Chang'an

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chang'an (长安); true name Ning Chang'an
Alias(es)	Ning Family's Chang'an; Laifu (disguise while posing as Lin Ying's servant) 1 49
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Wandering martial artist; former renowned jianghu figure
Status	Alive; continuing his cultivation of the Three Pure Nine Nether Wonderful Dharma Lotus Heart Sutra 49
First Appearance	1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Martial arts crippled	1 2	Following his defeat by Lu Jing, his inner energy was destroyed and his martial ability sharply declined.
Three Pure Nine Nether Wonderful Dharma Lotus Heart Sutra initiated	7	Accepts Su Wantu's teaching; after three days of circulation, he senses hidden power and manifests a faint air-burst through a clenched fist.
Movement Cultivation Method awakened	8	Learns to wield pure bodily strength rather than inner energy or true qi; grey lotus patterns emerge on his palms.
First level of the Lotus Heart Sutra	12	Has only barely entered the first level when confronting Ghost Face.
Strength restored through devouring	13	Absorbs roughly seventy percent of Ghost Face's true energy, restoring his strength to no weaker than before his crippling—at the cost of severe demonic thoughts.
Tiger Aspect Nine Moves comprehended	22	Gains a martial insight from Liu Ruyan's painting of a tiger sniffing an orchid.
Essence Cultivation	27	Devours the attacking Essence Qi of Gangsha and enters Essence Cultivation.
Lotus Pattern cultivation refined	48 49	Learns to draw Eastern Purple Qi into his lotus patterns and cultivate more effectively, though he considers himself far from the Heart Sutra's introductory realm.

Background / History

Chang'an grew up on Dragon Green Mountain under the protection of Yang Qingling and Yang Taiyi. Yang Taiyi taught him martial arts, while Yang Qingling trained him through punishing sparring sessions; Yu Fu, three years his senior, cared for him throughout his childhood. 2 44

Before his fall, Chang'an cultivated both internal and external martial arts and possessed a major reputation among the younger generation of the jianghu. Crimson Blood Fortress regarded him as a reputable expert capable of killing a dangerous target, and even children were said to sing of his deeds. 1 2

His life changed after a secret duel with Lu Jing of the Dragon Yang Sect. Lu Jing destroyed Chang'an's inner energy, leaving him unable to break through further, and took the Dragon Head Sword forged by Yang Qingling. His weakened condition was subsequently leaked to hostile parties. 2 3 7

Yang Qingling later gives Chang'an a box containing a Ning-family jade pendant, jade hairpin, and intricate key. He reveals that Chang'an's parents were accomplished martial artists and that Chang'an has an uncle, Ning Maodao, in Longyuan Province; Chang'an and Yu Fu leave to seek his family's legacy and the truth behind his parents' deaths. 3

Su Wantu, the former steward entrusted with Chang'an by his father, reveals that Chang'an's name was his father's dying wish: he was meant to become a general who would pacify the world. Chang'an later learns that his true name, Ning Chang'an, is also the name of his father, the Great Gan Dynasty's Great General of Pacification. 7 23

Appearance

Chang'an is repeatedly described as chubby or plump, a change drastic enough that many who knew his former reputation do not recognize him. His injuries and recovery initially leave him with a sickly plump appearance. 1 3 7 23

• His plump build makes him an easy target for hidden weapons and poison needles. 10
• He is often underestimated for his appearance, including being dismissed as a “fat pig” or “fatty” by opponents. 12 34
• Grey lotus patterns appear on both palms after he begins cultivating the Movement Cultivation Method. 8
• He frequently bears battle wounds, including poisoned needle injuries, a pierced shoulder, and sword wounds across his chest. 10 18 19

Personality

Chang'an is laid-back in ordinary circumstances and finds peace in the night sky, but he is intensely proud of his martial past and unable to accept his defeat by Lu Jing. Even while penniless and crippled, he refuses to surrender his dignity or abandon the people who depend on him. 1 2

He is fiercely loyal and grateful. He repeatedly risks his life for Yu Fu, Erhu, the Green Ox, and Little Brother, even when he knows he is walking into a trap. 3 12 17 18 He also values personal integrity, openly condemning the Green Bamboo Swordsman for selling his name and swordsmanship for money. 18

The power of the Lotus Heart Sutra exposes a dangerous side of him: absorbing another person's energy fills him with murderous impulses and demonic thoughts. Chang'an recognizes his own weak resolve and fears becoming a demon, making him cautious of the strength he craves. 8 13

Abilities & Skills

Three Pure Nine Nether Wonderful Dharma Lotus Heart Sutra

A mysterious cultivation method taught by Su Wantu. It grants extraordinary physical capability and allows Chang'an to convert absorbed energies into strength.

• Emphasizes great strength, speed, reactions, bodily resilience, and vitality. 7
• Its practice prevents him from cultivating ordinary internal-energy, qi gong, and primal-energy methods, and he cannot project force to strike enemies from a distance. 7
• The art has an extreme moral risk: “one thought” may lead toward sainthood or demonic ruin. 8 13
• His primordial sea of energy was shattered through Su Wantu's hidden method, a condition connected to the Heart Sutra's unusual cultivation path. 27

Devouring and Energy Absorption

Chang'an can absorb another fighter's true energy or hostile energy through the Lotus Heart Sutra.

• Su Wantu transmits the Movement Heart Sutra to him, enabling Chang'an to absorb the cultivation of the dead Ink Splatter Blade. 8
• During the battle with Ghost Face, Chang'an drains and absorbs much of his opponent's true energy. 12 13
• He devours Essence Qi of Gangsha, surviving an attack that should have killed him and advancing into Essence Cultivation. 27
• Absorbing living opponents' energy immediately provokes violent demonic thoughts and threatens to overwhelm his consciousness. 13

Combat Perception

Chang'an has a trained eye for reading movement, stance, and openings in an opponent's techniques.

• He identifies the difference between Old Liu's refined lightness skill and Liu Xuanfeng's poorly controlled inner energy from their gait alone. 1
• His experience, training under Yang Qingling and Yang Taiyi, and the Lotus Heart Sutra's intuition allow him to find flaws in the techniques of ordinary first-rate martial artists. 18
• He uses this perception to defeat Dao Lang, disrupt a masked assassin's saber technique, and strike the Green Bamboo Swordsman's sword at its weak point. 17 18 19

Great Wheel Swordplay

Chang'an's principal sword art, which he can adapt for use with an iron staff.

• Incorporates the imagery of dragon, elephant, tiger, and horse. 19
• The tiger and elephant aspects are complete; he possesses only one dragon move and has completed three of the horse aspect's six moves. 19
• His understanding of the tiger aspect deepens during his duel with the Green Bamboo Swordsman, allowing him to launch a breakthrough staff strike. 19
• He later comprehends the Tiger Aspect Nine Moves through Liu Ruyan's painting. 22

Endurance and Desperate Fighting

Chang'an is unusually difficult to put down, even when his martial arts are diminished.

• Liu Xuanfeng defeats him but cannot knock him down despite repeated attacks. 1
• He continues walking toward Yu Fu while Ghost Shadow cuts him repeatedly, reaching the ninety-ninth zhang before the Bright Moon Blade intervenes. 6
• He fights Ghost Face while poisoned and severely outmatched because Yu Fu is behind him. 12
• He endures a shoulder-piercing steel arrow and a coordinated assault from the Wild Wolf Society before defeating Dao Lang. 18

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Dragon Head Sword — Yang Qingling's personally forged sword; lost to Lu Jing in Chang'an's earlier defeat. 2 3
• Iron staff — Frequently used as a substitute sword; Chang'an applies his swordsmanship to it in fights against assassins, Dao Lang, and the Green Bamboo Swordsman. 17 18 19
• Ning-family jade pendant — Ancient pendant marked with the character “Ning,” given to him by Yang Qingling. 3
• Ning-family key — An intricate key received alongside the pendant and jade hairpin, connected to his parents' legacy. 3
• Jade hairpin — A pearl-flower hairpin from his parents' belongings; Chang'an places it in Yu Fu's hair and tells her not to let anyone else touch it. 3
• Human Skin Mask — Given by Lin Ying to conceal his identity while he acts as her servant, Laifu. 49
• Chasing Lightning — Liu Ruyan's prized black horse, lent to Chang'an for his journey to Qingfeng Ferry. 17

Relationships

• Yu Fu / Bai Lian'er — Childhood caretaker, travelling companion, and Chang'an's foremost emotional bond. He intends to marry her, while she repeatedly protects and nurses him; he risks everything to save her from poisoning. 2 3 6 13
• Yang Qingling — Former guardian and harsh martial mentor. His outward scorn conceals deep protectiveness toward Chang'an and Yu Fu. 2 3 44
• Yang Taiyi — Elder who taught Chang'an martial arts and supports his attempt to reclaim his family legacy. 2 3 44
• Su Wantu — Chang'an's father's former steward and the teacher of the Three Pure Nine Nether Wonderful Dharma Lotus Heart Sutra. 7 8
• Erhu — Young cowherd whom Chang'an protects; Erhu is taken alongside the Green Ox by Crimson Blood Fortress, motivating Chang'an's pursuit. 1 3
• Green Ox — Chang'an's exceptionally powerful ox and Erhu's companion; it kills Liu Xuanfeng and Old Liu before returning to Chang'an. 1 3
• Guo Qingshui — A dangerous manipulator who saves Yu Fu but coerces Chang'an into agreeing to kill three people in exchange for Yu Fu's safety. 10 14 32
• Miao Suyi — Ally who defends Chang'an when he is branded a demon and accompanies him to Spring Breeze Tower. 14 15
• Liu Ruyan — Spring Breeze Tower's proprietress and a close confidante. Her affection for Chang'an becomes romantic; he eventually resolves to keep her by his side despite her arranged royal marriage. 16 22 23
• Little Brother / Fang Xiao — A loyal friend whose kidnapping draws Chang'an into the Wild Wolf Society's trap; Chang'an refuses to abandon him. 17 18 21
• Zhang Wanshan — Legendary “Dual Mastery of Internal and External” martial artist who rescues and counsels Chang'an at Qingfeng Ferry. 21
• Lin Ying — Employs Chang'an as a bodyguard for one month; later disguises him as her servant, Laifu. 46 49
• Lu Jing — Dragon Yang Sect martial artist who destroyed Chang'an's inner energy and took the Dragon Head Sword. 2 3

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fall from Grace and Dragon Green Mountain

After Liu Xuanfeng defeats him and takes Erhu and the Green Ox, Chang'an returns to Dragon Green Mountain seeking help. There, he receives his parents' belongings and learns of his Ning-family legacy, then leaves with Yu Fu to find Erhu before travelling to Longyuan Province. 1 2 3

The Danyang Conspiracy

Chang'an investigates Crimson Blood Fortress through Shopkeeper Wang, only for Wang to be murdered and Chang'an to become entangled with Ghost Shadow, the Bright Moon Blade, and the Poison Dragon Cult. Guo Qingshui's plot poisons Crimson Blood Fortress and frames Chang'an as its killer, turning his former fame into notoriety. 4 5 6 10 11

Recovery Through Demonic Cultivation

With his former martial arts gone, Chang'an accepts Su Wantu's Lotus Heart Sutra. The method restores his combat ability through devouring, but his absorption of Ghost Face's true energy nearly drives him into the demonic path until Yu Fu brings him back to himself. 7 8 12 13

Myriad Flower Valley and Spring Breeze Tower

Chang'an races to Myriad Flower Valley to save the poisoned Yu Fu, then accepts Guo Qingshui's demand that he kill three people for Yu Fu's safety. At Spring Breeze Tower, he gains allies in Miao Suyi and Liu Ruyan while facing public hostility, duels, and repeated assassination attempts. 13 14 15 16

Qingfeng Ferry and the Wild Wolf Society

When Little Brother is taken hostage, Chang'an rides to Qingfeng Ferry despite knowing it is a trap. He defeats Dao Lang's men, kills Dao Lang, survives the Green Bamboo Swordsman's challenge, and receives guidance from Zhang Wanshan after the conflict. 17 18 19 21

Yongan Prefecture and Further Cultivation

Chang'an enters Yongan Prefecture, seeks access to the Master's Tower, and kills the Blood Drinking Scholar in a single strike. He later survives Gangsha Essence Qi, enters Essence Cultivation, and refines the use of his Lotus Pattern through Eastern Purple Qi while working under Lin Ying's cover. 27 32 34 35 46 48 49

Notable Quotes

“If I live, you will surely die.” 6

“But killers can be killed.” 17

“I, Ning Family's Chang'an, stand upright and have nothing to fear.” 18

Trivia

• Chang'an's name was chosen as his father's dying wish that he would become a general who could pacify the world. 7
• He loves looking at the stars and initially claims never to kill anyone at night. 2
• His drastic weight gain is a recurring reason that enemies and acquaintances fail to recognize him. 3 23
• He forgot to pay the old woman's braised-beef stall after she saved him from the Asura Blade. 5