Bai Zizai (simplified: 白自在, traditional: 白自在, pinyin: Bái Zìzài, jyutping: baak6 zi6 zoi6), known as Mister Virtue and Power (威德先生), was the zhangmen of the Snowy Mountain School and ruler of Lingxiao City (凌霄城). In his youth, he consumed various rare substances that enhanced his neili, and he became zhangmen at the age of thirty, teaching his junior disciples in place of his deceased master. These achievements led to extreme arrogance and self-importance that eventually drove him to madness.
Biography
Early achievements
Bai Zizai’s exceptional martial arts abilities came from consuming rare substances found on Great Snow Mountain that enhanced neili. Combined with his natural talent, he became zhangmen of the Snowy Mountain School at thirty and ruled Lingxiao City for decades, dominating the western regions.
He married Shi Xiaocui and had a son, Bai Wanjian, known as ‘Cold Air of the Northwest’ (气寒西北). Bai Wanjian later married and had a daughter, Bai Axiu, whom Bai Zizai deeply cherished.
The crisis with Shi Zhongyu
When Shi Zhongyu, a disciple of the Snowy Mountain School, attempted to rape Bai Axiu, the thirteen-year-old girl jumped from a cliff in shame. Although she was saved by Shi Xiaocui, the incident devastated Bai Zizai. In his fury, he cut off the right arm of Shi Zhongyu’s master, Feng Wanli, known as ‘Wind Fire Divine Dragon’ (风火神龙), and ordered Shi Zhongyu’s execution.
This incident caused a rift between Bai Zizai and Shi Xiaocui. When Bai Zizai struck his wife, she left Lingxiao City in anger, taking Bai Axiu with her.
Descent into madness
After Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu left, Ding Busi and Ding Busan visited Lingxiao City. Ding Busi, who had long been infatuated with Shi Xiaocui, falsely claimed that she had gone with him to Biluo Island (碧螺岛). Although Bai Zizai defeated Ding Busi and expelled him, the lie took root in his mind.
Bai Zizai’s mental state deteriorated rapidly. He began demanding that all disciples address him as ‘the greatest hero, greatest warrior, greatest xia, and greatest master in history—first in swordplay, first in unarmed combat, first in neili, and first in hidden weapons’. Anyone who failed to show proper respect faced severe punishment: some had their legs cut off, while others were killed outright.
Several disciples, including Lu, Su Wanhong, and Yan, were killed by Bai Zizai. Two physicians of Lingxiao City also died at his hands. Seven disciples, fearing for their lives, fled the school together.
Imprisonment
Feng Wanli and the other senior disciples, unable to control Bai Zizai, drugged his food and imprisoned him in a stone chamber with iron chains. However, when Bai Wanjian returned with Shi Potian (mistaken for Shi Zhongyu) and Shi Qing and Min Rou, the other senior disciples attempted to seize power, leading to internal conflict within the school.
Recovery and redemption
When Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu returned to Lingxiao City with the Reward Good Punish Evil messengers, the full extent of the crisis was revealed. To save her husband, Shi Xiaocui arranged for Shi Potian to spar with Bai Zizai. When Bai Zizai discovered that Shi Potian’s neili far exceeded his own, he finally realised the extent of his delusion and acknowledged his mistakes.
Bai Zizai secretly took the Reward Good Punish Evil token and went to Xiake Island, intending to sacrifice himself for the school. On the island, he witnessed Shi Potian’s mastery of Tai Xuan Jing and participated in the gathering of martial arts masters. After Shi Potian solved the secret of the Tai Xuan Jing, Bai Zizai and the other masters were able to return to the mainland.
Reconciliation
On the return journey, Bai Zizai realised he had missed the deadline he had set with Shi Xiaocui. However, when the ship approached the coast, Shi Potian saved Shi Xiaocui and Bai Axiu, who had been about to commit suicide by jumping into the sea. Bai Zizai discovered that there had been an intercalary month (闰月), so the deadline had not actually passed. The family was reunited, and Bai Zizai helped Shi Qing and Min Rou find Mei Fanggu.
Personality and characteristics
Arrogance and self-importance
Bai Zizai’s defining characteristic was his extreme arrogance. His early achievements—becoming zhangmen at thirty and dominating the western regions—led him to believe he was unparalleled in the wulin. This arrogance blinded him to his own limitations and the abilities of others.
Transformation through crisis
Bai Zizai’s descent into madness demonstrated how pride and isolation could corrupt even a powerful master. However, his eventual recognition of his mistakes and willingness to sacrifice himself for the school showed that true redemption was possible through humility and self-awareness.
Relationship with family
Despite his arrogance, Bai Zizai deeply loved his family, particularly his granddaughter Bai Axiu. The crisis that nearly destroyed his school was triggered by his protective rage over her attempted violation. His reconciliation with Shi Xiaocui and the family’s eventual reunion showed the importance of family bonds.
Martial arts abilities
Neili
Bai Zizai’s neili was greatly enhanced by consuming rare substances from Great Snow Mountain in his youth. This gave him exceptional power, though his arrogance prevented him from recognising that others might surpass him.
Snowy Mountain Swordplay
Bai Zizai mastered the Snowy Mountain Swordplay (雪山剑法), the signature technique of the Snowy Mountain School. The seventy-two-move technique incorporated the forms of plum blossoms, reflecting the school’s aesthetic and the founder’s love of plum trees.
Divine Tumble Three Continuous Strikes
Bai Zizai’s signature technique was the Divine Tumble Three Continuous Strikes (神倒鬼跌三连环), a three-move combination that grabbed the opponent’s neck, chest, and tripped them with a leg sweep. Many renowned heroes had fallen to this technique.
Behind the scenes
Bai Zizai serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and self-importance. His character demonstrates how power and isolation can corrupt even the most accomplished masters. His eventual redemption through recognising his limitations and sacrificing himself for others shows that true greatness comes from humility rather than self-aggrandisement.
The character’s name, ‘Bai Zizai’ (白自在), meaning ‘White Freedom’ or ‘White Self-Reliance’, ironically reflects his ultimate imprisonment by his own arrogance. His transformation from a respected master to a mad tyrant and back to a humbled leader illustrates the novel’s themes about the nature of true virtue and the importance of self-awareness.