Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance

The Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance is a fictional alliance formed by five martial arts sects mentioned in the wuxia novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer^[1] by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). The five sects specialise in swordplay and are based on the Five Great Mountains in Taoism: Mount Hua (華山); Mount Tai (泰山); (South) Mount Heng (衡山); (North) Mount Heng (恆山); and Mount Song (嵩山)).

Mount Hua Sect

Mount Song Sect

The Mount Song Sect (嵩山派) is headed by Zuo Lengshan, who leads the alliance. It is based on the same mountain as the Shaolin Sect but is situated on a different peak. The ambitious and ruthless Zuo wishes to consolidate power by intimidating the other four sects to submit to him. He sends his spy Lao Denuo to infiltrate the Mount Hua Sect and steal Yue Buqun's 'Violet Mist Divine Skill' manual and instigates the exiled Sword faction members to challenge Yue. He bribes members of the Mount Tai Sect to turn against their leader Tianmen, who is betrayed and killed by his own men during a special ceremony. Zuo also sends his lackeys to assassinate Dingjing, one of the three leaders of the (North) Mount Heng Sect. In the earlier part of the novel, Zuo confronts Liu Zhengfeng of the (South) Mount Heng Sect during the latter's retirement ceremony to force him to surrender. Zuo is eventually defeated by Yue Buqun and blinded. He is killed by Linghu Chong during the chaotic scene when they are trapped by Yue Buqun in a cave.

Mount Tai Sect

The Mount Tai Sect (泰山派) is affiliated to Taoism and is led by Tianmen. Tianmen refuses to comply with Zuo Lengshan so Zuo bribes Tianmen's followers to turn against their leader. Tianmen is betrayed and murdered by conspirators during a special ceremony and Yuji is nominated by Zuo to succeed Tianmen. The sect's best fighters are killed when the four sects are trapped by Yue Buqun in a cave at Mount Hua.

(North) Mount Heng Sect

The (North) Mount Heng Sect (恆山派) is affiliated to Buddhism and is headed by the Three Elder Nuns (Dingjing, Dingxian and Dingyi), with Dingxian as the most senior of the trio. Its members are all female and mostly nuns. Dianxian refuses to submit to Zuo Lengshan so Zuo sends his lackeys to ambush and assassinate the leaders. Dingjing is killed in an ambush while Dingxian and Dingyi are murdered by Yue Buqun in Shaolin Monastery later. Dingxian names Linghu Chong as the new leader of their sect before her death. Linghu is more liberal and he allows others, including jianghu lowlifes and male martial artists, to join the sect. He leads the sect well and earns the respect of others.

(South) Mount Heng Sect

The (South) Mount Heng Sect (衡山派) is led by a mysterious man called Mo Da. Its swordplay techniques are customised to suit musical themes. Mo Da is known for playing melancholic tunes on his huqin, where his sword is hidden. Mo Da's junior Liu Zhengfeng befriends Qu Yang of the Sun Moon Holy Cult. The duo share the same passion for music and they compose the musical piece Xiaoao Jianghu together. Zuo Lengshan leads his men to confront Liu Zhengfeng during the latter's retirement ceremony and eventually Liu commits suicide together with Qu Yang. Mo Da is the sole survivor from the sect after Linghu Chong saves the martial artists trapped by Yue Buqun in a cave.

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