A Ju watched this determined side of Mu Anxiao, her body stiffening. She reached for her money pouch at her waist and handed it to Mu Anxiao, "Take this, and I'll leave." Her attitude was resolute.
Mu Anxiao glanced at it, hesitated, and looked back at Gu Yan, who still couldn't accept reality. She asked, "What is this?"
A Ju knew Mu Anxiao would ask, but she also knew she couldn't say "silver needles" in front of Gu Yan. She seemed to cast a glance towards Gu Yan and said, "The contents of this are her soft spot." After speaking, she stepped forward, forced the money pouch into Mu Anxiao's hand, and then turned and ran.
Mu Anxiao's body stiffened, then she gently opened the money pouch and muttered, "Silver needles." She quickly sealed the pouch and turned to look at Gu Yan.
Just then, Gu Yan also looked at Mu Anxiao, "You're cheating." she suddenly said.
Mu Anxiao, worried that Gu Yan would know A Ju had betrayed her, intentionally put the money pouch into her sleeve. She said, "How am I cheating? You're just not capable." As she spoke, Mu Anxiao put one hand behind her back.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yan saw what Mu Anxiao was doing, "What did you put in your sleeve?" she widened her eyes.
Mu Anxiao was nonchalant, "Nothing, and what business is it of yours?" she asked, tilting her face.
Seeing this, Gu Yan was enraged, "Are you planning to plot against me?"
"Plotting is something you usually do. I don't have the leisure to do such things." Mu Anxiao didn't intend to use the silver needles A Ju gave her, because she knew that rather than Ouyang Ye disliking betrayal, it was Gu Yan who hated it.
She thought of Gu Qin as the best example.
"I saw a money pouch," Gu Yan said, she already suspected A Ju.
Hearing Gu Yan say this, Mu Anxiao's heart sank. "Your eyes are indeed sharp."
"A Ju gave it to you," Gu Yan added.
Mu Anxiao hadn't expected Gu Yan to be so cunning, seeing everything. She casually took out the money pouch from her sleeve and said, "A Ju gave it to me."
"Give it to me," Gu Yan said coldly.
Mu Anxiao snorted, "No, why should I listen to you?" she said, scanning Gu Yan from head to toe.
Gu Yan completely disregarded Mu Anxiao, saying, "A Ju's skills were all taught by me. If I'm not mistaken, she gave you a money pouch full of silver needles, right?"
"Silver needles?" Mu Anxiao began to play dumb, "I wouldn't know. Of course, I don't like silver needles at all; I prefer silver."
"If you don't like them, why did you take them?" A Ju pressed her relentlessly.
Mu Anxiao appeared unfazed, "I take any money pouch. I just saved A Ju's life. She gave me silver, and I accepted it. Is that a problem?" she said, smiling.
Gu Yan narrowed her eyes, "Stop playing dumb here. You couldn't possibly not know what was in there?"
"Silver," Mu Anxiao's attitude was firm.
Gu Yan said, "Fine. Since you're unwilling to tell me the truth, I'll go find A Ju and have her tell me herself. If she really gave you silver needles, I'll kill her on the spot." With that, she made a gesture to cast a spell and leave.
Mu Anxiao knew Gu Yan had such abilities, so as Gu Yan was about to leave, she compromised, "I'll show you, but I don't know what's in it. However, she did thank me just now." She said, reaching into her sleeve and taking out the money pouch A Ju had given her.
Gu Yan looked and said, "Give it to me." she extended her hand.
Mu Anxiao asked, "If this isn't silver needles, will you stop going after A Ju?"
"That's between me and her, it has nothing to do with you," Gu Yan said coldly.
Mu Anxiao's eyes deepened, "It has nothing to do with me, but..." she said, trying to stall for time, subtly altering the appearance of the silver needles within with her magic. "A Ju is my friend. I don't want you to take her life. Moreover, I genuinely believe this is silver, not silver needles as you say."
"Give it to me," Gu Yan growled.
Mu Anxiao continued, "Just say, if it's not silver needles, you won't go after her." She wanted to ensure A Ju's safety.
"I hate betrayal," Gu Yan emphasized.
Mu Anxiao said, "I know you hate betrayal, but make it clear: as long as this is silver, A Ju hasn't betrayed you."
"Why are you talking so much nonsense?" Gu Yan was getting impatient.
Mu Anxiao, still trying to stall, said, "Guarantee you won't harm A Ju, and I'll give it to you. Of course," she added, "I hope you'll return it to me after you've looked, because this is silver she gave me." "You talk too much," Gu Yan was angry.
Mu Anxiao smiled, "Say what you will, A Ju hasn't betrayed you." With that, she directly tossed the money pouch to Gu Yan.
Instantly, as Gu Yan raised her hand to catch the money pouch, her eyes deepened. "It really is silver," she said, opening the pouch to reveal it was full of silver.
Seeing Gu Yan's reaction, Mu Anxiao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now, can you return the money pouch to me?"
Hearing this, Gu Yan looked up at Mu Anxiao and smiled, "Who doesn't love silver? I really like silver." She said, reaching to tuck the money pouch into her embrace.
Mu Anxiao understood the principle of parting with wealth to avoid disaster.
However, the silver in the money pouch was all created by her illusionary technique. It was uncertain how long it would remain silver before turning into silver needles. If Gu Yan were to open the money pouch later and find silver needles, A Ju would surely be in trouble.
For A Ju's life, she absolutely could not let Gu Yan take the silver.
"No, give it to me," she roared.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's agitated shout, Gu Yan provocatively said, "I won't give it to you. I'll make you anxious." She said, about to turn away.
Watching Gu Yan's movement, a sense of crisis washed over Mu Anxiao. For A Ju's sake, she decisively extended her right hand, conjured a blue rope, and flung it at Gu Yan.
In the next instant, before Gu Yan could leave, she was bound by the rope.
Mu Anxiao watched Gu Yan struggle helplessly and quickly ran forward. "This is the consequence of taking my silver," she said, bending down to pick up the money pouch that had fallen near Gu Yan's feet.
Gu Yan was angry, "What did you do to me?"
"I just tied you up with a rope," Mu Anxiao said, straightening up and tucking the money pouch into her sleeve. "Remember, I hate it when people snatch my silver from my hands. This is your consequence." She said, patting Gu Yan's face and turning to leave.
Gu Yan shouted, "Untie me."
"It will untie itself when the time comes," Mu Anxiao said, though she actually didn't know how to untie it.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's words, Gu Yan continued to shout, "Untie me!" she yelled, watching Mu Anxiao walk away.