Xu Chang'an

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xu Chang’an (许长安)
Alias(es)	“Second Brother Ding,” an address used for Xu’s close association with Ding Songyan’s family 5 6
Gender	Male 5
Affiliation	Former disciple of the thief Zhang Rui; associated with the Chengyu Alley underworld 17 18
Occupation/Role	Thief; aspiring “great thief”; prospective martial-arts student 6 25
Status	Alive and active in Dingjiang Prefecture 45
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background / History

Xu Chang’an lives near the well in Chengyu Alley and was formerly a companion of Ding Songyan. He is a thief by trade, though Ding Qingyan insists that he would not dare steal from the Ding family. Xu regularly accompanies Ding to Dangkang Temple and initially views him as both a friend and a possible future brother-in-law 5.

After Xu’s master, the veteran thief Zhang Rui, disappears, Xu turns to Ding for guidance. The two investigate Zhang’s courtyard, discover hidden silver, and learn that Zhang had been searching Potter’s Field for Yin Corpse Grass needed for Creating Apertures. They later find Zhang’s mutilated corpse, connecting his death to the wider mystery surrounding the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas 17 18.

Inspired by stories of legendary thieves, Xu decides to abandon petty theft and pursue the ideal of becoming a “great thief.” He visits martial academies to find a suitable technique, taking advantage of the fact that he has not yet opened any acupoints and therefore has no cultivation method to conflict with a future inheritance 6 25.

Xu remains involved in Ding Songyan’s investigations despite fearing the Zhen Estate and official authority. He provides information about the Small Boat Gang’s connections, accompanies Ding to Stone Pool Martial Hall, and acts as a discreet messenger when Ding is under surveillance 29 41.

Appearance

Xu usually wears a blue, narrow-sleeved straight robe and a black headscarf. His furtive, rat-like expression and constantly shifting eyes make him look like an underworld schemer, although he can present himself more respectably in a light-colored robe and square cap 17 25.

• Shifty eyes and a furtive demeanor 5 17
• Blue narrow-sleeved robe and black headscarf 17
• Capable of disguising himself as a more ordinary-looking young man 25
• Maintains a noticeably suspicious appearance even while attempting to look dignified 33

Personality

Xu is timid, impressionable, and easily frightened by official punishment or powerful factions. Ding Songyan can intimidate him with claims about Constable Xue or the authorities, even when those claims are fabricated 25 33.

Despite his fear, Xu is loyal and grateful. He refuses to abandon Ding when they approach Stone Pool Martial Hall, reasoning that Ding once risked himself to help investigate Zhang Rui’s disappearance. His willingness to accompany Ding despite the danger reveals a strong sense of reciprocity beneath his opportunism 29.

Xu admires Ding’s judgment and increasingly treats him as the more mature and capable of the two. Although Xu is older by birth, he calls Ding “Second Brother” because Ding is Ding Qingyan’s elder brother and appears more composed, intelligent, discerning, and knowledgeable 25.

Abilities & Skills

Thievery and Infiltration

Xu possesses practical skills learned from Zhang Rui’s criminal trade.

• Opens locked doors with improvised tools, including a length of iron wire 17.
• Knows how to hide money and recognize valuable goods in places such as the docks 18 33.
• Maintains contacts and information sources among thieves, martial halls, and gang associates 29.
• His judgment remains unreliable; fear and inexperience make him vulnerable to deception by people he trusts 25 33.

Underworld Knowledge

Xu’s position at the lower levels of the jianghu gives him useful local knowledge.

• Identifies Stone Pool Martial Hall as a former Small Boat Gang connection 29.
• Knows about the Small Boat Gang’s remaining associates and Chen Yuliang’s connection to the martial hall 29.
• Understands the risks of reporting Zhang Rui’s disappearance, since doing so could expose both Zhang’s criminal history and the disciples’ involvement 18.
• Acts as Ding Songyan’s source for local rumors and discreet messages when Ding cannot move openly 29 41.

Martial Development

Xu has not yet established a documented cultivation rank. As of his decision to visit martial academies, he has not opened any acupoints and is still searching for a suitable foundational technique 25. His later visits to martial halls produce no confirmed breakthrough 41.

Equipment / Items

• Iron wire — Used to unlock Zhang Rui’s courtyard gate 17.
• Inherited silver — Zhang Rui’s hidden money provides Xu with enough resources to stop working temporarily and investigate martial training 25.
• Twenty-five taels of silver — Xu gives Ding Songyan twenty-five taels as thanks for helping with Zhang Rui’s affairs, reserving five taels for Ding Daniu 23.

Relationships

• Ding Songyan — Close companion and trusted adviser. Xu relies on Ding’s judgment, while Ding guides, deceives, and protects him 5 18 29 33.
• Ding Qingyan — Neighbor and romantic interest. Xu appears to regard himself as a possible future brother-in-law, while Qingyan treats him with teasing familiarity 5.
• Zhang Rui — Master and mentor in thievery. Zhang’s disappearance and death become the central crisis that draws Xu deeper into Ding Songyan’s investigations 17 18.
• Ding Daniu — Protective associate during the search for Zhang Rui. Xu is visibly intimidated by Daniu’s size and violent reputation 17 19.
• Liu Yuxuan — Martial-hall master connected to Zhang Rui and the Small Boat Gang. Xu investigates Stone Pool Martial Hall as a possible source of training and information 29 30.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Companion to Ding Songyan

Xu serves as Ding’s local guide during the early investigation into Ding’s disappearance, the Zhen Estate, and the martial world. His familiarity with thieves, storytellers, and city rumors gives Ding access to information he could not gather alone 5 6.

Zhang Rui Investigation

The disappearance of Xu’s master links Xu to the Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas conspiracy. The discovery of Zhang’s corpse at Potter’s Field reveals that Xu’s personal crisis is connected to the same dangerous forces surrounding Ding Songyan 17 18.

Aspiring Great Thief

Xu’s romanticized ambition begins after hearing stories about legendary thieves. Ding encourages him by declaring that he has “the bearing of a great thief,” causing Xu to take the goal seriously 6.

Reluctant Participant in the Conspiracy

Although he remains frightened and physically unprepared, Xu repeatedly helps Ding investigate rival factions, contact martial halls, carry messages, and maintain alibis. His loyalty makes him a useful but vulnerable ally in Ding’s attempts to survive the Zhen Estate’s schemes 29 41 45.

Notable Quotes

“Second Brother Ding, do you think I could become a great thief too?” 6

“That’s right. I’m no longer a petty thief; I’m only a great bandit.” 33

Trivia

• Xu is older than Ding Songyan but still calls him “Second Brother Ding” because Ding is Ding Qingyan’s elder brother and seems more mature than Xu himself 25.
• His ambition to become a great thief is shaped more by storyteller legends than by proven martial ability 6.
• Xu’s apparent cowardice contrasts with his willingness to accompany Ding into dangerous situations out of gratitude 29.