Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens () is a Chinese animated CG TV series that was released on March 10, 2016, and produced by Robin Shen and directed by Chen Qianyuan. It can also be translated as Nine Songs of the Sky. This series is the prequel to The Legend of Qin, which takes place before the time of the Qin dynasty. In an interview with Robin Shen, it was stated that although the two animated series have intersections of characters and timelines, Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens is an independent story with the focus on the creation of the Quicksand group by the Ninth Prince of Han, Han Fei.
Story During the Warring States period in China, danger seemed to lurk within the Han State which is seen to be the weakest of the Seven States. It is under threat from the more powerful Qin State while the ageing Han King is losing his grip on power due to internal power struggles. The greatest threat is the Great General of Han, Ji Wuye and the Four Fearful Warriors of Nightfall, each specializing in military, finance, politics, and espionage.
The Ninth Prince of Han, Han Fei, hopes to create a new world with a stronger Han State that can overcome its internal problems and withstand the pressure from the Qin. He forms Quicksand with Wei Zhuang, Zhang Liang, Zinü, and Nong Yu, who support the Prince in realizing his goal while helping to combat the forces against him.
Characters Main protagonists The main Protagonists are a group associated with Han Fei and form the core of the Quicksand Group based in the Han State. Han Fei () Voiced by: Zhao Lu () Han Fei is the Ninth Prince of the Han State. He appears quite carefree and is often seen drinking wine in the company of female entertainers. He has no martial arts skills, however his intelligence is higher than most and he is a strategic thinker. As a young man he studied at the Junior Sage Village and was the best student under Xun Kuang. Over time, he became frustrated at the waste and corruption in Han State and formed the clandestine Quicksand group with Wei Zhuang and Zinü. First appearance: Episode 1.
Wei Zhuang () Voiced by: Wu Lei () Wei Zhuang is one of the only two students from the Ghost Valley and his Senior 'Brother' is Ge Nie, who is currently working for the Qin State protecting the young emperor, Ying Zheng. Wei Zhuang has kept a low profile for some time, but reappears and takes shelter in the Purple Orchid House and becomes a key player in Han Fei's Quicksand group. He maintains a detached appearance, appearing quite cold and unemotional. He is extremely skillful in martial arts and wields the sword Shachi (Shark Teeth). First appearance: Episode 4.
Zinü () Voiced by: Huang Ying () Zinü is the owner of the Purple Orchid House, a brothel, and is the wielder of the snake sword, Chilian. Along with Wei Zhuang, she is a founding member of in Han Fei's Quicksand group. She is intelligent, mature and charming, as well as being quite beautiful. She appears to have another identity and Zinü may not be her real name. First appearance: Episode 2 but officially appears in Episode 3.
Zhang Liang (Zifang) () Voiced by: Di Wei () Zhang Liang is the grandson of the Prime Minister of the Han State, Zhang Kaidi, and his courtesy name Zifang. He has a good nature and is very intelligent, which Han Fei greatly appreciates. In return, he has great respect for Han Fei. He willingly joins Quicksand and becomes an important comrade to Han Fei, Wei Zhuang, and Zinü. First appearance: Episode 3.
Honglian () Voiced by: Hong Haitian () Honglian is the precocious daughter of the Han Emperor and is affectionately cared for by her older brother, Han Fei. She is keen to make a contribution to Han Fei's plans, and joins his Quicksand group. She has a bright and cheerful nature, but can be quite astute when necessary. She began martial arts training with Wei Zhuang while Han Fei was away, and appears to have a crush on the swordsman. First appearance: Episode 2.
Nong Yu () Voiced by: Hong Haitian () Nong Yu plays the guqin in the Purple Orchid House and is highly valued by Zinü. Her music is favourably compared to the famous guqin composer from the Zhao State, Kuang Xiu. She learned to play music at a very young age and when she plays, sometimes it triggers memories of her former rough life. She is very calm, polite, and quiet although there may be a different side to her personality. First appearance: Episode 2, officially appears in Episode 9.
Han State One of the Seven States, and is considered to be the weakest.
Han Emperor, Han An Voiced by: Gu Qiu () The Han Emperor, Han An is ageing and has become distressed with the events within the imperial court and the state. His most trusted advisors are General Ji Wuye and Prime Minister Zhang Kaidi; however, they have very differing opinions and objectives. Yet, Han An keeps everyone under a certain control as he refuses to give up his authority so easily. First appearance: Episode 3.
Ji Wuye () Voiced by: Meng Xianglong () Ji Wuye is the Great General of Qin. He has a ruthless and overbearing personality and dominates the imperial court as well as the population. He is ambitious for power and seeks to undermine the authority of the king. He is one of the four leaders of the powerful shadowy force known as "Nightfall". He is very strong and none could ever beat him. First appearance: Episode 3.
Zhang Kaidi () Voiced by: Cheng Yuzhu () Zhang Kaidi is the Prime Minister of Han, grandfather of Zhang Liang (Zifang). For five generations, the Zhang family has served as pillars for the emperor. Zhang Kaidi mistrusts Han Fei and his methods, but has respect for Han Fei's intelligence and turned to him for help on a mystery case. First appearance: Episode 3.
The Crown Prince of Han Voiced by: Yu Xiaoxu () He is first in line for the succession and appears tough, however he has the reputation of being weak in the face of enemies and is considered a poor candidate for king. First appearance: Episode 28.
Han Yu () Voiced by: Fan Junhang () Han Yu is the Fourth Prince of Han. He is a traditionalist, is politically astute, and surrounds himself with powerful and talented people. He is generally on good terms with Han Fei, but they are rivals for the succession and Han Yu pursues his own agenda. First appearance: Episode 13.
Han Qiancheng () Voiced by: Dai Chaoxing () Han Qiancheng is Han Yu's adopted son and is highly skilled in archery. First appearance: Episode 23.
Lord Anping () Lord Anping is one of the Han Emperor's brothers. First appearance: Episode 3.
Lord Longquan () Lord Longquan is one of the Han Emperor's brothers. First appearance: Episode 3.
Liu Yi () Voiced by: Liu Yao () Liu Yi is the Left Minister of War, serving the Han State. He is also one of Ji Wuye's men. Zinü described Liu Yi as lustful and cruel. First appearance: Episode 10.
Lady Hu Voiced by: Zhou Shuai () As the wife of the Left Minister of War, Liu Yi. She is well-educated and respectful, but mainly stays indoors and does not speak with women of high class. First appearance: Episode 11.
Beauty Hu Voiced by: Luo Yuting () She is the beautiful and favorite concubine of the Han Emperor and is seemingly keeping a good relationship with the Emperor's children. Her older sister is Lady Hu, wife of Liu Yi. However, Honglian calls her a vixen. First appearance: Episode 13.
Li Kai () Voiced by: Yinhai Fan () Li Kai is an aged man who was apparently dead, but has reappeared. It is later revealed that he was the Right Minister of War and was in love with Lady Hu. He is considered a traitor in the Han State. First appearance: Episode 10.
Nightfall Nightfall is an organization under the Great General of Han, Ji Wuye, and consists of two groups. Firstly, the Four Fearful Warriors of Ji Wuye, Feicui Hu, Lady Mingzhu and Bai Yifei who work in the military, finance, politics, and espionage. Secondly, the Hundreds of Birds which is a group of trained assassins who are code-named after birds.
Moya () Voiced by: Xia Lei () Moya is from Hundreds of Birds, Nightfall and wears black. He follows orders without question and is a most powerful fighter. He is quite ruthless, but can appear charming. He appears to be a mentor to Baifeng. First appearance: Episode 2.
Baifeng () Voiced by: Xie tiantian () Baifeng is from Hundreds of Birds, Nightfall and wears white. He's Moya's subordinate, so they are often seen together. Baifeng seems more considered than Moya and tends to be quiet and serious, although he can joke with Moya. His lightness skill is so impressive that he almost appears weightless. First appearance: Episode 6, officially appears in Episode 8.
Bai Yifei () Voiced by: Liu Beichen () Bai Yifei is one of the Four Fearful Warriors of Nightfall and is known as the Pure White, Blood Marquess. He is the master of Snow Fort outside the capital, with army of 100,000 soldiers. His family has contributed greatly to the Han State in the past. It is rumoured that he drains the blood of his victims as was said of his mother, the only female Marquess in the Han State and master of the Bloody Fortress. First appearance: Episode 16.
Feicui Hu () Voiced by: Peng Bo () Feicui Hu is one of the Four Fearful Warriors of Nightfall, who is in charge of finance and possesses unimaginable wealth. Ji Wuye refers to him as "Old Hu". Feicui Hu is obsessed with wealth, but will not hesitate to break his prized possessions instead of helping the poor. First appearance: Episode 17.
Lady Mingzhu () Voiced by: Zhou Shuai () Lady Mingzhu is the Tide Enchantress of the Four Fearful Warriors and is also known as a master of healing although she also utilizes poisons. She is currently the primary concubine of the Han Emperor and is older than Beauty Hu whom she calls "little sister". First appearance: Episode 38.
Wujiu () Voiced by: Peng Bo () He is one of the many assassins from Hundreds of Birds. He is an older man who is seemingly acting on his own accord. His motives are unclear. First appearance: Episode 10 (officially appears in Episode 15).
The Cloaked Man () Voiced by: Yu Xiaoxu () The Cloaked Man is the leader of the intelligence network and is responsible for monitoring all levels of the court for Ji Wuye. His face is never shown and Ji Wuye often meets him while he is fishing on a small boat offshore. First appearance: Episode 38.
Qin State The Qin State is one of the Seven States, and is considered the strongest one.
Li Si () Voiced by: Liu Yijia () Li Si is Han Fei's Junior Brother, who studied under the same teacher at the Confucian School. He considered himself inferior to Han Fei and set off to work for the more powerful Qin State. First appearance: Episode 1, reappears in episode 47.
Lü Buwei () Voiced by: Wang Xiaobing () He is the Prime Minister of Qin, also titled as the Marquis Wenxin. The Emperor of Qin addresses Lü Buwei as his uncle. First appearance: Episode 2.
Ge Nie () Voiced by: Liu Qin () He the chief swordsman teacher of Qin after obtained the Qin Emperor's respect for both his sword skills and intelligence. He is very calm and observant and is Wei Zhuang's Senior Brother, whom he has not seen for a long time. First appearance: Episode 50.
Ying Zheng () The Emperor of Qin, later to be known as Qin Shi Huang. He fears death and searches for answers to whether the fate of mortals is controlled by some kind of greater power and travels under the pseudonym of Mister Shang. It is said that his rule over the state is weak because the Prime Minister wields more power. First appearance: Episode 51, but did appear briefly in episode 2.
General Wang Yi () The Left Chief of the Multitude in the state of Qin. General Wang Yi trains his troops very rigorously and is truly at military strategy. He has served three kings of Qin in his lifetime. First appearance: Episode 87.
The Chiliarch