Dugu Qiubai

Dugu Qiubai's family name Dugu (literally "alone") suggests that he was ethnically Xianbei; his given name "Qiubai" literally means "seek defeat". His full name thus roughly translates to "A Loner Who Seeks Defeat", representing his status as a formidable swordsman haunted by solitude as no one can rival him in swordsmanship. == Fictional character biography ==

In The Return of the Condor Heroes This novel is set in the 13th century during the Mongol conquest of China. The protagonist, Yang Guo, encounters the Condor, a giant eagle-like creature which was once Dugu Qiubai's companion. The Condor saves Yang Guo, who has just lost his right arm, and leads him to Dugu Qiubai's Tomb of Swords. There, with the Condor's help, Yang Guo inherits Dugu Qiubai's Heavy Iron Sword and learns how to use it. The use of the Heavy Iron Sword requires much neigong as it emphasises simple swings and movements supported by strong neigong exertion. Although it lacks the fancy and stylish movements of typical swordplay styles, it is extremely effective. When Yang Guo is learning this technique, he realises he can break average swords immediately when he channels his neigong into the sword during duels. The sword's weight also boosts the power of his swings and thrusts. The Smiling, Proud Wanderer This novel features the Nine Swords of Dugu, a set of nine sword stances created by Dugu Qiubai. The protagonist, Linghu Chong, learns it from the reclusive swordsman Feng Qingyang and uses it to counter the Bixie Swordplay () used by the villains. The Deer and the Cauldron This novel is set in 17th-century China during the Qing dynasty. In a brief inner monologue during a conversation with the protagonist Wei Xiaobao, the Shaolin monk Chengguan ponders about two great swordsmen in the past who had fought without following any particular stances: Dugu Qiubai and Linghu Chong. == Nine Swords of Dugu ==

The Nine Swords of Dugu () are nine independent sword stances created to overpower all sorts of weapons, including swords, sabers, spears, clubs, staffs, whips, and arrows, as well as bare-handed attacks. This swordplay has nine stances, each of which is designed to counter a particular style of martial arts. The mastery of all nine forms allows the swordsman to counter a wide range of moves, including those involving the use of weapons. The first core element of the swordplay is speed. The swordsman is trained to quickly predict and identify the weaknesses in the moves executed by an opponent, and then attack those weak points. The second core element of the swordplay is its formless nature and adaptability. Unlike typical martial arts styles described in wuxia stories, the moves of the Nine Swords of Dugu do not follow any fixed sequence or pattern. As such, it is impossible for an opponent to predict and counter correspondingly. The key to mastering the swordplay is to understand the two core elements instead of rigidly memorising all the stances. Once the swordsman has grasped the essence of the swordplay, he can use it in endless forms and variations, hence the swordplay has no fixed sequence or pattern. During combat, the less the swordsman remembers, the less restricted he is by the original stances. He is thus able to customise and adapt the swordplay accordingly. The nine stances are: • General Index Stance () • Sword-defeating Stance () • Saber-defeating Stance () • Spear-defeating Stance () • Whip-defeating Stance () • Chain whip-defeating Stance () • Palm-defeating Stance () • Arrow-defeating Stance () • Qi-defeating Stance () == Tomb of Swords ==

Dugu Qiubai's final resting place is known as the Tomb of Swords. In The Return of the Condor Heroes the Condor leads Yang Guo to the tomb, where Yang Guo reads a statement which Dugu Qiubai carved in stone: Yang Guo also read this at the Tomb of Swords: == Notes ==