Main Characters
- Zhan Zhao: Courtesy name Xiong Fei (likely inspired by King Wen of Zhou’s dream of a flying bear). Revered as the “Southern Hero” in the martial world, he serves as the Fourth-Rank Imperial Guard with a sword before Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty. Bestowed the title “Imperial Cat” by the Emperor. Considered by the author as the ultimate handsome man and heartthrob. For visual references, see the depictions of Zhan Zhao in the Seven Heroes and Five Gallants game adaptation or actors He Jia Jin (Justice Bao) and Jiao En Jun (Seven Heroes and Five Gallants and Justice Bao on Tour).
- Zhan Ri Fei: By now, readers already know who he truly is. What remains unknown is why he chose to appear under this name.
- Huo Xiao Di: Some readers may have guessed his true identity. Master of Ling Long Manor’s unique light-foot techniques, Fleeting Glimpse and One Night Listening to Flower Whispers in a Loft. Hint: A fugitive from Ling Long Manor who stole the manor’s prized treasure, the “Yin Yang An.”
- Chang Hong Bi: Half of his name and secrets have been revealed in the current chapter. The other half will gradually unfold as the story progresses. Hint: Though mute, he is not deaf. His blood can cure all poisons, a trait that caused him to suffer greatly in childhood, being frequently bled by others for consumption. His actual age is older than he appears. He enters the story in a disheveled state but exits looking much better.
Characters from Prince Xiang Yang’s Estate
- Shao Ji Zu: Nicknamed “Bloodless Scars,” he is a master of both martial arts and strategy. As Prince Xiang Yang’s chief guard, he oversees the Jin Shi Hall, the Prince’s private army, and helps manage Chong Xiao Tower. A suitor of Huo Ling Long, the eldest daughter of Ling Long Manor.
- Zhi Hua: Nicknamed the “Ever-Changing Black Demon Fox” (adapted from the original novel). A master of light-foot techniques and disguise, he works for the Jin Shi Hall at Prince Xiang Yang’s estate. In this story, he only appears briefly near the end, causing significant harm.
- Zhong Xiong: Nicknamed the “Flying Fork Champion,” he is Prince Xiang Yang’s top general and commander of the Jun Mountain Water Stronghold (faithful to the original novel). He will appear in later chapters.
- Mo Dao: A demonic figure in the martial world and an elder of the Asura Sect. Skilled in poisons, particularly the deadly ‘Old Friends at First Sight’ poison. He works for the Jin Shi Hall.
- The Hua Feng Zi Brothers: Five brothers led by Hua Zi Feng, all skilled in light-foot techniques. They serve in the Jin Shi Hall. Briefly mentioned in the text but not given significant focus.
- Yan Zi Qing: A resident of Shi Li Slope, adept in light-foot techniques and hidden weapons. Also serves in the Jin Shi Hall. Briefly mentioned without major development.
- Feng Shao: Also referred to as Captain Feng. An officer at Prince Xiang Yang’s estate, killed by the Sun Commander.
- Old Meng: The head constable of Qing Shui County under Xiang Yang Prefecture, also killed by the Sun Commander.
Other Martial World Characters
Tang Tian Hao: Young master of the Tang Sect in Sichuan, he assists in managing the sect’s assassination bureau, the Wuning Hall, and its Dragon-Tiger List, which features portraits of every assassin. A suitor of Huo Ling Long. Whether he will appear in this story remains undecided.
Characters from the Tang Sect’s Assassination Bureau “Wu Ning Hall”
Three Assassins from the Tang Sect: Members of the Wuning Hall assassination bureau, ranked third, seventh, and sixteenth in skill.
The third-ranked assassin specializes in poison-based palm strikes but was rendered powerless by Huo Xiao Di’s “Yin Yang An.”
The sixteenth-ranked assassin was injured when their arm was bitten by Huo Xiao Di’s yellow dog, falling victim to the combined efforts of Jiao Chao Gui and Mu Xiu Quan. Both assassins remain incapacitated.
Characters from Xing Yun Manor
- Jiao Chao Gui: Master of Xing Yun Manor, one of the three most renowned manors in the martial world.
- Mu Xiu Quan: The second master of Xing Yun Manor, later killed by Zhan Ri Fei.
- Ge Yun Fei: The third master of Xing Yun Manor, known for wielding a pair of iron halberds and his mastery of the Releasing Halberd technique. He was killed by the three Tang Sect assassins from Wuning Hall.
- Ma Chao Xian: A character from the original novel, responsible for managing the Four Direct Storage Houses. Publicly known as a secret supporter of Xing Yun Manor, he does not appear in this story. (Author’s note: If he reappears, I might write him off permanently…)
Characters from Han Shui Palace
- Grandmother Han Shui: The venerable master of Han Shui Palace, known for her unparalleled martial skills. Judging by the formidable nature of her “Four Envoys of Sun, Moon, Wind, and Cloud,” there’s no need for further elaboration on her abilities.
- Moon Envoy: A female envoy under Grandmother Han Shui’s command, master of Chang Xiang Si (Longing), the most powerful weapon of Han Shui Palace. She also excels in the sect’s internal martial art, Softness that Coils around the Fingers.
- Sun Envoy: A male envoy of Han Shui Palace, wielding the legendary curved blade Chang Hong Guan Ri (Rainbow Across the Sun). His mastery of the powerful Thousand Weight Dragon-Slaying Coil sword technique enables him to kill with a single strike.
- Wind Envoy: A male envoy who has no major role in this part of the story. (Author’s note: Let’s leave him for now.)
- Cloud Envoy: A female envoy who similarly has no significant role in this part of the story. (Author’s note: Let’s save her for later too.)
Characters from Ling Long Manor
- Huo Ling Long: The eldest daughter of Ling Long Manor, esteemed and respected in the martial world. Despite being pursued by renowned figures like Shao Ji Zu and Tang Tian Hao, her heart already belongs to someone else.
- Huo Feng: The young master of Ling Long Manor, known for his early rise to fame. He is Huo Ling Long’s brother. Whether he appears in the story is undecided.
Other Characters
- Ding Ye Hua: The third daughter of the Ding family from Mo Hua Manor in Songjiang Prefecture. The younger sister of the Twin Heroes Ding Zhao Lan and Ding Zhao Hui. She is Zhan Zhao’s betrothed, a peerless beauty and the darling of the heavens. Whether she will appear remains undecided—perhaps the readers wouldn’t want her to?
- Various Minor Characters: These are not essential to the story and will be omitted for now.
Characters from Dong Jing City
- Zhao Zhi: Referred to in the story as “Little Prince Zhao.” The fourth son of the Eighth Prince of Nan Qing Palace (the third son, before the Cat for the Crown Prince incident, became the current Emperor). He is the same age as the Emperor. A gifted musician with a carefree and unconventional lifestyle, he has numerous friends across the martial world. He does not physically appear in this story but is mentioned by other characters.
- Pang Ji: The Grand Tutor of the imperial court and father of Lady Pang, one of the Emperor’s concubines. He is a sworn rival of Bao Zheng from the Kaifeng Prefecture. Like Little Prince Zhao, he does not appear directly but is referenced by others.
- Zhao Zhi’er: A street urchin whose original name is unknown. He was taken in by Little Prince Zhao, who named him. Known for his mischievous and clever nature, his nickname is “Terrifying to All.” He is a servant of Little Prince Zhao and a close friend of Ming Zhu’er. He does not appear in this story but is mentioned.
Other Key Characters
- Ming Zhu’er: A surviving orphan of the Yellow River flood, mischievous and witty, nicknamed “Terrifying to All.” He serves as Zhan Zhao’s page, accompanying him as a Fourth-Rank Imperial Guard with a sword before the Emperor. He is also a close friend of Zhao Zhi’er. Ming Zhu’er appears briefly at the story’s conclusion.
- Ming Yu’er: Another surviving orphan of the Yellow River flood, she is Ming Zhu’er’s sworn elder sister. Beautiful and intelligent, she serves as Zhan Zhao’s maid. As for whether there is any romantic tension between her and Zhan Zhao, it remains a matter left to the reader’s interpretation. Like Ming Zhu’er, she appears briefly near the end of the story.
Characters from Kaifeng Prefecture
- Bao Zheng: Magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, renowned for his impartiality and integrity. He is depicted with a dark complexion and a third eye on his forehead, said to distinguish truth from falsehood.
- Gongsun Ce: Chief Clerk of Kaifeng Prefecture, a master strategist skilled in divination, the art of escape, and medicine.
- Zhang Long: A Sixth-Rank Captain of Kaifeng Prefecture.
- Zhao Hu: A Sixth-Rank Captain of Kaifeng Prefecture.
- Wang Chao: A Sixth-Rank Captain of Kaifeng Prefecture.
- Ma Han: A Sixth-Rank Captain of Kaifeng Prefecture. (Author’s note: In my view, he’s nothing more than a flagbearer.)
Due to these six individuals, Zhan Zhao has lived a most exhausting life. As such, I have no patience to include them in this story and have decided to eliminate them altogether. They will not appear in this novel.
The Five Rats of Jiangnan
- Bai Yu Tang: Nicknamed the “Jade-Furred Rat,” he is a sworn rival of Zhan Zhao. Bai Yu Tang appears briefly at the story’s conclusion. (Author’s note: I plan to kill him off!)
- Lu Fang: Nicknamed the “Sky-Climbing Rat,” he is a melodramatic and effeminate individual. (As noted in the original text: Bai Yu Tang died in Chong Xiao Tower, and Lu Fang spent all his time crying, “Oh, my fifth brother…”) Since the offspring of a melodramatic parent tends to inherit the same qualities, Lu Fang’s descendants are naturally just as melodramatic. (For reference, see Shui Yue’s A Laughing Stroll Through the Lawmen’s Tales character profiles. Truly, “dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and rats beget…”)
- Han Zhang: Nicknamed the “Earth-Burrowing Rat,” he is nothing more than an oversized, filthy earthworm living underground.
- Xu Qing: Nicknamed the “Mountain-Piercing Rat,” he is essentially a BEAVER constantly burrowing everywhere. (Wait, how do you translate “beaver” again? Where’s my English-Chinese dictionary?…)
- Jiang Ping: Nicknamed the “River-Overturning Rat,” he is skilled in strategy and an excellent swimmer. (The author finds him tolerable.)
[The End]
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