"You did this for us..." Jia trailed off, his voice filled with unspoken words. He instantly recalled all of Mu Anxiao's actions over the past year. At the same time, he realized that without any 'burdens,' she seemed to be far braver. Especially when she was at the Mu Manor, even when punished or harmed, she never showed fear.
Thinking of this, he looked back at Mu Anxiao, who was being stared at by Ouyang Ye, and muttered, "If we were more capable, would she have to work so hard?"
"..." Gu Tie didn't know how to answer Jia. He stared at Jia's face.
Following a period of silence, Jia remembered their poisoning and lowered his gaze slightly, realizing that he indeed had no right to call Mu Anxiao cowardly.
Gu Tie, sensing Jia's thoughts, asked knowingly, "What's wrong?"
Hearing this, Jia sighed softly, slowly tilted his head to look at Gu Tie, and said faintly, "You're right, she did it all for us."
"So, the only thing we can do now is not to trouble her," Gu Tie added.
Jia grunted, "Let's not go over there now. If we go, I'm afraid it will only add to Mu Anxiao's troubles."
"You're right," Gu Tie agreed, standing in place with Jia.
In the General's Manor, Hei Gu and Hei Qi followed Feng Qishi to the dilapidated house where souls had once been placed. Just as Feng Qishi was about to survey their surroundings, demonic energy suddenly permeated the garden. Hei Qi, sensing the increasingly dense demonic energy, instinctively hid behind Feng Qishi.
Hei Gu glanced at Hei Qi's increasingly nervous behavior and twitched the corner of her mouth. "Do you have to be so tense?" she said, arms crossed, looking at the timid Hei Qi with exasperation.
Hei Qi heard her, turned to look at the arrogant Hei Gu, and coldly replied, "Vengeful spirits are terrifying."
"What's so terrifying about that, you..." Hei Gu's words were cut short by a sudden gust of cold wind. Just as Hei Qi had said, the moment Hei Gu felt the demonic energy, her expression froze.
Hei Qi, seeing Hei Gu's demeanor shift from brave to instantly cowardly, laughed ungenerously. "I thought you were quite brave when you were with the master."
"What are you trying to say?" Hei Gu sensed that Hei Qi had something unpleasant to say.
"I'm saying," Hei Qi's lips curled into a smile, and he pointed towards the dilapidated house, "Since you're so professional and so capable, why don't you go?"
Hei Gu's face darkened.
Hei Qi chuckled, "What, scared?"
"Hei Qi, do you think you're so amazing doing this?"
"I admit it, I'm scared."
"You..."
"What's with the demonic energy in here?" Feng Qishi interrupted after a moment of observation, without looking back.
Hearing this, Hei Qi cast a sideways glance at Hei Gu and then turned to the questioning Feng Qishi, saying, "It should be the residual..." Before he could finish, a roar erupted from inside. Hei Qi, upon hearing it, shut his mouth completely in fear.
Feng Qishi's expression turned grave. "..."
Hei Gu immediately hid behind Hei Qi.
This time, Hei Qi ignored Hei Gu. Instead, he became curious about the situation inside. "That's strange. Gu Yan already took all those souls away. How can there still be..." he paused, then looked down at his arm, which Hei Gu was tightly gripping, and continued, "...souls here."
"Vengeful spirits," Hei Gu added.
Hei Qi remained silent.
Feng Qishi said in a low voice, "It seems your master has quite a few secrets." With that, he took a deep breath and strode inside.
Hei Gu and Hei Qi exchanged glances. Despite their fear, they followed him in.
In the alley, Mu Anxiao rummaged through the sack and found that the quantity was indeed insufficient. She withdrew her hand and stood up, still holding the sack.
Ouyang Ye watched Mu Anxiao's 'suspicious' back with his arms crossed, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. "Mu Anxiao, what are you doing?"
"Ouyang Ye, do you think you're incredibly smart?" Mu Anxiao said, turning to face him.
"What do you mean by that?" Ouyang Ye asked, utterly confused.
"I mean," Mu Anxiao replied, her gaze cold, "I mean there are fewer vengeful spirits in here. Do you know what that indicates?"
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"If I'm not mistaken, these vengeful spirits are still useful to you," Mu Anxiao stated calmly.
Ouyang Ye narrowed his eyes. "...."
"You pretend to be indifferent, but in reality, you care, Ouyang Ye," Mu Anxiao sneered. "When I say this, aren't you feeling particularly nervous?"
".." Ouyang Ye let out a cold laugh.
Mu Anxiao watched Ouyang Ye's thoughtful silence with a composed expression and continued, "In any case, let me be clear from the start. If you dare to touch these vengeful spirits, don't blame me for being unforgiving."
"You... your spiritual energy isn't even stable, and you still want to..."
"My spiritual energy's stability has nothing to do with you. In short, as I said, if you dare to snatch the vengeful spirits from me, I won't let this go." Mu Anxiao said, pointing at Ouyang Ye, then turning to Soul Spirit, "Let's go."
In front of the shop, Jia hadn't heard Mu Anxiao clearly, so he looked at Gu Tie with a bewildered expression. "What did your master say?"
"I..."
"Let's go, we can come out now," Soul Spirit called out towards the shop.
Upon hearing this, Gu Tie followed Soul Spirit's words and said, "Master says, let's go."
"I heard," Jia replied and walked ahead.
Gu Tie followed Jia without a word.
Over there, Ouyang Ye was truly baffled by Mu Anxiao's actions and frowned. "Mu Anxiao, what do you mean?"
"It's none of your business," Mu Anxiao said, turning and walking away first.
Immediately after, Gu Tie and Jia cautiously passed Ouyang Ye and quickly followed Soul Spirit and Mu Anxiao.
Ouyang Ye thought for a moment, sensing something was amiss, and followed closely.
Gu Yan thought for a moment and then hurried to catch up with Ouyang Ye, asking, "Master, what's going on?" She walked alongside Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye said in a low voice, "Go to the dilapidated temple outside the city and check on them. Make sure they are all right."
"But..."
"Hurry," Ouyang Ye urged, quickening his pace.
Gu Yan pondered for a moment, then turned and disappeared.
In the blink of an eye, Mu Anxiao, carrying the sack, led Gu Tie and the other two through the streets. The three of them couldn't understand Mu Anxiao's actions. Jia was the first to speak, "Why are we walking around here? Aren't we going back?"
"The General's Manor?" Mu Anxiao retorted, looking down at Jia.
As Jia walked, he looked up at Mu Anxiao and said, "Yes, shouldn't we be returning to the General's Manor at this time? Why are we still walking around here?"
"If we go back now, that person behind us will definitely stop us. Understand?" Mu Anxiao said, glancing around as if nothing was amiss, and muttered, "Demonic energy cover."
"Perhaps due to the influence of the demonic energy, everyone is hiding at home," Soul Spirit whispered.
Mu Anxiao grunted in agreement.