The Hook | One Sentence on This Character

Zhan Zhao is a brilliant martial elite whose peerless sword remains forever bound by the unyielding legal bureaucracy of Judge Bao’s court.

The Pros | What This Character Gets Right

Devotion to the Rule of Law (Episode 2, Alleyway Ambush): When cornered by a dozen lethal assassins, Zhan Zhao uses his sword solely to disarm rather than execute. He actively chooses the painstaking path of capturing witnesses to expose the deeper court conspiracies, upholding Judge Bao’s core belief that justice must be absolute and decided by a court, not a vigilante blade.



Upholding the Institutional Code (Episode 4, Imperial Encounter): By rejecting the lawless, chaotic freedom of the jianghu to wear a 4th-rank imperial guard uniform, he proves that true order requires systemic accountability. He understands that if he plays field executioner, he becomes no better than the criminals he fights.



Controlled Chivalry (Xia) (Episode 5, Guardhouse Duel): His legendary restraint is the ultimate display of martial discipline. Zhan Zhao chooses to apprehend or disarm rather than slaughter, aligning his peerless skills with a higher moral framework that demands clean hands.

The Cons | Where This Character Fails

Ineffective Tactical Containment (Episode 6, Forest Confrontation): His refusal to deliver a fatal blow results in a complete lack of tactical follow-through. Because he will not kill, the assassins he defeats simply scurry away or vault over walls, turning his premier martial skills into a temporary inconvenience.



Systemic Naivety (Episode 3, Harbor Pursuit): His idealistic faith in due process makes him highly vulnerable to ruthless criminals who hold no respect for Kaifeng’s legal code and readily exploit his hesitation to use lethal force.



The Bureaucratic Cage (Episode 5, Secret Registry Investigation): His rigid adherence to court protocols repeatedly stalls his response times, letting highly dangerous conspirators slip away because he refuses to act outside of Judge Bao’s strict legal mandates.

Jiejie's Unfiltered Take | Final Verdict

Zhan Zhao represents the beautiful, idealistic fantasy of state-sanctioned righteousness, but let's be real—the narrative is giving him a massive pass. It is incredibly satisfying to watch him move with such fluid control and moral grace. However, by episode six, the constant "let the bad guys escape" routine is pushing our suspension of disbelief to its limit. His hands remain clean, but Kaifeng’s cells are completely empty because the criminals run too fast. True xia is admirable, but empty handcuffs don't clean up a corrupt empire. Restraint only works when the justice system actually catches up.

The Discussion | Question for the Community

Does Zhan Zhao’s strict legal restraint under Judge Bao make him a more compelling, tragic hero, or does this constant "merciful preservation" trope ultimately make him an ineffective protector of Kaifeng?