The Iron Swallow: A Sequel to the Wuxia Novel Brocade Silk

Synopsis of the wuxia novel Sequel to Iron Swallow and Brocade Silk:

This novel tells the story of love and chivalry among its four protagonists: Tie Shouhua, Li Yanhong, Ye Yanjin, and Ji Ling. It is called a “romantic wuxia tale” because the author's portrayal of love is tender and intricate, heartrending and bittersweet, quite unlike the styles of Jin, Gu, and Liang. In a word, it's tragic. But the novel offers more than tragedy; it also has its chivalrous side. Tie Shourong earns the name “Wild Goose in the Clouds” after slaying a giant serpent at Crow Ridge and saving the local people. Li Yanhong draws her sword to help the helpless, bravely stopping the “Two Fiends of the Southern Wastes” from robbing disaster relief funds. Ji Ling also comes to Yanhong's aid, helping her punish “Star Over the Heavens” and the “Two Ugly Men of Changbai.” These three protagonists all have the spirit of true heroes. But Ye Yanjin, the leading male protagonist, is genuinely repellent to me. Though he has one fortuitous encounter after another and greatly improves his martial arts, he is also a petty, womanizing scoundrel. He claims that he will love Tie Shourong alone for the rest of his life, yet sweet-talks Li Yanhong into giving him her heart and virginity. He then consoles himself that it was all Heaven's will, that everything comes down to fate! He is the one who betrays the feelings of two women, one after the other, yet he keeps suspecting that both women who love him are playing with his feelings. In the end, he concludes that he is the one with a miserable lot in life! What hypocrisy and shamelessness! I see no trace of chivalry in Ye Yanjin, only selfish, suspicious pettiness and a vindictive streak. By comparison, Ji Jia, “Cloud Dragon Three Appearances,” one of the villains known as the “Two Fiends of the Southern Wastes,” comes across as far more likable.