Zhao Mengsheng

Biodata

Background and military career

Zhao is the eldest son of the Longdu Zhao Family, one of the Eight Great Clans. He concealed his family identity when he enlisted and began as an ordinary soldier rather than accepting a privileged posting. In the 7th Armored Company, commander Yue Changlong trained him as a scout and taught him military boxing. Zhao later rose through combat merit to become the Northern Frontier’s nine-star God of War 54 73.

His bond with Yue began in hardship. During Zhao’s first winter with the company, Yue gave him his padded coat and warmed his frostbitten legs at night. Yue also saved him from battlefield shrapnel and carried him out of danger. Zhao credits Yue with shaping the soldier he became 54 910.

As Zhao Shanhe, he fought a decade of campaigns against Wolf Country. He held Yanmen Pass for three months with fewer than a thousand surviving troops and later commanded the force that reached the Wolf Country capital. For years he appeared before cameras only in a Dark Iron Mask, leaving the public unaware that the celebrated general was Zhao Mengsheng 18 19.

Appearance

Zhao is a broad, imposing middle-aged man with a sharply defined face and a piercing gaze 53 492.

• A faint scar crosses his face; other scars include wounds from shrapnel and bayonets 53 68 73.
• His nine-star uniform bears medals earned in battle 68.
• During the Northern Frontier campaigns, he concealed his face behind a Dark Iron Mask 18.

Personality

Zhao is stern in command but openly affectionate toward Yue Changlong’s son, Yue Xiaofei. He accepts criticism from fellow veteran Jin Dapao when Xiaofei is hurt and repeatedly blames himself for failing to reach the boy sooner 44 53 54. His loyalty can bring him into conflict with orders: he risks a prospective promotion to marshal to rescue Xiaofei, yet later invokes battlefield authority to force a badly wounded Xiaofei to withdraw 42 543 544.

Abilities and skills

Command and mobilization

• Commands Northern Frontier forces and leads a deployment of 100,000 soldiers to Jiangcheng after Xiaofei’s kidnapping 42 66.
• Orders beacon fires lit across more than a hundred cities; military leadership subsequently opens air corridors and directs regional support for his operation 41 43.
• Leads soldiers under extreme pressure, including a force confronting enemies he acknowledges are stronger than any they have faced 530.

Close combat

• Uses Black Dragon Eighteen Hands, a military boxing style Yue Changlong taught him. He defeats ten armed bodyguards in one minute and six seconds 64 65.
• Wields a warblade and uses Mountains and Rivers Suppression to block attacks from four A-Level Transcendents. He holds them off despite being badly wounded, but sustains further injuries 536.

Equipment and identifying items

• White Emperor fighter — the aircraft Zhao uses to reach Jiangcheng ahead of his approaching troops 53.
• Dark Iron Mask — conceals his face during his public career as Zhao Shanhe 18.
• General’s Belt — a gold-plated belt that alerts Li Dakang to Zhao’s rank 55.
• Military credential — identifies him as Zhao Shanhe of the Northern Frontier Military Region, a nine-star God of War 59.
• Military coat — bears a patch sewn by Yue Changlong; Zhao drapes it over the injured Xiaofei 54.
• Warblade — used in his defense against four A-Level Transcendents 536.

Relationships

• Yue Changlong — former company commander, mentor, and closest brother-in-arms. Zhao credits him with his military development and repeatedly defends his reputation 18 54 560.
• Yue Xiaofei — Yue Changlong’s son, whom Zhao calls his nephew. Zhao rescues, protects, and advises him while helping investigate his father’s past 41 102 500 787.
• Jin Dapao — fellow veteran of the 7th Armored Company. Their blunt exchanges reflect a long familiarity and shared loyalty to Yue Changlong 43 44 53.
• Zhao Family patriarch — Zhao’s grandfather supported his decision to serve on the front line despite the family’s fear for his safety 73.
• Xiaohu — Zhao’s guard. Zhao tries to spare him from a dangerous deployment because he is his family’s last surviving member, but ultimately respects his decision to serve 468.

Story role

• Jiangcheng rescue: Xiaofei reaches Zhao through an encrypted phone line while held at Black Tortoise Manor. Zhao abandons his Wolf Country victory celebration, defies an order to turn back, and flies ahead of his troops to reach him 41 42 53.
• Confrontation with the Gao Family: Zhao has the Gao Corporation’s new building demolished, defeats its bodyguards, and brings Northern Frontier troops into Jiangcheng. His identity as God of War Shanhe is publicly revealed when Political Commissar Zhou presents his nine-star uniform 64 65 66 68.
• Search for Yue Changlong: Zhao obtains military records and helps Xiaofei uncover his father’s former commands and classified history. He later warns Xiaofei about Skull and Bones, the Adam Project, and the Eight Great Clans, distinguishing his theories about Yue’s imprisonment from facts he can prove 81 500 502 620.
• Xiaofei’s military recognition: Zhao argues for Xiaofei’s promotion to major general and personally places the rank insignia on his shoulders 560 564 565.

Notable quotes

“If I can’t even protect my old company commander’s son, what would being a marshal mean to me?!” 42

“Who says we have no clothes? We share the same robe!” 54

“If the sky falls, your uncle will hold it up for you!” 787