Chapter 26 Part 2
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This chapter is edited by Bakhtawar Kakar. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 26: Madness (2)
The girl screamed, but Gu Jiu was already pulling out an assortment of items to bandage her wound.
She was too weak to resist.
All she could do was pout, her small face scrunched in anger as she glared at Gu Jiu. He, in contrast, wore an odd expression—both worried and joyful.
This man is so strange!
She quickly confirmed her suspicion.
After finishing the bandaging, Gu Jiu gently took her hand. “It’s dangerous here. I’ll take you to a safe place first!”
The girl hesitated. “Where are we going?”
“Just follow me,” Gu Jiu replied, a mysterious smile curling his lips.
He led her through the snow, but after only a few steps, he bent down and hoisted her onto his back.
“This way, you won’t get tired,” he said warmly.
“…”
The girl was utterly baffled.
He claimed he was taking her to a safe place, but why did this man keep wandering in circles?
Sensing her unease, Gu Jiu began to speak, his tone light and nostalgic.
“Yu Niang, ever since you… left, I became a disciple of the world’s most renowned sword sect. I even became the Elder’s closest disciple.”
“You know how much I loved swords as a child. I trained diligently, and the Elder treated me like his own son.”
“But, Yu Niang… I still couldn’t become a hero. I’m sorry…”
His voice broke, trembling with emotion.
The girl, hearing the sorrow in his words, didn’t know how to respond.
After a long while, Gu Jiu glanced back at her and said, “Yu Niang, once we cross this snow mountain, we’ll reach a cave I found before. It’s safe there—no fox demons.”
The girl remained silent, unsure how to process his words.
“Pfft~”
They walked for another half quarter of an hour before Gu Jiu finally slowed down. A faint glow emanated from the white pearl in his hand as he bent forward and navigated a long “tunnel.”
Finally, he stopped.
“Here we are!”
Gu Jiu carefully set her down, his face alight with joy.
In front of them was a stone table.
“It’s much warmer here than outside,” he said, pulling out an array of snacks and placing them on the table.
“Yu Niang, sit down!”
He laughed, his tone brimming with affection.
The girl froze, too afraid to move.
She stared at Gu Jiu, who appeared to be sitting in the air, with the snacks floating right in front of him.
Huh?
Gu Jiu turned to her, his brow furrowed. “Yu Niang, why aren’t you sitting down?”
“I…”
The girl swallowed hard, her throat dry. The strange scene before her filled her with unease.
Is he a ghost?
Fear gripped her.
Should I run away?
But what if he catches me?
Gu Jiu’s puzzled gaze lingered on her. “Yu Niang, I’ve always carried your favorite snacks with me. Don’t you like them?”
She said nothing, trembling slightly.
ShakeShake~
Gu Jiu’s worry deepened.
“I’m sorry—it’s my fault,” he said, his voice cracking. “I can’t even remember what you like to eat. Damn it! What do you like? I’ll go get new snacks right now.”
He began to pack away the food, his anxious expression tugging at the girl’s heart.
What had happened to make him like this?
Alas.
Anyway, he saved her.
The girl shook her head. “No, don’t put them away. I like them.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
A flustered Gu Jiu smiled again.
“Sit down, Yu Niang.”
The girl shook her head. “I like standing.”
I can’t sit. There’s nothing to sit on!
Gu Jiu nodded. “Okay, you can stand. As long as you’re comfortable, you can do anything.”
He handed her the snacks, his smile carrying a hint of humility.
The girl reluctantly accepted them and began chewing slowly.
“Do you want water?” he asked.
“No.”
“Are you cold?”
“I’m not cold.”
“Hmm.”
Gu Jiu rested his chin on his hands and stared at the girl as she ate.
I like this, he thought.
But the girl didn’t.
To be honest, the snacks weren’t delicious—not nearly as good as the ones her brother used to make. Still, she nibbled on them to satisfy her hunger.
Do girls even like this sort of thing?
Once she felt somewhat full, she shook her head. “I’m done.”
“Hmm.”
Gu Jiu’s voice suddenly grew weak.
“I feel so tired. Can I sleep?”
The girl nodded. “Go to sleep.”
“Thank you.”
Gu Jiu shuffled over to a corner, leaving the brightest spot for his sister. He curled up in the shadowy corner, holding his knees close to his chest.
“Dreams always end when you wake up,” he murmured.
Then he closed his eyes, his world descending into darkness once more.
The girl stood still.
After a long while, she realized he was truly asleep.
Can I run now?
She cautiously shifted her right foot, but at that moment, a flame streaked across the bright sky.
As the firelight began to fade, it suddenly turned and flew back.
The girl watched in fear as a woman in white appeared before her.
“Did he catch you?” Bai Lian asked.
She had been on her way to the small world when she noticed Gu Jiu and the little fox demon trembling beside him.
The fox demon nodded, then shook her head.
“?!” Bai Lian tilted her head in confusion.
The little fox demon explained, “He saved me.”
“Huh?” Bai Lian was stunned.
“But there seems to be something wrong with him.”
The little fox demon pointed at Gu Jiu’s head.
This…
Bai Lian was at a loss for words.
Did I just turn a madman into an even crazier person?
Her medical skills…
Impressive!
At that moment, Gu Jiu stirred awake.
Gripping a sword tightly, he yelled, “Don’t touch my sister! I’ll kill you!”
He stood, his posture defensive and unsteady.
Then, with a shout, he charged at Bai Lian.
To him, she loomed as tall and immovable as a mountain.
