Zhao Zhi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhao Zhi (赵直)
Alias(es)	Lord Zhao
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Qingfeng County yamen; Profound Nether Platform
Occupation/Role	Former blue-clad constable; Junior Banner Officer of the Profound Nether Platform
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Seizing Hand / Grand Ancestor Saber Art — Perfection	1 2	Used Merit to perfect his inherited basic techniques; immediately killed Zhang Er and Li Qingchang after awakening in the constable’s body.
Innate Unity Qi Technique — Initiated	4	Spent 50 Merit to form inner qi and enter the Xiantian/Innate path.
Innate Unity Qi Technique — Minor Achievement	6	Spent 50 Merit; inner qi grew substantially and strengthened his body.
Innate Unity Qi Technique — Major Achievement	9	Spent 100 Merit after dismantling the Gray Snake Gang.
Innate Unity Qi Technique — Perfection / Innate Perfection	9	Spent another 100 Merit; achieved Innate Perfection and became one of Qingfeng County’s strongest martial artists.
Xiantian combat arts — Perfection	14	Perfected Giant Gate Palm, Wild Wind Saber Technique, Diamond Force, and Moon-Treading Step through accumulated Merit.
Iron Horse Grounding Stance — Completion	19	Created a second, separate stream of inner qi, nearly doubling his reserves; Zhao recognized the danger of cultivating too many incompatible energies.
Incomplete Little Netherworld Sword — Minor Achievement	25	Spent 600 Merit on the damaged stone-stele technique; gained a sword art far above ordinary Xiantian methods.
Incomplete True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique — Perfection	32	Spent 1,800 Merit; its dominant inner qi suppressed his prior qi streams and dramatically increased his combat power.
Wind-Riding Technique — Perfection	32	Spent 300 Merit to gain a fourth qi stream focused on speed, though it too was suppressed by True Martial inner qi.
Incomplete Little Spring Technique — Perfection	39	Spent 1,800 Merit; gained foundation-stabilizing, body-strengthening qi that began aligning with his lesser qi streams.
Modified True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique — Perfection	41	Fused several inner-qi arts through the Merit Panel, resolving the danger posed by multiple incompatible qi streams.
Primordial Unity True Art: Foundation Establishment	42	Upgraded the modified technique with 1,000 Merit, producing Primordial Unity Inner Force.
Primordial Unity True Art: Foundation Establishment — Perfection	49	Its flawless foundation gave Zhao strength comparable to a Meridian Opening Realm martial artist.
Primordial Unity True Art: Meridian Opening: Remnant — Entry	50	Used the Innate Qi Transformation Technique as a template, then spent 1,000 Merit to open a dantian qi sea and enter the Meridian Opening Realm.

Background / History

Zhao Zhi was originally a modern man who drowned after rescuing two children from a river. He awakened in the body of a Qingfeng County constable who had been ambushed and killed while investigating the assault of a young girl. Along with the body’s memories, he inherited beginner Seizing Hand, Grand Ancestor Saber Art, and a Merit Panel that rewards good deeds and can instantly advance martial arts 1.

The original body’s father had died during an earlier campaign against Flying Cloud Stronghold. Zhao soon discovered that Qingfeng County’s magistrate, Lu Guangyi, was using both bandits and corrupt constables to arrange his death, beginning with an assignment to capture the stronghold’s Fifth Chief, Wu Jiu 3.

Rather than remain a disposable constable, Zhao used the Merit Panel to develop overwhelming martial strength. He repeatedly intervened against extortionists, gangs, corrupt families, Human Elixir refiners, and supernatural entities, becoming a widely known protector in Qingfeng County before leaving for Jing Prefecture and joining the Profound Nether Platform 2 32 43.

Appearance

Zhao Zhi is a young man of above-average appearance, with clear, bright brows and eyes and a heroic face. He is most often recognized by the blue uniform and saber of a Qingfeng County constable, an outwardly low status that causes many opponents to underestimate him 5 28.

• Usually wears a blue constable uniform and carries a constable’s saber 10.
• Has distinct, well-defined fingers, particularly noticeable when using Seizing Hand 2.
• Maintains a calm or faintly smiling expression even while confronting dangerous opponents 5 17.
• Often appears physically ordinary until he releases inner qi or Diamond Force 5 35.

Personality

Zhao is driven by a strong instinct to protect the vulnerable. Before transmigrating, he died saving children; after arriving in Qingfeng County, he defended an assaulted girl, an elderly noodle seller, extorted tavern owners, missing laborers, and civilians caught in the Flying Cloud Stronghold campaign 1 2 15 25.

His justice is highly punitive. Zhao distinguishes between lesser followers and those he judges deeply complicit in murder, oppression, or corruption, but he can be ruthless toward the latter. He executes gang leaders, Human Elixir refiners, corrupt officials, and conspirators without accepting late surrender as absolution 8 17 37 53.

He is also observant and pragmatic. Zhao recognizes political traps, investigates before accusing powerful institutions, refuses to consume Human Elixirs despite their potential benefits, and yields public credit when doing so protects him from scrutiny 3 15 25 30. His long-term goal is not merely dominance over Qingfeng County, but reaching the highest realms of martial cultivation 34.

Abilities & Skills

Merit Panel

A supernatural panel that converts righteous or corrective actions into Merit, then uses that Merit to supply cultivation memories and raise or alter martial arts.

• Rewards actions ranging from protecting civilians and dismantling gangs to killing major criminals and Malevolent Entities 2 9 31 38.
• Instantly grants the practical experience of prolonged cultivation rather than simply increasing raw power 4 19.
• Can fuse compatible cultivation arts into new techniques, as shown by the creation of the Modified True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique 41.
• Its reward descriptions are often absurdly phrased, including rewards for making lustful criminals “abstain from women” 5.

Primordial Unity True Art

Zhao’s self-created cultivation path, derived from fusing and evolving several inner-qi methods. It produces Primordial Unity Inner Force, defined by balance, unity, suppression, and durability 41 42.

• Suppresses or expels poisons, including Soul-Tethering Silk and Eroding Spring Wind 37 53.
• Strengthens his physical body, internal force, and foundation beyond conventional Xiantian methods 42 49.
• At Foundation Establishment Perfection, gave him strength comparable to a Meridian Opening martial artist 49.
• His Meridian Opening version remains an incomplete remnant because he had only one Meridian Opening technique available as a template 50.

Incomplete Little Netherworld Sword

A damaged, high-level sword art discovered on a stone stele beneath Flying Cloud Stronghold. Even at Minor Achievement, it surpasses ordinary Xiantian martial arts 25.

• Can release Sword Qi capable of crippling or killing powerful martial artists 29 36 37.
• Allowed Zhao to kill Xianyu Tu after casually revealing that he had “just learned” the technique 29.
• Effective against Malevolent Entities when ordinary physical attacks fail 38.
• Severely drains inner qi and damages Zhao’s meridians when projected externally; he estimates that he can only safely perform around five sword attacks before risking serious injury 29 31.

Diamond Force

A perfected Xiantian body-tempering martial art that hardens Zhao’s body and converts or rebounds incoming force 17.

• Withstood the attacks of several Innate Perfection martial artists simultaneously and repelled them 35.
• Blocked weapon strikes that would normally pierce metal or stone 21 42.
• Reflected Lu Yuanqing’s surprise attack and severely injured him 16.
• Can be powered by Zhao’s immense inner qi for direct, overwhelming strikes 28 36.

Moon-Treading Step

A perfected movement technique that gives Zhao exceptional speed, positioning, and predictive combat timing.

• Allowed him to evade the Black Pool Bow before Li Muguang’s arrow was fully released 23.
• Lets him close distance almost instantly against opponents such as Lu Guangyi 37.
• Is insufficient to reliably pursue a Meridian Opening movement specialist such as Luo Hong, forcing Zhao to rely on ambush and timing instead 53.

Seizing Hand

Zhao’s first perfected martial art, used as a devastating close-range grappling technique.

• Crushed Zhang Er’s throat after Zhao first received Merit 1.
• Broke Wu Jiu’s fingers and disabled his weapon hand 3.
• Seized and killed Ge Zhou by the throat after recognizing his Xiantian-level internal qi 5.
• Commonly neutralizes an opponent’s force before they can complete an attack 7.

Constabulary and Investigative Skills

Zhao retains the identity and duties of a Qingfeng County constable, using legal authority and evidence as effectively as force.

• Reframes gang extortion as an illegal usurpation of the court’s taxing authority 7.
• Investigated decades of suppressed disappearances tied to Iron Horse Manor before confronting its leaders 15.
• Uses political restraint when useful, such as leaving Flying Cloud Stronghold’s public credit to Yan Qing and the Profound Nether Platform 30.
• Selected a solo C-grade mission based on his own abilities rather than relying on a team 50.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Constable’s saber — Zhao’s usual weapon; used with Wild Wind Saber Technique and in ordinary executions 16 17.
• Profound Nether Guard Token — Received after becoming a Formal Profound Nether Guard 49.
• Black wooden tablet — A sinister, unreadable token left after Lu Guangyi’s corpse became a Malevolent Entity; Zhao keeps it for later investigation 38 39.
• Unidentified medicinal pill — Taken from Lu Guangyi but not consumed because Zhao does not know its effects and distrusts Lu’s connection to Human Elixirs 39.
• Innate Qi Transformation Technique — Meridian Opening manual selected from the Profound Nether Platform’s Scripture Pavilion; used as the template for Zhao’s remnant Meridian Opening art 49 50.

Relationships

• Luo Dashan — Fellow constable, trusted companion, and frequent witness to Zhao’s rise. Luo assists his investigations, protects civilians on Zhao’s orders, and remains loyal despite being horrified by Zhao’s violence 15 16 17 37.
• Yan Qing — Profound Nether Guard whose life Zhao saved at Flying Cloud Stronghold. She provides him medicine, recruits him toward the Profound Nether Platform, arranges his lodging, and supports his first mission 30 43 44.
• He Peng — Profound Nether Guard assigned to guide Zhao through his first D-grade mission. He later accompanies Zhao during the destruction of Blackwind Stronghold 43 44 49.
• Fan Zhenyu — Fan Family’s talented eldest son. After witnessing Zhao’s power, he discourages revenge, gives him access to the Profound Nether Platform’s recruitment path, and helps prevent further conflict with the Fan Family 31 39.
• Lu Guangyi — Corrupt Qingfeng County magistrate and Zhao’s principal local antagonist. Lu repeatedly attempts to have Zhao killed, conspires with Flying Cloud Stronghold, participates in Human Elixir schemes, and is ultimately executed by Zhao 3 35 37.
• Zhu Yunzhen — Linquan County constable secretly allied with the bandit Luo Hong. Zhao exposes her betrayal, forces her to kill Luo Hong, and then executes her 53.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Awakening and the Gray Snake Gang

Zhao awakens after the original constable’s murder, rescues the assaulted girl, and discovers the Merit Panel. He then protects Old Man Sun from Gray Snake Gang extortion, kills Flying Cloud Stronghold chiefs Wu Jiu and Ge Zhou, and destroys the Gray Snake Gang after it openly defies the court’s authority 1 2 3 5 8.

Qingfeng County’s Powerful Families

After gaining a public reputation for resolving civilian grievances, Zhao confronts the Fan Family and forces it to provide martial arts and public relief. He then investigates Iron Horse Manor’s pattern of missing workers, discovers its inhuman guards and Human Elixir connection, and kills its leaders along with the treacherous Constable Chief Chen Qingzhi 13 15 16 17.

Destruction of Flying Cloud Stronghold

Zhao joins the punitive campaign against Flying Cloud Stronghold, discovers its Human Elixir chamber and the Incomplete Little Netherworld Sword, then kills several chiefs, Ma Zhuo, and Xianyu Tu. He refuses to indiscriminately slaughter the remaining bandits for Merit and allows the Profound Nether Platform to take responsibility for the aftermath 23 25 28 29 30.

Fall of Lu Guangyi

At the Mysterious Maiden Temple, Lu Guangyi assembles Qingfeng County’s elite martial artists to kill Zhao and refine him into a Human Elixir. Zhao defeats the coalition, resists Lu’s poison through True Martial inner qi, kills Lu, and later destroys Lu’s resurrected corpse after it becomes a Malevolent Entity 35 36 37 38.

Journey to Jing Prefecture

After consolidating his position in Qingfeng County and evolving his cultivation arts into Primordial Unity True Art, Zhao travels to Jing Prefecture. He is received by Yan Qing, enters the Profound Nether Platform, completes the Blackwind Stronghold D-grade mission, and becomes a Formal Profound Nether Guard 41 42 43 49.

Meridian Opening Mission

Zhao uses a newly obtained Meridian Opening technique to create a remnant version of Primordial Unity True Art: Meridian Opening and accepts a solo C-grade mission against the Wind-Chasing Bandit Luo Hong. He uncovers Luo Hong’s alliance with Constable Zhu Yunzhen, kills both criminals, and is promoted to Junior Banner Officer 50 53.

Notable Quotes

“Why couldn’t he be killed?” 3

“You lot, come over and clean up the mess.” 5

“The Gray Snake Gang was quite reasonable.” 8

“Just learned it.” 29

“Now it’s your turn.” 35

Trivia

• The Merit Panel repeatedly describes Zhao’s lethal intervention against lustful criminals as making them “abstain from women” 5.
• Zhao initially considers cultivating every Xiantian inner-qi technique available in Qingfeng County, but rejects the idea because incompatible qi streams could become unstable 19.
• He refuses Human Elixirs even when they could potentially increase his strength, because they are created through cruel human sacrifice and experimentation 25.
• Zhao once used the false name “Lu Guangyi” while sheltering in Liang Family Village, coincidentally adopting the name of the magistrate he had killed 41.