Smiling Man

Smiling Man is an abnormally powerful living passenger on Route 104 whose fixed smile, unknown purpose, and possession of part of Xiao Bu's body make him one of Li Wan City's most dangerous wild cards.

Biography

Route 104 and Li Wan City

The Smiling Man boards the Midnight Hearse soaked by rain and immediately avoids Red High Heels, signaling that even he recognizes her danger. A doctor describes him as the killer of an entire bus, while Chen Ge's Yin Yang Vision confirms that he is a living human transformed far beyond ordinary limits rather than a ghost. Inside Li Wan City he joins Chen's improvised escape coalition because both need the damaged door repaired, offers informed warnings about the Shadow's traps, and gradually treats Chen as a temporary ally. The alliance never becomes trust: during the final battle he slips away carrying one of Xiao Bu's missing hands, leaving her unable to regain complete control of the door. (Chapters 618–641, 654–664, 670, and 676–677)

Appearance and personality

He has a mushroom-shaped hairstyle, an unnaturally long neck, and ordinary individual features that combine into an awkward face fixed in a tooth-baring smile. Under threat, his pupils turn gray, dark lines emerge from his eyes, his neck lengthens, and animal-like teeth become visible. He is terse, calculating, and willing to cooperate only while the arrangement improves his chance of escape. (Chapters 618, 624–625, 662–664)

Skills and supernatural abilities

Although unmistakably alive, the Smiling Man possesses strength and menace capable of alarming Xu Yin. His exact transformation is never named. He also understands the damaged blood door, correctly explains that its missing pieces must be restored, and reads the Shadow's use of psychological traps well enough to challenge Chen's plans. These abilities establish experience and unnatural power without assigning him a Specter rank. (Chapters 624–625, 662–664)

Relationships

• Chen Ge: They form a wary tactical alliance in Li Wan City, respecting one another's danger while remaining ready to betray the arrangement. (Chapters 623–664)
• Red High Heels: His deliberate avoidance of her and anger when Chen places the shoes beside him show that he considers her a serious threat. (Chapters 618, 623–625)
• Xiao Bu: He leaves the battle holding one of her hands, preventing her from restoring her entire body. His reason for keeping it is unknown. (Chapters 676–677)

Items

The Smiling Man has custody of one of Xiao Bu's severed hands when he escapes. This is a stolen part of a sentient person, not an owned artifact. (Chapters 676–677)