Zhao Lie

Biodata

Name	Zhao Lie
Original Name	赵烈
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Foreign Repelling Camp; Nine Suns Commandery military
Occupation/Role	General; Suppressing Barbarians Commandant / Tiger-Subduing Commandant / Bandit-Subduing Colonel
Status	Alive; severely injured during the Golden Frost Barbarians' siege of Nine Suns City
First Appearance	Chapter 189

Power Progression

Chapter	Cultivation / Development	Details
189	Seventh Layer of the Blood Aperture Realm	Zhao Lie's inner-force aura and killing intent suppress the assembled martial artists during the Foreign Repelling Camp muster 189.
270	Peak Seventh Layer of the Blood Aperture Realm	Qin Yao judges, from Zhao Lie's Thunder Dragon Halberd, that Zhao Lie has cultivated to the peak of the seventh Blood Aperture Realm layer 270.
340	Inner-force probing	Zhao Lie secretly sends a thread of inner force into Qin Yao while patting his shoulder, correctly determining that Qin Yao has reached the ninth Blood Aperture Realm layer 340.
567	Seriously wounded	Zhao Lie is stationed at Nine Suns City's west gate during the Golden Frost Barbarians' siege, but prior injuries leave him with a broken leg and unable to perform a formal salute 567.

Background / History

Zhao Lie is introduced as a fourth-rank general overseeing the muster of martial artists in the Foreign Repelling Camp. He assigns recruits to battle squads according to cultivation level and gives the strongest lineup to the newly formed Sharp Blade Squad, explaining that its superior resources match its dangerous missions 189 190.

During the initial muster, Zhao Lie responds harshly to dissent. When a martial artist questions the assignment strategy, Zhao Lie executes him, establishing military discipline through fear 189 190.

Zhao Lie had previously selected the experienced Mao Yuchong as Yu Xiaoqian's deputy, recognizing that Mao's battlefield judgment greatly exceeded Yu Xiaoqian's despite her superior individual martial strength. He instructs Yu Xiaoqian to heed Mao's advice in military matters 193.

After the Sharp Blade Squad returns from a disastrous battle, Zhao Lie interrogates Mao Yuchong and the survivors. He initially doubts the claim that Qin Yao killed Hu Kecha, a Fifth Layer Blood Aperture Realm Silver Frost Warrior, and checks the Golden Frost wolf-fang pendants himself before accepting that the evidence is genuine 241 242.

Zhao Lie later acknowledges Qin Yao as the true core of the Sharp Blade Squad and promises to seek justice over Yu Xiaoqian’s desertion, but he also admits the Yu Family’s influence will delay action. Qin Yao recognizes this as stalling rather than real justice 244.

When Qin Yao and Yu Yanghai clash in Nine Suns City, Zhao Lie intervenes by invoking the Golden Frost Barbarian threat and frames internal conflict as a danger to the entire Northern Frontier. He then proposes using both Qin Yao and Yu Yanghai as “spears” against the barbarians, privately benefiting from the arrangement and selling Qin Yao’s supposed secret-art information to Yu Yanghai for 30,000 taels of silver 257 259.

Zhao Lie becomes interested in Qin Yao’s forging skill after learning that Qin Yao purchased large quantities of five-hundred-forged material. He disguises himself as a wounded veteran to observe Qin Yao firsthand, then reveals himself and commissions Qin Yao to forge a fitted suit of five-hundred-refined armor 266 267 268.

To secure the commission, Zhao Lie allows Qin Yao to briefly read his personal martial manual, Thunder Dragon Halberd, and pays a 5,000-tael deposit for the armor 270. After receiving the completed half-armor, he praises Qin Yao’s craft as comparable to grand masters in the Imperial Capital, but tries to delay the remaining payment. Qin Yao instead asks him to protect Old Master Qin and Qin Lan while he is away; Zhao Lie gives a formal guarantee 276 277.

Zhao Lie later grows wary of Qin Yao’s influence in the camp, especially when Qin Yao’s generosity wins over soldiers and threatens Zhao Lie’s authority 281 318. After Qin Yao secretly attacks Yu Residence and Zhao Residence while disguised as City Lord Sima Zhongshi, Zhao Lie reports the suspicious aftermath to Sima Zhongshi but incorrectly judges Qin Yao incapable of killing Yu Danhe, believing Qin Yao was only at the ninth layer of the Blood Aperture Realm 338 340.

Following Qin Yao’s overwhelming accumulation of battle merit, Zhao Lie openly supports him as the leading candidate for the Foreign Repelling Spearhead title. After Qin Yao passes General Ke Leiyong’s hidden assessment, Zhao Lie explains that he and Sima Zhongshi had been bound by secrecy orders and blood oaths not to reveal Ke’s identity before a soldier met the required standard 327 328.

During the Golden Frost Barbarians’ later siege of Nine Suns City, Zhao Lie is stationed at the west gate and is severely injured before he can witness Qin Yao turn the battle. When Qin Yao subsequently returns as the Principal Second Rank Northern Expedition General, Zhao Lie is stunned by his former subordinate’s rise and becomes markedly humble, asking Qin Yao to call him “Little Zhao” rather than “General” 567.

Personality

Zhao Lie is calm, authoritative, and quick to enforce discipline. He maintains composure during disputes and uses military hierarchy to silence challenges, including executing a recruit who questions strategy 189 190.

He is pragmatic and politically flexible. Although he recognizes Yu Xiaoqian’s desertion and Qin Yao’s merit, he hesitates to act directly because of the Yu Family’s influence in Nine Suns Commandery 244.

Zhao Lie is calculating and self-interested. He maneuvers Qin Yao and Yu Yanghai into conflict for military and political benefit, then profits personally by revealing Qin Yao’s supposed secret to Yu Yanghai for silver 259.

He is also opportunistic toward talent. Once Qin Yao proves his forging ability, Zhao Lie shifts from calling him “Squad Leader Qin” to “Brother Qin,” treating him as a useful equal when he wants armor forged 268.

Zhao Lie can recognize genuine military talent and battlefield merit, as shown by his early reliance on Mao Yuchong’s experience and his later public support for Qin Yao’s Foreign Repelling Spearhead candidacy 193 327.

Despite his political calculation and pride, Zhao Lie adapts quickly to formal hierarchy. Once Qin Yao becomes a Principal Second Rank Northern Expedition General, Zhao Lie abandons his former superior’s posture and treats him with pronounced deference 567.

Abilities & Skills

Military Command

Zhao Lie commands the Foreign Repelling Camp and organizes martial artists into battle squads based on strength and battlefield utility 189.

• Assigns high-cultivation recruits to dangerous squads such as Sharp Blade 189 190.
• Maintains discipline through intimidation and execution 190.
• Recognizes Mao Yuchong’s experience in marching and warfare and appoints him as Yu Xiaoqian’s deputy 193.
• Intervenes in public conflict by invoking the wider war against the Golden Frost Barbarians 257.
• Supports Qin Yao’s candidacy for the Foreign Repelling Spearhead title after his unprecedented battle-merit total 327.

Martial Cultivation

Zhao Lie is a high-level Blood Aperture Realm martial artist. Qin Yao infers that Zhao Lie’s cultivation has reached the peak of the seventh level of the Blood Aperture Realm through the Thunder Dragon Halberd 270.

• Known for mounted combat and long-halberd prowess in Nine Suns Commandery 270.
• His fighting reputation is tied to years of hard battles against the Golden Frost Barbarians 270.
• Uses inner force subtly enough to probe Qin Yao’s cultivation by patting his shoulder 340.
• His inner-force aura can project enough killing intent to pressure an entire muster ground of martial artists 189.
• Is seriously injured, including a broken leg, during the later siege of Nine Suns City 567.

Thunder Dragon Halberd

Thunder Dragon Halberd is Zhao Lie’s personal high-grade cultivation technique and martial skill, kept on his person for security 270.

• Emphasizes momentum, force, and unstoppable mounted charges 270.
• Includes techniques such as Thunder Dragon Emerges from the Sea and Thunder Dragon Swings Its Tail 270 273.
• Requires mounted combat to fully display its power 273.
• Zhao Lie has cultivated the art to a level that reveals his peak Seventh Layer Blood Aperture Realm cultivation 270.

Political Maneuvering

Zhao Lie frequently balances military necessity, personal gain, and local power politics.

• Delays action against Yu Xiaoqian because of the Yu Family’s influence 244.
• Uses Qin Yao and Yu Yanghai as mutual checks under the excuse of fighting barbarians 259.
• Sells information about Qin Yao’s “Nine Turns Life-and-Death Art” to Yu Yanghai for 30,000 taels 259.
• Insists that Qin Yao’s accusation against Yu Yanghai be handled through the City Lord because the available evidence is insufficient 317.
• Obeys secrecy orders concerning General Ke Leiyong’s role as a hidden examiner until Qin Yao fulfills the required standard 328.

Disguise and Observation

Zhao Lie is willing to personally verify rumors rather than rely on reports.

• Disguises himself as a bandaged wounded veteran to observe Qin Yao’s forging skill at the quartermaster smithy 268.
• Tests Qin Yao’s abilities and intentions through questioning, scrutiny, and controlled offers 242 270.
• Personally investigates the aftermath of the attacks on Yu Residence and Zhao Residence, though he is deceived by Qin Yao’s impersonation of Sima Zhongshi 338 340.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Thunder Dragon Halberd Manual — Zhao Lie’s personal high-grade martial manual, carried on his person and briefly lent to Qin Yao 270.
• Four-hundred-fold refined armor — Zhao Lie’s previous armor, worn down after years of campaigning 268.
• Five-hundred-forged half-body armor — Custom armor forged by Qin Yao; thick, sturdy, flexible, and suited to mounted halberd combat 270 276.
• Horse lance / polearm — Used by Zhao Lie to test the mobility of Qin Yao’s completed armor 276.
• Longquan kiln purple-gold tea ware — A beloved tea set destroyed during the raid on Zhao Residence, provoking Zhao Lie’s anger 340.

Relationships

• Qin Yao — Subordinate, useful talent, political threat, and eventually far higher-ranked superior. Zhao Lie doubts Qin Yao’s achievements, then values his archery and forging skill, commissions armor from him, and eventually grows wary of his influence. After Qin Yao becomes Northern Expedition General, Zhao Lie treats him with extreme humility 241 242 268 276 281 318 567.
• Mao Yuchong — Veteran subordinate whose testimony Zhao Lie trusts more than most. Zhao Lie recognizes Mao’s military judgment, assigns him as Yu Xiaoqian’s deputy, questions him closely about Qin Yao, and grants the Sharp Blade Squad leave after their return 193 242 244.
• Yu Xiaoqian — Noble subordinate whose battlefield desertion angers Zhao Lie, though her Yu Family background complicates punishment. He considers her foolish, greedy, and shameless after she attempts to immediately organize another squad to regain merit 229 230 244.
• Yu Yanghai — Political actor and Yu Family patriarch. Zhao Lie mediates between him and Qin Yao while privately using their enmity for military and political gain 257 259.
• Sima Zhongshi — City Lord of Nine Suns Commandery. Zhao Lie acts under or alongside his authority, reports suspicious events at the Yu Residence to him, and follows his instructions to strengthen camp security 259 340.
• Ke Leiyong — A higher-ranking general and secret examiner whose identity Zhao Lie is forbidden to disclose during the Foreign Repelling operation. Zhao Lie later confirms that Qin Yao earned Ke’s recognition through his own merit 328.
• Qin Dashan and Qin Lan — Qin Yao’s family members. Zhao Lie promises Qin Yao that they will not be harmed while he remains in the Foreign Repelling Camp 277.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Foreign Repelling Camp Muster

Zhao Lie establishes the camp’s military order, forms squads based on cultivation, and assigns Qin Yao and Mao Yuchong’s group to Sharp Blade, a squad expected to take on the hardest missions 189 190.

Sharp Blade Squad Aftermath

After the squad returns with heavy casualties, Zhao Lie investigates Yu Xiaoqian’s desertion and Qin Yao’s shocking battlefield record. His skepticism gives way to partial acceptance after Qin Yao presents Golden Frost wolf-fang evidence 241 242 244.

Qin Yao–Yu Family Conflict

Zhao Lie does not fully punish Yu Xiaoqian and later intervenes when Qin Yao clashes with Yu Yanghai. He frames their feud as subordinate to the war effort, while privately arranging matters so the two sides weaken each other 244 257 259.

Armor Commission

Zhao Lie’s interest in Qin Yao’s forging leads him to disguise himself, verify the skill in person, and commission custom armor. This gives Qin Yao access to the Thunder Dragon Halberd manual and creates a temporary relationship of mutual benefit 268 270 276.

Growing Wariness

As Qin Yao gains prestige among soldiers, Zhao Lie becomes increasingly uneasy about his authority being undermined. His later investigation into the Yu Residence massacre fails because he underestimates Qin Yao’s true strength and deception 281 318 338 340.

Foreign Repelling Spearhead Selection

Zhao Lie recognizes Qin Yao’s extraordinary battle merit and supports his claim to the Foreign Repelling Spearhead title. After Qin Yao succeeds, Zhao Lie reveals that General Ke Leiyong’s identity as a secret examiner had been protected by binding secrecy orders 327 328.

Reunion at Nine Suns City

During the Golden Frost Barbarians’ siege, Zhao Lie is badly wounded while defending Nine Suns City’s west gate. His later reunion with Qin Yao highlights the reversal in their status: the former squad leader has become the Principal Second Rank Northern Expedition General, while Zhao Lie can only address himself as “Little Zhao” 567.

Notable Quotes

“Since she has joined my Foreign Repelling Camp, she ought to obey military orders.” 244

“A true hero rises in his youth!” 244

“Whether he’s a mule or a horse, this general will have to take him for a run himself.” 267

“Brother Qin, rest assured! This general guarantees you: as long as I remain in the Foreign Repelling Camp for even one day, not a single hair on your family’s heads will be harmed!” 277

“You may simply call me Little Zhao.” 567

Trivia

• Zhao Lie’s change from “Squad Leader Qin” to “Brother Qin” marks the moment Qin Yao’s forging skill becomes valuable enough for Zhao Lie to treat him as a near-equal 268.
• He keeps the Thunder Dragon Halberd manual on his person, a common security practice among faction leaders protecting core techniques 270.
• Despite repeatedly scrutinizing Qin Yao, Zhao Lie misjudges the extent of Qin Yao’s hidden strength and schemes 340.
• Zhao Lie’s later request to be called “Little Zhao” sharply contrasts with the authority he exercised over Qin Yao during the Foreign Repelling Camp muster 189 567.