"She's a rabbit from a cultivation sect, proving she's related to those rabbits, perhaps even friends with them. Do you think she'd harm her friends?" Feng Qishi countered.
"Never mind that," Mu Anxiao interrupted, standing up and walking to the green-robed man. "Have you considered her feelings?"
"The feelings of a demoness, do they need consideration?" the green-robed man said dismissively, his gaze sweeping over them.
"What do you mean by that?" Mu Anxiao asked, looking up at the green-robed man, who had suddenly spoken.
The green-robed man met Mu Anxiao's eyes firmly. "It means, a demoness being helped by an immortal like me should feel fortunate. Her actions were detestable."
"Do you mean that sincerely?" Mu Anxiao continued to stare at him.
"Sincerely," the green-robed man nodded.
"Then why did you come here?" Mu Anxiao asked pointedly.
The green-robed man's eyes flickered, and he remained silent.
A smirk played on Mu Anxiao's lips. "I think you realize you were wrong, but it's a matter of pride, and you don't want to admit it."
The green-robed man bit his lip. "Yes, you're right. I admit I was wrong, but... she's just a demoness. Why should she treat me like that? I'm simply not convinced."
"Do you understand demonesses?" Mu Anxiao asked.
"No, I don't. Do you?" the green-robed man met Mu Anxiao's gaze.
"I don't either, but I understand at least a little more than you," Mu Anxiao said, holding up a finger.
The green-robed man glanced at Mu Anxiao's finger. "Tell me."
"I understand that one must be observant when speaking to anyone," Mu Anxiao said, stepping back.
Feng Qishi chuckled softly from the side.
The green-robed man's expression stiffened. "Are you saying I lack perception?"
"Yes," Mu Anxiao nodded.
The green-robed man sighed. "Forget it. You can go back."
"You can't argue with me, so you're letting me go," Mu Anxiao said, his lips twitching.
"I won't talk about her anymore, alright?" the green-robed man said impatiently.
"You're prejudiced against demonesses," Mu Anxiao stated suddenly.
The green-robed man lowered his gaze. "Yes, I am prejudiced against them. So what?"
"Nothing. Anyway, you're just using Hong Yan to find that immortal girl for you," Mu Anxiao said, turning to walk towards the door.
The green-robed man turned his head to look at Mu Anxiao. "It's best if you don't say too much when you get back."
"I know," Mu Anxiao replied, stopping at the door.
Then, Feng Qishi suddenly said, "Wait, don't go yet."
"What is it?" Mu Anxiao asked, half-turning to look at Feng Qishi.
"You haven't finished your water."
"I can just pour it out," Mu Anxiao said.
Feng Qishi glanced at the green-robed man. "No, you must finish it before you leave."
"Why?" Mu Anxiao frowned.
Feng Qishi deliberately cast his gaze towards the screen.
Seeing Feng Qishi's look, Mu Anxiao immediately understood. "Alright, I'll stay."
"Senior Brother, what are you doing?" the green-robed man asked, displeased.
"Oh, I think," Feng Qishi pointed at the green-robed man, "you're a bit too agitated. Wait until the water in the bath is completely cool before she leaves. That way, you can take a particularly refreshing cold bath."
"Senior Brother..."
"I also think you're too agitated," Mu Anxiao agreed with Feng Qishi, brushing past him and sitting down at the table.
The green-robed man's expression stiffened. "The two of you are finally on the same page."
"Not exactly," Mu Anxiao said, picking up his teacup. "Cheers."
"Alright!" Feng Qishi smiled and clinked his cup against Mu Anxiao's.
Mu Anxiao smiled and drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.
Feng Qishi took a sip. "Junior Brother, do you really dislike monsters?"
"Yes, what about it?" the green-robed man replied, playing along.
"Sit here. Let's talk," Feng Qishi said, gesturing to a chair beside him.
The green-robed man scratched his face. "You'd better not lecture me."
"I won't lecture you. You're agitated right now, and I don't blame you."
"I'm not bathing," the green-robed man refused, stepping forward and sitting at the table.
Mu Anxiao leaned in to look at the green-robed man's face. "You were the one who named Hong Yan. She really likes it."
"She'll surely change her name when she transforms into human form," the green-robed man said.
"How do you know she'll do that?" Mu Anxiao asked, looking at the green-robed man's childlike side.
The green-robed man snorted softly. "She could fall out with me over such a small matter, which shows how low my status is in her innocent heart. Naturally, the possibility of her turning against me in the future is very high."
"Were you hurt by a monster?" Mu Anxiao asked, looking at the green-robed man's eyes.
The green-robed man's gaze flickered. "No."
"No means yes," Mu Anxiao said, picking up the teapot to refill his cup. "As the saying goes, 'once bitten by a snake, one fears a well rope for ten years.' How many years have you been afraid?"
"It's none of your business," the green-robed man glared at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao put down the teapot. "I think, if you want Hong Yan to help you lure out that rabbit spirit, it's not impossible."
"Do you have a way?" Feng Qishi turned to look at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao shrugged. "There is a way, but it depends on your view of monsters."
"What do you mean?" the green-robed man leaned in to ask Mu Anxiao.
"It means," Mu Anxiao picked up his cup and said, "you need to change your attitude towards Hong Yan. You must remember, monsters are not all bad. She can sense if you're using her. From now on, you must treat her sincerely, in a way that she can feel it. Then, she will be willing to help you."
"I don't believe you," the green-robed man shook his head.
"Why not?" Mu Anxiao frowned.
"I have treated those monsters sincerely in the past, just as you described, but in the end, I was repaid with betrayal. I don't believe it," the green-robed man said, shaking his head.
"Can't you understand what I'm saying?" Mu Anxiao asked helplessly.
"I don't believe it," the green-robed man insisted.
Mu Anxiao sighed.
Feng Qishi looked at the green-robed man. "I can see that Hong Yan is different from those monsters who hurt you. She won't betray you."
"She's friends with that rabbit spirit. If I don't use her, she'll use me instead," the green-robed man stated unilaterally.
"Alright, if that's what you think, I can't say anything more," Feng Qishi said, picking up his teacup.
Mu Anxiao also found himself unable to continue.
Outside the adjacent room, the black-clothed rabbit spirit transformed into the appearance of a waiter. She gently pushed open the door and saw Hong Yan slumped over the table. "Rabbit," she murmured.
Hong Yan opened her eyes.