Bright Peak (simplified: 光明顶, traditional: 光明頂, pinyin: Guāngmíng Dǐng, jyutping: gwong1 ming4 ding2) is the headquarters of the Ming Order in the Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山). The name means “peak of bright light,” reflecting the Order’s Manichaean emphasis on light and fire. It was the site of the six orthodox sects’ siege, Zhang Wuji’s rise to leadership, and pivotal events in the novel.
History
Ming Order headquarters
The Ming Order established Bright Peak as its base in western China, far from imperial control. The peak housed the Order’s leadership, the Four Guardian Kings, the Five Wanderers, and the Five Element Banners. Secret passages beneath the peak led to a stone chamber where Yang Dingtian, the thirty-third leader, died practising the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth. His skeleton and the manual remained there until Zhang Wuji and Xiaozhao discovered them.
Notable events
Han Qianye challenged Yang Dingtian at Bright Peak’s Cold Water Pool (碧水寒潭), where Daiqisi volunteered to fight on Yang Dingtian’s behalf and later married Han Qianye. Years later, Cheng Kun used the secret passages to reach the summit during the six sects’ siege and crippled Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, and the Five Wanderers with Huanyin Finger.
Six sects’ siege
The six orthodox sects—Shaolin Order, Wudang Order, Emei Order, Kunlun School, Kongtong School, and Huashan School—besieged Bright Peak to destroy the Ming Order. Zhang Wuji intervened, defeated the orthodox masters in single combat, and was acclaimed the thirty-fourth leader. Yin Tianzheng and the Heavenly Eagle Order arrived to reinforce the Ming Order at a critical moment.
Behind the scenes
Significance
Bright Peak serves as the geographical and narrative centre of the Ming Order’s struggle. The siege marks the novel’s turning point, elevating Zhang Wuji to leadership and setting the stage for the Order’s role in overthrowing the Yuan Dynasty.
See also
- Ming Order — Organisation based at Bright Peak
- Zhang Wuji — Became leader at Bright Peak
- Six sects’ siege of Bright Summit — Major battle