It's not awkward word choice—it captures something profound about martial lineages andshifu-disciple inheritance.

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I explore wuxia novels, Chinese culture, history, and the philosophy behind famous works such as Jin Yong's.

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I've translated Jin Yong's full preface with all the fascinating details about each being, their characteristics, and the Buddhist philosophy behind them.

Read it here: wuxiasociety.com/demi-gods-and-semi-devils-title-explanation

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The title signals this is fantasy with depth—a story about flawed beings caught between mortal and divine, struggling with desires they can't escape.

It's Jin Yong at his most philosophical, blending wuxia action with Buddhist contemplation.

Even divine beings experience "greed, hatred, and delusion" (the three poisons of Buddhism).

Even devas die when their time comes, showing "Five Signs of Decay”—their greatest sorrow.

All beings suffer. All seek enlightenment.

Here's the brilliant part:

Jin Yong uses these beings as symbols for his mortal characters. The novel has no actual supernatural spirits—just humans with extraordinary martial arts abilities who struggle with the same emotions as these "non-human" beings.

Garudas have a tragic end: after a lifetime eating dragons, the accumulated venom poisons them.

Unable to feed, they soar seven times before landing atop a mountain to die. Their bodies combust from the poison, leaving only hearts transformed into lapis lazuli.

The Asuras are wild---they're powerful beings with a violent, stubborn temperament.

When the Buddha taught "Four Foundations of Mindfulness," the Asura King perversely taught "Five Foundations" just to be contrary.

Ultimate "I refuse to accept fate" energy.

Asuras (阿修罗) - Jealous power-seekers who constantly war with gods
Garudas (迦楼罗) - Massive birds who feast on dragons
Kinnaras (紧那罗) - "Human yet not human" dancers
Mahoragas (摩睺罗伽) - Python deities with human bodies and serpent heads

Jin Yong wrote a preface explaining the eight races:

Devas (天) - Heavenly gods who still die
Nāgas (龙) - Dragon deities
Yakshas (夜叉) - Swift warrior spirits
Gandharvas (乾闼婆) - Celestial musicians who feed on fragrances

The Chinese title literally means "Eight Legions of Deva and Nāga"

These are eight types of supernatural beings from Buddhist scriptures who attended the Buddha's teachings—powerful, yet still trapped by mortal emotions and suffering.