The Young Lady

Yu Xing: "..." Oh? You little brat.

He swallowed back what he was about to say. After all, although Zhang Yu's meaning was easy to understand, Zhang Yu had at least pointed out the areas where he had not done well.

Fine, I'll let him off this time.

"Give me your hand." Yu Xing beckoned to Zhang Yu.

Knowing he had escaped unscathed, Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief and obediently put his hand on the table.

There was a cut on his palm that had stopped bleeding, but it looked quite deep.

Because his physical condition is only slightly better than that of an average person, it is unusual that such a deep wound was not bandaged and was left exposed to the air, yet it healed so quickly.

"Was it cut when you were soaking the wooden plaque in blood?" Yu Xing grabbed the hand and stared at it for a while.

"Yes, the craftsman cut it by hand." Zhang Yu felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it. "He cut so deep! It must have hurt terribly!"

"But it heals very quickly, doesn't it?" Yu Xing raised an eyebrow and wiped the bloody wound with her hand.

A faint ghostly aura seeped from the wound, causing it to burst open again, and blood gushed out as if it were free. Zhang Yu gasped, "Hiss--"

"Was this deliberately placed in my wound by a ghost? Is it trying to mark me?!"

Yu Xing caught Zhang Yu's blood in his hand. Strangely, the blood stopped flowing in his hand and instead, it clung to a ball of blood under the influence of the black mist.

He said, "Don't make a fuss. In many deductions, especially those related to sacrifices and rituals, it's often necessary to draw blood in advance. Once enough blood is drawn, the bleeding stops immediately. The principle is similar to this."

So it wasn't directed at me? Zhang Yu asked, both in pain and curious, "Why would you do that?"

Yu Xing glanced at him, a smile playing on her lips, "Perhaps they're afraid the chosen one will bleed to death before completing the sacrifice."

Seeing that the blood sphere was large enough, he also used the power of curses to seal Zhang Yu's bloody mouth. After thinking for a moment, he also left a black mark at the bloody mouth.

"It hurts so much, Captain, your technique isn't very good. Others get painless treatment, but yours... hiss..." Zhang Yu Yutong was shocked. The black lines were so eerie that his entire wound felt like it was being gnawed by an evil spirit.

"Bear with it, you'll get used to it—this thing can be used as a weapon later." Yu Xing patted his head and let go of him.

Zhang Yu immediately withdrew his hand, blew on his palm, and after a couple of blows, he realized what was happening and his eyes widened. "A weapon? You mean you left me a weapon I can control?!"

Yu Xing nodded slightly. "I guess so. You can use this hand to catch attacks from ghosts, but I'd recommend you learn how to run away."

The black markings contain the purest and most concentrated curse power. Of course, Zhang Yu cannot control this power, but as long as the curse power is here, ordinary ghosts will have to think twice.

This black mark is essentially a protective talisman. If any external ghosts encounter it, they will either be injured or devoured by the power of the curse. The best defense is offense, so this "talisman" can be considered both offensive and defensive.

Because Yu Xing couldn't bear to see Zhang Yu so weak, the system kept giving Zhang Yu sacrifices that fused with extreme systems. If Zhang Yu wanted to have some ability to survive, he either had to buy items or rely on something left behind by someone of his level.

Ignoring Zhang Yu's sudden joy, Yu Xing looked at the blood ball in her hand, raised her hand and used the blood to draw a pattern on the back of her hand. The power of the curse surged with the pattern, and when it took shape, Yu Xing could clearly feel the presence of the Lucky Charm on the table.

The malice and chill emanating from the Lucky Charm were as palpable to him as rising dry ice.

"Captain?" Zhang Yu realized what he was doing and lowered his voice, "You've turned the curse aimed at me onto yourself?"

"Hmm." Yu Xing's expression remained unchanged, as if this was not a big deal at all.

"You're my good captain, I'll always love my captain, sob sob." Zhang Yu was moved to tears.

Lan Wu watched the whole thing from the sidelines, his feelings complicated.

This action reminded him of Yu Xing had shared most of the pain from the needles and thread piercing his body the night before.

He realized that the captain of Broken Mirror was very good at making himself suffer the pain of others, and showed a high degree of tolerance for pain as if he were used to it. This was clearly a masochistic tendency.

Besides directing it to oneself, there are many other options: merchants, townspeople, and even today's dolls—anything with a human form can withstand the transfer of the curse!

However, he remained silent.

Yu Xing must have his reasons for doing this, and as an outsider, he shouldn't interfere.

The rest of the time was spent waiting quietly.

With a powerful backer to rely on, and with the others also being reminded to prepare, Zhang Yu's anxiety had largely subsided.

One by one, several more fortune tellers arrived at the tea stall. Eleven people had chosen to play the Lucky Charm Yugi, and now it seems they are all there.

Later, the others also vaguely understood the general idea after Gu Xing's brief explanation. Xue Shouyun was the same. She was just about to sit down at Yu Xing's table when a cold wind suddenly swept over her. Then, as she instinctively dodged, the man in red had already taken the seat she was going to sit in.

"Hi~ Sorry, I like this spot." Hua Subai greeted Xue Shouyun, whose expression was subtle, then turned to Yu Xing and smiled, "I was wondering why I ran into Medusa and Yan Li, but not you. Then I realized, if you weren't guarding the toy merchant's side, you must be here to keep your newbie who's breaking through to the next level company company while they guard the Divine Tree~"

Yu Xing: "How old are you to still be stealing other people's seats? You're acting like a primary school student."

Hua Subai was immediately a little disappointed. "This seat was reserved for Miss Xue?"

He glanced at Xue Shouyun, who was still at the table and hadn't left yet. His theatrical mood kicked in, and he covered his face with his wide robes and sleeves, sobbing softly. In a shrill voice, he said, "So that's how it is! I knew others could sit here, but I couldn't. It seems I'm unworthy."

Yu Xing: "..."

Everyone: "..."

"If Brother Xing dislikes his younger sister, he should have told her sooner. Why make me unhappy here? Humph~" He drew out a coquettish and weak tone, slightly pulling back his sleeve to reveal one eye looking at Xue Shouyun. "Even so, Miss Xue, please sit down. From now on, this chair that Brother Xing shared with you will be yours. I'll leave now to make room for Miss Xue--"

"Stop, stop, stop." Xue Shouyun was completely bewildered, seeing a man refer to himself as "younger sister" for the first time, especially since he imitated Lin Daiyu's tone so perfectly. "Please sit down, no one's going to take it from you."

Thank goodness, she only stayed put because she wanted to watch the excitement, not because she insisted on sitting there!

Xue Shouyun touched the goosebumps on her arm, clicked her tongue twice, and sat down at the empty seat at the next table. Gu Xing was suppressing a laugh as he welcomed her to sit down.

"Let's have a thrill," Hua Subai said, looking at Yu Xing with those same mournful eyes, "Brother Xing~ Can I still sit in the seat Miss Xue doesn't want? Today, because you're tired of me, you didn't take me with you when you went to visit other people's homes. Does that mean I don't even have a seat now...?"

Zhang Yu and Lan Wu were practically dying of laughter.

As the saying goes, as long as you're not the main character in someone else's fun, everyone else's fun is entertaining.

Yu Xing, unable to bear it any longer, raised her eyelids and said, "Oh, I didn't know when Eunuch Hua castrated himself? Now you're even willing to act young and call me, someone much younger than you, 'brother.' Eunuch Hua has really suffered, enduring humiliation to this extent for the sake of making a living."

Hua Subai: "..."

He lowered his sleeves, straightened his posture, and sat upright. "I didn't castrate myself, the thing is still there, and it's fully functional."

"Pfft--" Gu Xing next door couldn't help but smile, even Mo Du revealed a hint of a smile, which he cleverly covered with his hand.

Yu Xing scoffed, "Since you're so disgusted with me, I'll just tell you directly. Go sit at the furthest table."

"Why?" Hua Subai was extremely aggrieved, but she still managed to regain her composure, staring at Yu Xing with a puzzled expression.

Some of what he said earlier was true; Yu Xing was quite adamant about not taking him with her when she went to the Fang Mansion, and he had clearly been behaving very well in this instance.

"A Xing, what have I done to upset you lately?" Hua Subai asked, looking troubled. He took out a doll from his sleeve and hugged it to his chest. "I've been reflecting on this for a long time, but I still haven't found the answer. Why don't you just tell me?"

"Sigh, this cold and indifferent world, even a doll is warmer than someone."

Yu Xing's fingers, which were under the table, tightened.

Nothing's been happening lately, but who told him to find out about Hua Subai and the Lingren's affair?

By chance, he recalled the past again, which made him temporarily unable to think of how to face Hua Subai.

Make it clear?

Live-streaming simulations is inappropriate.

A gentle and pleasant demeanor?

That's disgusting him.

Complete hostility seemed impossible, and besides, he really couldn't bear to meet Hua Subai's gaze.

I couldn't bear to let my only "friend" disappear.

Yu Xing could only suppress her thoughts and calmly change the subject. "What, you're not calling me 'brother' anymore?"

Hua Subai's eyes darkened slightly, noticing that he hadn't given a direct answer. She pinched the belly of the little doll in her hand before putting on a smile again, "Isn't it impossible for you to call me 'brother' normally? I'm just saying it for you first. If you don't like it, we can switch, okay?"

"Impossible." Yu Xing refused outright.

Hua Subai lowered his body and whispered, "You called this guy 'brother' so many times today, even though you're meeting him for the first time. Fang Xiao isn't even older than you, so why can't I?"

Yu Xing narrowed her eyes. "How did you know?"

"Well, Miss Medusa told me." Hua Subai immediately raised his hands in surrender. "I didn't follow you, I didn't eavesdrop, and I wasn't doing that with you and others..."

"She would tell you that?" Yu Xing interrupted him promptly, her eyes filled with suspicion.

When they were exchanging information, he only mentioned Mingzhu's situation briefly. Even if Medusa wanted to exchange information with Hua Subai, she wouldn't have brought up something like this, would she?

Lan Wu and Zhang Yu: What is that? Finished?

Next table: Why are you speaking so quietly? What are you saying? What information?

Hua Subai coughed lightly. "It really was Medusa who told me. If you don't believe me, you can ask her."

"Oh, and also, I collected over eighty dolls today, I really don't have time to follow you."

"Taken by force?!" Zhang Yu turned around, "More than eighty?!"

He didn't even choose to look for the dolls because he knew the places where they were located were in the dark, and he would have to face the evil spirits and townspeople near the dolls. Finding just one would take a certain amount of time, let alone more than eighty? How did he manage that!

Furthermore, if his observation is correct, one of the big shots on the Fallen Path chose to find the doll, and then was never seen on Baibao Street again...

Perhaps the person is still in town and hasn't returned yet?

There are only a few dolls left in the whole town. If you're unlucky, you might really fail.

Yu Xing sighed with mixed feelings.

After much deliberation, he ultimately didn't mention asking Hua Subai to sit further away. Instead, he beckoned to Hua Subai, "Come here, I have something to tell you."

Hua Subai immediately stood up, walked around Lan Wu's seat, and leaned in with a smile to ask, "What?"

Yu Xing blinked, covered her mouth with her hand to hide the direction of her lips that might be seen, and whispered some instructions.

After speaking, Hua Subai straightened up and thoughtfully adjusted his sleeves.

"Okay, leave it to me."

Before anyone else could show any curiosity, like Yu Xing who was complaining about him just a second ago but was talking to him alone the next, it was already eight o'clock.

"Crackling sounds..."

The faint sound of roots piercing the soil came from the direction of the sacred tree, drawing everyone's attention.

"You can turn in the quest now." The Witch Doctor held her Lucky Charm in her hand, and with her movements, the bells on her body jingled ethereally.

No one stepped forward yet.

"Didn't they say there would be a young lady next to the sacred tree waiting for us to hang up our Lucky Charm before giving us accommodation?" Zhang Yu looked around and muttered, "But I haven't seen anyone."

As soon as the words were spoken, the sound of the branches twitching suddenly intensified. Beside the main trunk of the divine tree, a thick black liquid surged from the ground, rising higher and higher until it formed a human shape.

A strong sense of malice and foreboding emanated from the humanoid figure. The evil aura within it stung the eyes of anyone who looked directly at it. Lan Wu subconsciously closed his eyes, only to find a warm liquid flowing from the corner of his eye. He reached up and touched it, and found a thin line of bloody tears.

Yu Xing transformed into a deep blue, staring directly at the object. He saw blood-red leaves fluttering down, and the surrounding pink flower sea was instantly stained with the same rich color. The black liquid swayed and trembled, resembling a long, unsupported human-shaped jelly.

Suddenly, the top of the "jelly" was punctured by a falling leaf.

Colors burst forth from within, black liquid cascaded down, melting into the soil that nurtured the sacred tree, ultimately revealing a woman.

The woman wore loose-fitting gray clothes, somewhat resembling a taekwondo uniform. She was barefoot on the mud, and the malice and evil around her gradually subsided, returning to calm.

However, the neck, where the face should have been, was occupied by a thick, glossy black braid that draped over the shoulders from front to back and hung down to the ground, disappearing into the roots of the divine tree.

"It's her, the Female Ghost in the mirror!" Gu Xing was the first to shout out in a low voice. Anyone who had ever interacted with her would never forget this image.

Hua Subai pulled out a clean napkin from somewhere and handed it to Lan Wu, letting him wipe away the blood and tears. Fortunately, after the black liquid disappeared, looking at the woman no longer irritated his eyes.

The woman with the braided hair stood quietly where she had appeared, without saying a word or moving. Only her jet-black hair made it barely recognizable. Her face seemed to be facing the direction of the tea stall, and she was looking at them.

"So this is the 'easy-going' Female Ghost you all talked about." Yu Xing curled the corners of her lips, casually resting her elbows on the table and tilting her head. "Now you know why? The hair she gave you was originally meant to bind your blood tokens to the sacred tree."

The Female Ghost grew out of the sacred tree!

This was the reason he hadn't discussed with Zhang Yu why the Female Ghost in the mirror appeared in Nanshui Town.

Because Yu Xing guessed from the process that the Female Ghost did not depend on Nanshui Town, nor on a body, and as a ghost without a physical body, she was most related to curses, which clearly meant she was a companion of the divine tree.

"You need to return what you gave her. Go ahead and put up the sign." Hua Subai, always eager for drama, nudged Zhang Yu.

"Shall I go first?" Zhang Yu's whole body tensed up.

"What are you afraid of? Your curse has been transferred to your captain." Hua Subai revealed that he had actually been observing the tea stall for a while, but no one was paying attention to him now.

"The captain helped me with the curse, but this Female Ghost..." Zhang Yu swallowed hard, "She came out of the mirror."

Just because someone is so agreeable in front of the mirror doesn't mean they can be the same way once they're out of the mirror.

"After the sign is put up, don't you need to find the 'Miss' to get your accommodation eligibility?" Yu Xing chuckled, "Isn't this the Miss?"

Everyone:?

Like...

That seems to be the case.