"So this is Young Master Chu Xiao? He's just as I imagined."
"No! He's even more heroic, handsome, sunny, and gentle than I imagined…"
Qing Lin stared intently at Chu Xiao, wishing she could use every good word in the world to describe him.
As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for Qing Lin, Chu Xiao was more than that; he was already her faith and salvation.
If Cai Lin Jie Jie's warning hadn't still been ringing in her ears, she wouldn't have been able to resist going up to greet him.
"Hmm?"
Chu Xiao keenly sensed someone watching him.
To be precise, everyone present was watching him, but only that person's gaze stood out, overly fervent.
Using his Soul Power to glance over, he saw a young girl in a light green dress, her figure petite, but a certain part of her body had already developed remarkably well.
Her curves were almost comparable to Medusa's, perfectly proportioned, neither too much nor too little, just right in both fullness and slenderness. Her face was a bit youthful, but it was an extremely delicate melon-seed face, like a beautiful porcelain doll that made one want to hold and admire her in their palm.
There was also something like green snake scales on her wrist, which would look strange and ugly if viewed in isolation.
But when seen as a whole, it had an unusual tattoo-like quality, adding a touch of mystery.
However, what drew the most attention were her pair of emerald green eyes, which felt as if they could captivate one's Soul.
"Qing Lin!"
"Her eyes already have such a Gu-like allure even without Awakening the Bi Snake Three Flower Pupils?"
Chu Xiao instantly figured out the other party's identity.
In Stone Desert City, with such an appearance, and being a descendant of the Snake-People Clan and Human Race, it could only be her.
From her gaze, he instantly understood that she, too, likely possessed a notebook instance.
"Did Cai Lin Jie Jie come here because of her?" Chu Xiao immediately connected this to Medusa's somewhat unusual behavior: "Have the notebook owners already become aware of each other?"
Qing Lin's current overly revealing behavior probably made Medusa uneasy?
"Relax, I'll never let you know that you can see the notebook. How else will I weave stories to trick you?"
"But if the flaws are too glaring, I can't just ignore them. It would be a reduction in intelligence if I couldn't discover them."
"Alright, I'll have to patch things up again. Qing Lin's gaze towards me feels like a challenge."
Numerous thoughts flashed through Chu Xiao's mind, but on the surface, he showed no flaws.
"You're Chu Xiao, aren't you!?" The pale-faced man, whose hand was held, saw he couldn't break free and threatened again, "Even if you're Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's brother, you can't afford the price of offending the Sand Mercenary Group!"
"Oh really?" Chu Xiao faintly curled his lips.
Boom!
The next moment, the man was shot out like a cannonball, slamming into a wall ten zhang away.
"Pfft!"
The pale-faced man spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Immediately after, everyone around felt a blur before their eyes, and Chu Xiao had already appeared in front of the man, lifting one foot.
"Crack."
Stepping forcefully on the pale-faced man's chest, Chu Xiao spoke indifferently, "Judging by your earlier attack, you intended to injure that old man's arm and leg. I'll cripple you in the same way, and add a few broken ribs for good measure. No problem, right?"
The pale-faced man tried to say something, but before the pain registered, he fainted directly.
Chu Xiao withdrew his foot, then kicked the man, sending him flying into several mercenaries wearing the same uniform as the pale-faced man, knocking them all down.
"If the Sand Mercenary Group has any complaints, just state your terms!"
"Remember, I am Chu Xiao of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group!"
Hiss!
The intense pain on their bodies made the Sand Mercenary Group members realize that the person in front of them was not to be trifled with.
They didn't dare to utter any harsh words. They hastily got up, lifted the pale-faced man, and left.
The people on the street watched this scene silently, and after the Sand Mercenary Group left, they began to discuss.
"This guy really offended the Sand Mercenary Group badly. He's going to get his brothers into trouble."
"If he dares to do this, he naturally has something to rely on. I don't think so."
"Don't think so? I think you hussy are just taken by this kid's good looks."
"He does have good looks, but with the speed this young man just showed, do you think he's simple?"
"It seems Stone Desert City will be lively next."
"…"
Passersby discussed animatedly, and some left to spread the news.
Chu Xiao acted as if he heard nothing, returning to Old Wu.
"This old man greets Young Master Chu Xiao." Old Wu thanked him with deep gratitude.
Being old and shrewd, how could he not see that the pale-faced man came specifically to trouble him today? Even without the words he spoke to Chu Xiao, they would have found another excuse to attack him.
It was precisely because Chu Xiao was there that he avoided being severely injured and bedridden. The Guild Leader's younger brother saved him.
"No need to be so polite, Old Man." Chu Xiao smiled gently, "Your daughter is part of my brother's mercenary group, so it's only right for me to help you. You haven't told me how to get to the Mo Tie Mercenary Group yet."
"Young Master Chu Xiao, this old man will personally take you there," Old Wu immediately said.
"Why go to such trouble?" Chu Xiao smiled faintly and refused, "Just point me the way."
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all." Old Wu quickly shook his head, his tone eager, "This old man's skill in making steamed buns for a living was personally taught by the Second Group Leader. Leading the way for you is no trouble at all, and I can also see my daughter."
"Grandpa Wu." Chu Xiao was about to say something else when a clear voice came from beside him.
"Little Qing Lin is here." Old Wu looked at Qing Lin, revealing a kind smile.
"Hello, Grandpa Wu." Qing Lin returned the smile.
The old man and the old man's daughter were among the few people who treated her kindly.
Because of this, she volunteered to fetch breakfast.
"I'm here to pick up the steamed buns."
Feeling the undisguised looks of disdain from the passersby around her, Qing Lin lowered her head, looking timid and shy.
She looked like a frightened little rabbit, ready to run away at any moment, instinctively evoking pity in those who saw her.
"They've all been prepared long ago, here you go."
Old Wu opened a large steamer lid and took out a full bundle, handing it to Qing Lin.
The latter looked small and had slender wrists, but she lifted the large bundle, which was half her height, effortlessly.
As if remembering something, Old Wu looked at Chu Xiao and said, "Young Master Chu Xiao, this Qing Lin is a maid of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, here to pick up breakfast for the mercenaries stationed at the headquarters. Why don't you let her take you to find the Group Leader?"
Chu Xiao turned to look at Qing Lin and asked, "Are you a descendant of the Snake-People Clan and Human Race?"
As he spoke, he didn't forget to make a note in his notebook, his thoughts directly generating text.
[I bought steamed buns for breakfast from Old Wu. These buns are made with a skill I taught my second brother, and he isn't stingy about teaching it to the families of some mercenaries to make a living.]
[Coincidentally, I met Qing Lin, who came here to pick up buns for the mercenaries stationed at the headquarters. It feels like the last time we met was seven days ago during the battle against the heavenly evil god, but now she's like someone I haven't seen in a hundred years, reminding me of the feeling of Reincarnation. Reincarnation, Dou Di, Ascension, encountering the evil race, severe injury, Samsara Realm, Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace—these memories are only fragmented pieces, so annoying.]
The girls who noticed the notebook update: !!!
Did he meet Qing Lin?
Was it a coincidence?
He probably deliberately 'accidentally' bought steamed buns there.
"If it's annoying, then write more in the notebook! The more you write, the more memories you'll recover, won't you?" Cao Ying, who was still in bed, opened her eyes, yawned, and got up, "He's really so thoughtless, after bothering me so much last night."
"So they've met." Medusa, who was returning to the Snake-People Tribe, paused, her red lips slightly pursed before she continued on her way.
Qing Lin, on her side, could only pray for good fortune.
If she were to interfere, it would only make Chu Xiao more suspicious.
"Young Master Chu Xiao must have known I would come here to pick up steamed buns and deliberately waited for me here." Qing Lin's heart felt as sweet as honey.
For the Young Master to see her sooner, and to have a reasonable way to interact with her later, he truly went to great lengths.
She had been wondering how to approach Chu Xiao without suspicion once he arrived at the Mo Tie Mercenary Group.
It turns out with Chu Xiao, there was no need for such trouble, just like with Cai Lin Jie Jie.
Her, Qing Lin's, happiness was about to arrive.
"Yes, Young Master." Qing Lin suppressed her joy and continued to keep her head down, feigning shyness.
Seeing her like this, Old Wu felt a pang of regret.
He himself didn't dislike Qing Lin, and with Chu Xiao's approachable demeanor, he had forgotten most people's aversion to people like Qing Lin.
If Chu Xiao disliked Qing Lin, it would be a disaster for both him and Qing Lin. What should he do?