Unexpectedly, the added "Shut up" was clearly heard by Ouyang Ye, who then unhesitatingly shifted his gaze to Jia, who was still covering Hun Ling's mouth. Seeing Ouyang Ye looking at him, Jia grinned uncomfortably. "What's wrong?" he asked preemptively.
"Why did you make him shut up?" Ouyang Ye asked coldly.
"Because," Jia knew that if he showed timidity, all he would get was Ouyang Ye's suspicion. Thus, to avoid Ouyang Ye having too many suspicions about them, he said righteously, "You already dislike him. If he says something wrong, what if you kill him?"
"Do I seem that ruthless in your eyes?" Ouyang Ye said blandly.
Jia forced a smile, "Isn't it so?"
"You..."
"Of course, and also..." Jia glanced at Mu An Xiao, who was looking at him, and said, "I don't want him to disturb Mu An Xiao."
"Sweet talk," Gu Yan called out actively.
Upon hearing this, Mu An Xiao immediately turned her gaze onto Gu Yan's face.
Startled by Mu An Xiao's sudden glare, a flicker of fear flashed in Gu Yan's eyes, but it was only for a moment. "What are you looking at me for? Don't think I'm afraid of you. I'm telling you, I'm not afraid of you at all. You..."
"I'll give you three counts. If you don't obey me and go in, don't blame me for being impolite," Mu An Xiao interrupted Gu Yan.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yan became aggrieved, "You're deliberately picking on me. I know," she completely ignored Ouyang Ye, glaring at Mu An Xiao. "You have a good relationship with Gu Yan, so you're deliberately blaming me for everything. Your heart is truly wicked."
"Yes, I am indeed wicked. I have to thank your master for that. If it weren't for your master, I wouldn't truly know what 'wicked' means," Mu An Xiao's words carried a hidden meaning.
Ouyang Ye lowered his eyes and smiled, "Mu An Xiao, you're cursing me with veiled words. Aren't you afraid of me getting angry?"
"I can't control your emotions. You can get angry however you want, it has nothing to do with me, but," Mu An Xiao said, shifting her gaze to Ouyang Ye's face, "I seriously suspect you're framing me."
"I'm framing you? Fine," Ouyang Ye said, a smile playing on his lips, "Tell me, how am I framing you."
"You asked me to manage this matter, right?" Mu An Xiao completely diverted Ouyang Ye's attention from Jia.
Ouyang Ye nodded.
"Since that's the case, a certain female demon spirit is not obeying me now. Tell me," Mu An Xiao said calmly, "how should I handle her."
Hearing Mu An Xiao's words that were clearly meant to find fault, Gu Yan became even more furious. "Mu An Xiao, you're just using your position for personal revenge. You have a good relationship with Gu Yan, so..."
"So I have to help her," Mu An Xiao said, glancing at Ouyang Ye, and then looking back at Gu Yan, "Is that what you mean?"
"Isn't it?" Gu Yan widened her eyes.
Mu An Xiao curled her lips, not wanting to waste any more time. She turned to look at Hun Ling and Jia, "You two are not needed here. Continue collecting those vengeful spirits."
Hearing Mu An Xiao's words, Jia slowly removed his hand from covering Hun Ling's mouth and said, "Then let's begin." He then looked at Hun Ling.
Hun Ling, knowing that Mu An Xiao's words were meant to help them out of a difficult situation, and to avoid disrupting Mu An Xiao's thoughts, pointed to the sack in Jia's hand and compromised, "Let's continue."
Jia grunted and began.
Meanwhile, after sending Hun Ling and Jia away, Mu An Xiao turned back to Gu Yan and replied to her words, "No."
"She..."
"I gave you a chance," Mu An Xiao said coldly, looking at Gu Yan, "Gu Yan, go find Gu Tie. Thank you."
Gu Yan nodded and turned around.
Seeing this, Gu Yan quickly looked at Gu Yan and shouted, "You stop right there."
Hearing this, Gu Yan stopped.
Moments later, Mu An Xiao called out, "Don't stop," and Gu Yan ran inside again.
Seeing this, Gu Yan made to follow.
Mu An Xiao, observing Gu Yan's actions, said coldly, "Scared, aren't you?"
Hearing this, Gu Yan retracted her outstretched right foot and turned to glare at Mu An Xiao, "Tell me, why should I be scared? The one who should be scared..." Her eyes were sinister and cold, "is you."
"You're afraid Gu Yan will find Gu Tie, because once she finds Gu Tie, your lies will be exposed," Mu An Xiao said, stepping forward and grabbing Gu Yan's arm. "I already gave you a chance to frame Gu Yan, but unfortunately, you completely missed my intention. Tsk tsk, too stupid."
"You... stop pretending to be a good person."
"Being a good person is difficult, but being a bad person, I'm perfect at it," Mu An Xiao said, gently tugging Gu Yan's hand. "Your palm is so smooth."
"Are you sick?" Gu Yan said, struggling to break free.
Unexpectedly, as Gu Yan broke free, Mu An Xiao intentionally tightened her grip. "Compared to sickness, I think you are the one who is most seriously ill."
"You..."
"Alright, I'll give you time to shut up and rest, lest," Mu An Xiao interrupted, releasing her hand and patting Gu Yan's shoulder, "when the truth is revealed, you won't be able to explain the facts."
"You..."
"Shut up," Mu An Xiao said, pointing at Gu Yan's mouth.
The next second, Gu Yan found herself unable to speak.
Mu An Xiao, looking at Gu Yan's anxious expression because she couldn't speak, snorted coldly and said, "Hearing you talk is annoying." She then turned her head, catching Ouyang Ye, who was staring at her, and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"As expected of someone who catches demon spirits. You get things done decisively."
"Stop flattering me," Mu An Xiao said coldly.
Ouyang Ye smiled, "I thought you had changed before. Turns out, you're still the same as you were decades ago, loving to offend demon spirits." He said, glancing at Gu Yan's contorted face.
Seeing Ouyang Ye look at her, Gu Yan quieted down.
Mu An Xiao snorted, "We're not close. Don't try to get friendly with me."
"There will be many opportunities to get friendly with you in the future. You'll have to get used to it," Ouyang Ye said, walking towards Mu An Xiao.
Seeing this, Mu An Xiao nonchalantly walked towards Hun Ling and Jia.
Ouyang Ye, watching Mu An Xiao deliberately avoid him, let out a light chuckle. "Go ahead and hide from me." He said, stopping in front of Gu Yan.
Gu Yan looked up at Ouyang Ye, as if seeing a savior, and without thinking, reached out and grabbed his arm. Then, as he turned to look at her, she hurriedly opened her mouth, but could only babble, unable to utter a single coherent word.
Ouyang Ye looked down at Gu Yan's appearance, feeling a pang of sympathy. "You might as well stop struggling," he said coldly, pushing away Gu Yan's hand, and turning to look at Mu An Xiao, who had stopped by the tree. Instead of being angry, he lowered his eyes and smiled.
Seeing Ouyang Ye like this, Gu Yan froze in place.