The Super Swordlady (1986)

The Super Swordlady 1986 / 越女劍 1986 / Yue Nü Jian , Yut Neui Gim , 越女剑

The story is set in the Spring and Autumn period against the backdrop of the conflict between the states of Wu and Yue in southern China. A team of swordsmen from Wu defeats the best swordsmen of Yue. Fan Li, a Yue royal adviser, discovers A Qing, a young shepherdess, who defeats the Wu swordsmen with ease. It is revealed that A Qing learnt her skills while playing mock sword duels with a white gibbon. Fan Li allows A Qing to train the soldiers of Yue in swordsmanship. A Qing gradually falls in love with Fan Li. Goujian of Yue finally defeats his rival, Fuchai of Wu, after enduring hardship and humiliation. Fan Li is reunited with his lover Xi Shi, who was sent as a concubine to Fuchai. A Qing intends to kill Xi Shi but is taken aback by Xi Shi's beauty. A Qing accidentally hurts Xi Shi with her inner energy while thrusting her sword towards Xi Shi, even though the blade does not touch Xi Shi at all. She clutches her bosom in pain, and the expression on her face is described as ‟so beautiful that it will take away the soul of any man who looks upon her‟. This incident gave rise to the Chinese phrase ‟Xizi clutching her bosom‟, which refers to a woman's beauty being enhanced when she is in a state of distress or agony. (Source: Wikipedia) ~~ Adapted from the novel ‟Sword of the Yue Maiden‟ (越女劍) by Jin Yong (金庸).