THE SMILING PROUD WANDERER by Jin Yong
Legend has it that there is a martial arts manuscript Bixie Sword Manual in the house of Lin family, which when learned will give the person god-like speed and power. Thus, whoever manages to master it, will become the conqueror of the martial world. Many people lusted after this manuscript and caused a massacre to the Lin family, leaving the son; Lin Pingzhi, to become an orphan. He takes refuge in Mount Hua Sect. Yue Buqun, a respectable leader of Mount Hua Sect accepts him as an apprentice.
Linghu Chong, an orphaned, happy-go-lucky but honorable swordsman who has a penchant for alcoholic drinks, is a senior apprentice of Yue Buqun. His relationship with Yue Lingshan; Yue Buqun's daughter has to end after she falls in love with Lin Pingzhi. Later on, Linghu Chong's friendships with people from unorthodox sects makes him being expelled from Mount Hua Sect.
Linghu Chong sinks into despair as he is now an outcast of the orthodox side of the martial world. But on his adventurous journey his martial art improves a lot and he makes friends with many people both from orthodox and unorthodox sects. He also manages to settle some problems in some sects. He even finds a new love in Ren Yingying, daughter of unorthodox Sun Moon Holy Cult's leader.
Yue Buqun, Lin Pingzhi, and Ren Yingying's father all turns out want to conquer the martial world at any cost and by any means... even by castrating themselves...
Linghu Chong and Ren Yingying help to bring peace in a chaos caused by the lust for Bixie Swordplay.
