The Brave Archer 2

Guo Jing and Yang Kang are sons of rebels. Imperial soldiers kill the rebels, leaving the brothers orphaned. Six skilled pugilists rescue them and separate them, promising to train them separately and reunite later to test their skills.

Guo Jing becomes the student of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, learning their unique martial arts. Yang Kang is taken in as a foster son by a Jurchen prince, setting him on a path of noble privilege. Both youths grow in separate worlds under different tutors.

As adults, Guo Jing travels to a local town and befriends Huang Rong, who is secretly the daughter of Huang Yaoshi. He also inadvertently encounters Yang Kang during a contest to win the hand of Mu Nianci, foreshadowing rivalries and alliances to come.

Yang Kang is drawn toward wealth and noble status and neglects his father. He refuses to acknowledge him, betraying his father. His mother commits suicide in response to the scandal and betrayal.

Huang Rong reveals to Guo Jing that she is a woman, and the two decide to adventure together. This revelation deepens their bond as they set off to pursue their destinies.

Guo Jing learns the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms from the Nine-fingered Beggar Hong Qigong, gaining legendary martial arts prowess. Hong also grooms Huang Rong to become his successor and head of the Beggars' Sect.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong travel to Peach Blossom Island to meet Huang Yaoshi, Huang Rong's father. The island visit introduces tension as Huang Yaoshi disapproves of Guo Jing marrying his daughter.

Exploring the island, Guo Jing meets Zhou Botong, who teaches him advanced martial arts and forces him to read a mysterious manual. The manual is later revealed to be written by Huang Rong's late mother and becomes a pivotal element in the plot.

Ouyang Feng arrives on Peach Blossom Island with his nephew Ouyang Ke and proposes marriage between Ouyang Ke and Huang Rong, introducing a dangerous rival for Huang Rong’s hand.

Hong Qigong arrives and strongly supports Guo Jing’s marriage to Huang Rong, aligning the Beggar’s Sect behind him and solidifying the path to their union.

Huang Yaoshi arranges a contest between Guo Jing and Ouyang Ke to determine who is worthy of his daughter's hand. The test involves reading a manual and reciting it from memory later. Guo Jing, having read the manual earlier, recites it easily and wins.

Huang Yaoshi agrees to Guo Jing’s marriage to Huang Rong after his victory in the contest. Ouyang Feng realizes that the manual is the Nine Yin Manual and covets it for himself, setting the stage for future conflicts.