School of the Green City, The

A pugilistic school located in the Qingcheng Mountains (see Places) in Sichuan Province; the organisation to which Sima Lin and Zhu Baokun belonged. Currently led by Sima himself, with Zhu as one of his assistants. Became embroiled in a deeply-rooted conflict that arose because of a martial arts discussion with the School of the Immortals' Abode; took place more than 100 years earlier. Resulted in many tragic rounds of revenge and counter-revenge between the two insitutions. Unable to defeat the School of the Immortals' Abode, yet could not be defeated by them either, because of the strengths in the martial arts techniques of the respective schools. Stopped accepting disciples from Shandong and other northern provinces after the discovery of the undercover agent who had been planted by the Taoist Haifengzi (see Organisations -> School of the Immortals' Abode, The); eventually tightened the rule to allow only disciples from Sichuan (Chapter 13).

Members included (Chapter 13):

• Jiang 姜 (surname only) - tall and thin old man; younger uncle-at-arms of Sima Lin; went to the Water Pavilion of Beautiful Listening with Sima Lin and Zhu Baokun. Skilled in the use of the Rumble of Thunder; followed the four vital keys of execution in attacking Zhu Baokun. Began attacking Zhu Baokun's lower extremities when Sima Lin could not gain an upperhand in the fight; used the Ground-Level Skill (Chapter 13).
• Meng 孟 (surname only) - another tall and thin old man; also a younger uncle-at-arms of Sima Lin; went to the Water Pavilion of Beautiful Listening with Sima Lin and Zhu Baokun. Skilled in the use of the Rumble of Thunder; followed the four vital keys of execution in attacking Zhu Baokun. Began attacking Zhu Baokun's lower extremities when Sima Lin could not gain an upperhand in the fight; used the Ground-Level Skill (Chapter 13).
• Sima Lin 司马林 - man in his thirties; spoke cynically when he asked Wang Yuyan to identify his martial arts background. Hailed from the School of the Green City in the Qingcheng Mountains of Sichuan; became somewhat speechless after Wang Yuyan detailed his origins. Knew only 7 of the 9 strikes for the character '青' (for 'green') that formed the basis for the moves of the Rumble of the Thunder; did not know the difference between the Iron Lotus and the Iron Bodhi. Initially shocked when told that there was nothing special about the 'Armour Breaker', 'Shield Breaker' and 'Tablet Breaker' techniques that he was particularly proud of. Later became very angry because he felt that the Murong Family was trying to humiliate him by getting Wang Yuyan to say such ridiculous things about his pugilistic skills, but did not make his anger known. Leader of the School of the Green City. Issued Wang Yuyan a challenge partially in jest; entailed identifying the martial arts background of Zhu Baokun. Did not expect the challenge to result in the earth-shaking revelation of Zhu's true identity. Had an approximately 70-80% chance of winning in fight if he was able to get up close with his opponent because of the reach of his weapons; did not have this advantage over Zhu Baokun.
• Sima Wei 司马卫 - father of Sima Lin; teacher of Zhu Baokun. Felt somewhat embarrassed when Zhu treated him and his family well; made up for it by teaching Zhu all the martial arts techniques of the School of the Green City. Killed in the previous winter near the Baidi City 白帝城 in eastern Sichuan 川东, after being struck by the 'Moon-Breaking Awl'.
• Zhu Baokun 诸保昆 - see People.

Associated weapons and martial arts techniques included:

• The Rumble of Thunder (Chapter 13) - see Weapons.
• Techniques associated with the Rumble of Thunder (Chapter 13) - see Martial Arts.