Nan Zhi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Nan Zhi (南枝)
Alias(es)	Miss Nan Zhi; Master Li's “beloved”
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Beautiful Spring Courtyard / Spring Beauty Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Top courtesan; former cultivation disciple
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 19

Background

Nan Zhi was once a cultivation disciple with good aptitude. Her family considered her its hope and invested heavily to send her into a sect. A sudden cold poison stripped away all of her cultivation, however, and physicians declared that she would not live beyond thirty 21.

She later became the top courtesan of Beautiful Spring Courtyard. Though surrounded by admirers competing for a night with her, she remained indifferent to their gifts and attention 19 20.

Appearance

Nan Zhi is a young woman of exceptional beauty, noted for her bright eyes, cherry-red lips, and graceful bearing. She initially appears in an ice-blue robe described as thin as cicada wings; when awaiting Li Ping'an's return, she deliberately dresses in pale red and adorns her hair with golden butterfly ornaments 20 42.

• Ice-blue robes during her first appearance 20
• Large, spring-water-like eyes and an elegant figure 20
• Later favors a pale red dress and golden butterfly hairpins 42

Personality

Nan Zhi is outwardly cold and reserved toward the many cultivators who seek her favor, but she is deeply vulnerable over the loss of her cultivation and the threat of her cold poison. Her desperation initially leads her to offer anything for a cure, though she readily accepts Li Ping'an's monetary arrangement when he asks only for spirit stones 20 21.

After Li Ping'an begins treating her, gratitude develops into earnest affection. She spends days thinking about him, anxiously wonders why he has not returned, and welcomes him personally despite Chun'er's objections 41 42. She is resolute in repaying what she sees as life-saving kindness, ultimately initiating dual cultivation with him 43.

Abilities & Skills

Former Cultivation

Nan Zhi was formerly a sect cultivation disciple with respectable aptitude before her cold poison destroyed her cultivation 21.

• Her family regarded her as its hope and spent heavily on her entry into a sect 21.
• Her current cultivation level is not stated.

Cold Poison

Nan Zhi carries a powerful cold poison that has afflicted her for years.

• It stripped her of all cultivation and is expected to kill her before age thirty 21.
• The poison reacts strongly to Li Ping'an's Heaven-Tempering Hammer and can be gradually drawn out through physical contact 20 21.
• Its dense energy becomes a cultivation resource for Li Ping'an; dual cultivation removes an even greater amount 21 43.
• Treatment noticeably improves Nan Zhi's condition, but the poison remains and requires repeated clearing 42 44.

Flute Playing

Nan Zhi is known to enjoy playing the flute 20.

Relationships

• Li Ping'an — Benefactor, treatment partner, and eventual intimate partner. Li Ping'an draws out her cold poison for spirit stones; Nan Zhi later becomes devoted to him and calls him “Master” or “Senior” 20 21 41 44.
• Chun'er — Her close maid and attendant. Chun'er notices Nan Zhi's preoccupation with Li Ping'an, initially mistakes him for an unwanted old servant, then accepts him as Nan Zhi's chosen guest 41 42.
• Beautiful Spring Courtyard madam — Facilitates Li Ping'an's visits to Nan Zhi in exchange for spirit stones and recognizes him as a valuable patron 41 42.

Story Role / Major Arcs

First Meeting with Li Ping'an

Nan Zhi appears as Beautiful Spring Courtyard's sought-after top courtesan while cultivators compete for her favor. Unlike the other guests, Li Ping'an approaches because the Heaven-Tempering Hammer reacts to her presence. After their hands touch and her condition briefly eases, Nan Zhi invites him to speak privately 19 20.

Cold Poison Treatment Agreement

Nan Zhi reveals her past as a cultivation disciple and the cold poison that destroyed her cultivation. Believing Li Ping'an to be a hidden senior, she asks him to cure her. They agree that he will periodically clear the poison, with Nan Zhi paying him two hundred spirit stones per treatment 21.

Growing Attachment

While Li Ping'an remains at the sect, Nan Zhi repeatedly thinks of him and struggles to understand her attraction to a much older man. She eagerly awaits his return, and personally welcomes him when he visits again 41 42.

Dual Cultivation

Nan Zhi chooses to offer herself to Li Ping'an in gratitude for saving her life. Their dual cultivation clears more of her cold poison, while Li Ping'an gains a breakthrough and upgrades the Heaven-Tempering Hammer 43. Afterwards, Nan Zhi promises to wait for his next visit and further treatment 44.

Notable Quotes

“I beg you, Senior, to cure the cold poison within me. I am willing to do anything for Nan Zhi!” 21

“Master, Nan Zhi will wait here for you every moment, waiting for you to come draw out my cold poison.” 44

Trivia

• Nan Zhi's first encounter with Li Ping'an begins when the Heaven-Tempering Hammer reacts to the cold poison in her body 20.
• She is one of the few people to witness Li Ping'an use the Great Dream Soul-Drawing Art, though she believes he literally vanishes and reappears 44.