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Return of the Condor Heroes factions

Return of the Condor Heroes factions

The Return of the Condor Heroes continues the saga of martial arts factions during the final years of the Southern Song Dynasty.1 As Mongol pressure intensifies, established organisations like the Quanzhen Order face internal strife whilst new powers emerge. The mysterious Ancient Tomb Sect steps into prominence, Tibetan Buddhist Orders extend their influence eastward, and the Xiangyang Defense Force represents the last stand of Chinese resistance against foreign invasion.

Notable factions

Ancient Tomb Sect

The Ancient Tomb Sect (古墓派 – Gǔmù Pài) was founded by Lin Chaoying in the ancient tombs beneath the Zhongnan Mountains. This unconventional martial arts tradition emerged from Lin Chaoying’s rivalry with Wang Chongyang, founder of the Quanzhen Order, developing techniques specifically designed to counter Quanzhen martial arts.

The sect’s signature Jade Maiden Swordplay and advanced qinggong2 made its practitioners formidable opponents. Under Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü, the Ancient Tomb Sect gained prominence in the jianghu,3 though it remained small and secretive, operating from its hidden underground chambers.

Quanzhen Order

The Quanzhen Order (全真教 – Quánzhēn Jiào) experienced significant decline from its former glory during Wang Chongyang’s era. Now led by Qiu Chuji, the Order faced internal corruption and external pressures from both Mongol forces and rival factions. The once-unified leadership of the Seven Zis of Quanzhen had fractured, with some members like Zhen Zhibing bringing shame to the Order’s reputation.

Despite these challenges, Quanzhen remained influential, controlling important territories and maintaining its religious and martial traditions, though its moral authority had significantly diminished compared to the previous generation.

Tibetan Buddhist Orders

Various Tibetan Buddhist Orders (藏传佛教 – Zàngchuán Fójiào) extended their influence into Chinese territories during this period. Led by masters like Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor, these orders brought esoteric martial arts and tantric practices that challenged traditional Chinese fighting methods.

Their Dragon-Elephant Prajna Technique and other Tibetan martial arts represented a new threat to established Chinese factions, whilst their political ambitions aligned with Mongol expansion plans.

Guilds and societies

  • Beggars’ Guild 丐帮
    • Clean Clothes Faction 净衣派
    • Dirty Clothes Faction 污衣派

Philosophical and religious orders

Martial arts schools

Clans and families

Strongholds

See also

Footnotes

  1. 南宋 – Nán Sòng. Period of the Song Dynasty that lasted from 1127 to 1279 CE, forced to move its capital south after the loss of northern China to the Jin Empire. See Wikipedia. ↩

  2. 轻功 – qīnggōng. Literally lightness skill. The ability to move with superhuman agility, and weightlessness through qi redistribution to leap over trees and roofs, and skip over water. See Wikipedia. ↩

  3. 江湖 – jiānghú. The world of martial arts. A sub-society involving all who are related to the martial arts scene. What is jianghu? ↩