
The Return of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong
Author: Jin Yong
Published: 1959 to 1961
Genre: Adventure, historical, romance, wuxia
Read The Return of the Condor Heroes online at PageVio
The Return of the Condor Heroes is a long martial arts novel by the writer Jin Yong, and it is the second part of the “Condor Trilogy.” It was serialized in Hong Kong’s Ming Pao from 1959 to 1961, totaling forty chapters.
The main plot revolves around the love story between Yang Guo, the orphaned son of Yang Kang, and his master, Xiaolongnü. At the age of 14, Yang Guo becomes the disciple of the 18-year-old Xiaolongnü and diligently trains in martial arts within the Ancient Tomb Sect. Despite their deep affection for each other, they face numerous challenges due to the treacherous world of martial artists and the Mongol invasions, making it difficult for them to be together. Through various trials and tribulations, Yang Guo breaks free from the constraints of feudal ethics and ultimately transforms his relationship with Xiaolongnü from master and disciple to a heroic couple.
Jin Yong skillfully combines martial arts with character development, creating vivid and dynamic characters. The main characters in the novel are well-defined, full of life, and vividly portrayed.
1. The Return of the Condor Heroes Summary
After the “Sword Discussion at Mount Hua,” Guo Jing and Huang Rong, with the support of Huang Yaoshi, got married and settled in Peach Blossom Island, where they had a daughter named Guo Fu. However, due to Huang Yaoshi’s eccentric nature and dislike of crowds, he left a letter and quietly departed the island to find a secluded place to live. Ke Zhen’e, one of the Seven Freaks, came to Peach Blossom Island to escape trouble after owing gambling debts, and became Guo Fu’s playmate. When Guo Fu turned nine, and with no news of Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong, Huang Rong and Guo Jing set out to find them, taking their daughter along.
While searching for Huang Yaoshi in Jiaxing City, Ke Zhen’e took Guo Fu to play in the woods, where they encountered Wu Xiuwen, the son of Wu Santong, a disciple of Master Yideng. They learned that Li Mochou, the Scarlet Serpent Deity, was seeking revenge on the Lu Family Villa due to past grievances. Years ago, Lu Zhanyuan, the master of the Lu Family Villa, had been in love with Li Mochou, but later fell for He Yuanjun, Wu Santong’s adopted daughter. Wu Santong objected to the marriage, causing a commotion at their wedding until a high monk intervened and arranged to settle the matter in ten years. Unexpectedly, Lu Zhanyuan and his wife passed away before the ten years were up, leaving only Lu E and her husband at the villa. However, Li Mochou continued to pursue her revenge, vowing to kill the entire Lu family.
Upon hearing that the Lu family was in danger, Ke Zhen’e rushed to help. Li Mochou injured the Lu couple and attempted to kill the Lu girls, Lu Wushuang and her cousin Cheng Ying. Wu Santong, who had been insane for years, regained his sanity upon seeing the girls and rescued them along with his son. Li Mochou, unable to find the girls, fearing Guo Jing and Huang Rong’s presence, injured Wu Sanniang and set fire to the Lu Family Villa before leaving.
Wu Santong and Ke Zhen’e gathered the dying Lu couple and the children, but Li Mochou followed and injured Wu Santong. Yang Guo, who happened to be there, heroically intervened but was no match for Li Mochou, who abducted Lu Wushuang. Just as Li Mochou was about to kill Cheng Ying, Huang Yaoshi appeared and stopped her, taking Cheng Ying as his disciple. Guo Jing and Huang Rong arrived soon after, driving Li Mochou away. They met Mu Nianci and Yang Kang’s son, Yang Guo, and decided to take him in.
Yang Guo, insulted by Guo Fu, developed a dislike for the entire Guo family. Meanwhile, the long-missing Ouyang Feng appeared, mistaking Yang Guo for his deceased son, Ouyang Ke, and began secretly teaching him martial arts. Despite the short time together, they formed a deep bond, considering each other father and son. Guo Jing and Huang Rong discovered Ouyang Feng’s whereabouts and, after a fight, hurried to Peach Blossom Island, where they encountered the orphaned Wu brothers and took them in out of pity.
Yang Guo, having lost both parents, lived a wandering life. He later met the insane Ouyang Feng, who adopted him, resulting in Yang Guo’s stubborn nature and strained relationships with Guo Fu and the Wu brothers. Huang Rong, harboring resentment due to Yang Kang, only taught Yang Guo literature, not martial arts, further straining their relationship. Consequently, Guo Jing sent him to the Quanzhen Sect to learn martial arts. Reluctantly, Yang Guo was mistreated by Zhao Zhijing, leading to his resentment.
During a sparring match, Yang Guo, unable to bear the bullying, accidentally used the Toad Skill’s inner force, injuring his fellow disciple. Fearing punishment, he fled and stumbled into the Ancient Tomb Sect, where Granny Sun saved him. The tomb’s founder, Lin Chaoying, had deep ties with Quanzhen Sect’s Wang Chongyang, leading to mutual non-aggression. Initially unwilling to take Yang Guo in, Xiaolongnü, the tomb’s mistress, reluctantly agreed to Granny Sun’s dying wish to care for him for life. Thus, Yang Guo became a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect.
Living together for four years, Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü developed feelings for each other. As Yang Guo’s skills grew, they began practicing the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra together. During a practice session in the flower field, Yin Zhiping and Zhao Zhijing intruded, causing Xiaolongnü to be severely injured. Li Mochou then arrived, demanding the Heart Sutra. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü sealed the tomb, preparing to die in a stone coffin. However, they discovered Wang Chongyang’s Nine Yin Manual and an escape route, leading them to a valley in Zhongnan Mountain to train.
Ouyang Feng eventually found Yang Guo. Xiaolongnü, mistaken for a rival, was paralyzed by Ouyang Feng. Passing by, Zhen Zhibing, infatuated with Xiaolongnü, took advantage of her, leading to a misunderstanding with Yang Guo, who searched for her. On his journey, he encountered Lu Wushuang, who had escaped from Li Mochou after stealing the Five Poison Manual. Helping her avoid capture, Yang Guo befriended Yelü Qi and Wanyan Ping. Guo Fu and the Wu brothers drove away Li Mochou, allowing Yang Guo to leave.
On Mount Hua, Yang Guo met Hong Qigong and Ouyang Feng, who dueled to their deaths. After burying them, Yang Guo reunited with Xiaolongnü at the Heroes’ Gathering, hosted by Guo Jing, to resist Mongol invasion. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü defeated Jinlun Guoshi, earning respect and Guo Jing’s approval for marriage. However, societal opposition led Yang Guo to leave in anger.
Saving Huang Rong and her daughters from Jinlun Guoshi, Yang Guo’s actions were misconstrued by Xiaolongnü, who left again. Learning his father’s killer was Huang Rong, Yang Guo infiltrated the Mongol camp, aiming for revenge during the siege of Xiangyang. Kublai Khan, learning of Southern Song experts joining the defense, hosted a banquet disrupted by Zhou Botong, who was captured by strange men.
Following them to the Passionless Valley, Yang Guo discovered Xiaolongnü’s impending marriage to Gongsun Zhi, who had saved her but manipulated her into a false marriage. Reuniting and rejecting Gongsun Zhi’s proposal, Xiaolongnü was poisoned by the Passion Flower. Gongsun Lü’e, secretly in love with Yang Guo, helped him escape with Xiaolongnü to find an antidote.
In Passionless Valley, Yang Guo met the paralyzed Qiu Qianchi, who revealed the truth about her husband, Gongsun Zhi. Aided by Lü’e, Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü escaped, with Qiu Qianchi causing chaos at the wedding, forcing Gongsun Zhi out. Qiu demanded Yang Guo kill Guo Jing and Huang Rong for the antidote, which Yang Guo, seeking revenge, agreed to.
Mongol forces besieged Xiangyang, with Guo Jing leading the defense. Moved by his heroism, Yang Guo saved Guo Jing multiple times. Injured in battle, Xiangyang faced dire straits. Learning of Yang Guo’s true motives from Xiaolongnü, Huang Rong offered her life for the antidote after childbirth, which Xiaolongnü refused.
After giving birth to twins, Huang Rong escaped with Guo Jing, saving Guo Xiang from a fire. Li Mochou kidnapped Guo Xiang, pursued by Yang Guo, who encountered the Wu brothers dueling over Guo Fu. Lying about marrying Guo Fu, Yang Guo was overheard by Xiaolongnü, who left in sorrow.
Returning to Xiangyang, Xiaolongnü learned she had been violated by Zhen Zhibing, not Yang Guo, and sought revenge. During this time, Yang Guo saved Zhou Botong and mastered the Dual Sword Technique.
Guo Fu had feelings for both Wu brothers and became angry at Yang Guo when they ignored her. She exaggerated what she overheard from Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing, and told Yang Guo. Insulted by her words about Xiaolongnü, Yang Guo slapped her. In a fit of rage, Guo Fu swung her sword at Yang Guo’s neck, but only managed to cut off his right arm. Yang Guo, enduring the pain, left and later encountered a divine condor left by the martial arts master, Dugu Qiubai. With the condor’s help, he mastered incredible martial arts skills.
After causing trouble, Guo Fu escaped Xiangyang with her mother, Huang Rong. On their journey, they encountered Li Mochou holding a baby. During Huang Rong’s battle with Li Mochou, Yang Guo appeared and took Guo Xiang away as revenge. He carried young Guo Xiang back to the Ancient Tomb, where he found Xiaolongnü being attacked by the Quanzhen Five. Severely injured, Xiaolongnü’s condition worsened after Guo Fu accidentally injured her again during a crucial moment of healing. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü decided to spend their remaining time together traveling. They were fortunate to meet Master Yideng, who gave them a miraculous medicine and advised them to seek out a divine monk in the Passionless Valley for treatment.
Huang Rong, Cheng Ying, and others arrived at the Passionless Valley seeking a cure for Yang Guo. Gongsun Lü’e, in an effort to help Yang Guo, was killed by her own father, Gongsun Zhi. Enraged by her daughter’s death, Qiu Qianchi dragged Gongsun Zhi into the abyss with her. Li Mochou, in despair, perished in the flames. Although they found the Passionless Pill, the divine monk was killed, and Xiaolongnü’s condition became terminal. To prevent Yang Guo from dying with her, Xiaolongnü left a message on a cliff wall, promising to reunite in sixteen years, and jumped into a deep ravine.
Believing Huang Rong’s story about the South Sea Nun, Yang Guo willingly took the antidote, swore brotherhood with Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying, and taught Lu the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. He then returned to the divine condor to continue his martial arts training, becoming known as the Condor Hero for his chivalrous deeds. Later, Guo Fu married Yelü Qi, and the Wu brothers found love with Wanyan Ping and Yelü Yan.
Sixteen years later, Guo Xiang had grown up, inheriting Huang Rong’s intelligence and Guo Jing’s sense of justice, making her popular with martial artists. She longed to meet the Condor Hero and eventually encountered Yang Guo, becoming close friends and developing feelings for him. As the sixteen-year reunion approached, Xiaolongnü did not appear, and in despair, Yang Guo jumped into the ravine. Guo Xiang followed, but Yang Guo saved her, lifting her to safety with the help of the divine condor. Miraculously, Yang Guo found Xiaolongnü alive at the bottom of the valley, her injuries gradually healing. They expressed their love and returned to the cliff top.
Upon learning that the Mongol emperor was attacking Xiangyang, Guo Xiang was captured by Jinlun Guoshi to force Guo Jing to surrender. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü arrived, killing the Mongol emperor amidst the army, lifting the sixteen-year siege of Xiangyang. After the victory, they joined others on Mount Hua to pay respects to Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong. The Five Greats—East Heretic, West Crazy, South Monk, North Hero, and Central Mischief—were honored. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü then quietly retired from the martial world.
2. Characters
Yang Guo – Yang Guo is the male protagonist in “The Return of the Condor Heroes,” and the son of Yang Kang and Mu Nianci from “The Legend of the Condor Heroes.” When Mu Nianci gave birth to him in the wilderness, Yang Kang had already died, leaving Yang Guo fatherless from birth. Tragically, his mother also passed away from illness when he was eleven, leaving him alone. He wandered to Jiaxing and lived in a dilapidated kiln, surviving by stealing.
Yang Guo is handsome and charismatic, with a clear sense of right and wrong, passionate, deeply emotional, heroic, and highly intelligent. His unique experiences shaped his distinctive personality, enabling him to transcend societal norms, love and hate boldly, and share a profound and moving love story with Xiaolongnü.
Yang Guo is chivalrous and loyal, willing to risk his life for friends, and harbors deep hatred for the Mongol invaders. He prioritizes the defense of Xiangyang over personal grudges, treating even his enemies with righteousness and compassion. His love for Xiaolongnü is unwavering, despite the affections of Cheng Ying, Lu Wushuang, and Guo Xiang. Jin Yong praised Yang Guo’s lifelong love for Xiaolongnü as worthy of respect and admiration.
Xiaolongnü – Xiaolongnü is the female protagonist in “The Return of the Condor Heroes.” She is the grand-disciple of Lin Chaoying, Yang Guo’s master and later his wife, and the junior of Li Mochou. Discovered by disciples of the Quanzhen Sect as a child, she was adopted by Lin Chaoying’s maid and raised alongside Granny Sun. She is exceptionally beautiful, with a fairy-like appearance, and is pure and innocent, knowing little of the world’s dangers.
She promises Granny Sun to take care of Yang Guo for life, and he calls her “Auntie.” Xiaolongnü is pure and kind-hearted, forgiving those who harm her. Despite being injured by the Quanzhen Seven and Guo Fu, she remains compassionate and magnanimous. Her character embodies truth, goodness, and beauty.
As Yang Guo’s master, she develops feelings for him, but societal norms prevent their union. Together, they aid Guo Jing and fight against Jinlun Guoshi. After numerous separations and reunions, Xiaolongnü jumps off the Cliff of Broken Hearts to save Yang Guo, living in the valley for sixteen years. Reuniting with Yang Guo, they help defend Xiangyang, earning fame as the “Condor Heroes.” After the third Sword Discussion at Mount Hua, they retire from the martial world.
Guo Jing – Guo Jing is Huang Rong’s husband, affectionately called “Brother Jing” by her, and the father of Guo Fu, Guo Xiang, and Guo Polu. Trained in archery by his master, Jebe, and later in martial arts by the “Seven Freaks of Jiangnan,” he initially struggled due to his low aptitude but improved greatly after learning internal energy techniques from Ma Yu of the Quanzhen Sect. As an adult, he mastered the “Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms” from “Northern Beggar” Hong Qigong and learned various advanced martial arts techniques from Zhou Botong and his father-in-law Huang Yaoshi.
Early on, he became blood brothers with Yang Kang, Yang Guo’s father. Feeling guilty over Yang Kang’s death, he decided to take young Yang Guo to Peach Blossom Island to raise him. Due to conflicts between Yang Guo and his daughter, Guo Fu, as well as the Wu brothers, Yang Guo mistakenly used the “Toad Skill” during a competition. Recognizing the technique of his old enemy, Ouyang Feng, Ke Zhen’e suggested sending Yang Guo to the Quanzhen Sect.
During the Heroes’ Gathering, Guo Jing sustained injuries while trying to control the situation when Jinlun Guoshi disrupted the event. When the Wu brothers were captured by the Mongols, Guo Jing and Yang Guo rescued them. Despite being deeply hurt by Guo Fu, Yang Guo let go of his hatred, and Guo Jing intervened to save Yang Guo.
Guo Jing is known for his integrity, kindness, and generosity, treating his wife Huang Rong with great affection. Despite his gentle nature, his poor parenting led to Guo Fu’s arrogance.
Huang Rong – Huang Rong is the daughter of Huang Yaoshi and the wife of Guo Jing, who affectionately calls her “Rong’er.” She is the mother of Guo Fu, Guo Xiang, and Guo Polu. Renowned for her beauty and intelligence, she possesses various martial arts skills, including the “Dog Beating Stick Technique,” “Divine Flicking Finger,” “Falling Flowers Divine Sword,” and the “Soul-Shifting Technique.”
During the second Sword Discussion at Mount Hua, she drove Ouyang Feng to madness by provoking him. After revealing Yang Kang’s treachery, Yang Kang tried to kill her, but accidentally poisoned himself due to her protective vest, leading to Huang Rong’s distrust of Yang Guo. Over time, Yang Guo’s numerous rescues softened her attitude towards him.
As the leader of the Beggars’ Sect, she held high esteem among its members. After bringing young Yang Guo to Peach Blossom Island, she only taught him literature to prevent revenge, trying to steer him away from martial arts.
Guo Xiang – Guo Xiang is the second daughter of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, younger sister to Guo Fu and older sister to Guo Polu. She is graceful, intelligent like her mother, and quirky like her grandfather, earning her the nickname “Little Eastern Heretic.” From birth, she faced numerous hardships, being kidnapped by both Jinlun Guoshi and Li Mochou but cleverly escaping danger with her mother’s help. Later, she was taken to the Ancient Tomb by Yang Guo, who fed her with jade bee honey. After many twists and turns, she was reunited with her mother. As a child, she was playful and often bickered with Guo Fu, doing things differently from others.
Cheng Ying – Cheng Ying is the daughter of Lu Liding’s brother-in-law. After the death of her parents, she was raised by Lu Liding and his wife, Lu Erniang. She is the cousin of Lu Wushuang. Cheng Ying has a delicate and beautiful appearance, with fair skin and a small dimple on her oval face, giving her a shy yet stunning look. She is gentle, elegant, considerate, and composed, with a hidden strength. Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang met Wu Santong while picking lotus flowers, and he was reminded of He Yuanjun when he saw Cheng Ying. Later, when Li Mochou attacked, Wu Santong took Cheng Ying, Lu Wushuang, and his son to a mountain cave for safety. Lu Liding tied the handkerchief Li Mochou had given to Lu Zhanyuan around Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang’s necks. Seeing the handkerchief, Li Mochou hesitated but eventually took Lu Wushuang and used the “Ice Soul Silver Needle” on Cheng Ying. When Li Mochou was about to silence Cheng Ying, she was saved by Huang Yaoshi, who took her as his last disciple. Cheng Ying is skilled in using the jade flute as a weapon.
Lu Wushuang – Lu Wushuang is the daughter of Lu Liding and Lu Erniang from Jiaxing, cousin to Cheng Ying, and disciple of Li Mochou, junior to Hong Lingbo. She is skilled in using the silver fox blade. Lu Wushuang is pretty, with a delicate face and a slight limp from a childhood injury. Li Mochou, fearing Lu Wushuang would seek revenge when she grew up, did not teach her martial arts. Instead, her senior sister taught her some basic skills. Lu Wushuang stole the “Five Poison Manual” from her mentor, Li Mochou, who killed her parents. While escaping from Li Mochou, she encountered Yang Guo, who was searching for Xiaolongnü. Not knowing Yang Guo was following her because she reminded him of Xiaolongnü when she was angry, Lu Wushuang accepted his help to evade Li Mochou.
Gongsun Lü’e – Gongsun Lü’e is the daughter of Gongsun Zhi and Qiu Qianchi. She falls in love with Yang Guo. At seventeen or eighteen, she is very fair-skinned, delicate, with clear eyes and a slender figure, and has a thumb-sized red birthmark on her waist. She is kind-hearted, gentle, and intelligent, but has been melancholic since childhood. In the Passionless Valley, she is the only one with a kind and loving nature. Lü’e fell in love with Yang Guo at first sight and devoted herself to him. She defied her father’s orders to protect Yang Guo, but her father replaced her in the fight. When Yang Guo was in pain from the Passion Flower poison, Lü’e risked her life to steal the antidote but was pushed into the crocodile pool by her father. There, she found her mother, whom she had thought dead. Despite her father’s cruelty, Lü’e prevented her mother from killing him. Even when her father planned to use her life to trade for an antidote from Li Mochou, she still had hope for her father. Lü’e loved Yang Guo selflessly and was deeply empathetic. To get the antidote for Yang Guo, she used her mother’s affection for her and poisoned herself with the Passion Flower, eventually dying at her father’s hands while securing half of the miraculous medicine for Yang Guo.
Gongsun Zhi – Gongsun Zhi is the master of Passionless Valley, husband to Qiu Qianchi, father to Gongsun Lü’e, and master of Fan Yiweng. At forty-five or forty-six, he is handsome, graceful, and dignified, but his face is waxy yellow and haggard, unlike someone with exceptional martial arts skills. His hall is decorated entirely in green, but he wears a striking blue silk robe. His martial arts were taught by his wife, and he uses a golden knife and black sword, mastering the “Yin-Yang Inverse Blade Technique.” His family’s acupoint sealing technique is excellent but breaks down upon contact with meat. He married Qiu Qianchi, known as the “Iron Palm Lotus.” They had one daughter, Gongsun Lü’e. Gongsun Zhi had an affair with the maid, Rou’er, and killed her out of fear of Qiu Qianchi. He later drugged Qiu Qianchi and severed her tendons, throwing her into a valley cave.
Jinlun Guoshi – Jinlun Guoshi is a high monk from Tibet and the first national teacher appointed by the Mongol Khan. He helped the Mongol Empire invade the Central Plains and was highly esteemed by Kublai Khan. A master of martial arts, he had three disciples: the deceased eldest disciple, the second disciple, Daerba, and the third disciple, Huo Du. Jinlun Guoshi is ruthless, cunning, and ambitious, striving to become the world’s unmatched supreme martial artist. He initially used five wheels made of gold, silver, copper, iron, and lead as weapons, but they were destroyed by Yang Guo. His face is thin, and his forehead is deeply set, indicating his high level of martial arts.