The Rebel Intruders

A Northern refugee and Black Tiger practitioner who resists Chen Chu-kwong’s men after they try to kill him for stealing a chicken. He hides in a brothel where a courtesan shelters him and hires him as a bodyguard. His presence helps unite the other refugees in a common cause.

A Northern Mantis practitioner hired by Chang Hsiao-hu to train his militia. He brings disciplined fighting to the group and shares a sense of honor with his new allies. His skills help organize the refugees into a credible force.

A Northern refugee who is caught stealing food and taken in by Tang Yu-tung to work at his gambling den. He becomes part of the trio’s circle and contributes his street-smarts to their plan. He ultimately sacrifices himself to help the others realize their goal.

A refugee enforcer who enforces some order and treats refugees relatively well. He becomes a stabilizing presence amid the city’s chaos and corruption. His leadership helps the trio connect with Tang’s world.

Owner of a gambling den who shelters refugees and seems to aid them, but his true loyalty lies with Chen Chu-kwong. He ultimately reveals his allegiance by killing Chang Hsiao-hu and siding with Chen. His den serves as both refuge and a hub of intrigue.

The city’s calculating ruler who dispatches militia to terrorize refugees and plans to sell the city to an enemy commander. He orchestrates assassinations and uses crime to consolidate power while masking his treachery with a veneer of order.

Chen Chu-kwong’s henchman who intercepts a key letter and frames refugees as part of his boss’s machinations. He leads thugs against the refugees and is eventually killed by Wang, Chi, and Yu during the pursuit.

Chen Chu-kwong’s brother, an assassin who murders a colonel to place blame on a refugee. His actions escalate the conflict and force the protagonists to react quickly.

A courtesan who shelters Wang Hsu in a brothel and becomes an unlikely ally. She helps lure enemies out into the open, proving that compassion can exist amid upheaval.

A target of Chen Chu-kwong’s schemes, who is murdered as part of the city’s political machinations. His death catalyzes the refugees’ realization of the broader plot against the city.