Zhao Mei'er frowned at Yuan Yan's sudden silence and asked, "Why aren't you speaking? Do you... dislike me?"
Yuan Yan had never expected Zhao Mei'er to utter the word "dislike." He raised his head, using the opportunity to change the subject, "Why do you say I dislike you?"
"I am a demon soul who escaped. Mu Anxiao is an immortal. No matter which demon soul it is, they would feel Mu Anxiao is more useful than me. I see," Zhao Mei'er stared intently at Yuan Yan's face, "you do dislike me."
"I don't," Yuan Yan said expressionlessly.
Zhao Mei'er sneered, "No? Why don't you believe me, but only believe Mu Anxiao?"
Yuan Yan did not want to answer Zhao Mei'er's question, because he thought that Zhao Mei'er and that Jiong Ye could even deceive Mu Anxiao. It seemed he had lost basic trust in her.
As for Mu Anxiao, that was another matter entirely.
"..."
"Not speaking again," Zhao Mei'er sneered.
Yuan Yan lowered his head.
Zhao Mei'er, seeing Yuan Yan's unwillingness to have a heart-to-heart conversation, deliberately said, "The ultimate fate of an immortal who has been poisoned by the incense is to become a demon soul. Mu Anxiao is about to become a demon soul. In this way, she will also become a soul like you. Are you sure you still trust her?"
"..." Yuan Yan's heart sank at Zhao Mei'er's words, but he still believed Mu Anxiao, so he continued to remain silent.
Seeing Yuan Yan still silent, Zhao Mei'er put on a stern face, "I'll give you one chance. Do you want to follow Mu Anxiao or follow me? If you want to follow Mu Anxiao, leave now."
Leave?
Yuan Yan hadn't even figured out where he was, let alone that Feng Qishi was still in her hands. If he left, what would happen to Feng Qishi?
What if he met Mu Anxiao? How would he explain Feng Qishi's situation to her? What if Mu Anxiao was really poisoned as Zhao Mei'er said?
If that happened, even if he met Mu Anxiao, he would be powerless. Thinking about it, he might as well stay, appease the person in front of him, and perhaps... he could trick her into giving him an 'antidote' to help Mu Anxiao.
Moreover, by staying, he could also take good care of Feng Qishi. Even if Mu Anxiao arrived, he would have an explanation.
With these thoughts, he raised his head to look at Zhao Mei'er again and said, "I'll follow you."
"..." Zhao Mei'er scanned Yuan Yan from head to toe.
Yuan Yan, seeing Zhao Mei'er scrutinize him, retorted, "What do you mean by that?"
"You changed your mind too quickly," Zhao Mei'er said faintly.
Yuan Yan patiently explained, "I didn't change my mind too quickly; I've seen the reality. I don't even know where this is. If I go out and can't find Mu Anxiao, then this trip would have been in vain."
"Just because of this, you agree to follow me?" Zhao Mei'er snorted, "Forget it, you should leave."
"Your speed of changing your mind is quite fast. You kept me, and now you're telling me to leave. How can you have the final say? Now," Yuan Yan's gaze was firm, "I'm not leaving."
Zhao Mei'er smiled, "You have backbone."
"Yes," Yuan Yan nodded.
"Fine," Zhao Mei'er curled her lips, "Apart from this, give me three more reasons why you want to stay. If your reasons are acceptable, I'll let you stay. If not, get out."
"..." Yuan Yan chuckled.
Zhao Mei'er frowned, "What are you smiling about? Speak," she said coldly.
Immediately, Yuan Yan withdrew the smile from his face and became serious, "One, I don't trust Mu Anxiao anymore, because she drank Shen Yan's blood before. Shen Yan treated her well, but she still betrayed him like that. She definitely won't be sincere with me. Two, you said she's poisoned. If I go to her, won't I be asking for trouble? Besides, as you said, what if she only saves Feng Qishi and not me? What will I do? Three, you can poison them and make them like this, which shows that you are more reliable and powerful than them."
Zhao Mei'er liked Yuan Yan's words, lowered her eyes, and smiled. She then said, "Your reasons are reasonable, but... I can deceive Mu Anxiao, aren't you afraid I'll deceive you?"
"You are a demon soul like me. Even if you deceive me, I won't mind."
"What do you mean by that?" Zhao Mei'er deliberately tested Yuan Yan.
Yuan Yan said with a calm face and steady heartbeat, "I like your methods," he raised his chin.
"..." Zhao Mei'er couldn't help but laugh after hearing Yuan Yan's words.
To avoid revealing any clues, Yuan Yan also let out a laugh and asked, "By the way, what did you mean when you said Feng Qishi would die?"
"I already said that," Zhao Mei'er stopped smiling and put on a stern face.
Seeing Zhao Mei'er become serious again, Yuan Yan also dropped his playful expression and said, "Sorry, I didn't understand." He looked very serious.
Zhao Mei'er looked at Yuan Yan's curious expression, lowered her eyelids, and said, "Alright. If you follow me, you must have this thirst for knowledge, otherwise, things won't get done."
Yuan Yan nodded slightly.
Zhao Mei'er, seeing Yuan Yan's obedient demeanor, felt a sense of satisfaction. "The toxin will erode the immortal body. By the fifth day, it will erode the immortal soul, and then he will die. After he dies, he will be mine." As she spoke, she turned her body to look at Feng Qishi.
Immediately, Yuan Yan glanced at Feng Qishi and said, "Will he wake up during this period? If he wakes up, won't he be in great pain?"
"Do you think I would let him suffer?"
"The toxin is already eroding his body, won't he suffer?" Yuan Yan retorted, finding it hard to imagine such a feeling.
Zhao Mei'er: "He is mine, so naturally, I won't watch him suffer. Of course, that's under the condition that he's obedient. If he's not obedient," she looked down at her hand, "then I can be ruthless."
"You mean, you're controlling him with demon arts?" Yuan Yan probed.
"Yes. As long as you are obedient, I'll teach you this demon art too. Then, you will be my capable subordinate," Zhao Mei'er completely trusted Yuan Yan.
Yuan Yan smiled, "That's great."
"Alright, this is my residence, and no demons or immortals will enter. You just watch him here. If you can persuade him, even better."
"Persuade him to do what?" Yuan Yan feigned ignorance.
"Persuade him to marry me."
"If he doesn't agree, you can force him," Yuan Yan said with a smile.
Immediately, Zhao Mei'er's face turned cold, "I don't like things obtained by force; I like obedience." After speaking, she stepped forward and stood in front of Yuan Yan, "Watch him carefully. I'll come back later."
"Aren't you going to watch him wake up? Perhaps when he wakes up, the first person he sees will be you, and he'll like you..."
"Don't joke around with me, otherwise," Zhao Mei'er raised her hand and patted Yuan Yan's face, "you can get out."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yan pursed his lips.
Zhao Mei'er snorted, lowered her hand, and walked around Yuan Yan.
Immediately, only Feng Qishi and Yuan Yan were left in the room.
To confirm Zhao Mei'er had left, Yuan Yan specifically walked to the door, pulled it open, and poked his head out to observe the situation outside. Then, after confirming she had completely left, he withdrew his head and closed the door.
On the bed.
Feng Qishi opened his eyes and said, "She's gone."
Hearing this, Yuan Yan was startled. He turned to look at the bed, was stunned for a few seconds, then quickly walked forward and said, "You're awake." He stopped at the bedside.
Feng Qishi yawned, sat up, and said, "I've been awake for a long time, I just didn't want to see her face." As he spoke, he tilted his head and stared at Yuan Yan's face, "Are you serious?"
"...." Yuan Yan frowned. Thinking about his fawning demeanor towards Zhao Mei'er just now, he said softly, "I believe Mu Anxiao." Then, he took the initiative to sit by the bed.
Feng Qishi: "Not bad. He tricked us, and you tricked her."
"Is it obvious?" Yuan Yan, seeing Feng Qishi's calm demeanor, suddenly became nervous.
Feng Qishi: "Not obvious."
"Then how did you know..." Yuan Yan glanced behind him, leaned forward, met Feng Qishi's eyes tightly, and said softly, "I was acting."
"Because I understand you," Feng Qishi said faintly.
Decades ago, when Feng Qishi was still Shen Yan, Yuan Yan had poured out his heart and told Shen Yan everything. From then on, Yuan Yan had been deeply imprinted in Shen Yan's memory. Even now, Feng Qishi still remembered him. It was precisely because of this that Feng Qishi believed him.
Yuan Yan, hearing Feng Qishi's words, suddenly smiled shyly.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi naturally showed a look of disdain, "What are you doing?" He leaned back, moving away from Yuan Yan.
Yuan Yan: "I didn't even treat you as a friend, yet you still remember me. Just based on this," his gaze was firm, "you are my friend again."
"..."
"What's wrong?" Yuan Yan frowned.
Feng Qishi swallowed, "No, Yuan Yan, do you know what you look like right now?" He propped himself up with his hands behind him, intentionally keeping a distance from Yuan Yan.
Yuan Yan: "What?" he frowned.
"You look exactly like a woman."
"...." Yuan Yan was speechless for a moment and said, "Feng Qishi, I really don't like it when you talk like that."
"Then don't smile like that, and I won't say anything about you," Feng Qishi said faintly.
Yuan Yan: "Fine, I won't smile even if I'm happy. Speaking of which," he leaned forward, "I think we should make a plan."
"Speak," Feng Qishi sat up straight again.
Yuan Yan cleared his throat and said softly, "You should cooperate with her like I did. Perhaps," he raised an eyebrow, "a few sweet words from you might get her to detoxify you."
"Detoxify?"
"Yes, aren't you poisoned by the incense?" Yuan Yan was confused by Feng Qishi's rhetorical question.
"Do you think," Feng Qishi's lips curved into a smile, "I would easily fall for her poison?"
"That incense is..."
"That incense is a defective product, and the toxin is indeed unusual. However, my master taught me the art to counter it long ago, and I've already resolved it just now."
"Really?" Yuan Yan couldn't believe it.
Feng Qishi laughed, "Why would I lie to you? Who am I? I am an immortal. If I can be controlled by a demon soul, what face would I have as an immortal?"
"That's true," Yuan Yan nodded.
"Alright," Feng Qishi's expression turned cold. He looked around the room and said, "This place is filled with demonic energy, which shows that this residence has been enchanted by Zhao Mei'er."
"What should we do then?" Yuan Yan gave his brain to Feng Qishi, not using it at all.
Feng Qishi, looking at Yuan Yan's confused and nervous expression, said faintly, "It's very simple, just cooperate with her."
"Original plan," Yuan Yan whispered.
"Original plan?" Feng Qishi retorted, frowning, "What plan do you have? Tell me."
"My plan is also to cooperate with her and then get useful information from her mouth to leave this place. However, I previously thought of getting the antidote from her. Now it seems," Yuan Yan smiled, "it's not necessary."
"It's not necessary. We must hurry. I can't let that silly Mu have any trouble."
"Yes," Yuan Yan nodded.
"Alright, get up for a moment," Feng Qishi suddenly said.
Yuan Yan heard this, was stunned for a moment, stood up, and asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Don't ask. Go observe by the door. If there's any situation, cough a few times," Feng Qishi said, then lifted the quilt and sat down cross-legged.
Seeing Feng Qishi's serious attitude, Yuan Yan didn't dare to ask any more questions and turned to leave.
The next second, Feng Qishi closed his eyes and began to try to communicate with Mu Anxiao mentally.
In the woods, Mu Anxiao was tugging at Ouyang Ye's sleeve, constantly saying, "Not there yet? Not there yet?"
At first, Ouyang Ye would reply, but after hearing it too many times, he stopped responding. Gradually, it developed into the current situation where she spoke and he did not.
At the same time, Feng Qishi's voice entered Mu Anxiao's ears: 'Silly Mu, where are you?'
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao's eyes lit up. She stopped speaking, carefully glanced at Ouyang Ye, then lowered her head and asked mentally, 'Crazy Shen, are you still alive?'
Feng Qishi, hearing Mu Anxiao's response, smiled slightly. He then said mentally, 'Alive, are you alright?'
'I'm fine. My incense poisoning has been resolved. I'm with Ouyang Ye now. I'm looking for the benefactor of the evil spirit. You wait for me, and I will definitely detoxify you.' Mu Anxiao replied mentally, inadvertently tightening her grip on Ouyang Ye's arm.
Ouyang Ye's body stiffened, and he continued to lead her forward.
Feng Qishi, hearing Mu Anxiao say she was with Ouyang Ye, felt his heart sink. But thinking of the mission, he quickly hid his extraneous emotions and continued to ask mentally, 'Okay, by the way, I'll tell you, the benefactor of the evil spirit is a man, not a woman? Remember.'
He had originally intended to tell Mu Anxiao that he was alright, but after hearing her words, he changed his mind.
'A man?'
'Yes, I heard it from Zhao Mei'er's mouth. Be careful.'
'Okay, you rest well.'
Hearing this, Feng Qishi was stunned and quickly asked, 'Silly Mu, why aren't you asking where I am?'
'You're locked up, how could you know where you are? Don't worry, I've already asked my disciple to find you. I need to go find the benefactor of the evil spirit now. I'm not talking to you anymore.' After Mu Anxiao finished speaking mentally, she stopped walking, looked up at Ouyang Ye who was staring at her, and asked, "Why are you looking at me?"
In the room, Feng Qishi opened his eyes.
In the woods, Ouyang Ye stared at Mu Anxiao for a few more seconds and said, "Are you afraid, or not afraid?"
Mu Anxiao was stunned, "Why are you asking me this?"
"You..." Ouyang Ye uttered a word, lowered his head to look at Mu Anxiao's hand tightly gripping his arm, and said, "You're pinching my flesh."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao looked down, quickly let go of her hand, and said, "This place is so gloomy even during the day, and even more terrifying at night. I'm scared." Worried that Ouyang Ye would overthink it, she chuckled foolishly.