The following is a list of characters from Liang Yusheng

Liang Yusheng

Chen Wentong , better known by his pen name Liang Yusheng , is a Chinese writer of wuxia novels.He is credited as the pioneer of the "new school" wuxia genre in the 20th century, as well as one of the three most esteemed wuxia writers in the second half of the 20th century .-Biography:Chen was...

's wuxia

Wuxia

Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...

novel Qijian Xia Tianshan. Some of these characters also appear in Baifa Monü Zhuan and Saiwai Qixia Zhuan

Saiwai Qixia Zhuan

Saiwai Qixia Zhuan is a wuxia novel by Liang Yusheng. It was first published in China in January 1984. The novel is closely related to another of Liang's works, Qijian Xia Tianshan and Baifa Monü Zhuan.-Plot:...

.

Mount Heaven Sect (天山派)

• Ling Weifeng (凌未風) - nicknamed "Holy Light of Mount Heaven" (天山神芒) after his famous anqi (projectile weapon). Years ago, he was tricked into revealing the identities of the anti-Qing rebels. He attempted suicide in guilt after being slapped and accused by Liu Yufang, but refrained from doing so upon encountering the dying Yang Yuncong. He follows Yang Yuncong's instructions and brings Yang's orphaned daughter to Reverend Huiming. He becomes Huiming's third disciple and emerges as a formidable swordsman years later. However, he has a strong tendency to suffer from seizures when exposed to the cold. This becomes his fatal weakness, as he experiences a sudden seizure during a fight with Chu Zhaonan, when he is just about to kill Chu. Chu Zhaonan turns the tables on him and captures him, imprisoning him in a labyrinth in Tibet
  Tibet
  Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
  
  . Chu Zhaonan also cuts off his right thumb, preventing him from using a sword again. He survives his ordeal and continues his heroic quest as a Mount Heaven swordsman dedicated to upholding justice and helping the poor.

• Yilan Zhu (易蘭珠) - Yang Yuncong and Nalan Minghui's daughter. She was brought to Mount Heaven
  Tian Shan
  The Tian Shan , also spelled Tien Shan, is a large mountain system located in Central Asia. The highest peak in the Tian Shan is Victory Peak , ....
  
   by Ling Weifeng, and raised and tutored in martial arts by him and Reverend Huiming. She assassinates Prince Dodo to avenge her father, but is captured and imprisoned. She becomes Zhang Huazhao's love interest and marries him eventually.

• Chu Zhaonan (楚昭南) - the second student of Reverend Huiming. He inherits the Soaring Dragon Sword (游龍劍). He succumbs to temptations of fame and glory, and becomes a servant of Wu Sangui. He betrays Wu Sangui later and defects to serve the Kangxi Emperor, who appoints him as chief of the imperial guards. He is defeated by Yilan Zhu in the final battle in the Tibetan labyrinth and sustains serious injuries, including the loss of his left arm. He chooses to commit suicide to avoid humiliation.

• Yang Yuncong (楊雲驄) - the most senior student of Huiming. He inherits the Jade Breaking Sword (斷玉劍). He has a secret affair with Nalan Minghui, who bore him a daughter. However, he cannot be together with Nalan Minghui as she is forced to marry Prince Dodo. He is severely injured by Niuhuru and dies from his wounds after killing his foe. He entrusts his infant daughter to Ling Weifeng before his death.

• Reverend Huiming (晦明禪師) - a reclusive monk residing on Mount Heaven. Previously known as Yue Mingke (岳明珂) in Baifa Monü Zhuan, he is considered a grandmaster of martial arts and one of the most powerful pugilists of his time. He dies in peace at the age of 112.

• Wuxing (悟性) - a monk who serves as Huiming's personal assistant

Gui Zhongming and associates

• Gui Zhongming (桂仲明) - son of Shi Tiancheng. He is adopted by Gui Tianlan and takes on his stepfather's surname. He is drawn into the conflict between his father and stepfather, and goes berserk after thinking that he had killed his father in his rage. He loses memory of his past and starts sleepwalking, during which he attacks people without knowing. He meets Mao Wanlian and Fu Qingzhu, who help to cure him of his mental illness and reunite him with his family. He falls in love with Mao Wanlian and becomes extremely protective of her. Despite his formidable prowess in swordplay and anqi, he is reckless, nonchalant, easily agitated, and bereft of social etiquette. He becomes the founder of the northern branch of the Wudang Sect
  Wudang Sect
  The Wudang Sect is a fictional Chinese martial arts sect featured in several works of wuxia fiction. It is one of the most famous and recognised orthodox and righteous sects in the jianghu. Its home base is in the Wudang Mountains...
  
  .

• Gui Tianlan (桂天瀾) - the senior student of Ye Yunsun. He brings Shi Tiancheng's family with him to join Zhang Xianzhong
  Zhang Xianzhong
  Zhang Xianzhong or Chang Hsien-chung , nicknamed Yellow Tiger, was a Chinese rebel leader who conquered Sichuan Province in the middle of the 17th century. Upon capturing it, he declared himself emperor of the Daxi Dynasty .According to Chinese chronicles, many scholars rejected that claim, so he...
  
  's forces, and settles at Jiange
  Jiange County
  Jiange County is a county of Sichuan Province, China. It is under the administration of Guangyuan city....
  
   after Sichuan falls to the Qing army. Believing that Shi Tiancheng had died, he marries Shi's wife and adopts Shi's children. He is killed in a fight against Shi Tiancheng and four imperial guards.

• Shi Daniang (石大娘) - Ye Yunsun's daughter. She marries Shi Tiancheng and bears him Zhongming and Zhujun. After her husband's apparent death, she marries Gui Tianlan, who helps to take care of her and her children. She and Gui Tianlan maintain a sibling-like relationship even though they are a married couple in name. She is well-versed in the "Five Birds Swordplay" (五禽劍法) and imparts this skill to her son.

• Shi Zhujun (石竹君) - Gui Zhongming's younger sister

• Ye Yunsun (葉雲蓀) - Gui Zhongming's maternal grandfather. He treated Gui Tianlan and Shi Tiancheng like his sons and tutored them in martial arts.

• Yu Zhong (于中) - Shi Tiancheng's student. He saved his teacher when the latter attempted suicide by leaping off a cliff.

Zhongnan Sect (終南派) and associates

• Fu Qingzhu (傅青主) - a eccentric master swordsman and physician. He is renowned for his mastery of the "Wuji Swordplay" (無極劍法).

• Mao Wanlian (冒浣蓮) - Mao Pijiang and Dong Xiaowan's daughter. She was raised and tutored in martial arts by Fu Qingzhu. She meets Gui Zhongming, who was suffering from hallucinations then, and helps him recover from his mental illness and reunite him with his family. Gui Zhongming falls in love with her and becomes extremely protective of her. Just like her parents, she is talented in poetry and literary arts. She develops a close relationship with Nalan Rongruo
  Nalan Xingde
  Nalan Xingde was a Chinese poet active during the Qing Dynasty, famous for his ci poetry. He was actually born Nalan Chengde , but had to change his name when the Kangxi Emperor named Yinreng, whose birth name also had the character cheng , the crown prince...
  
   because of their common interest. She marries Gui Zhongming eventually.

• Shan Sinan (單思南) - Fu Qingzhu's senior and Liu Jingyi's close friend. He becomes Liu Yufang's godfather and mentors her in swordplay.

Wu family

• Wu Yuanying (武元英) - master of the Wu Family Manor and a close friend of Fu Qingzhu. He offers shelter to the rebels in his residence.

• Wu Chenghua (武成化) - Wu Yuanying's son

White Haired Demoness and associates

• White Haired Demoness (白髮魔女) - lover of Zhuo Yihang in Baifa Monü Zhuan. She was heartbroken after misbelieving that Zhuo Yihang had betrayed her love and her hair turned white overnight. She dies at the age of 100, and her corpse is last seen lying beside the shrunken remains of Zhuo Yihang.

• Hamaya (哈瑪雅) - nicknamed "Flying Red Sash" (飛紅巾). She is a disciple of the White Haired Demoness and a former love rival of Nalan Minghui in Saiwai Qixia Zhuan
  Saiwai Qixia Zhuan
  Saiwai Qixia Zhuan is a wuxia novel by Liang Yusheng. It was first published in China in January 1984. The novel is closely related to another of Liang's works, Qijian Xia Tianshan and Baifa Monü Zhuan.-Plot:...
  
  . Her hair turned white overnight after Yang Yuncong rejected her. She resolves her rivalry with Nalan Minghui and saves Yilan Zhu from death. She transfers her love for Yang Yuncong to Yilan Zhu and treats the latter like her daughter. She returns to her former position as leader of the tribal people of Xinjiang
  Xinjiang
  Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
  
   at the end of the novel.

• Wu Qiongyao (武瓊瑤) - Wu Yuanying's daughter. By chance, she encounters the White Haired Demoness, who likes her and accepts her as a disciple. Despite studying martial arts only for three years under the Demoness' tutelage, she emerges as a powerful swordswoman. She marries Li Siyong eventually and bears him a son and a daughter. She settles on Mount Heaven with her children after her husband's death.

Wudang Sect (武當派)

• Xin Longzi (辛龍子) - the first disciple of Zhuo Yihang. Even though he started learning from Zhuo Yihang before Shi Tiancheng, he is younger than Shi, hence his teacher wanted him to address Shi as his senior. While in Tibet once, he saw Han Zhibang practicing martial arts from the Sinew-changing Classic
  Yì Jin Jing
  The Yijin Jing is a Qigong manual containing a series of exercises, coordinated with specific breathing and mental concentration, said to enhance physical health dramatically when practiced consistently. In the modern day there are many translations and distinct sets of exercises all said to be...
  
  , and immediately realized that the manual contained the missing moves to his teacher's "Bodhidharma Swordplay". He seizes the manual from Han through trickery and masters the skills within it, becoming even more powerful than before. He desires to possess a precious sword of his own and is tricked by Chu Zhaonan into helping the villains. Chu Zhaonan attempts to kill him to seize his manual but he survives and is saved by Ling Weifeng. He is turned back to the path of goodness by Ling Weifeng and decides to follow his benefactor. He engages Qi Zhenjun in a prolonged duel and inflicts the killing blow on Qi after the latter is severely injured by Shi Tiancheng. However, he suffers from over exhaustion and dies shortly after the fight.

• Shi Tiancheng (石天成) - Gui Tianlan's junior. He leaves to fetch his relatives during the Qing invasion of Sichuan and entrusts his family to Gui Tianlan's care. He is thought to be dead, so Gui Tianlan marries his wife and adopts his children. When he returns later, he thought that Gui Tianlan had betrayed him by taking away his family from him. He is accepted by Zhuo Yihang as a disciple, despite already having a background in other forms of martial arts. He returns to confront Gui Tianlan later and causes the latter to die. He regrets upon learning the truth from his wife after Gui Tianlan's death. He promises that the firstborn child of his son shall bear Gui Tianlan's surname, as a form of compensation to his late senior. He helps Xin Longzi in the fight against Qi Zhenjun, managing to inflict severe wounds on Qi. However, he is also mortally wounded and dies from his injuries later.

• Zhuo Yihang (卓一航) - lover of the White Haired Demoness and former leader of the Wudang Sect in Baifa Monü Zhuan. He is already dead when the events of the novel take place. He finally obtains the flowers that can turn his lover's white hair black again, but does not live to pass them to her personally. Before his death, he tells Xin Longzi to use chemical means to reduce the size of his body, in order to prevent his enemies from identifying and destroying his remains. His skeleton is last seen lying beside the corpse of the White Haired Demoness.

• Xuanzhen (玄貞) - a disciple of Taoist Huangye and current leader of the Wudang Sect. He encounters Wu Qiongyao and duels with her when she teases him about his skills. He is unable to defeat Wu Qiongyao and feels angry and ashamed. At the end of the novel, he gives up his position as leader of Wudang to Gui Zhongming after seeing that Gui had mastered their sect's long-lost "Bodhidharma Swordplay".

• He Lühua (何綠華) - a character from Baifa Monü Zhuan. Although she is nearing the age of 50 in the novel's setting, she is described to be still looking youthful. She accompanies Xuanzhen on the journey to Xinjiang.

• He Lühua's husband - his name is not mentioned in the novel. He accompanies his wife and Xuanzhen to Xinjiang.

• Xuanzhen's juniors - they accompany Xuanzhen to Xinjiang
  • Xuantong (玄通)
  • Xuanjue (玄覺)

Heaven and Earth Society (天地會)

• Han Zhibang (韓志邦) - initially a stable keeper, he became the leader of the anti-Qing Heaven and Earth Society. He passes the leadership position to Liu Yufang later. He has a secret crush on Liu Yufang, but does not dare to admit it and decides to leave after seeing that she has affections for Ling Weifeng. He finds the Sinew-changing Classic
  Yì Jin Jing
  The Yijin Jing is a Qigong manual containing a series of exercises, coordinated with specific breathing and mental concentration, said to enhance physical health dramatically when practiced consistently. In the modern day there are many translations and distinct sets of exercises all said to be...
  
  and masters an incomplete set of the skills, which temporarily boosts his prowess in martial arts. He helps the lamas retrieve the stolen śarīras and earns their respect in return. He uses his close relations with the Tibetans to help the rebels on a few occasions. He encounters the dying Xin Longzi later and obliges to Xin's final request to join the Wudang Sect. He receives back the Sinew-changing Classic and passes his knowledge of the "Bodhidharma Swordplay" to Gui Zhongming later. He willingly sacrifices himself to save Ling Weifeng, by secretly switching places with Ling. He attempts to ambush Chu Zhaonan when the latter comes to check on Ling Weifeng, but is no match for Chu and dies under Chu's sword.

• Yang Yiwei (楊一維)
• Hua Zishan (華紫山)

Southern Ming rebels

• Liu Yufang (劉郁芳) - Liu Jingyi's daughter, nicknamed "Brocade Cloud Sword" (雲錦劍). She leads the rebels to resist Dodo's forces in Hangzhou. She succeeds Han Zhibang as leader of the Heaven and Earth Society
  Tiandihui
  The Tiandihui is a fraternal organization that originated in China. The Hongmen grouping is today more or less synonymous with the whole Tiandihui concept, although the title "Hongmen" is also claimed by some criminal groups.As the Tiandihui spread through different counties and provinces, it...
  
   later. She becomes a "Friend of Mount Heaven" (an ally of the Seven Swords) at the end of the novel.

• Zhang Huazhao (張華昭) - son of Zhang Huangyan. He attempts to assassinate Dodo
  Dodo (prince)
  Dodo was a Manchu prince and military general of the early Qing Dynasty. His title was "Prince Yu of the First Rank" .-Family background:...
  
   on Mount Wutai but fails due to Yilan Zhu's untimely interruption. He falls in love with Yilan Zhu and goes through troubles to save her from death. In addition to his reunion with Yilan Zhu after she is rescued by Hamaya, he also learns a set of qinggong techniques from the White Haired Demoness. He marries Yilan Zhu at the end of the novel, and also joins the Wudang Sect as Gui Zhongming's junior, becoming a master in the "Bodhidharma Swordplay".

• Monk Tongming (通明和尚) - nicknamed "Strange Monk" (怪頭陀)
• Chang Ying (常英) - nicknamed "God of Death" (喪門神)
• Cheng Tong (程通) - nicknamed "Iron Tower" (鐵塔)

• Prince Lu
  Zhu Yihai, Prince of Lu
  The Genyin Emperor was Emperor of Southern Ming Dynasty, reigning from 1645 to 1655. His temple name was Ming Yizong .-Biography:...
  
   (魯王) - a self-appointed Regent (監國) of the Southern Ming Dynasty
  Southern Ming Dynasty
  The Southern Ming Dynasty was the Ming loyalist regime that continued in Southern China from 1644 to 1662 following the capture of Beijing by rebel armies and the death of the last Ming emperor in 1644....
  
  
• Prince Lu's followers
  • Zhang Huangyan (張煌言)
  • Zhang Mingzhen (張名振)
  • Liu Jingyi (劉精一)

Mount Changbai Sect (長白山派)

• Qi Zhenjun (齊真君) - founder of the sect. In his younger days, he challenged Reverend Huiming to a duel but was refused by the latter, leading him to falsely believe that he was better than Huiming. He encountered the White Haired Demoness later and was defeated by her and driven away. He spent the next 50 years improving his skills in the Changbai Mountains
  Changbai Mountains
  The Changbai Mountain Range or Jangbaek Mountain Range are a mountain range on the border between China and North Korea...
  
   and becomes a formidable swordsman. He returns to assist the Qing government in dealing with the rebels. He is severely injured by Shi Tiancheng in a fight and is eventually slain by Xin Longzi.

• Qiu Dongluo (邱東洛) - Niuhuru's junior. He wields a saber and a sword in combat and uses a variety of combination attacks to confuse his opponents. He takes on a fake Han Chinese identity to gather news in the jianghu. He is responsible for disfiguring Ling Weifeng when the latter was bringing the baby Yilan Zhu to Mount Heaven. He encounters Ling Weifeng again several years later and had his ears sliced off by Ling for revenge. He is killed by Yilan Zhu in a later fight.

• Niuhuru (紐祜盧) - a Manchu martial artist and disciple of Qi Zhenjun. He is slain by Yang Yuncong in a fight but manages to injure Yang mortally before dying.

• Liu Xiyan (柳西岩) - a disciple of Qi Zhenjun. He follows his teacher and Qiu Dongluo to help the Qing government fight the rebels.

Royal family

• Shunzhi Emperor
  Shunzhi Emperor
  The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
  
   (順治皇帝) - the former ruler of the Qing Empire. He retired from state affairs and became a monk to seek redemption after the death of Dong Xiaowan. He leads a reclusive life in Qingliang Monastery on Mount Wutai. He is murdered by Yan Zhongtian on his son's orders.

• Kangxi Emperor
  Kangxi Emperor
  The Kangxi Emperor ; Manchu: elhe taifin hūwangdi ; Mongolian: Энх-Амгалан хаан, 4 May 1654 –20 December 1722) was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.Kangxi's...
  
   (康熙皇帝) - the son of Shunzhi and present ruler of the Qing Empire. He orders Yan Zhongtian to murder his father, and attempts to silence Yan as well by poisoning him.

• Third Princess (三公主) - the third daughter of Shunzhi and sister of Kangxi. She often sneaks out to find Nalan Rongruo to escape the boredom of being confined in the palace. Once, Nalan Rongruo requested a special medicine from her to heal the injured Zhang Huazhao, and she insisted on meeting Nalan's new guest. She becomes attracted to Zhang Huazhao and develops a crush on him. She decides to sacrifice herself to help Zhang Huazhao rescue Yilan Zhu, because she knows Zhang truly loves Yilan Zhu. She commits suicide after stealing a special imperial seal from Kangxi that can authorize Yilan Zhu's release from prison.

Nobles

• Dodo
  Dodo (prince)
  Dodo was a Manchu prince and military general of the early Qing Dynasty. His title was "Prince Yu of the First Rank" .-Family background:...
  
   (多鐸) - a Manchu prince who serves as governor of Jiangnan and Jiangxi. He is well versed in military strategy and martial arts. He loves Nalan Minghui even though he is aware that she is unhappy about their forced marriage. He is assassinated by Yilan Zhu, and dies in his wife's arms.

• Nalan Minghui (納蘭明慧) - Nalan Xiuji's daughter. She is talented in both literary and martial arts. She had a secret love affair with Yang Yuncong and bore him a daughter, but is forced to marry Dodo. Even though she treats Dodo indifferently after their marriage, she still respects him as her husband. When Yilan Zhu returns to take revenge on Prince Dodo, she tries to stop both sides from harming each other but fails. When Yilan Zhu is imprisoned for murdering Prince Dodo, she tries to save her daughter but is unable to do so and she commits suicide.

• Nalan Xingde
  Nalan Xingde
  Nalan Xingde was a Chinese poet active during the Qing Dynasty, famous for his ci poetry. He was actually born Nalan Chengde , but had to change his name when the Kangxi Emperor named Yinreng, whose birth name also had the character cheng , the crown prince...
  
   (納蘭性德) - referred to as "Nalan Rongruo" (納蘭容若) in the novel. He is Yilan Zhu's cousin. He is talented in literary arts. His reputation as a renowned scholar and poet earns him the favour of Kangxi. He has a strong disdain for bloodshed and conflict, and constantly hopes that everyone in the Qing Empire can live in harmony. He secretly helps the rebels on numerous occasions.

• Nalan Mingzhu (納蘭明珠) - Nalan Rongruo's father. He pretends to be a patron of literary arts by hiring people to help him write poems and pieces of literature, so as to win the favour of Kangxi, who likes intellectuals and literati. His son, in contrast with him, is the one who truly appreciates the arts.

• Nalan Xiuji (納蘭秀吉) - a Manchu general who contributed to the founding of the Qing Dynasty. He is appointed as chief of Hangzhou
  Hangzhou
  Hangzhou , formerly transliterated as Hangchow, is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. Governed as a sub-provincial city, and as of 2010, its entire administrative division or prefecture had a registered population of 8.7 million people...
  
  's military forces.

• Yunti
  Yinti, Prince Xun
  Yinti , born Yinzhen of the Aisin Gioro clan, was the 14th son of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. He was born to Empress Xiaogongren and was a full younger brother of the Yongzheng Emperor. As his original name was similar to Yongzheng's personal name, Yinzhen , it was changed to Yinti...
  
   (允禵) - the 14th son of Kangxi. He leads the Qing army to conquer Tibet and capture the Dalai Lama.

• Geji, Prince Cheng (成親王 格濟) - a Manchu noble in command of the Qing army attacking Xinjiang. He is well versed in military strategy but is not good in martial arts.

Generals, governors and officials

• Chen Jin (陳錦) - one of Prince Dodo's generals. He conquered Prince Lu's Southern Ming regime.

• Hutu Nuke (呼圖努克) - a Qing general leading the attack on Xinjiang

• Zhao Liangdong (趙良棟) - governor-general of Sichuan and Shaanxi
• Li Benshen (李本深) - West Pacifying General of Kunming
• Zhu Guozhi (朱國治) - Inspector of Yunnan

• Hong Chengchou
  Hong Chengchou
  Hong Chengchou or Hung Cheng-chou was a Military commander from Fujian at the end of the Ming Dynasty.-Biography:...
  
   (洪承疇)

Imperial guards (禁衛軍)

• Zhang Chengbin (張承斌) - second-in-command of the imperial guards. Prince Dodo orders him to lead 3,000 men on a manhunt for the rebels, and he arrives at the Wu Family Manor. He is ordered to retreat by Yan Zhongtian, who is superior in rank to him.

• Hu Tianzhu (胡天柱) - an imperial guard commander ranking below Chu Zhaonan and Zhang Chengbin. He follows Chu Zhaonan to capture Gui Zhongming and the other rebels hiding in Nalan Rongruo's house. He is defeated by Meng Wuwei and knocked into a ditch.

• Gu Yuanliang (古元亮) - an imperial guard from Henan who specializes in dianxue techniques. He follows Chu Zhaonan to seize the śarīra
  Sarira
  Śarīra are generic terms for "Buddhist relics", although in common usage these terms usually refer to a kind of pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are purportedly found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters...
  
  s.
• Hao Dashou (郝大綬) - an imperial guard who follows Chu Zhaonan to seize the śarīras. He is killed by the Tibetan lamas protecting the relics.

• Zhang Kui (張魁) - he, Peng Kunlin and Hao Jiming follow Qiu Dongluo to hunt down and kill Ling Weifeng. He uses a red copper saber. He has his arm sliced off by Liu Yufang in a fight.
• Peng Kunlin (彭昆林) - uses a white wax pole
• Hao Jiming (郝繼明) - uses a pair of grappling hooks. He is the most powerful of the three.

• Jiao Ba (焦霸) - a former bandit nicknamed "Eight-armed Nezha
  Nezha (deity)
  Nezha, Na Zha or Nata . He was then given the title "Third Lotus Prince" after he became a deity.Modern scholarship has shown that he is based on two figures from Hindu mythology, namely Nalakubar and Krishna....
  
  " (八臂哪吒). He and three other guards are sent to hunt down and kill Gui Tianlan. He is killed by Shi Tiancheng, who grabs him and they fall off a cliff together.

• Wang Gang (王剛) - specializes in "Vajra Sanshou" (金剛散手). He wants to become chief of the imperial guards but is disappointed when Chu Zhaonan takes the position. He intends to defeat and capture Ling Weifeng to prove his ability but fails. After his defeat, he grabs Mao Wanlian and holds her hostage, but Ling Weifeng saves Mao and kills him with his anqi.

• Shen Tianbao (申天豹) - he and his brother are students of Hong Sibazi (洪四把子), a martial arts master from Cangzhou. They are skilled in the "Wugou Swordplay" (吳鉤劍法). They are slain by Ling Weifeng in a duel.

• Shen Tianhu (申天虎) - Shen Tianbao's brother

• Diao Sifu (刁四福) - an imperial guard serving under Chu Zhaonan. He is good in qinggong and slightly better than Han Zhibang in martial arts.

Palace guards (大內侍衛)

• Cheng Tianting (成天挺) - a palace guard commander nicknamed "Iron Brush Judge" (鐵筆判官). He specializes in dianxue techniques and uses a pair of ink brushes in combat. He is almost on par with Chu Zhaonan in terms of martial arts. At the end of the novel, he is caught off guard and immobilized by Han Zhibang while watching over the captive Ling Weifeng. He is defeated and slain by the combined efforts of Yilan Zhu and Liu Yufang.

• Yan Zhongtian (閻中天) - a trusted bodyguard of Kangxi. He discovers that Shunzhi is still alive and has become a monk. Kangxi forces him to murder Shunzhi and attempts to poison him to death later to silence him. He is saved by Ling Weifeng and given medical treatment by Fu Qingzhu. He sacrifices himself to help the rebels call off Zhang Chengbin's troops, and dies from poisoning as his healing process was interrupted.

• Zheng Tiepai (鄭鐵牌) - a palace guard who uses a pair of iron shields in combat. He is slain by Ling Weifeng.

• Cheng Tianting's deputies
  • Zheng Dakun (鄭大錕)
  • Lian Sanhu (連三虎) - blinded by Wu Qiongyao in a fight

Others

• Hong Tao (洪濤) - he and Jiao Zhi are guards from the residence of the governor-general of Sichuan and Shaanxi. They lead Wang Gang and the Shen brothers to Gui Tianlan's house. They are slain by Gui Zhongming in a duel.

• Jiao Zhi (焦直)

• Lu Ming (陸明) - a martial arts instructor in Nalan Mingzhu's residence
• Lu Liang (陸亮) - Lu Ming's brother

• Zhou Qing (周青) - one of the guards watching over Ling Weifeng when the latter is imprisoned in the labyrinth. His grandfather served Dorgon
  Dorgon
  Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
  
   during Shunzhi's reign and was killed after helping his master complete a secret mission. Ling Weifeng enlightens him about true friendship and loyalty. He is impressed with Ling Weifeng and befriends him, secretly agreeing to help Ling escape.

• Ma Fang (馬方) - Zhou Qing's colleague. He is a native of Xinjiang and was recommended by Shang Yunting to serve the Qing court. He is ashamed of himself when Ling Weifeng tells him about how Qing soldiers invade his homeland and mistreat his people. Like many others, he becomes impressed with Ling Weifeng and decides to help Ling escape.

Li Laiheng forces

• Li Siyong (李思永) - Li Laiheng's younger brother. He is well versed in both military and literary arts, and specializes in using anqi (暗器). He is sent as an envoy to discuss a truce and temporary alliance with Wu Sangui. He marries Wu Qiongyao, whom he met and fell in love with in Xinjiang. At the end of the novel, he is killed in action in western Sichuan.

• Li Laiheng (李來亨) - foster son of Li Jin. He escapes to Yunnan with Li Zicheng's remnant forces and forms an insurgent army to resist the Qing Dynasty. He commits suicide after his army is defeated and besieged by Qing forces.

• Li Jin (李錦) - nephew of Li Zicheng. He is killed in action in Henan against Qing forces.

• Zhang Qingyuan (張清原) - sent by Li Laiheng to lead a group of men to eliminate the Five Dragons Gang

• Jiang Zhuang (蔣壯) - Zhang Qingyuan's deputy. He is injured by Zhang Yihu and healed by Fu Qingzhu later.

Bandits

The following pugilists initially plotted with Han Jing to rob Li Dingguo

Li Dingguo

Li Dingguo was one of the most famous Chinese patriots and talented military generals who fought for the so-called Southern Ming Dynasty against the Manchu-ruled Qing Dynasty....

's treasure. They are impressed with Ling Weifeng's heroism and skills after losing to him in a contest, and agree to submit to him. Ling Weifeng recommends them to join Li Laiheng's rebel force later.

• Zhang Yuanzhen (張元振) - nicknamed "Eight Directions Saber" (八方刀)
• Tao Hong (陶宏) - nicknamed "Dark Fearsome Deity" (黑煞神). He specializes in wrestling.

• Luo Da (羅達) - a bandit chief from Mount Mei in northern Sichuan. He is the most greedy of the group, and was the first to charge into the treasure cave. He is injured by the traps.

• Da Sangong (達三公) - the headman of a tribe. He is referred to as "Headman Da" (達土司) in the novel. He specializes in the "Iron Vest Skill" (鐵布衫), which allows him to concentrate inner energy on parts of his body and make them extremely tough and impenetrable by sharp weapons.

• Lu Dalengzi (盧大楞子) - chief of the Qingyang Gang (青陽幫). He is the most honest and lawful of the group. He loses to Ling Weifeng in a qinggong competition.

Li Dingguo forces

• Li Dingguo
  Li Dingguo
  Li Dingguo was one of the most famous Chinese patriots and talented military generals who fought for the so-called Southern Ming Dynasty against the Manchu-ruled Qing Dynasty....
  
   (李定國) - former deputy of Zhang Xianzhong
  Zhang Xianzhong
  Zhang Xianzhong or Chang Hsien-chung , nicknamed Yellow Tiger, was a Chinese rebel leader who conquered Sichuan Province in the middle of the 17th century. Upon capturing it, he declared himself emperor of the Daxi Dynasty .According to Chinese chronicles, many scholars rejected that claim, so he...
  
  . He took control of Sichuan after Zhang Xianzhong's death and resisted the Qing invaders until his death. He left behind a treasure hoard for future generations intending to continue his legacy. The treasure comprises eighteen giant statues of himself, all made of gold. He also left behind a precious Soaring Dragon Sword (騰蛟劍), which once belonged to Xiong Tingbi. The sword becomes Gui Zhongming's weapon.

• Han Jing (韓荊) - former subordinate of Li Dingguo. He is a hunchback, and specializes in the "Heavenly Demon Staff Skill" (天魔杖法). He loses to Ling Weifeng in a contest of inner energy and pledges allegiance to Ling later. Ling Weifeng suggests to him to bring his fellows to join Li Laiheng's rebel force.

• He Wanfang (賀萬方) - a craftsman who worked with Gui Tianlan on constructing the traps in the treasure cave. He leads Han Jing and company into the cave to rob the treasure. He follows the others to join Li Laiheng later.

• Zhu Tianmu (朱天木) - killed in action against Qing forces
• Yang Qingbo (楊青波) - killed in action against Qing forces

Wuwei Escort Agency (武威鏢局)

• Meng Wuwei (孟武威) - master of the agency. He has a strong reputation in the jianghu and most bandits would usually avoid robbing his convoys. He uses a tobacco pipe to blow smoke patterns whenever his men are escorting a convoy, so as to alert potential robbers to his presence. He also uses the pipe as a dianxue weapon. He and his son appear to help the protagonists fight Chu Zhaonan and some imperial guards at one point.

• Meng Jian (孟堅) - Meng Wuwei's son. He is tasked with escorting a group of maidens to Nalan Mingzhu's residence, with the Lu brothers assisting him. He runs into the Three Devils, who attempt to seize the maidens from him. He is no match for them and manages to survive when Gui Zhongming and Mao Wanlian appear to help him.

Tibet

• Dalai Lama
  Dalai Lama
  The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
  
   (達賴活佛)

• Red robed lama (紅衣喇嘛) - sent by the Dalai Lama to follow Chu Zhaonan to meet Wu Sangui and affirm their alliance. He discovers that Chu Zhaonan is planning to betray Wu Sangui. Chu Zhaonan attempts to kill him to silence him. He is saved by Ling Weifeng and brings news of Wu Sangui's rebellion to the Southern Ming rebels. He is killed by Chu Zhaonan during the battle in the Tibetan labyrinth near the end of the novel.

• Zongda Wanzhen (宗達完真) - one of the lamas escorting the śarīras. He is instated as the Dalai Lama by Yunti when Qing forces occupied Tibet. He agrees to help Han Zhibang save Ling Weifeng from prison and is so impressed with Han's sacrifice that he called Han a tulku
  Tulku
  In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
  
  .

Heaven Dragon Sect (天龍派)

• Tianlong Shangren (天龍上人) - leader and founder of the sect

• Tianmeng Shangren (天蒙上人) - Tianlong's junior

• Tianxiong Shangren (天雄上人) - another junior of Tianlong. He and Qi Zhenjun appear at the tribal chiefs' meeting to help Menglu "persuade" the chiefs into submitting to the Qing government. He is defeated by Xin Longzi in a fight.

Tribal people of Xinjiang

• Maigaiti (麥蓋提) - a close friend of Yang Yuncong in Saiwai Qixia Zhuan
  Saiwai Qixia Zhuan
  Saiwai Qixia Zhuan is a wuxia novel by Liang Yusheng. It was first published in China in January 1984. The novel is closely related to another of Liang's works, Qijian Xia Tianshan and Baifa Monü Zhuan.-Plot:...
  
  

• Manlingna (曼鈴娜) - the wife of Maigaiti

• Yishida (伊士達) - a close friend of Yang Yuncong in Saiwai Qixia Zhuan. He attempts to stop Menglu from persuading the tribal people to surrender to the Qing government. Menglu attacks him and he dies from his injuries later. He passes the guardian sword of the Heaven Dragon Sect (previously obtained by Yang Yuncong) to Ling Weifeng, who passes it to Xin Longzi later.

• Menglu (孟祿) - chief of the Keda'er (喀達爾) tribe. In Saiwai Qixia Zhuan, he once accused Yang Yuncong of being a spy when Yang started a romance with Nalan Minghui. He allies with the Qing government and attempts to persuade the tribes in Xinjiang to submit to Qing. His plan is disrupted by his daughter and Hukeji.

• Mengmanlisi (孟曼麗絲) - Menglu's daughter. She is aware that her father is "selling out" their people by helping the Qing government. She disrupts his plan with the help of Hukeji, who is in love with her.

• Hukeji (呼克濟) - the young chief of the Kazakh tribe. With help from Ling Weifeng and Xin Longzi, he succeeds in stopping Menglu from persuading the people to submit to the Qing government.

• Mengshan (孟山) - Menglu's son

Five Dragons Gang (五龍幫)

• Zhang Yihu (張一虎) - specializes in the "Iron Gravel Palm" (鐵沙掌). He is captured by Fu Qingzhu and commits suicide.
• Li Erbao (李二豹) - specializes in using the three-section staff
  Three-section staff
  The Three-Sectional Staff, Triple Staff, Three-part Staff, Sansetsukon in Japanese, or originally Sanjiegun , is a Chinese flail weapon that consists of three wooden or metal staffs connected by metal rings or rope. The weapon is also known as a "coiling dragon staff," or in Chinese as a "pan long...
  
  . He is killed by Gui Zhongming.
• Zhao Sanqi (趙三麒) - specializes in the "Earth Kick" (地堂腿). He is killed by Fu Qingzhu.
• Qian Silin (錢四麟) - specializes in the "Five Elements Fist" (五行拳). He is killed by Gui Zhongming.
• Tang Wuxiong (唐五熊) - specializes in anqi. He is killed by Fu Qingzhu.

• Ge Zhonglong (葛中龍) - a deceased martial artist from Yunnan. He taught each of the five gang leaders one of his five martial arts specialties.

Wu Sangui forces

• Wu Sangui
  Wu Sangui
  Wu Sangui was a Ming Chinese general who was instrumental in the succession of rule to the Qing Dynasty in 1644...
  
   (吳三桂) - the "West Suppressing Prince" (平西王) in charge of Yunnan
  Yunnan
  Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
  
   and Sichuan
  Sichuan
  ' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
  
  . He plots a rebellion against the Qing Empire.

• Zhang Tianmeng (張天蒙) - Wu Sangui's subordinate. He steals the śarīras when Chu Zhaonan attempts to rob them from him. He is injured by Ling Weifeng and recuperates in a cave after escaping. He encounters Han Zhibang and is killed by Han in the ensuing fight.

• Fan Zheng (范錚) - one of the three best warriors serving under Wu Sangui (the other two being Chu Zhaonan and Zhang Tianmeng). He is skilled in using the "Sky-touching Swordplay" (摩雲劍). He is defeated by a bare-handed Ling Weifeng in a duel.

• Bao Zhu (保柱) - a general serving under Wu Sangui
• Wu Shifan (吳世璠) - Wu Sangui's grandson and successor

Shang Kexi forces

• Shang Kexi
  Shang Kexi
  Shang Kexi was a chinese general of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. His family had migrated to Liaodong in 1576 and his father, Shangxue Li, served in the army guarding the northeast frontier. As his father did, Shang Kexi joined the army and guarded the frontier against the attack of the Jurchens...
  
   (尚可喜) - the "South Suppressing Prince" (平南王) in charge of Guangdong
  Guangdong
  Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
  
  
• Shang Zhixin (尚之信) - Shang Kexi's son
• Jin Ya (金崖) - Shang Kexi's envoy to Wu Sangui

Geng Zhongming forces

• Geng Zhongming (耿仲明) - the "South Pacifying Prince" (靖南王) in charge of Fujian
  Fujian
  ' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
  
  
• Geng Jingzhong (耿精忠) - Geng Zhongming's grandson

Others

• Shi Zhenfei (石振飛) - an elderly escort agency master and a close ally of the Heaven and Earth Society. Despite his age, he has a strong inner energy foundation, and is still capable of performing swordplay swiftly and accurately.

• Shang Yunting (尚雲亭) - leader of the Iron Fan Sect (鐵扇幫). He is initially reluctant to accept Hao Feifeng as his student, but falls for the latter's feminine charms and eventually agrees. He is defeated by Meng Wuwei and Shi Zhenfei, and driven away from Jiangnan. He arrives in Xinjiang and allies with Chu Zhaonan to counter the rebels, injuring Wu Yuanying in an unprovoked attack. He is defeated and captured by Fu Qingzhu and commits suicide in humiliation.

• Three Devils (三魔)
  • Hao Feifeng (郝飛鳳) - a jianghu lowlife and bandit. He behaves in a feminine manner and is seen as a transexual by his contemporaries. He and his companions attempt to seize the women escorted by Meng Jian. He uses an iron fan in combat. He follows his teacher to Xinjiang after their defeat by Meng Wuwei and Shi Zhenfei. He is captured after attempting to attack the Wu family, and is killed by Wu Qiongyao.
  • Sha Wuding (沙無定) - killed by Gui Zhongming
  • Liu Daxiong (柳大雄)

• Three Sang Devils (桑家三妖) - three villains who used to terrorize the Mount Heaven region, but were defeated and driven away by the White Haired Demoness. They return to Mount Heaven to seek vengeance several years later. They are defeated and slain by Ling Weifeng eventually.
  • Sangqian (桑乾)
  • Sanggua (桑弧)
  • Sangren (桑仁)

• Mao Xiang (冒襄) - referred to as "Mao Pijiang" (冒辟疆) in the novel. He is a famous scholar and patron of the arts, and a close friend of Fu Qingzhu. He died from anguish and frustration after losing his wife.

• Dong Xiaowan (董小宛) - a courtesan who married Mao Xiang because of their common interest in the arts. She was forcefully separated from her husband and brought to the palace to be Shunzhi's concubine. Shunzhi treated her well but the nobles despised her because she was a Han Chinese. She was killed on the empress dowager's orders.

• Wu Meicun (吳梅村) - a poet and scholar favoured by Shunzhi. He is secretly murdered on Kangxi's orders after writing a poem hinting that Shunzhi is still alive on Mount Wutai.

• Gu Liangfen (顧梁汾) - a close friend of Nalan Rongruo. When Wu Hancha was sent into exile, he wrote the Jinlüqu (金縷曲) to Nalan Rongruo, hinting that he needed Nalan's help to save Wu. Mao Wanlian sang the song to Nalan Rongruo when she needed his help in saving Ling Weifeng from Chu Zhaonan's clutches.

• Wu Hancha (吳漢槎) - a close friend of Nalan Rongruo. He was sent into exile but was saved from his fate by Nalan Rongruo.

See also

• List of organisations in Wuxia fiction