The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Enemies on a Narrow Path

Xu Qingsui’s eyes widened when the Golden Octopus told her she possessed a Storage Space.

After all, in the Apocalypse she had experienced in her previous life, there was no such thing as a Storage Space. It was the kind of thing that only existed in novels, and she had long wanted to see one for herself.

[Your Jade Pendant is a Storage Space. It’s a high-level one, and it will expand as your abilities increase.]

’The Jade Pendant?’

’Grandma’s Jade Pendant!’

Hearing the Golden Octopus mention the Jade Pendant her grandmother had left her, Xu Qingsui subconsciously reached for the pendant she kept close to her chest.

Once she confirmed it was still there, she clutched it tightly in her palm.

Come to think of it, this all started with this Jade Pendant.

The original owner’s sister, Xu Ruming—the family’s true-born daughter—and her childhood sweetheart fiancé, Shen Ling’an, had tried to steal this Jade Pendant. Their actions accidentally led to the original owner’s death.

That was the only reason she’d had the chance to transmigrate into the original owner’s body.

In the original owner’s memories, all she knew was that the Jade Pendant had been a gift from her grandmother.

Even after it was confirmed that the original owner had been switched at birth, her grandmother never disowned her. In fact, she became the only person in the family who still genuinely loved her.

Naturally, the original owner repaid her grandmother’s kindness, taking care of her with all her heart.

That was why, before she passed away, her grandmother left the Jade Pendant to her—the granddaughter who had been switched at birth.

She had never tried to uncover the pendant’s secrets, simply treating it as a memento to remember her grandmother by.

When Xu Ruming and Shen Ling’an came to demand the Jade Pendant, she had refused repeatedly, only relenting under their brutal beating when she could no longer bear it.

She had thought she could save her own life, but she never expected to end up joining her grandmother in the afterlife instead.

And just like that, she had taken over this body and arrived in this world.

Now, everything was clear. It seemed that scumbag couple had forced the original owner to hand over the Jade Pendant precisely because they knew its secret.

At this thought, Xu Qingsui clenched her fists.

’Since I’ve taken over her body, I have to repay her. One day, I will make that scumbag couple pay.’

”What do you plan to do next? Are you heading to Central City? I can arrange for someone to teleport you there.”

Someone had to break the awkward silence, and for the first time, Lu Jingyu found himself to be that person.

Xu Qingsui snapped back to her senses and quickly shook her head.

According to the information on her Spiritual Map, Lu Jingyu was one of the six SSS-level Sentinels she was fated to bond with.

’Naturally, I have to stay by Lu Jingyu’s side. I’ll focus on winning him over first, then worry about the others.’

”You’re not going to Central City? Then what are your plans?” A flicker of joy sparked in Lu Jingyu’s heart when he heard Xu Qingsui wasn’t planning on leaving for Central City.

”Since I’ve come to Zone 9, I’d like to stay here for a while.”

”In that case, would you consider joining the Heiyu Alliance?”

Just for a while? That wasn’t what Lu Jingyu had expected.

”I know that with your abilities, you’d have many more and better options if you went to Central City. But here in Zone 9, the Heiyu Alliance can still offer you protection.”

”And I can promise you, if you find a better place to go in the future, the Heiyu Alliance will never hold you back. In fact, we’ll support you.”

There were some things Lu Jingyu couldn’t say outright, so he decided to focus on convincing her to stay first.

His throat was dry from explaining, but he had no idea that Xu Qingsui had already made up her mind.

”Of course. It would be my honor.”

Seeing her agree so decisively, Lu Jingyu finally let out a sigh of relief.

”Then you should get some rest. I’ll go get you something to eat. Once you’re rested, I’ll give you a tour of the base and arrange for your living quarters.”

”There’s no need. I’m already rested. You probably haven’t eaten either, right? Just take me there now!”

With that, Xu Qingsui was already out of bed. Seeing that she really did seem to be in good shape, Lu Jingyu didn’t insist.

During the night Xu Qingsui was unconscious, many people had walked past the infirmary, hoping to catch a glimpse of this legendary figure.

When Xu Qingsui walked out of the infirmary, she immediately became the center of attention.

Lu Jingyu cleared his throat with a dry cough, and only then did the crowd of onlookers disperse.

On the way to the cafeteria, Xu Qingsui ran into a familiar face.

”Miss Guide, you’re awake! Thank you so much for what you did in the instance. If it weren’t for you, I might have been stuck in there too.”

The speaker was none other than Meng Donghua, who had entered the instance with Xu Qingsui.

At the time, he had been trying to save an infected Arthur and ended up getting infected himself.

While searching for a cure, no one had dared to touch him. It was Xu Qingsui who had helped him up without a second thought.

While Xu Qingsui was unconscious, Meng Donghua had visited many times to thank her, but she had never woken up.

He never expected to run into her by chance like this.

Xu Qingsui exchanged a few pleasantries with him before Lu Jingyu cut in, ”What’s the rush? Where are you off to?”

”Captain, two newcomers arrived at the base today. They’re about to test their abilities right now, so I was heading over to watch the show.”

Lu Jingyu nodded, not thinking much of it, and waved for Meng Donghua to go on his way.

”Wait, can I go watch?” Xu Qingsui called out to Meng Donghua. She wasn’t sure why, but she was suddenly curious.

”Aren’t you hungry? You should eat something first!”

Xu Qingsui shook her head. ”I’m fine. If you’re hungry, you can go ahead. I’ll have Meng Donghua take me over later.”

Hearing this, and thinking he could spend more time with her, Meng Donghua was about to agree immediately.

But a cold glare shot in his direction, and he could only obediently shut his mouth.

”I’m not that hungry either. Since you want to go watch, let’s go together!”

Lu Jingyu relented, and the two of them immediately followed Meng Donghua toward the plaza.

”Do you have to demonstrate your abilities to join the Heiyu Alliance?”

Thinking about what Meng Donghua had said, Xu Qingsui asked. At the same time, she wondered if she would have to put on a demonstration as well.

”When new members join the Alliance, they’re asked to give a demonstration. It’s a way to introduce them to everyone and for everyone to get to know each other.”

”It’s not actually required, though. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

Xu Qingsui breathed a sigh of relief. She had no desire to be gawked at like a monkey in a cage.

As they spoke, the three of them arrived at the plaza, which was already surrounded by members who had come to watch the show.

When Lu Jingyu appeared, the members voluntarily parted to create a path.

Xu Qingsui and Meng Donghua followed Lu Jingyu smoothly to the very front.

In the center of the plaza stood a man and a woman, looking proud as they prepared for their demonstration.

The moment Xu Qingsui appeared, all three of them froze.

’It’s true what they say: enemies are always destined to cross paths. And here we are, meeting again so soon.’

The two people in the center of the plaza were none other than the scumbag couple Xu Qingsui had just resolved to deal with—Xu Ruming and Shen Ling’an.

Xu Ruming and Shen Ling’an exchanged a look, and then Xu Ruming took the initiative to walk toward Xu Qingsui.

”Sister, I was wondering where you’d gone. I never thought you’d actually show up at the Heiyu Alliance. As your sister, let me give you some advice: you should leave as soon as possible. After all, this isn’t home. No one here is going to spoil you.”