Blade of Fury

A powerful leader of the Black Flag, he channels martial prowess into a larger reformist project. After returning from hiding, he opens a martial arts school and becomes instrumental in key battles against imperial forces. He beheads Tan Szu-tung using a sword borrowed from Yu Man-san, and is ultimately killed by Lord Yee's soldiers, leaving a mixed legacy that fuels future memory of the reformist cause.

A reformist thinker traveling with Nine Catties, intent on persuading the Emperor to enact sweeping changes. He is captured and executed as a martyr, becoming a symbol of the reform movement’s costs. His death galvanizes Wang Wu and his allies to push the cause further, even as they face brutal opposition.

Tan Szu-tung’s loyal cadre supporting reformist aims. They accompany the party through peril, contributing to both strategic planning and direct action. Several members meet violent ends in the ensuing confrontations, highlighting the high price of upheaval.

An ambitious imperial captain who embodies the old guard’s political calculation. He opposes reformists while leveraging military power to control the situation, orchestrating clashes that test Wang Wu and his allies. His manipulation and strength make him a central obstacle in the struggle for authority.

A nobleman who hosts the martial arts tournament and wields considerable influence. He dispenses rewards and resources to key players, including Yuan Shi-kai, and his palace becomes a focal point for power plays. His decisions shape who gains prominence in the martial and political arena.

The Japanese martial arts champion invited to join the Sino-Japanese club. Wang Wu refuses collaboration with Kenja, prompting a shift in alliances and contributing to the clash between Chinese and Japanese martial traditions. Kenja’s presence underscores the cultural and strategic tensions of the period.

Po Ting is an influential martial arts master whose lineage includes a student named Siu-Chuen. He plays a role in the power dynamics of the school and the movement, with his actions affecting the trajectory of his students and the broader conflict.

Po Ting’s student who seeks training under Wang Wu and becomes part of the rising tide of martial reform. He participates in the crucial training and confrontations that test the school’s ideals, ultimately paying a high price in the battles that unfold.

The kung-fu instructor known as 'Wonder Hand' who sabotages Wang Wu’s efforts by killing one of his students and clashing with his rivals. He is eventually killed by Wang Wu during their showdown, marking a violent shift in the power dynamics of the school.

Wang Wu’s smithy apprentice who survives the fiercest battles and witnesses Wang Wu’s death from a rooftop. His survival preserves the seed of the reform movement’s spirit and the idea that the legacy of the reformers lives on beyond the immediate conflict.

A stern prison guard whose authority is challenged by Wang Wu. Wang Wu borrows a sword from Yu Man-san to carry out the beheading of Tan Szu-tung, illustrating the complex alliances and moral ambiguities that define the era.