Chapter 105: Signature? Sign Life

Signature?

The woman's smile froze for a moment, then she was amused again.

"No need for a signature, but as for the name..."

Her beautiful eyes darted around playfully, as if she had thought of something, and she changed the subject: "You're looking for a ling zhi here? You can enter the Nei Yuan?"

"Uh, sort of..."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't know how to explain it. The matter of him becoming a disciple of Sang Lao was bound by a three-point agreement, so he couldn't say it directly.

But claiming that an outer courtyard disciple could select a site in the Nei Yuan was just absurd!

However, the woman in blue didn't dwell on it. She smiled brightly and said, "I do know of a place that you might really like."

"Oh?" Xu Xiaoshou perked up with interest.

"In the back mountain of the Nei Yuan, it's a secluded spot where few people go. There are many empty ling zhi there." The woman pointed in a direction. "It's not far—just go around the bend ahead and follow the path straight on."

Xu Xiaoshou was delighted, but after a moment's thought, he sensed something was off.

"If that place is so good, why hasn't anyone chosen it as a ling zhi? And why are there so many empty ones?"

"The Nei Yuan is vast with few people, and not everyone is as picky as you. Some pick a ling zhi as soon as they see one they like along the way."

The woman shrugged, her skin as fair as snow. "What if they keep going and end up losing a sesame seed for a watermelon? That would be a real loss."

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself that she had a point—if he hadn't run into this woman, he probably wouldn't have ventured deeper either.

"Thank you."

The woman gazed at him, her lips curving into a smile. "No need to be polite."

Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit creeped out by her stare. Why was this girl being so direct? Were all the women in the Nei Yuan this bold? Even if she was a fan, she shouldn't look at him like that!

That gaze made him feel like he was being targeted, with no escape.

"Well, I'll take my leave then. I need to check out the ling zhi."

Xu Xiaoshou knew how scary obsessive fans could be, so he felt uneasy and wanted to back away.

"Didn't you say you'd give me a signature?" The woman parted her lips slightly.

Xu Xiaoshou froze. This...

Who had said no signature was needed just a moment ago?

Ha, women sure are fickle!

"Where do you want it signed?"

Xu Xiaoshou turned back calmly and pulled out a ling bi from his ring—it was a gift from his first fan.

"I didn't bring anything else, so just sign on me!" The woman lifted her jade-like hand gracefully, her figure twisting slightly as the light gauze fluttered around her, like a blue sprite.

"On your body... where exactly?" Xu Xiaoshou swallowed hard.

"Anywhere will do!"

Her enchanting voice lingered in his ears, stirring an itch in his heart that nearly made Xu Xiaoshou dizzy.

"Received temptation, beidong zhi +1."

As expected...

You temptress, how dare you try to seduce me!

I, Xu Xiaoshou, won't be swayed by you!

He gripped the pen, steeling himself not to be tempted, and said calmly, "Then I'll sign on your hand. That's where I signed for my first fan."

The woman tilted her head, her dark hair falling over her fragrant shoulder, and extended her hand.

Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath and gently touched her hand—it was so soft and smooth.

Hmm?

What was going on?

Was this temptress tickling my palm?

"Received temptation, beidong zhi +1."

Xu Xiaoshou felt that staying any longer would lead to trouble. He quickly held her hand steady with the pen and prepared to sign his name.

"Sign mine instead." The woman spoke up.

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned. What kind of weird fan was this, asking him to sign her own name?

Now that he thought about it, he hadn't even asked for her name yet—that was a bit rude.

"Alright, may I ask for the young lady's name?"

The woman smiled at him charmingly, her lips parting slightly as she spoke in a melodious, ethereal voice.

"Lan Xinzi."

Just as the sunset was swallowed by the night, a cool breeze rustled the falling leaves, and that simple name seemed to make the surrounding air fall silent for a second.

Xu Xiaoshou's mind was hit by massive waves.

Lan Xinzi?

Wasn't this one of the thirty-three in the Nei Yuan that Su Qianqian had just told him about—and also one of the three major enemies he needed to watch out for?

Damn it!

What the hell was going on?

How could he randomly ask for directions and end up with one of his enemies?

Signing this wasn't just a name—it was like signing his life away!

Xu Xiaoshou's heart was in turmoil, but his face remained impassive.

He recalled the woman's earlier hesitant glance back, and how there was always a faint, lingering hint of killing intent in their conversation...

Of course!

How many people in the Nei Yuan did he even know?

For someone to recognize him without ever meeting, it couldn't be a fan. This was clearly someone who had seen his portrait and wanted to kill him!

Normally, Xu Xiaoshou could mess around without a care, but when facing a life-or-death crisis, as someone who cherished his life, his mind worked faster than anyone's.

He paused the ling bi that was hovering in the air, then swiftly twirled it a few times with his fingers.

Xu Xiaoshou put on a puzzled smile and subtly rubbed his thumb against her palm.

"Lan Xinzi? What a nice name!"

As he was about to write, he suddenly stopped again, looked up with a smile, and asked, "Which 'xin'? The one for 'heart' as in a loved one?"

"Hee-hee!" Lan Xinzi covered her mouth and chuckled, as if she were a bit flirtatious.

The young man in front of her raised his brow, and it did have a certain charm—but alas...

She nodded slightly, though doubt lingered in her heart.

Just now...

Did he hesitate?

So, did he actually recognize me?

That meant all of this afterward was an act?

In that case, better to kill him quickly!

No...

He hesitated, but then he touched me, even if the motion was subtle...

But that would be normal, right? I'm Lan Xinzi, one of the thirty-three in the Nei Yuan, the Blue Fairy. Which normal man could resist after touching my hand?

So, his hesitation was probably just from touching my hand?

Lan Xinzi hesitated, torn between killing him or not—it all depended on her decision.

If this guy really knew who I was and still dared to toy with me, then strike first and report later. I could deliver his body to the Ling Cang Ge, claiming I saw an outer courtyard disciple trespassing in the Nei Yuan and took action on their behalf. It wouldn't be a big issue.

Hmm, at most, a light punishment.

But thinking of He Yu Xing...

This guy might have some connections. Even the assassination attempt had consequences, so killing him openly could drag me down too!

Let him go?

There might not be such a good opportunity later...

"Received suspicion, beidong zhi +1."

"Received suspicion, beidong zhi +1."

"Received suspicion, beidong zhi +1."

The messages scrolled rapidly, and Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit dazed. He hated mind games but had no choice but to play...

"There, all done."

He finished signing the name with a few strokes, put away the ling bi, and reluctantly let go of her hand, his face showing a hint of reluctance.

"Meeting you today, Lan Xinzi, feels like we've become kindred spirits. This name is our bond—I hope we can meet again someday."

He looked expectant, then glanced at the sky. "It's getting late, and I need to go claim a ling zhi, or I won't have a place to stay tonight."

At first glance, he seemed like a guy led by his desires but pretending to be a modest gentleman, with no other ulterior motives visible.

Lan Xinzi gently stroked the name on her palm, watching his demeanor, but couldn't quite figure it out.

"Go on then. We'll meet again." She waved her hand, watching the young man leave, though she kept the second half of her thought to herself.

If you can make it out of that back mountain ling zhi alive, that is...