Bai Jianglan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Bai Jianglan (白江澜)
Alias(es)	Eldest Brother Bai; Commander Bai
Gender	Male
Affiliation	King Dongyang's personal guards; Princess Dongyang's retinue
Occupation/Role	Commander and leader of King Dongyang's personal guards
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Background / History

Bai Jianglan led King Dongyang's guards while escorting Princess Dongyang by ship. He found Qin Sang stranded and injured on a raft in the Wuling River, insisted on rescuing him despite Chun Tao's objections, and used True Qi to disperse blood stasis from Qin Sang's injured calf 4.

He taught Qin Sang the first three forms of the Tiger Subduing Long Fist before they reached Three Witches City. Though he refused to accept the title of master, his instruction emphasized correct force application rather than mere forms 6.

Bai later reunited with Qin Sang while escorting Princess Dongyang through Luoma Mountain. Initially wary of Qin Sang's sudden warning about Jiangshan Tower's assassination plot, he tested Qin Sang directly and confirmed his unusual sensory acuity, reaction speed, and mastery of the Tiger Subduing Long Fist 23 24.

During the journey north, he guided the group through unfamiliar mountain routes, fought assassins protecting the Princess, and used True Qi to staunch Zhou Ning's bleeding after his arm was severed 25 26. After Princess Dongyang returned safely to King Dongyang's manor, Bai delivered martial arts manuals selected from the manor's armory to Qin Sang 28.

When King Dongyang began his rebellion, Bai helped recruit Qin Sang into the newly established Blood-Clad Tower. He declined to join the organization himself, choosing instead to remain Princess Dongyang's guard after having withdrawn from martial-world ambitions for the safety of his wife and daughters 29.

Appearance

Bai Jianglan is presented as a capable martial escort who can move across water without soaking his clothes. On a later visit to Qin Sang, he wore a bamboo hat and straw cloak over a sword, resembling a travel-worn wandering swordsman 4 28.

• Carries a sword; also uses a short staff while drilling his guards 5 28.
• Has severed his own toes in the past 29.
• Remained entirely dry after walking on water, apart from the soles of his boots 4.

Personality

Bai is chivalrous, composed, and principled. He views rescuing a stranger in danger as the natural thing to do, refuses Qin Sang's attempted payment, and maintains his stance even when Chun Tao argues that the injured stranger should be thrown overboard 4 5.

He balances this compassion with professional caution. He remains suspicious when Qin Sang reappears with intelligence about the Princess's danger, personally tests his martial ability, and prioritizes Princess Dongyang's protection throughout the assassination attempts 23 24 26.

Though strict as an instructor, Bai is patient and practical. He corrects Qin Sang harshly during training, insists that force is more important than outward motions, and later gives detailed guidance on the manuals he brings from King Dongyang's armory 6 28.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts and True Qi

Bai is an accomplished martial artist whose True Qi can be used in combat and for limited treatment.

• Walked on water while rescuing Qin Sang 4.
• Used True Qi to relieve Qin Sang's pain and disperse blood stasis, though he stated that it could not fully heal a cracked leg bone 4.
• Maintained an advantage over Qin Sang in their exchange by secretly circulating True Qi 24.
• Sealed blood vessels in Zhou Ning's severed arm to slow the bleeding 26.
• Was identified by Qin Sang as stronger than a Jiangshan Tower assassin 24.

Tiger Subduing Long Fist

Bai taught Qin Sang the first three of the technique's ten forms.

• Demonstrated and taught Raging Dragon Emerges from the Sea, Fist Momentum Reaches the Heavens, and Vajra Subdues the Tiger 6.
• Focused on force generation and bodily alignment, warning that incorrect force application would prevent the cultivation of Inner Force 6.
• His instruction contained crucial details absent from Yang Zhen's later teaching of the same first three forms 14.

Guard Command and Fieldcraft

As leader of King Dongyang's guards, Bai trains personnel, evaluates threats, and leads protective operations.

• Drilled his guards in formation and disciplined mistakes personally 5.
• Coordinated the escort's response when Qin Sang approached Princess Dongyang's caravan 23.
• Chose routes and campsites while guiding the Princess's party through the mountains toward Yingnan Prefecture 25.
• Fought multiple assassins during the nighttime ambush while protecting Princess Dongyang 26.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Sword — his primary visible weapon during escort and combat duties 23 24 28.
• Short staff — used to instruct and discipline guards during formation practice 5.
• Bamboo hat and straw cloak — worn while traveling in rain 28.

Relationships

• Qin Sang — Rescued Qin Sang from the Wuling River, treated his injury, and taught him the first three forms of the Tiger Subduing Long Fist. Bai later advocated for Qin Sang when Granny Li proposed killing him and recruited him into Blood-Clad Tower 4 6 24 29.
• Princess Dongyang — Her loyal commander and guard. He escorts her, acts on her instructions, and remains by her side rather than reentering the martial world 23 25 29.
• Chun Tao — Clashed with her when she demanded Qin Sang be thrown overboard, but addressed her respectfully and acknowledged her concern for the Princess's safety 4 5.
• Zhou Ning — Fellow member of the Princess's escort. Bai treated Zhou Ning's severed arm during the Luoma Mountain assassination attempt 23 26.
• Wife and daughters — Bai withdrew from martial-world ambitions to avoid implicating them; he had severed his own toes while settling old grudges before entering the royal mansion 29.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rescue on the Wuling River

Bai rescues Qin Sang from a raft, shields him from Chun Tao's demand that he be cast overboard, and provides food, clothing, medical aid, and passage to Three Witches City 4 5.

Qin Sang's First Martial Teacher

Bai gives Qin Sang his initial martial training through the first three forms of the Tiger Subduing Long Fist. His detailed instruction later proves superior to the standard teaching Qin Sang receives at the Wuwei Escort Agency 6 14.

Princess Dongyang's Escape

Bai recognizes Qin Sang when he warns the caravan about Jiangshan Tower, tests his capability, guides the party through mountain paths, and battles assassins during the escape toward Yingnan Prefecture 23 27.

Blood-Clad Tower Recruitment

Bai explains the political role of immortal masters in recognizing rulers and reveals the purpose of Blood-Clad Tower. He recommends Qin Sang for the organization while refusing a position himself in favor of guarding Princess Dongyang 28 29.

Trivia

• Bai initially told Qin Sang that they would likely never meet again after arriving at Three Witches City 6.
• Qin Sang later realizes that Bai's group were King Dongyang's personal guards after recognizing the “Dong” insignia on their clothing 14.
• Bai considers Qin Sang's ability to extract intelligence from Jiangshan Tower assassins extraordinary, but deliberately does not press him for the secret behind it 29.