Master

Biodata

Background and History

Zhao Er takes the young Zhao San to witness an execution as preparation for corpse stitching. When Xu Feng enters Zhao San’s life through the game, Zhao Er becomes his master. Zhao San’s account of his original life says that his failure to master the craft led to Zhao Er’s premature death after an Earth-Fire Cult leader’s corpse took in Baleful Intent. Preventing that death is one of Xu Feng’s objectives 1 2.

Zhao Er begins Xu Feng’s training with protective rites, then guides him through his first corpse stitching. As Xu Feng proves himself, Zhao Er shares books, the complete Corpse-Sewing Incense Manual, and increasingly demanding work. By the third act, Xu Feng’s Affinity Panel records their relationship at 90 points 3 4 9 11 30.

Their work draws them into the dangers around Luoyin County. Zhao Er leads Xu Feng into Lost-Trace Forest to recover the dead and earn Yin Virtue, and the two later confront refined corpses and a demon corpse at the shrine. Zhao Er survives that encounter and continues teaching Xu Feng as the Qian family’s troubles and the threat of the Earth-Fire Cult deepen 17 25 26 32 44.

Appearance

Zhao Er is described as tall and thin. His infrequent smiles can look awkward or even sinister despite being sincere 4 9 12.

• Build: Tall and thin 4 9.
• Expression: Often gloomy; smiles more readily as he grows fond of Xu Feng 12.

Personality

Zhao Er is a strict, cautious teacher who insists on mastering fundamentals before pursuing deeper arts. He warns Xu Feng against careless questions, dangerous people, and work beyond his ability, but rewards diligent study with guarded knowledge 3 9 12 41.

His care is usually practical: he selects a relatively safe first corpse, tends Xu Feng’s injuries, feeds him carefully after a long sleep, and obtains Yellow River carp to restore his vitality. He also teaches that corpse stitchers should leave the dead whole and undefiled, especially when serving people whose lives are as hard as their own 4 16 24 32 34.

Abilities and Skills

Corpse stitching

Zhao Er teaches that a qualified corpse stitcher must learn the Needle, Filling, Drawing, and Medicinal Bath Methods. His instruction also covers medical knowledge and the examination of corpses 9 39 41.

• Guides Xu Feng through ordinary corpse repair and work on transformed bodies 4 25.
• Restrains a risen male corpse, then stitches it using a technique Xu Feng later believes employed incense smoke as thread 26 27.
• Knows only part of the knowledge needed to deal with Demon Corpses through bone-touching, Depiction, and a medicinal bath 39.

Incense divination and protective rites

Zhao Er uses incense signs to recognize danger and teaches Xu Feng to seek the Land Spirit’s protection before corpse work 3 4 22.

• Teaches the signs of lesser ill fortune and passes down all nine formulas in the Corpse-Sewing Incense Manual 4 11 12.
• Performs offerings and protective preparations before entering dangerous places 3 38.
• Teaches Xu Feng the invocation and hand seals needed to invite the Land Spirit independently 20 22.

Lesser Calamity-Stitching Art

Zhao Er knows the Lesser, but not the Greater, Calamity-Stitching Art. He says the lesser form counters ill omens rather than literally stitching calamities. The art belongs to his lineage and is distinct from ordinary corpse stitching 41.

Supernatural protection

• Uses an invisible red thread to keep himself and Xu Feng connected in Lost-Trace Forest; it later pulls Xu Feng back from dangerous footing 39 43.
• Drives back a presence in the shrine with incense ash and other techniques 23.
• During the struggle with the risen male corpse, appears to grow a second head and pair of arms that help restrain it; Xu Feng does not understand the transformation 26.

Equipment, Weapons and Items

• Inherited corpse-stitching needles — passed down by his master and maintained by Zhao Er; they can partly suppress a corpse’s baleful energy but are not true ritual implements 38.
• Incense manuals and Corpse Manual — texts he passes to Xu Feng. The Corpse Manual teaches Inspection and describes stages of corpse transformation 11 41.
• Incense ash and shrine supplies — protective materials used and stored for dangerous work 17 23 44.
• Broken Old Executioner’s Beheading Blade — borrowed for its Killing Intent and later entrusted to Xu Feng; Zhao Er warns him not to bring it into the City God Temple 17 49 50.

Relationships

• Xu Feng / Zhao San — His apprentice. Zhao Er’s regard grows as Xu Feng learns and helps him; he praises the boy’s progress while preparing him to work independently 8 23 30.
• Uncle Liu — An executioner and trusted friend who supplies a protective talisman to Xu Feng and lends Zhao Er a broken blade 13 17 33.
• Sun Dashi — A Yellow River corpse collector acquainted with Zhao Er. Sun notices how much effort Zhao Er has put into caring for his apprentice 33 34.
• Mr. Zhou — A local Householder Daoist whom Zhao Er considers reliable for ordinary matters but likely to flee serious trouble 32 33.
• Doctor Qi — A traveling doctor whose Dragon-Tiger Plasters Zhao Er trusts, though he warns Xu Feng against relying on the man otherwise 16 33.

Notable Quotes

“Let the person depart whole and unblemished. Don’t defile the corpse.” 24

“Yin Virtue shelters you, and Heaven won’t fail you.” 17