Sword Stained with Royal Blood unfolds during the turbulent final years of the Ming Dynasty1 as the empire faces collapse from multiple threats. The story’s factions navigate the chaos of Li Zicheng’s rebellion, Manchu invasion, and internal court corruption. From the righteous Huashan School to the mysterious Five Poisons Order, these organisations must choose between loyalty to a dying dynasty, personal survival, or resistance against foreign conquest.
Notable factions
Huashan School
The Huashan School (华山派 – Huàshān Pài) served as a bastion of orthodox martial arts during the Ming Dynasty’s collapse, led by Mu Renqing who trained Yuan Chengzhi. Based on the sacred Mount Hua, the school maintained traditional Daoist martial arts whilst navigating the political turmoil surrounding them.
The school’s Mixed Elements Palm and other internal techniques represented classical Chinese martial arts traditions that would survive the dynastic transition, though individual members faced difficult choices between loyalty and survival.
Five Poisons Order
The Five Poisons Order (五毒教 – Wǔdú Jiào) operated from the remote southwestern regions, specializing in poison-based martial arts and unconventional fighting methods. Led by He Tieshou, the Order initially appeared as antagonists but later became allies to Yuan Chengzhi, demonstrating the complex moral landscape of the era.
Their mastery of venomous creatures, toxic plants, and antidotes made them both feared and valuable allies in an age where political assassination and betrayal were commonplace.
Rebellion forces
- Li Zicheng’s Rebellion 李自成起义军
Martial arts schools
- Huashan School 华山派
- Iron Sword School 铁剑门
Secret societies
- Five Poisons Order 五毒教
Religious orders
- Shanzong 山宗
Political entities
- Ming Dynasty 明朝
- Manchu Forces 满洲军
Legendary groups
- Taibai Sanying 太白三英
Clans and families
- Wen Family 温家
See also
- Jin Yong factions
- Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils factions
- The Legend of the Condor Heroes factions
- The Return of the Condor Heroes factions
- The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre factions
- Laughing in the Wind factions
- Ode to Gallantry factions
- The Deer and the Cauldron factions
- The Book and the Sword factions
- Side Story of the Flying Fox factions
- Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain factions