Zhao Chuan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhao Chuan (赵川)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Clear River Martial Hall; later referred to as Blue Martial Arts Hall 7 19
Occupation/Role	Outer-Courtyard Apprentice 7
Status	Active 24
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Assessment Record

Assessment	Result	Notes
Clear River Martial Hall entrance assessment	2nd place	Cleared the Weighted Stake Formation, completed the mountain sprint steadily, and performed the final combat routine without losing form 3 4 5 6
First monthly assessment	17th place	His closing stance faltered during the fist-form test; he struggled with a heavy stone and lost his sparring bout after exposing his defense 12 13

Background

Zhao Chuan is Chen Mo's close friend from Qinghe Town. He brings Chen Mo news that Clear River Martial Hall is recruiting without tuition, encourages him to apply despite the limited openings, and suggests catching fish to help Chen Mo's injured father recover 1.

He enters the martial hall's recruitment alongside Chen Mo. Though prone to talking at the wrong moment and taking moderate risks, he passes each trial and ranks second among the five admitted apprentices 3 4 5 6.

Zhao Chuan officially becomes an Outer-Courtyard Apprentice with Chen Mo, Wang Lie, Zhou Zhan, and Wu Jie. His early training reveals impatience and unstable coordination, particularly when his fists move before his footing is secure 7.

Personality

Zhao Chuan is energetic, optimistic, and outspoken. He frequently uses teasing and humor to ease Chen Mo's tension, including during the entrance examination and after difficult training sessions 2 5 7.

He is also impulsive and easily excited by opportunities, whether they involve stipends, advanced manuals, rankings, or dreams of visiting larger towns. He initially chases the Advanced Fist Manual enthusiastically, but admits that the problem lies with his own insufficient foundation once he cannot connect its movements reliably 8 18 21 22.

Despite his complaints and occasional laziness, Zhao Chuan is loyal and supportive. He celebrates Chen Mo's admission, defends him from criticism, warns him about dangers in the mountains, and remains his regular training partner 6 13 18 24.

Abilities & Skills

Foundational Martial Arts

Zhao Chuan trains in Basic Fist and the Seventy-Three Forms as an Outer-Courtyard Apprentice.

• Completed the entrance-assessment combat routine steadily, maintaining control despite fatigue 5.
• Shows respectable balance from helping his family deliver goods, though he becomes unsteady when distracted 3.
• Performs his fist form with notable power, but his footwork and closing stance remain inconsistent 12.
• Began treating the Seventy-Three Forms seriously after struggling to use advanced techniques without sufficient strength, balance, and breath control 22 24.
• Has an exposed defense in sparring and is repeatedly reminded by Chen Mo to improve it 12 14 15.

Observational Ability

Zhao Chuan can notice technical flaws in another practitioner's form.

• Correctly identifies that Chen Mo's right foot shifts outward, throwing his shoulder and punch off line 19.
• Notices Chen Mo's increased stability during sparring and recognizes that he no longer retreats as easily after being struck 24.

Advanced Fist Manual

Zhao Chuan obtains a damaged, incomplete copy of an Advanced Fist Manual.

• Initially boasts that learning it will let him surpass Chen Mo 22.
• Can imitate individual movements, but cannot reliably link them due to delayed footwork, poor coordination, and disordered breathing 22.
• Sets the incomplete manual aside until his foundation is stronger rather than continuing to force the technique 24.

Relationships

• Chen Mo — Childhood friend, fellow Outer-Courtyard Apprentice, training partner, and frequent target of mutual teasing. Zhao Chuan consistently encourages Chen Mo and shares his ambitions to leave Qinghe Town someday 1 6 7 18 24.
• Wang Lie — Fellow apprentice and the strongest member of their intake. Zhao Chuan jokes about Wang Lie's extreme strength, but recognizes his discipline and practical focus 7 9 12.
• Zhou Ye — Fellow apprentice and occasional companion. Zhao Chuan initially teases him during the entrance trials, but later shares a more relaxed camaraderie with him and Chen Mo 5 17 24.
• Instructor Li — Martial-hall instructor who repeatedly corrects Zhao Chuan's impatience and stresses proper foundations 7 14.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Martial Hall Recruitment

Zhao Chuan informs Chen Mo of the tuition-free recruitment and pushes him to seize the opportunity. He accompanies Chen Mo through all three entrance trials, placing second and becoming an official apprentice 1 2 6.

Early Apprenticeship

As a new disciple, Zhao Chuan is enthusiastic about powerful techniques, weapons, and becoming a true martial artist. His impatience causes flaws in Basic Fist, but he continues training beside Chen Mo 7 8.

Monthly Assessment and Rankings

Zhao Chuan's first monthly assessment exposes weaknesses in his stance, strength, and defense. He places seventeenth, accepts the disappointment, and resolves to reach the top ten in the next assessment 12 13 14.

Expansion and Mountain Rumors

After the martial hall expands enrollment, Zhao Chuan complains about overcrowded practice posts and food lines. He also participates in the growing discussion of dangerous, unexplained incidents in the western mountains, though he tends to change his theories with each new rumor 15 16 17.

Quarterly Assessment Preparation

Zhao Chuan unsuccessfully attempts to master an incomplete Advanced Fist Manual, then returns to foundational training. By the approach of the quarterly assessment, he shows greater restraint and intends to revisit the manual only after strengthening his body 21 22 23 24.

Notable Quotes

“I'm going there to learn martial arts, not to take the imperial examinations.” 1

“Once I've gained some skill, I'll definitely go out and see the world.” 18

Trivia

• Zhao Chuan plans to save his monthly stipend so he can travel to the county seat someday 8.
• His interest in traveling includes seeing restaurants and women in larger towns, contrasting with Wang Lie's focus on stronger martial halls and opponents 18.
• He once dreamed that a tiger was chasing him after hearing repeated rumors about the western mountains 17.