Bai Axiu (simplified: 白阿绣, traditional: 白阿繡, pinyin: Bái Āxiù, jyutping: baak6 aa3 sau3), also known simply as Axiu (阿绣), was the granddaughter of Bai Zizai and Shi Xiaocui, and the daughter of Bai Wanjian. She was beautiful, gentle, and virtuous, and she was the only person in the entire novel who never mistook Shi Potian for Shi Zhongyu, recognising his pure and honest nature through intuition alone.
Biography
Early life at Lingxiao City
Bai Axiu was raised at Lingxiao City (凌霄城), the headquarters of the Snowy Mountain School. As the granddaughter of the zhangmen, she was treated like a princess by the school’s members. She was beautiful, gentle, and well-mannered, embodying traditional feminine virtues.
The violation by Shi Zhongyu
When Bai Axiu was thirteen years old, Shi Zhongyu, a fifteen-year-old disciple of the Snowy Mountain School, attempted to rape her. He bound her hands and feet and stripped her, but servants discovered the attack before the violation could be completed.
Despite having her honour preserved, Bai Axiu was so overcome with shame that she cried for three days before jumping from a cliff, intending to kill herself.
Rescue and recovery
Shi Xiaocui, who had left Lingxiao City after a conflict with Bai Zizai, found Bai Axiu at the bottom of the cliff and saved her life. The two left the Snowy Mountain School together and travelled to the central plains to recover from the trauma.
Encounter with Ding Busi
While travelling, Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu encountered Ding Busi, who had long been infatuated with Shi Xiaocui. Ding Busi attempted to force them to visit Biluo Island (碧螺岛) with him. To resist, Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu practised the Wuwang Divine Skill (无妄神功) too intensely, causing their bodies to become paralysed.
Meeting Shi Potian
Shi Potian happened upon the scene and rescued Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu from Ding Busi. The three were swept by the current to Purple Mist Island (紫烟岛), where they were stranded together.
When Shi Xiaocui first saw Shi Potian, she mistook him for Shi Zhongyu and nearly killed him. However, Bai Axiu, using only her intuition, immediately recognised that Shi Potian was different from Shi Zhongyu. She saw his pure and honest nature, recognising that despite their identical appearance, their characters were completely opposite.
Falling in love
On Purple Mist Island, Bai Axiu and Shi Potian spent time together while Shi Xiaocui taught Shi Potian the Golden Crow Blade Technique. Bai Axiu also taught Shi Potian a technique called ‘Side Attack’ (旁敲侧击) to help preserve her father’s reputation in future confrontations.
Through their interactions, Bai Axiu came to appreciate Shi Potian’s genuine kindness and honesty. The two fell in love, their relationship representing the purest form of love in the novel—based on mutual understanding and respect rather than superficial attraction.
Return to Lingxiao City
When Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu returned to Lingxiao City with the Reward Good Punish Evil messengers, they discovered the school was in turmoil. Bai Zizai had gone mad, and the senior disciples had attempted to seize power. With Shi Potian’s help, the crisis was resolved, and Bai Zizai’s sanity was restored.
The pact and reunion
Before Shi Potian left for Xiake Island, Bai Axiu made a pact with him: if he did not return by the third day of the third month, she and Shi Xiaocui would commit suicide by jumping into the sea. This demonstrated her deep love and commitment to Shi Potian.
When the deadline passed (though they had not accounted for an intercalary month), Bai Axiu and Shi Xiaocui prepared to carry out their plan. However, Shi Potian returned just in time to save them, and the lovers were reunited.
Personality and characteristics
Gentle and virtuous
Bai Axiu embodied traditional feminine virtues: she was gentle, well-mannered, and virtuous. Her character represented the ideal of feminine grace and purity, contrasting with the more worldly and manipulative Ding Dang.
Intuitive wisdom
Bai Axiu’s most remarkable quality was her ability to recognise Shi Potian’s true nature through intuition alone. While others, including the Reward Good Punish Evil messengers, could distinguish between Shi Potian and Shi Zhongyu through their martial arts, Bai Axiu recognised the difference purely through her intuitive understanding of their characters.
This ability demonstrated that true understanding comes from the heart rather than from intellectual analysis, aligning with the novel’s themes about the nature of knowledge and wisdom.
Strength in gentleness
Despite her gentle appearance, Bai Axiu possessed inner strength and determination. Her willingness to commit suicide rather than live without Shi Potian showed her capacity for deep commitment and sacrifice. Her character demonstrated that gentleness and strength were not mutually exclusive.
Relationship with Shi Potian
Bai Axiu’s relationship with Shi Potian represented the purest form of love in the novel. Unlike Ding Dang, who was attracted to Shi Zhongyu’s superficial charm, Bai Axiu loved Shi Potian for his genuine virtue and honesty. Their relationship was based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared values.
Martial arts abilities
Bai Axiu was skilled in the Snowy Mountain Swordplay, having been trained in the techniques of the Snowy Mountain School. However, her true strength lay not in martial prowess but in her intuitive understanding of people and her ability to recognise true virtue.
Behind the scenes
Bai Axiu serves as a symbol of pure virtue and intuitive wisdom. Her character demonstrates that true understanding comes from the heart rather than from intellectual knowledge. Her ability to recognise Shi Potian’s true nature, despite their identical appearance, reinforces the novel’s themes about the nature of identity and authenticity.
The character’s name, ‘Bai Axiu’ (白阿绣), meaning ‘White Elegant Embroidery’, reflects her refined and gentle nature. Her relationship with Shi Potian represents the ideal of love based on genuine understanding and mutual respect, contrasting with the superficial attractions that drive other characters in the novel.
Bai Axiu’s character also explores themes of trauma and recovery. Despite the violation she suffered, she was able to find love and happiness with Shi Potian, demonstrating resilience and the possibility of healing after trauma.