About the Name “San Niang（三娘）”:

  1. "San Niang" is female—the name itself clearly denotes a woman.

  “San（三）” means the number three, and “Niang（娘）” traditionally means young woman or daughter.

  Although in modern Chinese “Niang” can also mean “mother,” in ancient Chinese and many regional dialects, it typically refers to a young female or a daughter.

  Thus, the name alone makes it clear that the person is female.

  2. "San Niang" is a nickname, not a formal name, and neither her surname nor given name is revealed in the story.

  This kind of nickname is common in Chinese culture, often used among family members or close acquaintances.

  In some cases, people may refer to her as “Surname + San Niang,” but adding the surname makes the tone more formal and reduces the sense of intimacy.

  3. This nickname also implies her birth order within the family.

  “San” indicates that she is likely the third child of her parents, regardless of gender.

  “Niang” confirms that she is a girl.

  So the name “San Niang” as a whole suggests:

  → She is the third-born child in the family, and she is female.

  4. For example, Elo’s younger sister, Vian, is the second child of their mother.

  Therefore, she could be referred to as “Er Niang（二娘, Second Daughter）” —“Er” meaning two.

  5. Not everyone is allowed to use this nickname.

  Outside of family and elders, only those with a close and trusted relationship may use it.

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  It is both a nickname and a sign of intimacy or personal familiarity.

  6. Therefore, from this nickname alone, we can infer an important detail: the black-clad leader shares a close relationship with San Niang.

  This sense of intimacy becomes even more apparent when “San Niang” appears alongside “Xianzi Lin.”

  Compared to “San Niang,” the name “Xianzi Lin” carries a more distant and formal tone,

  while “San Niang” clearly reflects familiarity and trust.

  About the Name “Xianzi Lin（林仙子）”:

  1. “Xianzi Lin” refers to a woman.

  The title itself clearly indicates her gender.

  2. “Xianzi（仙子）” is neither her given name nor her surname, but rather an honorific title.

  “Lin（林）” is her surname, but her actual name is never revealed in the text.

  In Chinese, “Xianzi” is a refined and respectful way to address a woman, often carrying an air of elegance and formality.

  It is somewhat similar to “Lady” or “Miss” in English, though with a touch of ethereal or poetic grace.

  This kind of usage is especially common in wuxia, xianxia, or classical literary contexts.

  In some cases, “Surname + Xianzi” can become a fixed form of address to convey admiration, respect, or a certain aesthetic perception.

  3. The word “Xianzi” is composed of two characters: “Xian (仙)” and “Zi (子)”.

  “Xian” refers to an immortal or transcendental being in Daoist tradition.

  “Zi” is a classical honorific used for men or individuals of high status.

  Together, “Xianzi” traditionally refers to a female immortal or a woman of otherworldly grace, and the term carries both beauty and reverence.

  4. The leader’s use of “Xianzi” doesn’t imply that Lin is truly an immortal or a Daoist cultivator.

  Rather, it’s a polite and respectful form of address.

  It does not indicate any religious role or official position.

  Instead, it is a more literary and poetic expression.

  In modern Chinese, it’s extremely rare to use “Xianzi” as a form of address in real life;

  The term is mostly reserved for fiction, traditional opera, or martial arts/fantasy settings.

  5. “Xianzi” is also often used to compliment a woman’s beauty or ethereal presence, regardless of her background.

  It implies a kind of fairy-like beauty, and is used to describe women who appear elegant, mysterious, or refined.

  Therefore, its usage is highly flexible and subjective—

  even an ordinary woman might be called “Xianzi” in certain contexts.

  6. The leader’s use of two different forms of address—“San Niang” and “Lin Xianzi”—reveals a key distinction.

  It reflects not only a difference in formality, but also in the closeness of their relationships.

  “San Niang” is an affectionate nickname that implies intimacy, trust, and familiarity.

  In contrast, “Lin Xianzi” feels more polite, restrained, and distant.

  This suggests that Lin Xianzi and the leader are likely just collaborators or ordinary colleagues, and have not formed a deep personal bond.