"What dagger?" the first black-clothed man played dumb, glancing at the second.
Youxian saw the exchange in their eyes and smiled, "That dagger is highly poisonous. If you don't return it within three days," she snorted twice, "your lives will be forfeit."
The first black-clothed man chuckled and looked at the second.
Conversely, the second black-clothed man sneered, "You're trying to scare us."
"Scare..." Youxian said, a smirk playing on her lips, "I don't have the leisure for that. Of course, if you don't believe me, take a look at your own palms first."
"Palms..." the second black-clothed man muttered, raising his hand and looking down. "There's... nothing."
Youxian leaned in to peer at the second man's palm and casually uttered two words: "They're black."
"Black..." the first black-clothed man repeated, quickly looking down at his own palm. He froze.
Seeing the first man's stunned reaction, the second black-clothed man also looked down at his palm again and exclaimed, "They really are black!"
Youxian continued, "This is just the first step. Of course, if you return the dagger to me now, your hands will recover. But if you delay any longer," she sneered, "this entire inn could disappear because of you."
"What?"
"This poison is contagious. Only by burning it can the spread of the toxin be controlled. Of course, after you die, I will inform the innkeeper immediately. I believe he will do as I say to save his own life," Youxian said calmly.
"..." Both men froze.
The woman cautiously watched their expressions, not daring to speak.
Youxian glanced at each of them and said, "I'll give you three counts. After three counts, the poison will..."
Before she could finish, the first black-clothed man quickly pulled a dagger from his chest and threw it at Youxian's feet.
Youxian smiled, "That's more like it." She reached out, picked up the dagger, and tucked it into her chest. Turning to the woman beside her, who was staring at her in utter bewilderment, she said, "Have some tea."
"Okay," the woman agreed, now also fearful after Youxian's words.
Outside the house.
Mu Anxiao leaned against a pillar, using the Wind Rises' magic to clearly hear Youxian's voice. "Hmm, it sounds familiar," she said, glancing at Feng Qishi, who stood opposite her.
Feng Qishi became serious. "Who do you think it is?"
Mu Anxiao thought for a moment. "It's been almost a year. You're suddenly asking me... who that voice belongs to. I really can't say."
"How much do you remember about what happened a year ago?" Feng Qishi suddenly asked.
Mu Anxiao considered. "Not much anymore."
"Not much?"
"Yes, to be honest," Mu Anxiao leaned closer to the pillar, sighing softly. "Before I lived like a mortal, I always thought that once I became a mortal, I would finally relax. And... mortal life would surely be leisurely and comfortable. Who knew..." She stopped abruptly.
Feng Qishi frowned. "Why... aren't you continuing?"
Mu Anxiao shushed him and subtly turned her head towards four waiters carrying lanterns towards the room. "They're here," she said, crouching down.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi also crouched.
At the same time, three waiters entered the room, each carrying four pots of wine. The fourth waiter followed, carrying a tray, only after the others had placed the wine pots.
Mu Anxiao, crouched by the pillar, tilted her head, listening to the noisy conversations inside. She sighed and turned to look at Feng Qishi, who was staring at her, her brow furrowed.
Feng Qishi averted his gaze.
After a while.
The four waiters left.
Following that, Youxian's voice could be heard. Mu Anxiao, sitting on the ground, turned to look at the figures moving back and forth inside the room. "Hey, Shen Moyun, do you believe that woman's silver needles were poisoned?" she said, turning back to Feng Qishi, who had stood up.
Feng Qishi asked, "Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
"It just occurred to me," Mu Anxiao said, extending her hand. "Give me a hand."
"Can't you get up yourself?" Feng Qishi said in a low voice.
Mu Anxiao clicked her tongue. "Are you blind? My hands are injured. If I push myself up, won't I bleed?"
"Truly troublesome," Feng Qishi muttered. He stepped forward, bent down, and took Mu Anxiao's arm. "Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt," Mu Anxiao replied, standing up.
Feng Qishi immediately released her hand and remained silent.
Mu Anxiao glanced sideways at the other room and said quietly, "I think that woman was just bluffing."
"Her? I don't care," Feng Qishi said, also looking at the room. "Why isn't that 'Niang Niang' coming out?"
"..." Mu Anxiao, prompted by Feng Qishi's words, thought for a moment. "That's right, why isn't she coming out?" She fixed her gaze on the door.
Feng Qishi pondered, then added, "Speaking of which, that woman is brave and resourceful. She'd be quite suitable for the palace."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned to look at Feng Qishi, who had suddenly spoken, and asked, "What do you mean?"
Feng Qishi explained, "I heard that the 'Niang Niang' usually brings her maids with her from outside the palace, as she dislikes the palace maids. Now," he paused, "do you think she's here to get a maid?"
"Here..." Mu Anxiao said, reflecting on Feng Qishi's words again. "That's not right, though. Aren't there me and Mu Hua? If she wants more maids, wouldn't that be a bit... strange?"
"..." Feng Qishi found Mu Anxiao's reasoning sound and fell silent.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao leaned against the pillar again, thinking. "No matter how much we talk, it's useless. Anyway, I believe she's definitely still inside." She tilted her head back and looked at the night sky.
Feng Qishi said nothing, following Mu Anxiao's gaze towards the night sky. "..."
Mu Anxiao stared at the night sky for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "Shen Moyun... do you miss your master?"
"Do you miss your master?"
Mu Anxiao raised her hand and touched the back of her head. "I don't miss my master. I miss my past self."
"What do you mean?" Feng Qishi turned to look at Mu Anxiao.
A shadow fell over Mu Anxiao's eyes. "Are you willing to listen to me?" she asked, turning back to the expressionless Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi replied coldly, "Speak."
Mu Anxiao rolled her eyes at Feng Qishi. "With that icy attitude of yours, if this mission weren't so boring, I wouldn't bother talking to you."
"If you don't want to say it, then don't."
"I'll say it," Mu Anxiao said, looking down at her injured hands. "In the past, regardless of whether my spiritual energy was acquired quickly or not, at least I had magic. I could protect myself. To be honest, I feel like I'm a complete waste now."
"..."
"Back then, I was so formidable. But now... I'm actually being protected by a child," Mu Anxiao said with a sigh. "Alas, I'm a failure."
"You dislike Jia."
"Speaking of disliking Jia," Mu Anxiao said, tilting her head to look at Feng Qishi, "I dislike myself even more."
"..." Feng Qishi didn't want Mu Anxiao to wallow further in her inferiority. He abruptly changed the subject. "You hadn't finished what you were saying earlier."
Mu Anxiao let out a bitter smile and waved her hand. "I won't say it anymore. In short... living as a person is too difficult."