Deng Xiaolin

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Deng Xiaolin (邓晓琳)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Occupation/Role	University student; medium; later described as a newly appointed ghost exorcist 16 350 429
First Appearance	Chapter 16 16

Background / History

Deng Xiaolin is Elder Deng's youngest granddaughter. Raised around folk-custom objects, she developed a fascination with ghosts and supernatural incidents, though Elder Deng deliberately kept his own ghost-exorcist knowledge from her and forbade her from entering the profession. She instead turned to Liu Haoyu, whom she regularly questioned about his work. 16 17 24

Her curiosity led her to investigate a reported accident near a reservoir alone, armed with a Peach Wood Sword and items taken from her grandfather's chest. A ghostly warning prompted her to flee from two suspicious men, bringing her into contact with Liu Haoyu, who had arrived to investigate. 18 19

Liu eventually brought Xiaolin into the haunted house because her spirit sight could help locate Qin Liu. The experience shattered much of her initial excitement: Qin Liu subjected her to terrifying dreamlike illusions, and Xiaolin fainted after being overwhelmed by fear. Qin Liu briefly controlled her, but Xiaolin broke free when the talismans on the door repelled the possession. 24 26

Despite this, Xiaolin accompanied Liu Haoyu through the tomb connected to Qin Liu and later cautiously approached Qin Liu herself to deliver food and seek Liu's safety. After the haunted-house incident, she stopped demanding further ghost-hunting excursions, though she continued to encounter supernatural cases. 29 30 46 50

Appearance

Xiaolin is described as a bright, fresh-faced, and beautiful young woman with above-average looks. 16 17 105

• Often carries a Peach Wood Sword when expecting supernatural danger. 18 25
• Initially presents herself with lively enthusiasm around ghost stories and investigations. 17 25
• Her expression readily betrays fear, embarrassment, or frustration—particularly around Liu Haoyu. 26 47 51

Personality

Xiaolin is intensely curious about ghosts and regards helping wandering spirits as a good deed. Her ability to see them made supernatural matters feel familiar rather than frightening while she was growing up. 19

Her enthusiasm does not make her fearless. Direct encounters with Fierce Ghosts can overwhelm her, causing panic or even unconsciousness; nevertheless, she repeatedly chooses to investigate, communicate, or remain present despite her fear. 25 26 50 352

She is emotionally direct in her attachment to Liu Haoyu, but also sensitive to rejection. After Liu repeatedly places his work before romance, she considers becoming a ghost exorcist to stand beside him, only to be firmly discouraged. 51 71

Abilities & Skills

Spirit Sight and Long-Distance Ghost Communication

Xiaolin can see wandering ghosts and receive the voices of souls and ghosts from great distances.

• Her greatest recorded communication range is eight kilometers. 19
• She can detect ghostly presences and identify when someone is not human, such as the ghostly passenger in a car. 24 31
• She sensed the resentment and red shadow of a ghost in a haunted house and attempted to communicate with it. 429
• Her sight has limits: when viewing Qin Liu, she could perceive only a blurry red silhouette rather than her face. 49 50

Ghost Exorcism

Although Elder Deng and Liu Haoyu initially opposed her entering the field, Xiaolin is later described as a newly appointed ghost exorcist. 24 71 350

• Carries and uses a Peach Wood Sword as a protective weapon. 18 25
• Shows awareness of supernatural signs, including an abnormal reflection appearing in chicken blood. 350
• Attempts to communicate with spirits rather than immediately confront them. 429
• Extreme fear makes her vulnerable to ghostly illusions and mental control. Qin Liu was able to control her only after Xiaolin had been pushed into intense panic. 26

Equipment / Items

• Peach Wood Sword — A protective sword taken from Elder Deng's collection; Xiaolin carries it during supernatural investigations. 18 25
• Warding items — Miscellaneous objects from Elder Deng's chest, believed to be effective against Fierce Ghosts. 18

Relationships

• Elder Deng — Her grandfather. A former ghost exorcist who strictly tries to keep her away from the dangers of supernatural work. 16 24 46
• Liu Haoyu — A close acquaintance whom Xiaolin calls “Brother Hao.” She develops romantic feelings for him, but he repeatedly frames their bond as sibling-like and prioritizes his career. 19 47 51 71
• Qin Liu — A Fierce Ghost Xiaolin can perceive as a red silhouette. Qin Liu terrified and briefly controlled her, but Xiaolin later cautiously communicates with her. 26 50
• Bai Anting — A friend who consoles Xiaolin after her romantic disappointment and later accompanies her to investigate a haunted house. 105 429
• Black Book — A sentient book Xiaolin discovers and questions after realizing that it can speak. 76

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Reservoir incident — Xiaolin investigates an accident site alone, follows a ghost's warning, and encounters Liu Haoyu while fleeing suspicious men. 18 19
• Haunted-house investigation — Her spirit sight makes her useful to Liu Haoyu, but Qin Liu's illusions and mental control expose her lack of preparedness for Fierce Ghosts. 24 31
• Qin Liu's house and Liu Haoyu's rejection — Xiaolin brings food to Liu Haoyu at the haunted house, attempts to confess, and is devastated when he says he sees her as a sister. 50 51
• Black Book discovery — Xiaolin discovers that the Black Book is sentient and possibly sealed within its own pages. 76
• Later supernatural encounters — As a newly appointed ghost exorcist, she investigates an otherworldly reflection, faces a rokurokubi while working in an isolated mansion, and encounters a village grudge spirit. 350 352 356
• Ghost-in-the-mirror case — Xiaolin investigates a haunted house with Bai Anting, but Bai later discovers that the “Deng Xiaolin” accompanying her is a replica rather than a living person. 429 430
• Qin Liu's past — Xiaolin persistently questions Qin Liu about her time at the Qin ancestral home and the source of her increased power. 437
• Hospital visit — Xiaolin visits the unconscious Qin Liu, showing concern and responsibility for her condition. 475

Notable Quotes

“I didn't hold your hand.” 429