Bai Ziqing

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Bai Ziqing (白子青)
Alias(es)	Black Cat Martial Artist
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Imperial City Department
Occupation / Role	Northern Commander of the Imperial City Department; swordsman; envoy leader
First Appearance	Chapter 69

Background / History

Bai Ziqing arrived late in Two Rivers Prefecture, where he showed deference to Zeng Shilin despite an initially arrogant and nonchalant manner. During this period, he formed a close bond with Zeng Anmin, who dyed his hair yellow and styled it in an exotic perm. Before departing the prefecture, Bai gifted him the archery technique Falling Jade Plate. 69 70 72

He served Emperor Jianhong for years, having followed Ji Qingzheng into battle at Yumen Pass before spending seven years in the Imperial City Department. The Emperor later tested his loyalty while raising the prospect of promoting him to Northern Commander. 97

As the Black Cat Martial Artist, Bai traveled south to Jishui Weir and stopped two Eastern Cult members from detonating Thunder Powder. He killed both cultists and prevented the destruction of the weir, though his public intervention exposed the Black Cat identity. 125

Bai later led an envoy mission to Jiang Kingdom. Zeng Anmin uncovered that the Eastern Cult had turned the mission into a trap connected to a Supreme Treasure necklace Bai had previously given him. Bai accepted the revelation without demanding the treasure back. 254 255

During the ensuing conflict, Bai used his Extreme Cold Domain against a black-mist opponent but was bound by its energy and humiliated by Prince Nan. He subsequently cooperated with Zeng Anmin’s impersonation of Prince Nan, deliberately leaving a mark on Zeng’s face to support the disguise. 258 259 263

Bai later vanished after leaving the Ministry of Rites; evidence at the scene showed that he had activated his Extreme Cold Domain before being overwhelmed. He eventually returned to the capital, having been entangled in Zeng Shilin’s scheme involving Xiangliu, and Emperor Jianhong restored his authority over the Imperial City Department. 278 318 319 338

Appearance

Zeng Anmin altered Bai Ziqing’s hair to yellow and gave it an exotic perm, a change that made Bai more confident in his presence. 70

• Carries a long sword. 125
• His eyes can become covered in white frost when activating his cold-based power. 125
• A portrait of the Hat Guest was noted to resemble him, though this was only an observed similarity during an investigation. 236

Personality

Bai is loyal to both Emperor Jianhong and Zeng Anmin. He follows advice to avoid displaying ambition during political tests, assists Zeng with dangerous plans, and accepts responsibility in court and investigative work. 97 143 365

He is observant and candid with friends, noticing rumors and exchanged glances around Zeng Anmin while acting as a confidant. He is also capable of calculation: he uses disguises, protocol, and physical evidence to support operations. 224 263

Despite his reputation, Bai has insecurities about his martial ability, particularly after discussing Duan Yuheng’s exceptional intent. He can also be prideful about his strength, openly stating that he could decide Xiang Wangxian’s life or death within ten moves. 93 366

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Bai is known as the “Capital City’s Number One Sword” and fights with a long sword. His attacks can be too swift to follow and are described as carrying starlike radiance. 72 125

• Killed two Eastern Cult members at Jishui Weir before they could ignite Thunder Powder. 125
• Can place his sword at an opponent’s neck with imperceptible speed. 125
• Engaged a black-mist enemy during the Jiang envoy crisis, though the opponent’s binding energy ultimately restrained him. 258 259

Extreme Cold Domain

Bai possesses a cold-attributed Domain, also called the Extreme Cold Domain. It manifests as frost, rapidly lowers the surrounding temperature, and can freeze water. 125 278 365

• Ice River... Ten Thousand Miles — freezes an area around him and can lock opponents in place with frost. 258
• Extinguished an enemy’s fire starter at Jishui Weir by dropping the temperature. 125
• Left frost across a room during his abduction, providing evidence that he had time only to activate his Domain before losing resistance. 278
• His Domain attribute is Cold, contrasting with Sima Nan’s Strength Domain. 365

Investigation

As Northern Commander, Bai works on major Imperial City Department cases and compiles evidence from multiple agencies. 235 365

• Gathered reports from the Imperial City Department, Ministry of Justice, and Court of Judicial Review concerning the Hat Guest. 235
• Sought assistance from the Profound Formation Division to produce a reconstructed portrait of the Hat Guest. 235
• Investigated Xiang Wangxian’s murder for half a month and narrowed the potential suspects before collaborating with Zeng Anmin. 365

Equipment / Items

• Long sword — Bai’s primary weapon. 125
• Jade pendant — sent a distress signal to Zeng Anmin when Bai was in danger. 276
• Supreme Treasure necklace — Bai unknowingly gave this necklace to Zeng Anmin; the Eastern Cult later targeted Bai’s mission because of it. 255

Relationships

• Zeng Anmin — Close friend, colleague, and at times mentor-like guide. Bai gave him Falling Jade Plate, aided his plans, and repeatedly worked alongside him on investigations and political crises. 72 97 125 365
• Zeng Shilin — Respects Zeng Anmin’s father, who defended him in court and later arranged for Bai to receive credit in the Xiangliu affair. 69 143 338
• Emperor Jianhong — His sovereign; Bai’s loyalty was tested before his prospective promotion to Northern Commander, and the Emperor later restored his Imperial City Department authority. 97 338
• Bai Wanqing — His sister, who worked with Zeng Anmin to search for him after his disappearance. 318 319
• Wuxin Daoist — Shares mutual recognition and camaraderie with Bai through their cultivation background; their relationship later grows closer. 249 423
• Huang Shi — A trusted subordinate who reported Xiang Wangxian’s death to Bai. 338
• Xiang Wangxian — Fellow Imperial City Department commander whose murder Bai investigated. 338 365

Story Role / Major Arcs

Two Rivers Prefecture

• Arrives late and meets Zeng Shilin. 69
• Develops a friendship with Zeng Anmin, accepts his hairstyle change, and gifts him Falling Jade Plate upon leaving. 70 72

Black Cat Martial Artist Incident

• Pursues Eastern Cult members threatening Jishui Weir. 122 125
• Uses the Black Cat persona and his cold-based swordsmanship to stop the bombing plot. 125
• Faces Imperial Court scrutiny over the Two Rivers Prefecture case and is ultimately selected to serve as an Imperial Envoy. 143

Jiang Envoy Crisis

• Leads the envoy mission targeted by the Eastern Cult. 254 255
• Reunites with Zeng Anmin and learns that the necklace he gave him is the true objective of the plot. 255
• Battles the black-mist figure, is captured, and later helps maintain Zeng Anmin’s Prince Nan disguise. 258 259 263

Disappearance and Return

• Is abducted after activating his Extreme Cold Domain; Zeng Anmin searches for him alongside Bai Wanqing. 278 318 319
• Returns after being used in Zeng Shilin’s Xiangliu scheme and resumes command of the Imperial City Department. 338

Xiang Wangxian Murder Investigation

• Receives the report that Xiang Wangxian, a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist, was killed in one blow. 338
• Collaborates with Zeng Anmin, provides suspect analysis, and acknowledges that he himself could be considered a suspect due to his strength. 365 366

Trivia

• Bai was publicly recognized as the Black Cat Martial Artist by patrol guards after saving Jishui Weir. 125
• At age twenty-seven, he was described as a Fourth-Rank Grandmaster with the potential to reach the Third-Rank Celestial Realm within ten years. 276
• He stated that he had been at the Fourth Rank for over ten years and was one step from the Third Rank. 366
• Bai counted exactly 138 blows to the head during his forced trip to Two Rivers Prefecture. 338