This time, she did not press blindly onward. Instead, she asked the nearby villagers for directions, then set off again along the route they gave her.
By the time Xu Zhiqiu returned to Kaede's Village, darkness had fallen.
The village was quiet at night. Xu Zhiqiu walked up to Granny Kaede's house and knocked on the wooden wall. "Granny Kaede."
"Who is it?" An aged, hoarse voice came from inside.
"It's Xu Zhiqiu."
A rustling came from inside the house, followed by a light.
The cloth curtain lifted, and the old woman peered warily at the visitor with an oil lamp in hand. Once she recognized Xu Zhiqiu, her expression relaxed. "Miss Qiu, didn't you go home?"
"I didn't go home. I've just been wandering around nearby for a few days. Where's Kagome?" Xu Zhiqiu hurried straight to the point.
"Kagome and Inuyasha went to look for Shikon Jewel Shards. They haven't returned yet. Come inside first." Granny Kaede stepped aside as she spoke.
"All right, thank you." Xu Zhiqiu nodded and followed her inside.
"You can sit here."
"Okay."
Only after drinking some hot water did Xu Zhiqiu feel better. The rivers out in the wilderness might look clear, but snakes and insects inevitably crawled through them. Drinking heated water was still healthier.
Granny Kaede refilled Xu Zhiqiu's bowl. "Monsters have been appearing frequently in the woods lately. It's best not to wander around at night."
"I know." After what she had experienced, Xu Zhiqiu wholeheartedly agreed.
"What did you need Kagome for?" Granny Kaede asked.
"There are lots of things I need her help with." Xu Zhiqiu set down her bowl, took the backpack off her shoulders, and hugged it in her lap.
Granny Kaede nodded in understanding. "I see. Wait here for now, Miss Qiu. Kagome and