Zhao Zhonghe

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhao Zhonghe (赵中河)
Alias(es)	Captain Zhao; Constable Zhao; True Lord Xuantan (past life)
Species/Race	Human; later revealed to be the reincarnation of True Lord Xuantan 415
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Linhe/Linjiang Government Office; county yamen
Occupation/Role	Patrol Captain; constable; later county captain 12 175
Status	Deceased in his mortal life; continues on the Yin River Ancient Path as True Lord Xuantan 415
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Inner Refinement / approaching Meridian Opening	43	Xu Qing senses that Zhao's martial cultivation is at least at the Inner Refinement level and may be nearing Meridian Opening.
Meridian Opening	209	Explicitly identified as a Meridian Opening martial artist.
Reawakened True Lord Xuantan	415	After his mortal death, Zhao Zhonghe is encountered on the Yin River Ancient Path as True Lord Xuantan.

Appearance

Zhao Zhonghe is a tall, powerfully built constable whose imposing presence is reinforced by his dark face, thick beard, and stern bearing. In old age, he retains a full head of white hair. 109 295 414

• Tall and burly, with an imposing build 109
• Dark-faced and thick-bearded, giving him the look of a war god during ritual dress 295
• Carries himself with a stern, intimidating air 12
• White-haired in later life 414

Personality

Zhao is blunt, hot-blooded, and initially quick to judge. He dislikes anything he considers unlucky or morbid, which contributes to his early hostility toward Xu Qing and the funeral trade. He is skeptical of diviners and supernatural claims, though direct encounters gradually force him to become more cautious. 20 130

Beneath his rough manner, Zhao is conscientious and deeply loyal to those under his protection. He takes dangerous cases seriously, risks himself for his nephew, and personally spends a significant sum to ensure a fallen yamen runner receives a dignified funeral. 109 110 129 207

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts

Zhao is a capable martial artist with strong blood vitality and considerable physical courage.

• Reaches at least the Inner Refinement level before advancing to Meridian Opening. 43 209
• Is considered robust, courageous, and naturally suited to physically demanding tasks. 295
• Remains willing to confront dangerous suspects and supernatural incidents in person. 110 201

Investigation and Law Enforcement

As a constable, Zhao is methodical in gathering evidence and directing official responses.

• Inspects identification plaques and travel permits while monitoring Linhe Fang. 20
• Leads the response to the drained corpses at Baishakou and identifies the Water Worker Daoist of Tianwu Temple as the likely culprit. 109
• Questions Xu Qing about the corpse-retrieval incident and accepts his account after finding it consistent with the evidence. 109
• Organizes constables and soldiers to identify agitators during a public execution. 295
• Pursues criminal leads promptly, including the investigation of Kong Youde and Guai Guai. 278

Improvised Ritual Work

Zhao has no confidence in shamanic rites, but will endure embarrassment when public safety is at stake.

• Reluctantly impersonates an Eight Banners Marshal vanguard to sprinkle Blood Lake Dharma Realm dew over suspicious executed corpses. 295
• Claims to be possessed by the City God in order to justify the intervention and prevent panic. 295

Equipment

• Dog Beating Staff — A smooth, unusually straight staff Zhao carries at his belt. Xu Qing later comes into possession of it, but Zhao remains strongly attached to it and seeks its return. 12 20 414

Relationships

• Xu Qing — Initially antagonistic toward the undertaker and repeatedly clashes with him over his work and the Dog Beating Staff. Their relationship develops into trust: Zhao commissions funerals from Xu Qing, relies on him during supernatural cases, and eventually accepts his help regarding his past-life identity. 20 30 129 207 414 415
• Zhao Yuan — His nephew and fellow constable. Zhao encourages him after his examination failure and tries to protect him during the Baisha Ferry incident. 55 110
• Shi Quan — A yamen runner whose death Zhao takes personally. Zhao arranges an unusually proper funeral because Shi Quan was close to him and died on his behalf. 129
• Fu Luan Shang Ren — Recognizes Zhao's resemblance to the historical True Lord Xuantan when Xu Qing brings Zhao to interpret his recurring nightmare. 414
• Zhao Zhonghe's child — A diviner predicts the child will earn great fame yet die young, prompting Zhao's anger and later unease. 130

History

Early Constable Service

Zhao is already serving as a constable when he encounters the dangers surrounding Corpse Laborers. Although he knows such matters cannot be publicized, he repeatedly pressures Manager Cui to investigate safety hazards at the mill. 3

His early encounters with Xu Qing are openly hostile. Zhao dismisses Xu Qing as effeminate and perfumed, while Xu Qing resents Zhao for keeping the Dog Beating Staff. The two repeatedly part on bad terms and nearly come to blows at the brokerage. 12 20 30

Baishakou Investigation

When corpse retrievers are found drained of blood at Baishakou, Zhao leads constables and yamen runners to investigate. He identifies the Water Worker Daoist of Tianwu Temple as the likely culprit and chooses to recover the victims' bodies immediately rather than delay until morning. 109

During the subsequent confrontation at Baisha Ferry, Zhao and Zhao Yuan fall into the river while attempting to save Xu Qing. Xu Qing later hides the unconscious uncle and nephew in a sand pit, where they are expected to recover by dawn. 110 111

Growing Respect for Xu Qing

Zhao's dealings with Xu Qing become more cooperative after the Baishakou case. He asks Xu Qing to oversee Shi Quan's burial despite the expense and social custom of giving low-ranking yamen runners only modest funerals. 129

After witnessing the funeral of another fallen colleague, Zhao pays Xu Qing ten taels—roughly two months of a constable's salary—and leaves additional money as a deposit for future funerals of his yamen brothers. 207

When Linhe Fang is promoted to Linjiang County, Zhao is also elevated from patrol captain to county captain. He nevertheless continues to caution Xu Qing against causing disruptions with his undertaker business. 175

Reawakening as True Lord Xuantan

In his later years, Zhao suffers recurring dreams of powerful evil ghosts, a dark Great Worm, and the sounds of tigers and leopards. Xu Qing introduces him to Fu Luan Shang Ren, who sees a connection between Zhao and the historical True Lord Xuantan. 414

Xu Qing offers Zhao a Three Lives Stone Dew that can awaken his True Spirit and allow him to resume cultivation. Zhao refuses to abandon his mortal responsibilities immediately, choosing first to return home and settle his affairs. 415

Two years later, Xu Qing personally conducts Zhao's funeral. Zhao Zhonghe's mortal life ends at Wujiu Slope, while True Lord Xuantan appears on the Yin River Ancient Path and continues onward. 415

Notable Quotes

“Tomorrow has its own matters. Since we're here, we should at least send the corpses from Baishakou back to the Yamen first.” 109

“I live a life on the edge of a knife, who knows when I'll have to trouble Shopkeeper Xu.” 207

“Consider my ass!” 415