Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by was first serialised in newspapers from 3 September 1963 to 27 May 1966.
The story has been revised twice with the second edition published in October 1978 and the third edition released in November 2002.
The Eight Races of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils would be a more accurate translation of the story's title. The Eight Races refer to the deities in Buddhist cosmology. They are: Deva, Nāga, Yaksha, Asura, Garuda, Kinnara, Gandharva and Mahoraga. These demi-gods and semi-devils are above mortals but are still bound to the by their own desires.
The widely accepted translation of the title collectively refers to the eight races as demi-gods and semi-devils.
The story follows the journeys of three protagonists. The main thematic element of the novel concerns the complex, troubled relationships between characters from various kingdoms and sects, and the inherent bond that underlies the struggles of each. The novel examines the cause and effect that forms and breaks these bonds on five uniquely corresponding levels: self, family, society, ethnic group, and country.
Book 3《破阵子》Breaching The Formation - featuring Qiao Feng
千里茫茫若梦，
The distant vague as a dream,
双眸粲粲如星。
Both eyes gleaming like the stars.
塞上牛羊空许约，
Empty promise of cows and sheep at the frontier outpost,
烛畔鬓云有旧盟。
Past alliance in the illuminated side of the lady's black hair.
莽苍踏雪行，
A journey through the mist walking on snow.
赤手屠熊搏虎。
Slaughtering bear and catching tiger with bear hands,
金戈荡寇鏖兵，
Clearing enemies with a halberd in a fierce battle.
草木残生颅铸铁。
Surviving in the wilderness forging a cast iron head,
虫豸凝寒掌作冰，
The despicable matchmaking with a freezing palm.
挥洒缚豪英。
Spraying water to restrain the gathered heroes.
Poem
Each verse in the poem refers to a key scene or summarises the events in each chapter. This poem uses the , as indicated by the book's title.by the book's title.
Original text:
千里茫茫若梦,
双眸粲粲如星。
塞上牛羊空许约，
烛畔鬓云有旧盟。
莽苍踏雪行，
赤手屠熊搏虎。
金戈荡寇鏖兵，
草木残生颅铸铁。
虫豸凝寒掌作冰，
挥洒缚豪英。
Translation:
The distant vague as a dream,
Both eyes gleaming like the stars.
Empty promise of cows and sheep at the frontier outpost,
Past alliance in the illuminated side of the lady's black hair.
A journey through the mist walking on snow.
Slaughtering bear and catching tiger with bear hands,
Clearing enemies with a halberd in a fierce battle.
Surviving in the wilderness forging a cast iron head,
The despicable matchmaking with a freezing palm.
Spraying water to restrain the gathered heroes.
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DEMI GODS AND SEMI DEVILS BOOK 3 OF 5 (Breaching The Formation) by Jin Yong
Historical FictionBetween the period of 960-1127, Northern Song Dynasty is at war with the Liao dynasty. Three sworn brothers; Xiao Feng, Duan Yu, and Xuzhu join forces to bring what's right and just in the martial world. The three of them each have their own char...
