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Gu Long's novels

Gu Long's novels

Gu Long wrote over seventy novels during his career.

Looking at the Gu Long article and comparing it with this novels listing, we could add two valuable sections that provide new information without duplication:

Publication context

Serialization history

Unlike Jin Yong who primarily published in Ming Pao, Gu Long’s works were serialized across multiple newspapers and magazines in Taiwan, including United Daily News,1 China Times,2 and Central Daily News.3

Publication challenges

Many of Gu Long’s early works were written under intense deadline pressure to earn a living. This led to him serialising multiple stories simultaneously, causing occasional plot inconsistencies between serialized versions.

These were corrected in later editions published as books, further highlighting the inconsistencies and quality issues.

Collaborative works and ghostwriting

Gu Long also collaborated with other writers to ghostwrite some of his works to help him meet deadlines.

The Carved Jade Dragon was ghostwritten by Shen Suimei4 and Xue Xingguo,5 who also ghostwrote The Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens《鳳舞九天》(1978–1979). The Poison of the Sword and Fragrance of Plum Blossoms was partially ghostwritten by Shangguan Ding.6

During his declining health, several works were completed by ghostwriters based on his outlines. These were published under his name through various arrangements with publishers.

The Six Shocking Tales series was mostly ghostwritten by Huang Ying.7

Gu Long dictated the stories for Ding Qing8 to ghostwrite Furious Sword, Mad Flowers, The Romance of that Sword, and Border Town Blade Sound.

Writing style and evolution

Early period (1960–1963)

In his early works like Divine Sword of the Sky and Legend of the Orphaned Star, Gu Long was still developing his signature style. These novels followed more traditional wuxia conventions while showing glimpses of his later psychological complexity.

Mature period (1963–1979)

Starting with the Lu Xiaofeng series, Gu Long developed his distinctive minimalist prose style with short, punchy sentences and extensive dialogue. His mature works like Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword and Heroes Shed No Tears showcased complex character psychology and Western literary influences.

Late period (1979–1985)

His later works saw increased use of ghostwriters and a decline in quality, though they maintained elements of his signature style.

Novels

Early experimental novels (1960–1964)

  • Divine Sword of the Sky 《蒼穹神劍》苍穹神剑 (Cāngqióng Shénjiàn) (1960) – his first wuxia novel
  • Sword Poison, Plum Fragrance 《劍毒梅香》剑毒梅香 (Jiàndú Méixiāng) (1960) – only wrote 4 volumes, 14 chapters; partly ghostwritten by Shangguan Ding
  • Strange Moon, Evil Star 《月異星邪》月异星邪 (Yuè Yì Xīng Xié) (1960)
  • Tale of the Wandering Swordsman 《遊俠錄》游侠录 (Yóuxiá Lù) (1960)
  • The Lost Soul 《失魂引》失魂引 (Shīhún Yǐn) (1960)
  • Journey of a Swordsman 《劍客行》剑客行 (Jiànkè Xíng) (1961)
  • Broken Gold, Incomplete Jade 《殘金缺玉》残金缺玉 (Cánjīn Quēyù) (1961)
  • Sword Spirit, Book Fragrance 《劍氣書香》剑气书香 (Jiànqì Shūxiāng) (1960) – only wrote 3 volumes
  • The Flower-Guarding Bell 《護花鈴》护花铃 (Hùhuā Líng) (1962), also known as Island of the Gods 《諸神島》诸神岛 (Zhūshén Dǎo)
  • Consort Xiang’s Sword 《湘妃劍》湘妃剑 (Xiāngfēi Jiàn) (1960–1963)

Early mature standalone novels (1963–1967)

  • Fragrant Sword in the Rain 《飄香劍雨》飘香剑雨 (Piāoxiāng Jiànyǔ) (1963–1965)
  • The Lover’s Arrow 《情人箭》情人箭 (Qíngrén Jiàn) (1963–1964)
  • Legend of the Banner Heroes 《大旗英雄傳》大旗英雄传 (Dàqí Yīngxióng Zhuàn) (1963–1965)
  • Cleansing Flowers, Refining Swords 《浣花洗劍錄》浣花洗剑录 (Huànhuā Xǐjiàn Lù) (1964–1966)
  • Dragon’s Song 《龍吟曲》龙吟曲 (Lóngyín Qǔ) (1964)
  • Famous Sword, Elegant Romance 《名劍風流》名剑风流 (Míngjiàn Fēngliú) (1961–1967) – written intermittently over 5–6 years
  • Unofficial History of the Wulin 《武林外史》武林外史 (Wǔlín Wàishǐ) (1967)
  • Legendary Siblings 《絕代雙驕》绝代双骄 (Juédài Shuāngjiāo) (1966)

Later standalone novels (1971–1979)

  • Happy Heroes 《歡樂英雄》欢乐英雄 (Huānlè Yīngxióng) (1971)
  • The Big Man 《大人物》大人物 (Dàrénwù) (1971)
  • Meteor, Butterfly, Sword 《流星‧蝴蝶‧劍》流星‧蝴蝶‧剑 (Liúxīng Húdié Jiàn) (1971)
  • The Seven Killers 《七殺手》七杀手 (Qī Shāshǒu) (1973)
  • Never Bow Down 《絕不低頭》绝不低头 (Juébù Dītóu) (1973)
  • Sword, Flower, Misty Rain over Jiangnan 《劍·花·煙雨江南》剑·花·烟雨江南 (Jiàn Huā Yānyǔ Jiāngnán) (1974–1975)
  • Sword of the Third Young Master 《三少爺的劍》三少爷的剑 (Sān Shàoyé de Jiàn) (1977)
  • The White Jade Tiger 《白玉老虎》白玉老虎 (Báiyù Lǎohǔ) (1976)
  • Flying Eagle over the Great Land 《大地飛鷹》大地飞鹰 (Dàdì Fēiyīng) (1977)
  • Full Moon, Curved Saber 《圓月彎刀》圆月弯刀 (Yuányuè Wāndāo) (1978)
  • The Seven Stars Dragon King 《七星龍王》七星龙王 (Qīxīng Lóngwáng) (1978)
  • Righteous Blood Cleansing the Silver Spear 《碧血洗銀槍》碧血洗银枪 (Bìxuè Xǐ Yínqiāng) (1976–1977)
  • Heroes Shed No Tears 《英雄無淚》英雄无泪 (Yīngxióng Wú Lèi) (1979)

Final period and posthumous works (1981–1986)

  • Saber Sound in the Wind Chimes 《風鈴中的刀聲》风铃中的刀声 (Fēnglíng Zhōng de Dāoshēng) (1981)
  • Carved White Jade Dragon 《白玉雕龍》白玉雕龙 (Báiyù Diāolóng) (1985) – ghostwritten by Shen Suimei and Xue Xingguo
  • Furious Sword, Mad Flowers 《怒劍狂花》怒剑狂花 (Nùjiàn Kuánghuā) (1985) – mostly ghostwritten by Ding Qing
  • The Romance of that Sword 《那一劍的風情》那一剑的风情 (Nà Yī Jiàn de Fēngqíng) (1985) – mostly ghostwritten by Ding Qing
  • Border Town Blade Sound 《邊城刀聲》边城刀声 (Biānchéng Dāoshēng) (1986) – mostly ghostwritten by Ding Qing
  • The Grand Era of Wuxia 《大武俠時代》大武侠时代 (Dà Wǔxiá Shídài) (1985)

Chu Liuxiang series (1967–1982)

This series features the sophisticated thief Chu Liuxiang and demonstrates Gu Long’s mature style with its complex characterisation and exploration of morally ambiguous themes.

  • Legend of Chu Liuxiang 《楚留香傳奇》楚留香传奇 (Chǔ Liúxiāng Chuánqí) (1967) – originally titled Iron Blood Legend 《鐵血傳奇》铁血传奇 (Tiěxuè Chuánqí), renamed The Debonair Bandit 《風流盜帥》风流盗帅 (Fēngliú Dàoshuài) between 1971–1972. Contains three stories:
    • Fragrance in the Sea of Blood 《血海飄香》血海飘香 (Xuèhǎi Piāoxiāng)
    • The Vast Desert 《大沙漠》大沙漠 (Dà Shāmò)
    • The Thrush 《畫眉鳥》画眉鸟 (Huàméiniǎo)
  • Legend of the Bat 《蝙蝠傳奇》蝙蝠传奇 (Biānfú Chuánqí) (1969) – includes Phantom Love and Heroic Romance 《鬼戀俠情》鬼恋侠情 (Guǐliàn Xiáqíng), also known as Borrowing a Corpse to Return the Soul 《借屍還魂》借尸还魂 (Jiè Shī Huán Hún)
  • Legend of the Peach Blossom 《桃花傳奇》桃花传奇 (Táohuā Chuánqí) (1971–1972) – volumes 1–21; published as Gallant Name Lingers in Fragrance 《俠名留香》侠名留香 (Xiámíng Liúxiāng) for volumes 23–27
  • Legend of the New Moon 《新月傳奇》新月传奇 (Xīnyuè Chuánqí) (1978)
  • The Midnight Orchid 《午夜蘭花》午夜兰花 (Wǔyè Lánhuā) (1982–1983) – written as a continuation of the film The Jade Ring; part of New Tales of Chu Liuxiang 《楚留香新傳》楚留香新传 (Chǔ Liúxiāng Xīn Zhuàn)

Little Li Flying Dagger series (1968–1981)

A series following the legendary swordsman Li Xunhuan, known for his deadly flying dagger skills and melancholic personality. The series established many of Gu Long’s signature themes, including tragic romance and the price of martial prowess.

  • Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword 《多情劍客無情劍》多情剑客无情剑 (Duōqíng Jiànkè Wúqíng Jiàn) (1968) – combined with its sequel Iron Courage and Hero’s Soul 《鐵膽大俠魂》铁胆大侠魂 (Tiědǎn Dàxiá Hún) in 1969 to form the current version

Bordertown Wanderer trilogy:

  1. Bordertown Wanderer 《邊城浪子》边城浪子 (Biānchéng Làngzǐ) (1973) – originally titled First Blade of Wind and Cloud 《風雲第一刀》风云第一刀 (Fēngyún Dì Yī Dāo); sequel to Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword
  2. Eagle Soaring in the Ninth Month 《九月鷹飛》九月鹰飞 (Jiǔyuè Yīng Fēi) (1973)
  3. Horizon, Bright Moon, Saber 《天涯‧明月‧刀》天涯‧明月‧刀 (Tiānyá Míngyuè Dāo) (1974) – three known versions: Wuxia Spring and Autumn version (incomplete), Nanqi version (with different ending), and the 1978 Wansheng abridged version
  • Flying Dagger, Again Flying Dagger 《飛刀，又見飛刀》飞刀，又见飞刀 (Fēidāo Yòu Jiàn Fēidāo) (1981) – written after Gu Long’s injury, with Ding Qing recording his dictation

Lu Xiaofeng series (1972–1981)

One of Gu Long’s most popular and influential series, following the witty young martial artist Lu Xiaofeng as he solves mysteries in the jianghu. The series showcases Gu Long’s talent for combining detective fiction elements with traditional wuxia storytelling.

  • Legend of Lu Xiaofeng 《陸小鳳傳奇》陆小凤传奇 (Lù Xiǎofèng Chuánqí) (1973) – commissioned by Jin Yong for Ming Pao, spanning 117 chapters with a planned sequel The Invisible Man 《隱形的人》隐形的人 (Yǐnxíng de Rén); published as The Great Wanderer 《大遊俠》大游侠 (Dà Yóuxiá) between 1973–1977
  • The Embroidery Bandit 《繡花大盜》绣花大盗 (Xiùhuā Dàdào) (1973–1974) – first published in Ming Pao’s Wuxia and History issue 640 as Phoenix Flies Southeast 《鳳凰東南飛》凤凰东南飞 (Fènghuáng Dōngnán Fēi)
  • Before and After the Duel 《決戰前後》决战前后 (Juézhàn Qiánhòu) (1974–1975)
  • The Silver Hook Gambling House 《銀鈎賭坊》银钩赌坊 (Yíngōu Dǔfāng) (1975–1976) – serialised in Ming Pao issue 670 onwards, labelled as “Lu Xiaofeng Legend Part 4”
  • Phantom Manor 《幽靈山莊》幽灵山庄 (Yōulíng Shānzhuāng) (1976–1977) – split into two parts: Strange World and Heaven’s Will is Like a Blade
  • The Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens 《鳳舞九天》凤舞九天 (Fèngwǔ Jiǔtiān) (1978–1979) – largely ghostwritten by Xue Xingguo with two versions: the Hong Kong Wugong version titled The Invisible Man and the Xue Xingguo ghostwritten version
  • Laughter of the Sword God 《劍神一笑》剑神一笑 (Jiànshén Yī Xiào) (1981) – possibly dictated by Gu Long due to illness; adapted into the film Lu Xiaofeng: Laughter of the Sword God the same year with Gu Long as screenwriter

The Eleventh Son series

Centres on Xiao Shiyi Lang, a carefree wanderer whose life becomes entangled with political intrigue and revenge. The series is notable for its exploration of identity and betrayal themes.

  • The Eleventh Son 《蕭十一郎》萧十一郎 (Xiāo Shíyī Láng) (1969) – first written for screenplay before adapting into a novel
  • Destroy the Eleventh Son 《火併蕭十一郎》火并萧十一郎 (Huǒbìng Xiāo Shíyī Láng) (1973) – sequel to The Eleventh Son

Seven Weapons series (1974–1978)

A collection of interconnected stories, each focusing on a unique weapon and its wielder. The series demonstrates Gu Long’s skill at crafting distinctive martial arts styles and techniques while exploring the relationship between warriors and their chosen weapons.

  1. The Longevity Sword 《長生劍》长生剑 (Chángshēng Jiàn) (1974)
  2. The Peacock Tassel 《孔雀翎》孔雀翎 (Kǒngquè Líng) (1974)
  3. The Green Jade Saber 《碧玉刀》碧玉刀 (Bìyù Dāo) (1974)
  4. The Amorous Ring 《多情環》多情环 (Duōqíng Huán) (1974) – listed as the fourth when serialised; later sometimes listed as fifth instead
  5. The Overlord Spear 《霸王槍》霸王枪 (Bàwáng Qiāng) (1974) – listed as the fifth when serialised; later sometimes listed as fourth instead
  6. The Separation Hook 《離別鉤》离别钩 (Líbié Gōu) (1978) – replaced The Fist as the sixth weapon
  7. The Fist 《拳頭》拳头 (Quántou) (1975) – initially named Wolf Mountain 《狼山》狼山 (Lángshān) and later Angry Little Horse 《憤怒的小馬》愤怒的小马 (Fènnù de Xiǎomǎ) before the current name; a spin-off from The Overlord Spear

Grand Era of Wuxia series (1985)

This ambitious series attempted to create a broader unified narrative across multiple stories.

  • Gamble, Wolf’s Teeth, Pursuit and Kill 《賭局、狼牙、追殺》赌局、狼牙、追杀 (Dǔjú Lángyá Zhuīshā) (1985)
  • Purple Fumes, Skulk of Foxes 《紫煙、群狐》紫烟、群狐 (Zǐyān Qúnhú) (1985)
  • Silver Condor, Sea Deity 《銀雕、海神》银雕、海神 (Yíndiāo Hǎishén) (1985)

The Six Shocking Tales series (1974–1975)

A darker series featuring supernatural elements.

  • The Blood Parrot 《血鸚鵡》血鹦鹉 (Xuè Yīngwǔ) (1974) – abandoned after 5 chapters; ghostwritten by Huang Ying
  • The Sky Demon Saber 《天魔刀》天魔刀 (Tiānmó Dāo) (1974) – also published as Blood-sucking Moth 《吸血蛾》吸血蛾 (Xīxuè É); ghostwritten by Huang Ying
  • The Black Lizard 《黑蜥蜴》黑蜥蜴 (Hēi Xīyì) (1974) – ghostwritten by Huang Ying
  • The Crystal Man 《水晶人》水晶人 (Shuǐjīng Rén) (1974) – also published as Wind and Rain with the Crystal Man 《風雨奇譚》风雨奇谭 (Fēngyǔ Qítán); ghostwritten by Huang Ying
  • The Powdery Skeleton 《粉骷髏》粉骷髅 (Fěn Kūlóu) (1974) – ghostwritten by Huang Ying
  • The Rakshasa Lady 《羅剎女》罗刹女 (Luóchà Nǚ) (1974) – ghostwritten by Huang Ying
  • The Wingless Bat 《無翼蝙蝠》无翼蝙蝠 (Wúyì Biānfú) (1974) – ghostwritten by Huang Ying

Footnotes

  1. 聯合報 – Liánhé Bào. A major Taiwanese newspaper founded in 1951. See Wikipedia. ↩

  2. 中國時報 – Zhōngguó Shíbào. One of Taiwan’s major newspapers. See Wikipedia. ↩

  3. 中央日報 – Zhōngyāng Rìbào. The official newspaper of the Kuomintang. See Wikipedia. ↩

  4. 申碎梅 – Shěn Suìméi. See Douban (Chinese). ↩

  5. 薛興國 – Xuē Xìngguó. See Baidu Baike (Chinese). ↩

  6. 上官鼎 – Shàngguān Dǐng. Pen name of Liu Chao-shiuan and two of his brothers. See Wikipedia. ↩

  7. 黃鷹 – Huáng Yìng. See Wikipedia (Chinese). ↩

  8. 丁情 – Dīng Qíng. See Baidu Baike. ↩