The summary by the Chairman of the Writers Association was rather general, but the President of the Poetry Association, Wu Tian, was quite specific in his discussion.
He focused on the poems within the book, using them to interpret *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*.
“Roughly estimating, this book contains no less than forty poems. It’s no wonder Jiangnan took such a long time to release a new book after *Journey to the West*. My two favorite poems are the opening and closing ones…”
“The opening poem: ‘Peach blossoms bloom untended, wild smoke drifts with evening crows. Ruined walls surround old wells, once homes to families of old.’”
“The closing poem: ‘Embers of war still glow, a few poor huts remain. No one crosses at dawn, beneath the crescent moon on cold sand.’”
“These two poems capture the core of the entire narrative, conveying a sense of desolate ruin and grimness, evoking deep feelings of national sorrow.”
The Poetry Association had previously tallied the poems in *Journey to the West*, and now, with *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, they were even more focused on identifying the poems within it. Seeing their statistics, many netizens were once again astonished.
Ordinary readers, when encountering poems in a novel, might pay them a little attention but rarely delve deep, as stories always come first for the general audience.
However, through the analysis of these prominent figures, readers could rediscover aspects they had previously overlooked.
As the appreciation seminar began its live broadcast, countless fans of Jiangnan’s books flocked to watch.
In the past, such appreciation seminars within literary circles garnered little attention, often consisting of dry academic discussions. But this time was different; the book being appreciated was Jiangnan’s novel, *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*.
This indicated that, in the eyes of these literary giants, Jiangnan’s book possessed profound literary value, and they had already acknowledged it. Otherwise, the inherent arrogance of these scholars would not have allowed them to publicly appreciate a book in such a manner.
“A new book, attracting so many literary figures for appreciation. Has Jiangnan become this influential?”
“This book of his indeed has deep literary value. And it has already sparked such significant discussion right after its release. I believe as these literary professionals delve deeper, they will uncover many different interpretations.”
“President Wu Tian is right. From the moment I read *The Condor Heroes*, I felt the entire story used these martial artists to convey the pain of a nation!”
“I usually skip the poems, but after hearing President Wu Tian’s explanation, I’m quite interested in rereading it.”
Much like ancient scholars and literati, this appreciation seminar was held within a pavilion at the Writers Association.
Incense burned as tea was brewed, and a group of literary figures shared their insights.
After Wu Tian finished, another prominent literary figure, Zhu Donglin, who was nearing seventy and belonged to the older generation of Wuxia experts, took the floor. His own Wuxia novels had become classics, with several being adapted into films more than once.
Indeed, Zhu Donglin was the true authority on the Wuxia genre.
“When I read this book, I focus more on the characters. As President Zhang mentioned earlier, Jiangnan has crafted a martial arts landscape using characters with diverse personalities. You’ve discussed the poetry; allow me to talk about the characters.”
“Firstly, in my opinion, Guo Jing’s characterization is quite bold. Generally, when we write Wuxia novels, protagonists are often unrestrained and free-spirited, or witty and humorous. But the Guo Jing in Jiangnan’s writing feels rather slow-witted, like a simpleton, a bit of an honest fellow. This is incredibly daring in our writing. However, the brilliance lies in Huang Rong. This character not only compensates for Guo Jing’s shortcomings but also elevates her own importance. This narrative approach is masterful!”
“When I first saw Huang Rong appear, I was greatly surprised. It showed me that writing could be done in such a way!”
The Wuxia authority’s statement, that he had learned something from Jiangnan’s book, further elevated Jiangnan’s reputation.
At this point, people began to realize that this appreciation seminar was genuinely different from previous ones. In the past, participants often nitpicked or found logical flaws in the text. But in this seminar, it seemed everyone was praising Jiangnan.
Something was unusual.
Zhang Chengbin, the Chairman of the Writers Association, took over the conversation: “Elder Zhu is correct. The greatest appeal of this book lies in its characterization. So, which character do you all think is the best?”
The discussion began.
In addition to the literary giants, several high-ranking officials from the Writers Association were present, all of whom had achieved some level of accomplishment in literature.
“I think Huang Yaoshi is probably the most favored character. He acts eccentric and is unpredictable, truly embodying the demeanor of a high-ranking, awe-inspiring figure in Wuxia.”
“Although Huang Yaoshi is a master, he cannot be called a great hero. I believe Jiangnan portraying Wang Chongyang as the number one in the world also serves to highlight the book’s core theme, because throughout the entire book, only Wang Chongyang and Guo Jing were concerned with that matter—their country and its people.”
“Indeed, Wang Chongyang deserves the title of a great hero. That line, ‘How can one have a home when the Xiongnu are not yet annihilated,’ stirs my blood!”
“I, however, favor Ouyang Feng more. This character pushes the obsession with martial arts to the extreme, resorting to any means to become number one in the world.”
Everyone voiced their opinions, offering well-reasoned points about each character’s traits.
However, Shen Lingfeng, the President of the Calligraphy Association, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke during a pause in everyone’s remarks: “You’ve all overlooked one person, and that’s Yang Kang.”
“Isn’t Yang Kang just a flat, villainous archetype?” someone asked, puzzled.
Shen Lingfeng smiled slightly: “At a superficial glance, Yang Kang is indeed a villain, but what if we consider it from his perspective?”
His words caused everyone present to pause, stunned.
Consider it from his perspective?
That is, to view it from Yang Kang’s standpoint?
The previously lively discussion fell into a brief silence.
Yang Kang’s character, in fact, possesses elements of a protagonist’s template. He is handsome and highly intelligent. His initial stance is clear: from a career perspective, he cannot let go of wealth and status, and after learning his true identity, he continues to follow his enemy. In terms of romance, he has Mu Nianci, a confidante who repeatedly forgives him.
It seemed that the book devoted a significant amount of ink to Yang Kang.
“Yang Kang is arguably the most complex character in this book. Whether his decision to acknowledge Yan Honglie was wrong is difficult to define, after all, he grew up doted upon by his adoptive father,” someone remarked.
Shen Lingfeng, however, shook his head: “It’s far from that simple. Besides the conflict between his adoptive and biological fathers, another reason is that his birth mother, Bao Xiruo, was taken by his adoptive father. Moreover, when seeking revenge for his birth father, he hesitates due to his gratitude towards Wanyan Honglie for raising him. He also feels remorse after injuring Guo Jing and sheds tears after slapping Mu Nianci. Yet, this character is also extremely ambitious for fame and fortune and cruel, which is why he is so incredibly complex.”
Zhu Donglin, the Wuxia literary master, nodded: “I agree with President Shen’s viewpoint. Furthermore, the roots of their personalities are intertwined, which is the most ingenious aspect. Compared to Guo Jing, Yang Kang was pampered by his mother and stepfather since childhood. His master only taught him martial arts strictly, and the lack of ideological education was the most crucial missing piece in his development!”
These two literary giants, speaking one after another, offered their interpretations of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*.