As they appear in this, the second volume of
Legends of the Condor Heroes: A Bond Undone
MAIN CHARACTERS
Guo Jing, son of Skyfury Guo and Lily Li. He grows up with his mother in Mongolia and they are looked after by Genghis Khan. He is now on his first journey to the Central Plains, the native land of his parents.
Lotus Huang, witty and mischievous, a skilled martial artist and extremely fast learner. She becomes a friend of Guo Jing early on in his travels, and they now journey together and share many adventures.
THE JIN EMPIRE
Wanyan Honglie, Sixth Prince, also known as Prince of Zhao, has made conquering the Song his personal mission, in order to secure his reputation and legacy among his own people. He is an astute tactician, using rivalries and jealousies within the Song court and the wulin to his own advantage.
Wanyan Kang, son of the Sixth Prince, is arrogant and entitled, but possesses considerable martial skill. He fights Guo Jing after refusing to honour his prize when he wins the Duel for a Maiden.
Consort to the Sixth Prince, mother of Wanyan Kang.
FOLLOWERS OF THE SIXTH PRINCE OF THE JIN EMPIRE
Gallant Ouyang, Master of White Camel Mount in the Kunlun Range, nephew to one of the Five Greats, Viper Ouyang, Venom of the West.
The Dragon King Hector Sha controls the Yellow River with his four rather more useless apprentices, whose lack of skill infuriates their Master, despite the fact that it is most likely his foul temper that has prevented them from learning anything more than their rather basic moves.
The Four Daemons of the Yellow River
Shen Qinggang the Strong, whose weapon is a sabre called the Spirit Cleaver.
Wu Qinglie the Bold fights with a spear called the Dispatcher.
Ma Qingxiong the Valiant is known for his Soul Snatcher whip.
Qian Qingjian the Hardy is armed with a pair of axes known as the Great Reapers.
Browbeater Hou, the Three-Horned Dragon, so named for the three cysts on his forehead.
Greybeard Liang, also known as Old Liang, the Ginseng Immortal and, more disparagingly, the Ginseng Codger. He comes from the Mount of Eternal Snow (Changbai Mountains) up in the north-east, close to the current border with Korea, where he has practised kung fu for many years as a hermit, as well as mixing special medicinal concoctions with the aim of prolonging life and gaining strength.
Lama Supreme Wisdom Lobsang Choden Rinpoche, from Kokonor, now known as Qinghai. He is famed for his Five Finger Blade kung fu.
Tiger Peng the Outlaw, Butcher of a Thousand Hands, has command of much of the mountainous region surrounding the Jin capital Zhongdu, which would later become Peking.
SUBJECTS OF THE SONG EMPIRE
Ironheart Yang, descendent of Triumph Yang, one-time rebel turned patriot who served under General Yue Fei. He practises the Yang Family Spear, a technique passed from father to son.
Married to Charity Bao, daughter of a country scholar from Red Plum Village.
Yang Kang, son of Ironheart Yang and Charity Bao, sworn as brother to Guo Jing while both are still in their mothers' bellies.
Mercy Mu, god-daughter of Ironheart Yang, takes part in martial contests her godfather stages to find her a suitable husband and is defeated by Wanyan Kang.
Justice Duan, a government official of the Song who, in actual fact, works for the Jin.
THE MONGOLIANS
Tolui, fourth son of Genghis Khan Temujin, and Guo Jing's sworn brother.
Khojin, one of Genghis Khan's many daughters whose names are mostly lost to history, betrothed by her father to Guo Jing.
Jebe, whose name means "arrow" and "Divine Archer" in Mongolian, is a general under Genghis Khan and known for his great skill with the bow and arrow. He has taught Guo Jing archery and wrestling.
Boroqul, one of Genghis Khan's Four Great Generals.
THE SEVEN FREAKS OF THE SOUTH
Also known as the Seven Heroes of the South when being addressed respectfully by other characters. They refer to themselves as a martial family, despite being of no blood relation. After the death of one of their group, they are sometimes called the Six Freaks of the South.
Ke Zhen'e, Suppressor of Evil, also known as Flying Bat. The oldest of the Freaks, he is often referred to as Big Brother. Blinded in a fight, his preferred weapon is his flying devilnuts, iron projectiles made in the shape of a kind of water chestnut native to China.
Quick Hands Zhu Cong the Intelligent is known for his quick thinking and even quicker sleight of hand. His dirty scholar's dress and broken oilpaper fan, really made from iron, belie his real martial skill. He is particularly knowledgeable in acupressure points, using them to disable his opponents in a fight.
Ryder Han, Protector of the Steeds, only three foot in height but a formidable fighter and an expert horseman. His weapon of choice is a whip.
Woodcutter Nan the Merciful, known for his kind, if not shy, nature, fights with an iron-tipped shoulder pole.
Zhang Asheng, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is a burly man dressed as a butcher, whose preferred weapon is the butcher's knife. He is secretly in love with Jade Han.
Gilden Quan the Prosperous, Cloaked Master of the Market, is a master of the rules of the marketplace and always looking for a good deal. He fights with a set of scales.
Jade Han, Maiden of the Yue Sword, is the youngest of the group and the only female. She is trained in the Yue Sword, a technique particular to the region surrounding Jiaxing and developed when the Kingdom of Yue was at war with the Kingdom of Wu in the fifth century B.C.
THE FIVE GREATS
Considered the five greatest martial artists after a contest was held on Mount Hua. Four are mentioned in this second book in the series:
The Eastern Heretic Apothecary Huang, a loner and radical who practises his unorthodox martial arts on Peach Blossom Island along with his wife and six students. He holds traditions and their accompanying morals in contempt and believes only in true love and honour. His eccentricity and heretical views make others suspicious of him, an image he himself cultivates.
Double Sun Wang Chongyang, also known as Central Divinity, is the founder of the Quanzhen Sect in the Zhongnan Mountains, with the aim of training Taoists in the martial arts so that they might defend the Song against the Jurchen invasion. A real historical figure, he lived from A.D. 1113 to 1170.
The Northern Beggar Count Seven Hong, sometimes referred to as the Divine Vagrant Nine Fingers, is the Chief of the Beggar Clan and commands all the beggars in the Song and Jin Empires. He is respected for his sense of righteousness, but few know his whereabouts as he likes to roam the jianghu alone. He is also known for his great love for exceptional cooking.
The Western Venom Viper Ouyang, uncle to Gallant Ouyang, is a master in taming venomous snakes and using poison. He draws inspiration from the deadly creatures he keeps in his martial practice and rarely sets foot in the Central Plains.
PEACH BLOSSOM ISLAND
Twice Foul Dark Wind were apprentices of Apothecary Huang, who fled Peach Blossom Island and eloped after stealing the Nine Yin Manual. Husband Hurricane Chen, known as Copper Corpse, and wife, Iron Corpse Cyclone Mei, are masters of the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw. They killed Ke Zhen'e's brother, Ke Bixie the Talisman.
They have four martial siblings: an elder martial brother, Tempest Qu, and three younger martial brothers, Zephyr Lu, Galeforce Wu and Doldrum Feng.
THE QUANZHEN TAOIST SECT
A real branch of Taoism, whose name means "Way of Complete Perfection".
The Seven Immortals, students of Wang Chongyang
Only three of the Immortals make their appearance in this second book of the series:
Scarlet Sun Ma Yu, the oldest of the Immortals, teaches internal kung fu, based on breathing techniques.
Eternal Spring Qiu Chuji befriends Ironheart Yang and Skyfury Guo at the beginning of the series and vows to protect their unborn offspring. To this end, he devises a martial contest with the Seven Freaks of the South. He becomes teacher to Yang Kang.
Jade Sun Wang Chuyi, the Iron Foot Immortal, befriends Guo Jing after hearing of Qiu Chuji's contest with the Seven Freaks of the South.
Zhou Botong the Hoary Urchin, sworn brother and student of Wang Chongyang, martial uncle to the Seven Immortals and a lay member of the Quanzhen Sect. He has not been seen in the wulin for fifteen years at the start of this volume.
ROAMING CLOUD MANOR
On the shore of Lake Tai is Roaming Cloud Manor, a grand estate with an unusual layout. Its master is Squire Lu, a cultured man who has lost the use of his legs, and his son Laurel Lu is in charge of the everyday running of the household.
IRON PALM GANG
The Iron Palm Gang wields great influence over Hunan and Sichuan in the south and south-west of China, and its leader is Qiu Qianren the Iron Palm Water Glider.