A Few Words on Martial Arts Novels
The Happy Heroes was yet another new attempt, as the martial arts novel genre had truly reached a point where change was necessary.
In the minds of many, martial arts novels are not considered literature or art—some don't even see them as proper novels. It's like an earthworm: though it moves, few would cssify it as an animal.
This perception is partly due to bias, but we, as writers, cannot entirely avoid responsibility.
At times, martial arts novels have been written in an absurd and exaggerated manner, filled with excessive bloodshed, while neglecting the one essential element that no novel can do without—human nature.
Human nature is not just about anger, hatred, sorrow, or fear. It also includes love and friendship, generosity and chivalry, humor and compassion. Why, then, do we so often emphasize only its darker side?
Looking back, the modern martial arts novel took shape with Pingjiang Buxiaosheng′s The Strange Heroes of the Jianghu, evolved with Wang Dulu′s Iron Rider, Silver Vase, and Zhu Zhenmu′s The Seven Kill Stele, and underwent another transformation with Jin Yong′s The Legend of the Condor Heroes. Now, more than a decade has passed since then.
During this time, thousands of martial arts novels have been published—so many that they have become repetitive, falling into predictable patterns. Experienced readers can often tell how the story will end just by reading the beginning.
Therefore, if martial arts novelists want to elevate their status, they must change. If they want to keep readers engaged, they must change.
Some say the focus should shift from martial (武) to chivalry (侠). In other words, martial arts novels should highlight more light than darkness and emphasize human nature over bloodshed.
Others argue that such a shift would fundamentally alter the genre, making it no longer "authentic" martial arts fiction—some readers would reject it outright.
Perhaps both viewpoints are valid, which is why we must continue experimenting.
While we may not dare to hope that martial arts novels will one day be considered literature, we at least wish for them to be recognized as novels—equal to any other genre, capable of inspiring, moving, and resonating with readers.
In The Happy Heroes, nearly every short chapter is a self-contained story. Even if read separately, the enjoyment remains intact. And if there is still some enjoyment to be found, then this experiment cannot be considered a failure.
