Chapter 1

The Twelve Linked Forts

A force in the江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts) that extends its influence far beyond the borders. They have twelve strongholds, which from the outside look no different from ordinary mountain villages, but in reality, their defenses are extremely strict, and their organization is highly structured. Without the token and command from within the stronghold, it is extremely difficult for anyone to enter.

The chief of the Twelve Linked Forts is called Eagle Eye Old Seven, a well-known figure. His base is called Eagle Eye, from where all orders for the Twelve Linked Forts are directly issued. Many accomplished figures from both the righteous and the dark sides of the martial world are disciples of Eagle Eye Old Seven. In his later years, instead of maintaining his integrity, he willingly became a lackey of the Prince of Taiping to pursue wealth and honor, helping him carry out a conspiracy that would shock the world. As Lu Xiaofeng's investigation intensified, Eagle Eye Old Seven was ultimately silenced by the Prince of Taiping. (See Gu Long's "Lu Xiaofeng")

The Seven-Colored Hell

A mysterious and terrifying organization in the江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts) that, within two years, annexed seven powerful gangs in Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, and Hebei. The organization has seven halls: the Purple Python Hall, the Blue Bird Hall, and the Green Snake Hall. They are entrenched in the Devil Lake Peak, committing all sorts of evil deeds. Later, they were eradicated by Mai Ruogu, Long Chengbi, Sima Xue, and others. (See Gu Long's "Fast Knife Rogue")

The Seven Evil Sect

An evil sect in the江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts). Once it was a formidable force, with a large following and immense power, wreaking havoc and committing countless atrocities, causing both the righteous and the evil sides to look upon them with fear, and no one dared to provoke them. Later, they enraged a group of righteous heroes, who, along with the elders of the six major sects, jointly besieged and dismantled the Seven Evil Sect. For over twenty years, the name of the Seven Evil Sect was not heard in the江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts). Subsequently, the Seven Evil Sect reappeared, attempting to dominate the martial world, causing another upheaval. (See Cao Ruobing's "Golden Sword and Cold Plum")

The Eight Trigram Sect

A once prominent sect in the martial world, with the iron eight trigram as its symbol. Wherever the Eight Trigram Sect went, other sects would yield. This sect was full of talented individuals, and provoking them was like being bewitched, leading to a tragic end. The iron eight trigram was like a demonic order, and when the secular disciple of Shaolin, Yin Tianhe, meddled in their affairs, the Eight Trigram Sect used various means to make his entire family die under the iron eight trigram. The Eight Trigram Sect used any means necessary, and the martial world shied away from them. (See Xiao Yi's "Golden Bow Heroine")

The Jiuhua Sect

Originating from the Qingcheng Mountains in western Sichuan, it is said to have been founded by Zhang Sanfeng. Later, it was passed down to the Jiuhua Elder. After ten years of arduous cultivation, the Jiuhua Elder comprehended and mastered the boxing and sword techniques created by Zhang Sanfeng. He traveled through the famous mountains and rivers of Sichuan, deeply moved by the grandeur of the Sword Gate, the peril of the Wushan Mountains, the seclusion of the Qingcheng Mountains, and the uniqueness of the Emei Mountains. He then integrated these elements into the martial arts passed down by Zhang Sanfeng, creating a unique style of Jiuhua Sect martial arts. The Jiuhua Sect's martial arts are characterized by grandeur, peril, seclusion, and uniqueness. Later, the Jiuhua Elder left Sichuan and settled on Jiuhua Mountain, taking three disciples: Jiangnan Crane, Ji Guangjie, and the Mute Hero. Among them, the Mute Hero carried the "Secret Book of Boxing and Sword," which recorded the Jiuhua Sect's martial arts. Later, the Mute Hero was killed by the Shaanxi bandit Biyan Fox, and the martial arts book was taken away by Mr. Gao. Yu Jiaolong obtained the "Complete Book" from Mr. Gao, diligently practiced, and became a master. It was only after meeting Li Mubai that she realized she had been practicing the Jiuhua Sect's martial arts. (See Nie Yunlan's "Yu Jiaolong")

The Dafeng Clan

It is said to be a branch of the indigenous people of the Miao region, with a small population, accustomed to living in hidden and dirty caves. Their ancestors were of the python lineage, with a fierce nature, long scales, and the ability to break snakes and cut wood, leap like a flying bird, and possess immense strength. Before the Shu-Han period, the entire clan lived in the southwest of the Fen River. Later, many were burned to death by Zhuge Liang, and only some women and children escaped, migrating to the remote mountains of the Miao region. They usually wore vines as clothing and ate snakes and beasts, rarely leaving the mountains, and were little known to outsiders. This is a fictional account. (See Guigu Zi's "Jianghu Fengyunlu")

The Wanxie Sect

To avenge her father's death, Zhen Lanxiang used a plan to severely injure the martial world's eccentric genius, Xiong Quxing, and then organized the evil sect with her senior brother, Ironwood Sword Zhu Po, and Residual Soul Golden Palm Du Poqing. The sect leader is Zhen Lanxiang, under whom are four major protectors, and below them is the deputy leader, Silver Snake Sword Heng Tian. Below them are four hall leaders: Yin Feng Hall Leader Tian Can Di Que Nie Hunei, Tian Ling Hall Leader Devil Arm Old Man Kuang Yuxiang, Di Hun Hall Leader Snowless Footprint Tan Hunqi, and Shen Huo Hall Leader Red-Faced Devil King Xue Wu Hong. The Wanxie Sect colluded with the Qianqi Gang and the Iron Bow Gang, aiming to dominate the martial world. Zhen Lanxiang's Cruel Bone Residual Soul Yin Gong and Soul Devouring Bone Eroding Mist are extremely vicious, using beauty and poison to entice the martial world. The sect was later eradicated by Gu Xifeng and others. (See Chen Qingyun's "One Sword and Three Eagles")

The Wanhuapiaoxiang

A martial arts gang. "Flowers drift and water flows" is a phrase in the martial world. Anyone traveling in the martial world knows that this phrase refers to the most powerful and hypocritical gang in the martial world: Wanhuapiaoxiang; it also tells you about the most terrifying person in the world, the lord of Wanhuapiaoxiang, Liu Dieyi. Liu Dieyi has many titles: Flower Fairy, Flower Obsession, Flower Saint, etc., and he is obsessed with flowers and has unparalleled sword skills.

Wanhuapiaoxiang has one building, two halls, three altars, four gates, and seventy-two bases, with a vast organization and nearly ten thousand directly controlled and commanded members. Such a powerful organization is unprecedented in the martial world. No wonder no one can resist it, and even local authorities have to bow to it and dare not provoke it. Representative figures of Wanhuapiaoxiang include Liu Dieyi, Shi Meijiao, Li Qilang, and Yan Yunqing, all of whom possess world-class martial arts.

After the death of Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty, Prince Gui Zhu Youlang ascended the throne in Zhaoqing, with the era name Yongli. Wanhuapiaoxiang once vied with Wu Sangui, Sun Kewang, Hong Chengchou, and the righteous knight Jian Kun to control Zhu Youlang, attempting to use him to dominate the martial world, but ultimately failed. (See Xiao Jingren's "Phoenix Nesting in Kunlun")

The Wansha Sect

A secret gang founded by the Japanese courtesan Black Dujian after she came to the Central Plains. Black Dujian secretly ruled the martial world. The four major protectors of the Wansha Sect are Zhang Liangdao, Xian Gong Qianfeng, Bai Wuji of the Flying Corpse Sect, and Tie Zhonglou. (See Gu Long's "Fast Knife Rogue")

The Nuyuguo

Located in the caves of the Xiliang Mountains downstream of the Yangtze River, the caves are inhabited by hundreds of elderly women in blue robes, all with white hair and wrinkled skin. The leader is called the Supreme Divine Lord, with unfathomable martial arts. The elderly women in the country are all proficient in the "Three Lights" technique, which can burn rocks and turn blood to water, with immense power. According to the Supreme Divine Lord, their ancestors came to this remote place to avoid the turmoil of the world and seek a state of purity. Each elderly woman, upon arriving, had already taken an oath to never leave the country, or they would be punished by heaven. The elderly women, having lived in the cave for a long time, no longer understand the language of the outside world. Shi Jianming, seeking revenge for his father, accidentally entered the Nuyuguo. Daoist Yunzhong and others searched for Shi Jianming and found a stone ladder on a cliff by the river, with thousand-year-old meat Buddhas growing on both sides, a rare medicinal herb. They entered the cave along the cliff and, with the help of a newly arrived elderly woman as a translator, explained their purpose and received friendly hospitality. Shi Jianming was then guided by the Supreme Divine Lord to unblock his Ren, Du, and three meridians and taught the "Three Lights" technique. After the banquet, the way out was closed, and an elderly woman led Shi Jianming and his companions directly from the cave to the top of the Xiliang Mountains. Then, with a loud "boom," the cave entrance disappeared, and the Nuyuguo was no longer seen by the world. (See Liang Yusheng's "Wudang Yijian")

The Tiandi Society

A secret anti-Qing and pro-Ming organization created by Zheng Chenggong, the Prince of Yanping, and his subordinate Dong Jinan. The Tiandi Society is also known as the Hongmen, with Wan Yunlong as its founder. Wan Yunlong refers to Zheng Chenggong, and the loss of "Han" people's "land" is "Hong." The chief of the Tiandi Society is Chen Jinan, whose real name is Chen Yonghua, overseeing ten halls, including the five front halls and the five back halls. The five front halls are the Lotus Hall, Hongshun Hall, Jiahou Hall, Canta Hall, and Honghua Hall. The five back halls are the Qingmu Hall, Chihuo Hall, Xijin Hall, Xuan Shui Hall, and Huang