Alliance of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands

Alliance of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands

Contents

Alliance of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands (simplified: 三十六洞七十二岛联盟, traditional: 三十六洞七十二島聯盟, pinyin: Sānshíliù Dòng Qīshí’èr Dǎo Liánméng) was a coalition of martial arts organisations controlled by the Lingjiu Palace through Mark of Life and Death. The alliance consisted of thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands, all forced to pay tribute to Tianshan Child Granny).

Overview

The Alliance of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands was a coalition of martial arts organisations controlled by the Lingjiu Palace through Mark of Life and Death. The alliance consisted of thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands, all forced to pay tribute to Tianshan Child Granny. Despite being coerced into submission, the alliance members maintained their individual organisational structures while operating under the palace’s authority.

History

The alliance’s history is marked by decades of forced subjugation under Lingjiu Palace control, followed by a failed rebellion attempt, and ultimately a transformation under new leadership. The relationship between the alliance members and their controllers evolved significantly over time, reflecting broader changes in the jianghu’s power dynamics.

Formation under Lingjiu Palace control

The alliance was formed under the control of the Lingjiu Palace, with Tianshan Child Granny using Mark of Life and Death to control the leaders of thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands for several decades. These organisations were forced to regularly pay tribute to the Lingjiu Palace.

Rebellion attempt

The alliance members, led by Wu Laoda, attempted to rebel against the Lingjiu Palace’s control during Tianshan Child Granny’s third rejuvenation cycle when her powers were temporarily lost. They organized a secret meeting at Piaomiao Peak1 on the second day of the fifth month in 1093.

Failed rebellion

The rebellion failed when Xuzhu rescued Tianshan Child Granny and revealed the true nature of the meeting. The alliance members were forced to continue their subservience to the Lingjiu Palace until Xuzhu became the new master and removed the Mark of Life and Death control.

Organisation

Leadership structure

The alliance was led by Wu Laoda, who served as the primary leader of the coalition. Each cave and island had its own leader, but all were controlled by the Lingjiu Palace through Mark of Life and Death.

Notable members

Leadership:

  • Wu Laoda (乌老大 – Wū Lǎodà) - Primary leader of the alliance

Cave leaders:

  • Sang Tugong (桑土公 – Sāng Tǔgōng) - Leader of Bilin Cave in western Sichuan
  • Duanmu Yuan (端木元 – Duānmù Yuán) - Island leader who used the Five Pecks of Rice Power

Other members:

  • Various leaders of the thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands

Martial arts abilities

Five Pecks of Rice Power

Five Pecks of Rice Power (五斗米神功 – Wǔdǒumǐ Shéngōng) was used by Duanmu Yuan (端木元 – Duānmù Yuán) during the rebellion attempt. This technique was countered by Murong Fu who identified its weaknesses.

Poison techniques

Alliance members used various poison techniques and hidden weapons, including poisoned needles and bronze cauldrons with poison mechanisms. Sang Tugong (桑土公 – Sāng Tǔgōng) was known for using poisoned ground-rolling needles.

Relationships

Subordination to Lingjiu Palace

The alliance was completely subservient to the Lingjiu Palace, with all members controlled through Mark of Life and Death. They were forced to regularly pay tribute to Tianshan Child Granny (天山童姥 – Tiānshān Tónglǎo).

Conflict with Murong Fu

During the rebellion attempt, the alliance encountered Murong Fu and his retainers who had accidentally entered their meeting. This led to a confrontation where Murong Fu demonstrated his martial arts skills and attempted to recruit the alliance members for his own purposes.

Liberation by Xuzhu

After Xuzhu became the new master of the Lingjiu Palace, he removed the Mark of Life and Death control from all alliance members, effectively liberating them from their forced subservience.

Locations

Geographical distribution

The alliance consisted of thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands spread across various regions. Notable locations included Bilin Cave in western Sichuan, led by Sang Tugong (桑土公 – Sāng Tǔgōng).

Meeting location

The alliance held their rebellion meeting at Mount Piaomiao (缥缈峰 – Piāomiǎo Fēng) in the Tianshan Mountains, using secret signals and poison mechanisms to organize their gathering.

Behind the scenes

The Alliance of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands represents one of Jin Yong’s explorations of how large organisations could control smaller groups through fear and coercion. Through their story, the author examined how power structures could maintain control through psychological and physical threats.

The alliance’s failed rebellion demonstrates how even coordinated resistance could be overcome when the controlling power regained its strength. Their eventual liberation through Xuzhu’s succession shows how leadership changes could bring about positive transformation in oppressive systems.

The alliance’s geographical diversity (thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands) illustrates the widespread nature of the Lingjiu Palace’s influence and control over the jianghu.

See also

Footnotes

  1. 缥缈峰 – Piāomiǎo Fēng. Mount Piaomiao in the Tianshan Mountains, known for its ethereal appearance and strategic location. See Wikipedia. ↩

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