Li Zhong

Biodata

History

Investigation of Black Wind Mountain

Li Zhong first visited Black Wind Mountain with five other captains to investigate the disappearance of the Prince of Xiushan's consort, Li Rong'er. Acting on a report that she might be there, he requested a search of the stronghold. Chen Fan, occupying Black Wind Baleful Intent's body, unexpectedly cooperated. When the search found nothing, Li Zhong apologized and withdrew, warning the bandits that the roaming Yellow Robe Army and approaching imperial forces threatened their position 27.

Capture and Interrogation of Chen Fan

During the residence's later assault on Black Wind Mountain, Li Zhong confronted Chen Fan outside the gathering hall. Chen Fan deliberately fought him in the hope of being killed and possessing his stronger body. Li Zhong overwhelmed him, but changed a potentially fatal thrust into a crushing blow with the back of his saber: the prince wanted the bandit chief captured for personal interrogation. His guards bound Chen Fan and recovered the unconscious consort from a stone chamber 32.

Li Zhong subsequently questioned Chen Fan in the dungeon about Li Rong'er's treatment. He announced a sentence of death by slow slicing, temporarily postponed because an assassin had burned the residence's library pavilion and stolen important texts. When Chen Fan insisted that the consort remained chaste, Li Zhong scrutinized him but argued that the spreading rumors had already ruined her reputation and damaged the residence's standing 33.

Failed Pursuit of Su Xin

After the residence identified Su Xin as the White Lotus Sect operative behind the abduction and theft, Zheng Xian placed Li Zhong in command of thirty elite warriors. Their mission was to capture her and recover the Record of the Grand Progenitor's Ascension to Immortality before imperial investigators arrived. Chen Fan, now possessing the guard Lin Shou, served in the squad 38.

With information supplied by Magistrate Zhao De, Li Zhong surrounded Qinghe County's Courtyard of Red Delights. Chen Fan recognized Su Xin disguised as a pipa player, prompting a pursuit through the building. Despite Li Zhong's fierce attacks, she gradually gained the advantage and escaped using a smoke bomb 39.

Li Zhong vented his anger on Zhao De before ordering a withdrawal. Back at the residence, he accepted responsibility for the failure. Zheng Xian docked him a year's pay and ordered him to groom the prince's horses for a month. Su Xin nevertheless acknowledged his accomplished martial arts while recovering from her own injury 40.

Final Battle and Death

Li Zhong next appeared during an assassination attempt against Li Rong'er, after Chen Fan had already suffered grave wounds protecting her. He had been watching covertly and emerged when Chen Fan called for him. Rather than immediately discussing the consort's safety, he demanded that the assassin surrender the stolen record 45 46.

The attack was a White Lotus Sect trap intended to draw Li Zhong out. Su Xin revealed concealed followers, but Li Zhong had also prepared reinforcements: armored guards carrying powerful bows and heavy crossbows sealed the street. He ordered the attack and charged Su Xin. During the fighting, Chen Fan died in Lin Shou's body and possessed the assassin Chen Jinzhong, immediately finding himself under Li Zhong's saber 46.

Su Xin ultimately struck Li Zhong beneath the ribs through a gap in his armor. He tried to pursue the retreating sect members, but the poison in her attack took effect and caused him to stagger. A follower later reported that he had died after returning to the residence, which raised white mourning banners 47.

His death left a vacancy in the residence's command. Su Xin ordered intelligence gathering on his possible replacement and personnel changes, while the residence increased patrols and hidden sentries 48 49.

Appearance

• Face and build: A square-faced, stern-looking middle-aged man, later described as towering 27 45.
• Clothing: Wears the residence's regulation heavy armor during combat operations 38 45.
• Bearing: Typically maintains an impassive expression and a sharp, intimidating gaze; his killing aura is repeatedly associated with blood and iron 27 45 46.

Personality

Li Zhong is controlled and formal when carrying out an investigation. He initially treats Black Wind Mountain's chief with courtesy, accepts the fruitless search without provoking a confrontation, and offers a warning before leaving. In combat, he remains capable of following orders despite his anger, sparing Chen Fan so that the prince can interrogate him 27 32.

His composure breaks under humiliation. Su Xin's escape drives him to berate Zhao De and smash a table, while his dungeon interrogation shows a cruel willingness to make a prisoner await execution in despair. He is particularly concerned with the residence's reputation, treating the rumors surrounding Li Rong'er as damage that her actual innocence cannot undo 33 39 40.

Abilities & Skills

Seventh-Rank Martial Arts

• Possesses substantially greater internal force than the Eighth-Rank Black Wind Baleful Intent, driving him back on their first clash and inflicting multiple deep wounds within just over a dozen exchanges 32.
• Retains a clear advantage in strength and combat experience over Chen Fan after the latter possesses the Eighth-Rank Chen Jinzhong 47.
• His clashes with Su Xin produce shockwaves powerful enough to force the Ninth-Grade Lin Shou body back seven or eight steps 39.

Saber Combat

• Uses broad, sweeping attacks characterized by military ferocity and immense force 39 47.
• Can precisely turn his blade to strike with its back, both to capture an opponent alive and to deflect a dagger 32 47.
• Shatters Su Xin's sound blades with his saber during their final battle 47.
• Remains vulnerable to deceptive techniques: Su Xin escapes their first encounter with smoke and later lands a poisoned strike through his armor 39 47.

Command and Ambush Tactics

• Directs mounted elite guards, searches, perimeter containment, and armed assaults 32 38 39.
• Coordinates with local officials and informants to locate targets 38 39.
• Conceals a reserve force armed with bows and crossbows, surprising Su Xin when she attempts to surround him 46.

Equipment

• Long saber — His primary weapon, carried at his waist 32 38.
• Regulation heavy armor — Provides substantial coverage, but leaves a gap beneath the ribs that Su Xin exploits 45 47.
• Horse — Used during the Qinghe County expedition and the escort from Black Wind Mountain 32 38.

Relationships

• Zheng Xian — Prince and superior. Entrusts Li Zhong with recovering the stolen imperial text, but harshly punishes his failure to capture Su Xin 38 40.
• Chen Fan — Opponent, prisoner, and later subordinate under different possessed identities. Chen Fan unsuccessfully selects him as a prospective reincarnation target before serving under him as Lin Shou and fighting him as Chen Jinzhong 32 33 38 47.
• Li Rong'er — The consort whose disappearance he investigates and whose recovery he oversees. His delayed intervention during the later assassination attempt prompts Chen Fan to question the residence's intentions; those suspicions are not confirmed as Li Zhong's orders 27 32 46 50.
• Su Xin — White Lotus Sect adversary. Respects his martial accomplishments despite opposing him, and ultimately kills him with poison 40 47.
• Zhao De — Local magistrate assisting the Qinghe County operation. Treats Li Zhong deferentially and becomes the target of his anger after Su Xin escapes 38 39 40.