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. Known as the Little Eastern Heretic (小东邪) for her free-spirited nature inherited from her maternal grandfather Huang Yaoshi, Guo Xiang became the founder of the Emei School and one of the most influential figures in martial arts history.

Her life was profoundly shaped by her encounter with Yang Guo, the Divine Condor Hero, during her sixteenth birthday. This meeting sparked a lifelong, unrequited love that drove her to spend decades searching for him across the martial arts world, ultimately leading to her decision to become a Buddhist nun and establish the Emei School.

Background

Birth and 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.

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.

Childhood and Family

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.

She inherited her maternal grandfather’s unconventional nature, earning the nickname “Little Eastern Heretic” 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.

Character and Personality

Physical Appearance

Guo Xiang was described as possessing natural beauty that combined the best features of both parents:

As an infant: Clear, beautiful features with bright, intelligent black eyes and a healthy, rosy complexion

As a young woman: Elegant and refined, with eyebrows and features that resembled her mother Huang Rong. She typically wore simple but elegant clothing in light colors, often seen riding a green donkey during her travels

Mature appearance: Even in her later years, she maintained a dignified and graceful appearance befitting a martial arts master

Personality Traits

Positive Qualities:

Independent spirit - Made her own decisions regardless of social expectations
Compassionate nature - Kind to people and animals alike
Adventurous heart - Willing to travel and explore the world
Strong will - Determined in pursuing her goals
Patriotic duty - Inherited her parents’ dedication to defending the Song Dynasty
Wisdom and intelligence - Combined her mother’s cleverness with practical wisdom

Character Flaws:

Stubborn devotion - Her unrequited love for Yang Guo dominated her life choices
Restless nature - Difficulty settling down or accepting conventional life
Emotional impulsiveness - Sometimes acted based on feelings rather than logic

Martial Arts

Training and Skills

Guo Xiang received martial arts training from multiple masters, making her one of the most well-rounded fighters of her generation:

Family Teachings:

Quanzhen Internal Energy - Basic internal cultivation
Yue Maiden Swordplay (越女剑法) - From her father’s lineage
Peach Blossom Island techniques - Her grandfather’s martial arts
Dog Beating Staff Technique (打狗棒法) - Beggars’ Guild’s supreme skill

External Masters:

Golden Wheel Imperial Adviser - In some versions, briefly became her master
Jade Maiden Swordplay (玉女剑法) - Learned from observing Xiaolongnü
Loach Skill (泥鳅功) - Learned from Yinggu
One Solar Finger (一阳指) - From Master Yideng
Empty Enlightenment Boxing (空明拳) - From Zhou Botong

Self-Created Techniques: After founding the Emei School, Guo Xiang developed numerous martial arts:

Emei Nine Yang Skill (峨嵋九阳功) - Based on partial Nine Yang Manual knowledge
Emei Swordplay (峨嵋剑法) - Including the technique “Black Marsh Spirit Fox”
Buddha’s Light Universal Illumination (佛光普照) - Her signature palm technique
Four Symbols Palm (四象掌) - Based on Daoist principles
Golden Summit Cotton Palm (金顶绵掌) - Fast, direct striking technique

The Nine Yang Manual Connection

One of the most significant moments in Guo Xiang’s martial arts development occurred when she witnessed the death of Master Jueyuan at Shaolin Temple. As the old monk passed away, he unconsciously recited portions of the Nine Yang Manual, which Guo Xiang memorized along with Zhang Junbao (later Zhang Sanfeng) and Master Wuse.

This partial knowledge of the Nine Yang Manual became the foundation for the Emei School’s internal energy cultivation and helped establish it as one of the major martial arts schools alongside Shaolin and Wudang.

Story Role in The Return of the Condor Heroes

Meeting Yang Guo

The most transformative event in Guo Xiang’s life occurred when she was sixteen years old. While traveling to invite Qiu Chuji to a martial arts gathering in Xiangyang, she heard tales of the mysterious “Divine Condor Hero” and became fascinated.

At the Wind and Mist Ferry, she encountered Yang Guo (disguised) 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 Three Wishes:

See his true face - Yang Guo removed his mask, revealing his identity
Celebrate her birthday - Yang Guo secretly organized a magnificent celebration for her sixteenth birthday
Never take his own life - Made after Yang Guo jumped from Heartbreak Cliff

The Birthday Celebration

Yang Guo’s elaborate birthday celebration for Guo Xiang became legendary in the martial arts world. He secretly organized a gathering of martial arts heroes, arranged magnificent gifts, and even created a fireworks display in the night sky spelling out birthday wishes for her. This grand gesture deeply moved Guo Xiang and cemented her romantic feelings for him.

The Siege of Xiangyang

During the final Mongol assault on Xiangyang, Guo Xiang was captured by Jinlun Guoshi 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.

Story Role in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber

The Search for Yang Guo

After the events at Xiangyang, Guo Xiang spent the next several years traveling throughout China in search of Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü, who had disappeared into seclusion. Her journey took her to famous mountains, remote valleys, and bustling cities, but she never found any trace of the couple.

Encounter at Shaolin Temple

At age twenty, Guo Xiang visited Shaolin Temple and encountered He Zudao, the founder of the Kunlun School, who immediately fell in love with her. Their meeting involved musical and martial arts exchanges, but Guo Xiang remained focused on her search for Yang Guo.

During this visit, she witnessed the dramatic events surrounding Master Jueyuan and his disciple Zhang Junbao. 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 School.

The Fall of Xiangyang

The novel reveals that when Xiangyang finally fell to the Mongols, Guo Jing and Huang Rong died defending the city along with Guo Polu. Before the final battle, they 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 escaped the fall of Xiangyang carrying the Heaven Reliant Sword, becoming one of the few survivors of her family line.

Founding of the Emei School

The Decision to Become a Nun

At age forty, after decades of fruitless searching for Yang Guo, Guo Xiang finally achieved enlightenment about the futility of her quest. Realizing 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.

She established the Emei School on Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, creating one of the most influential martial arts schools in Chinese history. The school was unique in being founded by a woman and maintained a tradition of strong female leadership.

Legacy and Succession

Guo Xiang’s first and most important disciple was Fengling Shitai (Wind and Mist Master), whose name commemorated the place where Guo Xiang first met Yang Guo. The Emei School grew to become one of the “Six Major Schools” alongside Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun, Kongtong, and Huashan.

The school’s martial arts combined elements from all the different styles Guo Xiang had learned, creating a comprehensive and balanced system. The Emei Nine Yang Skill became particularly renowned as one of the supreme internal energy cultivation methods.

Relationships

Family:

Parents: Guo Jing and Huang Rong
Siblings: Guo Fu (elder sister), Guo Polu (twin brother)
Grandfather: Huang Yaoshi (maternal)

Significant Relationships:

Yang Guo: Unrequited love that defined her life
Zhang Junbao: Fellow student who founded Wudang School
He Zudao: Admirer who founded Kunlun School
Fengling Shitai: Her successor as Emei School leader

Historical Impact

Martial Arts Development

Guo Xiang’s founding of the Emei School had profound effects on the martial arts world:

Gender Equality: Established one of the few major schools led by women
Technical Innovation: Combined multiple martial arts traditions into new forms
Philosophical Balance: Blended Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian elements
Strategic Importance: Created a power base in western China

Cultural Legacy

The story of Guo Xiang’s unrequited love for Yang Guo became one of the most poignant romantic tales in Chinese literature. Her transformation from a lovesick young woman into a wise martial arts master and religious leader represents themes of personal growth, acceptance, and finding purpose beyond romantic fulfillment.

Influence on Later Generations

Through the Emei School, Guo Xiang’s influence extended far into the future. Notable later leaders included:

Miejue Shitai (Extinction Master) - Third-generation leader
Zhou Zhiruo - Potential fourth-generation leader

Literary Significance

Guo Xiang represents one of Jin Yong’s most complex female characters, embodying both strength and vulnerability. Her character arc from spirited young woman to enlightened master explores themes of:

Unrequited love and its consequences
Personal growth through suffering
The transformation of personal pain into universal compassion
Female empowerment in a male-dominated world
The relationship between martial arts and spiritual cultivation

Her story serves as a bridge between The Return of the Condor Heroes and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, connecting the two novels through both plot and thematic elements.