Xu Zhi'an

Biodata

Appearance

Xu Zhi'an is a man in his thirties who dresses like a clerk. He maintains meticulously combed hair and carries himself with a slightly hunched posture, as though accustomed to bowing. 7 8

• Meticulously combed hair under normal circumstances 7 8
• Slightly hunched waist/posture 7 8
• After fleeing the false Feng Xinghan, he is drenched in sweat, disheveled, pale, and visibly exhausted 13

Personality

Xu Zhi'an is cautious, observant, and willing to pursue leads independently. He recognizes that passively waiting out a mission is dangerous, choosing instead to investigate the water tanks after overhearing suspicious information. 19 20

He is also highly vulnerable to the psychological pressure of the Mist Gathering. A ghost impersonating Feng Xinghan drives him into panic and flight, while a later encounter with an apparent ghostly Bai Yanliang leaves him paranoid and terrified. 12 13 20 Despite this fear, he can regain his composure, share critical information with the group, and continue investigating after surviving. 14 22 23

Abilities & Skills

Investigation

Xu Zhi'an gathers information through observation, eavesdropping, and calculated deception.

• Pretended to be a reporter with Feng Xinghan after Zhang Wen mistook them for newspaper staff, allowing them access to her break room and testimony. 11
• Noticed that “Feng Xinghan” was standing on tiptoe and realized the real Feng had previously gone elsewhere, exposing the impostor as a ghost. 12
• Learned that Zhang Qiao’s husband was Ding Peng and identified Jiang Chaojie as the waiter assigned to the couple. 19
• Overheard Jiang Chaojie threaten Wang Sheng over a concealed body and a water tank, then chose to investigate the rooftop lead. 20

Mist Gathering Survival Experience

Xu Zhi'an understands several practical principles of surviving within Mist Gathering.

• Explains that time-limited mission ghosts can be overcome by discovering their weakness before the deadline, unlike survival-mission ghosts. 9
• Recognizes that investigating separate leads is more efficient than following every mystery to its conclusion. 19
• Learns to distrust appearances after being pursued by a ghost disguised as Feng Xinghan. 12 14

Relationships

• Bai Yanliang — Fellow participant in the Ruyi Inn mission. Bai Yanliang initially mistakes a ghost impersonating Xu Zhi'an for him; later, Xu Zhi'an shares his own encounter with a false Feng Xinghan. Bai saves Xu Zhi'an from self-strangulation by breaking both of his arms, leading Xu to trust him despite finding him frighteningly unusual. 7 14 21 23
• Feng Xinghan — Mission companion who accompanied Xu Zhi'an while investigating Zhang Wen. A ghost copied Feng’s appearance, deceived Xu, and pursued him from the break room. 11 12 14
• Jiang Li — Fellow investigator during the Ruyi Inn mission. She assists Bai Yanliang in saving Xu and later helps care for Xu after his injuries; the three investigate the rooftop water tanks together. 21 22 23 25
• Li Yuejun — Fellow Ruyi Inn participant. She reunites with Xu and the others after the first day’s separation and later joins him and Jiang Li in approaching Bai Yanliang at the next Mist Gathering. 8 14 47
• Lu Guo — Assigned alongside Xu Zhi'an during the “Who Bestows the Comb” mission, with Lu serving as that group’s Grudge-Bound. 48

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ruyi Inn Mission

Xu Zhi'an is assigned to Bai Yanliang’s group when the Mist Gathering sends them into the Ruyi Inn mission. After the group is separated upon arrival, a ghost wearing Xu’s appearance knocks on Bai’s door, nearly luring Bai into opening it. 6 7 14

While investigating with Feng Xinghan, Xu impersonates a reporter to question Zhang Wen. He becomes alarmed by her behavior and realizes that the Feng beside him is an impostor when he notices the figure’s unnatural posture and remembers the real Feng had gone to the newspaper office. He escapes and later reports the incident to the group. 11 12 14

Following Bai Yanliang’s revelation that Zhang Qiao is already dead, Xu traces information about Ding Peng and Jiang Chaojie. He overhears the waiters discussing a body hidden in a water tank, then investigates the sixth floor with Bai. There, a reflected image of a mutilated Bai Yanliang and a water-born apparition overwhelm him. 19 20

Under the ghost’s influence, Xu attempts to strangle himself. Bai Yanliang and Jiang Li intervene; unable to force his hands apart, Bai breaks both of Xu’s arms to stop the suicide attempt. After waking, Xu directs them to the rooftop water tanks and remains behind to listen for movement while Bai and Jiang Li inspect them. 21 22 23

Return to Mist Gathering

After returning to reality, Xu helps recount the Ruyi Inn mission in the Mist Gathering group chat. He confirms that Bai Yanliang repeatedly aided the group and actively sought out ghosts without showing fear. 38

Xu later returns to the Mist Gathering and joins Jiang Li and Li Yuejun in approaching Bai Yanliang about cooperating. In the following selection, he is assigned to Lu Guo’s group for the three-day mission “Who Bestows the Comb.” 47 48