Zhao Gongming

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Zhao Gongming and his three sworn younger sisters—Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao—had established their Great Daos before becoming disciples of Lord Tongtian. They entered Jie Teaching as its Four Outer Sect Disciples; Zhao became Chief Outer Disciple 156 163. He is associated with Luofu Cave on Mount Emei 330.

He befriends Li Changshou after Li helps him deal with a hunchbacked Daoist and gives him the Sea God Cult Doctrine 152. Zhao later turns the staged-collision tactic into a practiced way of confronting opponents, using it against Western Teachings experts and Daoist Randeng 220 275. Yunxiao intervenes when his activities with Qiongxiao go too far, prompting him to reflect and return to Mount Emei for seclusion 184 187.

Zhao joins Li Changshou and True Person Huang Long’s plan to help the Dragon Clan enter the Heavenly Court. He supplies jade talismans so Li can summon them when needed, then stalls Western Teachings disciples during the Dragon Palace conflict 210 218 220.

His relationship with Holy Mother Jinling develops after an earlier, unresolved romantic entanglement with Golden Light Holy Mother. Unsure how to approach Jinling, he seeks Li Changshou’s advice; the two later marry 530 706 709. Li also works to avert a vision of Zhao gravely wounded in the Investiture of the Gods calamity 601 710.

During the calamity, Zhao and Li fight Saint Zhunti together. Zhao opens the Twenty-four Heavens, and their efforts culminate in Zhunti’s death. Zhao and Jinling then ascend to the Investiture of the Gods Platform without Zhao suffering the death Li had feared 720 721 722. Later, Zhao serves in the Heavenly Court as the God of Wealth 767.

Appearance

Zhao is a burly, dignified-looking man with a beard. He appears in battle armor during conflicts and in scarlet festive robes as the God of Wealth 163 647 767 775.

• Face and build: Stern features, broad build, and a long beard 163 767.
• Bearing: Genial when greeting others, but capable of an imposing presence 767.

Personality

Zhao is warm toward friends and quick to offer help. He readily supports Li Changshou’s plans, treats fellow Daoist sect members as family, and prizes his friendship with Li enough to attend a celebration uninvited 210 250. He can also be impulsive: when the Immortal Slaying Flying Knife cuts his beard, Li and Bai Ze must stop him from smashing its gourd 452.

His theatrical staged collisions conceal considerable combat strength. Despite his formidable reputation, Yunxiao’s disapproval visibly unsettles him 187 275. In his relationship with Jinling, he seeks advice rather than assuming her feelings and later decides to apologize after an argument 530 691.

Abilities & Skills

Sea-Calming Divine Pearls

Zhao’s Twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls are his principal treasures. He uses them to control space and suppress powerful opponents 150 275 376.

• Seals heaven and earth, blocking escape or passage 376 654.
• Suppresses Daoist Randeng before Zhao begins their staged confrontation 275.
• Becomes the basis for the Twenty-four Heavens during the battle with Zhunti 721.

Combat and movement

Zhao fights with a Golden Wood Whip and can cross vast distances rapidly 150 376.

• His natal divine ability lets him vanish like a wisp of breeze 376.
• He channels the pearls’ power through the Universe Ruler against Zhunti 720.
• In the battle against Kunpeng, his enlarged whip carries the weight of twenty-four Great Thousand Worlds 598.

Staged collisions

Zhao feigns injury to delay or pressure opponents, a tactic he develops well beyond Li Changshou’s original version 220 275.

• Holds six Western Teachings Daoists in place during the Dragon Palace conflict 218 220.
• Pretends to suffer a Dao injury while blocking Chan Teaching immortals on the road from Kunlun 654.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls — treasures used for suppression, sealing, and the creation of the Twenty-four Heavens 150 654 721.
• Golden Wood Whip — his hand-held weapon in major battles 150 376 598.
• Universe Ruler — used alongside the pearls against Zhunti; it shatters as its power flows into them 720 721.
• Weak Universe Ruler — an item he takes from Lesser Qiong Peak; Li warns him against using it directly on enemies 629.
• Jade signal talismans — given to Li Changshou and True Person Huang Long so they can call Zhao to the Sea God Temple 210.

Relationships

• Li Changshou — close friend whom Zhao calls his little brother; they cooperate against the Western Teachings and later fight Zhunti together 210 602 720 722.
• Holy Mother Jinling — fellow Jie Teaching immortal and eventual wife 530 706 709 722.
• Yunxiao — sworn younger sister whose judgment he respects and sometimes fears 156 187 602.
• Qiongxiao — sworn younger sister and accomplice in his staged-collision schemes 179 184 186.
• Bixiao — sworn younger sister 156 451.
• Golden Light Holy Mother — Jie Teaching immortal who admires him and confesses her feelings; they do not become Dao companions 230 530.
• True Person Huang Long — ally in the Dragon Clan plan; the two agree to answer Li Changshou’s summons 210.
• Lord Tongtian — Zhao’s master in Jie Teaching 156 706.

Notable Quotes

“We Daoist sect members share a family bond. Why are you hemming and hawing like this? Do you not regard us as friends?” 210

“Of course, being able to become Dao companions with my wife is the fortune of my life, Zhao Gongming.” 722