By the path to hell, lined with hellflowers, seeing these blossoms, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance towards Mu Xi, even harboring a desire to help him.
However, thoughts are often just thoughts.
All the way, A Long had been observing Mu Anxiao stealthily. From the moment they descended and started on this path, Mu Anxiao had begun to feel melancholic. Now, looking at her somber profile and sensing the chilling souls around them, A Long couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Upon hearing this, Shu Jia and Mu Xi, walking side-by-side ahead, stopped and turned to look at Mu Anxiao and A Long following behind them.
At the same time, Mu Anxiao snapped back to attention, halted, glanced at A Long, then turned back to face Mu Xi ahead. "Brother, you might never see Xin'er again." xxs壹贰
Mu Anxiao had thought a great deal about Mu Xi's wrongdoings. Based on his crimes, he would be imprisoned here for at least two hundred years, and what happened after that was for later.
She reasoned that if she used her connections to help him, it might cause him even more suffering. Therefore, she decided to tell Mu Xi the truth, to make him understand how serious his mistakes were, and to make him realize that he and Xin'er were no longer on the same path. Though it was cruel, it might lead to better reflection.
Mu Xi had already considered all these things Mu Anxiao was saying and thinking on their journey, so his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he smiled: "It doesn't matter."
Mu Anxiao could see how much Mu Xi liked Xin'er. She knew it from the moment he chose to save Xin'er over her. She mused that perhaps if not for the interference of Xi'er, and the constraints of family environment and rules, Mu Xi wouldn't be like this.
In any case, she felt sorrow for Mu Xi's life.
"It really doesn't matter?" she asked casually.
Mu Xi: "What does it matter? Perhaps Xin'er and I were never meant to be. Now, all I wish is for her to be well. That is enough."
"..." Mu Anxiao 'understood' the meaning behind Mu Xi's words, but she was just a minor immortal. It was impossible for her to devote all her energy to Mu Xin. Therefore, to avoid burdening herself and to prevent Mu Xi from harboring false hopes, she chose silence.
Mu Xi: "Why aren't you talking anymore?"
Mu Anxiao pursed her lips. "Brother, I can't help you. You know, if I'm always following..."
"I won't burden you. I simply wish for her to be well. It's just a thought, you don't need to take it seriously," Mu Xi said gently.
Looking at Mu Xi like this, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but feel a sense of 'I'm sorry' towards him, but facing reality, she couldn't offer him any guarantees.
So, she said, "Brother, you will always be my brother."
"Having you say that is enough. As long as..." Mu Xi gave a wry smile, "you don't hate me, I'll be content."
"How could I hate you."
"..." Mu Xi smiled faintly.
Shu Jia: "Alright, the time is almost up." He looked at Mu Anxiao, "Lord Xu Lan and the others are already waiting for you. Hurry to the main hall."
"I..."
"My sentence has already been passed. You go on."
Before coming here, Shu Jia had already explained Mu Xi's situation to Xu Lan and the others. Therefore, they had already passed sentence on Mu Xi before apprehending him. The reason was simple: he had committed many wicked deeds. They had decreed that he would be given no special privileges and sent directly to hell.
"...." Mu Xi understood that the lives of those beggars alone were enough to prove he had committed many wicked deeds. Thus, he harbored no intent to resist and smiled at Mu Anxiao again. "Little sister, take good care of yourself. Don't live too foolishly."
Mu Anxiao didn't know how she was foolish, but facing Mu Xi, who was about to leave, she couldn't retort. She could only nod, and tears began to well up in her eyes.
Mu Xi withdrew his gaze, looked at Shu Jia, and said, "Alright."
"Mm," Shu Jia nodded and looked at Mu Anxiao. "We're leaving."
Mu Anxiao held back her tears, nodded, and turned away.
Following this, Mu Xi cast a final glance at Mu Anxiao, nodded to A Long, and then turned to leave with Shu Jia.
After they had completely departed, Mu Anxiao could no longer hold back her tears.
A Long, seeing Mu Anxiao like this, felt a pang in her heart and, looking away, inadvertently saw an old man standing not far away. She said nothing.
Seeing this, the old man walked towards them and stopped in front of Mu Anxiao, remaining silent.
Mu Anxiao sensed the old man's presence and quickly raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her face, saying, "You haven't left yet."
The old man: "I wish I could leave, but no one is taking me." He glanced at Mu Anxiao's face. "Little girl, don't be sad."
Mu Anxiao: "You were crying when you parted with your grandson just now, weren't you?"
The old man lowered his eyes and smiled.
Mu Anxiao sniffled. "I remember now. Shu Jia asked me to bring you. Since that's the case, I'll take you to the Yin messenger who will handle your procedures first."
"It won't delay things, will it?" The old man half-understood Mu Anxiao's words.
Mu Anxiao shook her head. "It's fine." With that, she glanced at A Long and walked ahead.
This time, A Long said nothing and followed Mu Anxiao, walking alongside the old man.
In a blink, Mu Anxiao stopped before a Yin messenger leaning against a large tree, resting. She said, "Shu Jia said he's yours." She pointed at the old man.
The Yin messenger adopted a nonchalant demeanor and said, "Yes." He glanced at the old man.
Seeing the demeanor of this young Yin messenger, Mu Anxiao felt annoyed. "Can you even do it?"
"I..."
"If not, then forget it." Mu Anxiao interrupted and looked at the old man. "You come with us."
This Yin messenger was one who just "muddled along." Every time, Shu Jia would bring him souls to boost his performance. This had happened countless times, yet no Yin messenger had ever spoken to him like this. Now, looking at Mu Anxiao, he became indignant. "He's mine."
"Yours," Mu Anxiao deliberately blocked the old man's path and, after scrutinizing the Yin messenger, said, "Shu Jia bestowed him upon you, didn't he?"
"You..."
"Stop with the 'you.' I'll take him."
"You look down on me," the Yin messenger intentionally raised his voice.
Mu Anxiao had not expected to encounter such a situation here. Looking at the arrogant Yin messenger before her, she also became angry, but recalling their recently mended relationship, she decided not to say anything.
Just then, three passing Yin messengers arrived.
First Yin messenger: "What's wrong?" He looked at the Yin messenger.
Second Yin messenger glanced at Mu Anxiao and said nothing.
Third Yin messenger, wanting to avoid trouble, became a bystander, waiting for an opportunity to speak.
Mu Anxiao felt that the Yin messenger had acted deliberately and, as expected, had brought his cronies. "..." She continued to remain silent.
Yin messenger: "She's bullying me." He was the first to accuse.
Mu Anxiao, seeing the situation before her and then looking at A Long and the old man behind her, sighed.
First Yin messenger looked at Mu Anxiao. "What's the situation?" He recognized Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao: "He's reaping benefits without putting in effort, and his attitude is poor. This one," she pointed at the old man, "whoever is willing to take him, tell me. I'll be the one to decide."
Second Yin messenger frowned. "He's a lone soul."
Mu Anxiao smiled. "Yes, but he's not anymore. Fine, let me be honest." She decided to clarify. "Shu Jia asked me to bring him to you. Who knew, his attitude was terrible, and I felt he was unreliable."
"And that's it, you're bullying him." Second Yin messenger said righteously.
Hearing the impolite tone of Second Yin messenger, Mu Anxiao understood that they were all in cahoots. Thus, facing this situation, she no longer bothered to be polite. "Who's bullying him."
"You," Third Yin messenger pointed at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao had initially thought these three would be reliable, but in the end, after all she had said, she was met with this result. She felt she had seen through them.
However, to avoid giving them any ammunition, she decided not to continue the conversation. She turned to the old man and said, "Let's go."
The old man also saw that they were not reliable Yin messengers, so he nodded.
Seeing the old man nod, Mu Anxiao took a step forward without a second word, and the Yin messenger became angry. "Mu Anxiao, what do you mean by that?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao retracted her step, turned, and looked at the Yin messenger who was losing his temper. "He's your assignment. Do you think this is appropriate?"
"I... I didn't say anything, did I?" The Yin messenger acted as if he were wronged.
Mu Anxiao looked at the Yin messenger's wronged expression and let out a slight huff. "If you had said a few more words, I might not have acted this way."
"You..."
"Mu Anxiao, are you looking for trouble?" Second Yin messenger pointed at Mu Anxiao and asked in return.
Mu Anxiao rolled her eyes and looked at Second Yin messenger, who was butting in unnecessarily. "Put yourself in my shoes. If you brought a soul to hand over to someone, and he treated you with indifference, with a nonchalant attitude, would you be angry?"
"I..."
"Just tell me, would you be angry?" Mu Anxiao tilted her chin up.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's words, Second Yin messenger's eyes darkened. "Angry."
"Since you'd be angry, don't butt in," Mu Anxiao said, and then shifted her gaze back to the Yin messenger's face. "Being a Yin messenger isn't about slacking off. A moment ago, you had an opportunity. Now... you don't." With that, she turned and left.
A Long and the old man dared not speak and followed Mu Anxiao.
Subsequently, after looking at each other, the four of them fell silent.
In a blink, Mu Anxiao led them into the main hall. Just as Shu Jia had said, they were all there, including Guan Mian and Mu Miyan.
The old man, seeing the situation before him, dared not speak.
A Long walked beside Mu Anxiao and, spotting Guan Mian standing in place, looking at them defiantly, narrowed her eyes.
Guan Mian didn't have a strong impression of A Long, so he didn't speak.
Mu Miyan looked at Mu Anxiao, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Xu Lan: "This is?" He pointed at A Long.
Mu Anxiao cupped her hands. "Replying to Your Excellency, she is A Long. She was formerly a member of the cultivation sect and later cultivated into a monster." With that, she glanced at A Long, signaling her to tell the truth.
Following this, A Long nodded, walked to Guan Mian's side, and voluntarily knelt down, beginning to explain the truth about how she controlled Mu Miyan's hand to kill Guan Mian.
Listening to A Long's account and looking at Mu Anxiao, Mu Miyan's eyes filled with tears.
A quarter of an hour later.
After A Long had explained the entire sequence of events, she said, "The facts prove that he was the one who killed those elderly people, which is why I intervened."
"..." Xu Lan looked at Guan Mian.
Guan Mian, for the sake of money, had resorted to unscrupulous means and killed so many people without anyone knowing. This angered all the Yin messengers present, including the dog-headed monster.
After listening to A Long's explanation, Mu Anxiao stepped forward and said, "You have seen all those items, and now the eyewitness is here." She glanced at Guan Mian. "Do you plead guilty or not guilty?"
After going in circles, Guan Mian was still reported. Following A Long's explanation, he had nothing more to say.
Xu Lan: "Guilty or not guilty?"
"Guilty." Guan Mian accepted his fate.
Mu Anxiao was surprised by this, but she reasoned that even if Guan Mian argued further, it would be useless, and the more he said, the more complicated things would become. It was better to admit it than to continue arguing.
She let out a sigh of relief. "Can my disciple be released now?" she asked, looking up at Xu Lan.
Xu Lan nodded.
Mu Anxiao's lips curled into a smile. She turned to look at Mu Miyan, whose face was filled with gratitude, and said, "Alright, you'll come back with me later."
Mu Miyan nodded.
Mu Anxiao smiled faintly, then turned to look at the dog-headed monster. "..."
Seeing Mu Anxiao looking at him, the dog-headed monster deliberately averted his gaze.
Mu Anxiao knew the dog-headed monster was guilty, so she decided not to intimidate him in front of so many Yin messengers. She then said, "By the way, Your Excellency, I have something to tell you." She glanced at Xu Lan again.
Xu Lan: "Speak."
Mu Anxiao: "Please arrange for a capable Yin messenger to escort the old man." She looked at the old man.
The old man had never seen such a scene before and dared not say a word, only offering a foolish smile.
Xu Lan: "Of course." He then looked at Xu Lan, who had brought Guan Mian and Mu Miyan earlier. "Xu Lan, you do it."
Xu Lan: "Yes."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao felt relieved.
Finally, this matter was settled. Mu Anxiao also brought up the matter of the five brothel madams to Xu Lan. After hearing this, with the dog-headed monster's consent, those five brothel madams were punished. However, Yang Tai, due to his own guilt, was not completely spared punishment. But... compared to before, it was much better.
Leaving the main hall, the dog-headed monster and Mu Anxiao came to a grove of mournful trees. The dog-headed monster said, "The matter is over. Are you sure you want the demon core?"
"Are you leaving this place?"
"Yes. While you were away, I told Xu Lan that I was being transferred." The dog-headed monster explained in detail.
However, Mu Anxiao was not curious about what had happened here. She was only happy that the matter was finally resolved. As for the dog-headed monster's words, she paid them no mind. "Whatever lies you tell is your business. Hand over the demon core."
"You..."
"Considering you helped me just now, I won't bring you to the wolf demon. Give it to me." Mu Anxiao interrupted, extending her hand.
The dog-headed monster looked at her, then thought of the wolf demon's appearance. He spread his hands and obediently produced the demon core, handing it to Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao took the demon core. "Thank you. Take care."
"You still don't trust me?"
"As long as you continue to help me, I will trust you," Mu Anxiao said, clutching the demon core, and turned to leave.
The dog-headed monster watched Mu Anxiao's retreating back, thinking about how he had failed to completely disrupt the situation. His heart sank, and he also turned and left.