Sword of the Yue Maiden features a small but significant cast of characters set during the Spring and Autumn period, including historical figures like King Goujian of Yue and Xi Shi, as well as fictional characters like the shepherdess Aqing. The story explores themes of loyalty, beauty, and the intersection of politics and personal relationships.
- Aqing (阿青 — Aqīng) — a shepherdess who mastered a strange but formidable swordplay technique from a white ape.
- Fan Li (范蠡 — Fànlǐ) — a dafu, scholar official, in the Yue court and a trusted adviser of King Goujian.
- Goujian (勾践 — Gōujiàn) — the King of Yue who plots vengeance for his humiliating imprisonment by the King of Wu.
- Xi Shi (西施 — Xī Shī) — Fan Li’s lover and a great beauty who King Goujian gifts as tribute to the King of Wu to seduce the latter.
- Grandpa Bai (白爷爷 — Báiyéye) — a white ape that enjoys playing with Aqing using bamboo sticks, and is considered the one who teaches Aqing her swordsmanship.
- Wenzhong (文仲 — Wénzhòng) — a dafu in the Yue court, a trusted adviser to the King of Goujian, and Fan Li’s close friend and colleague.
- King Yunchang of Yue (允常 — Yǔncháng) — King Yunchang of Yue was an early king of the State of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period, fath…
- Zheng Dan (郑旦 — Zhèng Dàn) — Zheng Dan was a legendary beauty of the State of Yue, often paired with Xi Shi in accounts of beauti…
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- Read: Browse the translation archive or the novel translation.
- Explore: Visit Jin Yong and Sword of the Yue Maiden.
- Understand: Read wuxia and martial arts in their wider genre context.
- Watch: Follow the wuxia adaptations route.
- Write: Study story elements in wuxia fiction.