Protagonists
- Hu Fei (胡斐 – Hú Fěi) – Son of Hu Yidao, novel’s protagonist
- Hu Yidao (胡一刀 – Hú Yīdāo) – Legendary hero seeking to resolve family feuds
- Miao Renfeng (苗人凤 – Miáo Rénfèng) the Golden Faced Buddha and Undefeated Champion – Powerful martial artist
- Cheng Lingsu (程灵素 – Chéng Língsù) – King of Venoms’ apprentice, Hu Fei’s companion
- Yuan Ziyi (袁紫衣 – Yuán Zǐyī), also known as Yuanxing (圆性 – Yuánxìng) – Buddhist nun, Feng Tiannan’s daughter
Antagonists
- Fuk’anggan (福康安 – Fúkāng’ān) – Scheming Manchu general
- Tian Guinong (田归农 – Tián Guīnóng) – Immoral descendant of Li Zicheng’s bodyguards
- Feng Tiannan (凤天南 – Fèng Tiānnán) – Cruel villain, Yuan Ziyi’s father
- Shi Wanchen (石万嗔 – Shí Wànchēn) – Evil junior of the King of Venoms
Other characters
- Nan Lan (南兰 – Nán Lán) – Miao Renfeng’s wife who leaves him for Tian Guinong
- Ping Asi (平阿四 – Píng Āsì) – Hu Fei’s humble foster father
- King of Venoms (毒手药王 – Dúshǒu Yàowáng) – Herbal medicine guru
- Ma Chunhua (马春花 – Mǎ Chūnhuā) – Hu Fei’s friend, Fuk’anggan’s secret lover
- Zhao Banshan (赵半山 – Zhào Bànshān) – Red Flower Society’s third leader
- Tang Pei (汤沛 – Tāng Pèi) – Wulin election guest blackmailed by Yuan Ziyi
- Murong Jingyue (慕容景岳 – Mùróng Jǐngyuè) – King of Venoms’ traitorous apprentice
- Xue Que (薛鹊 – Xuē Què) – King of Venoms’ traitorous apprentice
- Shang Jianming (商剑鸣 – Shāng Jiànmíng) – Former master of Shang Family Castle
- Zhong Asi (钟阿四 – Zhōng Āsì) – Peasant murdered by Feng Tiannan
- Chen Jialuo (陈家洛 – Chén Jiāluò) – Red Flower Society chief from The Book and the Sword
See also
- Jin Yong characters
- Side Story of the Flying Fox factions
- Side Story of the Flying Fox martial arts
- Side Story of the Flying Fox locations
- Side Story of the Flying Fox translation