"Xiao is not born into a prominent family or raised by influential masters. He gains his reputation after a series of failures," says Yan.

"But (in the TV series) we respect Gu Long's work and try to maintain the essence and his unique narrative of a martial world," the Shanghai native says.

Gu Long, actually the Taiwan author's pen name, wrote more than 60 novels in a 25-year career which was cut short at the age of 48.

Gu Long's novels, adapted more than 200 times for the screen, are regarded as evergreen favorites for martial arts TV series and movies.

The author, born as Xiong Yaohua, has also had his works translated into French, English and Vietnamese. The Eleventh Son was his first work to be translated into English.

Series' director Guk Gaau-leung, a Hong Kong veteran, says the latest TV adaptation aims to revive the flagging martial arts film genre.