The male ghost in pink, seeing that the second female ghost had fallen silent, chuckled, "What's the matter? Suddenly speechless?"
This male ghost in pink was named 'Wei'. He was one of the demon souls captured by Mu Anxiao. However, unlike other demon souls, his hatred for Mu Anxiao was not as strong, as he had been captured willingly. He was also the only demon soul released by the Vine Spirit that year.
For years, he had been searching for Mu Anxiao but couldn't find her. It was only recently that he finally succeeded, only to encounter a 'calamity' and end up in this ghastly state.
Consequently, someone who hadn't committed many evil deeds before, after becoming a vicious ghost, committed all sorts of wicked acts. He was also the earliest demon soul to become a vicious ghost, and it was he who led these vicious ghosts, thus… he became their 'leader'.
"Boss, I don't know," the second female ghost said cautiously.
Wei chuckled, "You don't know what? I'm asking you, why did you suddenly stop talking?"
"I…" The second female ghost took a deep breath of air that had no effect on her, and said, "I didn't know you had that experience, and I didn't know… that person was your enemy."
"Person?" Wei blinked, realizing they were not on the same page.
The second female ghost frowned, "Mu Anxiao, isn't a man?"
"Mu Anxiao is a woman."
"A woman?" The second female ghost exclaimed in surprise, then after thinking about what had just happened, she chuckled dryly, "From her build to her height, he, he didn't seem like a woman at all."
"I think so too," the first female ghost added softly.
"…" Wei stared at the first and second female ghosts whispering to each other, then sniffed the lingering immortal energy in the air and said, "I saw her just now, that was Mu Anxiao." He stated firmly.
"…" The first and second female ghosts exchanged a glance but remained silent.
Wei looked at them and said no more.
Then, the male ghost behind Wei couldn't help but speak, "Boss, if we eat a celestial being, will our demon energy return?"
Hearing this, Wei turned to the male ghost behind him and said, "If you dare, then go ahead."
"I…"
"Celestials are all accounted for. If one dies, the higher powers will know immediately, especially Mu Anxiao, who is not an easy immortal to deal with. However," Wei's lips curved into a smile, "If you dare, then go."
"I don't dare," the male ghost shook his head.
"If you don't dare, then don't speak," Wei said coldly. He then turned to look in the direction Mu Anxiao and Ouyang Ye had disappeared, muttering, "What exactly does he want to do?"
The first female ghost said, "Boss, what are you talking about?"
Hearing this, Wei came back to his senses, glanced at the first female ghost, and didn't reply.
Seeing Wei's silence, the second female ghost temporarily set aside her previous question and said, "Boss, didn't you say you would take us to see our benefactor? How about we go now?"
Wei replied, "Our benefactor has gone on a long trip. Another day."
"Another day?" The second female ghost was dejected, "Boss, wasn't it said that only after seeing our benefactor can we enter the city gates to harm the common people? Now… we're really starving."
These vicious ghosts survived by relying on the aura of mortals. As this was a forbidden forest, very few people entered, except for the bold and adventurous.
However, in the minds of mortals, they appeared in various forms. Many people who had never seen them described them as having eight eyes, two mouths, and four heads. In short… the more exaggerated, the better. These descriptions were overheard from the mortals they had 'harmed'.
Their benefactor was also a mysterious individual whom only Wei had met; the others had not.
Why were they called their benefactor? Because their cultivation was insufficient to sense the aura of mortals, so their benefactor would always tip them off.
Therefore, they had always wanted to thank their benefactor. Originally, they could have met their benefactor today, but with this incident, their plans were ruined again.
"Just eat some leaves," Wei said and turned to leave.
The vicious ghosts exchanged glances after Wei left and then also departed.
Meanwhile.
Mu Anxiao was led by Ouyang Ye to a forest not far from the city gate.
"How will you thank me?" Ouyang Ye looked down at Mu Anxiao's hand holding his arm.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao quickly withdrew her hand and said, "Thank you."
"Thank you?" Ouyang Ye's lips curved, "Just a thank you? You're too perfunctory."
"It's good enough that I'm thanking you," Mu Anxiao said, tilting her head up to look at the sky. "Alas, did you use magic just now?"
"…"
Hearing Ouyang Ye's prolonged silence, Mu Anxiao clicked her tongue, turned back to stare at Ouyang Ye's face, and said impatiently, "I'm asking you, can't you hear me?"
"I can hear you."
"You can hear me, but you're not answering," Mu Anxiao glared at Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye smiled faintly, "What does it matter to you whether I use magic or not? Besides, isn't it enough that I rescued you and him? Why are you so picky?"
"I…" Mu Anxiao was afraid of offending Ouyang Ye, fearing he might act up again and take her back. So, she stopped arguing with him and chuckled, "…"
"What are you smiling about?" Ouyang Ye asked with a look of disdain.
Mu Anxiao replied, "I'm smiling at you, can't you tell?"
"You're forcing a smile, aren't you?" Ouyang Ye said. He then looked back and happened to see four woodcutters approaching. "Uh… I have to go now." With that, he put down the young man behind him.
Mu Anxiao, seeing this, was confused, "If you leave, what about me?" She hadn't noticed the approaching people.
Ouyang Ye said with a hint of mystery, "Handle it yourself." After saying that, he turned and ran.
Mu Anxiao, watching Ouyang Ye turn her into a 'tool', curled her lips. Just as she was about to bend down to grab the young man's arm, a man's voice called out, "What's going on here?"
Hearing the voice, Mu Anxiao froze. She immediately realized that Ouyang Ye didn't want to be seen. Thinking of this, she glanced in the direction Ouyang Ye had gone, straightened up, turned to look at the four approaching men, and waved, "He fainted."
The first man heard this and quickly ran over. "It's him." He stopped and looked down at the young man lying on the ground.
Seeing that the first man recognized the young man, and recalling the young man's fear of her, Mu Anxiao deliberately said, "I'm exhausted." She raised her hand as if to wipe away sweat.
Immediately after, the first man looked at Mu Anxiao and frowned, "It's you."
Mu Anxiao hadn't expected the first man to recognize her and gave a dry laugh, "You know me?" She pointed at herself.
The first man snorted, "Not only do I know you, but I also gave you silver. Have you forgotten?"
"Silver?" Mu Anxiao repeated, continuing to laugh dryly, "You gave me…"
"It's been half a day, you fake beggar. Pay me back." The first man interrupted, holding out his hand.