List of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer characters

• Ren Woxing (任我行; Rén Wǒxíng; 'I do as I please') is the highly-feared leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult and an expert in martial arts, politics and manipulation. He mastered the Cosmic Absorbing Power, a dreaded ability which allows the practitioner to drain and absorb an opponent's inner energy. After Dongfang Bubai ousted him from power, he was imprisoned in an underground dungeon in Hangzhou for 12 years. He escapes from the dungeon with help from Linghu Chong, and then returns to confront Dongfang Bubai and seize back his leadership position. Towards the end of the novel, he dies of natural causes from a stroke while planning a grand strategy to destroy all the orthodox sects in the jianghu.
• Ren Yingying (任盈盈; Rén Yíngyíng) is Ren Woxing's daughter. Although she is intelligent and caring towards her subordinates, she can be ruthless and cold blooded at times. She meets Linghu Chong in Luoyang while in disguise as a guqin-playing old woman, and falls in love with him after being attracted by his chivalrous personality. She succeeds her father as the cult's leader after his death, but eventually retires to lead a reclusive life with Linghu Chong.
• Dongfang Bubai (東方不敗; Dōngfāng Bùbài; 'Invincible East') became the cult's leader after overthrowing Ren Woxing. He castrated himself in order to fulfil the prerequisite for learning the skills in the Sunflower Manual and became the most powerful martial artist in the jianghu of his time. He developed an intimate relationship with Yang Lianting, whom he delegated his job to, and spent his time on embroidery. He is eventually defeated and killed by the combined efforts of Ren Woxing, Xiang Wentian and Linghu Chong.
• Xiang Wentian (向問天; Xiàng Wèntiān) is an elder of the cult. After Dongfang Bubai overthrew Ren Woxing, he refused to renounce his loyalty to the former leader and became an outcast of the cult. Linghu Chong chances upon him while he is under attack by a group of "orthodox" martial artists, and helps him fend off the attackers. He feels grateful to Linghu Chong and decides to become sworn brothers with him after realising that both of them have had similar experiences. He later succeeds Ren Yingying as the cult's leader after she improves the cult's relations with other sects.
• Lan Fenghuang (藍鳳凰; Lán Fènghuáng; 'Blue Phoenix') is the Miao leader of the Five Immortals Cult (五仙教; Wǔ Xiān Jiào) and a close friend of Ren Yingying. She attempts to cure Linghu Chong of his internal injuries, but fails. She becomes Linghu Chong's godsister later. She is skilled in using poisons and can summon various venomous creatures to her aid in combat.
• Lüzhuweng (綠竹翁; Lǜzhúwēng) is Ren Yingying's subordinate. He disguises himself as an old man who makes bamboo baskets in Luoyang. He is very skilled in playing the guqin.
• Bao Dachu (鮑大楚; Bào Dàchǔ), Qin Weibang (秦偉邦; Qín Wěibāng), Wang Cheng (王誠; Wáng Chéng) and Sang Sanniang (桑三娘; Sāng Sānniáng) are among the cult's elders who defected to Dongfang Bubai's side when Ren Woxing was overthrown. Ren Woxing returns to confront them later after he escapes from the dungeon in Hangzhou.
• Jia Bu (賈布; Jiǎ Bù), nicknamed "Yellow Faced Honourable" (黃面尊者; huángmiàn zūnzhě), is a minor leader in the cult. Dongfang Bubai orders him to lead his subordinates to (North) Mount Heng to capture Linghu Chong. He is killed by Fangzheng.
• Shangguan Yun (上官雲; Shàngguān Yún), nicknamed "Eagle Hero" (鵰俠; diāoxiá), is another minor leader in the cult. He accompanies Jia Bu to (North) Mount Heng to capture Linghu Chong. He surrenders to Ren Woxing later.
• Yang Lianting (楊蓮亭; Yáng Liántíng) is Dongfang Bubai's lover. He becomes the cult's de facto leader when Dongfang Bubai delegated the task of overseeing the cult to him. He is killed by Ren Yingying.
• Tong Baixiong (童百熊; Tóng Bǎixióng) is a minor leader in the cult and a close associate of Dongfang Bubai. He is pierced to death by Dongfang Bubai's needles.

• Fangzheng (方證; Fāngzhèng) is the abbot of Shaolin. He is highly revered in the jianghu for his prowess in martial arts and morally upright character. He believes Linghu Chong is destined to learn the skills in the Yijin Jing so he lends him the manual. Linghu Chong masters the skills and heals himself of his internal injuries in the process.
• Fangsheng (方生; Fāngshēng) is Fangzheng's junior.
• Xin Guoliang (辛國樑; Xīn Guóliáng) is killed by Ren Yingying.
• Yi Guozi (易國梓; Yì Guózǐ) is killed by Ren Yingying.
• Huang Guobai (黃國柏; Huáng Guóbǎi) is killed by Ren Yingying.
• Jueyue (覺月; Juéyuè) is killed by Ren Yingying.

• Chongxu (沖虚; Chōngxū) is the leader of Wudang. Like Fangzheng, he is highly respected in the jianghu for his prowess in martial arts and morally upright character. While travelling in disguise as a farmer, he meets Linghu Chong and engages him in a friendly duel. He is impressed when Linghu Chong uses the Nine Swords of Dugu to defeat his Taiji Swordplay. He befriends Linghu Chong.
• Qingxu (清虛; Qīngxū) is Chongxu's junior. He follows Chongxu around in disguise as a woodcutter.
• Chenggao (成高; Chénggāo) is an apprentice of Chongxu's junior. He follows Chongxu around in disguise as a vegetable seller.

• Zhenshanzi (震山子; Zhènshānzǐ), nicknamed "One Sword of Heaven and Earth" (乾坤一劍; qiánkūn yījiàn), is the leader of Kunlun.
• Tan Diren (譚迪人; Tán Dírén) is accidentally killed by Linghu Chong.

• Xie Feng (解風; Xiè Fēng) is the chief of the Beggars' Sect.
• Zhang Jin'ao (張金鰲; Zhāng Jīn'áo) is the deputy chief of the Beggars' Sect. He is among the guests at Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony.

• Yu Canghai (余滄海; Yú Cānghǎi) is the leader of the Qingcheng Sect. After Lin Pingzhi accidentally killed his son in a brawl, he led the Qingcheng Sect to massacre the Lin family and destroy the Fuwei Security Service in the name of avenging his son while actually using the opportunity to search for the Lin family's Bixie Swordplay manual. He does not find it. Lin Pingzhi survives the massacre, joins the Mount Hua Sect, and returns to take his revenge on Yu Canghai and his followers in the later chapters. Yu Canghai is known for his Pine Wind Swordplay, which allows him to enshroud his foes in a green hue.
• Changqingzi (長青子; Chángqīngzǐ) was Yu Canghai's martial arts master.
• Yu Renyan (余人彥; Yú Rényàn) is Yu Canghai's son. He is killed by Lin Pingzhi.
• The "Four Gentlemen of Qingcheng" (青城四秀; Qīngchéng sì xiù) are Yu Canghai's four most senior apprentices:
  • Hou Renying (侯人英; Hóu Rényīng) is killed by Lin Pingzhi.
  • Hong Renxiong (洪人雄; Hóng Rénxióng) is killed by Lin Pingzhi.
  • Yu Renhao (于人豪; Yú Rénháo) is killed by Lin Pingzhi.
  • Luo Renjie (羅人傑; Luó Rénjié) is killed by Linghu Chong in an early chapter.
• Jia Renda (賈人達; Jiǎ Réndá) is trampled to death by Lin Pingzhi's horse.
• Fang Renzhi (方人智; Fāng Rénzhì) is stabbed to death by Lin Pingzhi.
• Li Rencai (黎人才; Lí Réncái)
• Peng Renqi (彭人騏; 彭人骐; Péng Rénqí) is killed by Tian Boguang.
• Ji Rentong (吉人通; Jí Réntōng) is killed by Lin Pingzhi.
• Shen Renjun (申人俊; Shēn Rénjùn)

• Lin Yuantu (林遠圖; Lín Yuǎntú) was the founder of the Fuwei Security Service. Previously a Shaolin monk known as Duyuan (渡元; Dùyuán), he returned to secular life and created the Bixie Swordplay based on Yue Su and Cai Zifeng's recollections of the Sunflower Manual. Although his use of the Bixie Swordplay brought him fame and glory, it also became a curse to his descendants because it made them the target of many martial artists seeking to seize possession of the Bixie Swordplay Manual and master the skill. He hid the manual in the Lin family residence in Fuzhou and passed down a family rule forbidding his descendants from seeking the manual and learning the swordplay.
• Lin Zhennan (林震南; Lín Zhènnán) is a descendant of Lin Yuantu and Lin Pingzhi's father. He is the current leader of the agency. After his son, Lin Pingzhi, accidentally kills Yu Canghai's son in a brawl, Yu leads his Qingcheng Sect followers to attack the Lin family and destroy the agency. Lin Zhennan and his wife are captured by Yu Canghai, who resorts to various means to force them to reveal the whereabouts of the Bixie Swordplay Manual, but they insist that they do not know. The couple are later captured by Mu Gaofeng, who tortures them to death.
• Madam Wang (王夫人; Wáng Fūrén) is Lin Zhennan's wife and Lin Pingzhi's mother. She is the daughter of Wang Yuanba.

• Wang Yuanba (王元霸; Wáng Yuánbà), nicknamed "Invincible Golden Saber" (金刀無敵; jīndāo wúdí), is the leader of the Golden Saber Sect in Luoyang. He is Lin Pingzhi's maternal grandfather. Like many others in the jianghu, he secretly covets the Bixie Swordplay manual and mistakenly thinks that the musical score of "Xiaoao Jianghu", which is in Linghu Chong's possession, is the manual.
• Wang Bofen (王伯奮; Wáng Bófèn) is Wang Yuanba's eldest son.
• Wang Zhongqiang (王仲強; Wáng Zhòngqiáng) is Wang Yuanba's second son.
• Wang Jiajun (王家駿; Wáng Jiājùn) is Wang Zhongqiang's eldest son.
• Wang Jiaju (王家駒; Wáng Jiājū) is Wang Zhongqiang's youngest son.
• Adviser Yi (易師爺; Yì Shīyé) is the Wang family's household accountant and an amateur musician. He suggests to his master to bring the score of "Xiaoao Jianghu" to Lüzhuweng to verify that it is indeed a musical score and not a swordplay manual.

The "Four Friends of Jiangnan" (江南四友) are a group of four eccentric martial artists tasked with watching over Ren Woxing in the underground dungeon in Hangzhou.

• Huangzhonggong (黃鍾公; Huángzhōnggōng) is a music fanatic who challenges Linghu Chong to a duel to obtain the score of "Xiaoao Jianghu". Ren Woxing forces him to commit suicide after breaking out of captivity.
• Heibaizi (黑白子; Hēibáizǐ) is a weiqi fanatic with a pale face and dark hair. He becomes a handicap after Linghu Chong unknowingly uses the Cosmic Absorbing Power on him.
• Tubiweng (禿筆翁; Tūbǐwēng) is a calligraphy fanatic who challenged Linghu Chong to a duel but lost. Ren Woxing forces him to surrender and consume a poison pill to prove his loyalty.
• Danqingsheng (丹青生; Dānqīngshēng) is an alcohol connoisseur and swordplay expert who befriends Linghu Chong over their common interest in alcoholic drinks. Ren Woxing forces him to surrender in the same manner as Tubiweng.
• Ding Jian (丁堅; Dīng Jiān), nicknamed "One Lightning Sword" (一字電劍; yīzì diànjiàn), is a servant of the Four Friends. He specialises in using the sword.
• Shi Lingwei (施令威; Shī Lìngwēi), nicknamed "Five Paths God" (五路神; wǔlùshén), is a servant of the Four Friends. He specialises in using the Bagua Saber.

• Old Master Boxer Xia (夏老拳师; Xià Lǎoquánshī) is the leader of the Six Harmonies Sect (六合門; Liùhé Mén) in Zhengzhou.
• Tie Laolao (鐵老老; Tiě Lǎolǎo) is from the Divine Maiden Peak at the Three Gorges.
• Pan Hou (潘吼; Pān Hǒu) is the chief of the Haisha Clan (海沙幫; Hǎishā Bāng) from the eastern sea.
• Bai Ke (白克; Bái Kè) is nicknamed "Divine Saber" (神刀; shéndāo).
• Lu Xisi (盧西思; Lú Xīsī) is nicknamed "Divine Brush" (神筆; shénbǐ).
• Official Zhang (張大人; Zhāng Dàrén) is an official who recommends Liu Zhengfeng to serve in the government.

• Tian Boguang (田伯光; Tián Bóguāng) is a bandit nicknamed "Lone Traveller of a Ten Thousand Li" (萬里獨行; wàn lǐ dú xíng). Notorious for his lecherous behaviour and for raping many women, he makes sexual advances on Yilin but is stopped by Linghu Chong. Bujie semi-castrates him later and forces him to become a Buddhist monk. Tian is renamed to Buke Bujie (不可不戒; Bùkě Bùjiè), which means "cannot have no rules". He befriends Linghu Chong and becomes one of his allies.
• Bujie (不戒; Bùjiè) is a Buddhist monk and Yilin's father. He fell in love with Mute Granny and renamed himself "Bujie", which means "no rules". He attempts to cure Linghu Chong of his internal wounds by injecting two streams of inner energy into his body but ends up worsening his condition instead.
• Mute Granny (啞婆婆; Yǎ Pópó) was a Buddhist nun who fell in love with Bujie and bore him their daughter, Yilin. She has remained close to her daughter all this time by pretending to be a mute caretaker working for the (North) Mount Heng Sect.
• The "Six Immortals of the Peach Valley" (桃谷六仙; Táo Gǔ Liù Xiān) are six brothers, each named after a different part of the peach tree. They are very close to each other even though they always quarrel and bicker among themselves. They try to cure Linghu Chong of his internal injuries by injecting six streams of inner energy into his body but end up worsening his condition instead. They become Linghu Chong's allies and eventually join the (North) Mount Heng Sect after Linghu Chong becomes its leader.
• Mu Gaofeng (木高峰; Mù Gāofēng) is a notorious hunchbacked bandit from the north. He tries to force Lin Pingzhi to be his apprentice and tortures Lin's parents to death when Lin refuses. His hunchback is actually a sack containing poison gas, which when torn, will release the gas and blind everyone around it. Lin Pingzhi eventually tracks him down and kills him to avenge his parents, but becomes blinded in the process after accidentally releasing the poison gas.
• Ping Yizhi (平一指; Píng Yīzhǐ) is a physician nicknamed "Famous Killer Physician" (殺人名醫; shā rén míng yī). He believes that life and death are predestined, so saving a life is equivalent to violating the law of nature. As such, he makes a rule that for every life he saves, another must die. He fails to cure Linghu Chong of his internal injuries and commits suicide in shame.
• Lao Touzi (老頭子; Lǎo Tóuzǐ) and Zu Qianqiu (祖千秋; Zǔ Qiānqiū) are nicknamed "Lao and Zu of the Yellow River" (黃河老祖; huánghé láozǔ; 'Old Ancestors of the Yellow River'). Zu Qianqiu tricked Linghu Chong into consuming eight medical pills created by Laotouzi to cure his daughter, Laobusi (老不死; Lǎo Bùsǐ), of a rare illness. After Linghu Chong finds out the truth, he willingly uses his blood, which contains traces of the pills, to save Laobusi, and earns their gratitude in return.
• Ji Wushi (計無施; Jì Wúshī), nicknamed "Night Cat" (夜貓子; yèmāozǐ) and "To No Avail" (無計可施; wújìkěshī).
• Zhucaoxian (諸草仙; Zhūcǎoxiān), nicknamed "Cannot Poison Anyone to Death" (毒不死人; dúbùsǐrén), is the leader of the Hundred Herbs Sect (百藥門; bǎiyàomén).
• Baixiong (白熊; Báixióng; 'White Bear') and Heixiong (黑熊; Hēixióng; 'Black Bear'), nicknamed "Twin Bears of the Northern Desert" (漠北雙熊; mòběi shuāngxióng), are a pair of cannibalistic martial artists from northern China.
• Qiu Songnian (仇松年; Qíu Sōngnián) is a long-haired wandering monk who uses a pair of crescent-shaped blades. He is killed by Yuling.
• Madam Zhang (張夫人; Zhāng Fūrén) uses a pair of short swords. She is killed by You Xun.
• Xibao (西寶; Xībǎo) is a monk who uses a pair of large cymbals. He is killed by Yan Sanxing.
• Yuling (玉靈; Yùlíng) is a Taoist who uses a wolf's teeth club. He is killed by Zhou Gutong and Wu Baiying.
• Yan Sanxing (嚴三星; Yán Sānxīng) is nicknamed "Twin Serpents Evil Beggar" (雙蛇惡丐; shuāngshé ègài). He sports green serpent tattoos on his shoulders. He is killed by Zhou Gutong and Wu Baiying.
• Zhou Gutong (周孤桐; Zhōu Gūtóng) and Wu Baiying (吳柏英; Wú Bǎiyīng), nicknamed "Twin Extraordinaries Tong and Bai" (桐柏雙奇; tóngbǎi shuāngqí), are a couple who are each blind in one eye. They use golden walking sticks as their weapons.
• You Xun (游迅; Yóu Xùn) is killed by Ren Yingying.
• Sima Da (司馬大; Sīmǎ Dà) is the lord of Long Whale Island (長鯨島; chángjīngdǎo).
• Huang Boliu (黃伯流; Huáng Bólíu), nicknamed "Silver Bearded Dragon" (銀髯蛟; yínránjiāo), is the chief of the Heavenly River Sect (天河幫; Tiānhébāng).
• The "Twin Swords of Diancang" (點蒼雙劍; Diǎncāng Shuāngjiàn) are a pair of swordsmen from the Diancang Sect (點蒼派; Diǎncāng pài). They are killed by Xiang Wentian.
• Songwen (松紋; Sōngwén) is a Taoist from the Emei Sect. He is scared away by Xiang Wentian.
• Wu Tiande (吳天德; Wú Tiāndé) is a military officer from Quanzhou. Linghu Chong steals his uniform and horse and disguises himself as him.
• Qingxiao (清曉; Qīngxiǎo) is the abbess of Water Moon Nunnery (水月庵; shuǐyuè ān) in Longquan. She lends her precious sword to the (North) Mount Heng Sect.
• The "Twin Flying Fish of the Yangtze River" (長江雙飛魚; Chángjiāng Shuāng Fēiyú) are from the White Dragon Sect (白蛟幫; Báijiāobāng) in Jiujiang.
• Qinghai Yixiao (青海一梟; Qīnghǎi Yīxiāo) attacks Tianmen during the special assembly on Mount Song. He dies together with Tianmen.