明河版《連城訣》的封面画为金庸亲自挑选，係用齐白石“葫芦图”。齐白石，湖南湘潭人。湘潭与本书主角狄云的故乡相距不远，因此选用其作，以显示湖南风物。（据明河版图片说明。扉页印章也采用的齐白石“吾草木众人也”）

Dee, the detective serving Chinese empress Wu Zetian, is called upon to investigate a series of strange events in Loyang, including the appearance of mysterious warriors wearing Chiyou ghost masks, foxes that speak human language and the pillar sculptures in the palace coming alive.