Mu Anxiao didn't notice Zhao Xiang's gaze. Instead, she continued to look at the obviously nervous, straw-hatted monster opposite her and said lightly, "If I were to lie to you like this, it wouldn't benefit me, would it? Now I ask you, have you seen any other mortals pass through here? Of course," a smirk played on her lips, "I'm only giving you an opportunity by asking. If you don't want to answer, then forget it."
"Opportunity." As the straw-hatted monster repeated the word, he swallowed twice. "You mean, you haven't lied to me." He wanted to confirm one last time whether Mu Anxiao was deceiving him.
This time, Mu Anxiao deliberately kept silent.
Seeing this, the straw-hatted monster's hair stood on end instantly as a sudden gust of wind swept by.
At the same time, Zhao Xiang quietly stepped back, as if finding support, and moved to hide behind Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao didn't even glance at Zhao Xiang. Instead, she looked at the faces of the monsters behind the straw-hatted monster and found… their faces were all covered in dirt and ash. Seeing this, she thought of the monsters in the temple and murmured, "You've destroyed another village, haven't you?" A strange unease welled up within her.
"That's none of your concern," the straw-hatted monster said indifferently. "Since you are also one of the master's subordinates, you can slowly complete your mission. As for us, we won't keep you company." From Zhao Xiang's behavior, he could tell that Mu Anxiao's status with Ouyang Ye was definitely not low. It was precisely because of this that he became afraid.
Mu Anxiao, still calmly watching the straw-hatted monster who wanted to quickly lead these monsters away, said coldly, "Have you destroyed another village again?" Her attitude became serious.
The straw-hatted monster fell silent.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao frowned slightly. "Why are you so reluctant to answer my question?" She could tell that the straw-hatted monster was avoiding something.
Under Mu Anxiao's series of questions, Zhao Xiang’s gaze was fixed intently on the face of the straw-hatted monster opposite them. It was at this moment that he thought of his brothers who had been slaughtered by these monsters with their own hands. His heart sank, and he casually grabbed Mu Anxiao's arm.
Immediately, Mu Anxiao’s body stiffened. She continued to stare at the straw-hatted monster opposite her, deliberately remaining silent.
The straw-hatted monster was also intimidated by Mu Anxiao’s gaze. "This is the master's secret operation, and we cannot disclose it without authorization. If," his eyes flickered slightly, "if there's anything you need our help with, we can certainly help you."
The monsters let out a muffled sound and fell silent.
Secret?
At this moment, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but connect the straw-hatted monster’s words with what Ouyang Ye had said in the ruined temple. At the same time, she realized… the things Ouyang Ye was hiding, the plans he was making, had completely surpassed her imagination.
She suddenly realized… Ouyang Ye was indeed a pest in this world.
However, the situation was critical, so she had no choice but to not press for details. "Alright, since it's a secret, I won't ask anymore." In truth, she desperately wanted to know Ouyang Ye's secret.
After Mu Anxiao finished speaking, the straw-hatted monster revealed an awkward smile.
Mu Anxiao glanced at the straw-hatted monster and gave a dry laugh, saying, "You go ahead with your business." From the straw-hatted monster's completely unyielding personality, she could tell that he had definitely not met the carriage driver. If he had, the carriage driver would not have survived.
Therefore, to avoid causing herself unnecessary trouble, she decided not to inquire further.
Conversely, the straw-hatted monster seemed to take an interest. "Aren't you looking for someone? You're not familiar with this forest. How about I help you?"
"How will you help?" Mu Anxiao blurted out.
The straw-hatted monster chuckled heartily. "You just need to tell us his appearance and characteristics, and we can help you find him. Moreover," he said, "we can definitely help you find him quickly."
Listening to the straw-hatted monster's confident words, Mu Anxiao frowned deeply.
Similarly, after the straw-hatted monster’s speech, Zhao Xiang suddenly recalled the monsters' superb tracking abilities. At that time, he had almost been found by these monsters. If not for the help of 'Shen Moyun,' he would likely have met a tragic end at the hands of these monsters.
Thinking about the perilous situation back then, he looked at the straw-hatted monster who was earnestly offering help to Mu Anxiao, his eyes darkened, and he tightened his grip on Mu Anxiao's arm.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Xiang's action was caught by the straw-hatted monster. "Brother Zhao Xiang, why are you holding her arm?" he asked, looking up at Zhao Xiang standing behind Mu Anxiao.
Zhao Xiang, hearing the straw-hatted monster's question, was startled. He said, "That's none of your business." He tried his best to appear calm.
"No..." the straw-hatted monster chuckled, then deliberately fixed his gaze on Zhao Xiang's face. "Brother Zhao Xiang, it seems we've met before."
"..." Zhao Xiang's heart skipped a beat.
After the straw-hatted monster's reminder, Mu Anxiao slightly turned her head to look at Zhao Xiang, then turned back to the straw-hatted monster and said, "What do you mean by that?" She frowned tightly, sensing something was amiss with the straw-hatted monster.
Upon hearing this, the straw-hatted monster looked back at Mu Anxiao and replied, "I mean, he looks somewhat familiar to me." As he spoke, he shifted his gaze back to Zhao Xiang's face.
Zhao Xiang released his hand and said coldly, "I have never seen you before this." He absolutely did not want the straw-hatted monster to recognize him, as he knew these monsters loved to use the past to threaten people, and he did not want to become a target of their threats.
The straw-hatted monster said, "Is that so?" As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes.
She Ning looked at Mu Anxiao and Zhao Xiang, who were now engaging in a deeper conversation with the monsters below. He frowned, thinking, "This person isn't who I was looking for. How strange, who exactly am I looking for?"
Thinking this, he paused for a few seconds, then waved his single arm upwards, and a strong wind blew.
Below, the straw-hatted monster's eyes fixed, and he muttered, "Not good." Then he turned to the other monsters and said, "He's here, let's go."
Listening to the straw-hatted monster's words, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but wonder… who was the 'he' the straw-hatted monster was referring to?
So, on impulse, she asked, "What are you talking about?"
Upon hearing this, the straw-hatted monster turned back to Mu Anxiao and said in a low voice, "I apologize, but I cannot help you anymore. If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now." After speaking, he glanced at Zhao Xiang and turned to lead the other monsters away, disappearing from their sight.
Mu Anxiao was stunned.
After they left, Zhao Xiang walked to Mu Anxiao's side and let out a sigh of relief.
Just then, She Ning appeared before Mu Anxiao and Zhao Xiang. Seeing him, Zhao Xiang was about to turn and flee, but She Ning reached out and grabbed his arm. He stiffened, then looked up to meet She Ning's eyes.