Protagonists
- Linghu Chong (令狐冲 – Línghú Chōng) – Yue Buqun’s first disciple, North Hengshan School 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 Buqun (岳不群 – Yuè Bùqún) the Gentleman Sword – Huashan School’s zhangmen
- Ning Zhongze (宁中则 – Níng Zhōngzé) the Heroine Ning – 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 Escort Agency, 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
- 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 School zhangmen who gave up her position to Dingxian
- Dingxian (定闲 – Dìng Xián) – North Hengshan School zhangmen, Dingxian’s junior
- Dingyi (定逸 – Dìng Yì) – Dingjing and Dingxian’s junior
- Yilin (仪琳 – Yílín) – Dingyi’s disciple, daughter of Monk Bujie and Mute Granny
- Tian Boguang (田伯光 – Tián Bóguāng) the Lone-traveller of Ten Thousand Li, notorious lecher, became monk Buke Bujie and joined the North Hengshan School
- Bujie (不戒 – Bùjiè) – Buddhist monk, Yilin’s father
- Yihe (仪和 – Yíhé) – most senior of the Yi generation
- Yiqing (仪清 – Yíqīng) – Yihe’s junior, North Hengshan School 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 School
- Aunt Yu (于嫂 – Yú Sǎo) – Dingxian’s servant who became her disciple
South Hengshan School
- Mo Da (莫大 – Mò Dà) – South Hengshan School 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
- Mrs 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 (玉磯子 – 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
- Lan Fenghuang (蓝凤凰 – Lán Fènghuáng) the Blue Phoenix – Five Immortals Order leader, close friend of Ren Yingying
- Lüzhuweng (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
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 (易国梓 – 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 Escort Agency
- Lin Yuantu (林远图 – Lín Yuǎntú) – Fuwei Escort Agency 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 Saber School
- Wang Yuanba (王元霸 – Wáng Yuánbà) the Invincible Golden Sabre – Golden Saber 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 (易师爷 – 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
- Old Master Boxer 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 Sabr
- 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
- 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
- Twin Swords of Diancang (点苍双剑 – Diǎncāng Shuāngjiàn) – Diancang School swordsmen
- Songwen (松纹 – Sōngwén) – Emei School Taoist
- Wu Tiande (吴天德 – Wú Tiāndé) – Quanzhou military officer
- Qingxiao (清晓 – Qīngxiǎo) – Water Moon Nunnery abbess
- Twin Flying Fish (长江双飞鱼 – Chángjiāng Shuāng Fēiyú) – White Dragon Gang members
- Qinghai Yixiao (青海一枭 – Qīnghǎi Yīxiāo) – Martial artist