Shang Yunting to serve the Qing government. He is ashamed of himself when Ling Weifeng tells him about how Qing forces invaded his homeland and mistreated his people. Like many others, he becomes impressed with Ling Weifeng and decides to help him escape. Li Laiheng forces Li Siyong () is Li Laiheng's younger brother who is versed in military strategy and literary arts, and specialises in using anqi. He is sent as an envoy to discuss a truce and temporary alliance with Wu Sangui. Later, he marries Wu Qiongyao, whom he met and fell in love with. At the end of the novel, he is killed in battle in western Sichuan. Li Laiheng () is Li Jin's foster son who escapes to Yunnan with Li Zicheng's remnant forces and forms an insurgent army to resist the Qing Empire. He commits suicide after his army is defeated and besieged by Qing forces. Li Jin () is Li Zicheng's nephew who is killed in action in Henan against Qing forces. Zhang Qingyuan () is sent by Li Laiheng to lead a group of men to eliminate the Five Dragons Gang. Jiang Zhuang () is Zhang Qingyuan's deputy. He is injured by Zhang Yihu and healed by Fu Qingzhu later. Bandits These bandits initially plotted with Han Jing to rob Li Dingguo's treasure. They are impressed with Ling Weifeng's heroism and skills after losing to him in a contest, and agree to submit to him. Ling Weifeng recommends them to join Li Laiheng's rebel army later. Zhang Yuanzhen () is nicknamed "Eight Directions Saber" (). Tao Hong (), nicknamed "Dark Fearsome Deity" (), specialises in wrestling. Luo Da () is a bandit chief from Mount Mei in northern Sichuan. He is the most greedy of the group, and was the first to charge into the treasure cave and injured by the traps. Da Sangong () is the headman of a tribe who is referred to as "Headman Da" (). He specialises in the Iron Vest (), which allows him to concentrate inner energy on parts of his body and make them extremely tough and impenetrable by sharp weapons. Lu Dalengzi () is the chief of the Qingyang Gang () and the most honest and lawful of the group. He loses to Ling Weifeng in a qinggong competition. Li Dingguo forces Li Dingguo () was a former deputy of Zhang Xianzhong who took control