by Tao Wong
Sect—A grouping of like-minded martial artists or cultivators. Generally, Sects are hierarchical. There are often core, inner, and outer disciples in any Sect, with Sect Elders above them and the Sect patriarch above all.
Six Jades Sect—Rival sect of the Verdant Green Waters, located in the State of Wei.
State of Shen—Location in which the first book is set. Ruled by a king and further ruled locally by lords. The State of Shen is made up of numerous counties ruled over by local lords and administered by magistrates. It is a temperate kingdom with significant rainfall and a large number of rivers connected by canals.
State of Wei—The antagonistic kingdom that borders the State of Shen. The two states are at war.
Tael—System of money. A thousand copper coins equals one tael.
Tai Kor—Elder brother
Verdant Green Waters Sect—Most powerful Sect in the State of Wen. Wu Ying’s current Sect.
Wu wei—Taoist concept, translates as ‘inaction’ or ‘non-doing’ and relates to the idea of an action without struggle, that is perfectly aligned with the natural world.
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[1] Mystical being they met in the First Stop (book 2). A pixiu has the body of a lion with long antlered horns jutting from its head and soft, downy wings furled along its torso and is a descendant of the dragons.
[2] Directly translated, means “rivers and lakes” but refers to the martial world in this case. It generally refers to a “sub-society” parallel to main society, which in traditional wuxia works is often the martial world. And thus, what is being used here.
[3] Poem by Meng Haoran “At the mountain-lodge of the Buddhist Priest Ye, waiting in vain for my friend Ding.”
[4] Poem by Wang Wei “At Parting”
[5] Three immortals or wise men, meant to depict luck, wealth, and longevity respectively. Often used in Feng Shui in our worlds.
[6] This is a description of Chinese fire cupping, a traditional method for releasing chi and bad blood. These days, most people use suction cups rather than fire, though some places still use the fire method.
[7] God of the Yellow River. Has a chariot that is pulled by two dragons.
[8] The Monkey King’s staff, once used by Yu the Great, able to transform and become as small as a toothpick or grow to its full size of twenty feet while weighing approximately 8000kg.
[9] Traditional Chinese medicine has anywhere from twenty-four to twenty-eight different pulse “types” that are used for diagnosis.
[10] Term for proprietor / owner
[11] Another term for Buddhism
[12] Superstition had it that the first customer of the day was the most important. As such, merchants used to give great deals to ensure a sale.
[13] Little sister
[14] A broccoli variant. Chinese broccoli is the other name for it. Slightly less bitter than western broccoli. A quick fry in oil with garlic and oyster sauce on top is my preferred method of cooking it.
[15] Yes, finally a Mount Tai reference. Mount Tai is the eastern-most of the five Sacred Mountains of China and the one most often visited by Chinese Emperors. The saying “To have eyes but not be able to see Mount Tai” is a common saying to show ignorance and being blind to facts.
[16] Also known as the New Year Festival
