Dramatis Personae

Dramatis Personæ

Spoilers, of course, exist here. Enter at your own risk!

Main Character:

Jiang Zhe (江哲) – the protagonist, a young scholar with preternatural senses, possessing intelligence and remarkable literary talent; hailing originally from Jiaxing (嘉兴) Prefecture; at the beginning of the story he has just finished observing the rites after the passing of his father and serves as the family tutor for Marquis Lu

Jiang Zhe’s Family and Subordinates:

Xiaoshunzi (小顺子) – real name Li Shun (李顺); a eunuch who Jiang Zhe befriends; becomes a powerful martial artist and Jiang Zhe’s closest attendant; learns the infamous martial art called the “Sunflower Manual” (葵花宝典); nicknamed the Demonic Shadow (邪影)

Princess Changle (长乐公主), Li Zhen (李贞) – daughter of Li Yuan, Crown Princess of Southern Chu, later Queen; in love with Jiang Zhe; under Jiang Zhe’s guidance, plays a major role in helping defeat the Fengyi Sect and the Crown Prince’s attempted coup; eventually elopes with Jiang Zhe; granted the title of Imperial Princess of Ning (宁国公主)

Jiang Roulan (江柔蓝) – Han Zhang’s biological daughter, Jiang Zhe’s adopted daughter; beloved by all who see her; mischievous and vivacious; enfeoffed as the Princess of Zhaohua (昭华郡主)

Jiang Shen (江慎) – Jiang Zhe and Princess Changle’s son; enfeoffed as the Duke of An (安国公) of the first rank; is taken by Great Master True Compassion as the latter’s final disciple

Chen Zhen (陈稹) – a former assassin from Shu who becomes the leader of Jiang Zhe’s Secret Camp

Han Wuji (寒无计) – a former assassin from Shu who becomes the manager of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets; after murdering Huo Jicheng, he takes over control of the Embroidered Union

Chiji (赤骥), Daoli (盗骊), Baiyi (白义), Yulun (逾轮), Shanzi (山子), Quhuang (渠黄), Hualiu (骅骝), Lü’er (绿耳) – the eight elite operatives of the Secret Camp, named after the eight horses who pulled the chariot of King Mu of Zhou when he dreamed of traveling to heavenly paradise and tasting the peaches of immortality

Chiji (赤骥) – was used as a liasion between Jiang Zhe and Xia Jinyi; was sent by Jiang Zhe to investigate and scout the northern tribes under the name of Wang (王骥); for his veterinarian skills, he is known as “Divine Doctor Bo Le” (神医伯乐); returning to Jiang Zhe, he runs into Lin Tong and Lin Bi; falls in love with Lin Tong
Daoli (盗骊) – was dispatched with Baiyi to escort Zhao Jue from Jianye to Xiangyang; after Huo Jicheng’s death, he pretended to be Huo Jicheng’s adopted son, Huo Li (霍离), and causes chaos in jianghu; after reconnecting with his uncle, he adopts the name, Hai Li (海骊); a skilled mariner and trader
Baiyi (白义) – was dispatched to escort Zhao Jue from Jianye to Xiangyang; said to be busy dealing with the affairs of the Embroidered Union and the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets
Yulun (逾轮) – was with Han Wuji when Huo Jicheng was killed; said to be busy dealing with the affairs of the Embroidered Union and the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets
Shanzi (山子) – was with Han Wuji when Huo Jicheng was killed; said to be busy dealing with the affairs of the Embroidered Union and the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets
Quhuang (渠黄) – was with Han Wuji when Huo Jicheng was killed; said to be busy dealing with the affairs of the Embroidered Union and the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets
Hualiu (骅骝) – was dispatched to get closer to Qin Yong under the alias, Liu Hua (刘华), and becomes Qin Yong’s mother’s adopted son; becomes an imperial bodyguard for the Prince of Yong before rising to become Xiahou Yuanfeng’s deputy at the Bright Inspection Department (明鉴司)
Lü’er (绿耳) – becomes the owner of the Halcyon Inn (平安客栈) franchise

Xia Jinyi (夏金逸) – originally named Xia Quan (夏全); nicknamed the Dissolute Wastrel (风流浪子), a former disciple of the Kongtong Sect; becomes a spy for Jiang Zhe in the service of Crown Prince Li An; after faking his death, takes the name, Dong Que (董缺) and serves as the supervisor of Jiang Zhe’s household

Xiaoliuzi (小六子) – a young court eunuch in the Yong Imperial Palace; an honorary disciple of Xiaoshunzi; helps rescue Princess Changle from danger; accompanies Jiang Zhe and Princess Changle in their elopment

Zhou Duanniang (周端娘) – originally a Head Maid (尚仪) to Noble Consort Zhangsun, she is later assigned to Princess Changle; accompanies Jiang Zhe and Princess Changle in their elopment; becomes betrothed to Hai Zhongying

Huo Cong (霍琮) – originally saved by Fang Yuanxin and Ye Tianxiu; taken into the Prince of Yong’s residence by Jiang Zhe and becomes a gardener in the Cold Courtyard; is caught reading Jiang Zhe’s documents by Roulan; becomes Jiang Zhe’s disciple; in the future, known as the Marquis of Wen (文乡侯) of the fourth rank

Great Yong (大雍):

Li Yuan (李援) – the Emperor of Great Yong; lecherous and conniving; jealous of the accomplishments of his second son, Li Zhi, but lets Li Zhi succeed him; posthumously given the temple name Gaozu (高祖), meaning Supreme Forefather

Empress Dou (窦皇后) – the Empress of Great Yong and mother to Crown Prince Li An; demoted to commoner status after the attempted coup d’état

Noble Consort Zhangsun (长孙贵妃) – Princess Changle’s mother; has two deceased sons: Fourth Prince Li Xian (李贤, different from the Prince of Qi), who died saving Li Yuan, and Fifth Prince Li Jin (李晋), who died young; after Li Zhi ascends to the throne, becomes the Empress Dowager (太后)

Noble Consort Yan (严贵妃) – the mother of Li Xian, the Prince of Qi; a weak-minded and easily frightened woman

Concubine Yi (宜嫔) – the mother of Li Kang, the Prince of Qing; during an assassination attempt on Li Yuan’s life, was used by Ji Xia as a shield, causing her death

Concubine Chun (淳嫔) – a new concubine of Li Yuan’s; is seduced and has illicit sexual relations with Li An; strangled to death

Wei Guan (韦观) – Prime Minister（丞相) and Director of the Imperial Secretariat (中书令)

Wei Ying (韦膺) – fourth son of Wei Guan, Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel (吏部郎中); revealed to be an honorary disciple of Fan Huiyao’s and a Protector of the Fengyi Sect

Cheng Shu (程殊) – the Duke of Wei (魏国公) of the first rank

Qin Yi (秦彝) – Grand General Who Suppresses Distant Lands (抚远大将军); commands the Imperial Guard (禁军)

Qin Qing (秦青) – Qin Yi’s second son, General of Tiger Might (虎威将军); after marrying Li Hanyou, becomes Commandant of the Attendant Cavalry (驸马都尉); dies from being stabbed in the heart by Li Hanyou in order to protect Princess Changle

Qin Yong (秦勇) – Qin Yi’s distant nephew and most trusted subordinate

Pei Yun (裴云) – Commander of the Northern Barracks of the Imperial Guard (禁军北营统领), a layman disciple of the Shaolin Temple

Pei Jing (裴敬) – Pei Yun’s father, Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat (中书侍郎)

Qin Wuqi (秦无期) – Qin Zheng’s father, Attendant Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat (中书侍郎)

Xue Ju (薛矩) – Vice Minister of Works (工部待郎), father of Xue Qiuxue

Zheng Xia (郑瑕) – Palace Attendant (侍中); an official greatly respected by Li Yuan for his honest and upright character

Lü’e (绿娥) – one of Noble Consort Zhangsun’s maids assigned to keep an eye on and attend to Princess Changle; nearly caused the Princess to be violated; is beaten to death on Noble Consort Zhangsun’s orders

Leng Chuan (冷川) – Commander of the Imperial Palace Guard (御前侍卫总管); a powerful martial artist personally responsible for Li Yuan’s safety

Gao Hou (高厚) – Li Yuan’s personal eunuch

Huang Sha (黄厦) – Vice Commander of the Eastern Barracks of the Imperial Guard; takes part in the Fengyi Sect’s rebellion, chases after the fleeing Li Zhi

Sun Ding (孙定) – Vice Commander of the Eastern Barracks of the Imperial Guard; takes part in the Fengyi Sect’s rebellion, attempts to prevent Li Zhi from escaping from southwest gate of the Hunting Palace

Yang Qian (杨谦) – Commander of the Southern Barracks of the Imperial Guard

Huyan Jiu (呼延久) – Vice Commander of the Southern Barracks of the Imperial Guard

Zhang Xiong (张雄) – a subordinate of Qin Yong; arrives in time to rescue the pursued Li Zhi

Tian Long (田隆) – a subordinate of Qin Yong; tasked by Li Zhi to hold the Prince of Qi under house arrest during the coup d’état

Crown Prince Faction (太子党):

Li An (李安) – the Crown Prince of Great Yong, eldest son of Li Yuan; forced to commit suicide after a failed coup d’état; posthumously known as the Prince of Li (戾王), meaning Tyrannical Prince

Lady Cui (崔氏) – the Crown Princess, Li An’s principal wife and the mother to Li An’s heir

Lu Jingzhong (鲁敬忠) – the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor (太子少傅); secretly a member of the Freezing Moon branch of the Devil Sect

Xiahou Yuanfeng (夏侯沅峰) – second-rank Imperial Bodyguard (御前二品带刀侍卫) and Vice Supervisor of the Palace Guard (大内副总管); was one of the assassins sent to kill Jiang Zhe; was sent to kill Ye Tianxiu; at a crucial moment during the coup d’état, he is poisoned by Jiang Zhe and forced to defect, helping the Prince of Yong; becomes the head of the Bright Inspection Department, the secret police established by Li Zhi

Xiahou Lan (夏侯阑) – Xiahou Yuanfeng’s father, the Minister of Rites (礼部尚书); secretly a member of the Freezing Moon branch of the Devil Sect

Liang Jinqian (梁谨潜) – the Minister of Revenue (户部尚书); commits suicide with poison delivered by Xiaoshunzi

Cui Yang (崔央) – Li An’s brother-in-law; Vice Minister of Revenue (户部侍郎); assassinated by Xiaoshunzi disguised as Huo Jicheng

Zhang Jinxiong (张锦雄) – Xia Jinyi’s eldest apprentice brother, a twenty-seventh generation disciple of the Kongtong Sect, slated to succeed as sect master; Supervisor of the Crown Prince’s Imperial Bodyguards (侍卫总管) and a fourth-ranked blade-carrying imperial bodyguard (四品带刀侍卫)

Xing Song (邢嵩) – Vice Supervisor of the Crown Prince’s Imperial Bodyguards (侍卫副总管); killed alongside Cui Yang by Xiaoshunzi

Shao Yan (劭彦) – Eastern Palace Reader-in-Waiting (东宫侍读); his wife, Lady Huo (霍氏) is raped by the Crown Prince

Lady Huo (霍氏) – Shao Yan’s wife; tricked and raped repeatedly by the Crown Prince; later commits suicide

Prince of Yong Faction (雍王党):

Li Zhi (李贽) – the Prince of Yong, second son of Li Yuan; masqueraded as Li Tianxiang (李天翔), a merchant from the Kingdom of Shu; after capturing Jianye and capturing Zhao Jia, Li Zhi was promoted to become the Marshal of Heavenly Strategies (天策元帅); successfully ascends to the throne; posthumously given the temple name Taizong (太宗), meaning Great Ancestor

Lady Gao (高氏) – the Princess of Yong, Li Zhi’s principal wife and mother to Li Jun; becomes Empress once Li Zhi ascends the throne

Li Jun (李骏) – Li Zhi’s only son and the heir to his principality

Shi Yu (石彧) – styled Ziyou (子攸), Li Zhi’s closest adviser; considered to have the talent to be Prime Minister

Gou Lian (苟廉) – hailing from Yingchuan (颍川), one of Li Zhi’s ranking retainers, an adept envoy with a three-inch limber tongue

Guan Xiu (管休) – hailing from Beihai (北海), one of Li Zhi’s ranking retainers, an adept quartermaster

Dong Zhi (董志) – hailing from Luoyang (洛阳), one of Li Zhi’s ranking retainers, adept at troop movements and tactics

Sima Xiong (司马雄) – Commander of Li Zhi’s personal guards (亲卫统领)

Zhangsun Ji (长孙冀) – nicknamed the Golden Bow Zhangsun (金弓长孙), the best archer in the Yong army

Jing Chi (荆迟) – a fierce and valiant general, forced by Li Zhi to take Jiang Zhe as his teacher

Xuan Song (宣松) – styled Changqing (常青), an adjunct (参军) in the army serving Jing Chi; noticed and taken in by Li Zhi when he helped the deceased Yang Can’s family; because he was a former civil official, was unable to become a general until given an opportunity by Jiang Zhe to face off against Long Tingfei

Huyan Shou (呼延寿) – a commander of the Stalwart Tiger Guards (虎赍卫) dispatched by Emperor Li Zhi to be responsible for Jiang Zhe’s safety; was formerly a member of the bodyguards assigned to Jiang Zhe during the latter’s stay at the Cold Courtyard

Great Master True Compassion (慈真大师) – a senior monk of the Shaolin Temple (少林寺), one of the three grandmasters of the era

The Prince of Qi’s Faction (齐王党):

Li Xian (李显) – the Prince of Qi (齐王), the sixth son of Li Yuan; is given command of Great Yong’s armies against Northern Han; eventually sides with Li Zhi

The Prince of Qing’s Faction (庆王党):

Li Kang (李康) – the Prince of Qing (庆王), third son of Li Yuan; holds a grudge against the Fengyi Sect for the death of his mother, Concubine Yi (宜嫔); is said to have been trained by the Devil Sect (his master is later revealed to be Duan Lingxiao); loathes the Prince of Qi

Ye Tianxiu (叶天秀) – Supervisor of the Prince of Qing’s Imperial Bodyguard; nearly killed by Xiahou Yuanfeng

Jianghu (江湖):

Sha Qingyuan (沙青元) – leader of the Guanzhong Alliance (关中联)

Duanmu Qiu (端木秋) – nicknamed the Silver Bow Wastrel (银弓浪子); tried to assassinate Zhao Jue

Qiao Yan’er (乔焰儿) – Duanmu Qiu’s junior apprentice sister; nicknamed the Red Clothed Rakshasa (红妆罗刹); tried to assassinate Zhao Jue

Three Stalwarts from Zhongzhou (中洲三义) – triplets serving Li An; attempt to stop Vicious Killer at the Yangtze River crossing; the youngest brother is killed by Vicious Killer

Elder Compassionate Ocean (慈海) – Martial Uncle (师伯) of Pei Yun, part of the Shaolin Temple and First Seat of the Discipline Hall

Elder Compassionate Distance (慈远) – a martial uncle of Pei Yun, part of the Shaolin Temple’s Damo Hall (少林寺大摩堂)

Elder Compassionate Hardship (慈苦) – a martial uncle of Pei Yun, part of the Shaolin Temple’s Damo Hall

Great Master Compassionate Respite (慈休大师) – a senior elderly monk with a profound understanding of the dharma (or Buddhist law); known for translating Buddhist scripture from Sanskrit into Chinese; formerly an official of the now-fallen Eastern Jin Dynasty

Southern Chu (南楚):

Zhao She (赵涉) – Zhao Sheng’s father, posthumously Emperor Wu of Chu (楚武帝), meaning the Martial Emperor of Chu

Zhao Sheng (赵胜) – King of Southern Chu, posthumously honored as King Ling of Chu (楚灵王), meaning Spirited King of Chu; originally the Emperor, but was forced to downgrade in the face of threats from Great Yong

Zhao Jia (赵嘉) – the Crown Prince of Southern Chu who succeeds to the throne upon Zhao Sheng’s death, posthumously honored as King Yang of Chu (楚炀王), meaning Slothful King of Chu

Zhao Long (赵陇) – King of Southern Chu after Zhao Jia is captured by Great Yong; Zhao Jia’s third son; grandson of Prime Minister Shang Weijun

Zhao Xi (赵僖) – Zhao Jia’s eldest son, born of a concubine from Yong; left behind in Great Yong to serve as a hostage

Zhao Yun (赵耘) – Zhao Jia’s younger brother, the Prince of Jian; left behind in Great Yong to serve as a hostage

Zhao Jue (赵珏) – the Prince of De (德亲王), a military commander of Southern Chu; later dies from injuries sustained in an assassination attempt

Lu Xin (陆信) – the Marquis Who Suppresses Distant Lands (镇远侯), commander of the Southern Chu defenses at Jiangxia; his family is held hostage in the capital of Jianye; for his help in resolve the chaos after the capture of Zhao Jue, he is promoted to become the Duke Who Suppresses Distant Lands

Lu Can (陆灿) – son of Marquis Lu; Jiang Zhe’s student; becomes a capable general; by the start of volume 4, he is Southern Chu’s Grand General (大将军)

Liu Kui (刘魁) – hailing from Jiangning (江宁) Prefecture, ranked second (榜眼, bangyan) in the imperial examinations; in prologue, we find out that he becomes a famed historian

Fu Yulun (伏玉伦) – hailing from Huaiyang (淮阳) Prefecture, ranked third (探花, tanhua) in the imperial examinations; becomes Shang Weijun’s son-in-law

Shang Weijun (尚维钧) – Prime Minister of Southern Chu

Xie Xian (谢贤) – Academy Chancellor of Hanlin Academy (翰林掌院); is dismissed from office when he tries to admonish Zhao Jia

Eunuch Wang (王公公) – a eunuch supervising the book repositories; Xiaoshunzi’s supervisor at the start of the novel

Rong Yuan (容渊) – the most influential retainer in the service of the Prince of De; after the Prince of De’s death, he succeeds the prince as commander of the garrison at Xiangyang (襄阳)

Luo Wenshu (罗文肃) – the Minister Who Remonstrates and Advises (谏议大夫), tries to use his death to admonish Zhao Jia

Vicious Killer (毒手恶心) – an assassin in the service of the Prince of De and later Rong Yuan; attempts to assassinate Jiang Zhe to fulfill the Prince of De’s dying command; dies at the hands of Xiaoshunzi

Yang Xiu (杨秀) – Lu Can’s adviser, serving as an adjunct (参军)

Priest Bitter Bamboo (苦竹子) – also called Dragon Roaming the Waves; a descendant of a famous family from Southern Chu; attempts to assist Vicious Killer escape, but is forced to retreat by Xiaoshunzi

The Fengyi Sect (凤仪门):

Fan Huiyao (梵惠瑶) – the master of the Fengyi Sect, one of the most powerful martial artists of the era; forced into a corner by Jiang Zhe; commits suicide by igniting her personal Samadhi fires, burning in a raging inferno

Ji Xia (纪霞) – Fan Huiyao’s junior apprentice sister; Noble Consort Ji (纪贵妃), disciple of the Fengyi Sect dispatched to ensure Li Yuan’s safety

Wen Ziyan (闻紫烟) – Fan Huiyao’s first disciple, nicknamed the Bloody Handed Rakshasa (血手罗刹); was taught all of her master’s skills; dies at the hands of Xiaoshunzi

Xiao Lan (萧兰) – Fan Huiyao’s second disciple; the Crown Prince’s Concubine Lan (兰妃)

Feng Feifei (凤非非) – Fan Huiyao’s third disciple, nicknamed the Compassionate Guanyin (慈心观音); participates in the group attack against Vicious Killer

Liang Wan (梁婉) – Fan Huiyao’s fourth disciple; in love with the Prince of Yong, she is a gifted zither player who becomes the adopted daughter of Zhao Sheng and known as Princess Mingyue of Southern Chu; has her memories wiped by Jiang Zhe and turned into an infant

Qin Zheng (秦铮) – Fan Huiyao’s fifth disciple; first introduced as a woman masquerading as a man, serves as an adviser to Li Xian; a capable martial artist; later becomes Li Xian’s wife; commits suicide when the coup d’état fails in order to not implicate her husband, son, and father

Ling Yu (凌羽) – Fan Huiyao’s sixth disciple; assists Li Xian’s campaign against Northern Han by severely injuring Tan Ji but was wounded in the process; is annointed by Fan Huiyao as her successor

Xie Xiaotong (谢晓彤) – Fan Huiyao’s seventh disciple, nicknamed the Hibiscus Sword (芙蓉剑); participates in the group attack against Vicious Killer

Yan Wushuang (燕无双) – Fan Huiyao’s eighth disciple

Li Hanyou (李寒幽) – originally named Qiao Cuiyun (乔翠云); Fan Huiyao’s last disciple; the Princess of Jingjiang (靖江郡主), attempted to assassinate Jiang Zhe; betrothed and later married to Qin Qing; accidentally kills Qin Qing when she was trying to murder Princess Changle; sold to two men in the mountains as their wife

Xue Qiuxue (薛秋雪) – a disciple of the Fengyi Sect betrothed to Pei Yun; said to be as close as sisters to Li Hanyou; after separating from Pei Yun, she leaves Great Yong and heads to the Southern Seas; reappears as the concubine of Yue Wenhan

Kingdom of Shu (蜀国):

Meng Yun (孟昀) – King of Shu, forced to surrender by the combined armies of Yong and Southern Chu; shamed by Jiang Zhe and commits suicide

Yang Can (杨灿) – a scholar of Shu who volunteered to serve as an envoy to the Prince of Yong; later commmits suicide

Long Bu (龙步) – Grand General of Shu tasked with defending Luocheng; falls into a trap and commits suicide rather than surrender

Wei Xian (魏贤) – Grand General of Shu tasked with defending Luocheng; falls into a trap and is killed

Tian Wei (田维) – the Shu general commanding the garrison at Ba Prefecture; after being defeated, commits suicide rather than surrender

Shen Jun (审峻) – Prime Minister of Shu, tasked with defending Jiameng Pass, captured by Li Zhi

Fan Hu (梵虎) and Meng Da (孟靼) – Grand Generals of Shu tasked with defending Jiameng Pass

Han Zhang (韩章) – an operative for Shu, Tian Wei’s son-in-law, biological father of Roulan; his wife is raped and killed by Huo Jicheng; dies from wounds sustained while attempting to leave the Embroidered Union

Embroidered Union (锦绣门):

Huo Jicheng (霍纪城) – leader of the Embroidered Union, a member of the ancillary branch of the Li (历) family; formerly a vassal of Shu, tries to reestablish the fallen kingdom for his own benefits; killed by Han Wuji; the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets takes control of the Embroidered Union after his death

Northern Han (北汉):

Liu Sheng (刘胜) – founder and first King of Northern Han; rebelled from Taiyuan; known historically as the First Ruler (先主) of Northern Han; marries his daughter to Lin Yuanting

Liu You (刘佑) – King of Northern Han, known as the Later Ruler (后主)

Long Tingfei (龙庭飞) – the General Who Dominates Distant Lands (威远将军); Northern Han’s supreme commander and a superlative general; garrisons Jinyang (晋阳); after the death of his first wife is betrothed to Lin Bi; at the start of Volume 4, he is in a prolonged military stalemate against the Prince of Qi

Lin Yuanting (林远霆) – formerly a Jin Dynasty official, the Imperial Inspector of Daizhou (代州刺史); fought desperately to protect Daizhou against Liu Sheng; when the last Jin Emperor was deposed, he surrendered to Northern Han; married Liu Sheng’s daughter, having four sons and two daughters

Lin Bi (林碧) – the Royal Princess of Jiaping (嘉平公主), Lin Yuanting’s oldest daughter; the adopted daughter of Liu You; has military strategic and tacticial skill that surpasses her brothers; nicknamed the Princess General (公主将军); betrothed to Long Tingfei

Lin Tong (林彤) – the Crimson Clouds Princess (红霞郡主), Lin Yuanting’s youngest daughter; dressed entirely in red and rides a sorrel horse; falls in love with Chiji

Su Dingluan (苏定峦) – one of Long Tingfei’s subordinates, the Vanguard General (先锋将军); Jing Wuji’s second disciple; skilled at leading from the front and taking the heads of enemy commanders; attempts to assassinate Li Zhi but fails, dying in the process

Shi Ying (石英) – one of Long Tingfei’s subordinates, the Flying Tiger General (飞虎将军); adept at long-distance raids and capable of breaking any defense

Tan Ji (谭忌) – one of Long Tingfei’s subordinates, the Ghost-Faced General (鬼面将军); adept at marching the army and battle formations; dies after being trapped by Li Xian and Jing Chi in a scheme orchestrated by Jiang Zhe; taught how to wield the dagger-axe by Duan Lingxiao

Duan Wudi (段无敌) – one of Long Tingfei’s subordinates, the Boulder General (磐石将军); adept at defending cities

Ling Duan (凌端) – the youngest member of the Ghost Cavalry (鬼骑), Tan Ji’s bodyguards; his two elder brothers died in the service of Tan Ji; is protected to the end and is captured by Great Yong

Li Hu (李虎) – a squad leader under Shi Ying; is badly injured in the attempt to intercept and kill the Prince of Qi and Jiang Zhe; his attack sends Jiang Zhe into the water

Devil Sect (魔门):

Jing Wuji (京无极) – Sovereign (宗主) of Scorching Sun Branch (烈日宗) of the Devil Sect, State Mentor (国师) of Northern Han

Priest Dream (梦道长) – Sovereign (宗主) of the Concealed Star Branch (隐星宗), Xia Jinyi’s second master

Lu Jingzhong (鲁敬忠) – the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor (太子少傅); secretly a member of the Freezing Moon branch of the Devil Sect

Xiahou Lan (夏侯阑) – Xiahou Yuanfeng’s father, the Minister of Rites (礼部尚书); secretly a member of the Freezing Moon branch of the Devil Sect

Duan Lingxiao (段凌霄) –Jing Wuji’s first disciple; a powerful martial arts; amongst his students include Tan Ji and Li Kang

Xiao Tong (萧桐) – Jing Wuji’s third disciple; served as the commander of Lin Bi’s bodyguard; primarily serves as the commander of Long Tingfei’s scouts

Qiu Yufei (秋玉飞) – Jing Wuji’s fourth disciple; his first master was a member of the Freezing Moon branch of the Devil Sect; addicted to music; volunteers to assassinate Jiang Zhe

Eastern Sea (东海):

Jiang Yong (姜永) – the son of a warlord, Jiang Wuya (姜无涯), and Grand Princess Ninghua (宁华长公主), and Li Yuan’s nephew; after his father is assassinated by the Fengyi Sect, his mother commits suicide; he rebels and eventually becomes a pirate; known as the Marquis of the Eastern Sea (东海侯)

Jiang Haitao (姜海涛) – Jiang Yong’s son; poisoned by the venom of a snake; later saved by Jiang Zhe; to be married to Yue Qingyan

Fang Yuanxin (方远新) – a general of Jiang Yong; goes to Chang’an to find a cure for the venom that poisoned Jiang Haitao

Hai Wuya (海无涯) – real name, Hai Zhongying (海仲英); a merchant with help from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets and the warships of the Marquis of the Eastern Sea to traverse the oceans; one of the wealthiest and most powerful merchants of the era; his nephew, Hai Li, is a member of Jiang Zhe’s Secret Camp; becomes betrothed to Zhou Duanniang

Yue Family (越家):

Yue Wenhan (越文翰) – the young family head of the Yue family; son of the interim head of the family

Yue Qingyan (越青烟) – Yue Wenhan’s full sister; daughter of the interim head of the family; to be married to Jiang Haitao

Yue Wujiu (越无纠) – Yue Wenhan and Yue Qingyan’s uncle; as manager, he is the one actually in charge of the Yue family

Others:

Sang Chen (桑臣) – the Medical Sage, Jiang Zhe’s master in medical arts; treats Jiang Zhe as his own grandson

Liu Piaoxiang (柳飘香) – the most famous courtesan of the Qinhuai River, hostess of the Floating Fragrance Pleasure Boat, Jiang Zhe’s fiancée; murdered by Liang Wan after being raped by Li An

Jing Wuqing (荆舜卿) – Jiang Zhe’s younger cousin, a business genius; helped with an investment of one hundred thousand taels of silver from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets

Yang Laosheng (杨老生) – a warlord that Li Zhi defeated with the help of Fan Huiyao

Wen Hu (温虎) – a fierce general under Yang Laosheng, killed by Fan Huiyao

Xiu Chun (绣春) – a maid in the service of the Crown Princess, Lady Cui; Xia Jinyi’s lover and fiancée; killed by Li Hanyou who then disguised it as a suicide