Blood River (), formerly known as Tales of Dark River, is a 2025 Chinese television series starring Gong Jun and directed by Yin Tao. Adapted from the wuxia novel An He Zhuan () by Zhou Munan, the story follows the assassin Su Muyu (èÂÂæÂ®é¨) as he strives to pull Blood River guild out of the shadows and forge a new destiny, free from being anyoneâÂÂs blade. The drama premiered on Youku and Netflix on 20 October 2025.
Synopsis
Blood River, an organization formed by the Su, Xie, Mu families, is led by the patriarch. Under him is a direct assassin unit called Spider-Shadow, which has the power to topple sects and strike down royals. When the patriarch is poisoned during a mission, the fragile alliance between the three clans shatters, plunging them into a ruthless struggle for power.
Su Muyu (played by Gong Jun), leader of the elite Spider-Shadow unit, protects the dying patriarch on a perilous quest for a cure and becomes entangled in the deadly conflict that follows. Together with the elder Su Zhe (played by Qiao Zhenyu) and his childhood friend Su Changhe (played by Chang Huasen), Su Muyu launches the "Other Shore Plan" to draw Blood River out of the shadows and forge a new destiny free from being anyone's blade. As political schemes and hidden ambitions come to the surface, he uncovers the long-buried secrets of his own past. Torn between loyalty, destiny, and survival, he remains steadfast in his convictions.
Cast
Main
- Gong Jun as Su Muyu (èÂÂæÂ®é¨)
Originally named Zhuo YueâÂÂan (Ã¥ÂÂæÂÂå®Â), he was the young master of No-Sword City. After a family tragedy, he became the Nameless of the Su family in Blood River.
Known as âÂÂKui,â he is the leader of the Spider Shadow assassin unit, which operates directly under the Blood River patriarch and commands the twelve Zodiacs in his service. He is skilled in wielding a hidden sword concealed within his umbrella, has mastered the Eighteen Sword Array, and is known by the codename Umbrella Ghost. He lives by his personal creed, the Three Refusals: no slaughtering entire families, no missions without clear cause, and no missions he does not wish to take. In time, he rises to become the new Head of the Su.
Supporting
Blood River
- Geng Le as Su Mingce (æÂ
ÂæÂÂçÂÂ), the former patriarch of Blood River, who held authority for thirty years and ruled over the three clans: Su, Xie, Mu.
Spider Shadow Assassin Unit: Twelve Zodiacs
Led by Kui and operates under Blood River patriarch
- Chen Shengwei as Rat (Ã¥ÂÂé¼ )
- Cheng Tao as Ox (ä¸ÂçÂÂ), killed by Xie Buxie after betraying the SpiderâÂÂs Shadow and being poisoned.
- Shi Xiaohu as Tiger (å¯Â
èÂÂ), birth name being Xie Huxiao
- Peng Xiaoran as Mu Yumo (æÂ
Âé¨墨) Mao Rabbit (å¯åÂ
Â), the most beautiful woman of Blood River
- He Junhao as Dragon (è¾°é¾Â), killed by Mu Zizhe while protecting the Sleeping Dragon Sword.
- Pan Mingyun as Snake (å·³èÂÂ), from the Mu family
- Fan Chengqi as Horse (Ã¥ÂÂ馬)
- Yang Jian as Goat (æÂªç¾Â)
- Shen Longlong as Monkey (ç³ç´)
- Zheng Lingpeng as Rooster (éÂ
ÂéÂÂ)
- Dong Chengxin as Dog (æÂÂçÂÂ)
- Zhao Qiusheng as Pig (亥豬)
The Su Clan
- Qiao Zhenyu as Su Zhe (èÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ), the former âÂÂKuiâ and the father of Bai Hehuai. He is the elder of the Su Family.
- Chang Huasen as Su Changhe (èÂÂæÂÂæ²³), codename Undertaker and the Nameless of the Su Family, is the rising star of the Su Family and a longtime friend of Su Muyu, skilled in wielding a greatsword. He eventually becomes the new patriarch.
- Hou Changrong as Su Jinhui (èÂÂ獰), the former Head of the Su, left Blood River after being defeated by Su Changhe.
- Xu Ruihao as Su Changli (èÂÂæÂÂ离), the Nameless of the Su Family and the younger brother of Su Changhe
- Huang Wei as Su Zhi (èÂÂæÂ¢)
- Jin Kaijie as Su Muqiu (èÂÂç©Âç§Â)
- Wang Huiyi as Su Hongxi (èÂÂ红æÂ¯)
- Liu Yuqi as Su Ziyi (èÂÂç´«è¡£)
- Wu Zhengrong as Su Luandan (èÂÂ栾丹)
- Wu Jiahui as Su Xiamo (èÂÂÃ¥ÂÂè«)
The Xie Clan
- Hei Zi as Xie Ba (è°¢é¸), the former Head of the Xie, killed by Xie Qidao
- Yang Kaicheng as Xie Fanhua (è°¢ç¹Âè±), disciple of Xie Ba, killed by Xie Qianji
- Liu ZheâÂÂer as Xie Qidao (è°¢ä¸ÂÃ¥ÂÂ), becomes the Head of the Xie
- Liu Yuhan as Xie Qianji (è°¢åÂÂæÂº)
- Huang Yi as Xie Buxie (è°¢ä¸Âè°¢), disciple of Xie Qidao
- Li Junmo as Xie Jinke (è°¢éÂÂÃ¥Â
Â)
The Mu Clan
- Zhang Duo as Mu Zizhe (æÂ
ÂÃ¥ÂÂè°), the former Head of the Mu, committed suicide after being defeated by Mu Ciling
- Tang Shaowen as Mu Bai (æÂ
Âç½), son of Mu Zizhe, killed by Mu Qingyang with a single palm strike
- Li Daikun as Mu Ciling (æÂ
Âè¯Âéµ), was confined in a coffin because he stole the Hell Palm's manual from the patriarch and cultivated it in secret
- Snow Kong as Mu Xuewei (æÂ
ÂéªèÂÂ), known as the âÂÂPoisonous BlossomâÂÂ, whose body is filled with poison from practicing the Toxic Sand Palm and who can kill with a single touch. The poison in her body is later removed by Night Crow.
- Gao Jicai as Mu Qingyang (æÂ
ÂéÂÂç¾Â), the Nameless of the Mu family, fond of fortune-telling and becomes the Head of the Mu
- Wang Zuyi as Mu Yinzhen (æÂ
Âé´çÂÂ)
- Su Qi as Mu Ying (æÂ
Âå©´), formerly the Ferryman of Yellow Springs Pawnshop, skilled in the art of disguise. She was taken away by Su Changhe and later entrusted to the Mu Family.
- He Yongsheng as the former Head of the Mu
Soul Reapers' Hall
An organization established by the Shadow Sect to gather and transmit intelligence for Blood River
- Dai Jingyao as Earth Official (å°å®Â)
- Li Guo as Heaven Official (天å®Â)
- Wang Xuan as Water Official (æ°´å®Â)
Medicine King Valley
- Yang Yutong as Bai Hehuai (ç½鹤淮), the Miracle Physician, Su Zhe's daughter, skilled in medicine and proficient in using silver needles to both heal and harm.
- Dong Chunhui as Xin Baicao (è¾Âç¾èÂÂ), the Medicine King
- Zhao Yating as Xiao Chaoyan (è§æÂÂé¢Â), who grew up with Su Muyu in No-Sword City and later becomes the disciple of Bai Hehuai
Tianqi City
Shadow Sect
Rules Blood River and the three families from the dark
- Lu Xingyu as Yi Bu (æÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ), the leader of the Shadow Sect and the Imperial Father-in-law
- Liu Yilong as Wu Ya (ä¹Â鸦), the leader of Hawkeye (the First Guardian Division of the Shadow Sect)
- Wang Sen as Luo Tianxiang (æ´Â天ç¿Â), the Left Shadow Guard Commander
Others
- Liu Pizhong as Su Ziyan (èÂÂÃ¥ÂÂè¨Â)
- Min Zheng as Xie Biyou (è°¢è¾ÂÃ¥ÂÂ), grandfather of Xie Zaiye
- Min Xinghan as Xie Zaiye (è°¢å¨éÂÂ), grandson of Xie Biyou
- Yan Jie as Mu Fusheng (æÂ
Âæµ®çÂÂ)
- Wang Yifan as Xu Liuyun (许æµÂäºÂ), Blade Ghost of Nanjue
- Zhang Yingbing as Night Crow (å¤Â鸦), the Ghost Physician who was expelled from Medicine King Valley and serves as the First PrinceâÂÂs subordinate, skilled in the drugged puppet art
Imperial Palace
- Fan Jinwei as Xiao Ruojin (è§èÂ¥ç¾), Emperor Mingde, the elder brother of Xiao Ruofeng
- Bai Shu as Xiao Ruofeng (è§èÂ¥é£Â), the Prince of Langya and senior of Baili Dongjun, founded the Four Guardians of Tianqi City and the Inner Security division
- Dai Luwa as Situ Xue (å¸å¾Âéª), the Princess Consort of Langya
- Xiao Qiwen as Xiao Chong (è§å´Â), the Second Prince who is blind since childhood, Yan Zhantian and Jin Yu's disciple
- Zhao Huanran as Xiao Yong (è§永), the First Prince, Zhuo Qing's disciple and Dian Ye's nephew
- Leon Lee as Dian Ye (Ã¥Â
¸å¶), the Flying Tiger General and Xiao YongâÂÂs uncle
- Yan Su as Zhuo Qing (æµÂæ¸Â
), the former Grand Eunuch and Xiao YongâÂÂs master
The Four Guardians of Tianqi City
Led by the Prince of Langya
- Li Ruojia as Li Xinyue (æÂÂå¿ÂæÂÂ), the Azure Dragon Guardian, associated with Jianxin Tomb, a successor of Jianxin, and the mother of Li Hanyi
- Liu Xiu as Ji Ruofeng (姬èÂ¥é£Â), the White Tiger Guardian; affiliated with Baixiao Hall.
- Xia Zhiguang as Sikong Changfeng (å¸空é¿é£Â), the Vermilion Bird Guardian, the Third City Lord of Xueyue City and the Spear Deity.
- Zhang Shian as Tang Lianyu (Ã¥ÂÂæÂÂæÂÂ), the Xuanwu Guardian; from the Tang Clan
No-Sword City (eradicated)
- Jiang Zhenhao as Zhuo Yuluo (Ã¥ÂÂ鍿´Â), City Lord of No-Sword City and the father of Su Muyu
Wushuang City
- Zhang Rui as Song Yanhui (å®ÂçÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ), City Lord of Wushuang City, Liu Yunqi's disciple
- Zhang Gong as Liu Yunqi (Ã¥ÂÂäºÂèµ·), the former City Lord of Wushuang City and the master of Song Yanhui
- Yan Kuan as Jian Wudi (Ã¥ÂÂæÂ æÂÂ), the head of the Lunwu Hall and senior of Song Yanhui
- Guo Jun as Jian Shanyue (Ã¥ÂÂ山岳), the elder of the Lunwu Hall, skilled in wielding the ancient sword Qingming
- Wang Tingxu as Lu Yuzhai (å¢çÂÂç¿Â), the eldest disciple of Song YanhuÃÂ
- Shao Weitong as Luo Ge (ç½ÂÃ¥ÂÂ), one of Lunwu Hall's Four Seekers of the Swords Art
- Chen Minghao as Xiu ru (ä¿®åÂÂ), one of Lunwu Hall's Four Seekers of the Swords Art
- Li Ningyuan as Jia Zhou (è´¾æÂ¼), one of Lunwu Hall's Four Seekers of the Swords Art
- Cui Yongxuan as Ye Wuxiu (å¶æÂ è¢Â), one of Lunwu Hall's Four Seekers of the Swords Art
Xueyue City
- Zhang Weina as Li Hanyi (æÂÂå¯Âè¡£), the Second City Lord of Xueyue City, the daughter of Li Xinyue, and the creator of Floral Sword Art, known as the Sword Deity Xueyue
- Xia Zhiguang as Sikong Changfeng (å¸空é¿é£Â), the Third City Lord of Xueyue City, known as the Spear Deity
The Five Sword Deities
- Guo Jianan as Xie Xuan (谢宣), the Scholarly Sword Deity
- Zhang Weina as Li Hanyi (æÂÂå¯Âè¡£), the Sword Deity Xueyue from Xueyue City
- Zhang Haocheng as Yan Zhantian (é¢ÂæÂÂ天), the Furious Sword Deity, wields the famed blade Breaker of Armies, Xiao Chong's master
- Cao Yuchen as Zhao Yuzhen (èµµçÂÂçÂÂ), the Profound Sword Deity from Wangchengshan Sect
- Luo Qingyang (æ´ÂéÂÂé³), the Lone Sword Deity from Muliang City
The Tang Clan
- Yang Zihua as Grand Master Tang (Ã¥ÂÂèÂÂ太ç·)
- Zhang Shian as Tang Lianyue (Ã¥ÂÂæÂÂæÂÂ), one of the Four Guardians of Tianqi City - the Black Tortoise
- Chen Guanying as Tang Linghuang (Ã¥ÂÂçµçÂÂ), the second-best poison master in the world and Tang Lianyue's senior. He was turned into a drugged puppet by Night Crow
- Zhang Yang as Tang Lingzun (Ã¥ÂÂçµå°Â)
- Liang Jiatong as Tang Lian (Ã¥ÂÂè²), the disciple of Tang Lianyue
- Hu Jian as Tang Fulu (Ã¥ÂÂç¦Âç¦Â), an elder of the inner-hall, serves under Tang Lingzun
- Wang Xiaowei as Tang Tianlu (Ã¥ÂÂ天ç¦Â), an elder of the inner-hall, serves under Tang Lingzun
Original soundtrack
Production
- On June 13, 2024, the cast was officially announced. The booting ceremony was held on the same day.
- In August 2024, a reporter from CCTV visited the Hengdian drama set and interviewed lead actor Gong Jun and director Yin Tao about the latest updates on the new drama.
- A wrap-up special was released on November 30, 2024.
International broadcast
- Taiwan - Netflix (From October 20, 2025), MOD and Hami Video (from December 1, 2025)
- Hong Kong - Viu (From October 21, 2025)
- Singapore - Viu (From October 27, 2025)
- Thailand - TrueVisions Now (From October 27, 2025)
- Vietnam - VieON, FPT Play, TV360 (From October 27, 2025)
- United States - Rakuten Viki (From October 27, 2025)
- Europe - Rakuten Viki (From October 27, 2025)
References
External links