Hu Xiao Hui

24 years old, cultivator under Lulin Manor. The fifth of sect master Zhou Yanshan's seven inner disciples.

• Tan skinned
• About 5'6“ on a good day, not tall
• Grey eyes
• Dark brown hair with a shock of white on the left side, tied in a topknot
• Wears a grey yichang, a dark grey cross-collared shirt and a lighter grey skirt, with a green sash
• Hair tied with a simple grey ribbon, the parts that aren't in the bun just brushing past his shoulders
• Favours layers; gets cold easily but doesn't like to say so
• Delicate features

• Even-tempered and quiet, considers himself to be very dull
• Careful and deliberate, trying not to disturb the world around him when he does anything
• Reserved to the point of apparent detachment, but he really does care
• Not unfriendly just really awkward
• Pragmatic and logical, straightforward by nature
• Self-esteem so low he practically disappears into himself but tries not to let that get in the way
• Loves tea; honestly a little snotty about tea

• A golden core level cultivator and all that entails
• Wields shuangjian (two duanjian) named Piaoxue and Bitan, style that emphasises precision and adaptability, speed and accuracy, over strength
• Makes up for where he lacks raw talent with technique
• Good at defensive arrays, usually gets put in charge of these when in a group/duo setting
• Decent herbalist, knows first aid and has some talent with poison, though this hardly gets put to use
• Can sort of unfocus himself and blend into the background, unclear if this is a cultivation skill or just his own lack of presence, people tend to forget about him when he's there

Found in the remains of a hollow tree at the age of about five by Zhou Yanshan, following a fire that ravaged a mountainside, surrounded by ash. Named the little girl the way one might name a kitten. In lieu of a birth name, the kid became Xiao Hui. A small grey thing covered in ash of no great consequence, no need for embellishment.

Unlike most of Zhou Yanshan's disciples, Xiao Hui grew up at Lulin Manor, doing odd chores, pouring tea, and reading books. By ten, he was officially recognised as its fifth disciple and began actual training. His natural inclination toward quiet observation and self-sufficiency made him adept at dealing with his master, earning him an unspoken level of trust.

Raised as a girl until he turned 14. “I thought something seemed off, but you were so polite about it,” said Zhou Yanshan, and that was pretty much that. The courtesy name Huiqing was given to him on his 16th birthday, but he doesn't really connect with it and hardly uses it at all. Not out of disrespect for his master, who doesn't press the issue, but as a passive rebellion against the idea that there is a difference to be marked. To Xiao Hui, there is no before and after, no girlhood he's outgrown, no manhood that he needs to pursue. All along he's been a little grey thing, so a little grey name suits him fine.

Met Su Chenyi when he was 15, spending a summer in Baiwu Valley, studying medicine and poison, as well as how to prepare his own medication. Probably fell in love at the same time, but nothing came of that until another 5 years later. They travelled together for a few months, wandering jianghu, solving mysteries, helping the sick. Then they broke each other's trust and it all fell apart. He never went back to the Valley after that.

Until 4 years later, when he finds a bride collapsed on Mount Lulin during his regular morning routine of fetching water.

• Zhou Yanshan (周焱山): Master, basically his father. Exasperated by his shit but trusts and respects him above everyone else. Is one of the only people who can really predict the man.
• Bai Jingmei (白静梅): San-shijie, a frequent companion of his on missions. Teases him relentlessly but they trust each other deeply. He was 7 and she was 10 when they first met.
• Yao Ziyang (姚子阳): Er-shixiong. He respects him but ironically finds him rigid and cold, especially towards their shimei. Their relationship is basically cordial, considers him more of a colleague. Ziyang thinks he's a kid. They're basically the same age.
• Luo Cuilian (罗翠莲): Qi-shimei, who he sees as his real little sister and dotes on, in so far as he is capable of doting on anyone.
• Zhou Minyi (周敏仪): Si-shixiong. Gets along with very well, looks up to him for his gentle and unflappable nature. They think alike on a lot of things.
• Zhang Jianhan (张剑寒): Liu-shidi, loud, reckless. Is usually on babysitting duty when paired up.
• The Mysterious and Unnamed First Disciple: It is a mystery.
• Su Chenyi (苏辰逸): It's complicated. Basically his ex. Sort of his mentor. Doesn't know what to do about him.
• Li Niannian (李念念): The blacksmith's daughter. Starts out as his charge/assignment, becomes his friend.