Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 254 Setting Off Back to the Capital: Cruel and Resolute

"Sister, you go back to the capital to find our parents first. Once I've mastered martial arts, I'll come and protect you. My skills aren't good enough yet," the little guy said firmly.

She thought Xiao Nian had a different soul, after all, before, this little guy would always hug her legs first when he saw her, afraid that she would run away and abandon him.

It seems the little guy has really grown up and become much more sensible.

After thinking it over, Gu Qingyue didn't insist. She didn't know how many dangers awaited her in the capital.

With Liu Feng taking care of Xiao Nian and practicing with the disciples of Yueying Pavilion, it's safer for her.

Finally, Gu Qingyue said goodbye to Qin Muning and Wen Qing, who were recuperating from their injuries.

Finally, everything was arranged.

Early the next morning, Gu Qingyue, along with Cui Shuming and Jiang Wan, followed Gu Yuanen and Steward Qiu on their journey back to the capital.

They traveled at breakneck speed, occasionally enduring hardships and sleeping in the open, but for Gu Qingyue, these were just ordinary hardships.

Compared to the rigorous training I underwent in the primeval rainforest in my previous life, this was practically like a tickle.

This broke Gu Yuanen and Butler Qiu's hearts.

The meticulous care she received along the way was almost too much for someone as patient as Gu Qingyue to handle.

For example: "Little sister, is your cloak warm enough? I see it's getting windy, how about we buy a carriage in the town ahead?"

"Little sister, your food is a bit cold. Have the waiter make it again."

"Little sister, I think the blanket in your room isn't warm enough. This is a new one, it's thicker and more comfortable, so please cover yourself with it."

"Oh dear, little sister, quickly put on your face mask. It's windy and dusty; won't you catch a cold wind if you do that?"

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Gu Qingyue felt like she was hallucinating. Gu Yuanen wasn't like this before, so why did he change on the way back to the capital? Could he have a split personality?

Gu Yuanen: It's so unfair! I was with my sister the whole way, but I couldn't help but keep an eye on her.

Gu Qingyue was always busy in Lizhou, so he didn't have the chance to show his concern!

In particular, the news that the people they sent to Xinghua Village brought back was heartbreaking for him. Now, the only thing he can do is to care for and protect her as much as possible so that she will not suffer any more harm!

Gu Qingyue pulled her cloak tighter, raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sunlight, and looked around.

It's noon now, and they've arrived at a place called Liulin County. They expect to reach the county seat in the evening.

It was lunchtime, and with no village or shop in sight, we had no choice but to eat at a roadside stall.

They have been traveling for fifteen days, riding at full speed, and it looks like they will reach the capital in another six or seven days.

The weather has already begun to warm up. Although the capital is slightly north of Lizhou, the climate is humid and warm, somewhat like the Yangtze River region in my previous life.

Gu Qingyue took in all the scenery along the way in Da Chu.

I also encountered a lot of messy things, but the people around me solved them easily.

This left Gu Qingyue with absolutely no chance to intervene.

This gave her a new understanding of the Gu family's butler and guards.

Qiu Guanchang is a skilled and capable manager.

No matter how big the problem is, he always has a way to solve it.

If this were in his previous life, he would definitely be a professional leader.

Most importantly, like Commander Gu, Steward Qiu is highly skilled in martial arts.

Gu Qingyue observed for a moment, and found that the skill level was almost equal to or even higher than her own.

They could easily take down bandits and highwaymen without any trouble.

No wonder the Old Kingdom Guild only sent these two people to pick me up.

While Gu Qingyue was observing the two of them, Butler Qiu and Commander Gu were also silently observing Gu Qingyue along the way.

Although Miss Moon grew up in a remote and impoverished area, it still seems quite unexpected.

Her manners, speech, and temperament were no different from those of a young lady from a prominent family in the capital.

Especially her bright and beautiful face, and the occasional hint of determination and heroic spirit she exudes!

She was neither spoiled nor weak nor pretentious; she was the epitome of a young lady from a military family!

Butler Qiu felt both gratified and a little heartbroken. What had she gone through to grow up so well?

If Gu Yuanen heard what they were thinking, he would probably add: "You haven't witnessed my sister's ruthless skills and her commanding presence yet, otherwise you would be even more surprised!"

Gu Qingyue sat on the ground, leaning against a tree trunk, lazily letting the sunlight bathe her entire body.

Cui Shuming stepped forward and handed a water bag to Gu Qingyue, gesturing for her to drink a couple more sips, as she and Jiang Wan were going to fetch water from a nearby stream.

She tilted her head back, drank the water, and then returned the water bag to Cui Shuming.

Watching the two walk towards the stream behind the jungle, she yawned lazily.

Looking back on the journey, it was truly thrilling!

Only now do I understand what Zhao Lansheng meant when he said back in the military camp that many places were in turmoil and the people were suffering.

For example, when taking a shortcut, you might encounter a large group of bandits in the mountains who ambush and rob you.

I encountered theft while living in a small town; it was the kind of robbery and murder.

They even encountered a brawl between two gangs in broad daylight in a county town, which included yamen runners.

Outside a small town, I saw ragged refugees storming the town government office, demanding that they provide porridge.

More importantly, we encountered many people selling their children along the way.

An older woman knelt before Gu Qingyue, holding her daughter, wanting to sell her daughter in exchange for a sesame seed cake for her son, which moved Gu Qingyue deeply.

And so on, and so on and so forth.

Although they helped resolve many issues later, their resources were limited, and they were powerless to do anything more.

Having witnessed all sorts of people, Gu Qingyue became a spectator along the way, and she realized more clearly that this was a cruel and ruthless world where only the fittest survive.

"Little sister, what are you thinking about? We'll be in the capital soon."

Gu Yuanen took off his cloak and hung it on a bush by the roadside, then sat down cross-legged. Even his sitting down was as graceful as flowing clouds and water.

Gu Qingyue couldn't help but laugh out loud, her smile as radiant as a flower.

"why are you laughing?"

"It's nothing. Are we staying in Liulin County tonight?" Gu Qingyue stretched and straightened her hair and cloak.

"Okay, let's rest for a bit and have something to eat. We should be able to reach the county town before the city gates close."

"it is good".

"Aren't you cold sitting on the grass like this? Should I ask Butler Qiu to add a thicker cushion for you?"

Gu Yuanen glanced at the thin cushion under Gu Qingyue and felt that the ground was damp, so he was afraid that his sister would get cold.

Gu Qingyue tilted her head back, letting the sunlight shine on her face. "It's not cold. Look how nice the sunlight is."

Gu Yuanen shook his head helplessly, and was about to ask Butler Qiu to bring over a thick cushion when he heard Jiang Wan and Cui Shuming's hurried footsteps.

"Miss, young master, there are people coming from deep in the mountains, quite a few of them," Cui Shuming quickly helped Gu Qingyue up and shielded her behind him, while Jiang Wan had already drawn her long sword from her horse.

Gu Yuanen quickly gathered the horses together with Steward Qiu and Commander Gu, and the group quietly looked towards the depths of the mountains and forests.

A moment later, a group of men in black quickly emerged from the jungle.

The place where Gu Qingyue and the others were staying was a narrow path, much narrower than the official road.

Crossing this narrow path, you'll find yourself facing a patch of low shrubs, and further in, a large forest.

Therefore, as soon as the group of men in black appeared from the mountains, Gu Qingyue was trying to determine whether they were after them or just passing through.

The man in black clearly hadn't expected to find someone on such a secluded mountain path.