During combat, the less the swordsman remembers, the less restricted he is by the original stances. Once the swordsman has grasped the essence of the swordplay, he can use it in endless forms and variations, hence the swordplay has no fixed sequence or pattern. The key to mastering the swordplay is to understand the two core elements instead of rigidly memorising all the stances. As such, it is impossible for an opponent to predict (and counter correspondingly) the moves of the swordplay. The second core element of the swordplay is its formless nature and adaptability: Unlike typical martial arts styles described in Wuxia stories, the moves of the 'Nine Swords of Dugu' do not follow any fixed sequence or pattern. The first core element of the swordplay is speed: The swordsman is trained to quickly predict and identify the weaknesses in the martial arts moves executed by an opponent, and then attack those weak points. The mastery of all nine forms allows the swordsman to counter a wide range of martial arts moves (including those involving the use of weapons). This swordplay has nine stances, each of which is designed to counter a particular form of martial arts. In a very brief inner monologue, Chengguan, a very knowledgeable, yet naive, elder Shaolin monk ponders about two greatest swordmen in the past who performed swordplay without defined stances: Dugu Qiubai and Yang Guo Nine Swords of DuguĬreated by Dugu Qiubai, the 'Nine Swords of Dugu' (獨孤九劍) are nine independent sword stances created to overpower all sorts of weapons, including swords, spears, clubs, whips, and arrows, as well as bare-handed attacks. The protagonist, Linghu Chong, learns this technique from the reclusive swordsman Feng Qingyang. The Smiling, Proud Wandererĭugu's swordplay technique 'Nine Swords of Dugu' (獨孤九劍) is featured in this novel. Yang mastered the inner energy technique used by Dugu and fulfilled the requirement. The sword's weight would also boost the power of his swings and thrusts. When Yang was learning this technique, he commented that average swords would be broken immediately when he channels his inner energy into the sword during fights. Although it lacks the fancy and stylish movements of typical swordplay styles, it is more effective than the most complicated form of sword attacks. It emphasises simple swings and moves accompanied by potent inner energy exertion. The Heavy Sword Technique has a rigorous requirement on inner energy. Yang learns the technique with the help of the Condor and uses the Heavy Iron Sword to practise the skill. The Condor saves Yang after the latter lost his arm, and leads him to Dugu's Tomb of Swords. Yang encounters the Condor, a giant bird-like creature that once accompanied Dugu. In this novel, set in the late Song dynasty, Yang Guo inherits Dugu's 'Heavy Sword Technique'. He is briefly mentioned in The Deer and the Cauldron. He is merely mentioned by name only as he lived in an age long before the events of the novels took place. Rolesĭugu never made any appearances at all in any of the three novels. It represents Dugu's status as an invincible swordsman who is haunted by solitude as no one can defeat or equal him in swordplay. His full name is thus roughly translated as "The Loner Who Seeks Defeat". His given name "Qiubai" (求敗) literally means "to seek defeat". Dugu's surname "Dugu" (獨孤) is made up of two Chinese characters that literally mean "single and lonely" when placed together.
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