Chapter 7 The Follower Chapter 7 The Follower

Chapter Seven: The Follower

Although she wanted to save people, Linghao remained wary. Who knew if the person calling for help was actually in need? What if it was an ambush? She hadn't forgotten the examples she'd seen of people being tricked after letting their guard down.

Ling Hao drew her sword and walked inside, soon arriving at a place that resembled a prison. There were no guards, only a young man locked up. He was dressed in blue, leaning against the wooden railing with his back to her, occasionally crying out for help, sounding as if he were about to die.

As if guided by fate, the man turned around. He saw Ling Hao, and his previously dim eyes instantly lit up, shining like stars in the sky. "Heroine, did you come to save me?"

By the light, she could clearly see the other person's appearance. She had initially thought the description in the book, "solemn as the wind beneath the pines, lofty and gently flowing," was an exaggeration, because she had never actually seen such a person in reality. But at this moment, she realized that the book was right; there really were people in real life whose appearance and demeanor were so outstanding that one might mistake them for fiction.

"Who are you?" Although he was momentarily stunned by the other person's appearance, he still did not let down his guard.

"I am Young Master Mingyue, and I was kidnapped." The man spoke with extreme grievance, as if he had been terribly bullied.

But Ling Hao looked him up and down and found that apart from his clothes being a little dusty, he was otherwise perfectly fine. Even the sound of him almost dying was gone, and he was speaking clearly and fluently now. No matter how you looked at him, he didn't seem like someone who had suffered a great injustice. "Young Master Mingyue? That doesn't sound like a name."

"Everyone I know calls me that, so it's naturally my name." Young Master Mingyue smiled, his already outstanding face shining even brighter, adding a touch of brilliance to the somewhat dim dungeon.

"Young Master Mingyue," the name easily evokes a certain image. But it shouldn't be that person; that person doesn't seem to have this kind of personality. Ling Hao thought to herself, then stepped forward and severed the iron chains on the cell with her sword. "You can come out now."

"Thank you so much, my benefactor." Young Master Mingyue smiled as he opened the cell and stepped out. It was only a few steps, yet it gave the impression of him walking on flowers.

Regardless of who this person is, what his background is, or what his intentions are, he is undeniably handsome. Ling Hao thought to herself, "No need for thanks." With that, she turned and walked away.

There wasn't much left. She needed to check if the bandits in the stronghold were all tied up, then report the incident to the authorities and let them handle the aftermath. Since the stronghold only contained some grain and cloth, she decided not to take it with her; she'd leave it to the authorities so they could use it for the people.

Along the way, Ling Hao had been asking around about the local government's practices. Although she wanted the reward money, she wouldn't just throw it away carelessly. She had already inquired beforehand and learned that the nearest government office had a new superior who had been sent down from above to gain experience.

Born into a good family, not greedy for money, and eager for merit, no one would pass up such a great opportunity to add a mark to their resume. Therefore, Ling Hao was not worried that these grains and cloths would be embezzled.

"My benefactor, wait for me, wait for me!" Young Master Mingyue didn't expect Ling Hao to not wait for him at all, so he quickly followed.

Ling Hao shifted her body slightly, avoiding Gongzi Mingyue, and then turned back to look at him, "You know martial arts?"

"My martial arts skills are mediocre," Gongzi Mingyue said with a hint of embarrassment. "My only strength is my lightness skill, but my internal energy is insufficient, so I can't last long. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been captured." This somewhat awkward demeanor was surprisingly handsome on him.

Whether it was the solemnity just now or the shyness now, it all felt natural on Gongzi Mingyue.

"Whether lightly or heavily made up, she looks good." For some reason, this sentence suddenly popped into Ling Hao's mind. What was going on? Had her brain finally broken down after twelve years of transmigration? Thinking this, she gave Gongzi Mingyue a deep look, then turned and left.

Although this person appeared gentle and harmless, his appearance and strange name immediately suggested trouble. Linghao may aspire to become a legendary hero, but she doesn't want to get involved in any strange or unusual problems.

Therefore, it's best to leave now.

Seeing that Ling Hao stopped talking to him and even turned to leave, Gongzi Mingyue's eyes widened in surprise. He had never expected her to react this way. What was going on? Didn't she clearly like his appearance? He touched his face, completely bewildered.

But he quickly caught up with him, saying, "My benefactor, you haven't told me your name yet! My benefactor, where are you going? I'll go with you. My benefactor, what do you need? I'll help you."

Ling Hao suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Young Master Mingyue had to circle back after rushing out several steps, asking, "Benefactor?"

"You're so noisy," Ling Hao said.

Gongzi Mingyue looked as if he had heard something very serious, his face showing great shock, and his eyes seemed to be brimming with tears.

Ling Hao: "???"

No, is this right? Who was that handsome young man in the dungeon just now? And who is this crybaby clinging to her now? Hey, hey, hey, isn't something wrong somewhere?

"Don't cry." Linghao panicked a little. She was most afraid of seeing others cry because she would feel helpless and unsure how to comfort them. What should she do? She felt like turning around and running away immediately. But she had a feeling that if she really left, the person in front of her would actually cry, instead of just having tears welling up in their eyes like this.

"I...I didn't cry." Gongzi Mingyue seemed to sob, but then again, maybe not. "My benefactor, do you hate me?"

Imagine a stunningly beautiful person standing before you, asking in a pitiful tone if you dislike them. Who could possibly say they dislike someone? Despite sensing that the person might be in trouble, Ling Hao couldn't help but feel a little helpless. "No," she replied.

Or maybe we should wait until the officials arrive before abandoning him. Then, no matter how much he cries, we won't see it, which is the same as no one crying. Linghao thought this was a good idea.

Gongzi Mingyue mistakenly thought that Linghao meant she liked him, and immediately smiled happily, all his tears disappearing. In his mind, not disliking someone was the same as liking them, which meant that Linghao liked him, and that made everything alright.

He said, "Who wouldn't like him?"

A note from the author:

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Hint: This is the same guy who was in the tree earlier.