Footnotes
1. The title of a leader of the Göktürk Khaganate.
2. 采补. Literally “harvest and supplement,” this is the practice of draining life energy and qi from a host to strengthen one’s martial arts. Often associated with sexual cultivation.
3. In traditional Chinese medicine, eating a specific organ would strengthen that same organ, so it was believed that eating guts would give one courage.
4. Xu Fu, later conferred the title of “Marquis of Ci” by Emperor Gaozu of Han, was an alchemist for the first emperor of Qin, Qin Shi Huang. Famous for exploring the eastern seas for the elixir of life on Qin Shi Huang’s request.
5. Reflects the Daoist belief that the balance of the Five Phases is important to one’s health.
6. 未央宫, 长乐宫. The Endless Palace and Palace of Lasting Joy were built by Emperor Gaozu of Han. Their historic sites can still be visited today.
7. In 515 C.E., a monk named Faqing led 50,000 men in a revolt, claiming that killing would allow them to reach higher stages of enlightenment.
8. 营卫气血. Nutrition, bodily defenses (includes the immune system), qi, and blood were believed to form the cornerstone of a person’s health.
9. An ancient Korean dynasty.
10. An ancient Vietnamese dynasty.
11. A mountain range located primarily in Tajikistan. The name “Pamir Mountains” didn’t exist in the time of Thousand Autumns, but the translation uses the term for simplicity’s sake.
12. Kingdoms that made up ancient Korea. “Goguryeo” itself became the namesake for “Korea.”
13. 睡穴. An acupoint that can induce sleep in the victim when struck.
14. 双修. Sometimes translated as dual cultivation, this is a cultivation practice that uses sex be-tween participants to improve cultivation prowess. Can also be used as a simple euphemism for sex.
15. A famous ancient Chinese poem usually attributed to Qu Yuan, dating back to the Warring States period.
16. 坐化. Refers to the practice of Buddhist monks observing asceticism to the point of death. The monk’s body will begin mummifying even while alive, and they eventually pass away in a seated position.
17. 走火入魔. Refers to a situation where one’s cultivation enters a dangerous, highly volatile state. Heavily damaging to the body and can be fatal.
18. 一尺雪. A white variant of the Chinese peony. In ancient times, peonies were gifted to lovers much like roses are today.
19. 丹田. Refers to the lower abdomen, which houses the martial artist’s foundations and where true qi is believed to be refined.
20. From “Kushu Fu,” written by poet and politician Yu Xin of Northern Zhou.
21. 师侄. Literally “martial nephew,” though it can be used for women as well. For the disciple of someone’s martial sibling.
22. As Shanhe Tongbei means “the mountains and rivers grieve in tandem,” it’s implied that this poem is the namesake of Shen Qiao’s sword.
23. 师. Literally “master.” Because Shiwu hasn’t officially accepted Shen Qiao as his master, he uses this as a suffix to show his respect instead.
24. 师叔祖. Literally “martial great uncle.” For the martial sibling of your master’s master.
25. Another word for the yin-yang symbol.
26. 师祖. Literally “martial grandfather.” For addressing your master’s master.