Nan Shao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Wealth and the Collapse of His Former Group

Before the apocalypse, Nan Shao managed a large family business, collected firearms and other weapons as a hobby, and practiced several martial arts. His initial survivor group included bodyguards and friends, with more than twenty able-bodied young adults protecting elderly people, women, and children 5 9 15.

The group’s position deteriorated as ammunition ran out, food became scarce, and some bodyguards awakened abilities. Nan Shao also experienced expulsion from a large survivor base whose water supply could not support its population; ordinary survivors were forced to leave first 5 11.

He had protected and indulged his younger brother, Nan Wei, for more than ten years. Giving Nan Wei most of his food weakened him severely. When Nan Wei rejected compressed biscuits and demanded fruit, Nan Shao searched alone and was bitten by zombies in a bathhouse while trying to obtain an apple. His companions abandoned him, and he recognized that Nan Wei appeared relieved at the prospect of his death 5 6 15.

Joining Zhang Yi

Zhang Yi sheltered the infected Nan Shao outside town, then returned and released him from the bathtub where he had been restrained. He did so because Nan Shao had previously saved Zhang Ruiyang from a car—an incident Nan Shao initially could not remember 3 4 17.

After discovering the limitations of his wood-type ability, Nan Shao accepted Zhang Yi’s invitation to live with him and his son. He paid three Corpse Crystals to enter Wangyang Town, where wood-type users received the same treatment as ordinary people 5 7.

Zhang Ruiyang’s willingness to share an apple moved Nan Shao deeply, contrasting with Nan Wei’s failure to thank him for the apple that had nearly cost his life. He began caring for the child and proposed earning enough with Zhang Yi to rent safer accommodation 8 9 17.

Building a Household

During their early scavenging trips, Nan Shao and Zhang Yi developed an efficient fighting partnership. Nan Shao also saved Li Muran from a zombie in a supermarket. After returning from an overnight hunt, he found Zhang Ruiyang overheated in his hiding hole and cooled him with water supplied by Li Muran, who subsequently joined them 14 17 18 19.

Nan Shao later discovered the badly wounded Meat Tower Chen on a rubbish heap and helped Zhang Yi bring him back. He accompanied Zhang Yi and Li Muran to obtain medicine from a hospital. Selling their surplus medicine for six hundred Corpse Crystals helped fund a place where Chen could receive treatment, and the household moved out of the shack 21 23 26 27 29.

While scouting nearby hills, Nan Shao spotted a cave. He and Zhang Yi returned to investigate and found stored supplies, a bound zombie, and a valuable Tang saber. The group kept most of the supplies concealed in the cave rather than visibly improving its standard of living 34 35 37 38.

Cultivation, Theft, and Zheng Kun

Nan Shao experimented with a mysterious black stone acquired with Zhang Ruiyang’s help. It absorbed his ability completely, allowing him to test repeated depletion and replenishment. The resulting cultivation improved his performance but caused severe pain and bloody sweat after his third Corpse Crystal that night 31 38 39 40 41.

A mysterious young man subsequently disarmed him and stole his Tang sword before anyone could react. Nan Shao restrained his anger but resolved to recover the weapon personally 42.

After overhearing Zheng Kun threaten the household, Nan Shao investigated the Vanguard Team’s lodging and accompanied Zhang Yi on a nighttime infiltration. They learned that Zheng Kun intended to cripple Zhang Ruiyang and their companions. Nan Shao later killed Zheng Kun with repeated fruit-knife strikes to the heart; they left his gun behind to avoid drawing suspicion 40 44 45 46.

He then adopted a demanding routine alternating bladework with crystal absorption. During a later hunt, his growing attraction to Zhang Yi distracted him enough that Zhang Yi had to knock a severed zombie head away from his leg. The group nevertheless cleared almost the entire residential complex and collected nearly two hundred Corpse Crystals 47 48 49.

Appearance

• Handsome: Zhang Ruiyang initially identifies him as the “really, really handsome uncle” who drove a large truck 3.
• Tall, with long legs: The cramped Xiali forces him to sit with his legs uncomfortably bent; he is nearly Zhang Yi’s height 5 45.
• Dark stubble: Zhang Ruiyang enjoys touching the prickly stubble on his chin 30.
• Initially weakened by hunger: Before his rescue, inadequate food leaves him trembling and unable to fight at his former level 4 15.

Personality

Nan Shao retains considerable pride despite losing his wealth and position. Repeated exploitation while renting accommodation leaves him close to losing his temper. By the time his sword is stolen, however, he recognizes that anger cannot compensate for insufficient strength and suppresses an outward outburst 28 32 42.

His betrayal by Nan Wei leaves him disheartened and reluctant to lead or shoulder responsibility again. He initially seeks peace of mind rather than membership in a powerful team. Nevertheless, he accepts the Tang sword and the additional responsibility Zhang Yi attaches to it, partly because Zhang Yi saved his life 17 34 38.

He is attentive to cleanliness and comfort, scavenging toiletries, clothing, and a toy car even amid a food shortage. These preferences are not absolute: he accepts Zhang Yi’s warning that conspicuous cleanliness could attract danger 9 14 17.

Although formerly disinclined toward children, Nan Shao becomes patient and affectionate with Zhang Ruiyang. His protectiveness also has a ruthless side: when Zheng Kun threatens the household, he is willing to kill despite having never killed a person before 11 30 40 46.

Abilities & Skills

Wood-Type Ability

His ability stimulates growth in living plants, but its early output is extremely limited 5 17.

• Can germinate seeds and produce small seedlings 5 17.
• Initially exhausts his strength after growing a single sprout 5 17.
• Has no demonstrated offensive plant application in the provided chapters 5.
• Can sense the black stone’s pulse of life, which Zhang Yi, Li Muran, and Meat Tower Chen cannot detect 38.

Enhanced Physique and Senses

Awakening and cultivation improve his physical performance beyond that of an ordinary strong man 40 41 46.

• Sharper hearing allows him to make out Zheng Kun’s conversation when Li Muran can hear only indistinct voices 40.
• Increased stamina and agility improve his sustained zombie fighting 41.
• Can split a zombie’s skull with a downward machete strike, though six kills at the iron gate leave his arms weak 43.
• Excessive crystal absorption exceeds his body’s tolerance, producing pain and bloody sweat rather than limitless improvement 39.

Martial Arts and Weapon Combat

Nan Shao trained in karate, Muay Thai, and free sparring before the apocalypse 15.

• Uses positioning and retreat to separate pursuing zombies before attacking them individually 15.
• Combines improvised weapons with kicks, including a spinning back kick when a zombie seizes his shovel 15.
• Fights effectively with pickaxes, machetes, and the Tang sword 16 41 43.
• Refines his bladework to maximize speed and striking angle while minimizing wasted effort 47.

Planning and Practical Experience

• Previously organized scouting around new camps to avoid becoming trapped during emergencies 34.
• Constructs a narrow, barricaded doorway that admits only one zombie at a time 49.
• Investigates Zheng Kun’s room and night-watch arrangements before infiltration 44.
• Has business-management experience, though he increasingly relies on Zhang Yi’s planning after joining him 9 34.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Former firearms and military blades — Initially used a firearm collection, then a bayonet and military machete after ammunition ran out 5 14.
• Wooden club — An early improvised weapon that broke during the supermarket expedition 12 14.
• Shovel and modified pickaxe — Used a scavenged shovel in combat, then fitted its handle to a pickaxe after the shovel’s edge curled 15 16.
• Heavy smithing hammer — Carried from the blacksmith’s shop and used to crush zombie heads for crystal extraction; later allocated to Meat Tower Chen 16 38.
• Tang sword / saber — Found in the cave and assigned to him by Zhang Yi. Its edge cuts through a hollow iron bed rail; the mysterious young man later steals it 37 38 42.
• Machete — Used after losing the Tang sword and throughout his subsequent training 42 43 47.
• Mysterious black stone — Acquired with Zhang Ruiyang’s help; absorbs Nan Shao’s ability without a demonstrated saturation point 31 38 39.
• Corpse Crystals — Used both as currency and to replenish and cultivate his ability 7 18 39.

Relationships

• Zhang Yi — Rescuer, trusted combat partner, and object of growing attraction. Nan Shao calls him “Brother Yi” out of respect for his competence and judgment; by Chapter 48, his attraction makes him visibly awkward around him 17 29 32 48.
• Zhang Ruiyang / Yangyang — Child he previously saved and later helps care for. He teaches him characters, carries him, shares food with him, and treats his overheating. Yangyang calls him “Uncle Pumpkin” despite repeated corrections 11 17 18 19 30 31 34.
• Nan Wei / Xiao Wei — Younger brother whom he protected and indulged for over ten years. Nan Shao’s memories connect his unreciprocated love with rejection and disgust; the betrayal does not immediately erase his concern for Nan Wei’s survival 5 8 11 31.
• Li Muran — Fellow survivor and hunting partner. He saves her from a supermarket zombie, and they later cooperate in obtaining medicine and defending the household 14 23 26 40 49.
• Meat Tower Chen — Household companion whom he helps rescue and treat. Chen addresses him as “Brother Shao” despite being older 21 22 23 39.
• Zheng Kun — Enemy who threatens the household. Nan Shao investigates his lodging and ultimately kills him during a covert intrusion 40 44 45 46.
• Mysterious young man — Overwhelmingly stronger stranger who steals his Tang sword. Nan Shao understands that resisting would have been futile but intends to reclaim it himself 42.

Notable Quotes

“I'm on my own now, with nothing tying me down. Being strong or not doesn't matter anymore. I just want some peace of mind.” 17

“What I'm not sure about now is whether that improvement came from the black stone or from cultivating after exhausting my ability.” 39