in "The Return of the Condor Heroes," when she stepped down. Yang Guo, the protagonist of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," was just born before the end of "Legend of the Condor Heroes" and was named by Guo Jing (in the revised edition, Huang Rong named him). Guo Fu, Wu Shi brothers (Wu Xiuwen, Wu Dunru), major characters in "The Return of the Condor Heroes," are also the children of Guo Jing and Huang Rong and Wu Santong from "Legend of the Condor Heroes." Figures like the Quanzhen Masters and the Five Greats also play important roles in both works. In contrast, "The Return of the Condor Heroes" and "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" are separated by a long period of time and have a shallower connection. Zhang Junbao, who appears at the end of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," founded the Wudang Sect in "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" and is known as Zhang Sanfeng, playing a significant role. The Emei Sect, founded by Guo Xiang, the youngest daughter of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, plays a crucial role in "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber." The descendants of Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu, the "Yellow-Shirted Woman," make a fleeting appearance at the end of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," leaving readers with endless imagination.

In terms of martial arts. The martial arts learned by Yang Guo, apart from those of the Ancient Tomb Sect, the Profound Iron Swordplay, and his own creations, all appeared in "Legend of the Condor Heroes." The "Nine Yang Manual" that appears at the end of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" inspired the martial arts of the Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei sects in "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" and became one of the protagonist's main martial arts. The martial arts from the "Nine Yin Manual," which played important roles in "Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes," also reappeared quietly at the end of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber."

Plot
Edited
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This article's plot, fictional terms, or character descriptions are too long and detailed. Details, terms, and character descriptions irrelevant to the main story need to be cleaned up.
During the reign of Emperor Lizong of the Southern Song Dynasty, Li Mochou, known as the "Red-Haired Fairy," fell in love with Lu Zhanyuan, who was in love with He Yuanjun. Enraged, she took it out on Lu Zhanyuan's brother, Lu Liding, whom she killed along with his wife, and abducted their daughter, Lu Wushuang. Yang Guo, a wandering youth from Jiangnan, happened to pass by and was poisoned after picking up Li Mochou's unique hidden weapon, the "Ice Soul Silver Needle." Ouyang Feng, the "Western Venom" and one of the Five Greats of the martial arts world, encountered Yang Guo, took him as his adopted son, taught him martial arts (Toad Skill and the reverse cultivation of the Nine Yin Manual), and taught him how to expel the poison.

Shortly after, Yang Guo was found by Guo Jing, a renowned chivalrous hero and sworn brother of his deceased father Yang Kang, and his wife, Huang Rong, the leader of the Beggar Gang. They detoxified Yang Guo and learned that he was the son of Yang Kang and Mu Nianci. It turned out that Yang Guo's birth mother, Mu Nianci, had died of illness when he was eleven years old. Guo Jing planned to take Yang Guo to Peach Blossom Island to teach him martial arts, but Huang Rong, mindful of Yang Kang's past actions, only taught Yang Guo to read, hoping he would be influenced by Confucian classics. However, Yang Guo felt Huang Rong was biased. Coupled with provocations and insults from Guo Fu, Guo Jing and Huang Rong's daughter, and the Wu brothers, who were the same age, he got into a fight with the Wu brothers and severely injured Wu Xiuwen with his Toad Skill. Consequently, Guo Jing sent him to Quanzhen Sect to learn martial arts and cultivate his mind. However, Yang Guo's master, Zhao Zhijing, was displeased by Yang Guo's lack of flattery and, instead of teaching him martial arts, made him suffer greatly in the sect. Once, Zhao Zhijing forced Yang Guo, who had not been taught any martial arts, to spar with his senior brother Lu Qingdu. Yang Guo was beaten and, unable to bear it any longer, escaped from Quanzhen Sect and was taken in by Xiao Longnu, who lived in the Tomb of the Living Dead behind Zhongnan Mountain. The master and disciple practiced martial arts together in the tomb and grew up together, gradually developing feelings for each other.

Several years later, Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu were practicing the "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra" behind Zhongnan Mountain when they were discovered by Zhao Zhijing and another Quanzhen Taoist, Zhen Zhiping (Yin Zhiping in the old version). Xiao Longnu was injured by the disturbance, and Zhen Zhiping became infatuated with her beauty. Xiao Longnu's senior sister, Li Mochou, suddenly appeared at the Ancient Tomb and forced Xiao Longnu to hand over the "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra," the secret manual of the Ancient Tomb Sect. Xiao Longnu activated the tomb's mechanisms and escaped with Yang Guo. After escaping the Ancient Tomb, Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu lived in a valley behind Zhongnan Mountain, where they encountered Ouyang Feng. Ouyang Feng, not wanting Xiao Longnu to know about the martial arts he taught Yang Guo, acupunctured Xiao Longnu. Coincidentally, Zhen Zhiping arrived and defiled the immobilized Xiao Longnu, who mistakenly believed it was Yang Guo. She expressed her desire to marry Yang Guo upon his return, but Yang Guo's response was nonsensical. Xiao Longnu left Zhongnan Mountain in anger. Yang Guo, unaware of the truth, searched everywhere for Xiao Longnu and, in the process, realized Xiao Longnu's love for him. While searching for Xiao Longnu, Yang Guo met Lu Wushuang, who was fleeing from Li Mochou, Yelü Qi, the son of Yelü Chu Cai, and Wanyan Ping, a descendant of the Jin imperial family who intended to assassinate Yelü Qi. Later, Yang Guo encountered Hong Qigong, the "Northern Beggar," on Mount Hua. Ouyang Feng also appeared on Mount Hua, and Yang Guo witnessed the duel between the two great masters, who both died.

Later, a heroes' gathering was held at the Lu Family Manor in Dasangguan by the heroes of the Central Plains to unite against the Mongol invasion. Yang Guo went to Lu Family Manor hoping to get news of Xiao Longnu but encountered Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and a group of Quanzhen Taoists. Guo Jing and Huang Rong learned that Yang Guo had left Quanzhen Sect years ago. Xiao Longnu also arrived at Lu Family Manor at this time and reunited with Yang Guo. Jinlun Guoshi (King Jinlun in the old version), a master from the Mongol Empire, led his disciples Huodu and Darba to challenge the heroes at the gathering. In the best-of-three competition, Huodu used a cunning trick to defeat Zhu Ziliu. At a critical moment, Xiao Longnu and Yang Guo were accidentally drawn into the conflict, and they combined their efforts using the Jade Maiden Heart Sword to help Guo Jing defeat Jinlun Guoshi. Guo Jing was impressed and grateful to Xiao Longnu and Yang Guo and planned to betroth his daughter Guo Fu to Yang Guo. Yang Guo refused, insisting on marrying Xiao Longnu. However, master-disciple marriage violated the customs of the time, and their love could not be accepted by the world. After leaving Lu Family Manor, they encountered Jinlun Guoshi, who had abducted Guo Fu, and Huang Rong and the Wu brothers, who had come to rescue Guo Fu. Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu defeated Jinlun Guoshi again and rescued Guo Fu. Later, Xiao Longnu, persuaded by Huang Rong, left sadly, hoping Yang Guo would be accepted by Guo Jing and others. After Xiao Longnu left, Yang Guo, Huang Rong, Guo Fu, and the Wu brothers encountered Jinlun Guoshi again. Huang Rong and Yang Guo outsmarted Jinlun Guoshi and were aided by Cheng Ying, the closed-door disciple of Huang Yaoshi, the "Eastern Heretic," and Lu Wushuang's cousin, allowing them to escape.

After being rescued by Cheng Ying, Yang Guo learned that Lu Wushuang was fleeing from Li Mochou. He joined Cheng Ying, and later met Huang Yaoshi and Qu Shagu, the daughter of Huang Yaoshi's disciple Qu Lingfeng. Yang Guo and Huang Yaoshi hit it off immediately. Li Mochou tracked Lu Wushuang there, and Huang Yaoshi taught Yang Guo martial arts to counter Li Mochou's moves. Yang Guo then, along with Huang Yaoshi's disciple Feng Mofeng, repelled Li Mochou. Later, Yang Guo learned from Shagu that Guo Jing and Huang Rong were greatly involved in the death of his father, Yang Kang, and suspected they were his father's murderers. Enraged, Yang Guo went to seek refuge with Kublai Khan, the Mongol prince and master of Jinlun Guoshi. In Kublai Khan's army, Yang Guo not only met Jinlun Guoshi and six other Mongol masters but also encountered Zhou Botong, who had accidentally entered the camp. After Zhou Botong caused chaos in the camp, he was captured outside the camp by a fishing net formation set by a group of green-clad figures. Yang Guo and Kublai Khan's masters followed the green-clad figures into a valley and met Gongsun Lüe, the daughter of the valley master. It turned out that this valley was called Passionless Valley. Gongsun Zhi, the valley master, had ancestors who moved into this valley to live in seclusion during the An Lushan Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty. Because Zhou Botong had caused trouble in the valley earlier, they sent people to capture him to hold him accountable for his misdeeds.

Later, Zhou Botong escaped again, but Yang Guo saw Xiao Longnu in Passionless Valley. However, Xiao Longnu denied her identity, claiming to be the unmarried fiancée of Valley Master Gongsun Zhi. It turned out that after Xiao Longnu left Yang Guo, she suffered a qi deviation while practicing and was saved by Gongsun Zhi. Gongsun Zhi took Xiao Longnu to Passionless Valley and intended to marry her. Yang Guo's constant questioning of Xiao Longnu's identity angered Gongsun Zhi. Gongsun Zhi ordered his subordinates to set up a fishing net formation to capture Yang Guo. Xiao Longnu then admitted her identity to Yang Guo and was determined to die with Yang Guo rather than marry Gongsun Zhi. Gongsun Zhi attacked Yang Guo with his ultimate skill. Xiao Longnu and Yang Guo countered with the Jade Maiden Heart Sword, but they had accidentally been injured by the unique love flower in Passionless Valley earlier. At this moment, the love poison took effect, and they were defeated and captured by Gongsun Zhi. Gongsun Zhi offered to cure Yang Guo as a condition for marrying Xiao Longnu.

Later, Gongsun Lüe rescued Yang Guo but failed to steal the antidote for the love flower poison, the Passionless Pill. Gongsun Zhi intended to kill Gongsun Lüe according to the valley rules. Yang Guo intervened to save her, and they fell into a deep pool at the bottom of the earth.

Yang Guo and Gongsun Lüe discovered an old woman with crippled hands and feet in a cave within the deep pool. She was Gongsun Zhi's wife and Gongsun Lüe's mother, Qiu Qianchi. Years ago, Qiu Qianchi discovered Gongsun Zhi's affair with a maid and forced Gongsun Zhi to kill the maid. Gongsun Zhi retaliated by severing Qiu Qianchi's tendons and confining her in the underground cave. Qiu Qianchi survived for over ten years by eating dates from a jujube tree in the cave and developed the skill of spitting out date pits with internal energy. Yang Guo and Gongsun Lüe later brought Qiu Qianchi back to the surface and helped her defeat Gongsun Zhi. However, Qiu Qianchi learned that her brother Qiu Qianzhang was killed by Guo Jing and Huang Rong and demanded that Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu bring their heads back to Passionless Valley before she would give them the Passionless Pill to cure the love flower poison. Yang Guo, claiming Guo Jing and Huang Rong were his father's murderers, readily agreed to Qiu Qianchi's request.

Yang Guo, Xiao Longnu, and a group of Mongol masters left Passionless Valley and returned to Kublai Khan's camp. They learned that Guo Jing and Huang Rong were leading the heroes of the Central Plains martial arts world to defend Xiangyang City. Yang Guo promised Kublai Khan that he would infiltrate Xiangyang City to assassinate Guo Jing and act as a spy for the Mongols. Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu arrived at Xiangyang City. Guo Jing, without holding any grudges, welcomed them to help resist the Mongols. Yang Guo repeatedly tried to kill Guo Jing but was moved by Guo Jing's righteousness and could not bring himself to do it. The Wu brothers were captured by Kublai Khan. Yang Guo accompanied Guo Jing to Kublai Khan's army for negotiations. Kublai Khan's masters surrounded and attacked Guo Jing. In a critical moment, Yang Guo decided to help Guo Jing escape. Although they escaped back to Xiangyang, Guo Jing was seriously injured. Seeing Guo Jing severely injured and Yang Guo reneging on his promise to kill him, Jinlun Guoshi and other masters infiltrated Xiangyang City to kill Guo Jing. At this time, Huang Rong, who was heavily pregnant, went into labor. Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu worked together to protect Guo Jing and his wife. Huang Rong gave birth to twins. Jinlun Guoshi attempted to snatch the newborn daughter, Guo Xiang, as a hostage. Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu desperately protected Guo Xiang. In the chaos, the infant Guo Xiang fell into the hands of Li Mochou, who had just arrived in Xiangyang. Li Mochou mistakenly believed Guo Xiang was the daughter of Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu. On one hand, she refused to return Guo Xiang to Yang Guo; on the other hand, she joined forces with Yang Guo to deal with Jinlun Guoshi and other Mongol masters who wanted to snatch Guo Xiang. In the chaos, Xiao Longnu and Yang Guo were separated. Yang Guo followed Li Mochou, who had abducted Guo Xiang, and encountered the Wu brothers, who were fighting over Guo Fu, and their father Wu Santong. To quell the conflict between the Wu brothers, Yang Guo falsely told them that Guo Jing and Huang Rong had betrothed Guo Fu to him, making them give up on Guo Fu. The Wu brothers eventually reconciled and, along with Yang Guo and their father Wu Santong, repelled Li Mochou. However, Li Mochou still abducted Guo Xiang. Yang Guo, believing he was poisoned by the love flower and would not live long, sucked the poisonous blood from the Wu brothers, who were poisoned by the Ice Soul Silver Needle, and fell unconscious. He was rescued by Wu Santong and Zhu Ziliu and brought back to Xiangyang. The Heavenly Indian Monk, Wu Santong's grand-uncle, diagnosed Yang Guo and believed that absorbing the poisonous blood had the effect of counteracting poison, delaying the onset of his symptoms. The Heavenly Indian Monk decided to go to Passionless Valley himself to understand the nature of the love flower poison and find a cure for Yang Guo.

Guo Fu, seeing Yang Guo and the others return to Xiangyang, learned that her sister Guo Xiang had been abducted by Li Mochou. She also learned from the Wu brothers that Yang Guo claimed his parents had betrothed him to her, causing the Wu brothers to distance themselves from her. Guo Fu angrily went to confront Yang Guo. Their verbal argument escalated into a physical fight. In her anger, Guo Fu grabbed the "Lady Sword" that Yang Guo brought from Passionless Valley and severed Yang Guo's right arm. Severely wounded, Yang Guo fled the Guo residence and was later rescued by a great eagle. The divine eagle took Yang Guo to the stone tomb of the ancient master Gu Duqiu Bai. There, Yang Guo recuperated while practicing Gu Duqiu Bai's martial arts with the help of the divine eagle. A few days later, Yang Guo's injuries healed, and he sneaked back into Xiangyang. He saw Guo Jing about to sever Guo Fu's right arm as compensation for Yang Guo. Huang Rong rescued Guo Fu and escorted her from Xiangyang to Peach Blossom Island. Along the way, they encountered Li Mochou, who was carrying Guo Xiang. Huang Rong, realizing Li Mochou did not know the infant girl in her hands was her daughter, devised a plan to make Li Mochou leave Guo Xiang. Unexpectedly, Guo Xiang was snatched by Yang Guo, who had been following Huang Rong, and taken to the Ancient Tomb on Zhongnan Mountain.

After being separated from Yang Guo, Xiao Longnu eventually found traces of him but happened to overhear Yang Guo falsely telling the Wu brothers that Guo Jing and Huang Rong had betrothed Guo Fu to him. Xiao Longnu believed it and left in disappointment. Later, Xiao Longnu overheard Zhao Zhijing threatening Zhen Zhiping with the humiliation of Xiao Longnu to obtain the position of Quanzhen Sect leader, realizing then that she had been defiled by Zhen Zhiping. In despair, Xiao Longnu abandoned Yang Guo and pursued Zhao Zhijing and Zhen Zhiping alone. While fleeing from Xiao Longnu, Zhao and Zhen encountered a Mongol army led by Jinlun Guoshi. It turned out that the Mongols had sent troops to deal with Quanzhen Sect. Zhao Zhijing hoped to become the leader of Quanzhen Sect with the help of the Mongols and colluded with Jinlun Guoshi, setting a trap to poison Zhou Botong. However, Zhou Botong was rescued by Xiao Longnu. Xiao Longnu also learned the technique of "Left and Right Mutual Combat" from Zhou Botong.

After rescuing Zhou Botong, Xiao Longnu continued to track Zhen Zhiping and Zhao Zhijing to Zhongnan Mountain. The Five Masters of Quanzhen were in seclusion practicing martial arts. Zhao Zhijing successfully forced Zhen Zhiping to give him the leadership, but Zhao Zhijing accepted the enfeoffment from the Mongols, causing internal strife within Quanzhen Sect. Jinlun Guoshi led a group of masters and Mongol soldiers to attack Chongyang Palace, captured Zhen Zhiping, and intended to kill him. However, Xiao Longnu, who had been observing from the sidelines, wanted to kill Zhen Zhiping herself, so she intervened to stop the Mongol masters and engaged in a fierce battle with Jinlun Guoshi and other masters. Zhen Zhiping, trying to save Xiao Longnu, entered the fray and was accidentally wounded by Xiao Longnu's sword. Coincidentally, the Five Masters of Quanzhen emerged from seclusion and, thinking Xiao Longnu had harmed their beloved disciple, attacked her. Xiao Longnu, caught between the Mongol masters and the Five Masters of Quanzhen, was severely wounded. When Yang Guo returned to the Ancient Tomb on Zhongnan Mountain, he discovered the changes at Chongyang Palace. After placing Guo Xiang in the Ancient Tomb, he went to Chongyang Palace and defeated Jinlun Guoshi and other masters with the Profound Iron Heavy Sword left by Gu Duqiu Bai. At this point, Zhen Zhiping revealed to the Five Masters of Quanzhen that he had defiled Xiao Longnu and then committed suicide. Disregarding the reputation of Quanzhen Sect, Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu got married before the portrait of Wang Chongyang in Chongyang Palace and then returned to the Ancient Tomb. Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu healed their injuries in the Ancient Tomb. Meanwhile, Huang Rong, Guo Fu, Wu Santong and his son, and others came to Zhongnan Mountain. Led by Li Mochou, they entered the Ancient Tomb. Li Mochou, after entering the tomb, secretly attacked everyone. Guo Fu picked up the Ice Soul Silver Needle left by Li Mochou and intended to ambush Li Mochou but accidentally injured Xiao Longnu, who was practicing her healing. The poison of the Ice Soul Silver Needle thus entered Xiao Longnu's internal organs, with no cure.

Enraged, Yang Guo took Xiao Longnu and Guo Xiang away from the Ancient Tomb and encountered Master Yideng and his disciple Ci En. Yideng had received a letter from his disciple Zhu Ziliu, informing him of Yang Guo's love flower poisoning. Ci En, before becoming a monk, was the leader of the Iron Palm Sect, Qiu Qianren, the elder brother of Qiu Qianchi, the master of Passionless Valley. Ci En hoped to persuade Qiu Qianchi to hand over the antidote for the love flower poison. Yang Guo and his wife, along with Master Yideng and his disciples, came to Passionless Valley and found Zhou Botong, Huang Rong, Guo Fu, Yelü Qi, Cheng Ying, Lu Wushuang, and others, as well as Li Mochou and her disciples, had also arrived. Yang Guo returned Guo Xiang to Huang Rong. Huang Rong and Ci En went to negotiate with Qiu Qianchi, demanding she hand over the Passionless Pill. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Indian Monk, who had entered Passionless Valley earlier to understand the nature of the love flower poison, voluntarily got pricked by the love flower and fell unconscious. Li Mochou also accidentally fell into the love flower array. Although she escaped by sacrificing her disciple Hong Lingbo, she was poisoned by the love flower.

Huang Rong and Ci En met Qiu Qianchi. Qiu Qianchi incited Ci En to avenge his brother's death against Huang Rong. Ci En lost his reason, snatched Guo Xiang, and intended to kill her. However, Huang Rong immediately pretended to be Yinggu, who was driven mad by the loss of her son, reminding Ci En of the tragedy of killing Yinggu's newborn infant years ago. He finally gave up his revenge. Qiu Qianchi then demanded that Huang Rong withstand three mouthfuls of jujube pits spat by her without dodging as a condition for handing over the Passionless Pill. Huang Rong, with her wit and martial arts, successfully caught the three jujube pits without injury. However, Gongsun Zhi, who had been expelled from Passionless Valley, colluded with Li Mochou and successfully seized the Passionless Pill. Although Xiao Longnu later defeated Gongsun Zhi and recovered the Passionless Pill, Yang Guo learned that the Heavenly Indian Monk, who had woken up, had been killed by Li Mochou, and there was no one in the world who could cure Xiao Longnu. Unwilling to live alone, he threw the Passionless Pill into the bottom of Passionless Valley. Li Mochou was captured by everyone and later died by self-immolation unable to bear the effects of the love flower poison. Gongsun Zhi and Qiu Qianchi eventually died together.

Huang Rong deduced that the Heavenly Indian Monk had believed the Heartbreak Grass was the antidote for the love flower poison before his death. Unaware that Xiao Longnu's poison was incurable, she mentioned this, hoping Xiao Longnu would persuade Yang Guo to take it. Xiao Longnu carved sixteen characters on a stone cliff: "We will meet here in sixteen years. Our love is deep, do not break your promise." She then left without saying goodbye. Huang Rong realized at this point that Xiao Longnu's life was nearing its end. She could only falsely tell Yang Guo that Xiao Longnu had been taken as a disciple by the divine Nanhai Shenni, and her poison would surely be cured. However, Nanhai Shenni only visited China once every sixteen years, so Xiao Longnu had to wait sixteen years to see Yang Guo again. Yang Guo, half-believing, decided to take the Heartbreak Grass, successfully cured his love flower poison, and waited sixteen years to reunite with Xiao Longnu.

During the sixteen years, Yang Guo, with the divine eagle, roamed the land performing chivalrous deeds, becoming the well-known "Divine Eagle Hero." Guo Xiang also grew into a graceful young lady. Sixteen years later, Guo Xiang, along with her sister Guo Fu and brother Guo Polu, went north to Jinyang to invite Qiu Chuji to attend the Xiangyang Heroes' Gathering. On their return journey, they passed through Fengling Crossing. At an inn, Guo Xiang overheard guests talking about the "Divine Eagle Hero" and became very eager to meet him. Disregarding the family and the snowstorm, she followed the Western Mountain One-Cave Ghosts to meet the Divine Eagle Hero. She witnessed Yang Guo resolving the dispute between the Western Mountain One-Cave Ghosts and the Shi brothers of Wan Shou Mountain Villa. Later, she followed him to Black Dragon Pool, where Yinggu lived, to capture the Nine-Tailed Fox that could cure the third Shi brother. However, at Black Dragon Pool, she saw Yinggu, Yideng, Ci En, and Zhou Botong, and their decades-long grievances were resolved. Yang Guo received the spirit fox from Yinggu, curing the third Shi brother's illness. He then attended the thank-you banquet hosted by the Shi brothers with Guo Xiang. At this point, Guo Fu forcefully entered Wan Shou Mountain Villa to find Guo Xiang, and Yang Guo realized Guo Xiang's identity. At their parting, Yang Guo gave Guo Xiang three golden needles, promising to fulfill her three wishes. Guo Xiang immediately proposed her first wish: to see Yang Guo's true face, as he always wore a mask. After Yang Guo showed her his true face, Guo Xiang proposed her second wish: for Yang Guo to meet her in Xiangyang on her sixteenth birthday that year. Guo Xiang had not yet thought of her third wish.

When Guo Xiang returned to Xiangyang, Guo Jing and Huang Rong were preparing for the anti-Mongol heroes' gathering, which was scheduled for Guo Xiang's sixteenth birthday. The leader of the Beggar Gang, Lu Youjiao, was murdered. While Guo Xiang was paying respects to Lu Youjiao outside the city, she and Guo Fu were attacked by Nixing, a master under the Mongols. A mysterious master killed Nixing and rescued the Guo sisters. Afterward, Huang Rong discovered that a group of reclusive martial arts masters had come to Guo Xiang's room to wish her a happy birthday, deducing that Yang Guo had invited them and worrying that Yang Guo might harm Guo Xiang. In reality, Yang Guo, using Guo Xiang's birthday as a pretext, mobilized friendly forces from the jianghu to annihilate the vanguard of the Mongol invasion, destroy the Mongol army's front-line granaries and powder magazines, and expose the conspiracy of Huodu, Jinlun Guoshi's traitorous disciple, who had killed Lu Youjiao to seize the leadership of the Beggar Gang. Finally, Yang Guo personally appeared in Xiangyang to meet Guo Jing and others. At this time, Huang Yaoshi also arrived in Xiangyang. Yang Guo and Huang Yaoshi, one old and one young, went to catch up. Yang Guo also learned from him that the story of Nanhai Shenni was a fabrication by Huang Rong. Later, Yang Guo went to Tieqiang Temple, the place where his father Yang Kang died, and learned from Ke Zhen'e, Guo Jing's master, about his father Yang Kang's evil deeds and the cause of his death.

After Yang Guo and Huang Yaoshi left, Huang Rong told Guo Xiang about the three generations of grievances between the Guo and Yang families and stated that the story of Nanhai Shenni taking Xiao Longnu as a disciple was a fabrication she had made up to make Yang Guo survive. With the sixteen-year pact approaching, Huang Rong feared Yang Guo's reaction if he could not wait for Xiao Longnu and advised Guo Xiang not to contact Yang Guo again. However, Guo Xiang feared that Yang Guo might commit suicide if he couldn't see Xiao Longnu. Remembering that Yang Guo had not yet fulfilled her third wish, she went to find Yang Guo and told her third wish: that Yang Guo must not seek death. After leaving Xiangyang, Guo Xiang was captured by Jinlun Guoshi.

Jinlun Guoshi, appreciating Guo Xiang's intelligence and kindness, took her as a disciple and taught her some of his inner techniques. However, Guo Xiang taunted Jinlun Guoshi that his martial arts were inferior to Yang Guo's, prompting Jinlun Guoshi to take Guo Xiang to Passionless Valley to find Yang Guo for a duel. Yang Guo, unable to find Xiao Longnu at Passionless Valley on the appointed day, believed Xiao Longnu had died sixteen years ago and, in grief, leaped from the cliff into the valley. At this moment, Guo Xiang and Jinlun Guoshi arrived at Passionless Valley. Guo Xiang witnessed Yang Guo leap off the cliff and followed him. At this time, Huang Rong, Zhou Botong, Yinggu, Cheng Ying, Lu Wushuang, and Huang Yaoshi, among others, came to Passionless Valley in search of Guo Xiang and Yang Guo. They learned that Yang Guo and Guo Xiang had fallen into the valley. They worked together to subdue Jinlun Guoshi. Huang Rong's male and female eagles carried Guo Xiang from the valley floor to the cliff. It was discovered that Guo Xiang and Yang Guo were unharmed. It turned out that the bottom of the valley was a deep pool, and Yang Guo and Guo Xiang fell into the water unharmed. They worked together to climb into the valley but could not find Yang Guo. Guo Xiang, who remained on the cliff, was deceived by Jinlun Guoshi into helping him unseal his acupoints, which had been sealed by everyone. Guo Xiang was once again abducted by Jinlun Guoshi.

The Mongol army besieged Xiangyang for a long time. Jinlun Guoshi threatened to burn Guo Xiang alive on the battlefield, forcing Guo Jing to surrender. Guo Jing refused to surrender and vowed to resist to the death. At this moment, Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu appeared to rescue Guo Xiang. It turned out that Yang Guo discovered that the cold pool at the bottom of Passionless Valley had another world. Xiao Longnu, having survived the fall into the pool, lived in a valley on the other side of the cold pool and miraculously detoxified herself by consuming jade honey and white fish from the pool. After reuniting with Yang Guo, they returned to the cliff and learned that Guo Xiang had been abducted. They went to rescue her, and Yang Guo eventually killed Jinlun Guoshi and rescued Guo Xiang. Afterward, Guo Fu's husband, Yelü Qi, was besieged by the Mongol army. Guo Fu begged Yang Guo to go to his rescue. Yang Guo demanded that Guo Fu kneel and kowtow, and then rescued Yelü Qi. Guo Fu finally deeply realized that her resentment towards Yang Guo was due to jealousy and apologized to Yang Guo. Later, Huang Yaoshi ordered the Song army to set up the Twenty-Eight Constellations Formation to defeat the Mongol army. Yang Guo even used stones to snipe Möngke Khan, the Great Khan of the Mongols, who was leading the army personally.

After repelling the Mongol army, Yang Guo and his companions went to Mount Hua and encountered a group of petty individuals engaged in the "Third Mount Hua Sword Conference." Yang Guo scared them away and discussed the new Five Greats of the world with his companions, re-establishing them as: "Eastern Heretic - Huang Yaoshi, Western Madman - Yang Guo, Southern Monk - Master Yideng, Northern Hero - Guo Jing, Central Child - Zhou Botong." While descending Mount Hua, they encountered Jueyuan, a Shaolin monk, and his disciple Zhang Junbao, pursuing two Mongol masters, Xiaoxiangzi and Yin Kexi, to retrieve the "Lengjia Sutra" and the "Nine Yang Manual." Yang Guo taught Zhang Junbao three palm techniques to defeat Xiaoxiangzi and then, with Xiao Longnu, bid farewell to everyone and departed (The deeds of Guo Xiang and Zhang Junbao (Zhang Sanfeng) are further narrated in "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber").

Subsequent Developments
Edited
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This article may contain original research.
As the second part of the "Condor Trilogy," although the main story of the sequel "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" is set much later (The Return of the Condor Heroes ends in 1260 AD, while the main story of Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber begins in 1335 AD), because the beginning of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" includes two chapters detailing Guo Xiang's deeds, and the main story "a hundred years later" also mentions past events in flashbacks, it is possible to know or infer the subsequent stories of some important characters.

The actual time gap between the two works is 3 or 4 years (there are differences between the second and third editions) from the end of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" (the re-evaluation of the Five Greats on Mount Hua) to the beginning of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" (Guo Xiang visits Shaolin). The most obvious change mentioned at this time is that "Qiu Chuji had been dead for a long time," whereas in the Xiangyang battle at the end of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," he was only mentioned as "old and sick, unable to get out of bed."

The Ancient Tomb, once blocked by the Dragon-Breaking Stone, has been reopened (but it is uncertain whether this happened during the 16 years Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu were separated or after their reunion). When Guo Xiang visited the Ancient Tomb, Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu were out, but their maidservant hosted her for three days.

As for other characters, although not explicitly mentioned one by one, since the author mentioned the names of Huang Yaoshi, Yideng, Zhou Botong, and Yinggu when Guo Xiang demonstrated their martial arts against Wuse, and did not specifically point out that they had passed away, it is highly likely that they are still alive, even though they are very old (should be nearly a hundred years old).

The author mentioned at the end of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" that because Möngke Khan died on the battlefield and Kublai Khan was vying for the Khanate with Ariq Böke, he did not attack Xiangyang again until many years later. Historically, the Mongols began besieging Xiangyang in 1267 AD and it fell in 1273 AD (and according to the flashback in "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," Xiangyang fell almost immediately). Therefore, the period from 1260 AD, when "The Return of the Condor Heroes" ends, to 1273 AD, when Xiangyang fell, can be considered the last period of peace for everyone.

According to later flashbacks, the fates of various individuals in the battle for Xiangyang in 1273 are as follows:

Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu: The later appearance of the yellow-shirted woman named Yang is likely their descendant.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong: Died martyrs (around 70 years old).

Guo Polu: Died a martyr with his parents, no descendants.

Guo Xiang: Was in Xichuan when the city fell. Later became a nun and founded the Emei Sect.

Yelü Qi and Guo Fu: Not explicitly mentioned (the later leader of the Beggar Gang, Yelü Yuanru, in the newspaper version should be their descendant, but it has been deleted in the second and subsequent editions), but the Beggar Gang they led does not seem to have suffered a devastating blow.

Wu Dunru and Yelü Yan: Not explicitly mentioned.

Wu Xiwen and Wanyan Ping: Wu Lie and his daughter in "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" are their descendants and neighbors of Zhu Ziliu's descendants (Zhu Changling).

Main Characters
Edited
See also: List of characters in The Return of the Condor Heroes
Yang Guo - The male protagonist of the novel. He is the son of Yang Kang and Mu Nianci (Yang Kang and Qin Nanqin in the old version) from "Legend of the Condor Heroes." Handsome and intelligent, but born into poverty, leading to a personality of inferiority and extremism. He often acts impulsively due to anger. He hates evil and loves justice. In his youth, he rebelled against the constraints of famous teachings and disliked etiquette and customs, struggling between love and loyalty. He is proficient in the "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra," Quanzhen Sect martial arts, and parts of the "Nine Yin Manual." Later, he was taught the moves and mental techniques of the Dog Beating Staff by Hong Qigong, the Northern Beggar, and Huang Rong, respectively. He was also taught the Jade Flute Swordplay and Finger Flicking Skill by Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic. He learned some Toad Skill and the mental techniques for reversing meridians from Ouyang Feng, the Western Venom. Among the first generation of the Five Greats, he can be considered to have learned from all of them except the Southern Emperor. His sect's founder, the female knight Lin Chaoying of the Ancient Tomb Sect, was also a master comparable to the Five Greats. Yang Guo can be said to have gathered the top martial arts of the era. After Guo Fu severed his arm, he practiced Gu Duqiu Bai's sword techniques with the Profound Iron Sword and created the "Melancholy Palm," finally becoming a supreme master. Later, he roamed the land performing chivalrous deeds, earning the title "Divine Eagle Hero." All factions in the martial arts world, regardless of good or evil, black or white, admired his character, obeyed his commands, regarded him as a confidant, or followed his lead. The "Divine Eagle Hero" had become an alternative martial arts alliance leader. At the end, he became the "Western Madman" among the "New Five Greats" and lived in seclusion with Xiao Longnu.
Xiao Longnu - The female protagonist of the novel. The third-generation successor of the Ancient Tomb Sect. She has a beautiful and ethereal appearance and a closed and conflicted personality. Her martial arts are powerful, not inferior to the Five Greats of the world. She is proficient in the "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra," "Left and Right Mutual Combat," and parts of the "Nine Yin Manual." Besides the long sword, she also uses the unique soft weapon, the "White Silk Golden Bell." On the orders of her grandmother, Granny Sun, she took in the young Yang Guo and taught him martial arts. The two fell in love over time but suffered greatly wandering the jianghu because of this love. Later, her body was defiled by Zhen Zhiping (Yin Zhiping in the old version). During this time, she had a chance encounter with Zhou Botong and learned the "Left and Right Mutual Combat" technique from him, enabling her to use the Jade Maiden Heart Sword with both hands simultaneously and to face Jinlun Guoshi alone. Due to her meridians reversing during healing, she was accidentally injured by Guo Fu's needle poison, causing the poison to enter her internal organs, making it difficult to remove and shortening her lifespan. To prevent Yang Guo from dying with her, she left a message for Yang Guo on a large stone and jumped into the valley to commit suicide, but unexpectedly survived and detoxified herself. Sixteen years later, she reunited with Yang Guo in Passionless Valley. Afterward, she and Yang Guo assisted Guo Jing and Huang Rong in defending Xiangyang and rescuing Guo Xiang, becoming the renowned "Divine Couple." After the third Mount Hua Sword Conference, she disappeared from the martial arts world with Yang Guo.
Novel Chapters
Edited
The book has a total of forty chapters, with an additional epilogue:

Chapter 01: Heartless Wind and Moon
Chapter 02: Son of an Old Friend
Chapter 03: Seeking a Master in Zhongnan
Chapter 04: Under the Quanzhen Sect
Chapter 05: Tomb of the Living Dead
Chapter 06: Jade Maiden Heart Sutra
Chapter 07: Chongyang's Legacy
Chapter 08: White-Clad Maiden
Chapter 09: Avoiding Enemies with a Hundred Schemes
Chapter 10: Young Hero
Chapter 11: Tribulations in the Dust
Chapter 12: Heroes' Banquet
Chapter 13: Leader of the Martial Arts World
Chapter 14: The Great Barrier of Etiquette
Chapter 15: Disciple of the Eastern Heretic
Chapter 16: Deep Hatred for Father's Murderer
Chapter 17: Passionless Valley
Chapter 18: Valley Master Gongsun
Chapter 19: Old Woman Underground
Chapter 20: The Great Chivalrous Man
Chapter 21: Fierce Battle in Xiangyang
Chapter 22: Infant in a Perilous City
Chapter 23: Sibling Rivalry
Chapter 24: Confused Emotions
(Revised Edition changed to "Thrilling and Chilling")
Chapter 25: Internal and External Troubles
Chapter 26: Divine Eagle Heavy Sword
Chapter 27: Fighting with Wit and Strength
Chapter 28: Wedding Night
Chapter 29: Repeated Calamities
Chapter 30: Separation and Reunion
Chapter 31: Half a Pill
Chapter 32: What is Love?
Chapter 33: Night Talk at Fengling
Chapter 34: Resolving Disputes
Chapter 35: Three Golden Needles
Chapter 36: Offering Gifts for a Birthday
(Revised Edition changed to "Birthday Gift")
Chapter 37: Three Generations of Grievances
Chapter 38: Life and Death Uncertain
Chapter 39: Great Battle of Xiangyang
Chapter 40: Summit of Mount Hua