Chapter 103: The Story of the Bird Shooter

The editor assigned by the magazine to interview Zhang Tan was none other than Bi Wanzhen, whose real name was Xu Dan.

After seeing Xu Dan in person, Zhang Tan’s illusions about her vanished completely. Consequently, during the interview, he no longer tried to be humorous; instead, he answered each question seriously and straightforwardly.

He spoke about various ideas and structures behind the creation of the Four Great Constables series, the process from choosing the subject to publishing the novels, and also hinted at what his next book would be about.

“The story of the Four Great Constables isn’t finished yet. In fact, ‘Shock in the East’ and ‘Meeting in the Capital’ only serve as a prelude to the main story. After reading these two novels, you’ll understand all the basic settings of the Four Great Constables. But I don’t feel eager to continue writing it right now. Having worked on this story since last year, now into this year, I’m a bit tired of it and really need a change of pace.”

“What kind of story will your new book be about?”

“Uh, it will be about a person shooting birds with a bow and arrow.”

“...A story about shooting birds? Is it about someone learning archery?”

“I’ve already outlined a trilogy format. The next book will be the first of the trilogy, a story about how to shoot birds… Okay, I’m joking. The story is actually set during the Southern Song dynasty, around the time when the Mongols were about to invade the Central Plains.”

“Could you reveal a little about the story? The metaphor of shooting birds is really hard to imagine.”

“Alright. It’s mainly about a young man named Guo Jing, who carries the burden of family and national hatred as he ventures into the martial world. With the help of his beloved Huang Rong, he undergoes countless trials and eventually grows into a great hero. A true hero fights for his country and people; a lesser hero fights for friends and neighbors. Guo Jing will be a hero of the greater kind.”

“Wow, hearing you say that, the novel’s theme instantly feels grand and elevated.”

“Heh, actually it’s just a novel. No matter how grand the theme, it’s still a martial arts story with treasure hunts and conspiracies.”

“...Alright, thanks, Zhang Tan, for bringing us so much news about your new book. To end the interview, could you tell us the title?”

“Ok, no problem. The new book is called ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes’… no, wait, ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes’.”

‘Legend of the Condor Heroes’—the first volume of the Condor Trilogy—was Jin Yong’s third martial arts novel, written before he founded the Ming Pao newspaper. Upon its release, it became a sensation, with copies selling out in every alley and street. Soon, it spread throughout Chinese communities worldwide; anyone who enjoys martial arts stories knows ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes.’

Today, in this world, the works of Jin Yong, Gu Long, Huang Yi, and Wen Ruian have all vanished. These precious classics can only be recreated through Zhang Tan’s reluctant efforts.

In his earliest writing plans, Zhang Tan did not intend to tackle Jin Yong’s classics so soon. Among martial arts writers, Jin Yong is undoubtedly a peak figure, ranking just below Jin Yong, Gu Long, Huang Yi, and Wen Ruian for good reason. In terms of storytelling, readability, and the success of adaptations, none of the others compare.

Jin Yong’s classics are the ultimate weapons in the martial arts world.

Publishing them at just sixteen seemed a bit too audacious—a book that instantly makes one a legend is imaginable, but it clashes with Zhang Tan’s “low-key” nature. Yet now, there are ample reasons for Zhang Tan to pick up the pen.

First, the two Four Great Constables novels gave him a solid start, so moving on to create ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes’ won’t feel abrupt.

Second, Han Jingming wrote two mediocre books that nearly sold out and became a nationally recognized young author—Zhang Tan refused to be left behind.

Third, upon reflection, holding onto so many classics didn’t make much sense. In a few years, Zhang Tan planned to pursue directing, no longer typing away at the computer daily. Moreover, with the internet literature era rapidly approaching, the decline of martial arts fiction was inevitable. Though Zhang Tan believed the classics in his hands would never become outdated, he had to consider timeliness.

Fourth, and most crucially, the humiliation he suffered during the visit to the Martial Arts University awakened him to the reality of his insufficient fame and strength.

Since his rebirth, Zhang Tan sought a carefree life—not to bully others, but also refusing to be trampled upon. To achieve such freedom, he had to become formidable. Then, with his words carrying weight, matters like those involving Chen Liangjun, the deputy director of Martial Arts University Press, could be resolved with a single sentence.

Besides, he had already been given a second chance at life—what was there to hesitate about?

In his previous life, he had no real skills, living aimlessly, always timid and afraid to confront others. This time, with talent and knowledge filling his mind, why should he still cower?

Do what he wants, show off when he wants, ignore anyone if he wants—except his parents, he was the greatest!

That’s how a second chance at life should be lived.

After the interview with Bi Wanzhen, Zhang Tan held the outline for ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes’ in his hand, a smile curling his lips: “Old Jin, old Jin, this time we’re shooting a big bird! Confident to live two hundred years, ready to strike three thousand miles across the water!”

All along, Zhang Tan had been a guy full of loser vibes.

This was a personality cultivated over thirty years in his previous life. Though reborn, only his body was new; his personality and thoughts were those of a thirty-year-old man.

But people change. Different environments breed different ideas.

Now, Zhang Tan spent every day on campus. The loser aura had been washed away by campus life. Success in writing had brought him both fame and fortune, giving him confidence wherever he went. Plus, with his hormones in full swing, his thoughts and personality naturally shifted—he grew more confident and assertive.

The playful streak deep within him hadn’t changed, but now it wasn’t frivolity; it was humor, character, or at worst, world-weariness.

As Kong Yiji said, “Is a scholar’s wrongdoing really theft?”

Can a talented person’s loser vibe still be called loser? Wang Sicong, the guy who frets over the entertainment industry and cracks jokes like a total clown, still has crowds following him around shouting “National Husband” and begging him to have children.

With skill and money, others naturally look up to you.

Such is society’s nature.

...

Zhang Tan’s interview was set to be published in the July issue of “Modern Legends: Martial Arts Edition,” coinciding with the conclusion of the serialization of “Meeting in the Capital.” Hence, the assistant recruitment announcement would also wait until after July.

Moreover, Zhang Tan had no immediate plans to start writing ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes.’

He wanted first to handle the publication of the simplified Chinese edition of “Four Great Constables: Meeting in the Capital” and, during the World Cup, take his parents abroad to watch the matches.

His parents had never been abroad and rarely even left their province or city. Their last provincial trip was before Zhang Tan’s birth—back when Zhang Quanshun was serving in the navy on Liaoguang Luda Island with the 37352 unit, and Tan Mingxia carried three-year-old Zhang Yan on a long train and ferry journey across the Bohai Sea to visit.

It was during that visit that Zhang Tan was conceived.

After Zhang Tan was born, Zhang Quanshun was discharged and returned home to work at the town grain station.

Fifteen or sixteen years passed in a flash.

So when Zhang Tan proposed taking them abroad to watch the World Cup, both Zhang Quanshun and his wife were moved. With improved family conditions, why not enjoy a little? A trip abroad would cost at most tens of thousands of yuan. Even without Zhang Tan’s royalties, the revenue from their family internet café was enough to support an occasional overseas trip.

“Then it’s settled!” Tan Mingxia pounded the table and made the decision with determination.