Zhao/Lore
Last updated 2026-06-12
Official Introduction
"Since you're here, how about we cut a deal?"
Zhao
"You're calling these shady Dennies of unknown origins a 'gift of destiny'?"
"How romantic, but destiny ain't some poor fool you can push around and take what you want from."
"It only gazes upon worthy souls to bestow its rewards. On the contrary, it will also reclaim everything from the unworthy."
"Do you think you have enough chips to face judgment?"
Agent Weapon
Frostveil
Xiao'Zhao's weapon, "Frostveil," is an experimental asset supplied through a confidential TOPS research project. Rather than merely projecting Ice-aligned Ether into strikes, the weapon channels Ether into its own structure. Under normal conditions, Frostveil is only half the weight of comparable weapons, but once in combat, its rapidly condensed ice edge gains far greater destructive power. The design might as well have been tailor-made for Xiao'Zhao.[1]
Agent Trust
| Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Trust Rank |
Rewards | |
 Familiar |
|
— |
 Friendly |
|
5,000 |
 Close |
|
10,000 |
 Trusted |
|
15,000 |
Impressions
- To someone like Xiao'Zhao, who cares deeply about value, a trading partner is a very dependable connection.
- But when a partner offers help without asking for anything in return, Xiao'Zhao gets a bit uncomfortable. It's not that she dislikes them — she just can't figure out what she's supposed to offer back to complete the "transaction."
- As more partners like that appeared in her life, Xiao'Zhao eventually realized that being liked isn't a bad thing at all, and it has nothing to do with how much value she holds.
Agent Intel
Agent Details
Zhao, a Krampus Compliance Authority Judge, was one of the elite members who joined in the early days.
Though she looks innocent and cute on the outside, she's actually sharp-minded, meticulous, and principled. She puts great importance on "value" and "equivalent exchange" — not in the sense of pricing things with money, but in analyzing someone's ability and potential, giving an objective and long-term assessment of the impact they can make.
It's said this mindset didn't come from Zhao's work at Krampus, but had already taken root during her childhood. She evaluates not only others, but herself as well. "Only those with value deserve to be seen."
Though she rarely shows it openly, Zhao remains cautious toward kindness that comes without reason. It conflicts with her belief in "equivalent exchange," and she tends to assume the other person must have a deeper motive for offering help.
As such, when dealing with Zhao, it's best to focus on mutual benefit first. If you want to break through her defenses with sheer sincerity and goodwill, you'll be fighting an uphill battle.
There's also one piece of intel that can't be fully confirmed: Zhao loves vegetables and dislikes meat, but she seems to be pretending she enjoys meat as well.
Agent Intel 1
Trust Rank: Close
Zhao grew up in a large family that was both poor and struggling, where affection and trust never outweighed the rule of survival: "Whoever can bring the most benefit gets more to eat."
She looked sweet and likeable, but that only made others think she was easy prey. In that harsh, predatory environment, people quickly labeled her as "low value." So her elders wrote her off as someone who'd never amount to anything, leaving her to a fate of being dismissed and abandoned. Everything changed when she met a Krampus official who saw her hidden potential instantly. From that moment on, she sealed away her past with her family, joined Krampus, and vowed to prove her true worth.
"Once you have value, you'll be seen even if you're crawling in the mud."
Cooperation Notes
|
Belle |
|---|---|
| I feel especially safe when I'm out investigating with Xiao'Zhao. Like... she's the kind of person who never loses out when dealing with others. | |
|
Wise |
| Whenever the group decides on something and Xiao'Zhao raises no objections, you can bet she's judged the pros and cons and found it worth attempting. |
Video Store Promotion
| Promoter | Unlock Requirement |
Daily Bonus |
Promotion Style | Promotion Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zhao |
The Convenience Store The Convenience Store |
Basic Freeze Chip x5 |
Bargain Sense Instead of focusing on promotion itself, Xiao'Zhao poured most of her effort into the flyer. On the large empty space on the back, she printed an ultra-clear New Eridu metro map. That turned a normally ignored handout into a must-take item — the kind of thing people kept around to look at whenever they needed directions. A few even showed up at the shop specifically to ask for one... |
Promoter... I've got a plan. Don't worry, just trust my eye for business! |
Commissions and Events
Phaethon's Story Episodes
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
- Episode 3: The Winner's Rules
- Episode 7: An Incomplete Story
- Memories of Dreams Bygone
- Episode 2: "The Town"
- Episode 3: Slumbering Mystery
- Episode 5: Rescue Operation
- Episode 8: Unexpected Fate
- On the Precipice of the Abyss
- Episode 2: Dark Tides Rising
- Episode 7: A Storm Brews
- To Be Fuel for the Night
- Episode 2: Good News, Bad News
- Episode 3: Crisis Emerges
- Episode 4: A Brief Rest
- Episode 5: Keeper of the Qingming Sword
- Episode 6: A foreseen Conclusion
- Episode 7: A Sudden Turn of Events
- Episode 8: Secrets Beneath the Ice
- Episode 9: "Our" Connection
- Episode 10: Mortal Form
- Episode 11: The Oath
- Episode 12: Epilogue (Season 2)
- Encore for an Old Dream
- Episode 7: Yearlight Ceremony Emergency Plan
- Episode 8: This Night Is Gilded
- New: Eridan Sunset (B)
- Episode 2: No Missing Person Notice Needed
- Episode 14: Guidance from Above
Trust Commissions
- Trust Rank Close: Lost Hairpin
- Promoter: Niche Film
- Trust Rank Friendly: Relationships and Transactions
- Trust Rank Trusted: Shared Hardship
Quality Time Commissions
- Wish Event: A Small Shop
- Wish Event: Basic Intel
- Wish Event: Coffee & Tea
- Trust Invite: Empty-Headed by the Seaside
- Wish Event: Teatime Talk
- Trust Invite: The Pusher and the Swinger
- Wish Event: The Same Feeling
- Trust Invite: When I'm lonely, I always want to keep some pets
- Trust Invite: Witness Howl's Cuteness
Events
- 100% Miss Bunny
- Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze
- Shadow Riptide Clash
- Ultimate Verdict Trial
- Summer Waves Roll In
Character Mentions
Inter-Knot Posts
Dialogue
Trivia
- Zhao being a Rabbit Thiren, along with the word "moon" on her dress, could be in reference to the Moon rabbit from various folklores. In Chinese folklore specifically, it is known as "Jade Rabbit," (Chinese: 玉兔 Yùtù) and is said to be pounding either elixir of life or rice cakes for the moon goddess Chang'e.
- Zhao's weapon is called Frost Veil Edge (Chinese: 霜嬋冰刃 Shuāngchán Bīngrèn)，this could be from Li Shangyin zh poem The The Frost and The Moon (Chinese: 霜月), the last couplet is 青女素娥俱耐冷，月中霜裡斗嬋娟 Qīngnǚ Sù'É Jù Nài Lěng, Yuè zhōng Shuāng lǐ Dòu Chánjuān, "The Goddest of frost and Chang'E are not afraid of cold and they are rivaling each other with their beauty". The poem itself is a depiction of the moon.
- There is a Chinese Character, 嬋 Chán on Zhao's exclusive engine, Half-Sugar Bunny, which stands for 嬋娟 Chánjuān, and it was used to refer to the moon in ancient China.
Etymology
- Her name in Chinese, 照 Zhào, means "to shine, to illuminate."
- Zhao shares the same Chinese voice actor, Nuoya (诺亚), with:
- Diona, "Kichiboushi", and Teucer in Genshin Impact
- March 7th, Evernight, and Ice Bear Cub in Honkai Star Rail
- Wendy and Welt Yang (Young) in Honkai Impact 3rd
- Zhao shares the same Korean voice actor, Miso (미소), with Cipher in Honkai Star Rail.
Notes
References
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