List of The Legend of the Condor Heroes characters

The following is a list of characters from the wuxia novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong. Some of these characters are fictionalised personas of, or are based on, actual historical figures, such as Wang Chongyang, Qiu Chuji, Duan Zhixing, Genghis Khan and Jebe.

Main characters

Guo Jing (郭靖; Guō Jìng)
Huang Rong (黃蓉; Huáng Róng)
Yang Kang (楊康; Yáng Kāng)
Mu Nianci (穆念慈; Mù Niàncí)

Guo Jing and Yang Kang's parents

Guo Xiaotian (郭嘯天; Guō Xiàotiān) is Guo Jing's father. He made an agreement with his sworn brother, Yang Tiexin, for their children to become either sworn siblings (if they are of the same sex) or a married couple (if they are of opposite sexes). He is killed by Duan Tiande's men during the raid on Niu Family Village.
Li Ping (李萍; Lǐ Píng) is Guo Xiaotian's wife and Guo Jing's mother. After surviving the raid on Niu Family Village, she is captured by Duan Tiande but manages to escape to Mongolia, where she settles down and gives birth to Guo Jing. Towards the end of the novel, she commits suicide to remind Guo Jing of his heritage when Genghis Khan tries to force Guo Jing to help him conquer the Song Empire.
Yang Tiexin (楊鐵心; Yáng Tiěxīn) is Yang Kang's father who specialises in using the Yang Family Spear (楊家槍). He survives the attack on Niu Family Village, renames himself Mu Yi (穆易; Mù Yì), and adopts Mu Nianci as his daughter. Although he is reunited with his family later, his son refuses to acknowledge him so he ultimately commits suicide with his wife when they are cornered by Wanyan Honglie's men.
Bao Xiruo (包惜弱; Bāo Xīruò) is Yang Tiexin's wife and Yang Kang's mother. A soft-hearted and empathetic person, as implied by her name "Xiruo" (literally "pity the weak"), she survives the raid on Niu Family Village. Wanyan Honglie saves her, brings her back to the Jin Empire and marries her. However, she has remained faithful to Yang Tiexin all these years. Eventually, she commits suicide with her husband when they are cornered by Wanyan Honglie's men.

Seven Freaks of Jiangnan

The "Seven Freaks of Jiangnan" (江南七怪) is a group of seven martial artists from Jiangnan who teach Guo Jing martial arts and Han Chinese culture. Ke Zhen'e was blinded many years ago in a fight against Mei Chaofeng and Chen Xuanfeng. Zhang Asheng is killed by Chen Xuanfeng while the rest except Ke Zhen'e are murdered by Ouyang Feng and Yang Kang later.

Ke Zhen'e (柯鎮惡; Kē Zhèn'è), nicknamed "Flying Bat" (飛天蝙蝠), is highly skilled in using the staff and dart-throwing even though he has been blinded.
Zhu Cong (朱聰; Zhū Cōng), nicknamed "Marvellous-Handed Scholar" (妙手書生), is the wisest among the seven. He specialises in thieving and pickpocketing.
Han Baoju (韓寶駒; Hán Bǎojū), nicknamed "Horse Deity" (馬王神), specialises in horse-riding.
Nan Xiren (南希仁; Nán Xīrén), nicknamed "Southern Hill Woodcutter" (南山樵子), is a shy individual who teaches Guo Jing to use the saber.
Zhang Asheng (張阿生; Zhāng Āshēng), nicknamed "Laughing Buddha" (笑彌陀), is a fat monk and Han Xiaoying's lover. He is slain by Chen Xuanfeng.
Quan Jinfa (全金發; Quán Jīnfā), nicknamed "Hidden Hero in the Busy City" (鬧市俠隱), specialises in using the spear or lance.
Han Xiaoying (韓小瑩; Hán Xiǎoyíng), nicknamed "Yue Maiden Sword" (越女劍), is Zhang Asheng's lover and the only female among the seven. She is also Han Baoju's cousin. A descendant of the Yue Maiden, she specialises in using the sword.

Mongol Empire

Temüjin (鐵木真) is an ambitious warlord who unites all the Mongol tribes under his rule and becomes Genghis Khan (成吉思汗). Guo Jing grows up in Mongolia under the care of the Khan, who treats him like a son. Towards the end of the novel, he tries to force Guo Jing to help him conquer the Song Empire, but Guo Jing refuses and flees Mongolia. The Khan ultimately forgives Guo Jing and invites him back to Mongolia, where they have a chat about what makes someone a hero.
Jochi (朮赤), Chagatai (察合台) and Ögedei (窩闊台) are Genghis Khan's first three sons.
Tolui (拖雷) is Genghis Khan's fourth son who becomes sworn brothers with Guo Jing in their childhood.
Huazheng (華箏; Huázhēng) is Genghis Khan's daughter. She was Guo Jing's childhood playmate and has a crush on him but Guo regards her as a younger sister. Her father betroths her to Guo but they are not married eventually. When she discovers that Guo is planning to disobey her father's order to attack the Song Empire, she secretly reports Guo to her father in the hope that Guo will be forced to remain in Mongolia. However, in doing so, she unknowingly brings big trouble to Guo and indirectly causes his mother to commit suicide. Overwhelmed by guilt over what happened to Guo's mother, she leaves home and became a recluse for the rest of her life. Before leaving, she warns Guo that the Mongols are planning to attack Xiangyang.
Jebe (哲別) is an expert archer from a rival tribe who later becomes one of Genghis Khan's most trusted men. He teaches Guo Jing archery and Guo impresses everyone with his skill in archery when he once shoots down two eagles in the sky with a single arrow.
Muqali (木華黎), Chilaun (赤老溫), Huduhu (忽都虎) and Jelme (者勒米) and Borokhula (博爾忽) are among Genghis Khan's followers. Some of them show up to save Hong Qigong, Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Huazheng and others when they were trapped by Yang Kang and Ouyang Feng.
Jamukha (札木合) is Genghis Khan's sworn brother and ally who becomes his rival later.
Wang Khan (王罕) is a former ally of Genghis Khan and Jamukha who sides with Jamukha later in the war between Genghis Khan and Jamukha.
Sangkun (桑昆) is Wang Khan's son.
Dushi (都史) is Sangkun's son and Huazheng's original fiancé.

Quanzhen School

Wang Chongyang (王重陽; Wáng Chóngyáng), nicknamed "Central Divine" (中神通) and is only mentioned by name in the novel, was the founder of the Quanzhen School. Regarded as the most powerful martial artist in the jianghu in his time, he was the first among the five winners of the martial arts contest on Mount Hua and had won the Nine Yin Manual as his prize.
Zhou Botong (周伯通; Zhōu Bótōng), nicknamed "Old Imp" (老頑童) for his childish behaviour despite his old age, is Wang Chongyang's junior and a formidable martial artist.
The "Seven Immortals of Quanzhen" (全真七子) are Wang Chongyang's seven apprentices who lead the Quanzhen School after their master's death.
- Ma Yu (馬鈺; Mǎ Yù), also known as Danyangzi (丹陽子), teaches Guo Jing some basic Quanzhen martial arts and inner energy skills.
- Tan Chuduan (譚處端; Tán Chǔduān), also known as Changzhenzi (長真子), is killed by Ouyang Feng in a fight.
- Liu Chuxuan (劉處玄; Liú Chǔxuán) is also known as Changshengzi (長生子).
- Qiu Chuji (丘處機; Qiū Chǔjī), also known as Changchunzi (長春子), befriends the Guo and Yang families and becomes Yang Kang's martial arts master later.
- Wang Chuyi (王處一; Wáng Chǔyī), also known as Yuyangzi (玉陽子), befriends Guo Jing after learning that Guo has learnt some Quanzhen skills from Ma Yu before. Guo helps him recover when he is injured by Lingzhi Shangren.
- Hao Datong (郝大通; Hǎo Dàtōng) is also known as Guangningzi (廣寧子).
- Sun Bu'er (孫不二; Sūn Bù'èr) is also known as Qingjing Sanren (清靜散人).
Yin Zhiping (尹志平; Yǐn Zhìpíng) is one of Qiu Chuji's apprentices. He goes to Mongolia to remind Guo Jing of his scheduled match with Yang Kang.
Cheng Yaojia (程瑤迦; Chéng Yáojiā) is Sun Bu'er's apprentice. At one point, she is almost raped by Ouyang Ke, but Guo Jing and Huang Rong save her. She was infatuated with Guo Jing and decide to look for him in Niu Family Village where she eventually falls in love and marries Lu Guanying.

Peach Blossom Island

Huang Yaoshi (黃藥師; Huáng Yàoshī), nicknamed "Eastern Heretic" (東邪), is the master of Peach Blossom Island and one of the five winners of the martial arts contest on Mount Hua.
Feng Heng (馮衡; Féng Héng), who is mentioned by name only, was Huang Yaoshi's wife and Huang Rong's mother who died shortly after giving birth to Huang Rong. She had photographic memory and memorised the Nine Yin Manual after reading it once.
Qu Lingfeng (曲靈風; Qū Língfēng) is Huang Yaoshi's first apprentice. He makes his first appearance as Qu San (曲三; Qū Sān), a crippled neighbour of Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin. In the day, he pretends to run the inn in Niu Family Village. At night, he disguises himself and steals treasures from the palace. Guo and Yang discover his secret after witnessing him fighting with palace guards. He is killed by Shi Yanming, a palace guard. His skeleton is discovered by Guo Jing and Huang Rong several years later in a secret chamber in the inn.
The "Twin Killers in the Dark Wind" (黑風雙煞) are Huang Yaoshi's second and third apprentices. They eloped, stole their master's copy of the Nine Yin Manual, and fled from Peach Blossom Island. They learn two skills derived from an unorthodox interpretation of the manual: the Nine Yin White Bone Claw (九陰白骨爪) and the Heart Shattering Palm (摧心掌). The couple are known for committing heinous crimes and are highly feared in the jianghu. They are:
- Chen Xuanfeng (陳玄風; Chén Xuánfēng) is nicknamed "Copper Corpse" (銅屍). He fights with the "Seven Freaks of Jiangnan" and tries to hold a six-year-old Guo Jing hostage but the boy instinctively stabs him with a dagger and kills him.
- Mei Chaofeng (梅超風; Méi Chāofēng) was originally named Mei Ruohua (梅若華; Méi Ruòhuá) and nicknamed "Iron Corpse" (鐵屍). After she is blinded by Ke Zhen'e in a fight, she manages to escape and improve her fighting skills with the goal of avenging her husband. Later, she meets Huang Yaoshi, who forgives her for her betrayal and tells her to find his other four apprentices. She is eventually killed by Ouyang Feng.
Lu Chengfeng (陸乘風; Lù Chéngfēng) is Huang Yaoshi's fourth apprentice who inherits his master's knowledge of medicine and strategic formations. After his banishment from Peach Blossom Island, he settled in a manor near Lake Tai and became the leader of a group of pirates who rob the rich and corrupt to help the poor. He moves to Dasheng Pass with his family and followers after his home is destroyed by Ouyang Feng, and eventually dies of natural causes.
Wu Mianfeng (武眠風; Wǔ Miánfēng) was Huang Yaoshi's fifth apprentice who died of illness before the events of the novel take place.
Feng Mofeng (馮默風; Féng Mòfēng), who is mentioned by name only, is Huang Yaoshi's sixth apprentice.
Shagu (傻姑; Shǎgū; 'foolish girl') is Qu Lingfeng's intellectually disabled daughter whom Guo Jing and Huang Rong encounter at the inn in Niu Family Village. Later, after Huang Yaoshi learns that she is Qu Lingfeng's daughter, he accepts her as a grand-apprentice and takes her back to Peach Blossom Island.
Lu Guanying (陸冠英; Lù Guànyīng) is Lu Chengfeng's son. His father refuses to teach him martial arts without permission from Huang Yaoshi, so he learns from Reverend Kumu instead. He marries Cheng Yaojia after falling in love with her on first sight, with Huang Yaoshi as the matchmaker.

Beggars' Gang

Hong Qigong (洪七公; Hóng Qīgōng), nicknamed "Northern Beggar" (北丐), is the chief of the Beggars' Gang and one of the five winners of the martial arts contest on Mount Hua.
Lu Youjiao (魯有腳; Lǔ Yǒujiǎo) is an elder of the gang and the leader of the Dirty Clothes Faction. He befriends Guo Jing and Huang Rong.
Elder Peng (彭長老; Péng Zhǎnglǎo) is an elder of the gang and the leader of the Clean Clothes Faction. He is a lecherous fiend who lusts for Mu Nianci. He betrays the gang and joins the Mongols eventually.
Elder Jian (簡長老; Jiǎn Zhǎnglǎo) is an elder of the gang and member of the Clean Clothes Faction.
Elder Liang (梁長老; Liáng Zhǎnglǎo) is an elder of the gang and member of the Clean Clothes Faction.
Li Sheng (黎生; Lí Shēng) is a member of the Dirty Clothes Faction. He is brave and fights with Ouyang Ke to rescue Ouyang's victims, even though he knows he cannot win Ouyang. Guo Jing and Huang Rong show up to help him and he recognises them as Hong Qigong's apprentices. He refuses to kill Guo and Huang when Yang Kang orders him to do so, and chooses to commit suicide instead.
Yu Zhaoxing (余兆興; Yú Zhàoxīng) is a member of the Dirty Clothes Faction.

Ouyang family

Ouyang Feng (歐陽鋒; Ōuyáng Fēng), nicknamed "Western Venom" (西毒), is the master of a manor on Mount White Camel (白駝山) in the Western Regions and one of the five winners of the martial arts contest on Mount Hua.
Ouyang Ke (歐陽克; Ōuyáng Kè) is Ouyang Feng's nephew who later turns out to be Ouyang Feng's illegitimate son. A lecherous fiend, he enjoys preying on young and beautiful maidens, especially Huang Rong, Mu Nianci and Cheng Yaojia. He initially wants Guo Jing's Ferghana horse and later becomes Guo's rival in vying for Huang Rong's affection. His attempts on Huang Rong have ended up in failure and shame for himself every time; at one point, his legs are crushed by a boulder in a booby trap set by Huang Rong. He is eventually murdered by Yang Kang after attempting to molest Mu Nianci and Cheng Yaojia.

Wanyan Honglie and associates

Wanyan Honglie (完顏洪烈; Wányán Hóngliè) is the sixth prince of the Jin Empire who meets Bao Xiruo by chance and falls in love with her. He then bribes Duan Tiande to lead his men to raid Niu Family Village so that he can pretend to rescue Bao Xiruo. After succeeding, he marries Bao Xiruo and raises her son, Yang Kang, as his own. He is obsessed with finding the Book of Wumu as he intends to use the knowledge acquired from the book to eliminate the Jin Empire's enemies and become a hero of his people. His plans are foiled by Guo Jing and Huang Rong, who obtain the book instead. Towards the end of the novel, he travels to Samarkand to form an alliance between the Jin Empire and Khwarezm Empire as part of a last-ditch effort to counter the Mongols. However, he is eventually captured by Mongol forces and executed.
Wanyan Hongxi (完顏洪熙; Wányán Hóngxī) is Wanyan Honglie's brother who travels to Mongolia to meet Genghis Khan.
Sha Tongtian (沙通天; Shā Tōngtiān) is nicknamed "Devil's Gate Dragon King" (鬼門龍王). His left arm is amputated by Peng Lianhu after being infected with poison from a dying Yang Kang. He betrays Wanyan Honglie at the end of the novel.
The "Four Devils of the Yellow River" (黃河四鬼) are Sha Tongtian's apprentices:
- Shen Qinggang (沈青剛; Shěn Qīnggāng), nicknamed "Soul-Severing Saber" (斷魂刀).
- Wu Qinglie (吳青烈; Wú Qīngliè), nicknamed "Life-Chasing Spear" (追命槍).
- Ma Qingxiong (馬青雄; Mǎ Qīngxióng), nicknamed "Soul-Capturing Whip" (奪魄鞭). He is killed by Lu Guanying's pirates.
- Qian Qingjian (錢青健; Qián Qīngjiàn), nicknamed "Death's Axe" (喪門斧). He is killed by the "Seven Freaks of Jiangnan" in the Mongol camp when he tries to assassinate Guo Jing.
Hou Tonghai (侯通海; Hóu Tōnghǎi), nicknamed "Three Headed Dragon" (三頭蛟), is Sha Tongtian's inept junior.
Liang Ziweng (梁子翁; Liáng Zǐwēng), nicknamed "Ginseng Immortal Old Demon" (參仙老怪), is an eccentric martial artist from the Changbai Mountains. 20 years ago, he attempted to rape many women but they were saved by Hong Qigong and he suffered a humiliating defeat at Hong's hands. He rears a snake for an experiment, but the snake ends up being killed by Guo Jing, who drinks its blood in the process. Since then, Liang has been stalking Guo and wanting to suck his blood, believing that it will make him more powerful. Hong Qigong shows up to help Guo, and Liang shuns away in fear when he recognises Hong. At the end of the novel, Liang loses his footing in a final attempt to kill Guo at Mount Hua and falls to his death.
Lingzhi Shangren (靈智上人; Língzhì Shàngrén) is a Tibetan monk who poisons Wang Chuyi in a fight.
Peng Lianhu (彭連虎; Péng Liánhǔ), nicknamed "Thousand Hands Human Butcher" (千手人屠), is a notorious mass murderer who poisons Ma Yu in a fight.

Dali Kingdom

Reverend Yideng (一燈大師; Yīdēng Dàshī), previously known as Duan Zhixing (段智興; Duàn Zhìxīng) and nicknamed "Southern Emperor" (南帝), is the former ruler of the Dali Kingdom and one of the five winners of the martial arts contest on Mount Hua. He has since abdicated and become a Buddhist monk.
Liu Ying (劉瑛; Liú Yīng), also known as Yinggu (瑛姑; Yīnggū), is nicknamed "Divine Mathematician" (神算子). She was Duan Zhixing's concubine when he was still the ruler of Dali. However, he neglected her due to his obsession with martial arts, so she had a secret affair with Zhou Botong and bore him a son. After the infant was severely injured by a masked attacker (Qiu Qianren), she pleaded with Duan to save her son but he refused and the infant died. Since then, she has been leading a reclusive life in the Black Swamp while plotting revenge on Duan and searching for Zhou Botong and her son's killer. During this time, she self-learns mathematics and martial arts and becomes a formidable fighter.
Yideng's aides:
- Chu Dongshan (褚東山; Chǔ Dōngshān), nicknamed "Reclusive Fisherman of Diancang" (點蒼漁隱), disguised as a fisherman, was previously a naval admiral in Dali.
- Zhang Shaoshou (張少守; Zhāng Shàoshǒu), disguised as a woodcutter, was previously an army general in Dali.
- Wu Santong (武三通; Wǔ Sāntōng), disguised as a farmer, was previously the chief of the palace guard.
- Zhu Ziliu (朱子柳; Zhū Zǐliǔ), disguised as a scholar, was previously the premier of Dali.
The Indian Monk (天竺僧人; Tiānzhú Sēngrén) is Yideng's junior, and an expert in medicine and healing. He translates for Guo Jing and Huang Rong the part of the Nine Yin Manual that was written in Sanskrit.
Old Yang is a former eunuch of Dali Kingdom tasked by Yideng to regularly provide sustenance to Yinggu when the latter live in the swamp. Introduced in the latest version of the novel.

Iron Palm Gang

Qiu Qianren (裘千仞; Qiú Qiānrèn) is the leader of the Iron Palm Gang (鐵掌幫) and an apprentice of Shangguan Jiannan, a subordinate of the Song general Han Shizhong. He is one of the more powerful fighters in the jianghu after the Five Greats, and is nicknamed "Iron Palm Skimming on Water" (鐵掌水上飄) for his prowess in martial arts and qinggong. He committed various heinous crimes, including killing Yinggu's infant son and collaborating with Jin soldiers to terrorise Song citizens. After he nearly dies on Mount Hua, he is saved by Reverend Yideng and feels so remorseful for his past deeds that he repents. He is renamed Ci'en (慈恩; Cí'ēn) and becomes Yideng's apprentice.
Qiu Qianzhang (裘千丈; Qiú Qiānzhàng) is Qiu Qianren's twin brother. He is inferior to his brother in terms of moral character and martial arts prowess, and relies on impersonating his brother to con and deceive others for a living. He falls to his death from Iron Palm Peak.
Yashaogong (啞艄公; Yǎshāogōng)
Chief Qiao (喬寨主; Qiáo Zhàizhǔ), Chief He (賀寨主; Hè Zhàizhǔ) and Chief Shi (石寨主; Shí Zhàizhǔ) are three stronghold chiefs in the gang.

Song Empire

Huang Chang (黃裳; Huáng Cháng) was a book transcriber who lived during the Northern Song dynasty. Emperor Huizong tasked him with transcribing a collection of 5,481 volumes of Taoist texts. As he was commissioned by the emperor, Huang Chang approached his task meticulously and gradually became well-versed in the Taoist classics, which provided him with a strong foundation for mastering powerful martial arts based on Taoist philosophy. Later, acting on Emperor Huizong's order, Huang Chang led imperial forces to attack the Ming Cult, killed many martial arts experts, and made several enemies in the jianghu. His enemies killed his family in revenge. Huang Chang went into hiding for 40 years and spent his time training in martial arts and thinking of ways to counter his enemies' moves. By the time he was done, his enemies were already dead so he lost his chance to avenge his family. By then, he realised that his days were numbered, so he spent his last days compiling his knowledge and experiences into a two-volume martial arts manual, the Nine Yin Manual. After his death, the Nine Yin Manual became the most coveted object in the jianghu for around a century until Wang Chongyang won the first martial arts contest on Mount Hua and claimed the manual as his prize.
Duan Tiande (段天德; Duàn Tiāndé) is a military officer who leads his men to kill Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin. He is actually acting on Wanyan Honglie's orders, as part of Wanyan's plan to win Bao Xiruo's affection. He later reveals the truth unsuspectingly while being held captive in Guiyun Manor, and is eventually slain by Yang Kang.
Li Quan (李全; Lǐ Quán) is a rebel leader appointed by Song Empire to command Qingzhou. Guo Jing and Huang Rong help him avert Mongols' attack at the end of the novel. Introduced in the latest version of the novel.
Yang Miaozhen is the wife of Li Quan, she is known for her Peach Blossom Spear. Introduced in the latest version of the novel.
Lü Wende (呂文德; Lǚ Wéndé) is the commander of Xiangyang's military forces. Guo Jing and Huang Rong warn him about the Mongols' invasion at the end of the novel. Does not appear in the latest version of the novel as Tolui attack Qingzhou instead of Xiangyang.
Shi Yanming (石彦明; Shí Yànmíng) was a high-ranking palace guard. He and Qu Lingfeng killed each other in a fight in the secret chamber in Qu's inn. His skeleton is discovered many years later by Guo Jing and Huang Rong.
Wang Daoqian (王道乾; Wáng Dàoqián) was an official in the Ministry of War. He was killed by Qiu Chuji after the latter discovered his attempt to trade secrets with Wanyan Honglie.
Jiang Wen (姜文; Jiāng Wén) is the magistrate of Xiushui County.
Shi Miyuan (史彌遠; Shǐ Míyuǎn)
Ge Yuncong (蓋運聰; Gě Yùncōng) is the prefect of Jiaxing.
Han Tuozhou (韓侂冑; Hán Tuōzhòu)
Tang Zude (湯祖德; Tāng Zǔdé)

Xianxia School

Reverend Kumu (枯木大師; Kūmù Dàshī) is the abbot of Yunqi Monastery (雲棲寺) and a member of the Xianxia School (仙霞派). He is Duan Tiande's uncle and Lu Guanying's martial arts master. Duan lies to him that Qiu Chuji is a murderous villain after his life. Kumu believes his nephew and enlists the help of the "Seven Freaks of Jiangnan" to fight Qiu, resulting in a big misunderstanding.
Reverend Jiaomu (焦木大師; Jiāomù Dàshī) died incidentally during a fight between Qiu Chuji and the "Seven Freaks of Jiangnan".

Others

Ala ad-Din Muhammad II (阿拉烏丁·摩訶末) is the ruler of the Khwarezm Empire. He dies of pleurisy after his empire falls to the Mongols.