As an outlaw hero Siao Shihyilang always carried a bad name, although he never did any infamous wrong things. He was misread from the first episode of this book, hunting for the precious Ciejin Duanyu Dao sword, to the final episode, attending a lethal battle on the Killing Cliff. This black sheep type hero was often used in Gu Long's works. In other words, Gu Long treasured this kind of character and created many similar heroes in his other books, such as Chu Liusiang the Outlaw Chief, Afei the Egotistical Wolf and Jiang Siaoyu the Little Bastard. People who fought for fame, power, and wealth were despised in Gu Long's books. In addition, neither the hero having a bad nickname nor the revered heroes, such as Lu Siaofong and Shen Lang, came from well-established martial arts schools. All his heroes act independently and have distinct personal styles.

      When Siao Shihyilang fell in love with Shen Bijyun, a girl from a prominent family, a miserable fate also fell upon them. How could an infamous wanderer marry a well-educated lady? No one believed that their romance would have a happy ending, especially Lian Chengbi, a gentleman who loved Shen Bijyun and came from the same social class Shen Bijyun came from, and Siaoyao Ho an ambitious aristocrat who wanted to rule the martial arts circle. Their love caused pain and they both suffered. "Do not fall in love with someone coming from a different social background," was one of the morals of this novel.

      Lian Chengbi was too nice which reminded readers that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Born and raised in a distinguished martial arts family he had good reputation and prestige, and was just the opposite of Siao Shihyilang despite that they were both excellent martial arts masters. In the subsequent novel, Huopin Siao Shihyilang, he became Siao Shihyilang's prime enemy. He replaced Siaoyao Hou and controlled the secret organization, Tianzong. It was clear that he intended to dominate the martial arts circle and anyone who did not obey him suffered badly. His final ambition did not succeed when he was defeated by Siao Shihyilang. Siao generously let him go, because Siao was a truly nice man. To Lian Chengbi it would take his whole lifetime to recover from the shame.

      The other love episode in this book was the affair between Fong Siniang and Yang Kaitai. They peacefully separated and there were no tragic things following, because Fong Siniang was a pessimistic woman and Yang Kaitai was sophisticate. In the sequel of the novel, Huopin Siao Shihyilang, their story continued.

      Another major character was Siao Gongzih, an extremely pretty female. Like Lin Sianer in Duocing Jianke Wucing Jian she disguised herself as a man in the beginning and she also schemed for power but failed. The author did not give her the same space he had given to Lin Sianer. It was difficult for a female character to gain power in a male-dominated society, and sex seemed to become the ultimate weapon.

      From Siao Shihyilang to its sequel Huopin Siao Shihyilang, both stories did not have happy endings. Siao Shihyilang was a typical tragic hero. Neither could Siao become a great martial arts master, nor could he marry his lover. So a wandering life became the only way he could choose.