The Five Greats were the most formidable martial artists during the Southern Song dynasty. They were also known as the Five Supreme Masters of the jianghu (simplified: 江湖五绝, traditional: 江湖五絕) or the Five Supreme Masters Under Heaven (simplified: 天下五绝, traditional: 天下五絕).
Each possessed exceptional martial arts abilities and commanded significant influence in the jianghu. They were considered the top five martial artists of their time.
Huashan Sword Summit
The most definitive ranking of the Five Greats occurred during their famous contest on Huashan’s1 peak known as the Huashan Sword Summit.2 To test their prowess against each other and determine the strongest martial artist among them, they held a competition at Huashan.
First Summit
The goal of the First Summit was also to determine who would gain possession of the Nine Yin Manual.3
At the conclusion, Wang Chongyang emerged victorious and was acknowledged as the supreme martial artist of his generation. The competition established the following ranking, with each participant earning their directional epithet:
- Wang Chongyang the Central Divinity (中神通)
- Huang Yaoshi the Eastern Heretic (东邪 – Dōng Xié)
- Ouyang Feng the Western Venom (西毒 – Xī Dú)
- Hong Qigong the Northern Beggar (北丐 – Běi Gài)
- Duan Zhixing the Southern Emperor (南帝 – Nán Dì)
Second Summit
The Second Summit took place years later and the gathering was marked by several significant confrontations:
- Huang Yaoshi attempted to defeat Guo Jing within 300 moves but failed to do so
- Ouyang Feng, who had been practicing reversed Nine Yin Manual techniques, appeared in a deranged state
- The competition’s dynamics shifted dramatically when Ouyang Feng demonstrated his newfound and peculiar strength
- The summit concluded at Black Dragon Pool4 where Huang Rong used clever tactics against the deranged Ouyang Feng
Ultimately, Ouyang Feng claimed the title of supreme martial artist while in his mentally unstable condition, though the legitimacy of this claim remained controversial due to his state of mind.
Third Summit
The Third Summit marked a generational transition in the jianghu. This gathering established the New Five Greats, to differentiate from the original Five Greats, and represented a changing of the guard:
- Huang Yaoshi retained his position as the Eastern Heretic
- Duan Zhixing, now known by his Buddhist name, Yideng, became the Southern Monk (南僧 – Nán Sēng)
- Yang Guo became the Western Maverick (西狂 – Xī Kuáng)
- Guo Jing was recognized as the Northern Xia (北侠 – Běi Xiá)
- Zhou Botong was dubbed the Central Wild Child (中顽童 – Zhōng Wántóng)
This new generation reflected not only changes in individual martial artists but also shifts in the martial arts world’s values and character. Unlike the First Summit, where a clear hierarchy was established through competition, the relative ranking of these masters is not explicitly stated.
Five Greats
Wang Chongyang the Central Divinity
Wang Chongyang (simplified: 王重阳, traditional: 王重陽, pinyin: Wáng Chóngyáng), founder of the Quanzhen School, was renowned for his profound internal energy cultivation and comprehensive martial arts knowledge. His signature technique was the Quanzhen Swordplay,[^quanzhensword] which emphasised the unity of Taoist principles with swordplay. He was widely regarded as the most accomplished among the Five Greats before his death.
He was based in Quanzhen School in Zhongnan Mountain, hence his epithet uses the central direction.
Huang Yaoshi the Eastern Heretic
Huang Yaoshi (simplified: 黄药师, traditional: 黃藥師, pinyin: Huáng Yàoshī) was the master of Peach Blossom Island off China’s eastern coast.
His eccentric nature and unorthodox methods earned him the nickname Heretic. He excelled in the Jade Flute Swordplay and the Nine Yin Manual techniques. His mastery of diverse martial arts styles and profound understanding of internal energy placed him among the top practitioners after Wang Chongyang’s death.
Ouyang Feng the Western Venom
Ouyang Feng (simplified: 欧阳锋, traditional: 歐陽鋒, pinyin: Ōuyáng Fēng) was a master of the Toad Stance and snake-based martial arts. His poisonous techniques and ruthless nature made him one of the most feared martial artists of his era, earning him the Venom nickname. His combat prowess was considered particularly formidable due to his aggressive style and mastery of deadly techniques.
He was based in the Western Regions,5 hence his epithet uses the western direction.
Hong Qigong the Northern Beggar
Hong Qigong (simplified: 洪七公, traditional: 洪七公, pinyin: Hóng Qīgōng) was leader of the Beggars’ Guild. His mastery of the Dog Beating Staff Technique and the Eighteen Palms of Dragon-Subduing made him a formidable fighter despite his humble appearance.
While his raw power might have been slightly less than Ouyang Feng’s, his resourcefulness and adaptability made him equally dangerous in combat. The Beggars’ Guild was more active in the northern regions, hence his epithet uses the northern direction.
Duan Zhixing the Southern Emperor
Duan Zhixing (simplified: 段智兴, traditional: 段智興, pinyin: Duàn Zhìxīng) was originally the ruler of Dali Kingdom before following his family’s tradition of abdicating the throne to become a Buddhist monk.
He was known for his One Yang Finger technique and profound understanding of both martial arts and Buddhism. His cultivation of internal energy through Buddhist practices placed him on par with his peers, though he was often considered the most merciful among the Five Greats.
The Dali Kingdom was located in the southern regions of China, hence his epithet uses the southern direction.
New Five Greats
Zhou Botong the Central Wild Child
Zhou Botong earned his position through his mastery of the Technique of Reversing the Meridians and profound understanding of the Nine Yin Manual techniques. His playful nature and unconventional approach to martial arts earned him the epithet of Central Wild Child, after his nickname the Old Wild Child.
Huang Yaoshi the Eastern Heretic
Huang Yaoshi retained his position and title from the original Five Greats, remaining on Peach Blossom Island. His continued presence represented a bridge between the two generations, though his character had mellowed somewhat with age and the influence of his daughter, Huang Rong.
Yang Guo the Western Maverick
Yang Guo earned his place through his mastery of the Melancholic Palms and the Great Leap Through Time and Space. His unorthodox relationship with his master Xiaolongnü and unconventional approach to martial arts earned him the epithet of Western Maverick.
It was also a fitting title since he inherits the Western region from his godfather, Ouyang Feng.
Guo Jing the Northern Xia
Guo Jing achieved his position through mastery of the Eighteen Palms of Dragon-Subduing and profound internal energy cultivation. His reputation as the epitome of chivalry and in upholding righteousness earned him the title of Northern Xia, inheriting the Northern region from his shifu, Hong Qigong.
Yideng the Southern Monk
Duan Zhixing retained his position. He took on the Buddhist name, Yideng, after abdicating the throne to become a monk. He continued his martial arts development alongside his Buddhist practice. His One Yang Finger technique reached new heights of sophistication, and his epithet changed from Southern Emperor to Southern Monk, reflecting his complete embrace of Buddhist principles.
Legacy
The influence of the Five Greats extends beyond their own era. Their techniques and philosophical approaches to martial arts continue to influence later generations of martial artists in the series.
Their status as the Five Greats set a precedent in the martial arts world, establishing a tradition of recognising and ranking supreme masters that continues throughout the ages.
Behind the scenes
Significance in the stories
The Five Greats play crucial roles throughout The Legend of the Condor Heroes, serving as mentors, adversaries, and catalysts for major plot developments. Their interactions and conflicts shape much of the martial arts world’s power dynamics during the Southern Song period.
Their existence also establishes a benchmark for martial arts excellence in the story, against which other characters’ abilities are measured. The protagonist Guo Jing’s journey involves learning from several of these masters, particularly Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi.
Their collective presence in the story demonstrates the diversity of martial arts styles and philosophical approaches in the jianghu. Each member represents a different path to martial arts mastery, from the orthodox to the unorthodox, the religious to the secular, showing that excellence can be achieved through various means.
Significance of the Sword Summit
Huashan Sword Summit became a term that became synonymous with ultimate martial arts competitions.
Footnotes
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华山 – Huàshān. One of China’s Five Great Mountains, located in Shaanxi Province. Its steep cliffs and historical significance made it a symbolic location for the contest. See Wikipedia. ↩
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华山论剑 – Huàshān Lùnjiàn. Literally Sword Discussion at Huashan. The use of discussion is key as the participants were engaged in a martial arts exchange and a philosophical debate on mastery, rather than just a physical contest. ↩
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九阴真经 – Jiǔ Yīn Zhēnjīng. A legendary martial arts manual containing profound techniques. ↩
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黑龙潭 – Hēi Lóng Tán. Literally black dragon pool. ↩