Zhang Wuji

Zhang Wuji (simplified: 张无忌, traditional: 張無忌, pinyin: Zhāng Wújì, jyutping: zoeng1 mou4 gei6) was the main protagonist of The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre and the 34th leader of the Ming Order. He was renowned as one of the most powerful martial artists of his generation, second only to his grandteacher Zhang Sanfeng. Born on Ice-Fire Island to Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu, he overcame numerous hardships to master legendary martial arts including Nine Yang Power and Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, eventually leading the Ming Order to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty.

Biography

Early life on Ice-Fire Island

Zhang Wuji was born on the remote Ice-Fire Island after his parents were taken captive by Xie Xun, the Golden Haired Lion King. To protect their son from Xie Xun’s violent rages, Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu formed a sworn brotherhood with Xie Xun, who became Zhang Wuji’s godfather. Xie Xun named the child “Wuji” in memory of his own deceased son Xie Wuji, and the boy was initially raised with the surname Xie.

During his childhood on the island, Zhang Wuji learned basic Wudang Order martial arts from his father and received instruction in Seven Injury Fist from his godfather Xie Xun. He lived a simple, peaceful life for ten years until his parents decided to return to the Central Plains.

Return to the Central Plains

When Zhang Wuji was ten, his family returned to the Central Plains. However, martial artists from various schools pressured his parents to reveal the whereabouts of Xie Xun and the Dragon-slaying Sabre. Rather than betray their sworn brother, Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu committed suicide in front of the Wudang Order.

Tragedy continued when Zhang Wuji was struck by Xuanming Second Elder’s Xuanming Divine Palm, which left him with a fatal cold poison that even his grandteacher Zhang Sanfeng could not fully cure. The cold poison would flare up periodically, causing excruciating pain, and Zhang Wuji required constant internal energy infusion from Zhang Sanfeng and the Seven Xias to stay alive.

Seeking treatment

Accompanied by Zhang Sanfeng, the young Zhang Wuji travelled to Shaolin Order to seek the Shaolin Nine Yang Power, but the monks refused to share their techniques. On their return journey, they encountered Chang Yuchun of the Ming Order and a young Zhou Zhiruo at a ferry crossing on the Han River. Zhou Zhiruo’s gentle care left a deep impression on the young Zhang Wuji.

Following Chang Yuchun’s guidance, Zhang Wuji travelled to Butterfly Valley to seek treatment from Hu Qingniu, the Butterfly Valley Medical Immortal. Despite Hu Qingniu’s renowned medical skills, even he could not fully cure the Xuanming Divine Palm’s cold poison, though he taught Zhang Wuji his complete medical knowledge during the two years they spent together.

After Hu Qingniu and his wife Wang Nangu were killed by Jinhua Popo (the Purple Dress Dragon King Daiqisi), Zhang Wuji fulfilled Ji Xiaofu’s dying wish by escorting her daughter Yang Buhui to find her father Yang Xiao at Bright Peak. During this journey, he encountered Xiaozhao, who would later become one of his closest companions.

Obtaining the Nine Yang Manual

While searching for Yang Xiao, Zhang Wuji was deceived by Zhu Changling and Zhu Jiuzhen, who sought to learn Xie Xun’s location. When Zhang Wuji discovered their plot, he attempted to escape and fell into a deep valley with Zhu Changling. Due to his small frame, Zhang Wuji was able to slip through a narrow cave into a hidden paradise, while Zhu Changling remained trapped outside.

In this paradise, Zhang Wuji encountered a white ape with an abnormality in its abdomen. When he treated the ape, he discovered the Nine Yang Manual hidden inside. He spent the next five years practising the Nine Yang Power from this manual, which not only completely cured his cold poison but also elevated his internal energy to an extraordinary level.

Becoming the Ming Order leader

At the age of twenty, Zhang Wuji emerged from the hidden valley with his newfound power. He first used his abilities to help his cousin Yin Li (known as Zhuer) defeat her enemies, then withstood three palm strikes from Miejue, the Emei Order leader, while rescuing Ming Order members.

Later, while being captured by Shuobude in a Great Shift Bag, Zhang Wuji accidentally broke through the final barrier of the Nine Yang Manual, achieving complete mastery of the technique. When pursuing Cheng Kun with Xiaozhao, he discovered the secret of Great Shift of Heaven and Earth in Bright Peak’s hidden tunnels and mastered it to the seventh layer within hours, thanks to his exceptional internal energy.

During the Six Major Schools’ siege of Bright Peak, Zhang Wuji intervened to save the Ming Order from destruction. He defeated masters from all six schools, including using Dragon Claw Hand to defeat Kongxing of Shaolin and Seven Injury Fist to subdue masters from the Kongtong School. After revealing his identity to the Seven Xias and reconciling with them, Zhang Wuji was elected as the 34th leader of the Ming Order.

Encounter with Zhao Min

After becoming leader, Zhang Wuji intended to return to Ice-Fire Island to retrieve Xie Xun, but learned that members of the six major schools had disappeared after leaving Bright Peak. On the road, he encountered Zhao Min, a Yuan Dynasty princess disguised as a man. Despite initially being enemies, the two developed feelings for each other during a dangerous encounter in Green Willow Manor.

Zhang Wuji later discovered that Zhao Min had captured and imprisoned members of the six major schools at Wanan Temple in the capital. After freeing them and dealing with various crises, Zhang Wuji’s relationship with Zhao Min deepened, though it created complications with Zhou Zhiruo, who also had feelings for him.

Rescuing Xie Xun and the final resolution

Zhang Wuji’s quest to rescue his godfather Xie Xun led to numerous adventures, including journeys to Snake Island and various confrontations. Eventually, Xie Xun was imprisoned at Shaolin Order under the guard of the Three Elders of the Bodhidharma Hall. At the Slaying Lion Conference, Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo worked together to rescue Xie Xun, though Zhou Zhiruo’s true nature was revealed when she attempted to kill Xie Xun to cover up her earlier crimes.

After the truth was exposed by the mysterious Yellow Dress Maiden, Zhang Wuji finally understood the full situation. He successfully helped overthrow the Yuan Dynasty by providing the Wumu Manual to Xu Da, enabling the Ming forces to achieve victory.

Later years

In the final version of the novel, Zhang Wuji, recognising his unsuitability for political leadership and unable to handle Zhu Yuanzhang’s growing power, decided to step down as leader of the Ming Order. He transferred leadership to Yang Xiao, Fan Yao, and Peng Yingyu, then retired with Zhao Min to Mongolia, choosing a peaceful life over political power.

Personality & traits

Zhang Wuji was characterised by his gentle nature, benevolence, and lack of vengefulness. He possessed exceptional intelligence and martial arts talent, along with remarkable medical skills. However, he was also indecisive and lacked political acumen, traits that ultimately led him to choose retirement over leadership.

His kind-hearted nature meant he sought to resolve conflicts peacefully rather than through violence. Even when facing the six major schools that had driven his parents to suicide, Zhang Wuji worked to mediate disputes and heal divisions rather than seeking revenge.

Martial arts abilities

Zhang Wuji was one of the most powerful martial artists of his generation, second only to Zhang Sanfeng. His mastery of Nine Yang Power provided him with limitless internal energy that could automatically protect his body, resist poison, and enhance any technique he used. Combined with Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, he could redirect enemy attacks and learn new techniques with incredible speed.

He also mastered Taiji Fist and Taiji Swordplay directly from Zhang Sanfeng, techniques that emphasised using softness to overcome hardness and circular movements to neutralise attacks. Additionally, he learned Seven Injury Fist from Xie Xun and Dragon Claw Hand by observing and adapting techniques during combat.

Relationships

Family

Zhang Wuji’s parents, Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu, both died when he was ten, leaving him orphaned. His maternal grandfather Yin Tianzheng, the White Brows Eagle King, was one of the Four Guardian Kings of the Ming Order and founder of the Heavenly Eagle Order. His godfather Xie Xun played a crucial role in his upbringing and martial arts training.

Romances

Zhang Wuji had relationships with four women: Zhou Zhiruo, his childhood friend from the Emei Order; Yin Li (Zhuer), his cousin who became his first fiancée; Xiaozhao, who served as his maid and companion; and Zhao Min, the Yuan princess who became his wife. His indecisive nature in matters of the heart caused pain for all involved, though he ultimately chose to spend his life with Zhao Min.

Friends and allies

Among Zhang Wuji’s closest allies were Yang Xiao and Fan Yao, the two Bright Messengers of the Ming Order, who served as his advisers. He also maintained strong relationships with the Seven Xias of Wudang, especially after revealing his identity and reconciling with them.

Behind the scenes

Zhang Wuji’s character represents a departure from the typical wuxia protagonist. Unlike Guo Jing’s steadfast heroism or Yang Guo’s passionate nature, Zhang Wuji embodies a more ordinary person placed in extraordinary circumstances. Jin Yong himself described Zhang Wuji as having a “complex and relatively weak” personality, making him more relatable to readers.

The character’s name “Wuji” (無忌) means “without taboo” or “without restraint,” reflecting his open-hearted nature, though ironically he often struggled with indecision despite this name.