Zhao Fang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Zhao Fang (赵方)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Lin'an City yamen; secretly the Eternal Life Alliance 27
Occupation/Role	Magistrate of Lin'an City for approximately twenty years 12
Status	Deceased; died by suicide after confessing his crimes 27 28
First Appearance	Chapter 12

Background / History

Zhao Fang served as Lin'an City's magistrate for nearly two decades, remaining in office through several demon and specter calamities. His continued service gave him a reputation as a steadfast and caring official among local residents and even Shen Changqing, who initially admired him. 12 13

Behind this public image, Zhao Fang had joined the Eternal Life Alliance through Zhuang Mingyuan. His primary motive was to extend his lifespan; he believed that without the aid of demons and evil spirits, he had only ten to twenty years left to live. 27

Working with Zhuang Mingyuan and Chief Constable Zhang Long, Zhao Fang helped sacrifice Ancient Moon Village to nurture the Nether-Rank specter Blood Soul. The conspirators expected Blood Soul to consume Demon Suppression Bureau personnel and advance in rank. 16 20 23

When Blood Soul's advancement remained uncertain, Zhao Fang agreed to consider sacrificing further villages. Under Zhuang Mingyuan's persuasion, he ultimately accepted a plan to sacrifice all of Lin'an City's hundred thousand residents to create a Baleful-Rank Specter and earn standing within the Eternal Life Alliance. 20 21

Personality

Zhao Fang was outwardly composed, polite, and skilled at maintaining the bearing of a conscientious magistrate. He welcomed Shen Changqing warmly, praised his dedication, and presented himself as a long-serving official concerned with Lin'an City's safety. 12 23

His actions were driven by fear of death and desire for a longer life. Though initially troubled by the prospect of sacrificing more people, he rationalized the murder of villagers and eventually regarded Lin'an City's destruction as an acceptable price for his own advancement. 20 21 27

After his exposure, Zhao Fang remained calm enough to await Shen Changqing's return rather than attempt escape. He later confessed his involvement with the Eternal Life Alliance in hopes of preserving a chance of survival for the Zhao Family. 24 27

Abilities & Skills

Political Authority

As Lin'an City's magistrate, Zhao Fang controlled the yamen and could issue orders to constables and yamen runners.

• Held the magistrate's office for approximately twenty years. 12
• Used his authority and local reputation to conceal his alliance with demons and evil spirits. 12 23
• Ordered villagers relocated and Ancient Moon Village sealed off after the killings, helping maintain the cover story. 12

Lack of Martial Cultivation

Zhao Fang was an ordinary human with no martial arts or cultivation.

• Could not resist Shen Changqing's attack and relied on Zhuang Mingyuan to intervene. 23
• The Pure Spirit Jade Pendant showed no sign that he had transformed into a demon or evil spirit. 28

Relationships

• Shen Changqing — Initially received him as a Demon Suppression Bureau envoy; later exposed by him as a collaborator with demons and interrogated before his suicide. 12 23 27
• Zhuang Mingyuan — Eternal Life Alliance intermediary and co-conspirator who introduced Zhao Fang to the alliance and urged him to make increasingly large human sacrifices. 20 21 27
• Zhang Long — Lin'an City's chief constable and fellow conspirator; assisted the plot to lure Demon Suppressors to Ancient Moon Village. 16 23
• Blood Soul — Nether-Rank specter nurtured through the sacrifice of Ancient Moon Village; Zhao Fang's group intended to advance it further through additional massacres. 20 21
• Zhao Family — His family benefited from his position and became implicated in the consequences of his treason after his death. 27 32

Story Role / Major Arcs

Lin'an City Assessment Mission

Zhao Fang receives Shen Changqing upon his arrival in Lin'an City and presents the demon incident at Ancient Moon Village as a matter requiring investigation. He directs Shen toward Zhang Long for local details while concealing their conspiracy. 12

Exposure and Confrontation

After Shen Changqing kills Zhang Long and destroys Blood Soul, he storms the yamen with Zhang Long's severed head. Zhao Fang denies the accusations until Zhuang Mingyuan reveals his demonic form while protecting him, confirming Shen's charges before the constables. 23

Confession and Suicide

Following Zhuang Mingyuan's death, Zhao Fang admits that he cooperated with demons and evil spirits for longevity and identifies the Eternal Life Alliance as the organization behind the plot. He gives Shen an Eternal Life Alliance token, states that no other alliance forces remain in Lin'an City, and kills himself with a dagger. 27

Posthumous Judgment

The Demon Suppression Bureau verifies Zhao Fang's treason through the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant's preserved imprints. Great Qin subsequently orders the execution of nine degrees of the Zhao Family's kin, confiscates the family's assets, and publicly executes more than 180 family members in Lin'an City. 31 32 42 48

Trivia

• Zhao Fang's Eternal Life Alliance token was silver-white, bore a savage demon image on one side and the words “Eternal Life” on the other, and could be burned to ash by fire. 27
• Despite serving as magistrate for twenty years, Zhao Fang's death did not spare his family from punishment under Great Qin law. 27 32