# Word of Honor (TV series)

Word Of Honor (Chinese: 山河令; pinyin: Shānhé lìng), previously titled A Tale of the Wanderers (天涯客), is a 2021 Chinese costume streaming television series co-produced by Ciwen Media, and Youku, directed by Cheng Zhi Chao, Ma Hua Gan, and Li Hong Yu, written by Xiao Chu, adapted from the danmei novel "Faraway Wanderers" (天涯客) by Priest. It starred Zhang Zhehan (Chinese: 张哲瀚) and Gong Jun (Chinese: 龚俊) in the leading roles. The series aired on Youku from February 22 to May 5 with 36 episodes, plus a short bonus clip shows what happened after the end of the main series.
It was featured on Teen Vogue's best BL dramas of 2021 list. The drama series were taken down from Chinese online video platforms in August 2021 due to industry boycott against the actor Zhang Zhehan.

## Synopsis

The leader of assassin organisation "The Window of Heaven", Zhou Zishu (Zhang Zhehan), condemns himself to a life of exile out of guilt for his past deeds. During his travels, he meets Wen Kexing (Gong Jun), a mysterious figure with a playful attitude who is secretly orchestrating a vengeful plot as the leader of Ghost Valley. The two become entangled in various machinations within the martial arts world, and eventually become soulmates instrumental in each other's redemption. One conspiracy, two soulmates, five pieces of treasure, twenty years of grievances, and thousands of years of jianghu dreams have tied their destinies closely together.

## Cast
### Main

| Actor | Character | Introduction |
| Zhang Zhehan Yang Chengjin (young) Gu Jiangshan (voice) | Zhou Zishu / Zhou Xu | The former leader of The Window of Heaven and the master of Four Seasons Manor. Zhang Chengling's teacher, Qin Huaizhang's disciple. When he became the leader of the Four Seasons Manor after his teacher’s death, he took eighty-one sect members with him to form The Window of Heaven under his royal cousin Helian Yi, the Crown Prince of Jin. He helped Helian Yi rise to power by assassinating innocent people, including a little girl he and his friends were acquainted with. After the deaths of the eighty-one members, he becomes anguished and wants to regain his freedom and chooses to leave The Window of Heaven by using the technique of Seven Orifices and Three Autumns Nails on himself, leaving him with three years left to live. Taking on the alias of Zhou Xu, he meets Wen Kexing. |
| Gong Jun Xiaoli Zhenzhen (young) Wang Kai (voice) | Wen Kexing / Zhen Yan | The chief of Ghost Valley. Zhen Ruyu and Gu Miaomiao's son. Originally named Zhen Yan, his parents were killed when he was a child, and he ended up in Ghost Valley. In order to survive and to take his revenge, he becomes chief of Ghost Valley and considers those of jianghu to be two-faced, preaching kindness and justice but secretly despicable. To put his plan for vengeance in action, he uses Hanging Ghost's supposed theft of the Glazed Armor as a smokescreen to command all three thousand of Qingya Mountain's ghosts to leave Ghost Valley. After meeting Zhou Zishu, the two redeem each other and heal from their respective pasts. |
| Sun Xilun Zhao Xiaokun (old) Xing Chao (voice) | Zhang Chengling | The third son of Zhang Yusen as well as the Mirror Lake Sect's only surviving member. Zhou Zishu's disciple. Initially naive and kind, he becomes an unwilling pawn in a conspiracy involving the Glazed Armor, the legendary key to opening the armoury containing various martial arts techniques and secrets. |
| Zhou Ye Xu Jiaqi (voice) | Amethyst Fiend | Originally named Gu Xiang, a bright and lively girl, she was rescued by Wen Kexing and calls him "master", although he treats her as a younger sister. Later on, she starts a relationship with Cao Weining. |
| Ma Wen Yuan Su Shangqing (voice) | Cao Weining | Disciple of Qing Feng Sword Sect. Kind, optimistic, and a lover of good food, he often mixes up famous literary works. He fell in love at first sight with Gu Xiang. |

### Supporting
#### Ghost Valley (Mountain Qingya)

A place where the most evil people in the world with nowhere else to go, gather.
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
| Chen Zi Han (voiced by Zhang Xin Yu) | Tragicomic Ghost | Originally named Luo Fumeng, known as Bo Qing Bu Zhu (薄情簿主) for her punishment towards unfaithful men. The former lover of Zhao Jing, she became a member of Ghost Valley after his betrayal. |
| Ke Nai Yu (voiced by Qiao Shi Yu) | Beauty Ghost | Originally named Liu Qianqiao, subordinate of Tragicomic Ghost and former lover of Yu Qiufeng. |
| Xue Fei | Changing Ghost | Leader of the Ten Evil Ghosts. |
| Zhou Yao (voiced by Sun Lu Lu) | Lovelace | Known for preying on young women. |
| Yang Chao Ran (voiced by Zhang Zhan Kun) | Happy Ghost | Known for laughing uncontrollably. |
| Li Bao Er (voiced by Guan Shuai) | Corpse-Eating Ghost | Known for eating human flesh. |
| Qiu Bin | Long-Tongued Ghost | Subordinate of Wu Chang Ghost. |
| Sun Zi Hang | Black Grim Reaper | Subordinate of Wu Chang Ghost. |
| Sha Zi Xuan | White Grim Reaper | Subordinate of Wu Chang Ghost. |
| Unknown (voiced by Zhang He) | Hanging Ghost | Fled after having stolen Ghost Valley's piece of the Glazed Armor. He is known for using wires which are razor-sharp, trapping unsuspecting victims. |
| Ye Xin Yu | Unnamed | Former Master of Ghost Valley, he was killed by Wen Kexing. |

#### Imperial Court and The Window of Heaven

One of the two most famous assassin organisations operating primarily in the north, The Window of Heaven is led by Helian Yi, Prince of Jin, used in his schemes in his bid for the throne.
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
| Wang Dong (voiced by Miao Zhuang) | Helian Yi, Prince of Jin | Owner of The Window of Heaven; Zhou Zishu's cousin and former superior. He is the crown prince of the Kingdom of Jin, and recruited Zhou Zishu in his youth to help him rise to the throne. For years, he uses Zhou Zishu's many skills to frame, smear, and kill political rivals, all in pursuit for power and his ideals of how to govern the nation. In the novel, Helian Yi, Jing Beiyuan, and Zhou Zishu are the three main powers spearheading his fight for the throne against his two older brothers, who eventually are brought down by the trio through various schemes and conspiracies. |
| Guo Yun Fei (voiced by Cai Zhuang Zhuang) | Duan Pengju | Assistant commander and later leader of The Window of Heaven. He is loyal to Helian Yi, Prince of Jin. |
| Norman Chui | Bi Changfeng | Former guard of The Window of Heaven and the second to last survivor of the original 81 members of the Four Seasons Manor. |
| Wang Rong (voiced by Wi Yi Fan) | Han Ying | Head guard of The Window of Heaven. He remains loyal to Zhou Zishu even after his departure as leader. |
| Bryan Leung | Old Zhang | Guard of Tian Chuang |
| Jian Ze Zheng | Young Guard | Guard of Tian Chuang |

#### Scorpion Sect

One of the two most famous assassin organizations operating primarily in the south, the Scorpion Sect is led by Scorpion King.
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
| Li Dai Kun | Scorpion King | Head of the Scorpion Sect and adopted son of Zhao Jing. |
| Zhao Qian Cai Hai Ting (voice) | Evil Bodhisattva | One of the four assassins under the Scorpion Sect. |
| Yu Nai Jia Qiao Su (voice) | Pretty Arhat | One of the four assassins under the Scorpion Sect. |
| Liu Yue Tao | Qin Song | One of the four assassins under the Scorpion Sect. He uses an instrument as his weapon of choice. |
| Pan Jian | Blonde Monster Jiang | One of the four assassins under the Scorpion Sect. |

### Five Lakes Alliance

Consists of the five great sects and their respective leaders:
* Hei Zi as Gao Chong (voiced by Yang Mo), head of the Five Lakes Alliance and leader of Yue Yang Sect
** Zhang Jia Hang as Gao Chong (young)
* Wang Ruo Lin as Zhao Jing (voiced by Guo Hao Ran), leader of Tai Hu Sect; known as the San Bai Hero; in control of the Scorpion Sect; Tragicomic Ghost's former lover
** Tian Mu Yang as Zhao Jing (young)
* Guo Jia Hao as Shen Shen (voiced by Qi Si Jia), leader of Da Gu Shan Sect
** Chang Yuan Jia as Shen Shen (young)
* Chang Jin as Zhang Yusen, leader of Jing Hu Mountain Pavilion (Mirror lake sect); Zhang Chengling's father
** Zhou Tai Heng (周泰亨) as Zhang Yusen (young)
* Yang Han as Lu Taichong, leader of Dan Yang Sect

#### Yue Yang Sect

* Jin Le as Gao Xiaolian (voiced by *Nie Xi Ying), Gao Chong's daughter
* Yang Wan Li as Deng Kuan (voiced by Liu Si Cen), head disciple of Yue Yang Sect
* Yang Zhen as Zhu Yaozhi, disciple of Yue Yang Sect
* Tang Yuan Sheng as Gao Shan, disciple of Yue Yang Sect
* Tang Shu Ya as Xie Wuyang, disciple of Yue Yang Sect; adopted son of Zhao Jing
* Huang Zi Yi (黄子益) as Song Huairen, disciple of Yue Yang Sect

#### Jing Hu Mountain Pavilion (Mirror lake sect)

* Yan Ding Xiang Yu (闫丁翔宇) as Zhang Chengfeng, elder son of Zhang Yusen
* Chen Qi (陈启) as Zhang Chengluan, second son of Zhang Yusen

### Chang Ming Mountain

* Huang You Ming as Ye Baiyi (voiced by Jin Xian), sword immortal of Chang Ming Mountain. A mysterious and highly skilled martial artist who lived for a century. Rong Xuan's teacher
* Li Ming Xuan as Rong Xuan, known as the Feng Shan Sword. Creator of the Martial Arts Library. Ye Baiyi's disciple

#### Unaffiliated

* Wei Zheming as Jing Beiyuan (Seventh Lord) (voiced by Ling Fei): a former prince of Jin Kingdom and Zhou Zishu's old friend. He is the main character of Lord Seventh or Qi Ye, the prequel novel to Tian Ya Ke. Unbeknownst to the rest of the characters, Jing Beiyuan is the destined soulmate of Helian Yi and has died and reincarnated many times before. In his last life, he was sent back to his first life to be the prince again and redo that life. His actions thereafter change the destinies of all those around him, including Zhou Zishu. He may be secretly related to Helian Yi.
* Fan Jinwei as Wu Xi (Da Wu) (voiced by Zhang He): the shamanic leader of Nan Jiang and Zhou Zishu's old friend. In his youth, he was a royal hostage in the Kingdom of Jin and grew up in the royal court with Jing Beiyuan, Zhou Zishu, and Helian Yi. He slowly befriends and falls in love with Jing Beiyuan. In the novel, he is sent away by Beiyuan before the final battle against foreign invaders but returns to rescue him and help defeat his enemies. Jing Beiyuan leaves his old life behind and goes to live with Wu Xi at the end of the novel.

#### Extended cast
##### 《Si Ji Mountain Pavilion (Four Season Manor)》

A former wulin stronghold which has now faded into nonexistence.
* Gong Zheng Nan as Qin Huaizhang: master of Si Ji Mountain Pavilion and Zhou Zishu's teacher.
* Guo Jianan and Zhang Yuebin (张跃滨) (young) as Qin Jiuxiao: Qin Huaizhang's son and Zhou Zishu's close junior.
* Cao Xiyue and Qiao Su (voice) as Princess Jing An: Zhou Zishu's junior and Qin Jiuxiao's lover.

##### 《Long Yuan Pavilion》

An organization that is adept in traps and machinations.
* Zhang Shuangli and Gao Yang (高扬) (young) as Long Que: the old master of Long Yuan Pavilion.
* Wang Zirun and Zhang Yuwei (voice) as Long Xiao: the current master of Long Yuan Pavilion and Long Que's son.

##### 《Immortal Physician Valley 》

* Zou Shizhong (邹世中) as the Master of Immortal Physician Valley.
* Yu Xinyan as Yue Feng'er: the senior disciple of Immortal Physician Valley and Rong Xuan's wife.
* Ji Xiaofei as Zhen Ruyu: Wen Kexing's father.
* Ou Ruola as Gu Miaomiao: Wen Kexing's mother.

### JIANGHU
#### 《Qing Feng Sword Sect (Gentle Wind Sword Sect)》

* Wang Boqing as Mo Huaiyang: leader of Qing Feng Sword Sect and Cao Weining's teacher.
* Wang Kang as Mo Weixu: Mo Huaiyang's son.
* Cheng Cheng as Fan Huaikong: elder of Qing Feng Sword Sect.

#### 《Hua Shan Sect》

One of the sects under the Wu Yue Sword Alliance.
* Liu Hanyang as Yu Qiufeng (voiced by Ling Zhenhe): leader of Hua Shan Sect and Beauty Ghost's former lover.
* Jia Yu (嘉裕) as Yu Tianjie: son of Yu Qiufeng.
* Kong Lingzi (孔令孜) as He Ruicai: disciple of Hua Shan Sect.

#### 《Tai Shan Sect》

One of the sects under the Wu Yue Sword Alliance.
* Wang Gang as Ao Laizi (voiced by Zhao Mingzhou): leader of Tai Shan Sect.
* Zhang Chen as Qing Bo: disciple of Tai Shan Sect.
* Liu Ruxuan as Qing Hua: disciple of Tai Shan Sect.
* Wang Yilong as Qing Song: disciple of Tai Shan Sect.

#### 《Duan Jian Mountain Pavilion (Broken Sword Manor)》

* Zhao Hongwu as Mu Siyuan: leader of Duan Jian Mountain Pavilion.
* Yuan Shuai as Mu Yunge: disciple of Duan Jian Mountain Pavilion.

#### 《Beggar Sect》

* Wei Jia (魏甲) as the Leader of Beggar Sect.
* Kou Zhenhai as Huang He (voiced by Zhang Yaohan): elder of Beggar Sect.
* Zhou Xiaopeng as Lu Liu (voiced by Liu Cong).
* Ma Lan as Tao Hong (voiced by Ma Cheng).

#### 《Four Sages of An Ji》

* Yu Zikuan as He Yifan: a former bandit who turned good.
* Zhang Zhiwei as Du Yuqian.
* Lu Chunsheng as Pei Feng: husband of Qiao Xing.
* Tong Xiaomei as Qiao Xing: wife of Pei Feng.

### Others

* Huang Bixing as Feng Xiaofeng.
* Wang Gang as Gao Shan Nu.
* Yu Aiqun as Ci Mu Da Shi: master of Shao Lin Temple.
* Zhao Yongzhan as the Leader of Cao Sect.
* Ren Xihong as Wang Moxuan: Leader of Ju Jing Sect.
* Han Haoxiang as the Second Generation Leader of Ju Jing Sect.
* Xu Wei as the Leader of Hai Sha Sect.
* Song Yagang as the Leader of Tiezhang Sect.
* Wang Chong (王崇) as the Leader of Wu Hu Duan Jian Sect.
* Li Tongdong as the Leader of Fu Niu Sect.
* Hou Quanlong (侯全龙) as Sun Zhong: Leader of Ying Zhua Sect.
* Shen Baoping as Uncle Li: old boat captain who gives Zhou Zishu the responsibility of sending Zhang Chengling safely to the Five Lakes Alliance.
* Zhao Qihang as Ping An: Jing Beiyuan's disciple
* Wu Kunyi as A Qin Lai: Jing Beiyuan's subordinate
* Fu Rou Mei Qi as Yun Zai: a courtesan saved by Gu Xiang.
* Ren Yixuan as Hong Lu: a courtesan saved by Gu Xiang.
* Li Man (李曼) as Yan Wan: disciple of Emei Sect and Mu Yunge's lover.
* Yang Mo as Fang Buzhi: a famous thief known as Jiu Zhua Ling Hu.
* Wei Yu as Minister Li: the military commissioner and Princess Jing An's father, killed by Zhou Zishu.
* Wang Xingyi as Green Clothed Swordsman: assassin and guard of the military commissioner manor.
* Yan Yan as Yue Rong.
* Yun Xiang as Bi Xingming.
* Lu Jin as Zhi Yin Shi Tai.
* Wang Haochen (王皓晨) as Deng Kuan's son.
* Hao Jianchun (郝荐椿) as Meng Po.
* Wu Lin as Gui Mian Ke.
* Cheng Wanchuan (成万川) as Luo Hao.
* Lu Huan as Uncle Lin.
* Wang Pin as Cheng Zichen.
* Liu Meixi as Zhang Nianxiang.
* Wang Kai (Extra)

## Soundtrack

Word of Honor OST (山河令 网剧音乐原声大碟) consisted of 13 tracks, sung by various artists.
| No. | English Title | Chinese Title | Artist | Lyric | Composer/Arrangement | Notes |
| 1. | Ask Heaven | 天问 | Liu Yuning | Zhang Hui Quan | Yan Xiao Nan, Gong Yi Fan | Opening theme song |
| 2. | Faraway Wanderers | 天涯客 | Zhang Zhehan, Gong Jun | Xiao Chu | Jin Ruo Chen, Mao Zhen Yao | Ending theme song |
| 3. | Lonely Dream | 孤梦 | Zhang Zhehan | Zhang Chang | Zheng Guo Feng | Zhou Zishu Character Song |
| 4. | Untitled | 无题 | Hu Xia | Mei Zhen | Jin Ruo Chen | |
| 5. | Return | 归 | Wang Jia Cheng | Wang Yi Qing, Lin Qiao | Sun Ai Li | |
| 6. | Letter Forward | 锦书来 | Henry Huo | A Li | Wen Zhe | |
| 7. | Drunken Moon | 醉江月 | Zhang Xianzi | Yan Tian Yu | Song Chen | |
| 8. | Looking at the Jianghu with a Smile | 笑看江湖 | Man Shu Ke | Yu Tou Taro | Man Shu Ke, Yu Tou Taro | |
| 9. | Blind | 盲 | Elvis Wang | Lin Qiao | Deng Qiang Zhong, Xia Heng | Wen Kexing Character Song |
| 10. | Vanquished Fate | 缘灭 | Shuang Sheng | Ma Cheng Cheng | Zheng Bing Bing, Zhang Xi | |
| 11. | Broken Heart | 落心 | Ye Li | Ma Cheng Cheng, Ma Tao | Zhu Xiao Sheng Zoki | |
| 12. | Gazing at the Horizon | 望天涯 | Li Dai Kun, Yuan Shuai, Ma Wen Yuan, Sun Xi Lun | Ma Cheng Cheng | Wang Jia Cheng, Yang Zi Xuan | |
| 13. | Journey of Mountain and River | 山河行 | Steve Chou | Lin Qiao, Liu En Xun | Cen Si Yuan | |

## Production

In June 2020, the main leads Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun were announced along with the production team. On the same day, the filming ceremony was held. On July 18, a fanmeeting was held. The series was filmed from June 3 to September 23 at Hengdian World Studios.

## Concert

‘Word of Honor’ Theme Concert took place on the 3 and 4 of May 2021, in the gymnasium of the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre. The main leads Zhang Zhehan, Gong Jun, Zhou Ye, Ma Wenyuan, and Sun Xilun attended the shows along with supporting cast members Zhao Qian (Du Pusa), Huang You Ming (Ye Baiyi), Li Dai Kun (Xie Wang), Hei Zi (Gao Chong), Chen Zi Han (Luo Fumeng), Jin Le (Gao Xiaolian), Ke Nai Yu (Liu Qianqiao), Wang Ruo Lin (Zhao Jin), Guo Jia Hao (Shen Shen), Fan Jinwei (Wu Xi), Guo Yun Fei (Duan Pengjiu), and Wang Rong (Han Ying). Over 600,000 people participated in the tickets purchased, but only 40,000 seats available. The tickets sold out within 40 seconds. Online tickets were also available for livestream through media platform Youku, costing CN¥68 (US$10) per day.

## International broadcast

| Network | Country |
| VieON | Vietnam |
| HTV7 | Vietnam |
| Line TV | Taiwan |
| LiTV | Taiwan |
| friDay | Taiwan |
| MyVideo | Taiwan |
| Hami Video | Taiwan |
| TrueID | Thailand |
| Astro TV | Malaysia |
| Singtel TV | Singapore |
| | Brunei |
| | Cambodia |
| Chunghwa TV | South Korea |
| Wowow TV | Japan |
| MX Player | India |
| YouTube | International |
| Amazon Prime | International |
| Viki | International |
| Netflix | International |
| ODC | International |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominees | Result |
| 2021 | China Content Marketing Awards | Best Visual Effects | — | Won |
| 2021 | China Content Marketing Awards | Best Production | — | Won |
| 2021 | China Content Marketing Awards | Most Talked About | — | Won |
| 2022 | Golden Blossom Network Film and Television Assn | Annual Quality Screenwriter | — | Won |