Gu Xingjian

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu Xingjian (顾行简)
Alias(es)	“Demon in human skin”; “Writer”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Ninth Branch; later acts independently in plans against Tianhai Hotel
Occupation/Role	Branch Manager of the Ninth Branch; architect of long-term schemes involving Manager Missions and Forbidden Zones
Status	Active; has survived multiple apparent deaths through divided existence and other contingencies 807 1388 1729
First Appearance	Chapter 395

Appearance

Gu Xingjian ordinarily presents himself as an unremarkable, gentle-looking man whose harmless demeanor conceals an intimidating and predatory presence. His most recognizable feature is a pair of narrow phoenix-like eyes with an unreadable gleam 395.

• Slightly long hair, typically combed back 395.
• Often wears casual black clothing or a white tracksuit; during the Sixth Manager Mission, he wears a long black robe associated with the Red Forbidden Zone 395 1159.
• Has appeared barefoot while working on his secret projects 694 973.
• His appearance and even facial expressions can subtly change, unsettling those who know him 396 1164.
• A corpse resembling him is actually his elder brother Gu Xingzhi, whose left eye is missing 694 1122.

Personality

Gu Xingjian is exceptionally calm, patient, and calculating. He habitually adopts a friendly, refined manner that lowers others’ guard, while treating people as variables, tools, or disposable pieces within larger plans 395 1160. Even opponents who recognize his danger struggle to determine whether his words are sincere, deceptive, or both 416 680.

His worldview centers on resisting predetermined fate. He believes that framing life as a choice between destiny and free will is itself a trap, and that one must “tear open” fate by refusing the limits imposed upon them 436. This philosophy drives both his opposition to Tianhai Hotel and his willingness to commit extreme acts.

Despite his ruthlessness, Gu Xingjian occasionally displays moments of solemnity and concern, particularly around death or certain individuals. Ji Li notices such changes but cannot determine whether they are genuine or another layer of performance 1173 1749.

Abilities & Skills

Strategic Foresight

Gu Xingjian is regarded as one of the most dangerous planners among the Top Ten Branches, second only to Li Yi in standing. His schemes routinely account for multiple opposing choices and contingency routes 395 1164.

• Anticipated Ji Li burning his Paper Figure and used that act to plant a seed of mind interference in him 451.
• Prepared the Hundred-Headed Strange Infant as a false Sin Item and intended it as part of a wider plan involving Luo Xian 416 451.
• Understands supernatural incidents, mission rules, and Paths to Life at an unusually high level 745 1181.
• Uses apparent weakness, retreat, and even death as misdirection 1186.

Writer Ability

As the root cause of the Red Forbidden Zone–Black, Gu Xingjian can operate from a higher “writer” position over its script-like supernatural rules 1177 1183.

• Produces death scripts capable of inflicting catastrophic harm, such as causing Chang Sheng to bleed from all orifices 1179.
• Uses script rules to counter Ji Li’s Evil Spirit and neutralize attacks that would otherwise threaten him 1177 1178.
• Can conceal his true self while presenting false versions of “the writer” for enemies to destroy 1181 1183.
• Reconfigures spaces into supernatural scenes, including transforming a battlefield into a mourning hall before escaping as a memorial portrait 1186.

Perception and Information Manipulation

Gu Xingjian can influence perception and gather intelligence through unusual means.

• Surveillance footage of him displays different scenes to different viewers; Ji Li sees Gu Xingjian staring and smiling into the camera while Clyde does not 680.
• Monitored the Black and White Building from Room 0215, giving him extensive awareness of events across the structure 745.
• His Paper Figure Sin Item can serve as a surveillance medium and a vehicle for mental interference 451.
• He has demonstrated the ability to tamper with or control certain Sin Items, though the limits and cost of this ability are unclear 753.

Ghost and Sin Item Control

Gu Xingjian employs Sin Items with exceptional precision and is capable of coordinating powerful supernatural entities.

• Summoned the Tower Suppressing Ghosts by activating talismans across the Black and White Building’s Fifth Floor 436.
• Used flute music to disrupt the Faceless Person’s possession of Hou Guisheng and direct the Sixteenth Floor Ghost’s attack 745 800.
• Uses the Scale Sin Item to weigh and punish souls, including Hou Guisheng’s 1173 1186.
• Suppressed the Bronze Ancient Coffin’s summoning with one hand through a Paper Figure 400.
• His power can render Li Yi’s internal ghost ineffective, though Li Yi could still potentially kill him through prolonged use of Sin Items 1186.

Divided Existence and Survival

Gu Xingjian is unusually difficult to kill because his existence has been divided across multiple vessels and arrangements.

• After being killed during the Fourth Manager Mission, he survives because part of his life remains in Clyde’s Square Mirror 807.
• A portion of him is also implied to have been preserved through the kerosene lamp sent to Quan Liang 1060.
• He repeatedly allows opponents to believe they have killed him, only to reappear later 753 827 1388.
• His physical body becomes vulnerable when supernatural power is removed from the relevant Forbidden Area layer 1170.

Equipment / Sin Items

• Paper Figure Sin Item — Produces paper replicas and was used to implant mind interference in Ji Li after its destruction 400 451.
• Flute — Alters or disrupts ghostly activity through its melody 745 800.
• Scale — Judges souls and delivers supernatural punishment 1173 1186.
• Black robe — Closely linked to the Red Forbidden Zone; places immense strain on Gu Xingjian while he bears its power 1159 1161.
• Five Emperors Coins — Used while mapping and calculating events surrounding Tiannan Academy of Drama 973 1045.
• Vermilion Wood Carving — Used during his transaction involving the Evil Spirit; his fingers temporarily transform into carving knives to shape it 749.
• Kerosene lamp — Creates a protected area and is later connected to one of his survival contingencies 445 1060.
• Black Book and pen — Implements his Writer-based scripts within the Forbidden Area 1174 1183.

Background

Gu Xingjian was initially regarded as an undisciplined and insignificant younger brother, while Gu Xingzhi was considered the naturally gifted candidate for Ninth Branch Manager. Gu Xingzhi died during the Branch Manager selection mission, after which Gu Xingjian assumed his position and rapidly developed an almost inhuman capacity for strategy and calculation 908.

The exact nature of the brothers’ connection remains uncertain. Gu Xingjian preserves Gu Xingzhi’s corpse, restores it with flesh-colored paint, and seeks to complete it by acquiring its missing right eye. He describes the intended result as a “new life” for both of them 694. He later attempts to create a compatible body using Gu Xingzhi’s corpse, skull-related materials, and Sin Items, with the aim of merging it with himself 1122.

Gu Xingjian’s stated overarching objective is to oppose Tianhai Hotel from the standpoint of humanity. This shared objective later becomes the basis for Luo Xian’s cooperation with him, despite his extreme methods 1696.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fourth Manager Mission

Gu Xingjian enters the Fourth Manager Mission as the Ninth Branch Manager and one of the leading figures among the Top Ten Branches. He shows immediate interest in Ji Li, whom he considers a rising and potentially crucial variable 395.

During the mission, he protects Zhu Xiaoning despite her low standing, suggesting that his real interest lies in Branch No. 10 rather than in Zhu Xiaoning herself 410. He also places a Paper Figure where Ji Li will find and burn it, deliberately turning Ji Li’s act of defiance into the origin of a long-lasting mind-interference curse 451.

He activates talismans in the Black and White Building, summons Tower Suppressing Ghosts, and offers Vice Branch Manager Xu a chance to escape the confines of fate 436. Although he appears to die by the mission’s end, this death is later revealed to be incomplete 446 807.

Tiannan Academy of Drama

Gu Xingjian infiltrates Tiannan Academy of Drama shortly before another Manager Mission, quietly observing students and investigating its special locations 679 973. His presence creates severe anxiety in Ji Li, whose inner demon intensifies whenever Gu Xingjian becomes involved 680.

Ji Li ultimately confronts and shoots him at the school gate, causing his body to dissipate. This is not a final death; Gu Xingjian’s divided existence allows him to survive 680 807.

Fifth Manager Mission and the Evil Spirit

Gu Xingjian becomes entangled in the formation of the Evil Spirit and the Vermilion Wood Carving. He appears to seek something within Ji Li and considers the Manager Mission an opportunity to advance a plan capable of contending with Tianhai 749.

Ji Li kills him again after blocking apparent escape routes, including the Square Mirror. Gu Xingjian nevertheless retains part of his existence beyond his main body and later admits that Ji Li’s first attempt on his life provided him with Ji Li’s photograph—an asset connected to “the thing inside him” 753 807 827.

Sixth Manager Mission and the Red Forbidden Zone

Gu Xingjian uses the Red Forbidden Zone–Black as the foundation of a layered supernatural incident, positioning his physical body, consciousness, and victims within nested levels 1170. He exploits Xu Nan, Huang Banxian, and Hou Guisheng as pieces in a contest for control over the Forbidden Zone 1160 1164.

When trapped by Xu Nan’s sacrifice, Gu Xingjian reveals himself as the Forbidden Area’s root cause and counters Ji Li and Hou Guisheng with Writer-based script manipulation 1177 1178. He outmaneuvers Chang Sheng’s Ghost Card game, identifies the Human Skin Ghost’s Path to Life, and avoids exposing a weakness even when others understand the same solution 1179 1181.

His true objective is eventually revealed: opening the Bronze Ancient Coffin to seize Xiao Qian Duyue’s Eye of Calamity 1186 1190.

Later Activity

Gu Xingjian remains active after the Sixth Manager Mission, influences events connected to Ji Li’s future and Old Yu Street, and prevents the collapse of a dreamscape by placing seven new human skulls upon its round table 1388.

He later returns publicly after his presumed death and declares his intent to restart the failed First and Fourth Manager Missions 1729. His long-term plans, alongside Luo Xian’s, become part of the broader effort to create a path to survival against Tianhai Hotel 1732.

Relationships

• Ji Li — Principal rival, test subject, and recurring target of Gu Xingjian’s schemes. Gu Xingjian cursed him through the Paper Figure, repeatedly manipulated his circumstances, and sought something connected to the entity within him 451 827.
• Gu Xingzhi — Elder brother whose death enabled Gu Xingjian’s rise to Ninth Branch Manager. Gu Xingjian preserves and reconstructs Gu Xingzhi’s corpse in pursuit of a shared “new life” 694 908 1122.
• Li Yi — Rival among the Top Ten Branch Managers. Gu Xingjian’s standing is considered second only to Li Yi’s, and he repeatedly tries to redirect Li Yi toward their shared past and fate 395 1186 1730.
• Luo Xian — Strategic collaborator whose eventual cooperation with Gu Xingjian is based on their shared opposition to Tianhai 416 1696 1732.
• Huang Banxian — Subordinate and diviner whom Gu Xingjian previously supported with Sin Items. Huang Banxian fears that Gu Xingjian intends to use him for a much larger purpose 1160.
• Xu Nan — Persistent enemy who seeks mutual destruction with Gu Xingjian. Gu Xingjian exploits Xu Nan’s hatred while recognizing him as a significant threat 415 1164.
• Hou Guisheng — Opponent and recurring participant in Gu Xingjian’s Manager Mission contests. Gu Xingjian treats him as a useful but belated variable 799 1160 1173.
• Xiao Qian Duyue — Target of Gu Xingjian’s plan to obtain the Eye of Calamity from within the Bronze Ancient Coffin 1190.
• The Black Robed Figure — A ghostly ally or construct that assists Gu Xingjian, acts on his commands, and appears deeply connected to his plans 1170 1190.
• Clyde — His Square Mirror serves as one of Gu Xingjian’s survival contingencies; their relationship deteriorates after the Ghost Child mission 807 1160.

Notable Quotes

“Whether a person's destiny is predetermined or not is a false dichotomy. Because by framing the question in the first place, you've already confined yourself, meaning you've trapped yourself in the cage of fate.” 436

“Characters in a story using the rules to kill the writer, what a creative concept. But in this story, the writer never revealed their true self.” 1183

“Ji Li is just a minor character; what's important is the thing inside him.” 827

Trivia

• Gu Xingjian’s ordinary appearance is repeatedly emphasized as part of what makes him dangerous: people tend to underestimate him before recognizing his true nature 395 679.
• He is one of the only thirteen participants in the Sin Judgment mission to survive; the other twelve, including the previous Eighth Branch Manager, died 674.
• Gu Xingjian has been described as someone who “never lied” to Ji Li, despite routinely concealing information and manipulating circumstances 806.