brothers rob Tangnu. Lian Nichang shows up, saves Tangnu and kills Rong Yidong. Hu Mai (), nicknamed "Ground Deity" (), is a confidence trickster. He and his partner-in-crime, Meng Fei, rely on boasting and lying to trick others into showing sympathy towards them. They produce the Red Pills and present them to the Taichang Emperor through Li Kezhuo. The emperor dies from poisoning after consuming the pills. Meng Fei (), nicknamed "Divine Hand" (), is Hu Mai's accomplice. Manchu spies Zheng Hongtai () is an agent of the Eastern Depot, one of the Ming Empire's spy agencies. When Zhu Changluo sends him to escort Zhuo Yihang home, Zhuo Yihang discovers that he is actually a double agent working for the Manchus. Zheng Hongtai is ultimately defeated by Lian Nichang and captured by Yue Mingke. Lian Nichang tortures him to force him to reveal the names of his accomplices and kills him after that. Ying Xiuyang () murdered Luo Jinfeng and escapes after being defeated by Lian Nichang on Mount Hua. He becomes one of Wei Zhongxian's henchmen and gets into conflict with Lian Nichang and Zhuo Yihang on many occasions. Eventually, he is drugged by Ke Pingting, and bound and sent to Lian Nichang. He is killed by Tie Feilong after Lian Nichang forces him to list the names of his accomplices. Lian Chenghu () is the chief manager of Western Depot, another of the Ming Empire's spy agencies. He joins Mengsasi's tribe after Wei Zhongxian's downfall. Officials Fang Congzhe () is the chancellor. Li Kezhuo () is the emperor's chamberlain. He presents the Red Pills to the Taichang Emperor, causing the emperor to die from poisoning. Wei Zhongxian and Fang Congzhe help him cover up the case and he gets rewarded for his attempt to "cure" the emperor. Cui Chengxiu () is one of Wei Zhongxian's followers. Wei Zhongxian sends him to read a false imperial edict about Xiong Tingbi's alleged treason and failure in duties, and arrest Xiong Tingbi after reading it. Pan Ruzhen () is the Inspector of Zhejiang who suggests building a memorial for Wei Zhongxian. Wang Shaohui () is the writer of the "Records of Generals", a list of names of Wei Zhongxian's political rivals. Xu Xianchun () is Wei Zhongxian's godson who oversees the murder of Yang Lian in prison. Wei Guangzheng () is Wei Zhongxian's nephew. Ruan Dazhen () Gu Qian () Fu