35: Chapter 35 I’ll Take This Mission 35: Chapter 35 I’ll Take This Mission Wufu took the jade pendant that he handed her, with a yellowish tint mixed with red, warm to the touch.
It was hard to say whether the warmth was due to the body heat of its previous owner or if the jade itself was naturally warm.
When held in her hand, it felt very smooth and moist.
She looked at the jade pendant with interest, holding it up against the light to take a closer look.
The jade was smooth and delicate, oily and shiny, and although the pendant itself was not carved with any intricate patterns, the hint of blood-red within the jade seemed to form a unique pattern.
It was a fine piece of jade indeed!
“This is thousand-year-old ancient jade, I’ve been wearing it since I was born.
It was from my mother…” Ah Jiu cut off abruptly, saying, “It was my mother who put it on me, to ward off evil and nourish the body…”
“It looks like blood jade,” Wufu interrupted him.
Ah Jiu’s words halted, and he looked at her deeply once again.
Wufu hung the jade around her neck and looked at him, “All right, deal.
Now, tell me, what do you want me to do?”
Ah Jiu stared blankly at the jade pendant hanging in front of her chest, somehow feeling his ears grow hot and his hand clench.
He swallowed, looked up at the large tree above his head, and exhaled.
“The Jade Pendant, I will redeem it.
Don’t sell or lose it,” Ah Jiu said, then started coughing again.
Wufu didn’t express any agreement, looked at the sky, felt the moisture brought by the mountain breeze, and then looked at him, “We should get going; it’s going to rain soon.”
Ah Jiu was momentarily stunned.
Although the sky had darkened, it didn’t seem like it was going to rain, right?
But now, with his limited mobility, he knew that it would be harder to walk in the mountains later.
It was time to descend the mountain, and his injuries needed treatment and rest.
“What’s your name?” Ah Jiu looked at the girl in front of him carrying a bamboo basket on her back.
The moment he asked, he found it somewhat funny.
From their first encounter until now, he had at least mentioned his own name, but this girl, aside from being called a hunter’s daughter, had not offered anything else, not even her name.
Ah Jiu paused in his step, “Wufu arriving at the door?”
Wufu turned her head, smiling, “Pretty funny, isn’t it?”
“Quite good,” Ah Jiu also smiled.
It was easy to say and to remember.
He coughed lightly twice, his hand still covering his abdomen as if enduring some great pain.
Wufu moved forward, placed his hand on her shoulder, supported his arm with her hand, and took on his weight.
Ah Jiu’s body stiffened, and he looked down.
This girl was still young, only coming up to his chest.
“Girls who grew up in the mountains, hmm…” Ah Jiu hesitated then asked, “Are they all so unreserved?”
Her actions seemed utterly unconcerned with the proprieties between men and women, uncontrived and natural.
Without lifting her head, Wufu responded, “Since I’ve taken on your task, I must do it well.”
Ah Jiu found it a bit strange to hear that.
Had he become a task?
Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly felt something cool on the tip of his nose—a droplet of water had fallen.
Ah Jiu looked up as several more drops fell.
It really was raining.
With the rain getting heavier, Wufu supported him to walk faster.
Who knew what the rain would turn into; it was one thing if she were alone, but with him injured, getting drenched could lead to unimaginable consequences.
“How did you know it was going to rain?” In his haste to move, Ah Jiu felt as if his internal organs were shifting from the pain, and he needed to divert his attention.
“The mountain wind carries moisture, and the atmospheric pressure has also dropped,” Wufu answered succinctly, not elaborating further as she felt more and more strained supporting him and didn’t feel like explaining any further.
The rain grew heavier, and Ah Jiu, unable to support himself, stumbled forward.