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Truong Tam Phong is the greatest martial arts master, the one who founded the Vo Dang sect that dominated the world, but perhaps his abilities have been exaggerated by many.
As you may know, readers of Jin Yong's novels often regard Truong Tam Phong as one of the strongest characters in his works. Some people tend to rely on emotionally charged analyses online, not necessarily stated by Jin Yong himself, believing that Truong Tam Phong is unmatched. Indeed, Truong Tam Phong is the greatest martial arts master, the one who founded the Vo Dang sect that dominated the world, but perhaps his abilities have been exaggerated by many.
Failure to Discern Cương Tướng's Background
Cuong Tuong was originally a subordinate of Trieu Man, daring to come forward to 'assassinate' Truong Tam Phong. He and A Nhi and A Tam all come from the Thieu Lam Tay Vuc sect, founded by their master Hoa Cong Dau Da.
Cương Tướng vốn là thuộc hạ của Triệu Mẫn, liều mình tới "đánh bom cảm tử" Trương Tam Phong. Gã cùng với A Nhị và A Tam đều xuất thân từ phái Thiếu Lâm Tây Vực, do tổ sư Hỏa Công Đầu Đà khai phá.
Kim Dung depicts the situation as follows: 'Du Dai Nam knows that his master is becoming more and more profound. Just by hearing the footsteps of Khong Tuong, he immediately recognizes the martial arts sect, the depth of skill.' However, despite Khong Tuong practicing Thieu Lam's internal skills, he belongs to Thieu Lam Tay Vuc, which is different from the main Thieu Lam. In the past, Hoa Cong Dau Da was a kitchen fire cook in the Thieu Lam Temple. Although his martial arts were high, they were all learned secretly, without the guidance of a master. Even though the time was long, how could he have learned all of the Thieu Lam sect to such an extent.'
'For example, the group of Duong Tieu, An Thien Chinh may make mistakes, but if Truong Tam Phong, bearing the title of the greatest martial arts master, confuses between Thieu Lam Tay Vuc and the main Thieu Lam, it is indeed unsatisfactory for the fans.'
Failing to Recognize Truong Vo Ky's Talent
Kim Dung describes Truong Vo Ky as having much deeper internal skills than Khong Tuong, returning from reality to illusion. Regardless of gestures, eyes, steps, voice - everything does not reveal any suspicion to Truong Tam Phong.
'That's what they say, but clearly Truong Vo Ky is not a skilled single-handed person like Tinh - Qua, how can there be no flaws. Truong Tam Phong stood right next to him but did not feel any doubt, it's strange. Especially when their martial arts both originate from the Nine Yang Divine Technique. Knowing every tree, every flower, every house, every scene, but clearly the ability to see through people's intentions of Ba Gio is completely average.'
Fearing A Tam's Unrivaled Opponent
Humility is admirable, but Truong Tam Phong's humility towards A Tam twice is indeed peculiar, fearing the subordinate of Trieu Man. Knowing that Truong Tam Phong is seriously injured, yet as the greatest martial arts master, one of the three characters dubbed as the supreme master in Jin Yong's novels, thinking like that is truly losing all prestige.
Truong Tam Phong sees A Tam and thinks he is seriously injured, but if he were to deploy the supreme martial arts technique 'di hu nguc thuc' in the Thai Cuc Quyen style that he just invented, victory is not guaranteed, but as for A Nhi, it's difficult.
The first time can be understood, but the second time? A Tam holds his breath, his eyes fixedly on Truong Tam Phong's face, silently circulating internal energy, the bones throughout his body moving with a creaking sound, emitting continuous cracking noises, which is the Diamond Demon Subduing Divine Skill. Truong Tam Phong is also shocked: 'This person's background is not small, I wonder if my Thai Cuc Quyen can deal with him.' Initially not knowing A Tam, only inferior to A Nhi, later seeing A Tam's prowess, he becomes afraid of A Tam, truly unsatisfactory.
Commentary on Quach Tinh's Martial Skills
When Truong Tam Phong meets Quach Tinh, Quach Tinh is only in his teens, never having any dealings with the martial world, the two only meet once on the peak of Hoa Son. There, only Duong Qua shows his talent. Why does Truong Tam Phong know that Quach Tinh's martial arts are higher than his own, and cannot understand 'the foolish lad's' martial arts. To be blunt, the person with the highest martial arts Truong Tam Phong encounters is Master Lao Ngoan Dong Chu Ba Thong.
Commentary on Truong Vo Ky's Internal Power
At Mount Vo Dang, the martial arts master disguised as a junior disciple to transmit energy to Truong Tam Phong. Truong Tam Phong felt the gentle and harmonious flow of qi entering his body, layer upon layer, endlessly, never ceasing.
He looked in awe at Truong Vo Ky, the youth's eyes devoid of brilliance, only concealing a hint of purity and gentleness, evidently reaching the pinnacle. In his lifetime, he had only encountered a few such as Great Master Giac Vien, Quach Tinh, and Duong Qua, yet currently, apart from himself, there could be no second person found. This judgment is truly flawed and unfounded. He was just a twelve or thirteen-year-old child before, still clumsily facing Doan Khac Tay, always needing to consult his master whenever he lost. How could he know the internal power of Quach Tinh - Duong Qua? Not to mention, Great Master Nhat Dang has not been mentioned.
Misjudging A Nhi's Strength
After defeating A Tam, Truong Vo Ky faced A Nhi, noticing that both of their styles were of the same type, but A Nhi's was somewhat more steady. He then attempted to use various techniques from the Thai Cuc Quyen to push him off balance, but unexpectedly, this person's internal power was too strong, pulling him back a step. He then resorted to the Nine Yang Divine Technique, using a firm approach against firmness.
Truong Tam Phong muttered to himself: 'This brute-force style won't work. Whoever is stronger will win, completely contrary to the principles of Thai Cuc. If I continue fighting like this, the junior will be seriously injured.' Truong Tam Phong's perception must have been keen to see A Nhi's stronger internal power than Vo Ky's, despite having witnessed his nephew's internal strength earlier. It's truly an unacceptable mistake!
In strategy games, Truong Tam Phong often serves as a support general
Despite being one of the most iconic characters in Jin Yong's novels, in strategy games, it's a fact that Truong Tam Phong often serves as a support general or tanker rather than possessing damage-dealing capabilities.
Perhaps due to his overall harmony, Truong Tam Phong's martial arts all emphasize flexibility and understanding the principles of heaven and earth. It's a philosophy that no martial art has been able to achieve until now. When Jin Yong created Truong Tam Phong and claimed that he was the one who possessed the highest martial arts skills with the intention of building a grand monument in martial arts, his martial arts realm was elevated to the highest level, no longer simply a matter of winning or losing based on strength, or dominating the martial arts world.
In The New Heaven Sword and the Dragon Sabre, Truong Tam Phong also plays a versatile support role with the 'max buff' skill set for teammates, in line with the principles of Thai Cuc. This includes the Super Powerful Tai Chi Divine Skill, Yin Yang Exchange Technique which restores up to 20% of teammates' internal energy, Pure Yang Infinite Energy Skill which replenishes abundant health, and the Celestial Horse Soaring in the Sky skill which buffs damage resistance for surrounding teammates.
Although many fans might be disappointed not to see Truong Tam Phong in the role of 'ruling the martial arts world', dominating the meta, perhaps this is the most accurate depiction according to what Truong Tam Phong is described as and what Jin Yong aimed for. The past is a remnant, the future is an illusion - perhaps not just used to describe martial arts.
Explore the strength of Truong Tam Phong and other major characters in Jin Yong's novels at: https://tanminhchuvn.onelink.me/Dbn7/Mytour
