Liu Suibin (left), the 36th-generation head of the Qingcheng Sect, performs during the Wuxia Literature Golden Sword Awards ceremony in Haining, Zhejiang Province on November 8, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Wuxia Literature Golden Sword Awards

The Wuxia Literature Golden Sword Awards ceremony was held on Friday in celebration of the 100th birthday of late wuxia novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, more widely known by his pen name Jin Yong. The event was held in Cha's  hometown Yuanhua township in East China's Zhejiang Province to award individuals and works that have made outstanding contributions to the field of wuxia literature.

At the ceremony, Mao Ni's Joy of Life and Qiu Huadong's Ten Heroes received the Special Jury Prize in the works category, while Ni Siting won the Golden Award in the research category. 

The first Golden Sword Award was presented to two master figures, Jin Yong and Liang Yusheng, in 1995.

Wuxia novels are a uniquely Chinese genre centered around martial artists. They are innately imbued with Chinese spirit and heritage, their distinctive style dating back over two millennia - predating even the creation of ancient Chinese novels, Yan Jingming, a vice chairman of the China Writers Association, told the Global Times.

Focusing on sustainability

In Jin Yong's wuxia universe, master martial artists abound, and the martial world is dominated by numerous sects, with seven major sects - Shaolin, Wudang, Qingcheng, Kunlun, Tai Chi, Emei, and Kongtong - widely recognized. Representatives from these seven iconic sects ­gathered at the award ceremony to celebrate Jin Yong's legacy, highlighting how his influence has transcended generations and continues to inspire.

Shi Yanbao, the 34th-generation monk from Shaolin Temple on the Songshan Mountain, told the Global Times that Jin Yong's works have profoundly influenced his life.

"I grew up steeped in the classics The Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Return of the Condor Heroes. These stories not only led me to Shaolin Temple to learn martial arts but also introduced me to the deep-rooted chivalric spirit in Chinese culture," he said.

To preserve and expand wuxia culture, Shi believes the key lies in the "creative transformation" and "innovative development" of its essence. He noted that today's media, such as short dramas and video platforms, offers new opportunities to spread wuxia culture and engage younger audiences. 

"However, how to infuse these quickly consumed formats with meaningful cultural depth is a challenge that requires ongoing attention," Shi noted.

"The promotion of wuxia culture should go beyond superficial trends and focus on sustainability. To ensure that the spirit of chivalry is passed down, it's essential to establish long-term mechanisms that meet the needs of the new era," he noted.

In Jin Yong's classic The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, a character from the Qingcheng Sect, Yu Canghai, plays the antagonist role, leaving a lasting impression with his ruthless actions in the novel's opening scenes. Liu Suibin, the 36th-generation head of the Qingcheng Sect, told the Global Times that some felt Jin Yong's portrayal cast ­Qingcheng in a negative light.

"Many people first learned about the Qingcheng Sect through Jin Yong's portrayal of Yu Canghai in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," Liu said. 

"While I don't sympathize with the character of Yu, I am profoundly grateful for Jin Yong's creativity."

"Jin Yong's works introduced Qingcheng to the world, and his contributions to Chinese martial arts deserve our deepest respect," Liu added.

After Jin Yong visited Mount Qingcheng and inscribed there the words, "Qingcheng tai chi fists and swords support both well-being and practical combat," Liu and Jin Yong became friends. 

"Jin Yong left humanity a priceless cultural legacy of the wuxia spirit. I am immensely grateful to him for helping elevate and correct the image of the Qingcheng Sect," Liu shared.

Rooted in Chinese culture

"The 'xia' [chivalry] in wuxia is not just an emotion, but its core spirit. As Jin Yong once said, 'The greatest chivalry is to serve the country and the people.' This spirit is deeply rooted in Chinese culture," Ni Siting, winner of the Golden Award in the research category, told the Global Times.

Popular fiction, a major genre, is created to satisfy the needs of the widest audience, catering to the interests, reading abilities, and psychological acceptance of the general public.

"Wuxia novels, as a key category of popular fiction, have adapted to the ever-evolving media landscape and changing entertainment preferences. Although they are no longer as widely celebrated as in the 1980s, their core spirit will never die," Ni noted.

Ni explained that the reason great literary works remain timeless is because Chinese people are inherently fond of stories. 

The wuxia novels of Jin Yong, Liang Yusheng, and others became classics because they excelled at storytelling and created deeply developed characters.

"Many current film and television adaptations struggle to surpass the classics because they lack this profound narrative skill," Ni said. "Many directors and screenwriters fall short in crafting new stories, which makes audiences continue to miss classic wuxia works written by Jin Yong and Gu Long."

Ni pointed out that the rise of micro-dramas and short videos has created new opportunities for the dissemination of traditional literature, particularly wuxia. 

"No matter how the form changes, the core of content and storytelling remains the same. This ensures that wuxia literature continues to thrive in the new era."

"Xia" exists in our everyday lives - from opportunities to step in to help others when injustice is witnessed to turning in a found penny. These small acts all embody the spirit of chivalry.

"As long as the spirit of 'xia' endures within Chinese culture, wuxia literature will continue in various forms. In the future, the means of expressing the spirit of wuxia may change, but its spirit and meaning will continue to inspire generations," Ni concluded.