Kongtong Sect

The Kongtong Sect is a fictional martial arts sect mentioned in several works of wuxia fiction. It is commonly featured as a leading orthodox sect in the wulin (martial artists' community). It is named after the place where it is based, the Kongtong Mountains.

Kongtong Sect
Traditional Chinese崆峒派
Simplified Chinese崆峒派

History

According to legend, the sect was founded by a shepherd boy. The boy met an immortal in the Kongtong Mountains, who taught him extraordinary martial arts. The boy was Mulingzi, the founder of the Kongtong Sect. Mulingzi attained a remarkable level of prowess in martial arts and led Kongtong towards its rise to prominence in the wulin as one of the major orthodox sects alongside Shaolin, Wudang and others.

Mulingzi is known for his most powerful skill, the 'Seven Harms Fist',[1] and his chivalry. Mulingzi hated villainy so he often roamed the jianghu in his younger days as a youxia to help the poor and punish the wicked. In his later years, Mulingzi still retained his fiery temper and strong aversion towards evil. Whenever he saw any Kongtong member engaging in an immoral act, he would severely punish that person. He was especially strict towards his own apprentices.

Mulingzi was dead for a long time when the events in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber take place, and Kongtong is led by the Five Elders.[1] Kongtong joins five other orthodox sects in a campaign against the Ming Cult, leading to the battle at Bright Peak.[1] Xie Xun of the Ming Cult stole the 'Seven Harms Fist' manual from Kongtong and mastered the skill.[1] However, Zhang Wuji, the newly elected leader of the Ming Cult, saves it from destruction at the hands of the six sects. Zhang also heals one of Kongtong's elders, Zong Weixia, during a fight, and inadvertently improves the cult's relations with Kongtong. Zong and some Kongtong members later appear to help Zhang Wuji rescue Xie Xun from Shaolin Monastery, even though Xie is seen as an enemy of Kongtong.

Another account of Kongtong's origins states that the sect was founded by Feihongzi, a former Shaolin monk who later became a recluse in the Kongtong Mountains.

Skills and martial arts

Kongtong's martial arts bear some resemblance to those of Wudang and Kunlun, because they all have their roots in Taoism. Kongtong's main focus in martial arts are to improve physical fitness and increase inner energy strength. A unique feature of Kongtong is that its members do not use traditional martial arts weapons such as swords, sabers and staffs. Instead, Kongtong has its own custom weapons that come in all forms and shapes, but nevertheless as deadly. The weapons' designs make them easily concealable and can be used as secret weapons during combat to achieve an edge over opponents. Some of Kongtong's best known skills include: "Seven Harms Fist" (七傷拳; qī shāng quán), "Soaring Phoenix Hand" (飛鳳手; fēi fèng shǒu), and "Yin and Yang Grind" (陰陽磨; yīn yáng mó).[1]

See also

Notes
  1. Cha, Louis. The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (倚天屠龍記). Ming Pao, 1961.
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