Chapter 188: Shan Ling
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shan Ling
Han Xing had no reason to empathize with her, and he straightforwardly said, “Think about it. If it wasn’t you, 1 would have gone home for dinner by now.”
The words caught the young girl off guard. She emptied her backpack, revealing cookies, snacks, and water. She didn’t hide anything and gave most of them to Han Xing.
“I have a small appetite, and as a guy, you eat more than I do. Whether I can survive outside depends entirely on you!”
Seeing her unexpectedly sensible, Han Xing didn’t say much more. Instead, he took out a brocade pocket from his pocket and sprinkled a circle of powder around them.
“Is this powder effective?” She leaned over curiously to take a look.
“It is. Snakes, insects, rats, and ants will die if they come into contact with it.”
Han Xing’s words made the girl’s eyes shine, and she exclaimed excitedly, “Really? That’s fantastic! Sprinkle some on me!”
Although there was only a little bit of powder left, Han Xing reluctantly sprinkled some on the girl’s strong demand. He didn’t want to hear the girl’s piercing screams.
They sat on the ground and were ready to sleep. Han Xing didn’t sleep well all night, as the girl kept talking incessantly. After asking Han Xing for his name, she revealed her name as Shan Ling.
She told Han Xing that she had heard good things about Black Mountain, which was why she had secretly come. Who would have expected such a thing? It wasn’t until Han Xing fell asleep after being repeatedly pestered by her that the girl leaned on him cautiously.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t afraid, because it was her first time spending the night outdoors. When she woke up the next day as she was still feeling dazed, Han Xing had already started looking for a way out.
“You go east, I’ll go south, and we’ll meet back here later.”
Han Xing was ready to set off, but when Shan Ling heard his words, she immediately woke up. “No! 1 don’t want to go alone; I’m scared!”
Han Xing was infuriated by her, but he understood that it was normal for a girl to be scared in the middle of nowhere. “Just stick close to me, don’t get lost again.”
Shan Ling nodded eagerly and hurriedly followed behind Han Xing. Along the way, Han Xing deeply regretted having brought her along.
“I think we should go that way. 1 just heard voices coming from over there.”
“How did you manage to get us lost again, Han Xing? We’ve ended up back where we started. Are you even dumber than me?!”
“Are there really no paths on this mountain? It can’t be true. Could it be supernatural happening? But there are no ghosts in this world.”
Shan Ling kept talking incessantly throughout the journey, never stopping.
Han Xing was getting a headache from her constant chatter. “Could you please be quiet for a while? Aren’t you tired after talking so much?”
“I’m not.” Shan Ling blinked her big eyes at Han Xing, her voice carrying a hint of confidence. “It’s been so long, and you still haven’t taken me out. You’re clueless!”
Han Xing glanced at her. “Don’t act squeamish in front of me.”
“I’m sorry, Xing. You’re right!” Shan Ling’s face changed in an instant, making it impossible for Han Xing to stay mad at her.
After wandering around for several hours, Shan Ling couldn’t walk any longer. Her feet were blistered from all the walking, but she still hadn’t found the way back. After hours of talking, her throat was parched, so she had no choice but to silently follow behind Han Xing to conserve energy.
Though she was still afraid deep inside, when she looked up and saw Han Xing’s determined face, all her uneasiness disappeared completely. With Han Xing by her side, she had nothing to fear.
The sky was getting darker, and Han Xing began to feel anxious. Just then, shouts could be heard coming from the eastern slope. Before Han Xing could respond, the little girl excitedly yelled, “I’m here, I’m here!”
Shan Ling’s shout had indeed worked. As they walked towards the sound, they saw faint flickering lights on the hillside. As they got closer, they noticed a group of people holding torches.
Seeing that the two of them were safe, the people in front breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhou Shengwu walked out from the crowd and expressed his dissatisfaction, “What happened during your herb gathering this time? How did you lose your way?”
When he saw Shan Ling, she quickly hid behind Han Xing. “What are you hiding for? I’ve already seen you. How did you end up here?”
“Grandpa Zhou, would you believe me if I told you that I’m here for a vacation?”
Han Xing went to pick medicine and night did not return, relying on Zhou Shengwu to understand Han Xing, Han Xing also did not look like the kind of person who would deliberately cause trouble to run around. Now that he saw Shan Ling, he finally understood. It was most likely Shan Ling’s doing.
Han Xing didn’t return all night after going to collect herbs. Knowing Han Xing well, Zhou Shengwu didn’t think he was the type to intentionally stir up trouble and wander around. When he saw Shan Ling, it quickly became clear to him that she was probably the one causing the trouble.
Thanks to the help of the villagers from Stone Village this time, otherwise Zhou Shengwu wouldn’t have dared to run into these deep mountains alone. Fortunately, the place where Han Xing and they fell was relatively safe this time. Otherwise, even if deities came, they might not have come back.
On the way back, Shan Ling heard Zhou Shengwu say this and asked curiously, “Grandpa Zhou, is Black Mountain really that dangerous? 1 don’t feel that at all!”
Zhou Shengwu snorted coldly, “You haven’t even seen the true appearance of Black Mountain, so, of course, you don’t think it’s dangerous. And about you sneaking out this time, I will immediately inform the people from the Shan family when we get back.”
“Please don’t,” Shan Ling exclaimed in pain. “Grandpa Zhou, 1 haven’t had enough fun yet.”
“You nearly played away your life, and you haven’t had enough fun? You were too willful this time!”
Han Xing, however, was not interested in Shan Ling’s affairs. “Old Master Zhou, how is my sister doing?”
Zhou Shengwu’s expression carried a hint of awkwardness. “Not very optimistic. You’ll see when you go back later.”
Ever since Han Xing didn’t come back yesterday, Han Yanran had been extremely worried. This resulted in side effects, refusing to take her medicine in the courtyard and stubbornly waiting for Han Xing to return.
Han Xing let out a sigh and quickened his pace. Before Shan Ling had a chance to say goodbye, he was taken away by the Shan family members rushing over.
“Xing, you’re back. Why did you come back so late? Are you thinking of abandoning me again?”
As soon as Han Yanran saw Han Xing return, she immediately ran up to him. Her eyes were filled with resentment, and the hatred in her gaze even made Zhou Shengwu tremble.
She forcefully grabbed Han Xing’s arm, her nails digging into his flesh. Han Xing, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened and gently patted Han Yanran’s head with a smile.
“Alright, didn’t 1 go to gather herbs for you? Did you take your medicine obediently while I was away?”
Those words instantly softened Han Yanran’s expression, and she leaned her head against Han Xing. “Xing, you can’t make me worry like this again.”
The evil spirit in her eyes had actually increased a lot.
After coaxing her to take the medicine, Han Xing finally managed to put her to sleep. She had been awake all this time.
“You know, if you weren’t blood-related siblings, this wouldn’t be so bad,” Zhou Shengwu casually commented, only to be met with a sharp gaze from Han Xing.
“Old Master Zhou, please find a way to treat my sister’s condition as soon as possible!”
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