The rivers and lakes, under the night rain, have seen the lanterns for ten years
So, what exactly has buried affection? Interests? Power? I cannot say for certain. Perhaps another line of poetry will provide us with some answers: "Tea leaves and a book bag, riding a donkey down the mountain, beautiful aspirations, destroyed in an instant under the impact of the market economy"
No loyalty
No Love
I mentioned in the subtitle that this will be a commemoration of my conclusion of reading martial arts novels. The title I used is "Ten Years of Lanterns in the Rainy Jianghu," which is a novel by Zhuge Qingyun. At that time, I really liked this novel. For a period, I dedicated myself to martial arts studies, collecting martial arts classics from various authors other than Jin Yong, such as Gu Long, Liang Yusheng, Wen Ruian, Li Liang, Wolongsheng, Zhuge Qingyun, Sima Liang, Chen Qingyun, and Shangguan Ding, among others. However, I have yet to read a complete novel by Jin Yong. I have read almost all of Gu Long's works, and it is said that my reading approach is quite rare. With "The Missing Moon and the Phoenix Tree" concluded, I think I will no longer read other martial arts novels in the future
About ten years ago, I began my journey into the world of martial arts literature with a book titled "The Seven Fiends of Jiangnan," which was falsely attributed to Wen Ruian. Today, a decade later, the novel "Lack of Moon and Phoenix" by Queyue Wutong serves as a rather unsatisfactory conclusion to this journey. With this fragile body, I have traversed a path filled with dreams and tribulations. Reading "Lack of Moon and Phoenix" is certainly not a joyful experience; in fact, each chapter brings a palpable sense of bitterness. I never imagined that years later I would read a martial arts novel that feels so unlike traditional martial arts literature, just as I never foresaw how far my life’s journey would drift from my ideals. As I have said before, what moves us is never the work itself, but our own experiences. Looking at "Lack of Moon and Phoenix" is akin to gazing at my own youth, that youth which has already faded and the 'off-key' ideals that now seem so distant. Yet, they remain heartbreakingly beautiful. To show the destruction of beauty to others, I believe "Lack of Moon and Phoenix" is such a tragedy, or perhaps it can be called an elegy for youth.
Reading "The Missing Moon and the Phoenix Tree" while concluding my exploration of martial arts literature and reminiscing about old friends
Even in the chapters of "Regional Fire," it is not true revenge in the genuine sense. The Qingcheng Sect's capture of Wang Tianyi is largely to provide an explanation to the Huashan Sect, and the so-called targets of Wang Tianyi's revenge do not actually exist (as his parents were not killed). Therefore, every time I read this, I cannot help but think of a character from Gu Long's works, who, like Wang Tianyi, even more so, lived his life for others. His life is a tragic one, and this character's name is Fu Hongxue. In my memory, when Fu Hongxue learned that the target of his revenge did not exist, he returned to "a lonely little room" and had already forgiven those who had once harmed him, no longer opposing anyone. This handling is a rare display of tenderness from Gu Long; most of the time, Gu Long's treatment of characters' endings is extreme. Only for Fu Hongxue did he show mercy, and in my memory, when Fu Hongxue learned that the target of his revenge did not exist, he returned to "a lonely little room" and had already forgiven those who had once harmed him, no longer opposing anyone. This handling is a rare display of tenderness from Gu Long; most of the time, Gu Long's treatment of characters' endings is extreme. Only for Fu Hongxue did he show mercy, or he granted this tragic character a seemingly bright ending. However, as the greatest poet of that snowy white era, Hai Zi, once said: "What do you mean by the dawn you speak of?" Perhaps we should use another poet's immortal lines to reveal the seemingly unclear endings of Fu Hongxue or Wang Tianyi—as stated in "Gitanjali": "In the renunciation of desires, I do not need salvation. In the constraints of countless joys, I feel the embrace of freedom."
The difficulty of a person does not lie in the actions he will take, but in the kind of person he wishes to become
Of course, I do not blame Miss Shen, just as I have never blamed those eras and women who have been unfaithful to us. Moreover, I would like to advise men in love: "Everything is of your own making; you cannot blame the women. On the contrary, consider how much trouble your one-sided affection has brought them. Of course, we know that you are deeply in love..."
I have not read any of Yi Shu's novels, but I know a phrase she often says: "We love certain people, but we marry others." It is so helpless, yet so true
In fact, many matters have already yielded results before they are undertaken, which is far beyond the capacity of our limited human efforts to alter. Finally, please allow me to conclude this incomprehensible and ambiguous piece with a verse from Borges.
Every time I see the Dark Group and the Nightingale, I am reminded of the Qingcheng Deadly Warriors written by Gu and Tushulong in "September Eagle Flies". Then, I think, in this life, no one will be as loyal to me as I will not be so loyal to anyone else.
Moreover, the subtitle also mentions the need to remember old friends, primarily referring to the friend who committed suicide in a foreign land, and the two friends who lost their lives in a car accident. As the past becomes a mere memory, brothers, how are you in heaven?
Author: Master Lao Jia
I remember that a long time ago, when I was just learning English, I memorized this sentence to remember the words "eat" and "live"
I, too, was once a foolish man like Wang Tianyi, loving purely and thus loving madly, and then love would quietly fade away on a good day, much like a damaged visage
Yang Kun and Ling Junchu have drawn the final stroke on the traditional concepts of loyalty and righteousness. For what reason? Perhaps it is truly as Yang Kun said before his death, "I have no regrets." Many times, what we refer to as loyalty and righteousness is merely for the sake of this "clear conscience"
There is no loyalty or filial piety
Keli said: I truly wish to humbly kneel, but before whom should I kneel? This is a dilemma for Wang Tianyi, and it is also our dilemma. In fact, we all know that Yi Yue is not a worthy object of loyalty for Wang Tianyi, even though Wang Tianyi is utterly devoted to him. This is also the reason why Wang's life is a tragic one; he has always sought to serve others but has never found a truly worthy object to serve. From the very beginning with the Wei family to the end with Yi Yue, it is Ding San, who has always regarded him as a brother rather than a subordinate, that could have been a potential good master, yet he is always exploited by Wang Tianyi.
In martial arts novels, the emphasis is on sacrificing oneself for friends, possessing a chivalrous spirit, and having a warm-hearted nature. However, in "The Missing Moon and the Phoenix Tree," these ideals are absent. Perhaps Zhao Qianjie would break his finger to protect Wang Tianyi, and Wang Tianyi would say, "Our bond is thicker than blood. This brotherly loyalty is earned with our blood." Yet, that is merely the impulsiveness of youth. Tang Bo is the first to awaken to this reality, as his uncle tells him that his surname is Tang. Then comes Wang Tianyi, and eventually, it seems even Ding San understands that the so-called hero is nothing but nonsense. In the end, the only one who does not understand appears to be Zhang Gaochan, which is why he dies. Those classical notions of loyalty have no place in today's society.
William James
No grudges or enmities
When Li Qianqiu pleaded with his four brothers, who had intersected for forty years, the response he received was "Go to hell, brother!" along with cold crossbow bolts. Perhaps it is fitting to borrow a line from Wuhua to say to Chu Liuxiang: "The friendship between you and me has now dwindled to less than the grains of sand in our eyes."
We eat to live, not live to eat. However, I now firmly believe that living is all about eating. This is how I understand life, and this is how I will treat myself
***
Wang Tianyi finally said, "I no longer need to wash my hands." This reflects a life attitude of having a rusted exterior yet being unbothered by dirt, much like what a highly talented friend once wrote: "Bodhi is just a tree, and a bright mirror is merely a platform; they are all originally objects, so why fear being stained by dust?"
I believe that years from now, when the time comes for my marriage, I will truly understand the meaning of these words. Currently, I am still like the male protagonist in another story, "Although that foolish boy no longer exists, I am filled with nostalgia for my past self!" When I say this, I suddenly think of A Fei and Lin Xian'er from Gu Long's "The First Blade of Wind and Cloud." I do not know if there was ever true love between them, but I know that the foolish man A Fei once deeply loved a woman, even willing to die for her. "Although that foolish boy no longer exists, I am filled with nostalgia for my past self!" When I say this, I suddenly think of A Fei and Lin Xian'er from Gu Long's "The First Blade of Wind and Cloud." I do not know if there was ever true love between them, but I know that the foolish man A Fei once deeply loved a woman, even willing to die for her. Perhaps this is just like the line from Luo Dayou's "Lover Comrade," "You are like a beautiful slogan that lingers on," but after all, he once loved, and that is already enough.
What is the most important element in martial arts novels? Indeed, it is the swift resolution of grievances, or more precisely, the concept of 'grievance.' I have read countless novels where the theme of revenge runs throughout. However, in "The Missing Moon and the Phoenix Tree," this element is entirely absent. Despite the deep-seated enmity between the Chang Le Gang and the Murong family, they can still sit down and discuss cooperation. Similarly, Lu Zhen and Huang Shan Shi can share drinks and converse amicably. Is this still the Jianghu we are familiar with? No, it is absolutely not; rather, it reflects the reality of our society, where there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Despite the deep-seated enmity between the Chang Le Gang and the Murong family, they can still sit down and discuss cooperation. Similarly, Lu Zhen and Huang Shan Shi can share drinks and converse amicably. Is this still the Jianghu we are familiar with? No, it is absolutely not; rather, it reflects the reality of our society, where there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.
The pieces are unaware that it is the player who extends their arm to dominate their fate / The pieces do not realize that the harsh rules constrain their will and retreat / Night and day form another chessboard, firmly imprisoning the player in the middle / God manipulates the player, and the player arranges the chess and the pieces / Behind God, which deity has set the constraints of dust, time, dreams, and suffering
This is a martial arts novel devoid of four elements (no affection, no love, no enmity, no loyalty), which accompanied me through a rather difficult period. It reminds me of a senior I know, who, feeling weary, took a martial arts novel—"The History of the Martial World"—with him when he left for Xinjiang. He told me that Shen Lang's true love was not Zhu Qiqi, but Bai Feifei. However, Shen Lang's character determined that he would not reveal this to Zhu Qiqi, leading to the tragedies of both Bai Feifei and Wang Lianhua, and even the tragedies of Zhu Qiqi and himself. My point is that there are always certain works that resonate with our personal experiences, moving us, providing comfort, or giving us strength. As I mentioned at the beginning, what truly moves us is never the work itself, but ourselves.
Thus, Wang Tianyi's acceptance of Cuihuan is not surprising at all. It is akin to a cover story published in the Sanlian Life Weekly on Valentine's Day in 1997, which included a narrative stating: "For someone my age, love is no longer such a romantic affair. I envision a scene where I am reading, and my wife is beside me, engaged in whatever she likes, preferably as someone who does not read books or newspapers, perhaps knitting or watching television. We would have a quiet child, one who does not cry or make a fuss. I believe that in ten years, I should be able to have such a life. However, I will no longer pursue love; I hope love is a matter for one person, my matter, and from the other person's perspective, it is also her matter, but it does not necessarily have to be our matter. I wish for a scene where I am reading, and my wife is beside me, engaged in whatever she likes, preferably as someone who does not read books or newspapers, perhaps knitting or watching television. We would have a quiet child, one who does not cry or make a fuss. I believe that in ten years, I should be able to have such a life. However, I will no longer pursue love; I hope love is a matter for one person, my matter, and from the other person's perspective, it is also her matter, but it does not necessarily have to be our matter. What I mean is to have less emotional entanglement.
Cuihuan is not Wang Tianyi's love; she is merely his marriage. In fact, "The Missing Moon and the Phoenix Tree" has become too heavy to accommodate any lingering romantic sentiments, leaving only the shortness of heroic spirit. The true love of the young Wang Tianyi is the young lady Shen, disguised as Cui Xiu (please forgive me, in the novel, the names that the young lady Shen seems to remember can be counted on one hand; ironically, I too have not remembered her name, and compared to the young lady Shen, I would rather call her Cui Xiu). According to the typical martial arts narrative, after being saved by Wang Tianyi, the young lady Shen should have secretly harbored feelings for him, leading to an unfair romantic competition between Wang Tianyi and Murong Qiushui. However, this is not the case; the young Wang Tianyi's true love is the young lady Shen disguised as Cui Xiu (please forgive me, in the novel, the names that the young lady Shen seems to remember can be counted on one hand; ironically, I too have not remembered her name, and compared to the young lady Shen, I would rather call her Cui Xiu). According to the typical martial arts narrative, after being saved by Wang Tianyi, the young lady Shen should have secretly harbored feelings for him, leading to an unfair romantic competition between Wang Tianyi and Murong Qiushui. However, here, the Missing Moon demonstrates his unconventional martial arts skills; the young lady Shen not only has no special feelings for Wang Tianyi, but she has even forgotten his name. In her heart, it is only natural for Wang Tianyi to protect her. Steward Cheng, in a moment of kindness, arranged one final act: "Do you know how much my watercolor is worth?" The poor boy Wang Tianyi completely abandoned his hopes, and in the end, "A worthless name does not deserve inquiry," which can be understood as Wang Tianyi's complete severance from this absurd one-sided youthful love.
Whenever I read about the murder of Li Qianqiu and the segment concerning Zhang Gaochan, I always turn to Gu Long's "Joyful Heroes" for a change of pace. Fortunately, there was once an era, and a person named Guo Dalu. He was bright, and his vocabulary contained neither darkness nor hatred; he was innocent, perhaps even simple at times, and often suffered for it, yet he remained consistently warm-hearted. You might think he is a bit foolish, but you do not enjoy your meals or sleep as well as he does, so he is happier than you, for he harbors no ulterior motives. There was once a person named Guo Dalu. He was bright, and his vocabulary contained neither darkness nor hatred; he was innocent, perhaps even simple at times, and often suffered for it, yet he remained consistently warm-hearted. You might think he is a bit foolish, but you do not enjoy your meals or sleep as well as he does, so he is happier than you, for he harbors no ulterior motives. He also possessed the vanity of an ordinary person, with a small cleverness that he believed gave him an advantage, often unable to contain his self-satisfaction. However, these flaws only make him seem endearing. Of course, there were also his three friends, who had a love for life and an imagination for the future; their lives were always filled with distant horizons. Even if they spent their lives waiting, it was still waiting in hope. They, only they, were happy and free, for they knew what they wanted and understood that they did not desire much. Of course, there were also his three friends, who had a love for life and an imagination for the future; their lives were always filled with distant horizons. Even if they spent their lives waiting, it was still waiting in hope. They, only they, were happy and free, for they knew what they wanted and understood that they did not desire much.
This is an era marked by a lack of loyalty; we no longer trust friends, lovers, or even parents. Therefore, it is even less likely that we would pledge allegiance to any individual, company, or organization. But what can we do? We are no longer young, and we no longer believe that the world cannot turn without us. We are merely a cog in the machine, even if we sometimes refuse to admit it, especially in the quiet of the night. Thus, every day after we wake up, we dress ourselves up to look presentable and head to work. Perhaps the organization we serve is a vast economic empire, and we are but an insignificant fraction of it. We are no longer young, and we no longer believe that the world cannot turn without us. We are merely a cog in the machine, even if we sometimes refuse to admit it, especially in the quiet of the night. Thus, every day after we wake up, we dress ourselves up to look presentable and head to work. Perhaps the organization we serve is a vast economic empire, and we are but an insignificant fraction of it. There is no talk of loyalty or filial piety here; at most, we learn skills to sell to the capitalists.