Helpful Links:
New to DMBJ? Click Here!
DMBJ Wiki (Book)
DMBJ Wiki (Show)
DMBJ Books (Chinese)
DMBJ Books (Unofficial English)
DMBJ Discord (Large Group)
Yu Cun Discord (Small Group)
DMBJ Book-centric Funtimes Discord
Note: The first five books do have official English translations and can be found here under the name Grave Robbers’ Chronicles.
Normally I am too shy to say much about my drawings. But this time when I put them together and look through them, I feel enjoy and happy.
I remember how much trouble and effort I went through, struggled with the color that I tried to put together. Sometimes the results were working, sometimes were not. But I still enjoy the process, and I am glad I made the decision to print them out.
Thanks to everyone who supports me on this platform. Like I mentioned before, I am normally too shy to reply to your messages. But your likes and reblogs are always a great support to me. Thank you for go through the long journey with me. Hope we can keep having fun together in the further!
The sword Zhang Qiling uses throughout the series is known as the Black Gold Ancient Sword (黑金古刀/Heijin Gudao).
This post includes lore from both the tv adaptations and the books. There are only a few differences between the two, but since Volume 8 hasn’t been adapted, the sword’s origins are only mentioned in the book.
PLEASE let me know if there are any inaccuracies. Full history and sources are on the wiki pages.
TV Series Sword Wiki Page; Book Sword Wiki Page; Gallery Images of the Sword
II. Origin and Its Prototype
A. Prototype
Zhang Qiling's sword is supposedly based on a real sword, known as the Tucheng Heijin (屠城黑金). The Tucheng Heijin was lost but replicas exist based on old descriptions. It is from the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368 AD) and was used by a general to capture a city on the European border.
One of the replicas is shown in the picture above. Many depictions replicate this sword including Ultimate Note and Tomb of the Sea.
B. Novel Origins
In the novel, the sword was used by Zhang Ruitong, a former patriarch of the Zhang family. When he died, he was buried with it in the Zhang Family tomb.
It remained in the Zhang Family tomb for centuries until Wu Sanxing had Hei Yanjing retrieve it to test Zhang Qiling. Zhang Qiling had suffered from amnesia but was working for Chen Pi Ah Si, so Wu Sanxing thought he was suspicious.
Wu Sanxing lured Zhang Qiling to the sword by exchanging it for his help to rob the Seven Star Lu Palace.
III. Zhang Qiling Loses the Sword
Zhang Qiling continues to use the sword in the series until he loses it in Tamutuo while fighting with a snake.
A. The Temporary Replacement in Ultimate Note
In the show, Wu Xie is the one who wants to get Zhang Qiling a replacement sword. Wu Xie asks Xie Yuchen to purchase one as equipment for their exploration to the Zhang Family tomb.
Wu Xie carves "小黑金" (little black gold) into the sword in reference to the previous black gold ancient sword (黑金古刀). Zhang Qiling takes it with him to the Zhang Family Tomb.
B. The Temporary Replacement in the Novels
In the novels, Zhang Qiling is given a replacement ancient sword by Huo Xiangu and Xie Yuchen. Wu Xie was not involved with it and never carves anything on it. Zhang Qiling takes it with him to the Zhang Family Tomb.
C. The Replacement Isn't Mentioned Again
In the novels, Zhang Qiling loses the replacement sword in the Zhang Family tomb. The sword was found by a member of Qiu Dekao's team, who brought it out.
It is not mentioned whether Zhang Qiling ever gets back the sword, but the replacement sword is never mentioned again in the novels as far as I know.
IV. Hei Yanjing Retrieves the Original Sword
In both the novels and the show, Li Cu read snake pheromones that contained a message from Wu Sanxing. The original black-gold sword is seen with Hei Yanjing in the show while there is some dialogue about it in the novel.
In the novel snake pheromone flashback, Wu Sanxing told Hei Yanjing that he and the sword were bound by fate since he brought it out, put it into the hands of a powerful person, and was able to find it again. Hei Yanjing responded that he planned to give it back.
The author of the novels has confirmed that the dialogue was about Hei Yanjing retrieving the original sword.
In the show, Hei Yanjing uses that sword throughout the series. Thus, I assume the sword seen in the Xin Yue Restaurant was just a replica.
V. Recent Fate
A. The Novels
The sword is not mentioned in Restart, Looking for the Dead in the Sea of Lights, or Ten Thousand Mountains in the Extreme Night.
I have no idea why. Zhang Qiling didn't even bring a knife with him in Looking for the Dead in the Sea of Lights.
B. Reunion
It's not clear whether the sword Zhang Qiling carries around in the show is the original black gold sword. The sword is black and gold and is single-edged, so it fits the description of the original sword. It's never called anything, but the original sword is mentioned in Zhang Qiling's profile as a skill. So, I think it was at least intended to be the original sword.
The sword is also not likely to be the replacement he received after Tamutuo. The replacement sword is never mentioned again in the novels and Ultimate Note and Reunion were produced by different companies.
