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The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre factions

The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre factions

The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre depicts the martial arts world during the final decades of the Yuan Dynasty1 and the rise of the Ming Dynasty.2 Revolutionary factions like the Ming Order challenge Mongol rule whilst orthodox schools such as Shaolin Order, Wudang Order, and Emei Order struggle to maintain their influence. The competition for the legendary Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre drives conflicts that will determine China’s future.

Notable factions

Ming Order

The Ming Order (明教 – Míng Jiào) served as the primary revolutionary organisation opposing Yuan rule. Originally a religious movement with Manichaean and Zoroastrian influences, the Order evolved into a political resistance force under leaders like Yang Dingtian and later Zhang Wuji. Based at Bright Peak, the Order’s Great Solar Shift and other powerful martial arts made them formidable opponents to both the Yuan government and orthodox martial arts schools.

The Order’s complex internal structure included various sub-altars and specialized units, whilst their revolutionary ideology attracted followers from across social classes seeking to overthrow foreign rule and restore Chinese governance.

Wudang Order

The Wudang Order (武当派 – Wǔdāng Pài) emerged as a major orthodox faction under the leadership of Zhang Sanfeng, the legendary founder of Taiji martial arts. Based on Mount Wudang, the Order developed internal energy techniques that rivaled Shaolin’s external martial arts, establishing the classic division between Buddhist and Daoist martial traditions.

Zhang Sanfeng’s creation of Taiji Fist and other soft internal arts represented a revolutionary approach to martial arts, emphasizing yielding to overcome hardness and flowing movement over rigid techniques.

Emei Order

The Emei Order (峨眉派 – Éméi Pài) was founded by Guo Xiang on Mount Emei, creating a prominent female-led martial arts tradition. The Order combined Buddhist philosophy with practical martial arts training, developing techniques like the Nine Yin White Bone Claw and various sword methods.

Under leaders like Abbess Miejue, Emei became known for its strict discipline and fierce opposition to heterodox factions, often serving as a bridge between the purely monastic Shaolin and the more worldly orthodox schools.

Guilds and societies

Philosophical orders

Martial arts schools

  • Huashan School 华山派
  • Songshan School 嵩山派
  • Kongtong School 崆峒派

Secret societies

  • Heaven and Earth Society 天地会
  • White Lotus Society 白莲教

Political entities

  • Yuan Dynasty 元朝
  • Ming Dynasty 明朝
  • Red Turban Rebellion 红巾军

See also

Footnotes

  1. 元朝 – Yuán Cháo. Dynasty established by Kublai Khan and ruled by the Mongols from 1271 to 1368 CE. See Wikipedia.

  2. 明朝 – Míng Cháo. Dynasty that overthrew Mongol rule and re-established Han-Chinese rule from 1368 to 1644 CE. See Wikipedia.