Laughing in the Wind features a rich cast of characters from various martial arts schools and factions, including the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, the Sun Moon Order, and numerous independent martial artists. The story explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, power, and the conflict between personal freedom and social obligations.
Protagonists
- Linghu Chong (令狐冲 — Línghú Chōng) — Yue Buqun’s first disciple, North Hengshan zhangmen
- Ren Yingying (任盈盈 — Rén Yíngyíng) — Ren Woxing’s daughter, Holy Maiden of the Sun Moon Order
Five Mountains Sword Alliance
Huashan School
Qi Faction
- Yue Su (岳肅 — Yuè Sù) — Founder of the Qi faction
- Yue Buqun (岳不群 — Yuè Bùqún) the Junzi Jian — Huashan School’s zhangmen
- Ning Zhongze (宁中则 — Níng Zhōngzé) Ning nüxia — Yue Buqun’s wife
- Yue Lingshan (岳灵珊 — Yuè Língshān) — Yue Buqun’s daughter
- Lin Pingzhi (林平之 — Lín Píngzhī) — Young Master of the Fuwei Armed Escort, Yue Buqun’s ninth disciple, husband of Yue Lingshan
- Lao Denuo (劳德诺 — Láo Dénuó) — Yue Buqun’s second disciple
- Liang Fa (梁发 — Liáng Fā) — Yue Buqun’s third disciple
- Shi Daizi (失袋子 — Shǐ Chánglǎo) — Yue Buqun’s fourth disciple
- Gao Genming (高根明 — Gāo Gēnmíng) — Yue Buqun’s fifth disciple
- Lu Dayou (陆大有 — Lù Dàyǒu) — Yue Buqun’s sixth disciple
- Tao Jun (陶俊 — Táo Jùn) — Yue Buqun’s seventh disciple
- Ying Bailuo (英白罗 — Yīng Báiluó) — Yue Buqun’s eighth disciple
- Shu Qi (舒奇 — Shū Qí) — Yue Buqun’s ninth disciple
Sword Faction
- Cai Zifeng (蔡子峰 — Cài Zǐfēng) — Founder of the Sword faction
- Feng Qingyang (风清扬 — Fēng Qīngyáng) — disgraced Huashan School member from the Sword faction who went into self-imposed seclusion
- Feng Buping (封不平 — Fēng Bùpíng) — leader of the exiled Sword faction
- Cheng Buyou (成不忧 — Chéng Bùyōu) — Feng Buping’s junior
- Cong Buqi (丛不弃 — Cóng Bùqì) — Feng Buping’s disciple
Songshan School
- Zuo Lengchan (左冷禅 — Zuǒ Lěngchán) — Songshan School zhangmen
- Ding Mian (丁勉 — Dīng Miǎn) — Zuo Lengchan’s junior
- Lu Bai (陆柏 — Lù Bǎi) — Zuo Lengchan’s junior
- Fei Bin (费彬 — Fèi Bīn) — Zuo Lengchan’s junior
- Deng Bagong (邓八公 — Dèng Bāgōng) — Zuo Lengchan’s junior
- Gao Kexin (高克新 — Gāo Kèxīn) — Zuo Lengchan’s junior
- Tang Ying’e (唐英鹗 — Táng Yīng’è) — Zuo Lengchan’s junior
- Zhong Zhen (钟镇 — Zhōng Zhèn) — Zuo Lengchan’s junior
- Yue Hou (乐厚 — Yuè Hòu) the Great Yin-yang Hand
- Bu Chen (卜沉 — Bǔ Chén) the Old White-haired Immortal
- Sha Tianjiang (沙天江 — Shā Tiānjiāng) the Vulture
- Shi Dengda (史登达 — Shǐ Dēngdá) the Thousand-zhang Pine
- Wan Daping (万大平 — Wàn Dàpíng) Shi Dengda’s junior
- Di Xiu (狄修 — Dí Xiū) — Zuo Lengchan’s disciple
North Hengshan School
- Dingjing (定静 — Dìng Jìng) — North Hengshan zhangmen who gave up her position to Dingxian
- Dingxian (定闲 — Dìng Xián) — North Hengshan zhangmen, Dingxian’s junior
- Dingyi (定逸 — Dìng Yì) — Dingjing and Dingxian’s junior
- Yilin (仪琳 — Yílín) — Dingyi’s disciple, daughter of Monk Never Abstain and Mute Granny
- Tian Boguang (田伯光 — Tián Bóguāng) the Lone-traveller of Ten Thousand Li, notorious lecher, became monk Cannot Never Abstain (不可不戒) and joined the North Hengshan
- Never Abstain (不戒 — Bùjiè) — Buddhist monk, Yilin’s father
- Mute Granny (哑婆婆 — Yǎ Pópó) — Yilin’s mother, Never Abstain’s wife
- Yihe (仪和 — Yíhé) — most senior of the Yi generation
- Yiqing (仪清 — Yíqīng) — Yihe’s junior, North Hengshan zhangmen
- Yizhi (仪质 — Yízhì) — Dingjing’s disciple
- Yizhen (仪真 — Yízhēn) — Dingjing’s disciple
- Yiling (仪灵 — Yílíng)
- Yiguang (仪光 — Yíguāng) — Yilin’s senior
- Yiwen (仪文 — Yíwén) — Dingxian’s disciple
- Qin Juan (秦绢 — Qín Juàn) — Dingjing’s secular disciple
- Zheng E (郑萼 — Zhèng È) — secular member of the North Hengshan
- Aunt Yu (于嫂 — Yú Sǎo) — Dingxian’s servant who became her disciple
South Hengshan School
- Mo Da (莫大 — Mò Dà) — South Hengshan zhangmen
- Xiang Danian (向大年 — Xiàng Dànián) — Liu Zhengfeng’s first disciple
- Mi Weiyi (米为义 — Mǐ Wéiyì) — Liu Zhengfeng’s second disciple
- Fang Qianju (方千驹 — Fāng Qiānjū)
- Lu Lianrong (鲁连荣 — Lǔ Liánróng)
Liu family
- Liu Zhengfeng (刘正风 — Liú Zhèngfēng), also known as Third Master Liu — Mo Da’s junior
- Madam Liu (刘夫人 — Liú Fūrén) — Liu Zhengfeng’s wife
- Young Master Liu (刘公子 — Liú Gōngzǐ) — Liu Zhengfeng’s elder son
- Liu Jing (刘菁 — Liú Jīng) — Liu Zhengfeng’s daughter
- Liu Qin (刘芹 — Liú Qín) — Liu Zhengfeng’s younger son
Taishan School
- Tianmen (天门 — Tiānmén) — Taishan School zhangmen
- Yujizi (玉矶子 — Yùjīzǐ) — junior of Tianmen’s master
- Yuqingzi (玉磬子 — Yùqìngzǐ) — junior of Tianmen’s master
- Yuyinzi (玉音子 — Yùyīnzǐ) — junior of Tianmen’s master
- Yuzhongzi (玉钟子 — Yùzhōngzǐ)
- Tiansong (天松 — Tiānsōng) — Tianmen’s junior
- Tianyi (天乙 — Tiānyì)
- Chi Baicheng (迟百城 — Chí Bǎichéng) — Tianmen’s first disciple
- Jianchu (建除 — Jiànchú) — Tianmen’s second disciple
Sun Moon Order
- Ren Woxing (任我行 — Rén Wǒxíng) — Sun Moon Order leader
- Ren Yingying (任盈盈 — Rén Yíngyíng) — Ren Woxing’s daughter, Sun Moon Order leader
- Dongfang Bubai (东方不败 — Dōngfāng Bùbài) the Eastern Invincible — Ousted Ren Woxing to become Sun Moon Order leader
- Xiang Wentian (向问天 — Xiàng Wèntiān) — Sun Moon Order elder, loyal to Ren Woxing
Five Immortals Order
- Lan Fenghuang (蓝凤凰 — Lán Fènghuáng) the Blue Phoenix — Five Immortals Order leader, close friend of Ren Yingying
- Elder of the Green Bamboo (绿竹翁 — Lǜzhúwēng) — Ren Yingying’s subordinate
- Bao Dachu (鲍大楚 — Bào Dàchǔ) — defected to Dongfang Bubai
- Qin Weibang (秦伟邦 — Qín Wěibāng) — defected to Dongfang Bubai
- Wang Cheng (王诚 — Wáng Chéng) — defected to Dongfang Bubai
- Sang Sanniang (桑三娘 — Sāng Sānniáng) — defected to Dongfang Bubai
- Jia Bu (贾布 — Jiǎ Bù) the Yellow-faced Honourable — minor leader
- Shangguan Yun (上官云 — Shàngguān Yún) the Eagle Hero — minor leader
- Yang Lianting (杨莲亭 — Yáng Liántíng) — Dongfang Bubai’s lover
- Tong Baixiong (童百熊 — Tóng Bǎixióng) — minor leader
Ten Elders
- Zhang Chengyun (张乘云 — Zhāng Chéngyún) the White Ape Devil — pole weapons expert
- Zhang Chengfeng (张乘风 — Zhāng Chéngfēng) the Golden Monkey Devil — pole weapons expert
- Fan Song (范松 — Fàn Sōng) the Great Strength Devil — axe expert
- Zhao He (赵鹤 — Zhào Hè) the Sky Soaring Devil — club expert
- Qu Yang (曲洋 — Qū Yáng)
Shaolin Order
- Fangzheng (方证 — Fāngzhèng) — Shaolin Order’s abbot
- Fangsheng (方生 — Fāngshēng) — Fangzheng’s junior
- Xin Guoliang (辛国梁 — Xīn Guóliáng)
- Yi Guozi (昉国梓 — Yì Guózǐ)
- Huang Guobai (黄国柏 — Huáng Guóbǎi)
- Jueyue (觉月 — Juéyuè)
Wudang Order
- Chongxu (冲虚 — Chōngxū) — Wudang Order leader
- Qingxu (清虚 — Qīngxū) — Chongxu’s junior
- Chenggao (成高 — Chénggāo) — disciple of Chongxu’s junior
Qingcheng School
- Yu Canghai (余沧海 — Yú Cānghǎi) — Qingcheng School leader
- Yu Renyan (余人彦 — Yú Rényàn) — Yu Canghai’s son
- Hou Renying (侯人英 — Hóu Rényīng)
- Hong Renxiong (洪人雄 — Hóng Rénxióng)
- Yu Renhao (于人豪 — Yú Rénháo)
- Luo Renjie (罗人杰 — Luó Rénjié)
- Jia Renda (贾人达 — Jiǎ Réndá)
- Fang Renzhi (方人智 — Fāng Rénzhì)
- Li Rencai (黎人才 — Lí Réncái)
- Peng Renqi (彭人骐 — Péng Rénqí)
- Ji Rentong (吉人通 — Jí Réntōng)
- Shen Renjun (申人俊 — Shēn Rénjùn)
Fuwei Armed Escort
- Lin Yuantu (林远图 — Lín Yuǎntú) — Fuwei Armed Escort founder, former Shaolin monk Duyuan
- Lin Zhennan (林震南 — Lín Zhènnán) — Lin Yuantu’s descendant, Lin Pingzhi’s father
- Madam Wang (王夫人 — Wáng Fūrén) — Lin Zhennan’s wife, Wang Yuanba’s daughter
Golden Blade School
- Wang Yuanba (王元霸 — Wáng Yuánbà) the Invincible Golden Blade — Golden Blade School zhangmen
- Wang Bofen (王伯奋 — Wáng Bófèn) — Wang Yuanba’s eldest son
- Wang Zhongqiang (王仲强 — Wáng Zhòngqiáng) — Wang Yuanba’s second son
- Wang Jiajun (王家骏 — Wáng Jiājùn) — Wang Zhongqiang’s eldest son
- Wang Jiaju (王家驹 — Wáng Jiājū) — Wang Zhongqiang’s youngest son
- Adviser Yi (昉师爷 — Yì Shīyé) — Wang family accountant
Four Friends of Jiangnan
- Huangzhonggong (黄钟公 — Huángzhōnggōng) — Music expert
- Heibaizi (黑白子 — Hēibáizǐ) — Weiqi expert
- Tubiweng (秃笔翁 — Tūbǐwēng) — Calligraphy expert
- Danqingsheng (丹青生 — Dānqīngshēng) — Wine connoisseur and swordsman
- Ding Jian (丁坚 — Dīng Jiān) the One Lightning Sword — Four Friend’s servant, sword expert
- Shi Lingwei (施令威 — Shī Lìngwēi) the Five Paths God — Four Friend’s servant, saber expert
Liu Zhengfeng’s guests
- Elder Xia (夏老拳师 — Xià Lǎoquánshī) — Six Harmonies School leader
- Tie Laolao (铁老老 — Tiě Lǎolǎo) — Divine Maiden Peak martial artist
- Pan Hou (潘吼 — Pān Hǒu) — Haisha Clan chief
- Bai Ke (白克 — Bái Kè) the Divine Sabre
- Lu Xisi (卢西思 — Lú Xīsī) the Divine Brush
- Official Zhang (张大人 — Zhāng Dàrén) — Government official
Kunlun School
- Zhenshanzi (震山子 — Zhènshānzǐ) the One Sword of Heaven and Earth — Kunlun School zhangmen
- Tan Diren (谭迪人 — Tán Dírén) — Kunlun School member
Beggars’ Guild
- Xie Feng (解风 — Xiè Fēng) — Beggars’ Guild chief
- Zhang Jin’ao (张金鳌 — Zhāng Jīn’áo) — Beggars’ Guild deputy chief
Other characters
- Six Immortals of the Peach Valley (桃谷六仙 — Táo Gǔ Liù Xiān) — Six brothers named after peach tree parts
- Mu Gaofeng (木高峰 — Mù Gāofēng) — Northern bandit
- Ping Yizhi (平一指 — Píng Yīzhǐ) the Famous Killer Physician — Physician
- Lao Touzi (老头子 — Lǎo Tóuzǐ) — One of the Old Ancestors of the Yellow River
- Zu Qianqiu (祖千秋 — Zǔ Qiānqiū) — One of the Old Ancestors of the Yellow River
Old Ancestors of the Yellow River
- Lao Touzi (老头子 — Lǎo Tóuzǐ) — One of the Old Ancestors
- Zu Qianqiu (祖千秋 — Zǔ Qiānqiū) — One of the Old Ancestors
- Ji Wushi (计无施 — Jì Wúshī) the Night Cat, To No Avail — Martial artist
- Zhucaoxian (诸草仙 — Zhūcǎoxiān) — Hundred Herbs School leader
- Baixiong (白熊 — Báixióng) the White Bear of the Northern Desert — One of the Twin Bears of the Northern Desert
- Heixiong (黑熊 — Hēixióng) the Black Bear of the Northern Desert — One of the Twin Bears of the Northern Desert
- Qiu Songnian (仇松年 — Qíu Sōngnián) — Wandering monk
- Madam Zhang (张夫人 — Zhāng Fūrén) — Martial artist
- Xibao (西宝 — Xībǎo) — Monk
- Yuling (玉灵 — Yùlíng) — Taoist priest
- Yan Sanxing (严三星 — Yán Sānxīng) the Twin Serpents Evil Beggar — Beggar
- Zhou Gutong (周孤桐 — Zhōu Gūtóng) — One of the Twin Extraordinaries
- Wu Baiying (吴柏英 — Wú Bǎiyīng) — One of the Twin Extraordinaries
- You Xun (游迅 — Yóu Xùn) — Martial artist
- Sima Da (司马大 — Sīmǎ Dà) the Lord of Long Whale Island — Martial artist
- Huang Boliu (黄伯流 — Huáng Bólíu) the Silver Bearded Dragon — Heavenly River Gang chief
Heavenly River Guild
- Huang Boliu (黄伯流 — Huáng Bólíu) the Silver Bearded Dragon — Guild chief
- Twin Swords of Diancang (点苍双剑 — Diǎncāng Shuāngjiàn) — Diancang School swordsmen
- Songwen (松纹 — Sōngwén) — Emei Order Taoist
- Wu Tiande (吴天德 — Wú Tiāndé) — Quanzhou military officer
- Qingxiao (清晓 — Qīngxiǎo) — Water Moon Convent abbess
- Twin Flying Fish (长江双飞鱼 — Chángjiāng Shuāng Fēiyú) — White Dragon Guild members
White Dragon Guild
- Twin Flying Fish (长江双飞鱼 — Chángjiāng Shuāng Fēiyú) — Guild members
- Qinghai Yixiao (青海一枭 — Qīnghǎi Yīxiāo) — Martial artist
See also
- Jin Yong characters
- Laughing in the Wind factions
- Laughing in the Wind martial arts
- Laughing in the Wind locations
- Laughing in the Wind translation
Follow a route
- Read: the translation archive and Laughing in the Wind translation
- Explore: Jin Yong, Laughing in the Wind, and its characters
- Understand: wuxia, martial arts, and the translation method
- Watch: wuxia adaptations
- Write: story elements in wuxia fiction
- Madam Lin (王夫人 — Wáng Fūrén) — Madam Lin was Lin Zhennan’s wife and Lin Pingzhi’s mother in Laughing in the Wind, who was killed du…