Chu Liuxiang - Foxs' Wuxia

Chu Liuxiang Series [楚留香系列] Written by Gu Long Translated by Foxs

About the Author

This is what Wikipedia says about Chu Liuxiang:

Chu Liuxiang is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel series Chu Liuxiang Series (楚留香系列) by Taiwanese writer Gu Long. His given name “Liuxiang” literally means “lingering fragrance”. He steals from the rich to help the poor and upholds justice in the jianghu. He is nicknamed “Dao Shuai” (literally “Chief of Bandits/Thieves”) or more popularly, “Xiang Shuai” (literally “Chief Xiang”). He is intelligent, observant, kind and compassionate.

And here’s what Gu Long himself said about Chu Liuxiang:

Chu Liuxiang, The Man

There are a lot of legends pertaining to Chu Liuxiang in Jianghu. Some legends simply approach myth. Some people say that he knows a method to maintain his countenance, and already reached immortality; some others say that he had ten million embodiments, is able to fly to the sky and escape into the earth. Some people like him, admire him, yet some others hate him to the bones. However, those who had really seen him are but a few; naturally those who could understand him are even less.

What kind of man is he?

His age cannot be considered young anymore, but it cannot be considered old either.

He liked to enjoy life, and he knew how to enjoy life.

He loved wine, but very seldom got drunk. He loved women who dance well, therefore, he always had very high respect toward them.

He loathed evil like his personal foe, but he had never killed anybody.

He detested those who are ruthless in order to get rich; therefore, he often transferred their wealth out. But those who received his favor were so many that it can be considered innumerable.

He had a lot of personal enemies, but his friends were always a lot more than his enemies. But no one knew the depth of his martial art skill; they only knew that in the countless battle in all his life, he has never been defeated.

He liked to take risks; therefore, although he was highly intelligent, he often did stupid things.

He was not a gentleman at all, but he was definitely not a lowly man either.

Most people in Jianghu addressed him as ‘Chu Xiang Shuai’ [Fragrant Commander Chu], but his old friend Hu Tiehua loved to call him ‘old stinky bug’.

Chu Liuxiang was that kind of man!

His life was indeed very colorful, brimming with fantasy saga.

Or perhaps precisely because he was such a person that no matter where he went, he would meet some people who stand out from the masses, he would encounter some remarkable things.

As for stories about him, they are always full of extraordinary excitement.

Chu Liuxiang tales, I only wrote eight volumes; namely, Xuehai Piaoxiang (Fragrance in the Sea of Blood), Da Shamo (The Vast Desert), Huameiniao (The Thrush, i.e. Chinese hwamei bird), Bianfu Chuanqi (Legend of the Bat) and Taohua Chuanqi (Legend of the Peach Blossom), Jieshi Huanhun (Borrowing a Corpse to Return a Soul to Life), Xinyue Chuanqi (Legend of the New Moon), and Wuye Lanhua (The Midnight Orchid). If there is any ninth volume, I am afraid an impostor might have written it.

As for those who falsely adopt the name of ‘Gu Long’ to write Chu Liuxiang story, although I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry, I also appreciate their good intention very much. Because at least they think very highly of the name ‘Gu Long’. At least they, just like me, also feel that this man, Chu Liuxiang, is very interesting.

It’s a pity that their style of writing and they way of handling thing are unavoidable rather uninteresting.

In Chu Liuxiang series, each volume is completely independent.

Foxs’ note: I first published Chu Liuxiang on spcnet.tv/forums on July 20, 2017, concurrent with my current project Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan. As of today (US Labor Day, 2018), only Book 1 is completed. I intend to finish it, but I can’t make any promises. 🙂

UPDATE: April 5, 2023 – Chu Liuxiang Book 4 is complete.

Contents: Book 1 – Fragrance in the Sea of Blood Book 2 – The Great Desert Book 3 – The Thrush Book 4 – Legend of the Bat Book 5 – Phantom Love and Heroic Romance Book 6 – Legend of the Peach Blossom Book 7 – Legend of the New Moon Book 8 – The Midnight Orchid

Book 1 thru 3 are collectively known as The Legend of Chu Liuxiang (楚留香传奇), and Book 4 thru 8 are known as The New Legend of Chu Liuxiang (楚留香新传).

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