Xu Zhibao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xu Zhibao (许志宝)
Alias(es)	Constable Xu
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Changping County yamen; Xu Family Escort Agency
Occupation/Role	Constable; escort
Status	Alive 80
First Appearance	Chapter 28 28

Background / History

Xu Zhibao is from a collateral branch of the Xu family, which has operated the Xu Family Escort Agency in Qingyang Prefecture for three generations and employs more than a hundred escorts. Because his position in the family offers little inheritance, he was sent to serve at the Changping County yamen to gain practical experience, credentials, and connections. Before becoming a constable, he traveled extensively with escort caravans. 42

He is troubled by the suspicious disappearance of Zhao Dezhu and the hasty closure of the case by Constable Zhang. Although he objects to the conclusion, Zhang silences him, leaving Xu Zhibao unable to pursue his doubts openly. 28 41

Appearance

Xu Zhibao is a young man with an otherwise unremarkable face. He normally carries a saber and is depicted as alert even while resting, keeping a hand on its hilt. 41 46

• Uses a long saber in combat. 43 50
• Keeps his weapon ready during travel and while sleeping. 42 46

Personality

Xu Zhibao is professional, vigilant, and unwilling to dismiss suspicious circumstances. He questions the rushed conclusion to Zhao Dezhu's case, probes Shen Chu's unclear background, and remains wary when the convoy enters dangerous terrain. 28 41 42 70

He takes responsibility for those under his protection. After learning that five Xu Family escorts were killed by the Red Lotus Sect, he accepts blame without defending himself and is deeply affected by their deaths. 49 58 59

In battle, he remains composed and decisive, but the deaths of his fellow escorts provoke a fierce, personal resolve against the Red Lotus Sect. 43 49 51

Abilities & Skills

Bone-Forging Realm Cultivation

Shen Chu estimates Xu Zhibao to be a Bone-Forging Realm Martial Artist, roughly comparable to himself at the time. 69

• Possesses the physical strength and reaction speed to fight multiple bandits alone. 43
• Can contend directly with the Red Lotus Sect's black-faced leader, who is estimated to be at the Early Marrow-Cleansing Realm. 49 50 69

Saber Techniques

Xu Zhibao uses fierce, agile saberplay honed through real combat. His style is broad and forceful, with each strike carrying an uncompromising intent to kill. 43 50

• Cut through a bandit's club and subdued several bandits during the convoy ambush. 43
• Held an initially even duel against the black-faced Red Lotus Sect leader. 50
• Leads from the front during attacks on the convoy and relay station. 43 48

Blood-Burning Saber Art

A secret Xu family saber art that dramatically raises Xu Zhibao's speed and strength. 51

• Its empowered strike is described as nearly twice as fast and powerful as his previous attacks. 51
• Allows him to overwhelm the black-masked leader and inflict a deep wound that exposes bone. 51
• Causes severe backlash; Xu Zhibao is left unable to pursue after Shen Chu rescues the enemy. 51

Escort and Constabulary Experience

Having worked both as an escort and a constable, Xu Zhibao is experienced in protecting goods, evaluating threats, and directing others under pressure. 41 42

• Identifies the narrow pass as a likely ambush site before the attack begins. 42
• Attempts negotiation before resorting to violence, invoking his authority as a constable escorting government military supplies. 43
• Orders the yamen runners to secure every entrance during the relay-station raid. 48

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Long saber — Xu Zhibao's primary weapon. 43 50
• Horsewhip — Used while leading the convoy out of Changping County. 42

Relationships

• Shen Chu — Fellow traveler and combatant during the Li Family transport. Xu Zhibao repeatedly probes Shen Chu's martial background and later realizes the gray-masked man who saved the Red Lotus leader was exceptionally skilled. 42 51 70
• Li Chengwen — Client and traveling companion during the delivery of the Li Family's longswords to Qingyang Prefecture. Xu Zhibao protects him through multiple attacks. 41 43 57
• Xu Wenzhao — Younger brother who comforts Xu Zhibao after the escort casualties and reminds him of his childhood determination. 58 59
• Xu Qingqing — Clan cousin and fellow Bone-Forging Realm escort; she fights beside Xu Zhibao and Shen Chu against the monster. 78 79 80
• Xu Zhenchuan, Xu Zhenhai, and Xu Zhenjiang — Senior Xu Family Escort Agency masters who receive his report on the five escorts' deaths and choose to hold the Red Lotus Sect accountable. 58
• Red Lotus Sect — Enemy faction responsible for killing five Xu Family escorts and attacking the relay station convoy. 49 58

Story Role / Major Arcs

Zhao Dezhu Case

Xu Zhibao appears as a young constable dissatisfied with the official handling of Zhao Dezhu's disappearance. He is overruled by Constable Zhang but continues to regard the case as suspicious. 28 41

Li Family Escort Mission

Assigned to escort the Li Family's military supplies with four yamen runners, Xu Zhibao invites Shen Chu to travel with the convoy. He detects signs of an ambush, attempts to negotiate with the bandits, and personally defeats several attackers. 41 42 43

Relay Station Raid

When the Red Lotus Sect attacks the relay station, Xu Zhibao organizes the defense and kills several cultists. He gradually notices that slain enemies are disappearing from the battlefield, unaware that Shen Chu is secretly absorbing their remains. 48 49

After learning that the Red Lotus Sect murdered the five escort-agency reinforcements, Xu Zhibao challenges their black-faced leader. He activates the Blood-Burning Saber Art and nearly kills him, but a gray-masked Shen Chu intervenes and enables the leader's escape. 49 50 51

Return to Qingyang Prefecture

After successfully delivering fifteen hundred longswords to the Armaments Bureau, Xu Zhibao returns to the Xu Family Escort Agency to report the deaths of the five escorts. He offers himself for punishment, but the family masters protect him and decide to settle the debt with the Red Lotus Sect later. 57 58

Escort Agency Journey

Xu Zhibao later invites Shen Chu to participate in the agency's sparring matches. He and Xu Qingqing subsequently fight alongside Shen Chu against a powerful monster, though Shen Chu deliberately allows himself to be dragged away. 78 80

Notable Quotes

“I originally only wanted to finish this assignment safely and steadily. I didn't want trouble. But what you just said has changed my mind.” 49

Trivia

• Xu Zhibao's status within the Xu family is relatively low because he comes from a collateral branch. 42
• He and Xu Wenzhao grew apart after Xu Zhibao was sent to Changping County for experience. 58
• Even after surviving the Red Lotus Sect attack, he considers the loss of the five escorts a personal failure. 58 59