No one arguably has had such an extensive and profound impact on the Chinese-speaking world as Louis Cha Leung-yung, known by his nom de plume Jin Yong. From popular culture to academic studies, from the press to politics, Cha has influenced generations in different spheres. That is why tributes continue to pour in after the 94-year-old died in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

To say that Cha was the most prominent contemporary Chinese writer is by no means an overstatement. Not only did he epitomise the literary genre of wuxia, an imaginary world of ancient Chinese heroes well-versed in martial arts, his novels were read by both the man in the street and state leaders, including Deng Xiaoping, with hundreds of millions of copies sold. They transcend all boundaries, uniting both local and overseas Chinese communities. Starting as a modest serial in a local evening newspaper in the 1950s, Cha’s novels became immensely popular, so much so that they spawned films, TV and radio dramas, comics, stamps and video games. They even earned a place in the city’s heritage museum and became a subject of study. Admittedly, his stories may not have been readily appreciated by non-Chinese as they were often in a classical literary style intertwined with complex historical, cultural and religious references, but that did not deter keen publishers from translating some titles into English.

Cha’s personal life was just as legendary as the protagonists he created. Born into a prominent family in Hangzhou, he became a journalist and was dispatched to Hong Kong, where he co-founded the local Chinese language newspaper Ming Pao Daily News. He temporarily left the city following attacks during the 1967 riots. His three marriages, degrees, literary awards and political appointments made him a much talked about figure.