IGSB – Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Entering the New World (Part 9)
The surprise came suddenly, but the shock came even more suddenly.
They had been wandering around the Gu Residence for so long, but it never occurred to them that the ferry crossing might not be in the Gu Residence at all.
But was the ferry crossing definitely outside the gate?
Was this genuinely useful information, or just a trick to get them killed?
They remained skeptical. In the New World, it was necessary to be cautious.
Having finally found an NPC who could provide information, Xia Zhiyi asked a couple more questions: “Thank you, this information is a great help to us. I was wondering, have you heard any other news besides this?”
The little maid thought for a moment. “Hmm... the person who told me this heard the sound of water at night. Does that count?”
At night?!
Xia Zhiyi was stunned.
Jing Ruyu answered for her, “It counts. Thank you.
“By the way, where is the backyard?”
The little maid immediately gave them directions with gestures. “Go out from here, turn left and walk straight, then turn right and walk all the way to the end. You'll be there. Come to think of it, the backyard isn't very far from you.”
“But no one ever goes there. Such a large area is just left deserted, overgrown with weeds. If you two honored guests want to go, you must be careful. I heard them say there are unclean things in the backyard at night!”
After saying this, the little maid couldn't help but shiver.
The two fell silent, but they weren't surprised.
Where in this Gu Residence weren't there unclean things?
Even so, Xia Zhiyi gratefully took the little maid's hand and thanked her repeatedly.
In any case, this was an NPC who had at least given them a new line of thought.
“You're welcome, you're welcome,” the little maid smiled innocently. “I'm just glad I could help.”
She bowed solemnly to her savior, Jing Ruyu. “Thank you so much!”
Jing Ruyu smiled kindly. “It was nothing.”
The little maid said, “Well, I won't disturb your meal any longer. I have to go back and eat too. I still have work this afternoon.”
Xia Zhiyi agreed, warmly saw the girl to the door, waved goodbye, and then turned back into the room, filled with emotion.
This was the first NPC they had encountered since entering the New World who had shown them any kindness.
Gao Hui, who had been standing outside the whole time, watched the little maid arrive excitedly and then watched Xia Zhiyi warmly see her off with a smile. The more he watched, the tighter his brows furrowed.
Especially after Xia Zhiyi's clothing style matched that of the people here, the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.
He had a faint feeling that Xia Zhiyi had truly become one of them...
First the shoes, then the clothes, then the fruit platter from the young lady, and now a servant from the residence who was so warm to her.
All of this seemed to suggest that Xia Zhiyi was already one of them.
Or, she had obtained a “special privilege.”
A special privilege...
At this thought, Gao Hui's frown deepened.
They were all desperate people fighting for their lives. On what grounds did she get special privileges?
No, he shouldn't think like that. Didn't she also say she had hallucinations after eating what the young lady gave her?
She also said there was a Ghost King in this place, that the Ghost King was likely Master Gu, and that Master Gu might even eat people...
But no one could say for certain that any of this information was correct.
After a moment of silence, Gao Hui returned to his room to rest with a grim expression.
On Xia Zhiyi's side, the two closed the door to eat and talk.
The information from the NPC couldn't be ignored, but in this treacherous place, where their lives were as fragile as paper, they couldn't afford to be too naive.
Xia Zhiyi said, “I have some doubts about the authenticity of this piece of information. Do you think the New World would just give it away for free like this?”
If the information about the ferry crossing was true, it would be a joyous occasion for everyone.
If it was false, wouldn't that mean the New World was tricking them into getting themselves killed?
Jing Ruyu pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, “It might.”
Xia Zhiyi looked at her.
Jing Ruyu analyzed, “This is a novice instance, after all. It would be illogical if it were too difficult. It's hard to say if there might actually be some free information.
“Besides, even if it's true, don't we still have to risk our lives to explore the location of the ferry crossing? That would fit the strange and dangerous style of the New World.”
Xia Zhiyi said, “That makes sense...”
Jing Ruyu said, “Since we have a direction, we should find a chance to check it out. We'll know if it's true or false once we see it.”
Xia Zhiyi nodded. “To be safe, let's go during the day as well.”
Jing Ruyu nodded in agreement.
Having talked it over, the two finally started to eat properly.
A while later.
“Time is tight. How about... we go to the backyard this afternoon?” Xia Zhiyi suggested.
After eating and resting, Xiao Qiao came to assign tasks again.
The moment she opened her mouth, someone interrupted her ‘spellcasting,’ and the process jumped straight to the post-task-assignment phase.
“I have a question.”
Xiao Qiao looked toward the source of the voice and saw Jing Ruyu standing straight beside Xia Zhiyi, leisurely raising a hand. “I have a question I'd like to ask.”
Xiao Qiao: “...”
So now someone else was here to annoy her?
“Honored guest, please speak.”
Jing Ruyu looked at her and said, “I want to confirm one more time. For Miss Gu's wedding the day after tomorrow, does the entire residence, from top to bottom, have to be spotless and perfectly tidy?”
Xiao Qiao: “That is only natural.”
Jing Ruyu: “Not a single weed?”
Xiao Qiao: “No.”
Jing Ruyu: “That makes things simple.”
Xiao Qiao: “?”
Xia Zhiyi immediately raised her hand to speak. “We volunteer to go clear the weeds in the backyard!
“If you don't agree, we'll tell the Master that you're neglecting your duties!”
Xiao Qiao: “???”
They were actually arranging things themselves, and even threatening to tattle?!
Are you some kind of elementary school student!
She suppressed her anger, thought for a moment, and actually agreed.
As a dedicated quest NPC, she had to perform the duties of her role. She was the butler now, so she had to do what a butler should do.
Besides, Jing Ruyu had cornered her with her own words in front of so many people. Could she really go back on them now?
Since they wanted to go to the backyard so badly, fine, let them go. But only after completing the task she assigned.
“Fine,” she said in a tone that brooked no argument. “But you must first complete the task I give you.”
But Xia Zhiyi immediately retorted, “No. We can only complete one task per time slot. Doing more is too draining and would be a disservice to Master Gu's kind intentions. We won't be able to put on any weight.”
Xiao Qiao: “?”
Jing Ruyu cast an appreciative glance at her ex-girlfriend.
Not bad. Her adaptability was still as good as ever, still so quick-witted and clever.
They looked at Xiao Qiao.
Jing Ruyu: “As the butler, have you already forgotten what your master said yesterday?”
Xia Zhiyi: “You're done for. There goes your salary for this month.”
They sang in perfect, seamless harmony.
Xiao Qiao: “...”
Who knew you could even use those words against me!
The other players: “...”
Although they didn't understand, they felt these two were really brave...
In the end, Xiao Qiao compromised, clenching her fists.
When the chance came, she would definitely kill those two first!
Xia Zhiyi and Jing Ruyu got their wish and were assigned to the backyard that, according to the Gu Residence servants, even dogs dared not enter. The task was also very simple: weeding.
Xiao Qiao only gave them two sickles and nothing else, not even a guide. It was obvious retaliation for their insubordination, but fortunately, they had already asked for directions.
Following the directions from the little maid, the two walked to the end of the long corridor.
At the end of the corridor was a white wall with blue tiles, in which a round moon gate was set. Passing through it led to the backyard.
It was silent all around. The sound of the wind that occasionally brushed past seemed amplified, whining low and clear in their ears.
Although it was daytime and the ghosts in the residence couldn't run rampant, the two still moved with caution.
They held their breath and scanned their surroundings. Nothing.
Passing through the moon gate, the true face of the backyard was starkly revealed before their eyes—a stretch of desolation.
The Gu family's backyard was huge, at least half the size of a basketball court.
It was overgrown with weeds, which nearly filled their entire field of vision.
Not only was it untended, but it hadn't even been landscaped. The ground was covered in uneven mounds and pits. Even under the sun, it felt gloomy and lifeless.
The two couldn't help but stop in their tracks.
Xia Zhiyi looked at the seemingly endless backyard, then turned to Jing Ruyu and said slowly, “Don't you think this place looks like...”
“A graveyard.”
Jing Ruyu finished her sentence.
They didn't know what was hidden beneath the ground.
And the gate to the backyard was on the other side, waiting for them to cross this ‘graveyard’ and open it with their own hands.
If you enjoy my translations, please consider supporting me!
Comments
Post a Comment