Chapter 23: The Martial Arts Novel Enthusiast-Seeking Through the Mist(Mist-veiled waters stretch for a thousand miles, fading into the distant haze.)

As for my love of reading novels, my parents never placed any restrictions on it. I’ve read all sorts of novels—mythology, science fiction, detective stories, martial arts, romance—but of course, martial arts novels have always been my favorite.

I started reading martial arts novels in elementary school, and the very first one I read was "The Ice Goddess of the Glacier" by Liang Yusheng, and it was even in traditional Chinese characters. At the time, there were many characters I didn’t recognize, but by relying on context, I could guess their meanings. To this day, I still recognize quite a few traditional characters, and it’s clear I have that novel to thank for it.

I also read Liang Yusheng’s "The Jade Bow in the Sea of Clouds," and the character Jin Shiyi left a deep impression on me; I felt genuinely sad when I reached the ending. My favorite character was Jiang Nan, perhaps because he was the first to appear in the story, and because he never cared about others’ ridicule, relentlessly pursuing his ideals. I read "Seven Swordsmen Descend from Tianshan" in comic book form—a set of six volumes. Unfortunately, that set has long since vanished.

I watched the TV series adaptation of "The Romance of the White-Haired Maiden," and I only remember the heroine, played by Angelica Lee, who was incredibly beautiful. I read and watched both the book and TV series adaptation of "Tales of the Wandering Swordsman"; the version I saw starred Damian Lau. There was a scene where Zhang Danfeng spun gracefully down from the sky, and I was utterly astonished—it was simply too cool!

When it comes to Jin Yong’s works, I’ve read even more: "The Book and the Sword," "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," "Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain," "The Return of the Condor Heroes," "Other Tales of the Flying Fox," "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre," "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," "Ode to Gallantry," and "The Deer and the Cauldron"—I’ve read them all.

Each one is a classic, and many have been adapted into numerous television versions. Among them, my favorite is "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," not only because the novel itself is outstanding, but also because my family had just bought a television when the series began airing.

At that time, a TV was an expensive luxury. Before we had one, I could only go to my great-aunt’s house to watch. Every time, I would sit on my own little stool, utterly absorbed, reluctant to leave even as night fell. Later, my family finally bought a TV—a black-and-white, 17-inch Xinghai brand. I was so overjoyed that I could hardly contain myself, grinning foolishly at the set.

When "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was on, it was as if the whole city came to a standstill. Everyone who had a TV was watching, and those who didn’t would visit others to catch the show. I waited anxiously for each episode, always dropping whatever I was doing as broadcast time approached so I could sit by the television.

I loved Guo Jing and Huang Rong most of all, and was most afraid of Mei Chaofeng and her Nine Yin White Bone Claws. Whenever the skeletons appeared, I couldn’t bear to look, and the background music was terrifying as well.

"Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" was another favorite of mine, and in terms of TV adaptations, I think the version starring Benny Chan was the best.

What I loved most was Duan Yu’s Lingbo Microsteps. I sometimes imagined how wonderful it would be if I could master that martial art—even if I couldn’t win a fight, at least I could escape! When QQ first became available, I was amazed by the ability to communicate with distant friends through typing. My internet connection was very poor, so a friend helped me register my QQ account. She asked what nickname I wanted, and since I’m not good at coming up with names, I immediately thought of “Lingbo Microsteps,” so my username became “Lingbo.” All these years, it hasn’t changed, which shows just how deeply attached I am to Lingbo Microsteps.

As for Gu Long’s works, I’ve read "The Xiangfei Sword," "The Proud Twins," "Legend of Chu Liuxiang," "The Border Town Prodigal," "Legend of Lu Xiaofeng," "The White Jade Tiger," and "The White Jade Dragon." My favorite is Little Fishy from "The Proud Twins"—clever and mischievous, never admitting defeat in any situation, always facing difficulties with a grin.

I haven’t read Wen Rui’an’s "The Four Great Constables," but I have watched the TV adaptation, and my favorite was the version starring Raymond Lam, "Young Four Great Constables." To be honest, I’ve loved every drama Raymond Lam has acted in.