English title: The Eagle Shooting Heroes
Also known as: Legend of the Condor Heroes
Genre: Wuxia
Episodes: 50
The story was set in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and at the beginning of the Jurchens' invasion of northern China. Yang Tie Xin (楊鐵心) and Guo Xiao Tian (郭嘯天) were neighbors and sworn brothers. The story begins in 1200. One day they meet the Taoist priest Qiu Chu Ji (丘處機) and invited him in from the cold to share some drinks together. During this visit, Qiu Chu Ji (丘處機) was pursued by some men whom Qiu quickly dispatched. Qiu strike up a fast friendship with the two young men and presented each with a dagger and promised to return to teach their sons martial arts. Yang Tie Xin’s wife, Xi Ruo rescued a man, who claimed to be a trader on business when he struck by an arrow. Xi Ruo didn’t tell Tie Xin about the man.
One evening, Song soldiers led by Duan Tiande (段天德) arrived to arrest Yang and Guo as traitors. Yang Tie Xin and Guo Xiao Tian resist but they were overmatched. Guo Xiao Tian was killed but Yang Tie Xin disappeared and was presumed dead. Bao Xi Ruo (包惜弱) was captured by the Song troops but was rescued by the same man Bao Xi Ruo rescued earlier. He turned out to be Wan Yan Hong Lie (完顏洪烈), the sixth prince of Jin. Due to her pregnancy, Bao Xiruo decided to stay with Wan Yan Hong Lie.
Guo Xiao Tian's also pregnant wife Li Ping (李萍) was captured by Duan Tiande but was pursued by Qiu Chuji. Duan Tiande took refuge at the Cloud Pavilion Temple and was protected by his uncle, Kumu the Monk. The Monk summoned the Jiang Nan Qi Guai (Jiang Nan Seven Freaks) (江南七怪) to fight with Qiu Chu Ji. Qiu Chu Ji and the Seven Freaks injured each other gravely in a battle and Duan escapes taking Li Ping with him. Qiu (丘處機) and the Seven Freaks (江南七怪) decide to settle their differences in a competition devised by Qiu. Qiu would track down Yang's unborn son and teach him his martial arts. The Seven Freaks would do likewise with Guo's unborn. After eighteen years when the children are grown, they would compete against each other as a competition between Qiu and the Seven Freaks.
Li Ping eventually escaped Duan Tian De and gave birth to Guo Jing (郭靖). Guo Jing grew up with lack of intelligent but he is well-mannered and decent. When Guo Jing is six, he accidentally kills Chen Xuan Feng (陳玄風), husband of Mei Chao Feng (梅超風). The blinded Mei Chao Feng swore to avenge her husband. Guo Jing felt guilty about what happened, then he met Taoist Ma Yu who taught him inner Kung Fu to relax his mind. His inner Kung Fu got better than before.
Bao Xi Ruo gave birth to a boy, Yang Kang (楊康). Yang Kang, on the other hand, grew up in luxury and great comfort in the royal court of Jin. His stepfather, Wanyan Honglie was infatuated with Bao Xi Ruo and his love was also transferred to her son. Qiu Chu Ji subsequently managed to track down Bao Xi Ruo and Yang Kang and became Yang Kang's teacher and taught him the martial arts of Quan Zhen Sect (全真教). Even though Qiu Chu Ji was a noble patriot, his tutelage of Yang Kang was driven by his selfish motivation to win the competition with the Seven Freaks. Kang grew up with decent martial arts skills but was a master at manipulation. Without his teacher and parents’ knowledge, he became disciple of Mei Chao Feng.
As the time neared for the duel, the Jiangnan Qi Guai sent Guo Jing on a journey to Song Country. In his wanderings, he met an impish young girl named Huang Rong. Guo Jing befriended her instantly, while Huang Rong was impressed by his open and honest nature.
There was a contest for spouse organized by Mu Yi （穆易）. Mu Yi wanted to marry his adopted daughter off to whoever could defeat her in a martial arts contest. Yang Kang came upon the contest and decided to join, easily defeating Mu Nian Ci （穆念慈）who was smitten by the handsome prince. However, he refused to marry her, taking her shoe with him as a souvenir. Guo Jing fought with Yang Kang to retrieve the shoe and the girl's honor. The result was the first explosive fight scene between the two. Mu Yi who is actually Yang Tie Xin then reunite with Bao Xi Ruo and leave Wan Yan Hong Lie.. this is a complete twist from the real novel.. in the novel, both Yang Tie Xin and Bao Xi Ruo committed suicide but in this series, Yang Tie Xin and Bao Xi Ruo was struck by arrows which they died holding each other. Yang Kang was with them in their final moments but in the novel, Kang was staying with his step-father.. Yang Kang and Mu Nian Ci return to Niu Village, his late parents’ village to bury the ashes. Yang Kang decided to return to Wan Yan Hong Lie, leaving Mu Nian Ci in Niu Village but he intended to avenge his parents. Later, it was revealed that Rong Er is the daughter of the eccentric (and oft reviled) martial arts master and Lord of Peach Blossom Island Huang Yaoshi （黄藥師）, but Guo Jing still stood by her.
Qiu Chu Ji admitted defeat to the Seven Freaks even though Yang Kang was superior to Guo Jing but of far inferior character. Following the death of Yang Kang's parents, Huang Rong wanted Guo Jing to follow her and see the rest of the world. With his teachers' tacit approval, Guo Jing followed Huang Rong out into the world. Huang Rong and Guo Jing wandered the land, viewing sceneries and enjoying them. Guo Jing and Huang Rong then met the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong, leader of the Beggars' Sect and one of the Five Greats. Huang Rong recognized Hong Qigong and convinced him to teach the 18 Dragon Subduing Palms to Guo Jing, by exchanging one style of the skill with one day of good food, cooked by Huang Rong. Being a culinary connoisseur, he agreed and taught Guo Jing 15 of the 18 Dragon Subduing Palms.
Huang Rong and Guo Jing then went on to Lake Tai, met up with the 6 remaining freaks again, and exposed a false Qiu Qian Ren. Wan Yan Kang was captured by the people at Lake Tai, and Mei Chao Feng appeared. She fought with Guo Jing, but the fight was ultimately interrupted by Huang Yaoshi, who was looking for Huang Rong. He did not like Guo Jing. Huang Yaoshi - a master of all, with no regard to rules and traditions - cannot accept the fact that his daughter would fall for the dim-witted, plain-looking Guo Jing. Also, he wanted to kill Guo Jing for the death of Mei Chao Feng's husband but he was too proud to lower himself and fight Guo Jing. Huang Rong and Guo Jing are separated in order to prevent Huang Yaoshi to kill Guo Jing. Guo Jing promised to meet him on his island in one month's time, to prevent dragging the 6 Freaks into a fight with Huang Yaoshi.
Guo Jing and Wan Yan Kang talked to Duan Tian De, who was captured along with Wan Yan Kang, and found out the truth behind their parent's deaths, - Wan Yan Hong Lie's plot. Duan Tian De was then killed by Yang Kang. Guo Jing who earlier reunites with Huang Rong, along with Yang Kang plotted an assassination to Wan Yan Hong Lie but Yang Kang betrayed them in order to redeem Wan Yan Hong Lie’s trust. There Guo Jing and Huang Rong got in a battle with Ou Yang Ke. During the fight, Hong Qi Gong appeared and officially took the couple as his disciples. Guo Jing learnt the remaining 3 stances of the Dragon Subduing Palms. Guo Jing managed to defeat Ou Yang Ke. Ou Yang Ke later was stripped from his post by Wan Yan Hong Lie, which enraged him. He promised to Wan Yan Hong Lie to bring a military textbook, Wu Mu Yi Shu or Yue Fei’s War manual which Wan Yan Hong Lie craves for. This textbook contained invaluable military maneuvers and wisdom that the famous general Yue Fei used against his enemies before being framed and persecuted. Almost a month passed. Guo Jing and Huang Rong headed to Peach Blossom Island.
Ou Yang Ke then returned to White Camel Mountain to seek help from his uncle Ou Yang Feng（歐陽鋒）, and found out from his mother that he is in fact an illegitimate son of his uncle as a result from his mother and Ou Yang Feng’s affair. Ou Yang Ke convinced Ou Yang Feng to propose Huang Rong for him. This is solely because Ou Yang Ke knew that Huang Yaoshi possessed the Nine Yin Manual or Scripture of Jiu Yin (九陰真經 Jiu Yin Zhen Jing) and he yearn for it.
In the mean time, Guo Jing and Huang Rong arrived at the Peach Blossom Island. Huang Rong wanted to try to assuage her father's anger towards Guo Jing first so they separated. Guo Jing wandered around and found Zhou Bo Tong （周伯通）, martial brother of the Wang Chong Yang（王重陽） (one of the Five Great Martial Artist), living in a cave on Peach Blossom Island. Zhou Botong told Guo Jing of the origin of "The Five Greats" phrase ('Dong Xie Xi Du Nan Di Bei Gai Zhong Shen Tong' or 東邪 西毒 南帝 北丐 中神通), the Nine Yin Manual, and the relationships between him, Huang Yaoshi, Ou Yang Feng, and Wang Chong Yang. Later, he convinced Guo Jing to become his sworn brother despite their age difference.
Zhou Bo Tong was trapped in the cave by Huang Yaoshi who blamed him for the death of his wife, Feng Heng and wanted to take the Nine Yin Manual from Zhou Bo Tong's possession who refused due to the promise with Wang Chong Yang. Zhou Bo Tong, with his playfulness and infatuation for martial arts, had learnt to separate his mind so that he could have his left hand fight his right alone in the cave.
Zhou Bo Tong wanted Guo Jing to fight with him so it can be a four man fight. He also taught Guo Jing the Vacant Fist style, how to fight as two different people by separating his mind, and tricked him into memorizing the entire Nine Yin Manual (which Guo Jing unknowingly obtained from Mei Chao Feng.)
Guo Jing received a note from Huang Rong saying Ou Yang Ke was betrothed to her by her father and is coming to visit with Ou Yang Feng. Guo Jing found his way there to interrupt their meeting. Hong Qi Gong appeared to try to betroth Huang Rong to Guo Jing. Huang Yaoshi decided to have a contest between Ou Yang Ke and Guo Jing to decide things. Guo Jing ended up winning (despite Huang Yaoshi's test favoring Ou Yang Ke) and revealed he knew the entire Nine Yin Manual by heart.
Guo Jing was driven from the island with Zhou Bo Tong and Hong Qi Gong on a leaking ship when Huang Yaoshi thought that Guo Jing lied to him about giving Zhou Bo Tong the second part of the Nine Yin Manual. The three were captured by Ou Yang Feng and Ou Yang Ke. Zhou Botong was tricked into jumping into the ocean later after the capture, because Ou Yang Feng wanted him to write out the Nine Yin Manual. Guo Jing eventually provided him with a fake Nine Yin Manual. With the fake manual in hand, Ou Yang Feng tried to kill everyone and burned down the ship, planing to escape by using a skiff. Hong Qigong fought with Ou Yang Feng to get the skiff but was both poisoned and injured by Ou Yang Feng.
Eventually, Hong Qi Gong and Huang Rong were stranded on an island with Ou Yang Ke. His martial arts disabled and on the verge of death, Hong Qi Gong passed on the command of the Beggars' Sect to Huang Rong, along with the unbreakable revered Dog-hitting Staff. He also teaches Huang Rong the Dog-Beating Technique（打狗棒法）which only can be taught to the leader of the Sect. Huang Rong tricked Ou Yang Ke into a trap, and his legs were crushed under the weight of the boulder. At this time, Ou Yang Feng and Guo Jing floated to the island. Even Ou Yang Feng could not move the boulder alone. Eventually Ou Yang Feng threaten to kill everyone if Ou Yang Ke dies, so the rest of those on the island helped to get Ou Yang Ke out. The brilliant Huang Rong and strong Guo Jing managed to build a raft, leaving the two villains on the island. Both parties were then picked up by Wanyan Hong Lie's ship, which was on a sea voyage south.
Returning to the mainland, upon the request by Hong Qi Gong, Huang Rong, Guo Jing, and Zhou Bo Tong went to Song's Capital where a sicken Hong Qi Gong wished to again taste a special dish prepared for the emperor. They then sneak into the palace’s kitchen. Guo Jing and Huang Rong, leaving Zhou Bo Tong and Hong Qi Gong in the kitchen, went for a walk when they met Wan Yan Hong Lie, his subordinates, and Ou Yang Feng who planned to steal Yue Fei’s War Manual which they believed to be placed inside the palace. Guo Jing got in a fight with Ou Yang Feng when he tries to protect the Manual. Yang Kang, who was desperate for his step-father’s trust, stabbed Guo Jing in the back, interrupting Guo Jing’s power and causing him to be injured by Ou Yang Feng’s Toad Stance.
sorry i cannot finish the spoiler. it would kill the excitement. why dont you watch the series yourself? i guarantee you, this series is great!
Characters:
Hu Ge as Guo Jing （郭靖）/ Jing Er （靖儿）, Jing Ge Ge
I must say that he is suitable for this type of character.. He played the role of a naïve, gullible, adorably dumb protagonist and he possessed a strong moral sense. He have this stumbled/naïve and honest way of speaking, the sincerity in his eyes when he speaks to his friends and teachers and the variety of expression on his face. I was so annoyed when Jing Ge Ge dealing with his bad brother, Kang Di.. he is the son of Guo Xiaotian and Li Ping. He learned martial arts from the Seven Freaks of the South （Jiang Nan Qi Guai, 江南七怪）, as well as internal kung fu methods of the Quanzhen sect. He later learned the remarkable Xianglong Shiba Zhang, or the 18 Dragon-Subduing Palms （降龍十八掌）from Hong Qigong（洪七公）. Zhou Bo Tong （周伯通） also taught Guo Jing the Vacant Fist style, how to fight as two different people by separating his mind, and tricked him into memorizing the entire Nine Yin Manual.. because of his kindness, Jing Ge Ge is blessed to have great fighters behind him, like Zhou Bo Tong and Hong Qi Gong. Moreover, they taught him some of their techniques. Guo Jing resembles to Di Gua from Tian Wei Fei Xian which I think is not a fault because the two are quite similar, innocent and cute.
Ariel Lin as Huang Rong （黃蓉）/ Rong Er （蓉儿）
Ariel Lin again is just perfect for a mischievous yet brilliant character.. I have seen her before as fairy in TWFX (forgot the name..) and Yuan Xiang Qin in (ISWAK & TKA), and I love this cute femme. In this drama, she portrayed the daughter of the eccentric master of Peach Blossom Island, Eastern Heretic (One of the Five Greats) Huang Yaoshi (黃藥師). she disguised herself as a little beggar when she first met Jing Ge Ge. Clever, quick witted but also somewhat spoiled, Huang Rong falls for Guo Jing's honesty and righteousness. She is a good cooker and she managed to convince Qi Gong to teach Jing Ge Ge his Xiang Long Shiba Zhang （降龍十八掌）by exchanging one style of the skill with one day of good food. She learned martial arts and formations from her father and later the Dog-Beating Stick Technique (打狗棒法) from Hong Qigong（洪七公）.
Li Jie as Ou Yang Ke （歐陽克）
Ou Yang Ke is the nephew and disciple of West Poison (Xi Du) Ou Yang Feng. In truth, Ouyang Feng was his father, who had an affair with his sister-in-law. Infamous for abducting and raping many young women, Ouyang Ke desired a union with Huang Rong. He was killed by his friend, Yang Kang, who wanted to be the disciple of Ouyang Feng (who would pass his skills to only one disciple, which was Ouyang Ke at that time) and also because Ouyang Ke's lust for Mu Nianci. Though he is a villain, I must say that he’s gentleman. he successfully portrayed what Huang Rong calls “feng sao nan ren” (flirtatious man) in a very charismatic manner. His yearning for Ou Yang Feng’s love added a new layer to his character. I felt so sorry for him watching him treasure every moment Ou Yang Feng showed a little love towards him as a father, only to have it trashed again a few moments later. even so, I was confused, who did he love actually, Huang Rong or Mu Nian Ci? Ou Yang Ke used to bring his fan everywhere which I love to see.. he also wears white attire all the time and I just love him.. and I have to agree with this statement: “I cried for him when he realizes that Nian Ci had tricked him and he knew that he was going to die (that was also the moment I decided that I hated Nian Ci and Yang Kang). Li Jie is an amazing actor. His expressions and acting blew me away. This is my dream Oh Yang Ke- evil, but with a soft place in his heart.” I think I found it in LengZ’s LOCH review..
Yuan Hong as Yang Kang (楊康)
Contrary to a lot of people, I never understood what the big hype over Yuan Hong was about. I don’t find he’s handsome or good-looking at all. In this story, he is the sworn brother of Guo Jing （郭靖）and a prince of Jin. He was the son of Yang Tie Xin and Bao Xi Ruo. He is the epitome of the Chinese proverb, "Love the father who raised you over the father who sired you." Initially introduced as Wan Yan Kang (before his biological father is revealed), he lives the spoiled life of a prince's son, his personality progressively darkened as the series went on, as he became obsessed with power, betraying family and friends and masters. He was the disciple of Quanzhen's Qiu Chu Ji, and secretly became the disciple of Mei Chao Feng. He fathered a son with Mu Nianci, named Yang Guo. I detested him throughout the series. He betrayed Mu Nian Ci, the woman who is blinded by her love, and he dishonored his dead parents. He’s also betrayed the love of his sworn brother who trusts him, care for him and love him deeply. He tricked Mu Nian Ci to help him to kill Ou Yang Ke which added my abhorrence towards him. According to the White Camel Mtn, Ou Yang Feng can only have one disciple at a time which was Ou Yang Ke at that time. Yang Kang who was dying to be the only disciple killed Ou Yang Ke. So Ou Yang Feng accepted him as a disciple but it’s only because he knows Nine Yin White Bone Claw (九陰白骨爪). I hate his scenes with Mu Nian Ci, I found its annoying and disgusting because he is too evil.
Guo Liang as Wan Yan Hong Lie （完顏洪烈）
He is the Sixth prince of Jin and Yang Kang's foster father. Having fallen in love with Yang Kang's mother, he arranged for Dian Tian De's attack on the Guo and Yang families, so he could pose as a hero and "save" her. As the king's favorite son and a likely candidate to be the next Jin Emperor, he searched for Yue Fei's War Manual to consolidate his country's domination over the Southern Song and counter the threat of Genghis Khan and the Mongols. His love for Bao Xirou is also transferred onto Yang Kang, his adopted son. He is in my view, not evil at all. He is loyal and courageous to his country and did nothing bad. We only find he’s evil because we were in Song’s side. He is charismatic and brave.
Liang Jia Ren as Hong Qi Gong （洪七公）
He is known as Bei Gai (北丐) or North Beggar. He was the eighteenth leader of the Beggars' Sect and loved gourmet food and wine. Known for his Xiang Long Shi Ba Zhang (降龍十八掌 “The 18 Dragon Subduing Palms”), his Dog Beating Stick techniques (打狗棒法). He severed his right index finger out of guilt when his love of food caused him to fail a mission. This as well as his formidable martial arts prowess earned him the name The Nine-Fingered Beggar Master or Jiu Zhi Shen Gai (九指神丐). Hong Qigong seemed to prefer to teach a few moves where needed (cf. Mu Nianci) as opposed to taking on disciples. Huang Rong used Hong Qigong's love of good food against him, forcing him to choose between the foods and accepting herself and Guo Jing as his disciples. Naturally, he soon had two official disciples. Later, he made Huang Rong the 19th chief of the beggar sect. At the end of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Hong Qigong revealed that he's killed 231 people in his life and each kill was justified. I just love his character. He made a brilliant decision of making Huang Rong as the 19th chief of the sect. he is just as mischievous as Huang Rong is. I like the scenes where he shows his gentleness to his disciples.
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