Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 20 A More Cruel World

It's finally dawn.

The bright sunlight shone down, the air in the forest was fresh, and the fragrance of flowers and grasses rose everywhere with the sunlight, creating a thriving scene.

When the four of them finally emerged from the woods and stood by the mountain path, the three bandits who had been beaten down were nowhere to be seen.

Rong Qingqing and Wen Qinghong looked around for a long time. Alas, the person was really gone. He ran away very fast. Wen Qinghong felt that he had hit him very hard yesterday. He was naturally strong, and he still managed to escape with such a serious injury.

Gu Qingyue touched the ahoge (cowlick) on her head, looked around, and concealed her accomplishments.

"Get out of here quickly. What's that guy's name again? Wen Qinghong? Right?" Gu Qingyue asked.

He thought to himself, "This little pig has such a refined name."

"Let's hurry up, or the bandits might come down from the mountain to seek revenge," Gu Qingyue said, reluctantly handing him a pancake.

Turning around, I saw Rong Qingqing holding Xiao Nian, pinching and squeezing her here and there, having a great time.

Gu Qingyue rubbed her forehead.

It's been going on since early this morning!

I didn't realize Rong Qingqing liked children so much.

Thinking back to last night, Gu Qingyue couldn't help but smile.

Gu Qingyue said, "From now on, the four of us will form a team to share hardships and find our families. Let me formally introduce myself, Gu Qingyue, twelve years old."

Rong Qingqing and Little Pig Head: "What... what pair?"

Gu Qingyue's lips twitched.

After waiting for a while, Rong Qingqing saw that Gu Qingyue was about to explode and quickly said, "Rong Qingqing is twenty-six years old."

Little Pig Head: "I want to marry you... Yes, Wen Qinghong, twelve years old."

This kid looks only a tiny bit taller than her, and he's only twelve years old?

Gu Qingyue absolutely refused to admit that the little pig-head in front of her, who was the same age as her, was almost a head taller than her.

Gu Qingyue snorted disdainfully, especially when facing such a face. So what if she's taller than her? Rong Qingqing slapped her on the back again, unable to stand her arrogant attitude.

Gu Qingyue wanted to protest her innocence, but seeing Rong Qingqing's eyes squint and pop out, she shut her mouth.

"Okay, okay, little pighead is our savior!!" Gu Qingyue wanted to look up at the sky!

Finally, the three of them looked at Xiao Nian, who was sleeping with her arms and legs outstretched.

“His name is Xiao Nian, and he’s about five years old,” Gu Qingyue said, her eyes softening.

The little boy rolled over and kicked his legs, leaving his little feet imprinted on Wen Qinghong's pig-like face, before continuing to snore away.

Wen Qinghong's face darkened.

Gu Qingyue and Rong Qingqing held it in for a while, then couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing!

From last night until now, Zhu Tou Wen Qinghong still has a sour face whenever he sees Xiao Nian.

"That's about enough," Rong Qingqing said, looking at the awkward Wen Qinghong.

"Hmph! I don't argue with children," Wen Qinghong said, turning her face away.

Gu Qingyue's lips twitched: "Let's go, we should be able to get into the city before dark."

After trekking through mountains and rivers, the four of them were nearly exhausted, but they finally arrived in Liquan County before sunset.

I found a cheap guesthouse to stay in.

After finally taking a nice hot shower and lying down on the bed, Gu Qingyue felt alive again. These past few days had been so exhausting.

She turned over, feeling like something was missing, but before she could think about it, Gu Qingyue drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Gu Qingyue yawned as she went out. When she saw Rong Qingqing and Little Pig Head, as well as Xiao Nian with a resentful look on their faces, Gu Qingyue belatedly realized what that strange feeling from last night was all about!

Oh, she forgot about Xiao Nian!

She touched her nose and gave Xiao Nian a friendly yet slightly awkward smile.

Xiao Nian: Hmph! Brother is bad! She turned her head away.

Gu Qingyue: Is this going to the heavens?

Wen Qinghong ate a plate of pickled vegetables, a plate of steamed buns, and four bowls of plain porridge while crying.

"I haven't had a hot meal in a long time, I miss my dad."

Rong Qingqing couldn't help but ask, "Where's your father?"

Sniffing, Wen Qinghong feigned strength: "He was killed by the southern barbarians. He was a soldier guarding the city gate."

Seeing such a big child crying in front of her, with that pitiful face, Gu Qingyue felt a little sorry for him.

She and Rong Qingqing fell silent together.

In fact, Gu Qingyue was not isolated during the past month or so. She heard too much about the things that the Nanzhao Kingdom had done along the way: burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of atrocities. In addition to massacring the people of Mingzhi County, they also plundered many nearby villages. In one village, the entire population was slaughtered. The various atrocities were outrageous.

Even though Gu Qingyue, a visitor from another world, had no sense of belonging to this dynasty and country, she still felt her scalp tingle and was extremely indignant.

What's the difference between this and being an animal?

This is indeed a crueler world.

Gu Qingyue needs to constantly adjust her mindset to adapt.

Through Wen Qinghong's intermittent description, we learned that after his father passed away, the two brothers did not know where to escape to. They only knew that the farther away from Mingzhi County they were, the better. However, on the way, the younger brother was inexplicably kidnapped by a group of people, while he himself was too weak in martial arts and was kicked down a small hill. He was unconscious for a long time, and when he woke up, he could only roar and scream helplessly.

He finally made it to the top and was starving. Luckily, he met a kind person on the way who gave him food and directions.

He ended up taking the wrong path and wandered around in the mountains all day until he finally met them in the evening.

Recalling his heroic act of saving people, Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow. This little pighead still has a narrow-minded heart!

Wen Qinghong planned to come to Liquan County to find someone because when his younger brother was robbed, the group of people kicked him down a hillside and proudly shouted that they were Pan Xiangye's men from Liquan County and wanted revenge in their next life.

Pan Xiangye? Who is he? To dare to snatch someone like that, he must have considerable influence in Liquan County, Gu Qingyue thought silently.

As for Rong Qingqing, why did she also come to Liquan County, and even travel at night? She only said that she had received a clue that someone had seen the person in her portrait near Liquan County a few months ago, so she was in a hurry to come over.

Looking at the small portrait spread out in front of her, Gu Qingyue felt a little resigned.

How can you recognize who someone is?

This sloppy and careless drawing skill?! How could anyone possibly find someone to draw this?

On the other hand, Rong Qingqing also mentioned that an uncle of hers had settled in Liquan County years ago, and she wanted to see if she could help him.

She didn't go into any further details.

As for Gu Qingyue herself, her situation was quite simple: she came to find clues about the jade pendant.

After having breakfast, the group headed towards the clothing stores on Chaoyang Street. They needed to buy some decent clothes to make their next move easier.

After some haggling, the four of them finally bought eight sets of clothes for three taels and four mace. Although the fabric wasn't top-quality, it was very comfortable and refreshing. Gu Qingyue felt a little pained for a moment, but then she felt relieved.

Why not buy fabric and make it yourself if you don't have money? The answer is no one knows how to make it, including Rong Qingqing. Gu Qingyue could only sigh. The original owner could only embroider a handkerchief, and at a very low level. She had never learned how to make clothes, let alone herself.

She went to the Golden Pavilion to gather information, carrying a piece of top-quality purple jade. She couldn't arouse suspicion or cause trouble, and she couldn't dress too shabbily.

Rong Qingqing needs to visit relatives, but she can't be too stingy.

Xiao Nian and Wen Qinghong are in cahoots with them, so they can't be too shabby.

So, clutching her deflated purse, Gu Qingyue could only sigh.

Next, the group strode towards Liufang Pavilion.

As soon as she reached the door, Gu Qingyue's mouth formed an "O" shape.

The three people behind him were also taken aback.

We've arrived at Liufang Pavilion.

Looking at the imposing entrance, one can sense how luxurious and unattainable the interior is. The two polished, gleaming stone lions squatting at the entrance, if the plaque were removed, would make one think it was the mansion of some nouveau riche.