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Laughing in the Wind
Wuxia Wiki | Jin Yong | Novels

Laughing in the Wind

Laughing in the Wind (simplified: 笑傲江湖, traditional: 笑傲江湖, pinyin: Xiào ào jiānghú), commonly known in English as The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong. It was serialised in Hong Kong’s Ming Pao newspaper from 20 April 1967 to 12 October 1969, during the height of the Cultural Revolution.

The novel is unique among Jin Yong’s works for deliberately avoiding a specific historical setting, making it a timeless political allegory about power struggles. The author stated in the afterword that “similar situations could occur in any dynasty”, emphasising its universal themes.

The novel has undergone multiple revisions since its initial publication. Jin Yong revised it in 1980 with minor amendments and published by Ming Ho Publications as the Second Edition. He made a second round of revision to refine the text and published in early 2005 as the Third Edition.

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Title translation

The most common translation of Laughing in the Wind is The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Other translations include:

  • The Smiling, Proud Wanderer
  • The Wandering Swordsman
  • The Peerless Gallant Errant
  • The Proud and Gallant Wanderer
  • State of Divinity

The Chinese title literally means laughing resolutely or defiantly in the jianghu. Given that jianghu is a specific wuxia term that readers not familiar with the genre may not be aware of, we chose a more poetic expression using “in the wind” to convey the sense of freedom and defiance.

The translation of the title can be a little challenging, especially for non-native speakers. Xiao (笑) can mean different things depending on context—from a hearty laugh to a faint smile. However, in this title, it represents a disregard for jianghu rules and politics rather than merely smiling or laughing.

Similarly, ao (傲) is often mistranslated as “proud”. It actually describes an unyielding stance taken by recluses who prefer to stay away from politics and power struggles, coveting freedom to do as they please even if it means going against jianghu rules or societal norms. The term carries connotations of defiance with resolve and determination, rather than mere rebelliousness.

The title State of Divinity tries to convey this stance as a form of enlightenment, hence the term divinity. However, it is too abstract and loses the carefree aspect.

Plot

Background

The novel is set in a deliberately ambiguous time period, with no direct references to historical events or figures. This was a conscious choice by Jin Yong to emphasise the story’s role as a political allegory that could apply to any era.

The martial arts world is divided between the orthodox schools, represented by the Five Mountains Sword Schools Alliance, and the evil Sun Moon Holy Order. However, this surface-level division between good and evil becomes increasingly blurred as the story progresses.

Summary

The story begins with the massacre of the Lin family in Fuzhou, owners of the Fuwei Escort Agency, by Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng School. Yu seeks the highly coveted Bixie Swordplay Manual but fails to find it. The sole survivor, Lin Pingzhi, is saved by Yue Buqun, leader of the Huashan School, who accepts him as a disciple.

The protagonist is Linghu Chong, Yue Buqun’s senior disciple, an orphaned but carefree swordsman who enjoys drinking. His friendship with the notorious bandit Tian Boguang leads to punishment from his master. While in isolation on Huashan, he discovers hidden sword manuals and meets the reclusive swordsman Feng Qingyang, who teaches him the powerful Nine Swords of Dugu technique.

Through various circumstances, Linghu Chong becomes entangled with the Sun Moon Holy Order and falls in love with Ren Yingying, daughter of the order’s former leader Ren Woxing. Meanwhile, the Five Mountains Sword Schools Alliance faces internal strife as Zuo Lengchan of Mount Song School attempts to force the other schools to merge under his leadership.

The story culminates in multiple revelations: Yue Buqun, despite his reputation as an honourable gentleman, is exposed as a hypocrite who had schemed to obtain the Bixie Swordplay Manual, which requires self-castration to master. His machinations lead to tragedy for his daughter Yue Lingshan and her husband Lin Pingzhi.

After a series of conflicts that result in the dissolution of the Five Mountains Sword Schools Alliance, Ren Woxing attempts to unify the martial arts world under his cult’s banner but dies from a stroke. His daughter Ren Yingying succeeds him and negotiates peace between the orthodox and unorthodox factions. She later passes leadership to Xiang Wentian and marries Linghu Chong, with the couple choosing to live a carefree life away from the struggles of the martial arts world.

Themes

Power and corruption

The novel’s central theme is the corrupting nature of power, illustrated through various characters’ attempts to dominate the martial arts world.

This is particularly evident in the contrast between proclaimed righteousness and actual behaviour among the “orthodox” schools.

Hypocrisy and authenticity

Jin Yong explores the gap between appearance and reality, particularly through characters like Yue Buqun who maintain a virtuous façade while pursuing selfish ambitions.

In contrast, Linghu Chong’s straightforward nature and rejection of pretence represent authentic living.

Freedom versus control

The conflict between individual freedom and institutional control runs throughout the novel.

Linghu Chong’s carefree nature and resistance to authority contrasts with the rigid hierarchies and power struggles of the martial arts schools.

Political allegory

Written during the Cultural Revolution, the novel can be read as a critique of political power struggles and ideological conflicts.

The battles between various factions mirror real-world political conflicts, though Jin Yong deliberately avoided specific historical references.

Cast

See more: Laughing in the Wind characters

Main characters

Linghu Chong (令狐冲 – Lìnghú Chōng) – The protagonist, senior disciple of the Huashan School, known for his carefree nature Ren Yingying (任盈盈 – Rèn Yíngyíng) – Female lead, daughter of the former Sun Moon Holy Cult leader Yue Lingshan (岳灵珊 – Yuè Língshān) – Daughter of Yue Buqun, Linghu Chong’s childhood sweetheart Lin Pingzhi (林平之 – Lín Píngzhī) – Sole survivor of the Lin family, who joins Huashan School seeking revenge Yue Buqun (岳不群) – Leader of Huashan School, outwardly gentlemanly but inwardly scheming

Major characters

Ren Woxing (任我行 – Rèn Wǒxíng) – Former leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult Dongfang Bubai (东方不败 – Dōngfāng Bùbài) – Usurper who took control of the Sun Moon Holy Cult Zuo Lengchan (左冷禅 – Zuǒ Lěngchán) – Leader of Mount Song School who attempts to unify the Five Mountains under his control Feng Qingyang (风清扬 – Fēng Qīngyáng) – Reclusive master who teaches Linghu Chong the Nine Swords of Dugu Xiang Wentian (向问天 – Xiàng Wèntiān) – Member of the Sun Moon Holy Cult who becomes sworn brothers with Linghu Chong

Martial Arts

  • Nine Swords of Dugu (独孤九剑) – The most powerful sword technique in the novel, being able to counter any other sword technique rather than having fixed forms.
  • Bixie Swordplay (辟邪剑法) – A powerful but controversial technique that requires self-castration to master. The manual is the Lin family’s heirloom and becomes the object of desire that drives much of the plot.
  • The Violet Mist Divine Sword Technique (紫霞神功) – The Huashan School’s signature sword technique, notable for its orthodox and refined style.
  • Sunflower Manual (葵花宝典) – A mysterious manual mastered by Dongfang Bubai that grants incredible power but requires the practitioner to castrate themselves.
  • Five Mountains Sword Techniques – Each of the Five Mountains Schools has their own distinctive sword techniques:
    • Huashan School’s Violet Mist technique
    • Mount Song School’s Chilling Ice technique
    • Mount Tai School’s Iron Sword technique
    • Mount Heng School’s Purple Sunset technique
    • NOrthern Mount Heng School’s Celestial technique
  • Great Qiankun Transfer (乾坤大挪移) – A powerful but dangerous technique used by Ren Woxing that allows absorption of an opponent’s internal energy.

Behind the Scenes

Jin Yong began writing Laughing in the Wind in 1967, during the height of China’s Cultural Revolution. While he denied direct political allegory, the novel’s themes clearly reflect the political turmoil of the time.

The author mentioned in the afterword that Vietnamese politicians had once used the names of characters Yue Buqun and Zuo Lengchan as derogatory terms against one another in parliamentary sessions.

The novel marks a departure from Jin Yong’s usual style of incorporating historical events and figures into his narratives. By avoiding specific historical references, he created a more universal story about power struggles and human nature.

Adaptations

Films

The novel has been adapted into numerous films, including:

  • The Proud Youth (1978), by Shaw Brothers Studio, starring Wong Yue, Shih Szu, Michael Chan, and Ling Yun
  • The Swordsman (1990), by Film Workshop, starring Sam Hui, Sharla Cheung, Cecilia Yip, and Jacky Cheung
  • The Swordsman II (1992), by Film Workshop, starring Jet Li, Rosawmund Kwan, Michelle Reis, and Brigitte Lin
  • The East is Red (1993), by Film Workshop, starring Brigette Lin, Joey Wong, and Yu Rongguang

Television Series

The novel has been adapted into numerous television series:

Video games

  • Interserv International published three 3D games from 2000 to 2002 based on the novel
  • Perfect World ran the MMORPG Swordsman Online from 16 June 2014 to 5 June 2018.

Other Media

  • Comics adaptation by Lee Chi Ching State of Divinity published by Ming Ho in Hong Kong and M&C Gramedia Group in Indonesia
  • Stage adaptation by Hong Kong Dance Company (2006) starring Rosanne Wong, Race Wong, Liu Yinghong, Su Shu, Chen Lei and Mi Tao to celebrate the company’s jubilee.
  • In 2010, the Yangtze Repertory Theatre of America presented the play Laughing in the Wind: A Cautionary Tale in Martial Arts in New York City, adapted and directed by Joanna Chan
  • Radio drama adaptations by Radio Television Hong Kong

Legacy

Laughing in the Wind stands as one of Jin Yong’s most politically charged works, though its themes of power, corruption, and individual freedom resonate beyond its historical context. The novel’s deliberate avoidance of specific historical settings has helped it maintain relevance as a commentary on political and social dynamics.

The character of Linghu Chong represents a different kind of hero in Jin Yong’s work—one who ultimately chooses personal freedom over involvement in power struggles. This marked a shift from the author’s earlier heroes who typically played major roles in historical events.

The novel’s exploration of the blurred lines between orthodox and unorthodox factions challenged traditional wuxia tropes and contributed to the genre’s maturation. Its influence can be seen in later works that question simple moral dichotomies and explore the complexities of power and ideology.

Translation

WuxiaSociety has an on-going fan translation of the Third Edition by Jenxi Seow, featuring footnotes on cultural and historical points, as well as translator notes to help readers better understand the context and appreciation the nuances that stems from Chinese culture and traditions.

See also