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Guo Xiang

Guo Xiang

Guo Xiang (simplified: 郭襄, traditional: 郭襄, Jyutping: gwok3 soeng1, pinyin: Guō Xiāng) was the younger daughter of the legendary heroes Guo Jing and Huang Rong, and the twin sister of Guo Polu. Born during the siege of Xiangyang, her name reflected her parents’ dedication to defending the city, as “Xiang” (襄) commemorated the place of her birth during this crucial period in Song Dynasty history.

Known as the “Little Eastern Heretic” (小东邪) for her free-spirited nature inherited from her maternal grandfather Huang Yaoshi, Guo Xiang possessed a unique combination of her father’s noble heroism and her mother’s intelligence. Her personality embodied both orthodox and unorthodox qualities, displaying the independent spirit that made her grandfather famous while maintaining the righteous principles of her parents.

Her life was profoundly shaped by her encounter with Yang Guo, the Divine Condor Hero, when she was sixteen years old. This meeting sparked a lifelong, unrequited love that drove her to spend decades searching for him across the martial arts world. After years of fruitless wandering, she achieved enlightenment at age forty and became a Buddhist nun, founding the Emei Order and establishing one of the most influential martial arts traditions in Chinese history.

Biography

Early life

Guo Xiang was born during the Mongol siege of Xiangyang in a moment of extreme crisis. Her mother Huang Rong gave birth to twins - Guo Xiang and her brother Guo Polu - while the city was under attack and Guo Jing was severely wounded. The name “Xiang” (襄) was chosen to commemorate her birth in Xiangyang during this tumultuous period.

Guo Xiang’s birth occurred during a critical moment when Kublai Khan led the Mongol army to besiege Xiangyang, and Guo Jing and Huang Rong commanded the Southern Song military and martial artists to resist. Kublai Khan took advantage of Guo Jing’s injury to send martial arts masters like Jinlun Guoshi to infiltrate Xiangyang for assassination attempts.

At the critical moment, Huang Rong was startled into labor and gave birth to Guo Xiang and her twin brother Guo Polu under dangerous conditions during the fire. The naming reflected her parents’ dedication to defending the city, as Huang Rong explained that the name “Xiang” was chosen so that she would remember in the future that she was born in this war-torn besieged city.

Almost immediately after birth, Guo Xiang was caught up in the martial arts world’s conflicts. She was taken by Xiaolongnü as leverage for obtaining an antidote, then later captured by Li Mochou, the Scarlet Serpent Fairy. Surprisingly, the usually ruthless Li Mochou developed maternal feelings for the infant and cared for her tenderly, even feeding her leopard’s milk in the mountains.

Shortly after Guo Xiang’s birth, she was rescued by Xiaolongnü, the third-generation master of the Ancient Tomb School, who intended to use the infant to exchange for an antidote but later abandoned this plan. Yang Guo then rescued Guo Xiang from Li Mochou and fed her with leopard milk.

Li Mochou, seeing Guo Xiang, mistakenly thought she was Xiaolongnü and Yang Guo’s child and snatched the infant Guo Xiang, wanting to use her to threaten Yang Guo. However, the little Guo Xiang was innocent and lovely, and Li Mochou had wanted a child in her youth, so she did not have the heart to kill her and instead cared for Guo Xiang attentively.

When Huang Rong’s body recovered and heard that the child had been taken by Li Mochou, she was anxious. Once, while taking Guo Fu back to Peach Blossom Island to take refuge, she discovered Li Mochou and fought with her. Li Mochou, because she was concerned about Guo Xiang in her arms (not knowing at this time that Guo Xiang was Guo Jing and Huang Rong’s daughter), did not fight with full strength. Later, she fell into Huang Rong’s trap and was poisoned by her own hidden weapon - the deadly poison on the Ice Soul Silver Needles.

When Li Mochou was in a life-and-death situation and Huang Rong had to choose between saving herself and little Guo Xiang, this murderous demoness hesitated, and Huang Rong therefore spared her life. This demonstrated the profound impact Guo Xiang had even as an infant, transforming even the ruthless Li Mochou through her innocent charm.

Childhood and development

Growing up as the daughter of two legendary heroes, Guo Xiang was raised in an environment of martial arts excellence and patriotic duty. Unlike her elder sister Guo Fu, who was pampered and sometimes spoiled, Guo Xiang developed a more independent and adventurous spirit that reflected her grandfather Huang Yaoshi’s unconventional nature.

Guo Xiang possessed a heroic and bold character, sharing three parts similarity with her mother Huang Rong. Her approach to life combined elements of both her parents’ styles, displaying both orthodox and unorthodox tendencies that led her sister Guo Fu to teasingly call her “Little Eastern Heretic.”

She inherited her maternal grandfather’s unconventional nature, earning this nickname for her tendency to act according to her own principles rather than social conventions. This included her willingness to associate with people from all walks of life, regardless of their social status or background. Her character embodied a kind of spiritual insight that went beyond simple intelligence or cleverness, different from her mother’s wit and erudition—it was more of a direct perception and understanding that could reach people’s hearts, as pure and warm as jade.

Meeting Yang Guo

The most transformative period of Guo Xiang’s youth began when she was sixteen years old. While traveling, she heard tales of the mysterious “Divine Condor Hero” and became fascinated by the stories of his heroic deeds. At Wind and Mist Ferry (风陵渡), she encountered Yang Guo while he was in disguise and was immediately captivated by his extraordinary abilities and charismatic personality.

Yang Guo, treating her as a beloved younger sister, gave her three golden needles, promising to fulfill three wishes for her. Her first wish was to see his true face, which Yang Guo granted by removing his mask. Her second wish was for him to celebrate her birthday, leading to the legendary birthday celebration that would define her life. The third and final wish would come later, at a moment of desperate crisis.

At Wind and Mist Ferry, Guo Xiang heard about the Divine Condor Hero’s deeds and became fascinated. By chance, she met Yang Guo wearing a human skin mask at Ten Thousand Beasts Manor and watched how he intervened to resolve the conflict between the manor’s owner Shi brothers and the Western Hills Ten Ghosts.

Guo Xiang accompanied Yang Guo to Black Dragon Pool to capture the Nine-tailed Spirit Fox to treat Shi Shugang’s injury. They encountered Yinggu, the owner of the place, and explained their purpose, but Yinggu refused. When Yideng and Cien appeared, they said that only by bringing Zhou Botong from Hundred Flowers Valley would Yinggu agree. Yang Guo then took Guo Xiang through various difficulties to bring Zhou Botong, reuniting Zhou Botong and Yinggu, and Yinggu handed over the spirit fox.

During their time together, Yang Guo and Zhou Botong engaged in combat at Hundred Flowers Valley, both displaying exquisite superior martial arts that opened Guo Xiang’s eyes to the wonders of the martial arts world. Yang Guo treated Guo Xiang like a beloved younger sister, giving her three golden needles and promising to fulfill three wishes whenever he saw them, as if he saw Guo Xaing in person.

Adventures and the birthday celebration

Yang Guo’s elaborate sixteenth birthday celebration for Guo Xiang became legendary in the martial arts world. Yang Guo secretly organised a gathering of martial arts heroes, arranged magnificent gifts, and even created spectacular displays in her honour. This grand gesture, which included leading nearly a thousand martial artists to eliminate two thousand Mongol soldiers and burning their supply depot, deeply moved Guo Xiang and cemented her romantic feelings for him.

Guo Xiang’s first wish was for Yang Guo to remove his mask and reveal his true face. Her second wish was for him to come to Xiangyang on September 24th of that year, her birthday, to see her.

From her mother Huang Rong, Guo Xiang learned about the decades-long connection between the Guo and Yang families since her and Yang Guo’s grandfather’s generation. Her father Guo Jing hoped that through Guo Xiang’s relationship with Yang Guo, they could resolve the grievances between the two families from the previous generation.

On Guo Xiang’s birthday, Yang Guo secretly helped Guo Jing defeat the Mongol vanguard, burned the Mongol grain depot, and used fireworks to display the words “Congratulations to Miss Guoerr for much fortune and longevity” in the Xiangyang night sky. This spectacular display became one of the most memorable moments in Guo Xiang’s life and cemented her deep feelings for Yang Guo.

During this period, she accompanied Yang Guo on adventures to various locations including Ten Thousand Beasts Manor (万兽山庄), Hundred Flowers Valley (百花谷), and Black Dragon Pool (黑龙潭), sharing hardships and developing a deep bond with the Divine Condor Hero. These experiences shaped her understanding of the martial arts world and her own place within it.

The siege of Xiangyang and final parting

During the final Mongol assault on Xiangyang, Guo Xiang was captured by Jinlun Guoshi (Golden Wheel Imperial Adviser) and used as a hostage. Tied to a burning platform, she faced death bravely, choosing to die for her country rather than surrender. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü arrived at the crucial moment to rescue her, with Yang Guo defeating the Golden Wheel Imperial Adviser and saving both Guo Xiang and the city.

Guo Xiang fell in love with Yang Guo and learned that Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü’s sixteen-year agreement was about to expire, so she rushed to the Valley of Heartless Love. On the way, she fell into Jinlun Guoshi’s hands and was forced to become his disciple. Guo Xiang agreed to let Jinlun Guoshi take her as his disciple.

After being taken to the Valley of Heartless Love by Jinlun Guoshi, Guo Xiang witnessed Yang Guo jumping from Heartbreak Cliff into the deep valley, and she followed him, attempting to commit suicide for love. After the two fell into the deep pool at the bottom of the valley and survived, Guo Xiang spoke her third wish: that Yang Guo should never take his own life in the future.

After being rescued by the eagle brought by her mother Huang Rong and returned to the cliff, Guo Xiang was deceived by Jinlun Guoshi again and became a hostage. When the Mongol army’s strong attack on Xiangyang failed, Jinlun Guoshi tied Guo Xiang to a high platform, threatening Guo Jing to surrender or burn Guo Xiang to death. But Guo Xiang was not afraid and was willing to die for Xiangyang.

Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü reunited after sixteen years at the bottom of the Valley of Heartless Love and returned to Xiangyang with the Divine Condor to help, defeating Jinlun Guoshi and rescuing Guo Xiang. The Mongol army retreated, and everyone went to Mount Hua together, where they encountered Shaolin’s Jueyuan and his disciple Zhang Junbao pursuing Xiao Xiangzi and Yin Kexi for the Lankavatara Sutra and the Nine Yang Manual. Yang Guo secretly helped Zhang Junbao defeat Xiao Xiangzi, then took Xiaolongnü and bid farewell to everyone. At that time, the moon was in the sky, the breeze was blowing through the leaves, and the crows on the treetops were cawing. Guo Xiang could not bear it and tears burst from her eyes.

It was during this crisis that Guo Xiang used her third and final golden needle wish—asking Yang Guo never to take his own life when she saw him preparing to jump from Heartbreak Cliff in despair over his separation from Xiaolongnü. Even as she witnessed Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü reunite and depart together into seclusion, she found it difficult to let go of her deep feelings for him.

The wandering years

At eighteen, Guo Xiang left home to begin her solitary journey through the martial arts world, searching for the Divine Condor Hero and his wife. She travelled extensively throughout China, from north to south and east to west, covering nearly half of the Central Plains. During these years, she made friends with people from all walks of life, including Lu Youjiao of the Beggars’ Guild and the eccentric masters of Western Hills, demonstrating her grandfather’s unconventional approach to relationships.

After the third Mount Hua tournament, Guo Xiang deceived her parents by saying she wanted to travel around for fun, and she rode alone on a green donkey, traveling throughout the world to search for Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü, who had already withdrawn from worldly affairs.

Three years later, at age twenty, Guo Xiang went to Henan Shaolin Temple to ask Yang Guo’s friend, the head of the Arhat Hall, Master Wuse, about Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü’s whereabouts, but found nothing. During this time, she encountered “Kunlun Three Saints” He Zudao from the Western Regions, and the two exchanged chess and qin skills. He Zudao was skilled in swordsmanship and wanted to challenge Shaolin Temple, but was repelled by Shaolin monk Jueyuan and his disciple Zhang Junbao, and quietly returned to the Western Regions.

Despite her extensive travels and the many people she encountered, she never heard any recent news of Yang Guo or caught even a glimpse of him. Through these wandering years, she witnessed the fall of the Song Dynasty and the rise of the Yuan Dynasty, experiencing countless changes in human affairs while her heart remained fixed on her impossible love.

Encounter at Shaolin Temple

At age twenty, Guo Xiang visited Shaolin Temple seeking information about Yang Guo from Master Wuse. During this visit, she encountered He Zudao, the founder of the Kunlun School, who immediately fell in love with her. Their meeting involved exchanges of music and martial arts, with Guo Xiang playing the stone chimes (磬) and He Zudao responding with the reed pipe (蒹葭), but Guo Xiang remained focused on her search for Yang Guo.

Jueyuan and Zhang Junbao were forced to flee Shaolin because they had learned Shaolin martial arts without a teacher, violating the temple’s rules. Guo Xiang then fled down Mount Shaoshi with the two of them. Before Jueyuan’s death, he recited the Nine Yang Manual, and Guo Xiang, Zhang Junbao, and Master Wuse, who were present, each memorized different portions of this supreme internal energy manual.

During this crucial visit, she witnessed the dramatic events surrounding Master Jueyuan and his disciple Zhang Junbao (later Zhang Sanfeng). When they were forced to flee Shaolin, Guo Xiang helped them escape. Master Jueyuan’s death and his unconscious recitation of the Nine Yang Manual provided Guo Xiang with the martial arts knowledge that would later form the foundation of the Emei Order. She, Zhang Junbao, and Master Wuse each memorised different portions of this supreme internal energy manual.

After parting ways with Zhang Junbao, Guo Xiang’s later years were marked by her continued search for Yang Guo and eventual spiritual awakening. Before Xiangyang’s fall, Guo Jing and Huang Rong melted down Yang Guo’s Gentleman Sword, Lady Sword, and Xuantie Heavy Sword to forge the “Heaven Reliant Sword” and “Dragon Slaying Saber,” and hid the Nine Yin Manual, Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, and Wumu’s Testament within them, respectively entrusted to Guo Xiang and Guo Polu for future restoration efforts.

Later years and enlightenment

When Xiangyang finally fell to the Mongols, Guo Jing and Huang Rong died defending the city along with Guo Polu. Before the final battle, her parents had melted down Yang Guo’s Dark Iron Heavy Sword to forge the Heaven Reliant Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber, hiding the Nine Yin Manual, Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, and Wumu’s Testament within them.

Guo Xiang continued to travel the jianghu, going from north to south and from east to west, almost traversing half of the Central Plains, hoping to meet Yang Guo, but she never heard anyone mention the Divine Condor Hero Yang Guo’s recent news, let alone catch a glimpse of him.

Due to the fall of her country and family, Guo Xiang finally achieved great enlightenment at age forty and became a Buddhist nun on Mount Emei, thus founding the Emei Order. According to legend, Guo Jing and Huang Rong discussed countermeasures before Xiangyang’s fall, but after gathering patriotic scholars to discuss, they found no solution. They finally made a major decision that would influence future generations: it is said that before the city fell, they went to the blacksmith shop in the city and melted Yang Guo’s Xuantie Heavy Sword, which he had entrusted to someone to bring as a gift to Guo Xiang, forging the Heaven Reliant Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber.

They planned to hide their two most valued treasures—the secrets of military strategy: Wumu’s Testament, and the essence of superior martial arts: Nine Yin Manual and Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms—within the sword and saber, respectively entrusting the Nine Yin Manual to their second daughter Guo Xiang and the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms to their youngest son Guo Polu, while the Wumu’s Testament was jointly entrusted to both.

At the moment when Xiangyang was finally breached, they left this phrase to Mongol Khan Kublai and his civil and military officials: “Supreme in the wulin, the Dragon-slaying Sabre!​​ ​Commands the world, none dare disobey!​​ ​Should the Heavenly Sword not emerge,​​ wWhat rival can challenge its might?​​”

Guo Xiang survived the fall of Xiangyang, inheriting the Heaven Reliant Sword and becoming one of the few survivors of her family line. She continued her search for Yang Guo while also seeking her brother’s Dragon Slaying Saber, which had been lost in the chaos of war. At age forty, after more than two decades of fruitless searching, Guo Xiang finally achieved great enlightenment and realised the futility of her quest. Understanding that her unrequited love was causing her suffering and preventing her from finding peace, she decided to renounce worldly affairs and become a Buddhist nun.

Personality and traits

Physical appearance

Guo Xiang was described as possessing natural beauty that combined the best features of both parents. As an infant, she displayed clear, beautiful features with bright, intelligent black eyes and a healthy, rosy complexion that immediately marked her as destined for beauty. Huang Rong observed that despite being an extremely young baby, she was undoubtedly a beautiful child, with a small red face that appeared very healthy and robust.

As an infant, she was described as having clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes with a very lovely appearance, featuring two pitch-black eyes that looked at people with intelligence. When she slept, her face showed a slight smile, and her cheeks were red like rouge had been applied.

As a young woman of sixteen, Guo Xiang had grown into an elegant and refined beauty. She typically wore light green satin fur coats with a string of pearls around her neck, each pearl the size of a small fingertip, emitting a gentle glow. Contemporary observers described her as clear, elegant, and beautiful. Yang Guo noted that she had become a graceful young lady with a snow-white, beautiful face, while her grandfather Huang Yaoshi remarked that she resembled his deceased wife Feng Heng, Guo Xiang’s grandmother.

At age sixteen, she was described as clear, elegant, and beautiful, and when she drank wine for the first time, her face became rosy and increasingly lovely, her beauty radiant and difficult to look at directly. Her hands were described as small, soft, and tender, and Yang Guo noted that her eyebrows and eyes faintly resembled Huang Rong by three parts.

In her later years, at age eighteen or nineteen, Guo Xiang was described as wearing light yellow clothing and riding a green donkey, with her face showing considerable signs of travel, appearing beautiful as flowers at the age when she should be happy and carefree, yet her appearance showed hidden melancholy, as if sorrow was attacking her, between her eyebrows and in her heart, with no way to escape.

Even in her later years as the founder of the Emei Order, she maintained a dignified and graceful appearance befitting a martial arts master and Buddhist nun, commanding respect throughout the martial arts world.

Character traits

Guo Xiang embodied the nickname “Little Eastern Heretic” (小东邪) through her unique personality that combined her family’s best qualities with her own distinctive traits. She possessed her father Guo Jing’s inherent kindness and heroic spirit alongside her mother Huang Rong’s intelligence and quick wit. However, her character most closely resembled her maternal grandfather Huang Yaoshi, sharing his intelligent, mischievous nature and unconventional approach to life that often left others bewildered, though she was considerably more endearing than the original Eastern Heretic.

Her independent spirit manifested in her willingness to make decisions regardless of social expectations, demonstrating the same disregard for conventional wisdom that characterised her grandfather. She possessed a compassionate nature that extended to all living beings, showing kindness to people and animals alike without regard for their social status or background. This quality was evident in her diverse friendships, ranging from Lu Youjiao of the Beggars’ Guild to the eccentric Western Hills masters.

Guo Xiang’s adventurous heart drove her to travel extensively and explore the world, never content to remain in one place for long. Her strong will and determination were most evident in her decades-long search for Yang Guo, demonstrating both admirable persistence and, ultimately, the need for wisdom to know when to let go. She inherited her parents’ patriotic dedication to defending the Song Dynasty, showing courage when captured and threatened with death rather than surrender to the Mongols.

Her character possessed a unique spiritual insight that transcended mere intelligence or cleverness. Unlike her mother’s wit and erudition, Guo Xiang’s wisdom was more intuitive—a direct perception and understanding that could reach people’s hearts, described as being as pure and warm as jade. However, her stubborn devotion to her unrequited love for Yang Guo dominated many of her life choices, and her restless nature made it difficult for her to settle down or accept conventional life until she achieved enlightenment at age forty.

Values and principles

Guo Xiang’s moral framework reflected the noble principles of her family while incorporating her own unique perspective on life. She valued loyalty and righteousness above personal comfort, as demonstrated when she chose potential death over surrender during the siege of Xiangyang. Her approach to friendship transcended social boundaries, judging people by their character and compatibility rather than their status or background.

She maintained a deep respect for martial arts traditions while being willing to innovate and create new techniques when necessary. Her eventual founding of the Emei Order demonstrated her commitment to preserving and transmitting martial arts knowledge to future generations. Most significantly, her ultimate achievement of enlightenment and decision to become a Buddhist nun showed her ability to transform personal suffering into universal compassion, establishing one of the most important martial arts schools in Chinese history.

Martial arts abilities

Qi cultivation

Guo Xiang’s internal energy cultivation formed the foundation of her martial arts prowess. She initially learned basic Quanzhen internal arts from her family’s teachings, providing her with solid fundamentals in Daoist internal energy methods. However, her most significant advancement came from her partial knowledge of the Nine Yang Manual, which she memorised during Master Jueyuan’s final moments at Shaolin Temple.

Based on the fragments she recalled, Guo Xiang later developed the Emei Nine Yang Skill, which became one of the supreme internal energy cultivation methods in the martial arts world. This technique combined the profound internal energy principles of the Nine Yang Manual with her own insights and innovations, creating a unique system that would define the Emei Order’s approach to internal cultivation.

External combat techniques

Guo Xiang’s external techniques reflected her diverse training background and natural talent for adapting different martial arts styles. From her family lineage, she mastered the Yue Maiden Swordplay (越女剑法), a technique originally taught to her father Guo Jing by Han Xiaoying of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan. She also learned various Peach Blossom Island techniques from her maternal grandfather Huang Yaoshi’s martial arts tradition.

Yue Maiden Swordplay

The Yue Maiden Swordplay was originally the sword technique of Han Xiaoying of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan, which was the sword technique left by Yue Maiden A Qing from the book Sword of the Yue Maiden. In the late Tang Dynasty, a sword master reorganized and refined the ancient sword techniques, creating new variations. Han Xiaoying taught this sword technique to Guo Jing, who then passed it on to Guo Xiang and the Wu brothers.

Dog-beating Staff Technique

Her training included the Dog-beating Staff Technique (打狗棒法), the exclusive martial art of Beggars’ Guild leaders, demonstrating her connection to multiple major martial arts traditions. The Dog-beating Staff Technique was the treasure of the Beggars’ Guild, with thirty-six moves and eight key principles: trip, chop, entangle, poke, lift, lead, seal, and turn. The changes were subtle and wonderful, reaching the pinnacle of perfection, unpredictable and unfathomable, with infinite mysteries. It was also fierce and unmatched, making enemies difficult to resist. It was the first-class skill of ancient and modern times, and the staff technique’s sophistication had reached the ultimate achievement in martial arts.

Jade Maiden Swordplay

From observing Xiaolongnü, she acquired knowledge of Jade Maiden Swordplay, adding the Ancient Tomb School’s elegant techniques to her repertoire. The Jade Maiden Swordplay was created by Lin Chaoying, with every move designed to counter Quanzhen swordplay. The moves were gentle and elegant but lacked ferocity. However, when combined with superior lightness skills, the swordplay was ethereal and agile, making it difficult for people to defend against.

Loach Skill

The Loach Skill was developed by Yinggu in the Black Marsh, allowing the body to become as smooth as a loach, making it difficult to be attacked by external forces. It was particularly advantageous when used in mud and on floating boats, and could even evade Guo Jing’s Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms.

One Yang Finger

The One Yang Finger was the famous technique of the Dali Royal Duan family, which could restrain the Western Venom Ouyang Feng in terms of moves. Southern Emperor Duan Zhixing once exchanged the One Yang Finger with Wang Chongyang’s Innate Skill, and after becoming a monk, he taught the One Yang Finger to his disciples “Fisher, Woodcutter, Farmer, and Scholar.” Later, Master Yideng taught it to Guo Xiang.

Seventy-Two Void Clarity Fist

The Seventy-Two Void Clarity Fist was created by Zhou Botong when he was trapped by Huang Yaoshi on Peach Blossom Island, in the cave where he lived. The Seventy-Two Void Clarity Fist had sixteen character formulas: empty, misty, cave, loose, wind, through, contain, dream, rush, poor, middle, play, child, mediocre, bow, and worm. There were seventy-two moves in total, with the first move “Empty Bowl Holds Rice,” the second move “Empty House Holds People,” and “Hidden as if Empty” being the basic concepts of Daoism transformed into martial arts.

Other techniques

She also learned Small Grappling Hand, Peach Splendour Scattering Petals Palm, Scattering Flowers Stance, Shaolin Arhat Boxing, and Orchid Acupoint-tracing Hand.

Signature techniques

After founding the Emei Order, Guo Xiang developed numerous signature techniques that became hallmarks of her martial arts system. Her most renowned creation was Buddha’s Light Universal Illumination, a powerful palm technique that reflected both her martial prowess and Buddhist enlightenment. This technique became one of the defining skills of the Emei Order.

Buddha’s Light Universal Illumination was Guo Xiang’s self-created Emei palm technique, with only one move, using the Emei Nine Yang Skill as its foundation. The palm power enveloped the enemy’s entire body, making it impossible for them to defend.

She also created the Four Symbols Palm, based on Daoist principles and demonstrating her ability to synthesise different philosophical and martial traditions. The Four Symbols Palm was Guo Xiang’s self-created Emei palm technique, round within square, yin and yang complementing each other.

The Golden Summit Cotton Palm represented her innovation in developing fast, direct striking techniques that complemented the Emei Order’s comprehensive martial arts system. The Golden Summit Cotton Palm was Guo Xiang’s self-created Emei palm technique, similar in form but different in spirit from Wudang’s Cotton Palm, with extremely fast speed and direct attack palm techniques.

Additional signature techniques included Flying Snow Piercing Cloud Palm, where the palm power alternated between swallowing and spitting, flickering uncertainly, leading away the enemy’s internal energy before attacking. Intercepting Hand Nine Forms was Guo Xiang’s self-created Emei palm technique, representing the essence of Emei palm techniques.

The Emei Swordplay featured gentle and agile sword forms, watertight defense, emphasizing defensive techniques. The sword technique was light and agile, with no gaps, focusing on defense.

Weapons mastery

Guo Xiang’s weapons training encompassed both traditional family techniques and innovations developed through her diverse experiences. She mastered various sword techniques, including the Yue Maiden Swordplay from her father’s lineage and Scattering Petals Divine Sword from Peach Blossom Island traditions.

The Scattering Petals Divine Sword was Huang Yaoshi’s sword technique derived from the Scattering Petals Divine Sword Palm, used like scattered petals, though not as exquisite as the Jade Flute Swordplay, it was still one of the unique skills of Peach Blossom Island martial arts, with moves like “Ten Thousand Purple and Thousand Red.”

Guo Xiang used this technique when visiting Shaolin, fighting against Shaolin monks. Later, Guo Xiang made a bet with Master Wuse, asking him to guess her teacher’s school within ten moves. The first set of martial arts she used was the Scattering Petals Divine Sword.

Her most significant weapon was the Heavenly Sword, which she inherited after the fall of Xiangyang. This legendary weapon, forged from Yang Guo’s Dark Iron Heavy Sword, contained the Nine Yin Manual and became the symbol of Emei Order leadership. She also possessed knowledge of the Dragon Slaying Saber, though this weapon was lost with her brother Guo Polu during the fall of Xiangyang.

The Orchid Acupoint-tracing Hand was a Peach Blossom Island secret art, where the thumb and index finger were hooked together, the remaining three fingers slightly spread, extending like an orchid branch, with an extremely beautiful posture. When used together with the Scattering Petals Divine Sword Palm, it showed even more exquisite skill.

The Iron Palm Technique was the famous technique of Iron Palm Water Floating Qiu Qianren, requiring training with both palms tempered in iron sand. Although its power was slightly inferior to the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, the palm technique was exquisite and clever, even surpassing the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. Among the martial arts schools’ palm techniques, it was known as the first in ferocity. Qiu Qianren once used the Iron Palm Technique to seriously injure Yinggu’s son and Huang Rong. Once struck by the Iron Palm Technique and suffering serious internal injuries, it required the One Yang Finger combined with the Innate Skill to cure.

The Arhat Boxing was one of Shaolin Temple’s entry-level martial arts, the first martial art learned after becoming a disciple.

Notable achievements

Guo Xiang’s martial arts achievements extended far beyond personal combat prowess to encompass her role as a founder and teacher. Her creation of the Emei Swordplay system, including techniques like “Black Marsh Spirit Fox,” established a comprehensive martial arts curriculum that would influence generations of practitioners.

The Emei Swordplay included techniques like “Black Marsh Spirit Fox,” which Guo Xiang created to commemorate when Yang Guo and she went to the Black Marsh to capture the spirit fox together. This technique was later used by Emei Order leaders in combat, demonstrating its effectiveness as one of the school’s signature moves.

Her most enduring achievement was the establishment of the Emei Order as one of the “Six Major Schools” alongside Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun, Kongtong, and Huashan. Through her teaching and leadership, she created a martial arts tradition that combined elements from all the different styles she had learned, resulting in a balanced and comprehensive system that emphasised both martial skill and spiritual cultivation.

The Emei Nine Yang Skill was derived from Guo Xiang’s partial memorization of the Nine Yang Manual when Jueyuan recited it before his death. The Emei Order’s foundation for establishing the school was mainly based on this portion of the Nine Yang Manual, which shared the same origin as the Shaolin Nine Yang Skill, Wudang Nine Yang Skill, and the Nine Yang Divine Skill that Zhang Wuji later mastered.

Additional Emei palm techniques included Flying Snow Piercing Cloud Palm, Intercepting Hand Nine Forms, Buddha’s Light Universal Illumination, and Four Symbols Palm, as well as techniques like Light Silk Fan and other moves.

Relationships

Family relationships

Parents: Guo Jing and Huang Rong

Guo Xiang’s relationship with her parents profoundly shaped her character and worldview. Her father Guo Jing, the legendary Northern Hero, instilled in her the principles of righteousness, loyalty, and patriotic duty that would guide her throughout her life. From him, she inherited an unwavering commitment to justice and the courage to stand up for her beliefs, as demonstrated when she chose potential death over surrender during the siege of Xiangyang.

Her mother Huang Rong, the brilliant leader of the Beggars’ Guild, provided Guo Xiang with intelligence, wit, and strategic thinking. However, unlike her sister Guo Fu, Guo Xiang was not spoiled by her parents’ affection. Instead, she developed an independent spirit that combined the best qualities of both parents while forging her own unique path in life.

Siblings: Guo Fu and Guo Polu

Guo Xiang’s relationship with her elder sister Guo Fu was complex, marked by their contrasting personalities. While Guo Fu was pampered and sometimes spoiled, developing a more conventional approach to life, Guo Xiang displayed the unconventional spirit that earned her the nickname “Little Eastern Heretic.” Despite their differences, Guo Fu showed affection for her younger sister, playfully calling her by this nickname that referenced their grandfather Huang Yaoshi’s reputation.

Her twin brother Guo Polu shared her birth during the siege of Xiangyang, and their names reflected their parents’ dedication to defending the city. Tragically, Guo Polu perished alongside their parents during the fall of Xiangyang, making Guo Xiang one of the few survivors of the family line. The loss of her brother and the separation from his Dragon Slaying Saber became one of the driving forces in her later wandering years.

Extended family: Huang Yaoshi

Her maternal grandfather Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic, had perhaps the greatest influence on Guo Xiang’s personality development. She inherited his unconventional nature, intelligence, and tendency to act according to her own principles rather than social conventions. Huang Yaoshi recognised this resemblance and noted that she looked like his deceased wife Feng Heng, creating a special bond between grandfather and granddaughter that transcended conventional family relationships.

Romantic relationships

Yang Guo: The defining love

Guo Xiang’s encounter with Yang Guo at age sixteen became the defining relationship of her life, though it remained tragically one-sided. Yang Guo treated her with the affection of an elder brother for a beloved younger sister, never recognising or reciprocating her romantic feelings. His elaborate birthday celebration for her, including the three golden needles representing three wishes, created memories that would sustain and torment her for decades.

Guo Xiang’s unrequited love drove her to spend over two decades searching for him across China, ultimately leading to her spiritual awakening and decision to become a Buddhist nun when she realised the futility of her quest.

He Zudao: The unrequited admirer

During her visit to Shaolin Temple at age twenty, Guo Xiang encountered He Zudao, the founder of the Kunlun School, who immediately fell in love with her. Their meeting involved musical and martial arts exchanges, with He Zudao playing the reed pipe in response to her stone chimes, but Guo Xiang’s heart remained fixed on Yang Guo. This encounter demonstrated how her beauty and talents attracted admirers, but also showed her unwavering devotion to her impossible love.

Friendships and rivalries

Zhang Junbao (Zhang Sanfeng): Fellow founder

One of Guo Xiang’s most significant relationships was with Zhang Junbao, later known as Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of the Wudang School. They met during the dramatic events at Shaolin Temple and shared the experience of memorising portions of the Nine Yang Manual from Master Jueyuan’s final recitation. This shared experience created a bond between two future founders of major martial arts schools, representing parallel paths of spiritual and martial development.

Martial arts mentors and teachers

Throughout her life, Guo Xiang formed relationships with numerous martial arts masters who contributed to her education. Her brief connection with Jinlun Guoshi (Golden Wheel Imperial Adviser) was particularly complex - initially her captor and threat, he later recognised her exceptional martial arts potential and, according to some versions, even became her teacher in Tibetan esoteric martial arts.

Her relationships with figures like Zhou Botong, Yinggu, and Master Yideng demonstrated her ability to learn from diverse sources and form connections across different martial arts traditions. These relationships reflected her grandfather’s unconventional approach to learning and friendship, judging people by their character rather than their affiliations.

Disciples and successors

As the founder of the Emei Order, Guo Xiang’s most important relationship in her later years was with her first disciple Fengling Shitai (Wind and Mist Master). The choice of this name was deeply meaningful, commemorating the place where Guo Xiang first met Yang Guo at Wind and Mist Ferry. Through Fengling Shitai, Guo Xiang ensured the continuation of her martial arts legacy and the preservation of the Emei Order’s traditions.

Her influence extended through generations of disciples, including the third-generation leader Abbess Miejue and eventually Zhou Zhiruo, demonstrating how her teachings and philosophy continued to shape the martial arts world long after her death.

Behind the scenes

Literary significance

Guo Xiang represents one of Jin Yong’s most complex and beloved female characters, embodying both strength and vulnerability in her journey from spirited young woman to enlightened master. Her character arc explores profound themes of unrequited love and its consequences, personal growth through suffering, and the transformation of personal pain into universal compassion. She demonstrates female empowerment in a male-dominated world while illustrating the intricate relationship between martial arts and spiritual cultivation.

Character development

Jin Yong crafted Guo Xiang as a bridge character connecting The Return of the Condor Heroes and The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre, linking the two novels through both plot elements and thematic continuity. Her story serves as a meditation on the nature of love, loss, and spiritual awakening, showing how personal suffering can be transformed into wisdom and compassion that benefits others.

The author himself acknowledged the special nature of this character, noting that “Guo Xiang, such a loveable little sister, beautiful and heroic, understanding and intelligent, Yang Guo truly liked her in his heart.” This recognition from Jin Yong highlights how Guo Xiang was designed to be both sympathetic and admirable, representing the best qualities of youth while showing realistic character growth and development.

Reader reception

Literary critic Ni Kuang praised Guo Xiang as one of Jin Yong’s most successful character creations, writing: “Guo Xiang seems ready to jump out of the book at any moment, standing vivaciously and smilingly before readers. Guo Xiang is not Huang Rong, not Huang Yaoshi, she is herself, much more loveable than Huang Rong—not only more loveable than the ‘Condor Heroes Huang Rong’ but also far more loveable than the ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes Huang Rong.’ Compared to her sister Guo Fu, she is countless times more loveable.”

This critical reception reflects how successfully Jin Yong created a character who transcended her literary origins to become an enduring figure in Chinese popular culture, representing the archetype of noble, unrequited love transformed into spiritual wisdom.

Edition differences

In the first and second editions of The Return of the Condor Heroes, Guo Xiang never agreed to become Jinlun Guoshi’s disciple, maintaining her resistance to his attempts to force her into discipleship. However, in the third edition, Guo Xiang agreed to let Jinlun Guoshi take her as his disciple, reflecting a more complex relationship between the two characters.

This change in the third edition adds depth to Guo Xiang’s character development and her relationship with Jinlun Guoshi, showing her willingness to learn from various sources and her pragmatic approach to martial arts education, even from those who might be considered enemies.

Portrayals

Guo Xiang has been portrayed by numerous actresses in film and television adaptations of Jin Yong’s novels:

The Return of the Condor Heroes

The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre

Animation

  • 2001 animation – Hong Kong animation series The Return of the Condor Heroes – Chan Hoi-ting (voice)

See also