[Note] This character list begins after the eighth section of “Yu Lin Ling.”
– Zhan Zhao: Courtesy name Xiongfei (likely inspired by the dream of King Wen of Zhou involving a flying bear). Revered in the martial world as a “Southern Hero,” he served as a fourth-rank sword-bearing guard before the four emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty, honored with the title “Imperial Cat.” In my heart, he is the number one handsome man and a heartthrob. For illustrations, please refer to the character designs in the game version of Seven Heroes and Five Righteousness. For film adaptations, see He Jiajin in Bao Qingtian and Jiao Enjun in Seven Heroes and Five Righteousness and Bao Gong’s Patrol.
– Zhan Rifei: Everyone already knows who he is. What remains unknown is why he appears under this name.
– Huo Xiaodi: Some in the group have guessed his identity. He is skilled in the unique lightness skills of Linglong Villa, “A Glimpse of the Swallow” and “Listening to the Flowers in the Night.” Hint: He is a fugitive from Linglong Villa who stole the village’s treasure, the “Yin Yang Hound.”
– Chang Hongbi: His name and secret are partially revealed in this chapter, with the rest gradually disclosed as the story unfolds. Hint: Mute but not deaf, his blood can neutralize poisons. He has suffered greatly since childhood, often having his blood drawn for food. He is older than he appears. He looks unappealing upon entry but handsome upon exit.
Characters from the Xiangyang Wangfu:
– Shao Jizu: Nicknamed “Blood Without Trace,” he is well-versed in both literature and martial arts, the top guard of the Xiangyang Wangfu, in charge of the “Jinshi Hall” and the palace’s elite troops, also overseeing the Chongxiao Tower. He is a suitor of Huo Linglong, the eldest daughter of Linglong Villa.
– Zhi Hua: Nicknamed “The Ever-Changing Black Fox” (a reference from the original text), he excels in lightness skills and disguise techniques. He serves in the “Jinshi Hall” of the Xiangyang Wangfu. He will only make a brief appearance at the end, causing some trouble.
– Zhong Xiong: Nicknamed “Flying Fork Protector,” he is the top general under the Prince of Xiangyang (loyal to the original text), commanding the Jun Mountain Water Stronghold. He will also appear later in the story.
– Mo Dao: A rogue from the martial world, an elder of the Shura Sect, skilled in poisons, particularly the deadly “Instant Familiarity.” He serves in the “Jinshi Hall” of the Xiangyang Wangfu.
– Hua Fengzi’s Family: The eldest brother, Hua Zifeng, along with his four brothers, are adept in lightness skills. They serve in the “Jinshi Hall” of the Xiangyang Wangfu. They are mentioned briefly in the text without extensive detail.
– Yan Zi Qing: A native of Shili Po, skilled in lightness skills and hidden weapons. He serves in the “Jinshi Hall” of the Xiangyang Wangfu. He is also mentioned briefly without extensive detail.
– Feng Shao: Also known as Captain Feng, he is a captain in the Xiangyang Wangfu. He was killed by the Master of the Sun.
– Old Meng: The head constable of Qingshui County under the Xiangyang Prefecture. He was also killed by the Master of the Sun.
Other Characters from the Martial World:
– Tang Tianhao: The young master of the Tang Sect in Shu, assisting in managing the killing organization “Wuxing Hall” and the “Dragon and Tiger List,” which features portraits of each assassin. He is a suitor of Huo Linglong, the eldest daughter of Linglong Villa. Whether he will appear remains to be decided.
– Three Assassins of the Tang Sect: From the killing organization “Wuxing Hall,” ranked third, seventh, and sixteenth. The third-ranked assassin’s poison palm has been neutralized by Huo Xiaodi’s “Yin Yang Hound.” The sixteenth-ranked assassin was bitten by Huo Xiaodi’s yellow dog, injuring him in a joint attack by Jiao Chaogui and Mu Xiuquan. Both will take some time to recover.
– Jiao Chaogui: The master of Xingyun Villa, one of the three famous villas in the martial world.
– Mu Xiuquan: The second master of Xingyun Villa, also one of the three famous villas, killed by Zhan Rifei.
– Ge Yunfei: The third master of Xingyun Villa, wielding twin iron halberds and possessing the unique skill “Releasing the Halberd,” killed by the three assassins of the Tang Sect’s “Wuxing Hall.”
– Ma Zhaoxian: A character from the original text, in charge of the Four Direct Stores, ostensibly the backstage figure of Xingyun Villa. He does not appear in this work. (Author’s note: If he appears again, I will write him dead…)
– Grandma Han Shui: The master of the Cold Water Palace for a hundred years. Given the prowess of her four subordinates, the “Sun and Moon Wind and Cloud Envoys,” her abilities need no further elaboration.
– Zhang Yue Shi: A female envoy under Grandma Han Shui, wielding the Cold Water Palace’s first weapon, “Longing for Each Other,” and proficient in the unique internal skill “Softly Twisting the Fingers.”
– Zhang Ri Shi: A male envoy under Grandma Han Shui, wielding the famous knife “Long Rainbow Piercing the Sun” (a round knife), and mastering the Cold Water Palace’s “Qianjun Slashing Dragon” knife technique, which can kill with a single move.
– Zhang Feng Shi: A male envoy under Grandma Han Shui, who has not yet made an appearance in this work, so I will be lazy.
– Zhang Yun Shi: A female envoy under Grandma Han Shui, who also has not yet made an appearance in this work, so I will be lazy again.
– Huo Linglong: The eldest daughter of Linglong Villa, of noble status. Although pursued by renowned figures like Shao Jizu and Tang Tianhao, her heart belongs to another.
– Huo Feng: The young master of Linglong Villa, who gained fame at a young age. He is Huo Linglong’s brother. Whether he will appear remains to be seen.
– Ding Yuehua: The third daughter of the Ding family from the Jasmine Villa in Songjiang Prefecture, sister to the dual heroes Ding Zhaolan and Ding Zhaohui, and Zhan Zhao’s fiancée, a heavenly beauty of unparalleled grace. Whether she will appear is uncertain; it seems everyone hopes she won’t.
– Other minor characters: There are several others whose mention would not add much value, so I will omit them for now.
Characters from Dong Jing City:
– Zhao Zhi: The young Prince Zhao mentioned in the text. He is the fourth son of the Eighth Virtuous Prince of Nanjing (the third son became the current emperor before the “Raccoon Cat Swaps the Crown”), and he is of the same age as the emperor. He is skilled in playing the qin and is free-spirited with a wide circle of friends. He does not appear in this work but is mentioned by others.
– Pang Ji: The current Grand Minister. His daughter is Consort Pang. He is the sworn enemy of Bao Zheng from Kaifeng Prefecture. He does not appear in this work but is mentioned by others.
– Zhao Zhi’er: A homeless child, whose original name is unknown, taken in by the young Prince Zhao at a young age. His current name was given by the young Prince Zhao. He is quirky and nicknamed “God Sees and Fears Him,” serving as the young Prince Zhao’s servant. He is a friend of Ming Zhu’er and does not appear in this work.
– Ming Zhu’er: An orphan from the Yellow River flood. Quirky and nicknamed “Ghost Sees and Fears Him,” he is Zhan Zhao’s servant and a friend of Zhao Zhi’er. He appears at the end of this work.
– Ming Yue’er: An orphan from the Yellow River flood, the elder sister of Ming Zhu’er, beautiful and intelligent. She serves as Zhan Zhao’s maid. As for whether there is any romantic tension with Zhan Zhao, it can only be implied and not explicitly stated. She appears briefly at the end of this work.
– Bao Zheng: The magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, known for his fairness and impartiality. He has a black face with a third eye between his brows, capable of discerning yin and yang.
– Gongsun Ce: The chief assistant of Kaifeng Prefecture, skilled in strategy, geomancy, and divination, particularly adept in medicine.
– Zhang Long: A sixth-rank captain in Kaifeng Prefecture.
– Zhao Hu: A sixth-rank captain in Kaifeng Prefecture.
– Wang Chao: A sixth-rank captain in Kaifeng Prefecture.
– Ma Han: A sixth-rank captain in Kaifeng Prefecture (Author’s note: In my eyes, he is just a flag bearer).
Due to the presence of these six individuals, Zhan Zhao has lived an incredibly exhausting life, so I am impatient to see them and even more impatient to write about them. I will eliminate them from this work entirely. If anyone wishes to see a version featuring the Five Mice, please urge the other elders to write it or seek out recordings and VCDs for enjoyment. I sincerely apologize for this.