The Tiger Killers: Part Two of The Marshes of Mount Liang

The second volume of a new translation of the Chinese classical novel generally known as The Water Margin is titled The Tiger Killers. Like the first volume, The Broken Seals, it follows the fortunes of various outlaw heroes as they move through a world of treacherous officials, jealous toadies, bullying gaolers, hired assassins, foolhardy generals, and cannibalistic innkeepers. This volume contains some of the most famous scenes in the novel, starting with the episode in which Wu Song gets drunk at the tavern, ascends the pass in late evening, and kills a notorious man-eating tiger with his bare hands. His subsequent encounter with his midget brother's flirtatious wife, Jinlian or Golden Lotus, and her vain attempt to seduce him lead into a tale of adultery, callous murder, and bloody vengeance.

The second half of the book is concerned with Song Jiang's attempts to serve out his prison sentence honourably and avoid becoming an outlaw, until he is unjustly condemned to death for a misconstrued poem. Towards the end of this volume, readers are introduced to the violent Li Kui, variously known as Iron Ox or Black Whirlwind, who also turns out to have a way with tigers. This volume consists of chapters 23 to 43 of the full 120-chapter version of the novel by Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong, and it is the first English translation based on this version.

The Broken Seals, the first volume of the new translation, follows the fortunes of various outlaw heroes as they navigate a world fraught with treacherous officials, jealous toadies, bullying gaolers, hired assassins, foolhardy generals, and cannibalistic innkeepers. The second volume, The Tiger Killers, continues this journey, presenting some of the most renowned scenes from the classical Chinese novel. The volume begins with the captivating episode in which Wu Song, after getting drunk at a tavern, ascends a pass in the late evening and single-handedly kills a notorious man-eating tiger. This act of bravery is followed by Wu Song's encounter with his midget brother's seductive wife, Jinlian, leading to a tale of adultery, callous murder, and bloody vengeance.

The second half of the book delves into Song Jiang's attempts to serve his prison sentence with honor and avoid becoming an outlaw, until he is unjustly condemned to death for a misinterpreted poem. Towards the conclusion of The Tiger Killers, readers are introduced to the violent Li Kui, known by the monikers Iron Ox and Black Whirlwind, who also demonstrates an exceptional ability to handle tigers. This volume, comprising chapters 23 to 43 of the full 120-chapter version of the novel by Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong, marks the first English translation based on this particular iteration.

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