I've never read the SSWRB novel, before seeing this adaptation I had only seen Crimson Sabre (which was awful, it seemed like Chengzhi loved Ah Jiu more, plus I got the impression that Ah Jiu was evil). But I heard that in the earlier editions of SSWRB Chengzhi was only in love with Qing Qing. Although Ah Jiu had feelings for Chengzhi he only thought of her as a friend. I liked that idea better... the changes in the latest editions turns Chengzhi into a light version of Zhang Wuji from Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.