Zhou Luxun

Zhou Luxun is an elite Erfan Guild cadet whose unique Stronghold Proclamation makes him a defensive specialist. His public rivalry with Yeorum develops into a calculated effort to hold her to repeated draws, but the strategy provokes retaliation that costs him a higher competition finish and contributes to his later loss of state support. (Chapters 106, 111, 121, 153–158, 268)

Biography

Public rivalry and defensive sniping

Zhou appears among Erfan's leading cadets and initially sneers at Yeorum during a filmed interview. He soon abandons the expected culture of media humility, boasts that Yong Taeha cannot hit him, and snaps a red string as a deliberate provocation toward the red-haired Yeorum. During the individual competition, Erfan exploits scheduling information so Zhou can repeatedly meet her and pursue draws rather than victories, using a defensive setup designed to consume the entire five-minute limit and drain her points through the underdog system. (Chapters 106, 111, 121, 152–153)

The plan briefly lifts Zhou to second place and brings Erfan the prospect of government and Heavenly Gods support. Yeorum responds by targeting Erfan's cadets and then defeats Zhou after changing weapons to counter his two shields. Under pressure from his guardian and the guild, Zhou tries to recover but falls to fourth by the competition's end. A later argument with Yong Taeha leads him to reveal a military secret online, after which the state withdraws support and Ling Ling overtakes his position as Erfan's representative on Team Lair. (Chapters 154–158, 253, 268)

Appearance and personality

Zhou is a smart-looking male cadet. He presents a polished, modest image before the media until resentment toward that performance pushes him into open boasting. During fights he uses mocking gestures, including giggling and sticking out his tongue, to disrupt an opponent's composure. (Chapters 106, 111, 153)

He is proud, competitive, and tactically patient, but his confidence depends heavily on institutional expectations and his guardian's plans. Zhou resents being ordered to fight defensively, fears losing Erfan's support, and becomes increasingly anxious when Yeorum turns the guild's scheduling tactics against them. His later disclosure of military information shows that the need to display strength can override judgment. (Chapters 153–156, 268)

Powers and abilities

Stronghold Proclamation

Zhou awakened Stronghold Proclamation at A- rank, and the blessing is described as unique to him. It establishes a controlled area through four floating monuments. Three supporting monuments emit chilling, psychokinetic, and hallucination effects that obstruct an approaching enemy, while the larger Revolver Monument requires roughly thirty seconds of mana before firing magic bullets that can strike targets within about one hundred metres. (Chapters 111, 153)

The configuration excels at delay: Zhou can defend and maintain four simultaneous spell functions until an opponent becomes trapped in a prolonged territorial fight. It is less effective at securing a decisive victory against Yeorum, since he uses the completed Revolver Monument to deter her rather than finish her. If an opponent bypasses the monuments or brings a weapon that defeats his shield arrangement, his defensive plan can collapse. (Chapters 153, 155–156)

Defensive weapon handling

Zhou normally carries a sword, but uses two shields when specifically preparing to survive Yeorum's attacks. The shields complement his monument-based control and help deny close-range damage. They also reduce his ability to fight head-on, and Yeorum's chosen counterweapon turns the setup into a liability that leaves him crawling and taking blows. (Chapters 153, 155–156)

Relationships

• Yeorum: Zhou's boasts and red-string gesture make their rivalry personal. He uses Erfan's scheduling advantage and defensive blessing to force draws, while Yeorum retaliates by targeting the guild and eventually defeats him after adapting her equipment. (Chapters 106, 111, 121, 152–158)
• Lyun: Lyun is Zhou's guardian and the architect of his cautious shield strategy. He praises the cadet when sniping succeeds, pressures him when retaliation begins, and ties Zhou's performance to Erfan's future support, creating loyalty mixed with private resentment. (Chapters 153–156)
• Ha Yoon: As Zhou's Moonlight study-group professor, Ha Yoon tries to restrain his sudden media arrogance and recognizes that other provocative cadets influenced his decision to stop acting humble. (Chapters 104, 106, 111)
• Ling Ling: Ling Ling begins as a fellow Erfan cadet beneath Zhou's institutional standing. Her later growth surpasses his, and she takes the Erfan position on Team Lair after Zhou loses state support. (Chapters 104, 106, 121, 253, 268)
• Yong Taeha: Zhou publicly claims Yong Taeha cannot hit him and later argues with him online. The latter dispute prompts Zhou's disclosure of a military secret and contributes directly to the end of his state backing. (Chapters 111, 155, 268)

Items

Four monuments

Stronghold Proclamation manifests four monuments around Zhou. The largest is the Revolver Monument, which charges for approximately thirty seconds before firing unavoidable magic bullets within its range; the other three protect Zhou and the main monument with distinct control effects. (Chapter 153)

Red string

Zhou snaps a red silk string at the end of a televised interview. Viewers interpret the gesture as a threat or insult aimed at Yeorum's red hair, intensifying their rivalry before the competition. (Chapter 111)

Sword and shields

Zhou ordinarily uses a sword but takes two shields into matches intended to stall Yeorum. The equipment supports a defensive draw, yet it restricts his preferred head-on combat and becomes ineffective when Yeorum arrives with a weapon selected to counter it. (Chapters 153, 155–156)