The Mad Axe Splits the Heavens: The Wild History of Black Whirlwind

This book follows Li Kui as its protagonist, telling a sweeping, eventful tale of legend.

Li Kui, a brawny hothead from Yizhou, first makes his name as a fierce fighter in the Jiangzhou prison. To save his sworn brother, Song Gongming, he risks his life to storm the execution ground, showing the depth of their brotherly bond. After joining Liangshan, Li Kui distinguishes himself time and again in battle. He thwarts treacherous schemes through keen insight, scouts enemy camps at night without fear of danger, and studies the art of war. In battles such as the struggle for Zhujiazhuang and the daring defeat of the Linked Horses, his courage and ferocity make him famous far and wide. Longing for his mother, Li Kui sets out to bring her to the mountain, but she is killed by a tiger along the way. In his fury, he slays four tigers. Later, he redeems himself through meritorious service and continues to grow at Liangshan.

As Liangshan grows stronger, Li Kui always leads the charge in clashes with forces such as Zengtou City, Daming Prefecture, and Zhang Qing. When the proposal to accept imperial amnesty arises, he opposes it resolutely, standing by his own sense of justice. But Liangshan eventually accepts amnesty and embarks on the bloody campaign against Fang La. The brothers suffer terrible losses, and after narrowly escaping death, Li Kui faces a new predicament. He and his companions investigate evidence of crimes and root out evildoers, yet they cannot stop Song Jiang from being framed by corrupt officials.

By the banks of Lia’erwa, Li Kui is consumed by grief. In the wilderness, he encounters an old enemy and swings his mighty axe, uncovering layer upon layer of conspiracy. He storms a bandit lair and infiltrates the imperial city by night. In a series of life-and-death battles, mysterious forces come to his aid as he outwits the corrupt. Liangshan is rebuilt, and heroes flock to it once more.

Yet dark currents swirl by Liangshan Lake, and shadowy forces such as the White-Clad Phantom continue to threaten them. Through their ingenuity, the people of Liangshan foil one conspiracy after another. After they refuse amnesty, the clouds of war gather. Though they receive help before the fighting begins, the heroes of Liangshan ultimately cannot escape their tragic fate.