Zhao Rong

Biodata

Background / History

Zhao Rong served as the Zhao Family’s external affairs manager at its Black Water City shelter. When Yan Kui bent a steel spear bare-handed to gain entry, Zhao Rong immediately abandoned the guards’ contemptuous attitude, admitted Yan Kui into the shelter, and arranged for his background to be investigated. He assigned Yan Kui a secluded stone house while attempting to placate and monitor him. 12

After Zhao Family guards disappeared while attempting to seize Lin Xiaowan, Zhao Rong personally arrived to search Yan Kui’s room under the pretext of a routine inspection. He ordered his guards to attack when Yan Kui refused. 13 14

Yan Kui defeated Zhao Rong’s guards, captured Zhao Rong, and forced him to cooperate. Zhao Rong promptly accepted Yan Kui’s explanation for the dead guards, agreed to report their deaths as a walking-corpse attack, and accepted Lin Xiaowan as Yan Kui’s supposed token of allegiance. He then brought her to Zhao Wuji and relayed Yan Kui’s request for an audience. 14

Following Zhao Wuji’s acceptance of Yan Kui, Zhao Rong escorted him to the Zhao Family Treasure Vault and treated him with greater respect as a newly appointed protector. 15 He later served as one of the protectors at the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array, where Yan Kui revealed his betrayal and killed him with the Bone Shattering Hammer. 16

Appearance

Zhao Rong is a middle-aged man who presents himself as a refined Zhao Family official, though his manner becomes markedly less composed when threatened.

• Dresses as a scholar and wears silk robes. 12
• Appears frail at first glance but has sharp, watchful eyes. 12
• Has an effeminate voice. 13

Personality

Zhao Rong is calculating and opportunistic. Upon seeing Yan Kui’s strength, he quickly changed from suspicion to polite accommodation, intending to investigate Yan Kui’s identity while keeping him under Zhao Family control. 12

He relies on intimidation when acting from a position of authority, using a room search as a means to threaten or remove an uncontrollable outsider. Once Yan Kui seized him, however, Zhao Rong became openly fearful and immediately adapted his story to protect himself. 14

His loyalty is tied to personal advantage. Delivering Lin Xiaowan to Zhao Wuji delighted him because he expected a reward and considered the loss of several guards insignificant. 14

Abilities & Skills

Mortal Combat Ability

Zhao Rong is described as a peak mortal expert and is included among the Zhao Family’s core protectors during the Blood Sacrifice Grand Array. 16 17

• Carries a Fine Iron Long Saber. 16
• Commands Zhao Family half-corpse guards and directs their formations during combat. 14
• Was unable to withstand Yan Kui’s speed and strength after Yan Kui’s Raging Bull Fist limit break. 16

Equipment / Items

• Fine Iron Long Saber — used in an unsuccessful attempt to block Yan Kui’s Bone Shattering Hammer. 16
• Zhao Family authority — uses his office to arrange shelter access, conduct investigations, and direct guards. 12 14

Relationships

• Yan Kui — Initially regards Yan Kui as an unknown and dangerous outsider; later submits after being captured and brings him before Zhao Wuji. Yan Kui ultimately kills him during the blood sacrifice ritual. 12 14 16
• Zhao Wuji — Zhao Family ancestor whom Zhao Rong serves; reports the recovery of Lin Xiaowan and Yan Kui’s offer of allegiance to him. 14
• Lin Xiaowan — Helps return her to Zhao Wuji as an Extreme Yin Body intended for the ancestor’s ritual. 14
• Zhao Family guards — Commands guards during the attempted search of Yan Kui’s quarters and orders them to use the Soul Locking Net. 14

Notable Quotes

“While you possess some brute strength, if you intend to cause trouble here, you've likely miscalculated.” 14

“That was because they were incompetent! They deserved to die!” 14