Yanzi Li San: The Complete Saga - (2) The Emergence of Li San

(2) The Emergence of Li San

This book is the second volume in the comic series adapted from the novel "The Legend of the Great Thief Yanzi Li San." Yanzi Li San, the legendary figure famous throughout China in the 1920s and 1930s, had a difficult and circuitous life story and experience. As a youth, he became a monk, later returned to secular life to farm, and, suffering oppression from a landlord, ascended Mount Wutai to learn martial arts from a master. There, he perfected his full range of martial skills and the unique "Swallow Three Skimming Waters" technique (a method of extreme agility and leaping). Upon his return, he sought revenge, killing the landlord and his steward, and then traveled far to Beijing in search of his girlfriend, Jin Lan. While performing his unique skills as a street artist in Tianqiao, he offended the local bully and thug, Da Heita (Big Black Pagoda), thus forming an irreconcilable enmity that led to a life-and-death struggle.

It was a bright spring day. Apricot blossoms were like snow, peach blossoms like clouds, birds chirped, and the scent of flowers filled the air.

2. Fourteen-year-old Li San, accompanied by monks from Tiancheng Temple and Shaolin Temple, had placed his Zen master Shi Gandang, who had "returned to the Jade Pond" (a poetic way to describe passing away), into a lotus urn for burial as a stupa. After the ceremony, he had no choice but to descend the mountain and return home.

3. He wore a small grey monk's robe, monastic boots, and socks, carrying a small yellow cloth bag. He begged along the way, tears streaming down his face. He didn't know if he still had any managing relatives in the village, or who would be willing to take him in. The young monk walked and rested, only reaching Luhua Gully by noon.

4. As he entered the village, he was immediately surrounded by many people. Some offered him a bowl of hot water, others a piece of red sorghum wootou (steamed bun). Seeing his plight, the villagers were moved and began discussing his family history.

5. Li San's father, Li Tiesuo, had been crushed to death by a large ox in the mill at the landlord's house on New Year's Eve when Li San was three years old. He died a terrible death, his intestines and stomach gored out by the ox's horns!

6. His mother didn't last many years either; she was defiled by the steward of the "Big-Eyed Thief" (the landlord). With a disgraced face and a heavy heart, she withered away and died before the year was out, leaving behind this poor, unfortunate child.

7. Thankfully, the old Zen Master Shi Gandang, seeing his lonely and helpless state since childhood, and observing his exceptional agility in climbing trees and roofs, took him to Panshan Tiancheng Temple to be a small monk, carrying water, farming, and striking the watchman's gong. Seeing his intelligence and cleverness, the master also taught him boxing and martial arts.

8. This was the first time young Li San had ever heard the reason for his parents' deaths. He stared with wide eyes, unable to cry, only wishing someone would adopt him.