Zhao Xiu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhao Xiu (赵休)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Zhao Family; Sun Family crewmen
Occupation/Role	Zhao Family young master; martial artist; former/active Sun Family crewman
Status	Alive; his arm remains injured following the attack on Zhao Residence 55 65
First Appearance	Chapter 14

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Second Refinement	14	Had already crossed the second Qi-Blood Threshold after entering the Sun Family a year earlier; his greater experience and Linked Waves Force let him defeat Wei Luo through technique rather than raw power 14

Background / History

The Zhao Family once operated a prominent medicinal business in Pingjiang Town. Its fortunes declined after it lacked a martial artist capable of protecting the household, prompting Zhao Xiu to pursue martial arts; the family had only recently begun recovering as a result 25.

Zhao Xiu joined the Sun Family as a crewman roughly a year before Wei Luo. By the time Wei Luo became an official crewman, Zhao Xiu was already a Second Refinement martial artist with a seasoned command of the Folding Waves Fist 14.

The Zhao Family follows the motto, “The more friends one has, the more paths one has.” Zhao Xiu embodies this outlook through his broad connections and habit of helping others, though many of his former associates abandon him once the family is endangered 47.

Personality

Zhao Xiu is cheerful, sociable, and fond of making friends. He often turns sparring into friendly wagers over food and drink, while candidly sharing his experience with less-established martial artists 14.

He is practical and worldly-wise about the martial path. He emphasizes that talent alone cannot overcome a lack of resources, explains the importance of medicinal supplements, and helps Wei Luo and Liu Changle find paid work rather than letting them stagnate as poorly funded crewmen 14 16.

When the Pure Fragrance Cult targets his family, Zhao Xiu becomes haggard and desperate but does not surrender. Wei Luo’s decision to stand beside the Zhao Family restores his resolve, and Zhao Xiu remains determined to repay that loyalty after surviving the crisis 44 48 52.

Abilities & Skills

Folding Waves Fist

Zhao Xiu is an experienced Second Refinement practitioner of the Sun Family’s Folding Waves Fist.

• Uses Linked Waves Force, an uninterrupted chain of punches that continuously pressures an opponent and exploits openings in their guard 14.
• Defeats Wei Luo in sparring through superior technique despite not relying solely on his greater physical strength 14.
• Recognizes Wei Luo’s rapid mastery of Linked Waves Force, having personally required several months to learn it 20.
• Can exchange more than ten moves with the Three Refinements Wang Dali through his fist technique, but is ultimately overwhelmed by the difference in cultivation and suffers a broken arm 53.

Medicinal Knowledge

Raised in a medicine-dealing family, Zhao Xiu possesses practical familiarity with medicinal ingredients and Treasure Fish.

• Identifies the Dragon-Whisker Carp as a top-grade Treasure Fish whose entire body can be used medicinally 36.
• Detects Fierce Fish meat in the Fish-Dragon Gang’s secret medicinal powder and warns Wei Luo that it is poisonous 44.
• Facilitates Wei Luo’s access to the Zhao Family’s pill masters and medicine rooms despite initially doubting the unconventional pill formula 45.

Connections and Mediation

Zhao Xiu has broad contacts among Pingjiang Town’s escorts, guards, gangs, and martial artists.

• Secures Wei Luo and Liu Changle an escort opportunity with the Yao Family 16.
• Mediates between Shen Wu and Wei Luo’s group, offering an apology and compensation to prevent a confrontation 32.
• Warns Wei Luo and Liu Changle not to publicly flaunt their success in catching Treasure Fish 32.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Steel claw gauntlets — Worn while helping defend the shared residences against a mass of refugees influenced by the Pure Fragrance Cult 65.
• Medicinal pills and supplies — Provides Wei Luo with body-tempering medicines, including Tiger Bone Pills, after the Zhao Family survives Yang Xian’s attack 55.

Relationships

• Wei Luo — Friend, sparring partner, and later the Zhao Family’s most reliable ally. Zhao Xiu guides Wei Luo early in his martial training, while Wei Luo later refines the antidote to the Ten-String Poison and saves Zhao Xiu from Wang Dali 14 48 52 53.
• Liu Changle — Friend and fellow Sun Family crewman. Zhao Xiu trains with him, gives him practical advice about cultivation resources, and treats him as part of Wei Luo’s circle 14 32.
• Cheng Ming — Senior Zhao Family pill master and loyal adviser. Cheng Ming supports Zhao Xiu during the Pure Fragrance Cult crisis and helps coordinate the family’s antidote production 47 52.
• Shen Wu — Former acquaintance whom Zhao Xiu initially sought to befriend because of Shen Wu’s talent. Their relationship deteriorates when Shen Wu exploits the Zhao Family’s crisis to demand a Bone Sculpting Pill 26 52.
• Yang Xian — Enemy and Pure Fragrance Cult envoy who poisons the Zhao Family, demands the Bone Sculpting Pill, and threatens to exterminate the household 47 53.
• Qin Changfeng — Zhao Xiu respects Qin as a formidable martial artist and seeks his aid against Yang Xian, offering the Zhao Family’s Bone Sculpting Pill formula in exchange 48 49.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Sun Family Training

Zhao Xiu becomes acquainted with Wei Luo and Liu Changle after they become crewmen. He spars with Wei Luo, teaches through experience, and explains that martial advancement requires substantial resources such as Bone-Strengthening Soup, medicinal baths, rare food, and pills 14.

He later introduces the pair to paid escort work and shares intelligence on Li Dadao and the Fish-Dragon Gang’s secret art, warning Wei Luo against provoking the gang 16.

Zhao Residence and the Pure Fragrance Cult

The Pure Fragrance Cult targets the Zhao Family for its inherited Bone Sculpting Pill formula. Yang Xian poisons the family, kills numerous members, and gives Zhao Xiu one month to provide a completed pill 47.

Unable to secure reliable outside help, Zhao Xiu accepts Wei Luo’s assistance. Together with Cheng Ming, they seek countermeasures, approach Qin Changfeng, and work to solve the Ten-String Poison 48 49.

Wei Luo successfully refines an antidote that restores roughly eighty percent of Zhao Xiu’s strength. Zhao Xiu responds with renewed confidence and resolves to repay Wei Luo after the family’s survival 52.

Battle for Zhao Residence

Yang Xian attacks Zhao Residence before the agreed deadline. Zhao Xiu’s hired martial artists are overwhelmed, and Wang Dali breaks Zhao Xiu’s arm before preparing to kill him 53.

Wei Luo intervenes at the critical moment, kills Wang Dali, and later defeats Yang Xian. Zhao Xiu survives, though his injured arm is expected to remain significantly impaired even after healing 53 55.

Aftermath and Refugee Defense

After Yang Xian’s death, the Zhao Family relocates near Wei Luo’s home. Zhao Xiu brings Wei Luo medicinal gifts and continues supporting his cultivation 55.

During the refugee assault on the neighboring households, Zhao Xiu joins the defense despite his unhealed arm. He is relieved when Wei Luo and Liu Changle return to reinforce the defenders 65 66.

Notable Quotes

“Well said! Just as expected of the brother I chose. We’ll gamble with our lives against him!” 48