Protagonists
- Yuan Chengzhi (袁承志 – Yuán Chéngzhī) – Protagonist, son of Yuan Chonghuan
- Xia Xueyi (夏雪宜 – Xià Xuěyí) the Golden Serpent Gentleman – Legendary swordsman
- Xia Qingqing/Wen Qingqing (温青青/夏青青 – Wēn Qīngqīng/Xià Qīngqīng) – Xia Xueyi’s daughter
- Ajiu/Princess Changping (阿九/长平公主 – Ājǐu/Chángpíng Gōngzhǔ) – Chongzhen Emperor’s daughter
- He Tieshou (何铁手 – Hé Tiěshǒu), later He Tishou (何惕守 – Hé Tìshǒu) – Five Poisons Order leader
Yuan Chengzhi’s allies
- Jiao Wan’er (焦婉儿 – Jiāo Wǎn’ér) – Jiao Gongli’s daughter
- Luo Liru (罗立如 – Luó Lìrú) – Jiao Gongli’s apprentice
- Hong Shenghai (洪胜海 – Hóng Shènghǎi) – Bohai School member
- Cheng Qingzhu (程青竹 – Chéng Qīngzhú) – Green Bamboo Gang chief
- Sha Tianguang (沙天广 – Shā Tiānguǎng) – Bandit leader
- Hu Guinan (胡桂南 – Hú Guīnán) the Divine Thief – Expert thief
- Yisheng (义生 – Yìshēng) the Iron Arhat – Buddhist monk
- Shui Jian (水鉴 – Shuǐ Jiàn) – Military officer
Rebels
- Li Zicheng (李自成 – Lǐ Zìchéng) the Dashing King – Rebel leader
- Li Yan (李岩 – Lǐ Yán) – Li Zicheng’s adviser
- Red Maiden (红娘子 – Hóngniángzǐ) – Li Yan’s wife
- An Daniang (安大娘 – Ān Dàniáng) – Rebel spy
- An Xiaohui (安小辉 – Ān Xiǎohuì) – An Daniang’s daughter
Shanzong members
- Ying Song (应松 – Yìng Sōng)
- Luo Daqian (罗大千 – Luó Dàqiān)
- Zhu Anguo (朱安国 – Zhū Ānguó)
- Sun Zhongshou (孙仲寿 – Sūn Zhòngshòu)
- Tian Jianxiu (田见秀 – Tián Jiànxiù)
- Cui Qiushan (崔秋山 – Cuī Qiūshān)
Huashan School
- Mu Renqing (穆人清 – Mù Rénqīng) the Divine Sword Immortal Ape – Mount Hua leader
- Huang Zhen (黄真 – Huáng Zhēn) the Copper Brush and Iron Abacus – Mu Renqing’s first apprentice
- Feng Nandi (冯难敌 – Féng Nándí) – Huang Zhen’s apprentice
- Cui Ximin (崔希敏 – Cuī Xīmǐn) – Huang Zhen’s apprentice
- Gui Xinshu (归辛树 – Guī Xīnshù) the Invincible Divine Fists – Mu Renqing’s second apprentice
- Gui Erniang (归二娘 – Guī Èrniáng) – Gui Xinshu’s wife
- Mei Jianhe (梅剑和 – Méi Jiànhé) – Gui Xinshu’s apprentice
- Liu Peisheng (刘培生 – Líu Péishēng) – Gui Xinshu’s apprentice
- Sun Zhongjun (孙仲君 – Sūn Zhòngjūn) – Gui Xinshu’s apprentice
Iron Sword School
- Taoist Musang (木桑道长 – Mùsāng Dàozhǎng) – Iron Sword School leader
- Yuzhenzi (玉真子 – Yùzhēnzǐ) – Musang’s junior
Manchu forces
- Nurhaci (努尔哈赤 – Nú’ěrhāchì) – Manchu tribal chief
- Huangtaiji (皇太极 – Huángtàijí) – Manchu emperor
- Dorgon (多尔衮 – Duō’ěrgǔn) – Huangtaiji’s half-brother
Ming forces
- Yuan Chonghuan (袁崇焕 – Yuán Chónghuàn) – Ming general
- Chongzhen Emperor (崇祯皇帝 – Chóngzhèn Huángdì) – Last Ming emperor
- An Jianqing (安剑清 – Ān Jiànqīng) – Secret police commander
- Prince Hui (惠王 – Huìwáng) – Ming noble
- Wu Sangui (吴三桂 – Wú Sānguì) – Ming general
- Chen Yuanyuan (陈圆圆 – Chén Yuányuán) – Wu Sangui’s concubine
Taibai Sanying
- Shi Bingguang (史秉光 – Shí Bǐngguāng)
- Shi Bingwen (史秉文 – Shí Bǐngwén)
- Li Gang (黎刚 – Lí Gāng)
Five Poisons Order
- He Hongyao (何红药 – Hé Hóngyào) – Order elder
- Qi Yun’ao (齐云璈 – Qí Yún’áo) – Snake venom expert
Wen family
- Wen Fangda (温方达 – Wēn Fāngdá) – First Wen elder
- Wen Fangyi (温方义 – Wēn Fāngyì) – Second Wen elder
- Wen Fangshan (温方山 – Wēn Fāngshān) – Third Wen elder
- Wen Fangshi (温方施 – Wēn Fāngshī) – Fourth Wen elder
- Wen Fangwu (温方悟 – Wēn Fāngwù) – Fifth Wen elder
- Wen Yi (温仪 – Wēn Yí) – Wen Fangshan’s daughter
Others
- Min Zihua (闵子华 – Mín Zǐhuá) – Xiandu School member
- Jiao Gongli (焦公礼 – Jiāo Gōnglǐ) – Golden Dragon Gang chief
- Meng Bofei (孟伯飞 – Mèng Bófēi) – Senior martial artist
- Zhang Chaotang (张朝唐 – Zhāng Cháotáng) – Bruneian official
- Yang Pengju (杨鹏举 – Yáng Péngjǔ) – Bruneian official
- Zhang Kang (张康 – Zhāng Kāng) – Bruneian official
- Raymond (雷蒙 – Léiméng) – European merchant
- Peter (彼得 – Bǐdé) – European merchant
- Rooklyn (若克琳 – Ruòkèlín) – European merchant
- Zhang Chunjiu (张春九 – Zhāng Chūnjiǔ) – Martial artist