King Zhou

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	King Zhou (纣王) 1
Alias(es)	Zi Shou; Di Xin; First Emperor of Shang; Human King 1 63 298
Species/Race	Human 28
Gender	Male 5
Affiliation	Great Shang; Shang royal house 1 5
Occupation/Role	King of Shang, later self-proclaimed First Emperor; host of the Foolish Emperor System 1 63
Family	Third son of Di Yi; younger brother of Zi Qi and Zi Yan; father of Yin Jiao, Yin Hong, and Wu Geng 5 23 55 444
Seat of Power	Chaoge 1
Status	Alive at the finale, commanding Shang’s assault on Zhou; affirmed as ruler of All Under Heaven 615
First Appearance	Chapter 1, during the seventh year of Di Xin’s reign 1

Power Progression

No named cultivation realm or completed immortal ascension is documented. His growth comes through system elixirs, sovereign treasures, and Human Race fortune; even after gaining tremendous strength, he still lacks a method of cultivating immortality 21 367.

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Mortal sovereign with inherited physical strength	1 5	Transmigrates into King Zhou, whose earlier feats include supporting a beam while a pillar was replaced to save Di Yi.
Marrow-Cleansing Pill consumed	12	Saves foolishness value for nearly half a year to purchase the pill. It causes an extended cleansing reaction, but he remains below the threshold of cultivation afterward 21.
Tai’a Sword acquired	47	The sword flies into his hand during the rebellion’s defeat. Shi Ji identifies it as a manifestation of sovereign might.
Human ancestors’ recognition and Imperial Robe	75	The Human Race’s first garment appears in acknowledgment of his imperial title; dragon scales transform it into a magical Imperial Robe.
Elixir-enhanced strength	367	Two consecutive profitable assessment periods allow him to consume numerous elixirs. He kills Xiao Zhen with the Tai’a Sword and Kongtong Seal despite still lacking an immortal cultivation method.
Three portions of Human Race fortune	370	After the Dragon Vein forms, he holds three portions of humanity’s fortune, tied to Shang’s national fortune. Its manifested dragon overwhelms Puxian’s Three Dharma Golden Lotuses.
Further increase in physical strength	445	Effortlessly stops Wei Ben’s saber with two fingers and realizes how much stronger he has become.

Background / History

Zi Shou is Di Yi’s third son. Veteran ministers—including Shang Rong, Mei Bo, and Zhao Qi—supported his succession over his elder brothers and royal uncle Jizi. Zi Qi’s birth before his mother became queen weakened his claim. After installing Zi Shou, the veteran ministers monopolized court affairs and restricted even his ability to promote confidants 5.

Di Yi entrusted his heir to Wen Zhong before his death. Zi Shou became King Zhou and established his capital at Chaoge. In the seventh year of his reign, a modern man also named Zi Shou transmigrates into him during court. Knowing King Zhou’s expected fate in Investiture of the Gods, the newcomer seeks a way to survive the coming calamity 1.

The Foolish Emperor System offers that possibility: misconduct earns points exchangeable for cultivation resources and treasures. Zi Shou consequently attempts to become an infamous ruler, only to discover that his ministers repeatedly interpret his provocations as enlightened governance or elaborate political strategy 1 21.

Appearance

• Powerful physique: The original king was known for the strength needed to support a building beam during a pillar replacement 5.
• Imperial dress: Wears a magical Imperial Robe and appears with an imperial crown at the Kunlun ancestor-worship ceremony 75 476.
• Short hair: Cuts his own hair rather than imposing the practice only on commoners; the Five Kings of Baiyue regard this as a meaningful personal commitment 496.
• Winter clothing: Wears woolen trousers and a sweater knitted by Daji beneath his Imperial Robe 394.

Personality

Zi Shou is pleasure-loving, irreverent, and acutely conscious of his own survival. He enjoys wine, intimacy, football, cockfighting, horse racing, and theatre, while actively cultivating the appearance of a lazy sovereign. His ambition to ascend is practical rather than purely spiritual: ordinary virtuous government seems inadequate against immortals and the predetermined destruction of Shang 86 147 162.

His apparent foolishness is often deliberate, but the reputation of an omniscient strategist is frequently undeserved. Shang Rong, Chong Houhu, Daji, and even Tongtian construct elaborate explanations for actions driven by annoyance, pleasure, or the pursuit of foolishness value. Zi Shou nevertheless possesses genuine political insight, recognizing the benefits of unified currency, legal reform, and stronger central authority 5 11 28 88 106 138.

His conduct is not uniformly benevolent. He welcomes resentment caused by forced labor, treats disasters as potential sources of rewards, and punishes opposing sides of a policy dispute with contradictory accusations. Yet he also shows tenderness toward a frightened child, judges beings beyond their origins, and develops a deeply personal attachment to Wen Zhong. The Grand Tutor’s death transforms his longstanding desire to escape fate into an immediate determination to fight Zhou 33 86 147 223 308 615.

Abilities & Skills

Foolish Emperor System

The system periodically evaluates his conduct and converts it into foolish emperor points, also called foolishness value 1.

• Shop access: Lists longevity and cultivation pills, magical tools, divine artifacts, and even purchasable people. Listed goods include the One-Click Immortal Ascension Pill, Pangu Axe, Creation Jade Disc, and Heavenly Dao Fragments; their availability does not establish that he owns them 1.
• Hell difficulty: His attempts at misconduct repeatedly produce beneficial outcomes or favorable interpretations 1 21.
• Unreliable returns: His score falls below zero in multiple assessment periods despite extensive efforts to provoke criticism 147 473.
• Power acquisition: Successful settlements fund elixirs that substantially increase his strength. He later stockpiles Strength Pills 367 473.

Foreknowledge and Modern Knowledge

Zi Shou knows the original Investiture of the Gods story and draws on later historical examples 1 160.

• Recognizes Yun Zhongzi as a threat to Daji and Wei Ben as a future Xiqi vanguard 28 445.
• Studies infamous rulers for policies that might earn foolishness value, including taxation of nobles avoiding military service 160.
• Understands the commercial importance of standardized currency 88.
• Finds his foreknowledge increasingly unreliable as events diverge from the original story 525.

Physical Strength and Combat

His inherited strength is reinforced by system elixirs 5 367.

• Stops Wei Ben’s saber with two fingers 445.
• Stabs Xiao Zhen with Tai’a and strikes him with the Kongtong Seal 367.
• Drives the body cultivator Fajie backward in close combat 482.
• Attributes part of his success against Fajie to the cultivator’s fear of karmic consequences, not strength alone 482.

Human Dao Fortune and Sovereign Protection

Zi Shou’s position as Human King gives supernatural significance to his authority 370 482.

• Cultivators risk karmic consequences and debt by attacking him, discouraging opponents from using their full strength 482.
• Holds three portions of Human Race fortune after the Dragon Vein forms 370.
• Uses fortune capable of suppressing powerful immortals; celestial observers also credit Human Dao fortune with helping him capture Nezha 370 473.
• Remains vulnerable to the larger calamity: neither he nor his advisers treat sovereign fortune as proof that Shang cannot fall 473 498.

Political Performance and Information Control

Zi Shou uses misconduct, spectacle, and selective publicity to shape reactions 18 119 497.

• Performs anger during Su Hu’s staged arrest, hoping the marquis will return home and rebel 18.
• Uses opera to influence how commoners remember royal events 119.
• Grants royal titles to fragment the feudal lords’ opposition 306 307.
• Conceals Baiyue’s submission to preserve public anxiety, then accepts Wen Zhong’s plan to exploit that secrecy militarily 497 498.
• Fakes a bloody collapse with grape wine to accuse Ji Fa and create an excuse to withdraw 565.

Military Judgment and Leadership

His military ability is more limited than his subjects often assume, but he can recognize workable plans and the dangers of supernatural escalation 320 498 611.

• Fights beside outmatched troops, inspiring their loyalty 47.
• Presents a viable water-and-land route for a surprise southern expedition, while privately intending to delay it 320.
• Relies on Wen Zhong’s judgment when facing Xiqi 498.
• Orders withdrawal from a formation battle to prevent karmic harm and broader sect involvement 598 599.
• Reverses his restraint after Wen Zhong’s death and orders an all-out assault 615.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Tai’a Sword — A sword of sovereign might associated with the defeat of nearly ten thousand rebels. It cuts iron effortlessly and can stab immortals; a later release of its power engulfs the palace 47 368 496.
• Imperial Robe / Ten-Thousand Dragon Armor — Formed from Ziyi Shi’s ancient garment and the strongest scales shed by dragons. The gift links the Dragon Tribe’s fortunes to the Human Emperor 75 223.
• Kongtong Seal — Described as humanity’s supreme treasure. Zi Shou uses it as a weapon, a walnut cracker, and an occasional projector; in the finale, it confronts him with his vows 367 496 615.
• Great Cauldron — Manipulates fortune and serves as his final trump card, though he ordinarily uses it for hot pot 496.
• Dark Phoenix Jade Pendants — Tokens granting authority equivalent to his own. He gives them to Yin Jiao and Yin Hong during their regency; other bearers use them to authenticate pardons and authorize mobilization 55 290 467.
• System elixirs — Include the Marrow-Cleansing Pill and later strength-enhancing resources 12 367 473.
• Heavenly Mandate Sword — Baiyue’s symbol of rulership. Rather than retain its political authority, he deliberately snaps it 496 497.

Government and Reforms

Policy / Institution	Documented significance
Wan Nian Calendar	Makes agricultural planning easier and earns the king substantial praise. Wan Nian credits him with rekindling his aspirations 23 27 86.
Standardized copper currency	Replaces a confusing mixture of shells and barter. Zi Shou honors Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao by naming the coins “Rising Wealth” and “Bringing in Treasure” 88.
Li Jing’s New Law	Promotes equal treatment of nobles and commoners, but strict penalties and hardship make it politically contentious 138 308 397.
Commanderies and counties	Seeks to replace hereditary feudal control with direct royal administration. Li Territory becomes an early test under Jiang Wenhuan 145 204 219.
Roads and Great Wall construction	Strengthen communication, defense, and royal control, but depend on burdensome labor and provoke resentment 147 160 400.
Women’s status	Uses Daji to associate himself publicly with Gao San’s efforts to improve women’s standing. Later, women from the impoverished Si family can earn a living 288 454.
Agricultural technology	Releases iron-smelting knowledge and sends high officials into the countryside. Ji Chang develops the Dragon-Bone Waterwheel and Curved-Shank Plow during this period 298 420 423 424.
Civil-service examinations	Personally oversees examinations intended to screen talent more effectively than the Hall of Worthies; directs Wei Ben toward the military examination 445 455.
Noble taxation	Announces land taxation alongside reform of the rites, directly threatening aristocratic privileges 397.
Human Dao worship	Rejects heavenly gods, demolishes their temples and statues, and redirects worship toward human ancestors and himself 473.

Relationships

Family and Consorts

• Di Yi — Father and predecessor; entrusted him to Wen Zhong. His blood-written edict later supplies Zi Qi with a conditional justification for taking the throne 1 24.
• Zi Qi — Eldest brother and succession rival. Rebels against him, then kills himself to provide the head used in a final assassination scheme 23 48.
• Zi Yan — Second elder brother, pressured into Zi Qi’s conspiracy; later becomes involved in theatrical performances 23 24 431.
• Queen Jiang — Principal consort, relied upon to keep the young princes’ regency within bounds 55.
• Daji — Favorite consort and mother of Wu Geng. Her personal devotion grows beyond her original duty; she repeatedly mistakes his conduct for brilliant strategy and resolves to protect him at any cost 24 28 33 444.
• Long Ji — Close palace companion who travels with him and assists with his bathing. Celestial observers consider her a possible link between Zi Shou and her father, the Heavenly Emperor 75 106 473.
• Yin Jiao and Yin Hong — Sons entrusted with joint regency. Zi Shou later selects Yin Hong alone, prompting succession speculation 55 525.
• Wu Geng — Infant son with Daji; nominally placed in charge of the state during the western journey, assisted by Fei Zhong and You Hun 444.

Ministers and Allies

• Wen Zhong — Guardian, Grand Tutor, and trusted commander. Their bond becomes deeply affectionate; his death at Juelong Ridge is the decisive catalyst for Zi Shou’s final assault 1 498 615.
• Shang Rong — Chancellor who helped secure his throne but initially constrained his authority. Becomes one of the most persistent interpreters of his apparent cruelty as wise governance 5 9 445.
• Fei Zhong and You Hun — Favored ministers who support his performances and receive major governing responsibilities: foreign affairs for Fei Zhong and domestic affairs for You Hun 18 54 444.
• Li Jing — Loyal reformer whose defense of equal justice repeatedly turns the king’s intended provocations into arguments for lawful government 66 138.
• Chong Houhu — North Marquis, later King of Jin; an enthusiastic admirer of Zi Shou’s supposed foresight. His explanations often go far beyond the king’s actual knowledge 11 307 459.
• Jiang Huanchu — Father-in-law and major regional ally, later King of Qi. His loyalty is tested by the king’s contradictory public punishments 139 306 308.
• Shen Gongbao — Imperial Preceptor and supernatural ally. Stabilizes conquered Pingling, promotes the king’s reputation, and secures Shang’s half of the Investiture List 223 484 525.
• Yang Jian — Devoted supporter who credits Zi Shou with saving Guanjiangkou and accepting blame for its crisis 103.
• Shi Ji — Presents Tai’a and publicly attributes its power to Zi Shou’s virtue, frustrating his attempts to avoid auspicious recognition 47.
• Ao Guang and Ao Bing — Dragon allies seeking to change their tribe’s fate through service to Shang. Ao Guang pledges the Four Seas; Ao Bing serves despite losing his powers 75 223.
• Chong Yingbiao — Loyal subject who returns despite warnings that Shang is doomed. Credits his ambush of Ji Gao to the king’s foresight, although Zi Shou is bewildered by the encounter 474 611.

Rivals

• Ji Chang — Longstanding opponent imprisoned at Youli. Zi Shou humiliates him for foolishness value but also permits his agricultural work and later consults him about attacking Xiqi 145 149 420 502.
• Ji Fa — Destined rival, granted the title King Wu of Zhou by Zi Shou himself. Publicly charges him with ten crimes and challenges Shang’s legitimacy 306 479.
• Jiang Ziya — Architect of Zhou’s campaign and several anti-Shang schemes. Treats Shang’s fall as Heaven’s will and Wen Zhong’s death as a political opportunity 360 498 615.
• Yun Zhongzi — Initially seeks to eliminate Daji; becomes a prominent critic whose arguments about Heaven’s mandate gain support among the feudal lords 28 30 290.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Attempts at Foolish Rule

• Breaks court protocol and agrees to visit Nuwa Palace, hoping to reproduce the offense associated with King Zhou’s downfall. His respectful explanation instead impresses the court 1.
• Selects Fei Lian to replace Wen Zhong against the North Sea rebellion. Kong Xuan joins without Zi Shou’s knowledge, and victory strengthens the king’s military prestige 6 9 11.
• Performs lustfulness and arbitrary anger over Su Hu’s daughter, seeking rebellion and public outrage. Daji’s lavish palace entrance is instead praised as a merciful attempt to prevent war 18 23.
• Confronts Yun Zhongzi and welcomes the resulting infamy. His defiance unexpectedly inspires Wan Nian, Daji, Yuan Hong, and Yang Jian 30 33.

Rebellion and Imperial Proclamation

• Fights beside his troops during the royal rebellion. Tai’a’s appearance and Shi Ji’s testimony turn the victory into a public demonstration of divine legitimacy 47.
• Survives the rebellion’s aftermath as Zi Qi’s death sets up a final assassination attempt 48.
• Uses a fabricated phoenix report to arrange ancestral rites, then proceeds with a storm-bound Fengshan Sacrifice and declares himself First Emperor 54 63.
• Gains recognition from the human ancestors and the Dragon Tribe, receiving the Imperial Robe 75.
• Is moved by popular gratitude after fighting the Tu Fang, but recommits to foolish rule as his route to extraordinary power 86.

Conflict with the Feudal Order

• Accepts the potential of legal reform after Marquis Li’s execution is reframed as equal justice 138.
• Establishes direct rule in Li Territory and imprisons Ji Chang while pursuing policies intended to provoke regional resentment 145.
• Orders labor conscription and a staged Great Wall lament to cultivate public criticism 147 160.
• Grants royal titles to divide the lords, then beats both opponents and defenders of Li Jing’s reforms 306 307 308.
• Receives a public pledge of support from Wen Zhong and the court, who embrace his “tyranny” as a means of confronting nobles and Shamans 317.
• Defeats Yue and sends a silent envoy whose mission ends with Yue committing troops against E Shun 328.

Open Challenge to Heaven and Zhou

• Kills Xiao Zhen during the palace intrusion and gains stronger fortune-based protection after the Dragon Vein forms 367 370.
• Plans to disturb and relocate the Yellow Emperor’s mausoleum under cover of a western military expedition 443 444.
• Confronts Ji Fa at Kunlun’s ancestor ceremony. Rather than deny the ten charges, he accepts his established identity as a benighted ruler 476 479.
• Gains access to half the Investiture List through Shen Gongbao, weakening Jiang Ziya’s original monopoly over the investiture 484 525.
• Breaks Baiyue’s Heavenly Mandate Sword, wins the Five Kings’ submission, and conceals it under Wen Zhong’s military plan 497 498.

Western War and Finale

• Delays the western campaign and later stages indulgence, illness, and retreat to avoid a major confrontation 554 555 565.
• Accepts a formation contest as a way to buy time, then abandons an apparent advantage to prevent karmic harm and escalation 593 598 599.
• Returns urgently to Sishui after Chong Yingbiao’s unexpected victory over Ji Gao, fearing Wen Zhong’s proposed battle will draw the sects into the war 611.
• Marches the entire army toward Juelong Ridge to rescue Wen Zhong, but arrives after his death. Reminded of his vows by the Kongtong Seal, he orders an all-out attack 615.
• The army’s Ten-Thousand Dance summons a colossal headless image of Xing Tian. As Shen Gongbao acts on his command, the Investiture List burns away in violet flame; the finale affirms Zi Shou as ruler of All Under Heaven without detailing a completed conquest or immortal ascension 615.

Notable Quotes

“This is bizarre. By all rights, I shouldn't be this wise.” 21

“I have already sworn that, as the First Emperor, I shall defend Great Shang and protect my realm. Should disaster arise, I can resolve it myself.” 132

“White is the color of an emperor's robes, and nine tails are the mark of imperial rule! I am the First Emperor, and the Nine-Tailed White Fox is my rightful match!” 482

“Not a single horse is to remain in Sishui Pass! The entire army will accompany me to Juelong Ridge!” 615