Secret Societies

*"Who controls the British crown, who keeps the metric system down, we do, we do!*" - Stonecutters Anthem

"*I call it the Society of the Blind Eye. We will help those who want to forget by erasing their bad memories!*" - Fiddleford McGucket

"*Eventually...Everyone sees the Light*" - Kane/Vandal Savage

"*They're in everything! And what they can't buy, they destroy. President Fleming, Black Tuesday... You think those things just happened?*" - Rufus Hunt (about the Council of Nine).

## **Ancient Tomb Sect**

The sect was founded by Lin Chaoying during the Song dynasty and shares a long history with its neighbour, the Quanzhen Sect, which is based in Chongyang Palace (重陽宮; *chóngyáng gōng*) on Mount Zhongnan.[1] The Ancient Tomb was built by Quanzhen's founder, Wang Chongyang.[1] Although it is called a tomb, it was actually used to store supplies and weapons in preparation for war against invaders from the Jurchen-ruled Jin Empire. The tomb is also filled with various traps and hidden rooms and serves as a hideout for the Han Chinese defenders of the Song Empire.

Wang Chongyang attempted to rally an army of volunteers to defend their homeland from the Jin invaders but failed. He was upset by his failure and retreated to live a reclusive life inside the tomb, calling himself a "living dead man". As such the Ancient Tomb is also called the "Tomb of the Living Dead" (活死人墓; *huó sǐ rén mù*). Wang's lover, Lin Chaoying, felt that his talent would go to waste if he continued to be a hermit, so she tricked him into leaving the tomb and both of them roamed the *jianghu* together. However, Wang was still very concerned about his native land and he treated Lin coldly. Lin thought that Wang looked down on her and so she challenged him to a fight on Mount Zhongnan. Lin defeated Wang by trickery and won the Ancient Tomb as her prize. She moved into the tomb and had never left since then.[1]

Lin hated Wang for not appreciating her love for him and she spent her time innovating and developing new martial arts techniques to counter those of Quanzhen's.[1] She created the *Jade Maiden Heart Sutra*, which proves to be the bane of Quanzhen martial arts as its movements seem to oppose all Quanzhen styles. However, it is later discovered that the *Jade Maiden Heart Sutra* actually complements Quanzhen's swordplay and covers its flaws.[1]

Lin Chaoying had a maid, who became her martial arts apprentice. The sect got its name from its base since Lin did not give it a name and martial artists in the *jianghu* could only refer to it as the "Ancient Tomb Sect". The maid later accepted Xiaolongnü and Li Mochou as her apprentices. Li Mochou was banished from the sect for betraying her master and she continued to roam the *jianghu* as a vicious killer. The sect only becomes known to the *wulin* (martial artists' community) after Li Mochou became a notorious villainess. Xiaolongnü later accepts Yang Guo as her apprentice and Yang Guo becomes the first male member of the sect. In the sequel, *The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü have a female descendant, known as the Yellow Dress Maiden, who uses the *Nine Yin Manual'*s skills to defeat Zhou Zhiruo.

## **Skills and martial arts**

### Jade Maiden Swordplay

The 'Jade Maiden Swordplay' (玉女素心劍法; *yù nǚ sù xīn jiàn fǎ*) was created by Lin Chaoying, who detailed the style in the *Jade Maiden Heart Manual* (玉女心經; *yù nǚ xīn jīng*). It is the Ancient Tomb Sect's most powerful martial art, and is hence also its most protected one. Xiaolongnü was taught an incomplete version of this form of swordplay by Lin's apprentice, who did not master the art herself.

This style is believed to reflect Lin's grudge against Wang Chongyang, because its moves seem to be designed to attack the weak points in the 'Quanzhen Swordplay'. However, later in the story, Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü discover that the 'Jade Maiden Swordplay' actually complements the 'Quanzhen Swordplay' by covering its weaknesses. This reflects Lin's true feelings; when the styles are performed together by a pair of lovers, it becomes a very powerful skill and the closer the couple are to each other, the more powerful the skill. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü performed this skill together several times and defeated more powerful opponents, including Jinlun Guoshi. However, they became easy targets for their enemies whenever they were alone because they could not execute the Jade Maiden Swordplay without their partner. Nevertheless, after learning the 'Skill of Ambidexterity' (雙手互搏; *shuāng shǒu hù bó*) from Zhou Botong, Xiaolongnü was able to perform the combined styles alone with overwhelming speed, thereby reducing the need for Yang Guo to perform the swordplay with her.

Yang Guo later detailed the *Jade Maiden Heart Manual* in a book and gave it to Lu Wushuang as a gift for her to improve her martial arts.

### Fist of Beauties

The 'Fist of Beauties' (美女拳法; *méi nǚ quán fǎ*) is a graceful, elegant and seemingly harmless technique but is actually quite deadly. Its styles and moves are named after notable beauties in Chinese history.

### Palm of Infinity Web

The 'Palm of Infinity Web' (天羅地網式; *tiān luó dì wǎng shì*) is a swift defensive technique and was one of Lin Chaoying's secret skills. It involves moving the palms in a strange pattern and formation, seemingly creating an invisible web, which can confuse an enemy and halt any advances. Yang learns this technique from Xiaolongnü by catching sparrows in mid flight.

### Qinggong

The Ancient Tomb Sect's *qinggong* was among the fastest in the *jianghu* in Xiaolongnü's time.

## **Beggar's Sect**

The sect was founded in the Han dynasty and lasted for centuries. The sect plays significant roles in *wuxia* novels such as *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* (Northern Song dynasty) and the *Condor Trilogy* (Southern Song dynasty to Yuan dynasty).

The Beggars' Sect was one of the largest and most respected martial arts sects in the *wulin* (martial artists' community) until the Yuan dynasty.[3] Its fame and popularity began to decline in the Yuan dynasty due to ill discipline among its members and incompetent leadership.

## Organisation[edit]

The sect is divided into various sections, including the "dirty clothing" section (污衣派; *wū yī pài*) and the "clean clothing" section (淨衣派; *jìng yī pài*). The former consists of typical beggars, while the latter comprises non-beggar members.[2] It has many branches (分舵; *fēnduò*) spread throughout the land and each of them is headed by a *duozhu* (舵主; *duòzhŭ*; 'branch master').[3]

Each member carries at least one pouch-like bag (袋子; *dàizǐ*) and the number of bags he/she carries indicates his/her rank in the sect.[3] The highest rank a member can attain is that of an elder (長老; *zhánglăo*), which is second only to the chief. Elders carry nine bags each.[3]

The sect is headed by the chief (幫主; *bāngzhŭ*), who represents the highest authority in the sect. Each chief is selected from a pool of nominees based on his/her prowess in martial arts, contributions to the sect, personal conduct and popularity, among other factors. The chief carries the revered Dog Beating Staff (打狗棒; *dá gŏu bàng*) as a symbol of leadership.[3][2][1] The sect has some weird practices and customs, such as the one which allows all members to spit once on a newly elected chief as a form of salute.[1]

The Four Great Elders serve as the chief's deputies and reserve the right to strip the chief off his post if he/she fails in his/her duties. Besides, there are also elders with designated duties, such as the Discipline Elder (執法長老; *zhí fǎ zhánglăo*),[3] who enforces law and order in the sect, and the Training Elder (傳功長老; *chuán gōng zhánglăo*),[3] who oversees the martial arts training of members.

The sect holds monthly meetings in a different location each time.[2]

## Skills and martial arts[edit]

The most notable martial arts of the Beggars' Sect are the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms (降龍十八掌; *xiánglóng shíbāzhǎng*) and the Dog Beating Staff Technique (打狗棒法; *dágǒu bàngfǎ*).[3][2][1] The chief is expected to have a profound mastery of both skills, especially the latter, which is only passed on from a chief to his/her successor. No other members know the 'Dog Beating Staff Technique'.[2][1] The sect has a battle formation known as the Dog Beating Formation.[3] A typical member is usually armed with at least a wooden staff.

Since members are not limited to only beggars, people from all walks of life, including scholars and soldiers, join the sect. As such, the sect's martial arts are rather diverse, since some members have learnt other forms of martial arts prior to joining the sect. For example, Wu Changfeng in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* uses a customised saber movement while Chen Guyan carries a sack filled with poisonous creatures for use against enemies.[3]

The eighteen stances are:
1. The Proud Dragon Repents (亢龍有悔; *kàng lóng yóu huĭ*)
2. The Dragon Soars in the Sky (飛龍在天; *fēi lóng zài tiān*)
3. The Dragon is Seen in the Fields (見龍在田; *jiàn lóng zài tián*)
4. The Swan Descends Gracefully (鴻漸於陸; *hóng jiàn yú lù*)
5. Use Not the Submerged Dragon (潛龍勿用; *qiǎn lóng wù yòng*)
6. A Sudden Advent (突如其來; *tū rú qí lái*)
7. Crossing Great Rivers (利涉大川; *lì shè dà chuān*)
8. Tremors that Shook the Land (震驚百里; *zhèn jīng bái lǐ*)
9. Diving into the Abyss (或躍在淵; *huò yuè zài yuān*)
10. The Twin Dragons Fetch Water (雙龍取水; *shuāng lóng qú shuǐ*)
11. The Fish Frolics in the Depths (魚躍於淵; *yú yuè yú yuān*)
12. Timely Riding the Six Dragons (時乘六龍; *shí chéng liù lóng*)
13. Dark Clouds but No Rain (密雲不雨; *mì yǔ bù yún*)
14. With a Loss comes Confidence (損則有孚; *sǔn zé yóu fú*)
15. The Dragon Fights in the Wilderness (龍戰於野; *lóng zhàn yú yě*)
16. Treading on Ice (履霜冰至; *lǘ shuāng bīng zhì*)
17. The Ram Charges into the Fence (羝羊觸藩; *dī yáng chù fān*)
18. The Divine Dragon Swishes its Tail (神龍擺尾; *shén lóng bái weǐ*)
The ten stances are:
1. A Fierce Dog Blocks the Path (惡狗攔路; *è gŏu lán lù*)
2. Whack Two Dogs with a Staff (棒打雙犬; *bàng dǎ shuāng quǎn*)
3. Oblique Hit on the Dog's Back (斜打狗背; *xié dă gŏu bèi*)
4. Flip the Dog Upside-down (撥狗朝天; *bō gŏu cháo tiān*)
5. Retrieve the Staff from the Mastiff's Jaws (獒口奪仗; *áo kǒu duó zhàng*)
6. Whack the Dog's Head with a Staff (棒打狗頭; *bàng dǎ gŏu tóu*)
7. Reverse Jab the Dog's Bottom (反戳狗臀; *fǎn chuō gŏu tún*)
8. Lift the Mad Dog with the Staff (棒挑癩犬; *bàng tiāo lài quǎn*)
9. Squash the Dog's Back (壓扁狗背; *yā biǎn gŏu bèi*)
10. No Dogs Under Heaven (天下無狗; *tiān xià wú gŏu*)

## **Embroidered Uniform Guard**

The Jinyiwei originated as early as 1360. They served as Zhu Yuanzhang's personal bodyguards and defended him during a battle with the warlord Chen Youliang. After Zhu founded the Ming dynasty and became the Hongwu Emperor, he doubted his subjects' loyalties towards him and was constantly on guard against possible rebellions and assassinations. One of the early duties of the Jinyiwei was to help the emperor spy on his subjects. The Hongwu Emperor increased the Jinyiwei's duties later, allowing them to inspect his officials at work in the capital city, before formally establishing it in 1382 with about 500 members. Their numbers subsequently increased to around 14,000 in just three years.

In 1393, the Hongwu Emperor reduced the Jinyiwei's duties after they allegedly abused their authority during the investigation of a rebellion plot by Lan Yu, in which about 40,000 people were implicated and executed. When the Yongle Emperor ascended to the throne, he was afraid that his subjects might be discontented with him, because he came to power by usurping his nephew's throne. He reinstated the Jinyiwei's authority to increase his control over the imperial court. The Jinyiwei was disbanded after 262 years of existence when Li Zicheng's rebel forces overthrew the Ming dynasty in 1644.

High ranking Jinyiwei escorting the Emperor's prized horses during imperial parade.

Several Jinyiwei guarding the Emperor's treasures.

## Service

The Embroidered Guard were authorized to overrule judicial proceedings in prosecuting those deemed as enemies of the state, granted with full autonomy in arresting, interrogating, detaining them without trial and punishing them, without going through due process. They were bound to the service of the emperor and took direct orders from him. They also served as political commissars for the Ming armies in times of war. In the later years of the Ming dynasty, the Jinyiwei were placed under the control of the Eastern Depot/Dong Chang faction. As the government sank into corruption, the Jinyiwei was constantly used as a means of eliminating political opponents through assassinations and legal prosecutions.

## Headquarters

The headquarters of the Jinyiwei was to the west of Tian’anmen Square where the Great Hall of the People is located at present.

## In popular culture

* The 1985 Hong Kong Shaw Brothers film *Secret Service of the Imperial Court*, Chinese title *Jinyiwei*, starred Bryan Leung as a Jinyiwei commander.
* The 2010 television series Yi Zhi Mei, produced by Chinese Entertainment Shanghai, features the Jinyiwei as devoted to the corrupt Prime Minister.
* The 2010 film *14 Blades* featured the Jinyiwei, starring Donnie Yen as a Jinyiwei commander.
* The 2011 Hong Kong television series *Relic of an Emissary* produced by TVB starred Michael Tse as a Jinyiwei commander.
* The 2014 film *Brotherhood of Blades* directed by Lu Yang is set towards the end of the Ming dynasty.
* The wuxia manhua *Blood and Steel* features the Jinyiwei as one of the multiple factions striving for power in the martial arts world.
* The webcomic Drive by Dave Kellett features a futuristic secret police organization named the Jinyiwei.
* The webcomic *My Boyfriend is a Jinyiwei* by Hong Yi features a time traveling, tsundere Jinyiwei character who ended up in the present.
* The video game For Honor, by Ubisoft features the playable character "Zhanhu", based on the Jinyiwei.
* The drama Under the Power, Chinese title Jin Yi Zhi Xia, directed by Yi Tao, features the character Lu Yi, who is a Jinyiwei

## **Emei Sect**

In Jin Yong's *The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, the Emei Sect is founded in the early Yuan dynasty by Guo Xiang around the same time as the Wudang Sect. Guo Xiang is the sole descendant of the Guo family from *The Return of the Condor Heroes* after the Battle of Xiangyang. She escapes from Xiangyang with the Heaven Reliant Sword (倚天劍; *yǐ tiān jiàn*), becomes a powerful martial artist and roams the *jianghu* as a *youxia*. At the age of 40, she becomes a nun and founds the Emei Sect. Abbess Fengling becomes her successor, who in turn, is succeeded by Abbess Miejue.

In Jin Yong's works, the sect's members are predominantly women and its leaders are Buddhist nuns. In *wuxia* works by other writers, the Emei Sect has members of both sexes, who play equally important roles in the sect.[*citation needed*]

In *Sword Stained with Royal Blood*, set in the late Ming dynasty, Emei is briefly mentioned as one of the "Four Great Sword Sects" and has male members as well.[2] In Gu Long's *The Kingdom of the Golden Bird* of the *Lu Xiaofeng Series*, Emei is led by Dugu Yihe, who is slain by Ximen Chuixue.

## Skills and martial arts

In Jin Yong's novels, Emei's martial arts are the best among those suited for women. The origins of Emei's martial arts come from its founder, Guo Xiang.[1] Guo's martial arts were mostly inherited from her family, including some of Huang Yaoshi (her maternal grandfather)'s skills.[4] She also learnt part of the *Nine Yang Manual* from Jueyuan in her younger days.[1] However, it does have some elements of unorthodox skills, as exhibited by Zhou Zhiruo when she uses the "Nine Yin White Bone Claw" (九陰白骨爪; *jiŭ yīn bái gú zhǎo*) after finding the *Nine Yin Manual* (九陰真經; *jiŭ yīn zhēn jīng*).[1]

Emei's martial arts range from powerful inner energy cultivation techniques to the use of weapons and unarmed combat. They encompass the Twelve Movements (動功十二桩; *dòng gōng shí èr zhuāng*) and the Six Specially Mastered Skills (靜功六大專修功; *jìng gōng liù dà zhuān xiū gōng*). Emei's members primarily use the sword. They also use needles and hairpins, called the "Prick of Emei" (峨嵋刺; *Éméi cì*) or "Jade Maiden Hairpin" (玉女簪; *yù nǚ zhān*), as projectile weapons to be thrown at enemies. The most powerful of Emei's skills are the 'Emei Swordplay' and the 36 styles of *dianxue* (三十六式天罡指穴法; *sān shí liù shì tiān gāng zhǐ xué fă*).

Like Wudang, Emei's skills have two sides to them, encompassing elements of "softness" and "roughness" and "long range" and "short range" attacks, all in the same style of fighting. They rotate between deceptive and direct attacks and can be used effectively by women to overcome opponents who are physically stronger than them. Some movements in Emei's swordplays are feminine in nature and are named after beauties in Chinese history and Chinese idioms used to describe feminine beauty.