Seven Swordsmen (七劍下天山)
Genre	Wuxia
Created by	Liang Yusheng
Written by	Cheung Siu Yim
Directed by	Clarence Fok
Starring	See cast
Opening theme	三国恋
Ending theme	空船
Country of origin	Hong Kong
Language(s)	Mandarin Chinese
No. of episodes	39
Production
Producer(s)	Ren Kelei Wang Guofei Pan Zhizhong Yang Wenhu
Location(s)	China Mongolia
Running time	42 min per episode
Broadcast
First shown in	2006
Original run	16 March 2006 – September 2006
Chronology
Related shows	Seven Swords
External links
[[1] [2] Official website]

Seven Swordsmen (simplified Chinese: 七剑下天山; traditional Chinese: 七劍下天山; pinyin: Qī Jiàn Xià Tiān Shān; jyutping: Chat1 Kim3 Ha5 Tin1 Saan1), also known as Seven Swords of Mount Heaven, is a 2006 Hong Kong and Mainland China co-produced TV series directed by Clarence Fok and produced by Tsui Hark.

The series is based on Liang Yusheng's Wuxia novel Qijian Xia Tianshan. It is also the derived counterpart of the 2005 film Seven Swords which is directed and produced by Tsui Hark.

Contents 1 Cast 2 Plot 3 Characters 3.1 The Seven Swordsmen 3.2 Qing forces 3.3 Red Spears Society 3.4 Ethnic minority 3.5 Miscellaneous characters 4 The Seven Swords 4.1 The Dragon (由龍) 4.2 The Transience (青干) 4.3 The Star Chasers (競星) 4.4 The Celestial Beam (日月) 4.5 The Deity (舍神) 4.6 The Heaven's Fall (天瀑) 4.7 The Unlearnt (莫問) 5 Notes 6 List of songs 7 External links and references

[edit] Cast

• Vincent Zhao as Chu Zhaonan
• Wang Xuebing as Yang Yuncong
• Ada Choi as Feihongjin
• Ray Lui as Dokado
• Qiao Zhenyu as Mulang
• Li Xiaoran as Nalan Minghui
• Wang Likun as Liu Yufang
• Zhang Bo as Han Zhibang
• Yu Chenghui as Fu Qingzhu
• Ji Chunhua as Xin Longzi
• Sang Weilin as Wu Yuanying
• Xie Zhenwei as Shunzhi Emperor
• Eryang as Nalan Xiuji
• Bryan Leung as Liu Jingyi
• Xu Xiangdong as Niukulu
• Sun Jiankui as Qi Zhenjun
• Ma Jingwu as Master Shadow-Glow
• Tan Kai as Wind Fire
• Askar as Ai'erjiang
• Sun Feifei as Dong Xiaowan
• Edell Ai as Green Pearl

[edit] Plot

In 1664, the Manchurians defeat the Ming Dynasty and successfully conquer the Central Plains. The Qing Dynasty government issues a decree, ordering all pugilists within the realm to surrender and submit to the Imperial Court or face death and destruction. The Manchu army led by Prince Dokado and Nalan Xiuji are placed in charge of eradicating those who dare to defy the imperial order. They arrive at Wu Village, which houses a number of pugilists and rebels, led by the village chief Liu Jingyi.

The villagers are members of the Red Spears Society, an anti-Manchu secret society. The Manchu forces besiege the village heavily, but two young villagers, Han Zhibang and Wu Yuanying, manage to break out of the siege together with Fu Qingzhu. Fu is a retired executioner who killed many pugilists previously. He seeks to redeem himself and atone for his past sins by helping those who face oppression from the Manchurians.

The trio travel to Mount Heaven and seek help from the reclusive swordsmith Master Shadow-Glow. Shadow-Glow allows his four students (Chu Zhaonan, Yang Yuncong, Xin Longzi and Mu Lang) to follow the trio on their quest to save the Wulin from the Qing government's persecution. Seven swords, each representing the seven states of the human mind, forged by Master Shadow Glow, are given to the seven of them. The seven title themselves "Seven Swords". They consist of "The Dragon", wielded by Chu Zhaonan, "The Transience" wielded by Yang Yunchong, "The Star-Chasers" wielded by Xin Longzi, "The Celestial Beam" wielded by Mu Lang, "The Deity" wielded by Han Zhibang, "The Heaven's Fall" wielded by Wu Yuanying, and 'The Unlearnt" wielded by Fu Qingzhu.

The Seven Swords return in the nick of time and defeat the Manchurian forces attacking the villagers. They lead the villagers on an exodus into the mountains where they hide in caves. Unfortunately, there is a spy present amongst them and he stirs up trouble. The villagers' food and water supplies are mysteriously poisoned and they mistakenly accuse Yang Yuncong of being the spy. Eventually, the villagers are forced to evacuate the mountains and break up to make their escape. The Seven Swords agree to disband and part ways temporarily and will meet up a year later on the bank of the Qiantang River. Han Zhibang and Mu Lang stay with the village chief's daughter Liu Yufang and the children and reunite with the surviving villagers when they get to safety. Fu Qingzhu, Wu Yuanying and Xin Longzi travel to the capital city. Yang Yuncong makes his journey back to Mount Heaven and reaches the desert. Chu Zhaonan is captured by the enemy general Fire-Wind and starts a romantic relationship with Fire-Wind's slave Green Pearl. Chu flees from captive but he loses Green Pearl, his first love interest, and the experience causes him to be emotionally scarred.

Chu Zhaonan meets Yang Yuncong in the desert and they join the Desert Eagles, a tribal anti-Manchu organisation led by Feihongjin. Meanwhile, Prince Dokado shifts his attention from destroying the Red Spears Society to putting down resistance from the Desert Eagles. Chu and Yang fight alongside Feihongjin and her people against the Manchurian invaders. During a battle, Yang is wounded and rescued by the enemy general Nalan Xiuji's daughter Nalan Minghui. They fall in love and incurr the jealousy of Feihongjin, as she is initially in love with Yang Yuncong but Yang has not decided to accept her yet. Yang and Nalan are unable to be together as Nalan's father has betrothed her to Prince Dokado, with the emperor as the matchmaker.

Meanwhile, the trio who go to the capital city decide to infiltrate the Imperial Palace and assassinate the Shunzhi Emperor so as to cause chaos within the Qing Empire and buy time for the resistance forces to stage their rebellion. Ironically, they save the emperor instead, from a coup to overthrow him led by some Manchurian nobles. Shunzhi flees from the palace and is never seen again. He is succeeded by the young Kangxi Emperor. On the other hand, Han Zhibang, Mu Lang, and Liu Yufang develop a complex love triangle while trying to free the captured members of the Red Spears Society from the Manchurians. Han Zhibang is promoted to the rank of leader of the Red Spears Society after his heroics in rescuing his entrapped fellow members.

After the reunion of the Seven Swords, Yang Yuncong learns that Nalan Minghui has bore him a daughter. Chu Zhaonan volunteers to infiltrate the Manchurian forces and work as a spy for the society. However, Prince Dokado is aware that Chu's apparent defection is a plot to kill him. Dokado manipulates Chu into killing members of the society and makes the society become increasingly suspicious of Chu. Tension between Chu Zhaonan and the resistance forces eventually reach the point of conflict, when Chu kills Liu Jingyi accidentally. Chu Zhaonan decides that the only way to prove his loyalty is to challenge Dokado to a final battle. Dokado accepts the challenge from the Seven Swords and they engage in a bloody battle on the riverbank. The battle causes the division of the Seven Swords although they manage to kill Dokado eventually. Yang Yuncong is killed and Xin Longzi goes missing after entering a fit of insanity. Mu Lang is marred and returns to Mount Heaven with Yang's infant daughter alone. Chu Zhaonan is mentally devastated as the experiences he went through have caused him to become morally weakened. He deserts the Seven Swords and disappears.

Fu Qingzhu and Wu Yuanying set off on their long journey to search for the surviving Seven Swords and reunite them. Han Zhibang stays behind to rebuild the resistance force, which has been crippled after the battle. The sequel will feature a new generation of the Seven Swords.

[edit] Characters

[edit] The Seven Swordsmen

• Chu Zhaonan (楚昭南) - the first of Shadow-Glow's four students and wielder of "The Dragon". He is originally an upright and loyal swordsman often in conflict with his personal desires. A series of tragic events he encounters causes him to become mentally devastated and morally weakened.

• Yang Yuncong (楊雲驄) - the second of Shadow-Glow's four students and wielder of "The Transience". He is also an upright and loyal swordsman who seeks to avoid conflict whenever possible. He conceives a daughter with his enemy's daughter Nalan Minghui. He is one of the few who remained unchanged despite having met several adversities and perished in the final battle.

• Xin Longzi (辛龍子) - the third of Shadow-Glow's four students and wielder of "The Star-Chasers". He is a loner who has been deeply traumatised by his tragic past and will turn berserk when reminded of it. He has never really shown his true emotions and appears to be very cold towards his fellows but is still very dedicated to his cause.

• Mulang (穆郎) - the youngest and fourth of Shadow-Glow's four students and wielder of "The Celestial Beam". He develops a crush on Liu Yufang after she agrees to teach him to read and write in exchange for his guidance in martial arts. His weakness is that he was too naïve and kind-hearted, which later proves to be disastrous when he allows one of the "Four Dangers" to infiltrate their hideout and kill the children.

• Han Zhibang (韓志邦) - a member of the Red Spears Society and childhood friend of Liu Yufang, who is his love interest. He is given "The Deity" and becomes part of the Seven Swords. He is quiet and humble by nature, willingly giving in to others while suffering in silence. After guidance from his seniors, he is no longer the amateur swordsman he once was and truly becomes an accomplished swordsman worthy to wield his sword.

• Wu Yuanying (武元英) - a member of the Red Spears Society and wielder of "The Heaven's Fall". A close friend of Han Zhibang, he often stays close with him and fights together side-by-side with him. He is the least powerful swordsmen of the seven, but eventually becomes a powerful swordsman worthy to wield his sword after guidance from his seniors and years of experience.

• Fu Qingzhu (傅青主) - a former executioner notorious for having slain several heroes. He decides to repent and atone for his sins by saving Wu Village from destruction, and is given his reforged sword, now known as "The Unlearnt". He proves to be a calm and composed tactician who drafts most of the plans to resist Dokado's forces and also conjures the battle formation for the Seven Swords. He sets off to find all the missing swordsmen and reunite them at the end.

[edit] Qing forces

• Prince Dokado (多格多) - an ambitious noble who is well-versed and experienced in warfare and strategy. He is the main villain and arch-nemesis of the Seven Swords in the story. He is impressed with Chu Zhaonan's capabilities and wants him to serve him, hence he often plays on Chu's intellect and manages to turn Chu against his former allies. He is defeated by Chu Zhaonan in the final battle and plunges to his death in the water.

• Nalan Xiuji (納蘭秀吉) - a Manchurian general serving under Dokado and father of Nalan Minghui. He wields a pair of iron clubs and is considerably a formidable opponent as well as an excellent militarist.

• Nalan Minghui (納蘭明慧) - the daughter of Nalan Xiuji. She is like a Florence Nightingale to the wounded soldiers, and even Dokado falls for her, asking for her hand-in-marriage. However, she falls in love with Yang Yuncong after their first encounter and bears him a daughter.

• Niukulu (纽枯魯) - a powerful Manchurian warrior who formerly serves Nurhachi. He becomes Dokado's martial arts teacher. He falls to his death together with Feihongjin.

• Fire-Wind (風火連城; aka Fenghuo Liancheng) - a former Baturu (巴圖魯; a Manchurian honorific title) serving under Dokado. He lost his title after losing to an enemy general and vowed never to lose again after that humiliating defeat. He is extremely jealous of Chu Zhaonan, who won him in a fight once. When Chu became his captive later, he tortured Chu physically and mentally to vent his frustration. Chu broke free and killed him eventually.

• Shunzhi Emperor (順治皇帝) - the ruler of the Qing Dynasty. He is forced to abdicate by Ao Long, but is taken hostage by Fu Qingzhu, who had originally intended to assassinate him. He flees from the palace with Fu's help and nothing was heard from him since.

• Kangxi Emperor (康熙皇帝) - the child emperor who succeeds Shunzhi.

• Ao Long (傲龍) - one of the leaders of the Manchu Eight Banners. He stages a coup to overthrow Shunzhi. The emperor flees and he is killed by Dokado.

[edit] Red Spears Society

• Liu Jingyi (劉精一) - the hot-headed chief of Wu Village and father of Liu Yufang. He is a forthright man who is willing to do anything to ensure the safety and well-being of his fellow villagers, including sacrificing his daughter. He is hit in the leg by a projectile fired by Dokado and is killed after stumbling and falling onto the blade of Chu Zhaonan's sword.

• Liu Yufang (劉裕芳) - the daughter of Liu Jingyi. She is entrusted with the responsibility of teaching and taking care of the children of the village. She is caught in a love triangle with Mu Lang and Han Zhibang.

• Zhang Huazhao (張華昭) - the eldest of the children of Wu Village. He is a mature and strong-willed child who shows great responsibility in taking care of the younger ones. He is the sole survivor of all the children.

• Qiu Dongluo (邱東洛) - a member of the Red Spears Society based in Wu Village. He lives together with them for several years but later defects to the Manchurians and became a spy.

[edit] Ethnic minority

• Feihongjin (飛紅巾; literally: Flying Red Sash) - the leader of the Desert Eagles and natives of the desert. She is known in the desert as being a legendary heroine who upholds justice and resisted the Manchurians. She has a love affair with Yang Yuncong but later seemed to perish in the final battle by falling together with Niukulu when trying to save Yang Yuncong and his infant daughter.

• Ailike (艾里克) - the deputy leader of the Desert Eagles. He is killed in the raid on the Qing fortress while defending Feihongjin from the enemy armed with rifles.

• Ai'erjiang (艾爾江) - the best singer living in the desert. He is the ex-lover of Feihongjin but becomes the enemy of their clan after he rescues some Manchu soldiers who later kill several of their clan. He is stoned to death by the natives but Feihongjin ends his life swiftly with her knife.

• Kelimu (克里木) - a native living at the foot of Mount Heaven. He provides food and shelter for the Seven Swords and is well-respected by them for being a hospitable host. He is killed during the raid on the Qing fortress.

• Manlingna (曼鈴納) - the wife of Kelimu. She is captured by the Qing soldiers and killed while trying to flee from the camp.

[edit] Miscellaneous characters

• Green Pearl (綠珠) - a slave girl sold for sexual entertainment. She falls in love with Chu Zhaonan and sacrifices herself to save him but her death greatly devastates him.

• Master Shadow-Glow (晦明大師; aka Reverend Huiming) - a powerful reclusive swordsman living on Mount Heaven. He is the forger of the Seven Swords and the teacher of Chu Zhaonan, Yang Yuncong, Xin Longzi and Mu Lang.

• White-Haired Demoness (白髮魔女) - the former lover of Shadow-Glow and teacher of Feihongjin.

• Qi Zhenjun (齊真君) - nicknamed "Northern Desert Sword Deity" (漠北劍神). He is a powerful pugilist who supposedly has past feuds with Shadow-Glow as he aids Dokado in fighting the Seven Swords. He is also the teacher of the traitor Qiu Dongluo and is slain by Fu Qingzhu in the final battle.

• Mao Pijiang (冒闢彊) - a scholar who becomes a soldier and serves under Shi Kefa at Yangzhou while resisting the Manchurian invasion. After the fall of Yangzhou, he flees together with his wife and infant child, only to be separated from her after Qing soldiers capture her.

• Dong Xiaowan (董小宛) - the wife of Mao Pijiang. She is separated from her husband while escaping from the Qing soldiers and captured. She is sent to serve the Shunzhi Emperor to discredit him for being in love with a non-Manchu woman, so as to allow the conspirators to dethrone the emperor.

• Four Dangers (四險) - four powerful pugilists notorious for engaging in all sorts of evil acts, as evident from their names, "Despicable" (卑鄙), "Shameless" (無恥) etc. They are hired by Niukulu to aid Dokado in his war against the Seven Swords.

[edit] The Seven Swords

[edit] The Dragon (由龍)

The Dragon is the most powerful weapon of the seven. Its design is unique as it has a special steel sphere within its hilt chamber, which reacts during combat by making sounds and vibrations that confuse the enemy, as well as strike fear in the hearts of those who hear its distinct whistle. However, The Dragon's vibrations can be detected by hearing, and the movements of the sword can also be easily predicted just by hearing. The Dragon reacts in a violent manner towards The Transience and repels the energy emitted from the latter. When the swords are used against each other, they will be magnetically locked such that each other’s power would be neutralised. It is used most effectively together with The Transience.

[edit] The Transience (青干)

The Transience was forged from a meteorite, which gives rise to its unique properties. It has a rougher surface and less beautiful compared to the other swords. The Transience’s elemental composition gives it an unusual ability of magnetism and light emission, which becomes formidable when used against enemies. It is also the counterpart of The Dragon and would react violently when used against the latter and both swords would be magnetically locked such that each other’s power would be neutralised. It is used most effectively together with The Dragon.

[edit] The Star Chasers (競星)

The Star Chasers are a small pair of blades, yet have interesting properties. At the hilts of the swords are chains connected to small steel spheres. When the wielder is in a state of disorder and chaos, the spheres would be attracted to each other, connecting the two blades, and start to strike back. This increases the range of attack and forces the attackers to retreat to a safer distance, reminding the wielder to be conscious about the fact that swordsmanship is about discipline. It is used most effectively together with The Unlearnt and The Heaven's Fall.

[edit] The Celestial Beam (日月)

The Celestial Beam appears to be a single blade sword, but can actually be detached into a pair. The main sword is the size of an ordinary long sword, while the secondary one is smaller and resembles a Taiji Sword. When the smaller sword is released, it can fly around like a boomerang with the main one guiding its direction. Hence, its main advantage in combat is range as it can be used like a projectile. It is used most effectively together with The Deity.

[edit] The Deity (舍神)

The Deity is one of the first swords forged by Master Shadow-Glow when he first decided to settle on Mount Heaven. Its blade is thick and heavy for strength and power, thus it was only used to help in mining, but was later given to Han Zhibang. The raw energy of The Deity emits energy waves, which can destroy light objects at a distance, and if properly used, can cause severe devastation. It is used most effectively used with The Celestial Beam.

[edit] The Heaven's Fall (天瀑)

The Heaven's Fall is an elemental sword of water. Its design is especially unique as its handle resembles a flute. Also, the handle has holes like a woodwind musical instrument, which respond to different functions, such as shifting the blade from one side of the handle to the other. With its affinity with water, The Heaven's Fall is extremely deadly when wet, as energy can be channelled into the sword and the water droplets on it be directed towards enemies as projectiles weapons. It is used most effectively together with The Unlearnt and The Star Chasers.

[edit] The Unlearnt (莫問)

The Unlearnt does not have any special properties unlike the others, but is arguably the weapon with the least blood stains on it. It was formerly used as a weapon of mass killing and bloodshed, but after being reforged and renamed, it has been kept in its scabbard most of the time. Energy can be channeled into the sword but it can still remain locked in its scabbard and used as a club-like weapon to knock down opponents instead of drawing blood. It is used most effectively together with The Star Chasers and The Heaven's Fall.

[edit] Notes

• As of August 2006, only 39 episodes have been filmed. Supposedly, the story will continue and pick up 18 years after the events of the final episode. The infants and children featured in the series were expected to become amongst those of the new generation of the Seven Swords, such as Yang Yuncong's daughter, Zhang Huazhao and Mao Wanlian.

• The version of TV series also had major differences compared with the novel version, since TV story focused more on the 1st generation of Seven Swords as the key characters, while the novel focused more on the 2nd generation and put the 1st generation more as supporting or flashback story only. As TV series ended with 39 episodes only (and has no sequel released yet) until today, it can be considered more as a TV-version "prequel" to the novel story. There is also a novel-version "prequel" titled: The Swordsman in the Mountain Pass

[edit] List of songs

• Sanguo Lian (三國戀) – the opening theme song of the series. Performed by Tank
• Kong Chuan (空船) – the ending theme song of the series. Performed by Ke Yimin
• Uyghur language songs
  • Kuayue Shijie De Heliu (跨越世界的河流) – the Uyghur language version of Kong Chuan.
  • Zhongzi He Dashu Wufa Xiangyu (種子和大樹無法相遇)
  • Gul Sa Ba
  • Guli Rena (古麗热那)

[edit] External links and references

• Official CTV Website
• Official TVB Website
• Series Info
• IMDb entry
• hkcinemagic entry
• Wuxiasociety.Org Forum Discussion of Wuxia (Liang Yusheng) works in English
• Seven Swords Novel Translation English Summary translation of the "Seven Swords" (updated August 27, 2007) done by Yenchin of Wuxiasociety.org
• Seven Swordsmen
  七劍下天山 at the Internet Movie Database