Huijian Xinmo

Huijian Xinmo is a wuxia novel by Liang Yusheng. It was first serialised between 23 May 1966 and 14 March 1968 in the Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao. The novel is the final part of a trilogy, and is preceded by Datang Youxia Zhuan and Longfeng Baochai Yuan. The title of the novel comes from a Buddhist saying, huī huìjiàn, zhǎn xīnmó (揮慧劍, 斬心魔), which means "brandish the sword of wisdom and slay your inner demons".

Plot[]

Decades have passed since the Battle of Mount Feihu, in which Wáng Yànyǔ (王燕羽) killed Dòu Lìngkǎn (竇令侃) and his four brothers, and put an end to the Dou family's status as the chief of the wulin (martial artists' community). Unknown to everyone, Dòu Yuán (竇元), an orphan of the Dou clan, has survived and spent the past 30 years training in martial arts to avenge his clan. Dou Yuan kills Wang Yanyu and her husband, Zhǎn Yuánxiū (展元修). Before dying, Wang Yanyu tells her son, Zhǎn Bóchéng (展伯承), to find Chŭ Suì (褚遂), a former follower of her father, Wáng Bótōng (王伯通). She also forbids him from seeking revenge and informing Tiě Mólè (鐵摩勒), the current chief of the wulin, about their deaths. As Dou Lingkan was Tie Mole's godfather, the situation would become more complicated if Tie Mole gets involved.

Chu Sui favours Zhan Bocheng and plans to arrange a marriage between his granddaughter, Chǔ Bǎolíng (褚葆齡), and Zhan Bocheng. However, Chu Baoling is already in love with Liú Máng (劉芒), a young youxia. Liu Mang and his father are plotting to take a hoard of treasure left behind by Wang Botong to finance their outlaw activities, but Chu Sui sees them as robbers. This results in a fight between both sides. Dou Yuan takes advantage of the conflict to attempt to seize the treasure. Chu Sui dies after sustaining serious injuries during the fight. Zhan Bocheng survives with the help of Tie Mole's children while Dou Yuan retreats. Tie Mole gains control of the treasure and uses it to finance the outlaws' activities. Meanwhile, Dou Yuan becomes more ambitious and plots to dominate the wulin by allying himself with lowlifes, corrupt government officials and foreign tribes. With backing from Uyghur nobles and Tian Chengsi, Dou Yuan moves to stir up conflict in the wulin.

Zhan Bocheng and Tie Mole's children encounter trouble while escorting the treasure but are saved by Huà Zōngdài (華宗岱) and his daughter. At the same time, the children of Nán Jìyún (南霽雲) also join the fight against the villains. Dou Yuan makes bigger plans to control the Yangtze River and dominate the wulin. Under the leadership of Kōngkōng'er (空空兒), the young heroes battle against Dou Yuan and his allies and eventually defeat them. Around the time, they also receive news that Chǔ Píngyuán (楚平原) and Yǔwén Hóngní (宇文虹霓) of the Shituo Kingdom (師陀國) are under attack by the Uyghurs, so they travel to the Shituo Kingdom and assist them in driving away the invaders. The Uyghurs enlist the help of Sīkōng Tú (司空圖) and his men to fight the heroes, and a battle breaks out. Dou Yuan is eventually defeated and crippled by Zhan Bocheng and Chu Baoling, thereby preventing him from using his skills to do evil again; Sikong Tu is slain by Tie Mole.

References[]

• Liang, Yusheng (1966–1968). Huijian Xinmo (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Ta Kung Pao. ISBN 9622572863.