Zhai Anning

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhai Anning (翟安宁)
Alias(es)	Young Master Zhai
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Zhai Clan; Sword Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Direct-line heir of the Zhai Clan; Li Mu's chief sword disciple
First Appearance	Chapter 161

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Second Realm martial master	161	Led Qishui County's gathered martial masters; nearly fought Cui Hu to the death and openly cursed Shangguan Hong.
Fusing a fourth force	176	Improved his cultivation to the point of fusing a fourth force, though he was warned not to damage his foundation through excessive advancement.
Qi and blood 130.1; Spirit Soul 55.3; Orange-grade Sword Dao talent 5,100	179	Had gained roughly ten points of qi and blood through intensive training and medicinal resources, but remained below the requirements to comprehend the Zhai Clan's secret canon.
Vajra Cloud-Breaking Sword Technique breakthrough	202	Li Mu identified flaws in his force exertion and use of spirit; Zhai Anning broke through his prior swordsmanship bottleneck after an hour of practice.
Sword Stele transmission	238	Received the complete cultivation insights for the Thunder-Rushing Sword Technique, Slaying Sword, and Supreme Heart Sword, with guidance extending toward their Peak realms.

Background

Zhai Anning is a direct-line descendant of Jiangnan Commandery's Zhai Clan, one of the four great families. He is the clan's sole designated heir and the grandson of patriarch Zhai Qingshan. His family expected his name, “Anning,” to reflect peace and stability, but he instead became known for a restless and impulsive temperament. 176 185

Before returning to Jiangnan, he ran away from home to train in the southwest martial world and spent time in Qishui County. There he encountered Li Mu. According to Zhai Qingshan, Li Mu's guidance changed Anning's outlook and convinced him to return home and seriously seek his grandfather's instruction. 176

During Shangguan Hong's forced conscription of martial masters, Anning acted as Qishui County's leading Second-Realm martial master. He nearly fought Cui Hu to the death and dared to curse Shangguan Hong to his face; Shangguan Hong endured the insult because of Anning's direct connection to the Zhai Clan. 161

Appearance

Zhai Anning is a handsome young man from a wealthy direct line of the Zhai Clan. His appearance and family background once became the focus of Yang Mian's resentment after a woman Yang Mian pursued became involved with him. 194

• Carries himself with the confidence expected of the Zhai Clan's direct heir.
• Is described as resembling his stern father, Zhai Qingyuan. 185
• Usually dresses and travels with the resources and attendants available to a major Jiangnan family. 178 195

Personality

Zhai Anning is hot-blooded, outspoken, and reckless. He tends to confront provocation directly, whether challenging Cui Hu, urging Zhai Qingshan to keep attacking the Blood Hoof Gang, or openly objecting to Shangguan Wu You's patronizing manner. 161 177 227

Despite this impulsiveness, he is principled and fiercely loyal. He immediately treats Li Mu's fellow Hidden Sword disciples as friends, publicly defends Li Mu against skeptical Zhai Clan retainers, and is willing to exhaust his savings to obtain a medicinal treasure Li Mu needs. 161 185 195

His admiration for Li Mu also drives his growth. Though initially envious of Li Mu's overwhelming talent, he does not turn hostile; instead, he seeks pointers, trains harder after being discouraged, and asks Li Mu to guide trusted Zhai Clan relatives as well. 179 186 202 204

Abilities & Skills

Vajra Force

Zhai Anning specializes in the Zhai Clan's Vajra Force martial-arts system. Li Mu considers Vajra Force a top-tier force comparable to Unified Force. 161

• Cultivated Vajra Force as his primary foundation, while treating other forces as supplementary. 179
• Was in the process of fusing a fourth force after returning to Jiangnan. 176
• His qi and blood reached 130.1, exceeding Li Mu's at the time, though his spirit soul and Sword Dao talent remained behind Li Mu's. 179
• Could contend with Li Mu in a spar despite possessing only 120.0 qi and blood at the time, demonstrating strong innate gifts and combat ability. 161

Vajra Cloud-Breaking Sword Technique

He practices the Vajra Cloud-Breaking Sword Technique, a Zhai Clan sword art associated with Vajra Force.

• Copied the technique for Li Mu, allowing him to begin laying the foundation for deeper Zhai Clan sword manuals. 186
• His Vajra Cloud-Breaking Slash contained a weakness in force exertion and spirit application compared with Zhai Qingshan's version. 202
• Li Mu's guidance allowed him to break through a longstanding bottleneck in the art within an hour. 202

Swordsmanship and Force Exchange

Zhai Anning has a strong interest in force cultivation and swordsmanship theory.

• Requested to exchange pointers with Li Mu specifically to study Li Mu's ten forces. 161
• Offered two superior Zhai Clan sword techniques related to Stone Force in exchange for Li Mu's insights and compatible arts. 161
• Recognizes his shortcomings in spirit cultivation after losing to Tang Yaozu's puppet-and-spirit-refinement combination. 182

Sword Stele Arts

After becoming Li Mu's chief sword disciple, Zhai Anning received direct Sword Stele transmissions.

• Thunder-Rushing Sword Technique — received complete cultivation insights through Li Mu's Sword Stele. 238
• Slaying Sword — received alongside the Thunder-Rushing Sword Technique as an art compatible with his force cultivation. 238
• Supreme Heart Sword — received as part of the same three-art transmission. 238
• The transmission granted him the complete progression and accumulated understanding of the three arts, directing his cultivation toward their Peak realms. 238

Whitey

Whitey is Zhai Anning's fighting beast, kept for Beast Cage Arena gambling matches. 196

• Defeated a Wind Tiger Beast, earning Zhai Anning twenty thousand taels in winnings. 196
• Was injured after its match, preventing it from immediately accepting Yang Mian's subsequent challenge. 196
• Zhai Anning entrusted Li Mu to fight in Whitey's place against the Cloud Dragon Beast, demonstrating his confidence in Li Mu. 196

Equipment / Items

• Whitey — his personal fighting beast, used in Beast Cage Arena wagers. 196
• Zhai Clan waist token — grants him recognition and preferential treatment at Southern Swallow Tower. 195
• Zhai Clan sword manuals — possesses access to Vajra Force-related techniques, though the clan's ultimate secret canon was beyond his ability to comprehend. 161 179

Relationships

• Li Mu — Close friend and sworn-brother-like companion. Zhai Anning eagerly seeks Li Mu's guidance, defends his status within the Zhai Clan, and ultimately becomes his chief sword disciple. 161 178 185 238
• Zhai Qingshan — Grandfather and patriarch of the Zhai Clan. Zhai Qingshan frequently criticizes Anning's recklessness but values his upright character and asks Li Mu to guide him. 176 177 202
• Zhai Qingyuan — Father and current head of the Zhai Clan. His authority is sufficient to silence Anning and the clan retainers during Li Mu's retainer banquet. 185
• Zhai Feiguang — Older brother. He restrains Anning when the latter confronts Shangguan Wu You at the Sword Pavilion welcome banquet. 227
• Zhai Qianqian — Close Zhai Clan relative and fellow Sword Pavilion disciple. Anning asks Li Mu to permit her and other trusted relatives to observe his guidance. 204 238
• Tang Yaozu — Rival from the allied Tang family. Tang defeated Anning in the Rising Stars Ranking arena through puppet art and spirit refinement, while Anning later defended Li Mu against Tang's challenge. 182 185
• Yang Mian — Longstanding enemy. Yang resents Anning over a former lover and repeatedly attempts to suppress him through auction bidding and Beast Cage Arena wagers. 194 195 197
• Feng Qingluo — A formidable North River sword cultivator who nearly struck Anning with her Purple Lightning Eye Technique; Li Mu protected him from the attack. 183

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qishui County and Forced Conscription

Anning is introduced as Qishui County's leading young Second-Realm martial master during Shangguan Hong's forced conscription. His confrontation with Cui Hu and Shangguan Hong establishes both his reckless courage and the Zhai Clan's political weight. 161

Return to Jiangnan and the Blood Hoof Gang

When Li Mu arrives in Jiangnan to rescue Myriad Flowers Valley, Anning reunites with him and brings Zhai Qingshan to confront the Blood Hoof Gang. He helps arrange the group's return to the Zhai Residence and ensures that Li Mu's allies are properly accommodated. 176 178

Zhai Clan Secret Canon

Anning accompanies Li Mu and Zhai Qingshan into the Zhai ancestral shrine to examine the Zhai Family Secret Canon. He can see only its title and shifting, incomprehensible text, while Li Mu successfully comprehends the entire scripture. 179

Though envious that he cannot meet the canon's spirit and talent requirements, Anning remains supportive of Li Mu's acceptance as a Zhai Clan retainer and treats Li Mu's success as a source of pride. 179

Jiangnan Rising Stars and Black Market Conflict

Tang Yaozu defeats Anning in a Rising Stars Ranking challenge, exposing Anning's relative weakness in spirit cultivation. Li Mu supports him afterward, and the two continue navigating Jiangnan's competitive martial world together. 182 183

At the Jiangnan black market, Anning's personal grudge with Yang Mian escalates into an auction rivalry and Beast Cage Arena wager. He relies on Li Mu's judgment and strength, allowing Li Mu to enter the arena in his stead and win the thousand-year Profound-Heaven Lingzhi. 194 195 196

Sword Pavilion Ceremony

Before the Sword Pavilion Ceremony, Anning repeatedly trains under Li Mu's guidance and invites close Zhai Clan relatives to observe. His respect for Li Mu becomes increasingly open, and his own swordsmanship advances rapidly. 202 204

He proceeds through the ceremony alongside Li Mu, Zhai Qianqian, and other allies. Zhai Qingshan praises Anning and the Zhai Clan disciples for making strong progress during the Spirit Soul Trial. 206 212

Chief Sword Disciple

After Li Mu establishes the Sword Stele at Hidden Sword Manor, Anning studies its teachings and later becomes Li Mu's first designated chief sword disciple. Li Mu personally grants him the Thunder-Rushing Sword Technique, Slaying Sword, and Supreme Heart Sword through the Sword Stele. 237 238

Trivia

• Zhai Qingshan chose the name “Anning” hoping his grandson would be peaceful, but openly admits that Anning “could not settle down.” 176
• Anning is two years older than Li Mu, despite often accepting Li Mu's instruction without reservation. 177
• His former lover later wrote to him repeatedly after leaving for North River Commandery, leaving him uncertain whether he should meet her again. 194
• He refers to Li Mu's Sword Stele as “divine” after receiving its direct martial-arts transmission. 238