Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

This article is about the novel. For other uses, see Demigod (disambiguation).

For other uses, see Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (disambiguation).

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
Author(s)	Jin Yong
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Chinese
Genre(s)	Wuxia
Publisher	Ming Pao Nanyang Siang Pau
Publication date	3rd September 1963
Media type	Print

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
Traditional Chinese	天龍八部
Simplified Chinese	天龙八部
Literal meaning	The Heavenly Dragon and the Eight Sections
Transcriptions Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin Tiān Lóng Bā Bù Cantonese (Yue) - Jyutping Tin1 Lung4 Baat3 Bou6

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong. It was first serialized concurrently from September 3, 1963 to May 27, 1966 in Ming Pao in Hong Kong^[1] and Nanyang Siang Pau in Singapore.

It has since spawned several film and television series adaptations in both China and Hong Kong. The title of the novel has been a challenge for translators for years. It is based on the Eight Races of non-human entities^[2] described in Buddhist cosmology.^[3] In Buddhism, even though these Demi-Gods are ranked higher than mortals, they are still bound to the Samsara by their own passions and desires. It is said that Jin Yong originally modelled each major character after one of the Races. As he wrote on, the complexity of the story made it impossible for such a simplistic mapping.

Ni Kuang's additions

Jin Yong went on travel for a short period of time during the writing of the novel and Ni Kuang took over the serialization and added more than 40,000 words. One notable addition to the novel by Ni Kuang was the episode in which A'zi is blinded. Since the novel was published as a serial, Jin Yong had to continue from where Ni Kuang stopped after he returned from his trip. In his revision, Jin Yong excised most of Ni Kuang's additions but he retained the part about A'zi being blinded, since that chapter had become a crucial point in the plot's development.

Background

The main thematic element of the novel concerns the complex, troubled relationships between the great multitude of characters from various kingdoms and sects, and the inherent bond that underlies the struggles of each. Ultimately, the novel examines the cause and effect that forms and breaks these bonds on five uniquely corresponding levels: self, family, society, ethnic group, and country (dominion). The timeframe in which the novel takes place is historically based upon the era of the Northern Song Dynasty, and includes the non-Han Chinese empires of Liao, Dali, Western Xia and Tubo.

Characters

Main article: List of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils characters

There are about over 230 characters in the novel, including those who are only mentioned by name.

• Qiao Feng (喬峰) – birth name Xiao Feng (蕭峰). He is the chief of the Beggars' Sect and one of the most powerful and respected pugilists of his era. He becomes sworn brothers with Duan Yu and Xuzhu. He is despised by fellow pugilists after he is revealed to be a Khitan, and becomes an outcast after being wrongly accused of committing a series of mysterious murders. Xiao Feng becomes sworn brothers with the Khitan ruler by coincidence and is conferred a nobility title for his efforts in suppressing a coup. At the end of the novel, he forces the Khitan ruler to make an oath that he will not attack the Song Dynasty for as long as he lives. He commits suicide afterwards to prove that his actions are for the greater good of both countries and to keep his honour.

• Duan Yu (段譽) – the nominal son of Duan Zhengchun. As a child, he is sentimental towards whatever that interests him. He refuses to learn martial arts to avoid hurting and killing others due to Buddhist influence. However, he still learns some powerful skills through a series of adventures. With these techniques, he becomes a formidable pugilist. He meets Wang Yuyan later, who looks like a statue that once mesmerized him, and becomes attracted to her, dutifully doing anything to win her heart. While on adventure, he meets Xiao Feng and Xu Zhu in two separate encounters and becomes sworn brothers with them. He becomes the ruler of Dali eventually.

• Xu Zhu (虛竹) – originally a monk from the Shaolin Sect. He becomes the leader of the Carefree Sect after solving a weiqi puzzle by accident and inherits Wuyazi's 70 years' worth of inner energy. He meets Tianshan Tonglao, who teaches him more advanced and powerful martial arts. In a freak incident during Tianshan Tonglao and Li Qiushui's last fatal duel, he manages to absorb the majority of their powers as well. He succeeds Tianshan Tonglao as ruler of Lingjiu Palace after her death. During the brief period of time he spent with Tianshan Tonglao, he develops an intimate relationship with a woman whose face he has never seen clearly before, known to him as "dream lover". The lovers are reunited again some time later when the woman is revealed to be the princess of Western Xia. Xu Zhu marries her and becomes a prince consort. He becomes sworn brothers with Duan Yu during their first meeting at Lingjiu Palace and with Xiao Feng later at Shaolin.

Plot

The plot is made up of several separate yet intertwining story lines, revolving around the protagonists Qiao Feng, Duan Yu and Xuzhu and also You Tanzhi. The complex narrative shifts from the initial perspective of Duan to the other characters' and sometimes back.

The story of Duan Yu

Main article: Duan Yu

Duan Yu is a young, naive prince of the Kingdom of Dali. Despite the long tradition of the practice of martial arts in the royal family, he refuses to learn martial arts due to Buddhist influence and his disdain for bloodshed. When his father tries to force him to learn martial arts, he runs away from home. Ironically, he acquires three of the most powerful skills in the novel and becomes immune to poison after consuming the Zhuha, a poisonous toad known as the "king of all venomous creatures".

During his adventures, he encounters several beautiful young maidens, Zhong Ling and Mu Wanqing, who falls in love with him. However, one by one, these maidens are revealed to be actually his half-sisters due to his father's past illicit affairs with several women, such as Gan Baobao and Qin Hongmian. Of these maidens, he is extremely obsessed with Wang Yuyan, who resembles a statue of a fairy-like lady he chanced upon before. He tries to win her heart but she has no feelings for him as she has a crush on her cousin, Murong Fu. Duan Yu's love-life ends on a happy note when Wang Yuyan finally realises that he is the one who truly loves her and they are happily married and live together after.^[4]

The story of Qiao Feng

Main article: Qiao Feng

Qiao Feng is the popular and charismatic chief of the Beggars' Sect, who possesses strong leadership qualities and exceptional prowess in martial arts. He falls from grace after he is revealed to be a Khitan, and after he is wrongly accused of murdering several fellow pugilists to conceal his identity. He becomes an outcast of the wulin and the prime enemy of all Han Chinese pugilists. He is forced to sever ties with the Han Chinese pugilists and engages them in a one-man bloody battle in which he kills many, including some old friends.

Qiao Feng leaves to verify the claims that he is a Khitan and investigate the mysterious murders. He is accompanied by A'zhu, who is in love with him and stands by him. After a long journey in disguise, he finally concludes that he is indeed a Khitan and he assumes his ancestral name "Xiao Feng". Tragically, he makes a major blunder after being tricked into believing that Duan Zhengchun (A'zhu's father) is responsible for his parents' death. He kills A'zhu by mistake, who is in disguise to defend her father.

Xiao Feng regrets and has since left Song territory with A'zi, A'zhu's younger sister, whom he had promised to take care of. A'zi has a strong crush on him, but Xiao Feng does not like her at all for her mischievousness and sadism. Xiao Feng wanders into Liao territory, where he becomes a powerful noble after forging a strong friendship with the ruler, Yelü Hongji. When Yelü Hongji decides to invade Song, Xiao Feng attempts to dissuade him as he still values his past relations with the Han Chinese. Ultimately, Xiao Feng commits suicide to prevent war between Song and Liao after taking Yelü Hongji hostage and making him swear that he will never invade Song.

The story of Xu Zhu

Xu Zhu is a monk from the Shaolin Sect, described to have a kind-hearted and submissive nature. He believes strongly in following the Buddhist code of conduct and refuses to break it even when faced with life-threatening situations. He follows his elders to a pugilist meeting once, which marks the start of his adventures. Coincidentally and by sheer luck, Xu Zhu breaks a weiqi formation and becomes the successor of the Carefree Sect and inherits the powers of Wuyazi. Subsequently, he encounters Tianshan Tonglao and other acquaintances of Wuyazi and learns martial arts from them. He becomes the leader of several unorthodox sects in the jianghu by chance again.

Overwhelmed by the sudden influx of heavy responsibilities and his major leapt in martial arts prowess, Xuzhu desires to detach himself from all these duties and return to his former monastic life. However, he is unable to wrench himself free from the various tribulations and dangers that lie ahead; he is no longer regarded as a Shaolin disciple and has no choice but to accept his fate. Xu Zhu has a pitiful parentage, as he is revealed to be the illegitimate son of Shaolin's abbot, Xuanci, and Ye Erniang of the Four Evils. His reunion with his parents is fated to be the first and also the last. Again by coincidence, Xu Zhu becomes the prince consort of Western Xia due to a previous affair with Princess Yinchuan, whom he is happily married to.

The story of You Tanzhi

You Tanzhi is the heir to Heroes' Gathering Manor, owned by his father and uncle. The manor hosts the a gathering for the Han Chinese pugilists to discuss their plans to counter Qiao Feng. Qiao Feng appears at the gathering and engages the pugilists in a bloody battle. The You brothers are defeated and commit suicide in shame. You Tanzhi becomes a pauper and orphan overnight and he bears a grudge against Qiao Feng for his plight.

You Tanzhi is captured by raiding Liao soldiers at the border and sold into slavery. He meets Qiao Feng (renamed to Xiao Feng) again and attempts to kill him and fails. Xiao Feng lets him go but A'zi had him captured again after his release. While A'zi tortures You Tanzhi for her personal sadistic amusement, You is so entranced by A'zi's beauty that he develops a strong crush on her and willingly succumbs to her commands and becomes her source of entertainment. You Tanzhi has an iron mask wielded on his head later to hide his identity and his face was marred, thus he is nicknamed "Iron Clown".

You Tanzhi masters the Sinew-changing Classic by chance and uses the skills in the manual to purge the poison from his body after allowing venomous creatures suck his blood. He is also bitten by the Icy Worm and masters a powerful skill that allows him to shoot streams of icy venom from his palms. Subsequently, he is manipulated by Quan Guanqing and becomes the new chief of the Beggars' Sect, and renames himself to Zhuang Juxian. He surrenders himself to Ding Chunqiu at the battle of Shaolin and becomes an outcast for his defection after Ding Chunqiu's downfall. You Tanzhi is still unwilling to give up his love for A'zi and follows her everywhere. He decides to offer his own eyes to the blinded A'zi, hoping to win some love and sympathy from her, but is despised by her even more. He follows suit after A'zi commits suicide.

Timeline

The following is a rough timeline of the events in the novel:

Year	Date	Main events	Births	Deaths
997			Tianshan Tonglao [TianLong Ch.35]
1000			Wuyazi [TianLong Ch.35]
1003		Tianshan Tonglao starts practising the Longevity Skill.[TianLong Ch.35]
1004			Xu Chongxiao [TianLong Ch.15]
1005			Li Qiushui[5]
1016			Shenshan Shangren [TianLong Ch.39]
c. 1020			Wang Jiantong Xuanci Zhao Qiansun Tan Gong Tan Po
1022			Reverend Huangmei [TianLong Ch.8]
1023		Tianshan Tonglao is distracted by Li Qiushui and goes out of control during practice.[6][TianLong Ch.36]
1033		Tianshan Tonglao returns to her youth for the first time.[7] Shenshan Shangren requests to join the Shaolin Sect but is refused.[TianLong Ch.39] Shenshan Shangren is accepted into Qingliang Monastery.	Murong Bo
c. 1045			Duan Zhengchun Li Qingluo
1046		Shenshan Shangren becomes the abbot of Qingliang Monastery on Mount Wutai.[TianLong Ch.39]
1048		Huangmei boasts about his martial skills in front of Murong Bo and his mother.[TianLong Ch.9] Murong Bo severely injures Huangmei.		Emperor Xingzong of Liao (Murong Bo's father)
1050			Ye Erniang [TianLong Ch.42]
1056			Kang Min Ruan Xingzhu [TianLong Ch.22]
1058			Gan Baobao [TianLong Ch.9]
1060		Tianshan Tonglao massacres the One Character Hui Sword Sect members. The sect is destroyed.[TianLong Ch.37] Zhuo Bufan escapes and seeks to avenge the other sect members.
1061		Murong Bo instigates conflict between Song and Liao by spreading false information.[8][TianLong Ch.42]	Xiao Feng
1062		A group of 21 Han Chinese pugilists led by "Leading Big Brother" ambush Xiao Yuanshan and his family near Yanmen Pass. [9][TianLong Ch.16] Xiao Yuanshan's wife is killed. Xiao Yuanshan, in a rage, slays most of his enemies. Xiao regrets his actions, carves his last words in the Khitan language on a rock and leaps off the cliff with his wife's dead body and their son.[TianLong Ch.21] Xiao throws his infant son up the cliff during his fall.[10] The infant Xiao Feng is saved by "Leading Big Brother" and adopted by Qiao Sanhuai and his wife.[11][TianLong Ch.16] Xiao Feng is named "Qiao Feng" in accordance to his adoptive family's name. Murong Bo goes into his reclusive life. Murong Bo hides in the library of Shaolin Monastery and starts practising the skills in the manuals.		Xiao Yuanshan (apparent death)[12] [TianLong Ch.42]
1063		Tianshan Tonglao returns to her youth for the second time.[13] Ding Chunqiu attempts to murder his teacher Wuyazi by pushing him off a cliff.[14][TianLong Ch.31] Su Xinghe saves Wuyazi.	Murong Fu[15] [TianLong Ch.12]
1064		Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo first meet in the library of Shaolin.
1066		Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo spar with each other.
1068		The seven-year-old Qiao Feng kills an unruly physician in anger.[TianLong Ch.18] Qiao Feng is accepted by Xuanku of the Shaolin Sect as a student.[TianLong Ch.16]
1069			Xuzhu [TianLong Ch.38]
c. 1070		Tianshan Tonglao uses the "Life and Death Talisman" to force several sects in the Wulin into subservience. Political unrest in Dali:[16] Yang Yizhen stages a rebellion and murders the Shangde Emperor. Crown prince Duan Yanqing, the son of the Shangde Emperor, disappears. Duan Shouhui crushes the rebellion and becomes the Shangming Emperor.		Duan Lianyi (Shangde Emperor)
c. 1071		The Shangming Emperor of Dali abdicates and becomes a monk.[16] Duan Zhengming ascends to the throne as the Baoding Emperor.
1072	March	Dao Baifeng finds out about Duan Zhengchun's extra-marital affairs and leaves him in anguish. Duan Yanqing is cornered by pugilists and is heavily injured.[17] Dao Baifeng has a "one night stand" with Duan Yanqing outside Tianlong Monastery.[18][TianLong Ch.48]
	December [TianLong Ch.48]		Duan Yu[19] [TianLong Ch.1]
1073		Duan Zhengchun has an affair with the 17-year-old Kang Min. Cui Baiquan massacres the family of Cai Qingtu to avenge his senior's friend.[TianLong Ch.9] Cui Baiquan meets a couple in the garden of the Cais' house. Murong Bo implants three abacus beads into Cui Baiquan's chest and paralyses him for a period of time. Cui Baiquan, in fear of meeting Murong Bo again, secludes himself in Dali and uses the alias "Mr. Huo".	Mu Wanqing [TianLong Ch.4] Wang Yuyan You Tanzhi [TianLong Ch.28]	Cai Qingtu (Wang Yuyan's father)
1075		Duan Zhengchun has an affair with Gan Baobao. Gan Baobao is forced to marry Zhong Wanchou.[20][TianLong Ch.9]	A'zhu A'bi Zhong Ling[21] [TianLong Ch.9]
1076		Elder Xi Shanhe of the Beggars' Sect rushes to reports news of a potential Liao invasion, buying time for the Song armies to prepare in defence.	A'zi
1077		Qiao Feng joins the Beggars' Sect and is accepted by the chief Wang Jiantong as a disciple.[TianLong Ch.16] Duan Yanqing masters the ability to speak by using energy from his abdomen and without opening his mouth.[TianLong Ch.48]
1081		Ma Dayuan marries Kang Min.
1082		Duan Yanqing, Ye Erniang, Yue Laosan and Yun Zhonghe form the "Four Evils".[TianLong Ch.48]
1083		Qiao Feng becomes chief of the Beggars' Sect after completing tasks set by Wang Jiantong. Murong Bo fakes his own death.		Murong Bo (apparent death)
1084		Xuandu of the Shaolin Sect teaches Xuzhu the "Arhat Fist".
1085		The You brothers of Heroes' Gathering Manor stop teaching You Tanzhi martial arts.[TianLong Ch.28]
1086		Wang Jiantong writes a poem on a fan and presents it to Qiao Feng on Qiao's 25th birthday.		Wang Jiantong
1089		The Hundred Flowers Gathering is held in Luoyang.[TianLong Ch.24] Qiao Feng meets Kang Min at the gathering but ignores her.
1090	Duanwu Festival	Kang Min discovers the letter by Wang Jiantong kept in her husband's possession and finds out about Qiao Feng's ethnicity. Kang Min instigates her husband to reveal Qiao Feng's ethnicity, but is refused by him.[22]
	Mid-Autumn Festival	Beggars' Sect Discipline Affairs Elder Bai Shijing murders Ma Dayuan with the help of Kang Min.[TianLong Ch.24] Sima Wei of the Qingcheng Sect and Qin Boqi of the Qin Family Stronghold are murdered.		Ma Dayuan Sima Wei Qin Boqi
1091		Duan Yu, the prince of Dali and son of Duan Zhengchun, departs Dali upon refusal to learn martial arts.[23][TianLong Ch.1] Duan Yu meets Zhong Ling near Mount Wuliang. Zhong Ling is held captive by the Wuliang Sword Sect members. Duan Yu escapes and chances upon the beautiful statue of "Fairy Sister" Li Qiushui in a chamber at the foot of a cliff.[TianLong Ch.2] Duan Yu is motivated to learn the martial art skills "Graceful Wave Steps" and "Six Meridians Divine Sword" in the chamber by the statue.[TianLong Ch.2] Duan Yu requests for help in Wanjie Valley. Duan Yu meets Mu Wanqing, who helps him rescue Zhong Ling from the Wuliang Sword Sect.[24] Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing are captured by three of the Four Evils. Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing fall in love with each other. Duan Yu rescues Mu Wanqing from the Evils and returns to Dali with her. Qin Hongmian, one of Duan Zhengchun's lovers, visits Dali to look for her daughter Mu Wanqing. Mu Wanqing learns of her parentage and leaves Dali in grief. Duan Yu is held captive in Wanjie Valley by Duan Yanqing and is rescued later by Duan Zhengchun's bodyguards. Zhong Ling's parentage is known.		Gan Guanghao Ge Guangpei Sikong Xuan
	April [TianLong Ch.11]	Xuanbei of the Shaolin Sect is murdered in Dali.[TianLong Ch.9] Jiu Mozhi of Tibet kidnaps Duan Yu. Jiu Mozhi takes Duan Yu to the Murongs' residence in Jiangnan, accompanied by Cui Baiquan and Guo Yanzhi. Duan Yu abandons Jiu Mozhi on a boat in a lake and follows A'zhu and A'bi. Duan Yu enters Mantuo Manor. Duan is held captive and made the gardener to take care of the flowers in the Manor by Mrs. Wang.[TianLong Ch.12] Duan Yu meets Wang Yuyan in Mantuo Manor and is attracted by her beauty and resemblance to the statue of "Fairy Sister".[TianLong Ch.12] Duan Yu meets Qiao Feng in a tavern in Wuxi. Duan Yu and Qiao Feng become sworn brothers.[TianLong Ch.14]		Xuanbei
		First incident at Apricot Forest Quan Guanqing of the Beggars' Sect attempt to incite rebellion against Qiao Feng, but fails. Quan Guanqing and the Four Elders of the Sect are arrested. Reverend Zhiguang, Zhao Qiansun, Tan Gong, Tan Po and the Shans arrive on the scene. Reverend Zhiguang recalls the attacks at Yanmen Pass 30 years ago and reveals Qiao Feng's ethnicity as a Khitan, but refuses to divulge the identity of the "Leading Big Brother". Qiao Feng is forced to leave the Beggars' Sect. Second incident at Apricot Forest The Beggars' Sect members are captured by Western Xia warriors from First Class Hall. Qiao Feng saves A'zhu and A'bi. Duan Yu narrowly defeats Murong Fu in disguise while protecting Wang Yuyan. Duan Yu and A'zhu disguise themselves as Murong Fu and Qiao Feng respectively to rescue the Beggars' Sect members. Qiao Sanhuai and his wife are murdered.[25] Xuanku is mortally wounded and wrongly accuses Qiao Feng of being the attacker before dying.[25] Qiao Feng meets A'zhu by coincidence in Shaolin Monastery. Qiao Feng brings A'zhu to Heroes' Gathering Manor to seek medical treatment from the renowned physician Xue Muhua. Qiao severes all ties with his former friends and associates at the manor. He kills several Han Chinese pugilists in the ensuing fight.[TianLong Ch.19] Qiao is rescued by a masked man in black while cornered by the pugilists.		Qiao Sanhuai and his wife Xuanku Tan Qing Qi Liu You Brothers You Ji You Ju Shan brothers Shan Boshan Shan Zhongshan Shan Xiaoshan
		Qiao Feng travels to Yanmen Pass and finds A'zhu there. He confirms that he is a Khitan. [TianLong Ch.20] Qiao receives emotional consolation and support from A'zhu.[26] Qiao begins his hunt for the "Leading Big Brother", the murderer of his foster parents and his saviour who led him out of Heroes' Gathering Manor. Xu Chongxiao, Tan Po, Zhao Qiansun and members of the Shan family are murdered, with the blame put on Qiao Feng.[25] Reverend Zhiguang dies after giving Qiao Feng a piece of cloth imprinted with Xiao Yuanshan's last words.[TianLong Ch.21] Qiao Feng renames himself "Xiao Feng". Xiao Feng and A'zhu trick Kang Min into revealing the identity of the "Leading Big Brother".[27] Kang Min sees through A'zhu's disguise and directs them to Duan Zhengchun instead.[28][TianLong Ch.24] Xiao Feng believes Kang and plans how to kill Duan Zhengchun. Xiao Feng and A'zhu arrive at Ruan Xingzhu's house. Xiao Feng witnesses a fight between the ministers of Dali and the Four Evils.[29] Xiao Feng schedules a duel with Duan Zhengchun.[TianLong Ch.22] A'zhu eavesdrops on the Duans' conversations and finds out about her own parentage.[30][TianLong Ch.23] A'zhu, lost between her lover and her father, disguises herself as Duan Zhengchun to save him from death.[31] Xiao Feng fatally wounds A'zhu before mistaking her for Duan Zhengchun.[TianLong Ch.23] Xiao confirms that he has been tricked by Kang Min. Kang Min reveals the truth behind the deaths of Ma Dayuan and Xu Chongxiao to Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng's saviour from Heroes' Gathering Manor kills Bai Shijing in the dark.[32] Kang Min is mutilated by A'zi and dies of grief.[33][TianLong Ch.24] A'zi follows Xiao Feng on his journey north. She is injured by Xiao accidentally. Xiao Feng arrives in the Jurchen camp in the Changbai Mountains and befriends Wanyan Aguda.		Xi Shanhe Xu Chongxiao Zhao Qiansun Tan Po Tan Gong Shan Zheng and his family Reverend Zhiguang A'zhu Bai Shijing Kang Min
1092		Xiao Feng meets Emperor Daozong of Liao and they become sworn brothers. [TianLong Ch.27] Xiao Feng helps the emperor suppress a rebellion. He is appointed as the Great Prince of the Southern Palace. You Tanzhi arrives in Liao and attempts to kill Xiao Feng for revenge. Xiao Feng releases You Tanzhi. You is captured by A'zi later and subjected to her sadistic and torturous "games".
1093		A'zi practises the "Energy-Sucking Skill". You Tanzhi is poisoned and survives after practising the skills from the Sinew-changing Classic. Xuzhu solves the Zhenlong Go (game)weiqi puzzle by luck. Wuyazi transfers 70 years worth of inner energy to Xuzhu and names him as the new leader of the Carefree Sect before his death. Tianshan Tonglao returns to her youth for the third time.[34] Tianshan Tonglao is captured by Wu Laoda, who mistakes her for a servant girl. The lords of the 36 Caves and 72 Islands arrange a meeting to discuss how to deal with the servant girl Wu Laoda has caught. Xuzhu interrupts the meeting of the Lords of the 36 Caves and 72 Islands and rescues Tianshan Tonglao without recognising her true identity. Tianshan Tonglao captures Wu Laoda with the help of Xuzhu. Tianshan Tonglao reveals her identity and teaches Xuzhu some of the Carefree Sect skills during their escape from various enemies pursuing them.[TianLong Ch.35] Xuzhu and Tianshan Tonglao hide in the ice cellar in the Western Xia palace to escape from Li Qiushui. Tianshan Tonglao brings Princess Yinchuan to make love with Xuzhu in the dark every night. Tianshan Tonglao and Li Qiushui die after a fatal fight.[TianLong Ch.36] Tianshan Tonglao names Xuzhu as her successor to the rulership of Lingjiu Palace and its subjects before her death.		Wuyazi Tianshan Tonglao Li Qiushui
		Duan Yu and Xuzhu becomes sworn brothers. They honour Xiao Feng as their eldest brother. A'zi leaves the palace and wanders into Song. A'zi is blinded by Ding Chunqiu and rescued by You Tanzhi. You Tanzhi removes his iron mask and his face becomes scarred. Quan Guanqing manipulates You Tanzhi into becoming the new puppet chief of the Beggars' Sect under the new alias "Zhuang Juxian". Quan forces Zhuang to issue a challenge to the Shaolin Sect and call for a Wulin gathering in Shaolin. Xuzhu returns to Shaolin to resume his life as a monk in Shaolin. Xuzhu accepts his punishment for breaking the Buddhist code of conduct.
		The great battle at Shaolin:[TianLong Ch.42] Ding Chunqiu holds A'zi hostage and forces Zhuang Juxian to submit to him. Xiao Feng arrives in Shaolin and saves A'zi. He returns her to her parents. Xuzhu defeats Ding Chunqiu and has Ding imprisoned in Shaolin. Duan Yu fights with Murong Fu. Xiao Feng defeats Zhuang Juxian and Murong Fu. Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo expose themselves. The truth behind all the mysterious murders and Xuzhu's birth is revealed. Murong Bo admits to instigating the attack on Xiao Yuanshan's family at Yanmen Pass. The Sweeper Monk defeats Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo. He enlightens them and accepts them as his disciples. Duan Yu is wounded by Jiu Mozhi.		Xuanci Ye Erniang
1094		The Contest for a Spouse held in Western Xia: Princess Yinchuan recognizes Xuzhu as her mysterious lover. They are married. Xuzhu becomes the Prince Consort of Western Xia. Duan Zhengchun and his lovers are ambushed by Duan Yanqing and his cronies. They are captured and brought to Mantuo Mountain Manor. Murong Fu kills Bao Butong after engaging him in a heated argument regarding his allegiance. Deng Baichuan, Gongye Gan and Feng Bo'e refuse to continue serving Murong Fu and leave him. Murong Fu stabs Duan Zhengchun's lovers to death to coax him to give up his future throne as Emperor of Dali to Duan Yanqing. Duan Yu breaks free and defeats Murong Fu, who escapes. Duan Zhengchun commits suicide to join his lovers. Dao Baifeng reveals the truth behind Duan Yu's birth before committing suicide. Duan Yu becomes the new ruler of the Kingdom of Dali as Emperor Xianzong.[35][TianLong Ch.50] Duan Yu instates Wang Yuyan as his empress[36], while Zhong Ling and Mu Wanqing become his concubines. Xiao Feng is held captive in Liao by Emperor Daozong after refusing to lead the Liao army to attack Song. Duan Yu, Xuzhu and several other pugilists infiltrate Liao and rescue Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng commits suicide after coercing Emperor Daozong to swear never to invade Song for as long as he lives.[TianLong Ch.50] A'zi commits suicide to join Xiao Feng. You Tanzhi follows suit as well. Murong Fu becomes insane. Wang Yuyan[37] and A'bi decide to stay behind to continue serving him.		Duan Zhengchun and love interests Duan Zhengchun Ruan Xingzhu Qin Hongmian Gan Baobao Li Qingluo Dao Baifeng Bao Butong Yue Laosan Yun Zhonghe Xiao Feng A'zi You Tanzhi
Citations ^ The date conforms to the data published in 陳鎮輝,《武俠小說逍遙談》, 2000, 匯智出版有限公司, pp. 58. ^ The eight races are the Deva, Nāga, Yaksha, Asura, Garuda, Kinnara, Gandharva and Mahoraga. See [1] or [2] for readers' views on which characters represent which of the eight races. ^ Preface of the novel ^ Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan's romance is marred by a series of incidents, causing the couple to be separated in the final revision of the novel. ^ The novel only states Li Qiushui to be at least 80 years old in 1093, thus her real age is unknown. This date is taken from the 2003 TV series adaptation of the novel, where Li Qiushui inadvertently reveals her age to be 88. ^ This incident caused Tianshan Tonglao to remain in her child-like size for the rest of her life, without being able to grow up. ^ The period of change lasts 30 days. ^ Murong Bo did this as part of his plan of re-founding the fallen kingdom of Yan, in the hope that he will be able to rebuild his kingdom when the Jianghu enters a state of Chaos. ^ The pugilists believed the false information provided by Murong Bo that a group of Khitan warriors are on their way to steal martial arts manuals from Shaolin Monastery. They mistook Xiao Yuanshan as one of the warriors in disguise and attack him. ^ When Xiao Yuanshan falls down the cliff, he inadvertently wakes his infant son, whose cries make him instinctively throw his son up the cliff, in the hope that the child will be taken of. ^ After some careful decision by the "Leading Big Brother" and his group, they decided to rename Xiao Feng to Qiao Feng and raise him as a citizen of Song. Because of his ethnicity, Qiao Feng is closely watched by the group and he had to take a series of difficult tests later to prove himself to be the chief of the Beggars' Sect. ^ Xiao Yuanshan landed on a tree that blocked his fall down the cliff at Yanmen Pass. Having survived the fall, he vowed to seek revenge on the pugilists that were involved in the attack and those that concealed his son's true identity. Thus, he hid in the library of Shaolin Monastery and started to practice the martial arts in the manuals, in the hope of improving his skills and take his revenge. ^ The period of change lasts 60 days. ^ In the latest revision of the novel, it is mentioned that the planned murder of Wuyazi is plotted by Ding Chunqiu and Li Qiushui together. After the attempted murder, Ding Chunqiu founded his own Xingxiu Sect. See post number 9 of this thread. ^ Murong Fu is 10 years older than Wang Yuyan. ^ a b According to historical records, the period of political unrest happened in 1080 and the crowning of Duan Zhengming in the following year. The dates are brought forward by several years to fit Duan Yanqing's involvement into the plot of the novel. ^ Duan Yanqing's injuries include a serious cut along his throat, which paralysed his face and made him unable to speak with his mouth for the rest of his life. ^ This is Dao Baifeng's form of revenge against Duan Zhengchun. ^ Duan Yu is 19 years old at the start of the novel. ^ Gan Baobao had to hide her pregnancy and love affair with Duan Zhengchun from her parents. ^ Zhong Ling's birth date is in the twelfth month of the year Yimao (乙卯) i.e. 1075, making her sixteen years old at the start of the novel. Also note that the year is incorrectly recorded as Yiwei (乙未) in early revisions of the novel. ^ Kang Min is still upset with Qiao Feng for ignoring her at the gathering the year ago and finds this as a chance to teach Qiao a lesson. ^ Duan Yu is heavily influenced by Buddhist ideals and believes that martial arts are used as weapons to cause the demise of others, making him unwilling to learn. ^ Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing are disguised as maids of Lingjiu Palace, to which the Wuliang Sword Sect is subordinate. ^ a b c The murderer is later revealed to be Xiao Yuanshan, whose appearance is mistaken for Qiao Feng, thus letting Qiao Feng receive all the blames. ^ Although Qiao Feng has no interest in women, the support he received from A'zhu when the whole world seemed to turn against him brings about his romantic relationship with her. ^ At this point of time, the last known surviving person who knows about the identity of the "Leading Big Brother" is Kang Min. To coax information from Kang Min, A'zhu disguises herself as Bai Shijing and engages in a conversation with her. ^ Bai Shijing had a romantic affair with Kang Min on the same day a few years ago. When Kang recalled the incident, A'zhu's awkward response caused Kang to see through her disguise. Knowing that Qiao Feng was hunting for the "Leading Big Brother", she took the chance to use Qiao to get rid of her old love rival (Duan Zhengchun). ^ Duan Zhengchun displayed selfless acts during the fight, as shown through his brotherhood with Chu Wanli and his involvement in the fight. This made Xiao Feng change his mind about killing Duan Zhengchun's family and in turn, schedules a duel with Duan. ^ The Duans mention about the two daughters that they had to give away to others at a young age. A'zhu realises that Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu are her parents and A'zi is her sister. ^ A'zhu's motive in doing such is to advise her lover not to get into trouble with his "enemies" if they have offended him unintentionally, just like how the alleged "Leading Big Brother" Duan Zhengchun caused the death of his parents, even if doing so means her death. ^ In the latest revision of the novel, this incident is replaced by Bai Shijing's execution by the Beggars' Sect members. ^ While Kang Min is half-paralysed, A'zi made deep gashes on Kang's body and pours honey on them to attract ants to bite her. When Kang Min sees her own reflection in a mirror, she dies instantly from shock as she was a vain person for her whole life. ^ The period of change lasts 90 days. ^ Historical sources state Duan Yu's coronation year to be 1108. It is moved to this year to fit with the plot of the novel. ^ In the latest revision of the novel, Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan are not married as a happy couple eventually. ^ Wang Yuyan stays behind to serve Murong Fu in the third revision of the novel.

Adaptations

Films

Year	Production	Qiao Feng	Duan Yu	Xuzhu	Additional information
1977	Shaw Brothers Studio (Hong Kong)	N/A	Danny Lee	N/A	See The Battle Wizard
1982	Hong Kong	Norman Chu	Kent Tong	Felix Wong	See Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1982 film)
1994	Hong Kong	N/A		Frankie Lam	See The Dragon Chronicles – The Maidens

Television

Year	Production	Qiao Feng	Duan Yu	Xuzhu	Additional information
1982	TVB (Hong Kong)	Bryan Leung	Kent Tong	Felix Wong	See Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1982 TV series)
1991	CTV (Taiwan)	Austin Wai	Eddie Kwan
1997	TVB (Hong Kong)	Felix Wong	Benny Chan	Louis Fan	See Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1997 TV series)
2003	Ciwen Film & TV Production Co. Ltd. (Mainland China)	Hu Jun	Jimmy Lin	Gao Hu	See Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003 TV series)

Video games

• TLBB - a MMORPG launched in May 2007 with servers based in China and the European Union^[1] TLBB is an award-winning 2.5D martial arts-style fighting and community-building game designed to give players the freedom to "choose their own destiny" and play the game in any way they decide. TLBB has been awarded the Most-liked Online Game by Game Players by ChinaJoy for five consecutive years from 2006 to 2010^[2] and was ranked amongst the World's Top Five Most Profitable Game Franchises in 2009 by Forbes.^[3] Since its initial launch in China, ChangYou.com has taken steps to sell TLBB on an international stage. TLBB now has servers in Europe, Malaysia, Vietnam and the U.S., where the game operates under the title Dragon Oath.

• Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils - a single-player RPG released in 2002^[4]

• Dragon Oath - the U.S. version of TLBB, released online in 2007^[5]

References

1. ^ TLBB at ChangYou.com
2. ^ ChinaJoy 2010 Awards
3. ^ "Top Moneymaking Online Games Of 2009". Forbes. http://blogs.forbes.com/velocity/2010/06/10/top-moneymaking-online-games-of-2009. 
4. ^ (Chinese) Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (RPG) on Baidu Baike
5. ^ (Chinese) Dragon Oath at ChangYou.com

External links

• (Chinese) Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils on Baidu Baike
• (Chinese) Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils at cnnovels.com
• English translation of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils at spcnet.tv/forums

Novels portal