The Story of the Nine Clans

| Zhang Qishan (Master Buddha Zhang) | Military strategy, antiques appraisal | Leadership, marksmanship, mechanisms | Upper Three Families (Zhang family) | Dignified and decisive, values loyalty, sees the bigger picture |

| Er Yuehong | Chinese opera (flower-drum opera), artifact research | Lightness skills, hidden weapons (iron pellets), disguise | Upper Three Families (Hong family) | Gentle and refined, devoted in love, keeps his word |

| Half-Li | Political scheming, running businesses | Hand-to-hand combat (specializes due to his leg disability) | Upper Three Families (Li family) | Cruel and suspicious, but fiercely protective of the family’s interests |

| Chen Pi A Si | Exploration, collecting rare treasures | Nine-claw hook, iron pellets, ruthless | Middle Three Families (Chen family) | Violent and greedy, but deeply devoted to his master and fellow disciples |

| Wu Laogou | Dog breeding, solving mechanisms | Dog training, keen sense of smell, feng shui | Middle Three Families (Wu family) | Slick and clever, skilled at handling people |

| Hei Bei Laoliu | Practicing the blade, working alone | Black-backed blade techniques, close-quarters combat | Middle Three Families (Master Liu) | Reclusive and aloof, obsessed with martial arts, dislikes socializing |

Huo Xiangu (Huo Jinxi)