Zhao Hu

Biodata

Name	Zhao Hu (赵虎)
Species/Race	Human; later a reanimated corpse
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xie Household
Occupation/Role	Xie An’s bodyguard and trusted enforcer
Status	Deceased; devoured by the Monster Strain
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Zhao Hu entered the Xie Household at sixteen and served there for six years. A Bone-Tempering martial artist, he became Xie An’s personal guard and lived near the West Courtyard so he could answer orders at any time 6 25.

He accompanied Xie An to investigate the fleeing tenants of Li Family Village. There, he gathered information on the tenants’ deaths, removed the Dragon King’s Blessing lantern when Xie An ordered their escape, mounted it on the carriage, and drove them safely out through the corpse-filled village 1. On their return to Qingwu County, he drew his saber to deter starving refugees from approaching Xie An’s carriage 2.

After leaving Li Family Village, Zhao Hu suffered the same Cocoon Force-induced nightmares as Xie An. In the second dream, the Grain-Collecting Ghost entered Li Degui’s residence, demanded Grave Tax, and tore open Zhao Hu’s chest to consume his organs. He awoke with the same wound in reality, already dead but still conscious 24 32.

Zhao Hu concealed his decay with Storax Pills and continued training with Xie An despite his stiffening body. His desire to see his child born, preserve the Zhao family line, and repay Xie An’s past kindness kept him active after death 23 25.

Xie An eventually identified Zhao Hu’s death through Qi-Gazing and confronted him privately. Zhao Hu admitted the truth and accepted Uncle Shui’s examination of Liu Fu’s unborn child, which was revealed to be a Monster Strain 23 25. During the creature’s violent birth, Zhao Hu remained with Liu Fu until she died; the Monster Strain then devoured him completely 26.

Appearance

Before his death, Zhao Hu was a tall, powerfully built martial man who wore black brocade robes and carried a broad saber 1 2.

• Broad saber at his waist 1
• Formidable vitality as a Bone-Tempering warrior 2
• After death, his limbs became stiff and his strength hollow 23 24
• His chest cavity was rotting and hollow after the Grain-Collecting Ghost consumed his organs 24 25
• Used Storax Pills to mask his corpse odor 23 25

Personality

Zhao Hu was loyal, dutiful, and practical. He acted immediately on Xie An’s orders during the Li Family Village crisis, guarded the carriage against refugees, and continued serving as a sparring partner even when Xie An’s growing strength exhausted him 1 2 7 9.

He was also humble toward his master. Although Xie An rewarded him for training assistance, Zhao Hu initially refused the money because Xie An had previously paid for treatment when Liu Fu fell gravely ill 9.

His greatest attachment was to his family. Having lost both parents and endured two miscarriages with Liu Fu, he desperately wanted to see his child born and continue the Zhao family line. Even after learning the fetus was monstrous, he stayed beside Liu Fu throughout her fatal labor 23 26.

Abilities & Skills

Bone-Tempering Martial Arts

Zhao Hu was a Bone-Tempering martial artist, placing him above Xie An during the latter’s earliest training period 1 2 8.

• Repelled desperate refugees by drawing his saber and displaying his martial presence 2
• Could exchange blows with Xie An during the latter’s early Mountain-Taming Fist practice 7 8
• Used only portions of his strength when sparring to avoid injuring Xie An 7 8
• Was gradually surpassed by Xie An’s system-assisted martial development 7 9

Saber Use

Zhao Hu regularly trained with and carried a broad saber 1 3 7.

• Used his drawn blade to intimidate refugees at Dongyang Gate 2
• Practiced saber forms in the West Courtyard when off duty 3 7
• His saber skill was not shown in a completed fight against a named opponent.

Equipment / Items

• Broad saber — His usual weapon and the blade he used to guard Xie An’s carriage 1 2.
• Storax Pills — Used after his death to conceal corpse odor and soften his decaying body 23 25.
• Handmade child’s shoes — Zhao Hu clumsily made shoes for his unborn child and later gifted Xie An a pair reinforced with Iron-Thread Python hide 23 24.

Relationships

• Xie An — Master and long-term beneficiary. Zhao Hu served as his bodyguard, survived Li Family Village beside him, and continued training with him after becoming a corpse. Xie An rewarded his service, covered his household’s medical expenses, and promised to support Liu Fu and their child 1 9 16 24 25.
• Liu Fu — Wife. Their two earlier pregnancies ended in miscarriages; Zhao Hu’s hope of finally becoming a father sustained him after death. He remained with her through the Monster Strain’s birth until her death 23 26.
• Uncle Shui — Senior Xie Household protector. Uncle Shui recognized Zhao Hu’s tragic circumstances and examined Liu Fu’s fetus, identifying it as a Monster Strain 25.
• Li Dao — Fellow guard and acquaintance from a nearby neighborhood. Li Dao knew of Zhao Hu’s family history and saw him preparing baby clothes at home shortly before Xie An’s visit 23.
• Monster Strain — The unborn creature Zhao Hu initially regarded as his child. It killed Liu Fu during its birth and then consumed Zhao Hu 25 26.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Li Family Village Investigation

Zhao Hu serves as Xie An’s investigator, guard, and driver during the first encounter with the Grain-Collecting Ghost. His successful removal of the protective lantern enables their escape from the village 1.

Xie An’s Early Martial Training

He becomes Xie An’s first sparring partner. Though he initially holds back out of concern for his young master, Zhao Hu gradually recognizes that Xie An’s sudden mastery is genuine 7 8.

The Walking Corpse

Zhao Hu’s unexplained illness, stiffness, and use of Storax Pills foreshadow that he has already died. Xie An’s Qi-Gazing eventually exposes his deathly qi and hollowed body 6 9 23 25.

Monster Strain Incident

His and Liu Fu’s corrupted unborn child becomes a Monster Strain. Zhao Hu’s refusal to abandon Liu Fu or the child ends tragically when the creature devours him after killing her 25 26.

Notable Quotes

“I only wanted to be a father once... Was that wrong?” 24

“The luckiest thing in my life was meeting a master like you. If there is another life, I, Zhao Hu, will still serve at your side.” 25

Trivia

• Zhao Hu’s death was initially hidden even from himself; he only realized the nightmare had physically killed him after discovering his hollowed chest cavity 24.
• His nightmares matched Xie An’s because both had been affected by the Cocoon Force connected to Li Family Village 32.
• Although he was physically dead, his continued consciousness was driven by loyalty to Xie An and his longing to meet his child 25.