Also known as 'Royal Swordsmen' Executive producer Wong Jing | First episode date 14 February 2005 | |
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Directed by Deng YanchengWei Liyuan Presented by Yang Teng-kuiLin ZhengZhang Xiaowu Starring Roger KwokLi YapengWallace HuoMichelle YeDamian LauTammy ChenGao YuanyuanEva Huang Cast Similar At Dolphin Bay, Rouge Snow, 100% Senorita, Emerald on the Roof, Unique Flavor | ||
The Royal Swordsmen is a Chinese-Taiwanese wuxia television series. The series was directed by Deng Yancheng and Wei Liyuan, and starred Roger Kwok, Li Yapeng, Wallace Huo, Michelle Ye, Damian Lau, Tammy Chen, Gao Yuanyuan and Eva Huang in the lead roles. It was first shown on Shenzhen Media Group's Drama Channel on 30 January 2005.
Contents
Plot
The series is set in China during the Ming dynasty. Zhu Wushi, the Emperor's uncle, had received an order from the previous Emperor to establish a secret service called "Dragon-Defending Mountain Manor" to protect the monarchy. Zhu has four elite secret agents serving under him. They are known by their code names: "Heaven Number One", "Earth Number One", "Mysterious Number One", and "Yellow Number One".
"Heaven Number One" is the calm and cool-headed Duan Tianya, who was raised by Zhu Wushi as a godson. Zhu sent him to Japan to learn ninjutsu from the Iga School. While in Japan, he had a romantic relationship with Yukihime, the elder daughter of Yagyū Tajima-no-Kami, the patriarch of the influential Yagyū family. However, he becomes an enemy of the Yagyū family after taking revenge against Yukihime's brother, who had murdered his sensei. Torn between her family and her lover, Yukihime ultimately sacrificed herself to prevent her father from killing Duan in a duel. Years later, Duan encounters and starts a relationship with Yukihime's younger sister, Tsumujikase-wata. He gets into conflict with the Yagyū family again.
"Mysterious Number One" is the beautiful and intelligent Shangguan Haitang, who is well versed in various skills and arts, including medicine and astronomy. Like Duan Tianya, she was also raised by Zhu Wushi as his goddaughter. She helps her godfather manage and run the day-to-day affairs of the secret service.
"Earth Number One" is the cold and aloof Guihai Yidao, whose skills in using the dao are unparalleled. He desires to avenge his murdered father, Guihai Bailian, and sees it as his raison d'être. In his quest for vengeance, he masters a powerful but highly perversive skill, and finds himself falling under its evil influence — to the point where he loses control of himself and starts to indiscriminately kill anyone who tries to stop him. He has also been secretly in love with Shangguan Haitang for many years but does not have the courage to confess his feelings to her.
"Yellow Number One" is the streetwise Cheng Shifei, who used to be a gambler, thief and trickster. By coincidence, he encounters Zhu Wushi's rival, Gu Santong, and inherits Gu's inner energy and abilities, including a powerful skill that allows him to temporarily turn his body into impenetrable metal. He also meets the Emperor's younger sister, Princess Yunluo, starts a romantic relationship with her, and marries her eventually.
The Dragon-Defending Mountain Manor has an ongoing rivalry with the Eastern Depot, another imperial spy agency led by the eunuch Cao Zhengchun. The Emperor knows that Zhu and Cao are equally influential in court politics and has been using them to balance against each other. The four agents assist Zhu by keeping Cao in check and defending the Emperor from internal and external threats. Towards the end, Zhu reveals his true colours after eliminating Cao: He has been coveting the throne for years and intends to usurp it. The four agents combine forces to defeat him and save the Emperor.
Cast
Production
Shooting for The Royal Swordsmen started on 22 March 2004 in Wuxi, and wrapped up on 21 June in the same year.
Broadcasts
The series was first aired in mainland China on Shenzhen Media Group's Drama Channel on 30 January 2005. It started airing on 14 February 2005 on CTS Main Channel in Taiwan, and on 25 October 2006 on TVB in Hong Kong.