Xiao Shiyi Lang -- The Novel
Xiao Shiyi Lang is the name of the protagonist. This novel written by Gu Long is a revised version of the author's movie by the same name. Although this novel has many excellent picturesque descriptions, its development is not as smooth as those of Gu Long's other books.
As an outlaw hero Xiao Shiyi Lang always carried a bad name, although he never did any infamous wrong things. He was misread from the first episode of this book, hunting for the precious Deer Carving Saber, to the final episode, attending a lethal duel on the Killing Cliff. This black sheep type hero was often used in Gu Long's works. In other words, Gu Long treasured this kind of character and created many similar heroes in his other books, such as Chu Liuxiang the Outlaw Chief, Afei the Lone Wolf, and Jiang Xiaoyu the Little Bastard. People who fought for fame, power, and wealth were despised in Gu Long's books. In addition, neither the hero having a bad nickname nor the revered heroes, such as Lu Xiaofeng and Shen Lang, came from well-established martial arts schools. All his heroes act independently and have distinct personal styles.
When Xiao Shiyi Lang fell in love with Shen Bijun, a married woman from a prominent family, a miserable fate also fell upon them. How could an infamous wanderer marry a well-educated lady? No one believed that their romance would have a happy ending, especially Lian Chengbi, Shen's husband, a gentleman who came from the same social class Shen Bijun came from, and Count Carefree, an ambitious aristocrat who wanted to rule the Martial Order. Their love caused pain and they both suffered. "Do not fall in love with someone coming from a different social background," is one of the morals of this novel.
Lian Chengbi was too nice which reminded readers that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Born and raised in a distinguished martial arts family, he had good reputation and prestige, and was just the opposite of Xiao Shiyi Lang despite the fact that they were both excellent martial arts masters. In the sequel, Battling Xiao Shiyi Lang, he became Xiao Shiyi Lang's prime enemy. He replaced Count Carefree and controlled the secret organization, Heaven Sect. It was clear that he intended to dominate the Martial Order and anyone who did not obey him suffered badly. His final ambition did not succeed when he was defeated by Xiao Shiyi Lang. Xiao generously let him go, because Xiao was a truly nice man. To Lian Chengbi it would take his whole lifetime to recover from the shame.
The other love episode in this book was the affair between Feng Siniang and Yang Kaitai. They peacefully separated and there were no tragic things following, because Feng Siniang was a pessimistic woman and Yang Kaitai was sophisticated. In the sequel of the novel, their story continued.
Another major character was Little Master, an extremely pretty female. Like Lin Xianer in Compassionate Swordsman Merciless Sword, she disguised herself as a man in the beginning and she also schemed for power but failed. The author did not give her the same space he had given to Lin Sianer. It was difficult for a female character to gain power in a male-dominated society, and sex seemed to become the ultimate weapon.
From Xiao Shiyi Lang to its sequel Battling Xiao Shiyi Lang, both stories did not have happy endings. Xiao Shiyi Lang was a typical tragic hero. Neither could Xiao become a great martial arts master, nor could he marry his lover. So a wandering life became the only way he could choose.
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