Qi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Qi Mao 31
Alias(es)	Constable Qi; Captain Qi; Chief Constable Qi 26 29 74
Gender	Male 30 42
Affiliation	Qinghe County yamen; aligned with the Su Clan's faction 29 42
Occupation/Role	Chief constable of Qinghe County; investigator and martial officer 42 74
Status	Active; last depicted arranging protection and compensation for Qin Liang 74
First Appearance	Chapter 26

Background / History

Qi Mao is a long-serving yamen officer with more than a decade of experience and claims to have handled hundreds of cases, including vendettas, robberies, and family massacres. His familiarity with Qinghe County's martial factions makes him acutely aware that martial-hall leaders wield influence even a constable cannot casually challenge. 27 42

When Zhao Yan recommends Xu Qing for a temporary yamen post, Qi Mao is tasked with resolving competing recommendations from the Zhao Family Martial Hall, Rushing Thunder Martial Academy, and Longwind Martial Hall. Rather than choose between their backers, he follows the order for the candidates to compete for the single vacancy. 27 Xu Qing's one-punch defeat of Han Bao impresses Qi Mao enough for him to offer Xu Qing the post. 28

Qi Mao later becomes Xu Qing's superior and political patron. He recognizes Xu Qing's involvement in the destruction of the Leviathan Gang, but declines to pursue the case after finding no witnesses, evidence, or stolen goods. 42 43 He then offers Xu Qing a place in the Su Clan-aligned faction, framing the choice as an alliance rather than a routine investigation. 42

During the Yellow Dragon River bandit-suppression campaign, Qi Mao realizes that Jiaolong Stronghold and its ambush were part of a Lin Family killing trap. He fights the stronghold's chief while being attacked by Lei Lie, then entrusts Xu Qing with escaping to obtain reinforcements. 60 61

Appearance

Qi Mao has the bearing of a hardened yamen veteran shaped by years on the streets.

• Large hands with thick, sturdy knuckles. 26
• Often appears narrow-eyed and sleepy, though sharpness occasionally flashes through his gaze. 30
• Carries the wary, experienced presence of a man tempered by eight years in the yamen. 30

Personality

Qi Mao is pragmatic, politically alert, and difficult to fool. He understands the limits of formal law in a county dominated by martial halls and powerful clans, and he avoids investigations that cannot produce results or would create dangerous political consequences. 27 43

He is also capable of loyalty toward those under his command. During the Broken Dragon Island ambush, he refuses to abandon the thirty men accompanying him despite believing he could possibly escape alone. 61 After Qin Liang is injured by the Tiger Head Gang, Qi Mao arranges both continued wages and compensation, and ensures that Qin Liang's household will be watched. 74

Abilities & Skills

Dark Force Cultivation

Qi Mao is a seasoned Dark Force martial artist capable of fighting at close quarters against powerful opponents. 30

• Battles Jiaolong Stronghold's chief, a peak Dark Force expert, with his saber. 61
• Is forced onto the defensive when Lei Lie, another Dark Force practitioner, joins the fight against him. 61
• Possesses enough combat experience to recognize Xu Qing as the only member of his group capable of breaking through the bandit encirclement. 61

Investigation and Political Judgment

Qi Mao's work in the yamen has made him adept at evaluating evidence, reading motives, and navigating factional pressure.

• Identifies the practical impossibility of choosing among martial-hall candidates without provoking their masters. 27
• Recognizes the lack of actionable evidence in the Leviathan Gang massacre and closes the investigation. 43
• Deduces that the Lin Family used Jiaolong Stronghold and Lei Lie to orchestrate the Broken Dragon Island ambush. 60
• Connects the Tiger Head Gang's attack on Qin Liang and Sun Ping's betrayal to Lin Mu's efforts against Xu Qing. 74

Equipment

• Yamen saber — Drawn during the confrontation with Jiaolong Stronghold's chief. 61
• Official authority — Uses the yamen's patrols, records office, prison guards, and compensation arrangements in the execution of his duties. 43 74

Relationships

• Xu Qing — Superior, recruiter, and political ally. Qi Mao awards him a constable's post after his victory over Han Bao, shields the Leviathan Gang case from further investigation, and brings him into the Su Clan-aligned faction. 28 42 43
• Zhao Yan — Xu Qing's master and the hall master whose recommendation first brings Xu Qing to Qi Mao's attention. Qi Mao is cautious of Zhao Yan's standing as a Force Transformation expert. 26 27
• Su Clan — Political faction with which Qi Mao aligns Xu Qing; its connection to Zhao Family Martial Hall is part of his calculation. 42
• Lin Mu / Lin Family — Political enemies. Qi Mao uncovers their role in the Jiaolong Stronghold ambush and later attributes the Tiger Head Gang's actions to Lin Mu. 60 74
• Qin Liang — Xu Qing's fellow disciple and later yamen subordinate. Qi Mao protects his family and secures his pay and injury compensation after the Tiger Head Gang attack. 74
• Lei Lie — Formerly pursued by Qi Mao in a robbery-and-murder case; later revealed as Jiaolong Stronghold's second-in-command and a Lin Family agent. 60

Story Role / Major Arcs

Yamen Post Contest

Qi Mao oversees the contest for the final temporary yamen post after receiving recommendations from three rival martial institutions. Xu Qing's defeat of Han Bao resolves the contest and earns him the position. 27 28

Leviathan Gang Investigation

After the Leviathan Gang is exterminated, Qi Mao leads a nominal investigation through Blackwater Bay. He finds no usable evidence and ends the case, implicitly protecting Xu Qing from scrutiny. 42 43

Su Clan Alliance

Qi Mao confronts Xu Qing with his knowledge of the Leviathan Gang's destruction and offers him a choice of faction. Xu Qing accepts, formally entering the Su Clan's camp. 42

Yellow Dragon River Ambush

Qi Mao joins the campaign against Jiaolong Stronghold, only to discover that the operation is a Lin Family trap. He holds off the stronghold's leaders while ordering Xu Qing to seek reinforcements. 60 61

Tiger Head Gang Aftermath

Qi Mao helps expose Sun Ping's betrayal and confirms that Lin Mu directed the Tiger Head Gang's attack on Qin Liang. He arranges protection for Qin Liang's family and ensures Qin Liang receives pay and compensation while recovering. 74