Chapter 743: Do you think I'm a monster?

Gu Jiu Ling bade farewell to the middle-aged woman, but after walking only a few steps she was chased up by the woman again.

The woman put the prepared water and food, including a small packet of scattered silver, into the same bundle, then shoved it into Gu Jiu Ling's hands.

"Although I don't know your identity, and you may not be able to reveal it, the jianghu is treacherous, so you still need to be careful on your journey."

"I see you're not carrying anything, so take this bundle first—it contains some spare clothes and some dry rations."

"Just ahead is a large town; take this scattered silver, stay at an inn in town, then write to your relatives, and when you're out and about keep a few more wits about you."

Gu Jiu Ling felt a faint warmth in her chest; since crossing into this world, the malice she has encountered has far outweighed the kindness.

The woman gave her an unprecedented gentle treatment; Gu Jiu Ling did not decline, took the bundle and reminded the woman: "The token I entrusted to you, be sure to keep it safe."

The woman smiled, tucked Gu Jiu Ling's jade pendant into her bosom: "Thank you, miss; having met you, I will naturally treat this item with care."

The woman also mentioned letting her son see Gu Jiu Ling off, but Gu Jiu Ling politely refused.

The woman was also understanding, she didn't insist further, and they parted at the fork in the road.

But the woman never imagined that this jade pendant would turn every misfortune into good fortune for her, bringing her great wealth and honor, a blessing that would even extend to her descendants.

That's a story for later; for now, Gu Jiu Ling shouldered the bundle and, relying on the map in her memory, walked forward along this road.

Only then did Gu Jiu Ling realize that after they had crawled out of the tomb's underground passage, they had actually arrived at the foot of Mang Shan.

Thinking of this, Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but draw a sharp breath inwardly.

It is estimated that half of Mang Shan has been hollowed out by the Murong family, filled inside with countless gold, silver, and jewels.

To hollow out the whole mountain as a tomb chamber also required great effort; nobody expected the exit to end up at the mountain's base.

Gu Jiu Ling walked another stretch, chose a secluded spot, and waited a while.

When no one appeared on either side, she then activated the space, releasing Xiao Yin and the others from within it.

Because Ling Feng and the others had taken medicine earlier, even though Gu Jiu Ling had released them from the space, they remained dazed and asleep there.

It would likely take an hour or two before they woke; Xiao Yin stared blankly at the surrounding scenery, then turned his face to look at Gu Jiu Ling beside him.

Xiao Yin looked at Gu Jiu Ling, then lowered his head to look at his own body—he still didn't like it, and it was still there.

He suddenly rose and grabbed Gu Jiu Ling into his arms in a fierce embrace; Xiao Yin's grip was too strong, making Gu Jiu Ling feel as if her five viscera and six bowels were about to be pressed out.

"Tell me……this isn't a dream," Xiao Yin said, his voice hoarse, whispering low.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled and held his body tightly.

"All of this is real, the space is real, and our escape from death is real."

Gu Jiu Ling lightly leaned against Xiao Yin's chest, her voice somewhat muffled.

She forced down the bloody taste surging to her throat with all her strength.

At this moment her body was exhausted to the extreme; just now she had activated the space and forcibly sacrificed herself to it, leaving her suffering to the utmost.

Sensing Gu Jiu Ling's discomfort, Xiao Yin hurriedly supported her shoulders, focused his gaze on her, and asked: "What's wrong? Why is your face so pale?"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled, forcing down the pained expression that had leaked out due to the pain, then looked at Xiao Yin and said slowly: "Is there nothing else you want to ask?"

Xiao Yin stared for a moment, then loosened his hold on Gu Jiu Ling.

He drew Gu Jiu Ling to sit beside him, glanced at the warriors lying haphazardly on the grass not far away, and realized this was their last moment alone together.

Gu Jiu Ling inhaled, also smiled: "Don't worry, they'll still need an hour to wake up."

Xiao Yin nodded, then looked at Gu Jiu Ling, feeling a few more points of complexity in his heart.

Before, he had felt that his own Princess Consort was strange in several ways; on several occasions Xiao Yin thought the Princess Consort was so formidable she didn't seem mortal, but rather like a fairy from the ninth heaven.

He was a great general who commanded the winds and clouds on the battlefield, with countless souls dead beneath his blade; thus he had little belief in ghosts and gods, and was more filled with killing intent and sharp vigor.

Until he met this clever, odd girl Gu Jiu Ling, who built his life, turned his world upside down, and told him that life was no longer just black and white, but full of color.

Xiao Yin stared at Gu Jiu Ling: "Go ahead, tell me what I can know; you may also keep some secrets—there's no need to lay all your cards bare for empty fame."

Gu Jiu Ling felt a faint warmth in her heart; Xiao Yin's tolerance toward her was quite high, and she had always felt this man was worthy of entrusting her life to.

Although the Ninth Imperial Uncle of Southern Qi is not considered respectable in people's eyes, and his conduct is odd and his dealings not great,

but as for Gu Jiu Ling, there's really nothing to say—he is a true gentleman.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze to the azure sky; the sun had already shifted to midday, she closed her eyes, then slowly said: "I am not a person of this world..."

Xiao Yin suddenly lifted his head to look at Gu Jiu Ling; her expression was solemn and serious, with no trace of playfulness in her eyes.

Although she is usually carefree, in this matter Gu Jiu Ling is serious.

"I come from another world; I am an emergency-room doctor, and a accidental laboratory explosion brought me here..."

Around them a gentle breeze blew, fragrant flowers wafted; it was the end of summer into early autumn, one of the most beautiful seasons of the year.

All kinds of plants and animals had matured, exuding a vibrant vitality.

Gu Jiu Ling's words were gentle and clear, yet the Xiao Yin sitting beside her was completely stunned.

Xiao Yin looked incredulously at the woman beside him—could such a thing really exist in this world?

What is gender equality? It's unimaginable, and there are those states and those governing principles.

For over an hour, Xiao Yin felt as if he were listening to a heavenly book, and unconsciously he found himself yearning for it.

Gu Jiu Ling's mouth was dry; she finally spoke her entire background.

Gu Jiu Ling picked up the waterskin the woman had given her, lifted her head, and took a sip of water—her throat even felt like it was smoking.

After great effort she had outlined her origins, and Gu Jiu Ling cautiously looked at Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin's long fingers gently rubbed the waterskin Gu Jiu Ling had handed over; after drinking, he quickly calmed down.

On the contrary, Gu Jiu Ling found Xiao Yin's attitude rather surprising; ordinarily, anyone hearing her story would think she was a lunatic.

Unexpectedly, seeing Xiao Yin like that, he actually accepted Gu Jiu Ling's bizarre experience completely.

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Xiao Yin and asked cautiously: "Don't you find it strange? Or do you think I'm just a monster?"

Uncertainty tinged Gu Jiu Ling's voice; she wasn't sure what Xiao Yin's attitude toward her was, and before she could say anything else, the Xiao Yin before her tightly embraced her.

Xiao Yin's voice was hoarse, even somewhat pained, as he asked: "Back when that laboratory explosion of yours happened, blowing you to powder, did it hurt a lot?"

Gu Jiu Ling was instantly stunned there, never expecting Xiao Yin to still be pained for her painful transmigration experience?

In an instant Gu Jiu Ling didn't know what to say?