A Deadly Secret

A Deadly Secret

Cover of a 1985 edition of the novel.
Author	Jin Yong
Original title	連城訣
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Chinese
Genre	Wuxia
Publisher	Ming Pao, Southeast Asia Weekly
Publication date	1963
Media type	Print

A Deadly Secret, also translated as Requiem of Ling Sing and Secret of the Linked Cities, is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It was first published in the magazine Southeast Asia Weekly (東南亞周刊) and the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao in 1963. Its original Chinese title was Su Xin Jian before Jin Yong changed it to Lian Cheng Jue. The story revolves around the adventures of the protagonist Di Yun, an ordinary young peasant, who is imprisoned after being framed. In his quest for vengeance, he accidentally acquires the Liancheng Swordplay manual (連城劍谱), an ancient artefact not only prized for the skills detailed inside, but also for containing a secret leading to a treasure.

The plot follows the experiences of the protagonist Di Yun, a simple young peasant from Xiangxi. He lives in the countryside for several years together with his martial arts teacher, Qi Zhangfa, and Qi's daughter, Qi Fang, who is his childhood sweetheart. One day, the three of them travel to the city to attend the birthday party of Wan Zhenshan, Qi Zhangfa's senior from the same martial arts sect. Di Yun is framed for larceny and attempted rape, which results in him being arrested and imprisoned.

Qi Zhangfa disappears mysteriously when Di Yun needs his help. Wan Zhenshan's son, Wan Gui, bribes the magistrate to hand a heavy sentence to Di Yun to exaggerate the seriousness of Di's "crimes". At the same time, in order to win Qi Fang's affection, he hypocritically plays the role of a good man by pretending to help Di Yun. Qi Fang becomes disappointed with Di Yun after believing that he is indeed guilty and gives up on him. With no one else to turn to, she eventually marries Wan Gui.

Di Yun suffers in prison and is continuously harassed by Ding Dian, a fellow raving inmate who accuses him of being a spy and subjects him to constant beatings. However, after Di Yun attempts suicide, Ding Dian is convinced that he is not a spy and befriends him. Ding Dian tells Di Yun how he obtained from Mei Niansheng the manual for the skill "Liancheng Swordplay", and how he became the target of several martial artists after getting the manual. Ding Dian also teaches Di Yun a powerful inner energy skill, which later proves to be a blessing for Di. Di Yun also learns from Ding Dian about the dirty secrets of Qi Zhangfa and his fellows – of how they murdered their teacher, Mei Niansheng, to seize control of the Liancheng Swordplay manual.

Di Yun and Ding Dian manage to break out from the prison but Ding is fatally poisoned by Ling Tuisi, a heartless magistrate who is also the father of Ding's deceased lover. Di Yun returns to Qi Fang's house and sees that Qi has bore Wan Gui a daughter nicknamed "Kongxincai" – his childhood nickname. Feeling depressed and emotionally hurt, he leaves and arrives at a temple, where he encounters an evil cannibalistic monk, Baoxiang, whom he outwits and kills. He dons Baoxiang's robes and is mistaken by the Tibetan Blood Saber Sect's lascivious leader, Grandmaster Xuedao, as a grand-apprentice. Xuedao protects Di Yun from attacks by self-proclaimed orthodox martial arts sects, captures a maiden Shui Sheng, and holds her hostage while they flee from the attackers.