Zhu Hao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Zhu Hao (朱浩)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Li Family; formerly from Prefecture City 18
Occupation/Role	Li Family patrolman; practitioner and instructor of the Entangling Ape Fist 18 55
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 18

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First Stage Perfected	18	Demonstrates considerable practical combat experience and defeats Wang Dongcheng in a spar with Entangling Ape Fist.
Half-step Second Level	30	Recovered from Zhao Hubiao’s assault with Li Family medicine; states that his recovery has brought him half a step into the Second Level.
Second Level Entry	47	Breaks through the Blood Essence bottleneck following an epiphany.

Background

Zhu Hao originated from Prefecture City and practices the Entangling Ape Fist, a martial art passed down through his family. After offending an unspecified person in Prefecture City, he fled to Changhe County and entered the Li Family’s service to make a living 18.

At the Li Family’s South Pier, he establishes himself as one of the more capable sponsored patrolmen by defeating Wang Dongcheng. Chief Patrolman Li Zhiming subsequently grants him second-class sponsorship, including an additional five taels of silver per month and one hundred catties of meat 19.

Appearance

Zhu Hao is a tall, straight-bodied man with unusually long arms, a build that complements the extended reach of his fist art. He is also described as lean and monkey-like in appearance 18 30.

• Long arms suited to close-range entangling and whipping strikes 18 19
• Usually wears a green martial outfit while on patrol 30
• His fighting posture and movements evoke an agile ape 18 19

Personality

Zhu Hao is straightforward, candid, and enthusiastic about martial arts. He readily recognizes superior skill, accepts defeat without resentment, and eagerly discusses techniques with Lin Mo after their spars 20 48.

Despite initially advising caution against opponents beyond their level, he is willing to risk himself for duty and comrades. When Zhao Hubiao appears, Zhu Hao tells Lin Mo to seek reinforcements while he attempts to delay the Second Level fugitive himself 24. His confidence can exceed his judgment, however; he realizes too late that he cannot withstand Zhao Hubiao in direct combat 24.

He takes genuine satisfaction in guiding Lin Mo through the process of locating Blood Qi Bottlenecks, even if Lin Mo’s exceptional speed leaves him stunned 49.

Abilities & Skills

Entangling Ape Fist

Zhu Hao’s family martial art is a close-quarters fist style built around long-reaching arms, fluid body movement, and continuous force.

• Channels power from the waist and back through the shoulders, arms, and fingertips 18 19
• Uses long arms like whips to pressure opponents from changing angles 19
• Closes distance to negate the advantage of opponents with longer-legged striking styles 18
• Employs techniques such as Entangling Hand, Chain Linking Hands, and Long Bridge Reaches the Sea 19 24 48
• Can transmit multiple waves of force through a single strike or shoulder charge after reaching the Second Level 47 48
• Its continuous, unpredictable changes allowed him to defeat Wang Dongcheng while avoiding a crippling injury to his opponent 19

Practical Combat Experience

Zhu Hao’s fighting style reflects extensive real-world experience rather than purely formal training.

• Defeats multiple opponents in succession while keeping his breathing steady 19
• Identifies the substantial gap between First and Second Level Martial Artists and advises against rashly confronting Zhao Hubiao 24
• Returns to active water-ghost clearing soon after recovering from severe injuries 30
• Works effectively with Li Hao against a Second Level opponent, using Entangling Ape Fist to bear the brunt of the engagement 32

Cultivation Knowledge

Having received martial instruction in Prefecture City, Zhu Hao possesses detailed knowledge of Blood Essence cultivation and realm advancement.

• Teaches Lin Mo to slow and regulate his Blood Essence circulation to locate Blood Qi Bottlenecks 48 49
• Explains that three bottlenecks must be opened to advance from the First to the Second Level 49
• Describes the progression of major meridians as “three, six, nine, twelve,” culminating in thirty main meridians before Martial Master advancement 49

Relationships

• Lin Mo — Fellow Li Family patrolman, sparring partner, and close friend. Zhu Hao initially loses to Lin Mo but accepts the result graciously; Lin Mo later saves his life against Zhao Hubiao. Their shared dangers develop into a life-and-death bond, and Zhu Hao helps Lin Mo train and understand Second Level advancement 20 24 47 49.
• Li Zhiming — Chief Patrolman who sponsors Zhu Hao at the Li Family and oversees his treatment after his near-fatal clash with Zhao Hubiao 19 25.
• Li Hao — Fellow water-ghost-clearing teammate. The two fight alongside Lin Mo at East Third Pier and coordinate effectively against stronger opponents 30 32.
• Wang Dongcheng — Fellow Li Family patrolman and sparring opponent. Zhu Hao defeats him through the close-range strengths of Entangling Ape Fist 18 19.
• Sun Dasheng — Sun Family head who hires Zhu Hao as an Entangling Ape Fist instructor after learning the art may help with replenishing the kidneys and consolidating essence 55.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Li Family Patrolman

Zhu Hao is introduced during the Li Family patrolmen’s sparring session, where he defeats Wang Dongcheng and earns second-class sponsorship. He then spars Lin Mo, forcing Lin Mo to apply the Insightful Eye in actual combat; Lin Mo ultimately wins after exploiting Zhu Hao’s fatigue and an opening in his breathing 18 20.

Zhao Hubiao Pursuit

While stationed with Lin Mo, Zhu Hao encounters the fleeing Tiger Gang leader Zhao Hubiao. He volunteers to hold the Second Level fugitive back while Lin Mo seeks help, but is gravely injured within a few exchanges. Lin Mo intervenes and incapacitates Zhao Hubiao, while Zhu Hao is sent to Guo’s Pharmacy for treatment 24 25.

Water Ghost Crisis

After recovering, Zhu Hao joins Lin Mo and Li Hao in clearing water ghosts at East Third Pier. His long-reaching fist art proves effective at decapitating the creatures, and he later helps Li Hao restrain a Second Level enemy while Lin Mo handles another threat 30 32.

Lin Mo’s Sparring Partner and Guide

Following his own breakthrough to Second Level Entry, Zhu Hao agrees to repeatedly spar with Lin Mo as he learns the Jade Shattering Flowing Water Fist. He provides the pressure needed for Lin Mo to grasp its force-dissipating principles, then teaches him how to identify Blood Qi Bottlenecks before a realm breakthrough 47 49.

Changhe County Selection Contest

Zhu Hao accompanies Lin Mo to Changhe County’s selection contest, offering commentary and vocal support during Lin Mo’s matches. During the event, Sun Dasheng recruits him to teach the Entangling Ape Fist while allowing him to retain his Li Family benefits 51 55 56.