The Sun Rises in the East, Only You are Invincible

Table of Contents

There is a beauty in the northern lands,
Who stands alone without peer.
One look from him and a city falls,
Another look and down crumbles an entire nation.
Oh, to never know such evils befalling the land -
Yet such a beauty shall never again appear!

This novel contains mentions of self-mutilation, murder, dubious consent and infidelity.Short Stories01: Rebirth
02: Reward
03: Night Vigil
04: Brewing Wine
05: Drinking Wine
06: Rear Courtyard
07: Love
08: Sleepless Night
09: Dawn
10: Rejection
11: Favor
12: Harm
13: Reliance
14: Protection
15: Kiss
16: Promise
17: Lifetime
18: Elder Tong
19: Evening Meal
20: Shishi
21: Qianxun
22: Trust
23: Incompleteness
24: Sunflower Manual
25: Yichun Courtyard
26: Return
27: Red Gown
28: Calamitous Beauty
29: Holy Maiden
30: Nightmare
31: Embroidery
32: Jianghu Rumors
33: Holding Hands
34: Intentions
35: Marriage
36: West Lake
37: Deceit
38: Qi and Blood
39: Defeat
40: Hundred Taels
41: Poisoned Wine
42: Lotus Lantern
43: Envoy of Light
44: Separation
45: Scar
46: Conditions
47: Sacrifice
48: Death
49: Plea
50: Wounds
51: Past and Future
52: Chief Steward
53: Star of Calamity
54: Parting
55: Retribution
56: Charm Leads Astray
57: Blessing
58: Peace
59: Pine Tree
60: Madness
61: Invincible
62: Fate
63: Home
64: Delicate
65: Regret
66: Lifetimes
The End

Short Stories
A list of short stories that share similar characters and settings, written by different authors.东方
East by 大木吉子
"If Dongfang dies, what am I still alive for?"永不复醉
Drunk Nevermore by 闲吟幽衿
"Lian di, you only need to remember, once this Seat passes away you'll follow."七夕贺文
Qixi Festival by 梅路艾姆2007
"During the Qixi Festival couples tie red ribbons on the tree. The higher they tie the ribbon, the more they are in love."元宵节特别篇
Lantern Festival by 焦糖玛奇朵
"Cult Master, have a bite of this!"地主家的小护院
Little Guard by 梅路艾姆2007
"There’s nothing wrong with being a guard."Back to Home or the Table of Contents.

Characters

This section contains minor spoilers.Sun Moon Holy Cult (日月神教)
Heretical PathThe Sun Moon Holy Cult is based on Blackwood Cliff. Martial artists of the Jianghu often refer to the Sun Moon Holy Cult as the 'Demonic Cult.' Considered eccentric and heretical, the cult is a common enemy of the righteous sects. Its members are known for engaging in various cult-like activities and committing heinous crimes.

Dongfang Bubai (东方不败)
Cult Master
Dongfang Bubai, lit. Invincible East, is the master of the Sun Moon Holy Cult. He became the cult's current leader after ousting Ren Woxing from power. He forces the congregation to consume the Three Corpse Brain Pill to ensure their loyalty. He mutilated himself to learn the skills in the Sunflower Manual and became the most powerful martial artist of his time.
"He is the only one in this world who is truly good to me, and he is the only one in this world who I will be good to."Yang Lianting (杨莲亭)
Chief Steward
Yang Lianting is a lowly handyman working atop Blackwood Cliff.
"How can I die without seeing you?"

Ren Woxing (任我行)
Former Cult Master
Ren Woxing, lit. I do as I please, is the former head of the Sun Moon Holy Cult. He was usurped of his position by Dongfang Bubai, despite being an expert in political machinations and mastering the Cosmic Absorption Art, a dreaded ability that can absorb the opponent's internal energy.Ren Yingying (任盈盈)
Holy Maiden
Ren Yingying is Ren Woxing's daughter and after his defeat was ordained as the cult's Holy Maiden by Dongfang Bubai. She is a beautiful, intelligent, and ruthless young woman.Xiang Wentian (向问天)
Left Envoy of Light
Xiang Wentian is the Left Envoy of Light and a senior member of the cult. After Dongfang Bubai defeats Ren Woxing, he refuses to renounce his loyalty to Ren and hence becomes an outcast of the cult.Tong Baixiong (童百熊)
Wind and Thunder Hall
Tong Baixiong is the Hall Master of the Wind and Thunder Hall and a close associate of the Cult Master. He and Dongfang Bubai share a lifelong friendship and are as close as brothers.Sang Sanniang (桑三娘)
Wind and Thunder Hall
Sang Sanniang is the Incense Master of the Wind and Thunder Hall. She is a senior in the cult who defected to Dongfang Bubai's side when Ren Woxing was usurped.Jia Bu (贾布)
Azure Dragon Hall
Jia Bu is the Hall Master of the Azure Dragon Hall and loyal to Dongfang Bubai.Wang Cheng (王诚)
Elder
Wang Cheng is one of the Ten Elders under Dongfang Bubai.Ping Yizhi (平一指)
Killer Physician
Ping Yizhi is a physician infamous for his work ethic. He believes that life and death are predestined, so saving a life is equivalent to violating the law of nature. As such, he makes a rule that for every life he saves, another must die.Four Friends of Jiangnan (江南四友)
Residents of Plum Manor
The Four Friends of Jiangnan are a group of four eccentric martial artists tasked with watching over the West Lake Water Dungeon.Shishi (诗诗)
Seven Ladies
Shishi is the head of the Seven Ladies and Dongfang Bubai's most favored concubine. She is a refined and gentle woman, in love with Dongfang Bubai. Shishi is a reference to 1992's Swordsman 2.Qianxun (千寻)
Seven Ladies
Qianxun is one of the Seven Ladies and favored by Dongfang Bubai. She is a gorgeous and ambitious woman. Qianxun is a reference to 1993's Swordsman 3.

Sword Sect Alliance of the Five Mountains (五岳剑派)
Righteous PathThe Sword Sect Alliance is an informal alliance formed by five major righteous martial arts sects. They specialise in swordplay and are based on the Five Great Mountains in Daoism. The alliance was initially established to counter the 'evil' cult. However, the alliance is prone to mutual distrust and infighting.Independent Sects
Righteous PathAlthough a number of major and minor sects are not part of the Sword Sect Alliance, they are considered orthodox and thus are part of the Righteous Path.

Zuo Lengchan (左冷禅)
Mount Song Sect
Zuo Lengchan is the ambitious and ruthless leader of the Mount Song Sect and the Alliance Chief of the Sword Sect Alliance. He wishes to consolidate power by intimidating the other four sects.Yue Buqun (岳不群)
Mount Hua Sect
Yue Buqun is the head of Mount Hua Sect and titled 'Gentleman Sword' for his reasonable and righteous conduct. He teaches his disciples strictly and rigidly.Linghu Chong (令狐冲)
Mount Hua Sect
Linghu Chong is the happy-go-lucky protagonist of Xiao Ao Jiang Hu. As an orphan, he was raised by Yue Buqun and his wife as their most senior disciple. His main loves in life are swordplay, drinking, and music.Liu Zhengfeng (刘正风)
Southern Mount Heng Sect
Liu Zhengfeng is the junior disciple of Mo Da, the Sect Master of Southern Mount Heng Sect. He has a passion for music.Dingxian (定閒)
Northern Mount Heng Sect
Dingxian is the benevolent and wise head nun of the Northern Mount Heng Sect.Fangzheng (方证)
Shaolin Temple
Fangzheng is the abbot of the Shaolin Temple and highly revered in the Jianghu for his prowess in martial arts and morally upright character.Huiming (慧明)
Shaolin Temple
Huiming is a senior monk of the Shaolin Temple. He has profound insight and a merciful yet money-grubbing character. Monk Huiming does not appear in Xiao Ao Jiang Hu.Chongxu (冲虚)
Wudang Temple
Priest Chongxu is the leader of the Wudang Temple. Like Fangzheng, he is respected for his martial prowess and upright character.Lin Zhennan (林震南)
Fortune Prestige Security Service
Lin Zhennan is the head of the Fortune Prestige Security Service and a descendant of the supreme martial artist Lin Yuantu.Yu Canghai (余沧海)
Qingcheng Sect
Yu Canghai is the head of the Qingcheng Sect. He is a ruthless man, who dotes on his youngest son.Sources
Wikiwand Wikipedia WuxiaFandom MyWuxia

Adaptions

This section contains minor spoilers.NovelDongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting make a brief appearance in chapters 30 and 31 of Jin Yong's wuxia novel Smiling Proud Wanderer. The two chapters are the "past life" mentioned in Dongfang Bubai's Reborn Yang Lianting."Dongfang Bubai threw himself by the side of Yang Lianting. He picked him up and put him on the bed gently. Taking off his shoes and socks, then pulling the blanket over him, he behaved like a wife taking care of her husband."Chapter 30: Secret Meeting
Chapter 31: EmbroideringFilm and TelevisionSmiling Proud Wanderer has been adapted numerous times over the years, with each adaption a different interpretation of Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting's relationship can be seen on screen.
1978: The Proud Youth
The first adaption of Smiling Proud Wanderer.
1984: Smiling, Proud Wanderer
Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting's first appearance on screen together.
Episode 01
Episode 21
1985: Smiling, Proud Wanderer
A shortened adaption. Dongfang Bubai is signficantly older than Yang Lianting.
Episode 25
1992 and 1993: Swordsman 2 and 3
Brigitte Lin won acclaim for her role as a feminine yet powerful Dongfang Bubai, who falls in love with Linghu Chong. The Swordsman films heavily influenced Chinese popular culture.
Trailer
1996: State of Divinity
The most faithful adaption of chapters 30 and 31.
Episode 01
Episode 32
Episode 33
2000: State of Divinity
Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting are given a number of additional scenes, their past and relationship to Ren Yingying is explored in detail.
Episode 02
Episode 12
Episode 34
Episode 36
2001: Laughing in the Wind
Like 1996, a faithful adaption. Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting are given a number of additional scenes.
Episode 17
Episode 19
Episode 22
Episode 23
Episode 33
MV
2013: Swordsman
Unlike in previous adaptations, Dongfang Bubai treats Yang Lianting as a substitute for Linghu Chong.
Episode 31
2018: New Smiling Proud Wanderer
Yang Lianting and Dongfang Bubai mutually use each other to achieve their goals. However, Yang Lianting is Ren Woxing's illegitimate daughter in this adaption.
Episode 16
2020: Flowing Water, Drifting Flower
A 12min short film about the deaths of the Seven Ladies and the secret relationship between Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting.
Short Film
2023?: Smiling, Proud Wanderer
An upcoming Tencent donghua.
WeiboAudio Drama
1981: Smiling Proud Wanderer
An early Cantonese adaption of the novel by Radio Pearl River.
Playlist
1998: Smiling, Proud Wanderer
A faithful adaption of the novel by Radio Hong Kong.
Playlist
2021: Smiling Proud Wanderer
A web audio drama adaption from Mainland China.
Chapter 30: Secret Meeting
Chapter 31: EmbroideringManhua
2018: Smiling, Proud Wanderer
The prologue introduces the Sun Moon Holy Cult and the close relationship between Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting.
PrologueVideo Games
2018: Smiling, Proud Wanderer Mobile
A mobile game based on the novel, it shows their first encounter and subsequent relationship.
1st SceneLive Performance
2016: Acrobatics Stage Play
Stage Play
Curtain Call

Glossary

This section lists relevant terms.Wuxia (武俠)
Martial Heroes
Wuxia, lit. Martial Heroes, is a genre about regular humans who can achieve superhuman fighting ability through martial arts training and internal energy cultivation.Jianghu (江湖)
Rivers and Lakes
Jianghu, lit. Rivers and Lakes, is a section of society consisting of martial artists, gangsters, thieves, beggars, prostitutes, merchants, entertainers, and anyone else wanting to operate outside of mainstream society or in the grey area of the law.Wulin (武林)
Martial Forest
Wulin, lit. Martial Forest, figuratively refers to the community of martial artists within the Jianghu. The Wulin is typically controlled by an alliance formed by the righteous sects in order to uphold justice.Cult (教)
Evil Sect
A jiào is a sect with a strong religious background. If the jiào is considered evil or heretical, the term is often translated as cult. Generally, a sect is an organization dedicated to the practice of martial arts. It is typically lead by a single person, with the help of elders and other senior members. A strict hierarchy amongst members of a sect is common and respect for the senior members is demanded.Martial Arts (武功)
Fighting Style
Martial Arts refers to fighting styles and techniques, the term includes physical excerises, methods of mental discipline, and more.Qi (气)
Energy
Qi is the vital energy which exists in all things.Qi Circulation (行气)
Energy Circulation
Qi circulation is the act of controlling qi to flow from the dantian, through the meridians, and back into the dantian in a cycle.Internal Qi (内力)
Internal Energy
Internal Energy is cultivated energy within a martial artist's body. Utilizing it, a martial artist can accomplish superhuman feats of speed, agility, strength, endurance, etc. It can even be used to heal wounds and nullify poisons.Vital Qi (元气)
Vital Energy
Vital Energy, or yuán qì, is an innate qi. This inborn qi is differentiated from acquired qi that a person may develop over their lifetime. Vital Energy is gradually used up in the course of life, it may be conserved but never replenished.Qinggong (轻功)
Lightness Skill
Lightness Skill, or qīnggōng, is the ability to lighten the body and move with great agility and swiftness. At high proficiency, practitioners of this skill can run across water, leap to the top of trees or even glide through the air.Neigong (内功)
Internal Skill
Internal Skill, or neigōng, refers to breathing, meditation, and spiritual practice disciplines. Neigong emphasises training the practitioner's body with their breath, known as the harmonisation of the internal and external energy.Qigong Deviation (走火入魔)
Improper Practice
Qigong Deviation, lit. to catch fire and be possessed by devils, is a state wherein the cultivation base becomes dangerously unstable, causing internal damage to the body and symptoms of psychosis. People who succumb to their Internal Demons, who practice martial arts incorrectly, or who rashly use forbidden arts are all at risk of falling into this state.Seclusion (闭关)
Practicing in Isolation
Training done in seclusion, usually to focus on breaking through a bottleneck or to avoid becoming distracted at a crucial moment and suffering a backlash as a result.Karma (因果)
Cause and Effect
Karma is cosmic merit or demerit accumulated throughout one's life based on one's deeds. Karma can affect a character's daily life or bind certain characters together through karmic ties.Eight Sufferings (八苦)
Fated Pains
Eight kinds of universal suffering. They are the four sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death, plus the suffering of having to part from those whom one loves, the suffering of having to meet with those whom one hates, the suffering of being unable to obtain what one desires, and the suffering arising from the five components that constitute one’s body and mind.Star of Calamity (天煞孤星)
Fated Solitude
Star of Calamity refers to a person who is fated to bring misfortune to those around him.Severed Soul (断魂)
Separation of the Souls
Specifically, severed hun soul. The hun (魂) is the soul which goes to heaven, as opposed to the pò (魄), which goes down to the earth with the body at death.Buddha (佛陀)
Enlightened One
Buddha means awakened or enlightened one. A Buddhist title for a person who has achieved perfect enlightenment and has escaped the cycle of reincarnation.Amitabha (阿弥陀佛)
Buddha of Boundless Light
Amitabha is known as the Buddha of Boundless Light. It is believed that people who sincerely call out his name will be welcomed into his Pure Land after they die. Because of this, Buddhist monks often chant 'Amitabha' as a greeting or blessing for others.Mantra (曼特罗)
Sacred Words
A sacred utterance believed to have spiritual power and chanted to assist in meditation.Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医)
Art of Healing
Medical knowledge, skills, and practices which were used in China for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Western medicine. The doctors in Wuxia novels often diagnose patients simply by reading their pulse, use needles to treat all kinds of illnesses, and prescribe herbs and elixirs to patients. This all comes from TCM.Dual-Hour (時辰)
Timekeeping
A dual-hour, or shichen, is equivalent to 2 modern hours. In ancient times a day consisted of twelve hours.Measurement (尺寸)
Units of Length
A Cun (寸) is equivalent to 3 ⅓ cm or around 1 inch.
A Chi (尺) is equivalent to 33 ⅓ cm or around 1 foot. 1 chi = 10 cun.
A Zhang (丈) is equivalent to 3 ⅓ m. 1 zhang = 10 chi.
A Li (里) is equivalent to 500 m. 1 li = 1500 chi.Sources
Immortal Mountain I Immortal Mountain II Wikipedia I Wikipedia II Nichiren Library Novel Updates