Mai Liang listened to Shen Lü's words, and then looked at Mai Xia's hesitant appearance. He quickly said, "Mai Xia, live well. I'm gone, but your life must go on. I believe... Mu Anxiao will take good care of you."
"Mu Anxiao was just about to risk her life to save you. If you end yourself while she's busy," Shen Lü said, crossing his arms, "she'll blame herself when she sees it."
"Yes, Mai Xia," Mai Liang said weakly.
Shen Lü continued, "Also, do you think Mu Anxiao would really come back so willingly? She came back not to save you, but to save you. If you die here, how can Mu Anxiao ever live peacefully?"
"Yes... Mai Xia," Mai Liang said, still clutching the sack tightly.
Shen Lü listened to Mai Liang's repeated agreement, bent down, and reached out to Mai Xia, "Give it to me."
"Mu Anxiao will be sad if I die," Mai Xia mumbled, glancing at Mai Liang before handing the dagger in her hand to Shen Lü.
Then, as Shen Lü took the dagger and the sack, he stood up and said, "You two say your goodbyes. Have a good farewell." With that, he took a step back and looked at the people who had fainted from Hong'er's fright, shaking his head, "These people really haven't seen the world." He then stepped forward to check their breaths.
Mai Liang was relieved when Mai Xia gave up. "Mai Xia, don't be foolish anymore, don't be bullied anymore. I..." Mai Liang coughed twice. "I can't accompany you anymore."
"Mai Liang, don't worry. For you, I will never do anything foolish. The general is right, and you are right. I will live well, I will not be bullied, and I will use my abilities," Mai Xia choked back tears, her voice choked with emotion, "to help Mu Anxiao."
"Mai Xia..."
"Alright, don't waste your spirit anymore. Rest." Mai Xia had always known Mai Liang to be a worrier. What she wanted to say to her were just those final instructions, and Mai Liang had said them many times when she was in prison. So now she just wanted to quietly look at Mai Liang, trying hard, trying hard to remember her face.
Mai Liang smiled at Mai Xia's words, "You think I'm nagging."
"I just don't want you to be tired anymore," Mai Xia said, smiling slightly, and looked at the roof beams with Mai Liang. "Mu Anxiao will surely be fine."
Mai Liang hummed in agreement.
A quarter of an hour later.
Feng Qi Shi (Wind Rises) passed through several empty alleys and stopped in front of the city gate. The scene in front of the city gate astonished him. As far as he could see, besides the guards, there were no other civilians. The faces of those soldiers were filled with fear, but due to their duty, they could only pretend to be calm while guarding.
Feng Qi Shi looked at the dutiful soldiers and then felt the demonic energy emanating from the surroundings. His eyes darkened, and he walked forward.
At the same time, seeing Feng Qi Shi approach, the guards quickly clasped their fists and saluted, "General."
"Has no one entered or exited here?" Feng Qi Shi was still somewhat suspicious of Ouyang Ye's words.
Then, the guards, taking Feng Qi Shi's words, thought for a moment and replied, "Reporting to the General, no."
"No one at all?" Feng Qi Shi asked again.
The guards looked firm. "We dare not lie, General. Ever since the city was shrouded in fog, the civilians have all returned home. Also, some people say... this is not a good omen, General," he said, "What should we do?"
"It's just the weather changing, don't listen to their nonsense." Feng Qi Shi intentionally comforted the soldiers to prevent them from being afraid.
"With your words, General, we..." the guards said, then looked back at their brothers who were also clasping their fists, and continued, "we are reassured."
"Mm," Feng Qi Shi nodded, then looked around again and said, "Are you sure no one has come out?"
"These city gates have always had no one entering or exiting," the guards replied honestly.
"..." Feng Qi Shi's eyes darkened. He was certain of Ouyang Ye's lie. He nodded and said, "Good, I understand." As they nodded, he casually waved his arm, intending to give them a layer of protection, and turned to leave.
After Feng Qi Shi left, the guards turned back to their duties.
Walking on the empty path, Feng Qi Shi thought about the rapidly passing time and Ouyang Ye's smug expression. He clenched his fist and muttered, "Mu, you fool, you definitely didn't leave the city." Just as he was about to look around, a "Help!" came from ahead. Hearing the sound, Feng Qi Shi's thoughts were instantly pulled from his speculations, and he hurried towards the direction of the sound.
Not far away.
Hong'er had already begun. She was holding a pregnant woman hostage, threatening Mu Anxiao and Jia, "If you take one more step, I'll kill her." She opened her palm and aimed it at the woman's crown.
The woman, terrified... kept shouting for help.
Mu Anxiao was frightened by the heart-wrenching cries. Without further provoking Hong'er, she shifted her gaze to the woman's face and shouted, "Stop shouting! Aren't I trying to save you? What are you shouting for?"
Hearing this, the woman, wiping away tears, stopped... She looked at Mu Anxiao and then at Jia, who was holding the silver rope, and cried, "How can you save me? I am so miserable. My husband is guarding the city gate, and I just wanted to bring him food. My child... is about to be killed before he is even born. Wuwuwu..." she cried again.
"I said I would save you, you..." Mu Anxiao said, then looked down at the spilled food overturned on the ground near Hong'er's feet and continued, "Hong'er, let her go."
"If you promise me your life, I'll let her go," Hong'er's eyes glowed red.
Mu Anxiao knew that if she couldn't satisfy her, she would treat this pregnant woman the same way she treated herself. Helpless, Mu Anxiao had no choice but to compromise, "Okay, I promise you."
"You're crazy," Jia exclaimed.
"You should state your position too," Hong'er shifted her gaze to Jia's face.
Hearing this, Jia looked back at Hong'er and said, "Killing immortals is a grave sin. If you kill us, you will be doomed forever."
"If I become a demon, you won't be able to control me," Hong'er said, her eyes wide. "I don't have time to waste with you now. Come on, let me hear your thoughts."
"You..."
"I have two lives in my hands right now," Hong'er interrupted coldly.
Seeing Hong'er's fearless demeanor, Mu Anxiao quickly nudged Jia's shoulder and said, "It's just giving our lives to her, it's not that difficult."
"I..."
"Hurry up and agree," Mu Anxiao lowered her head and stared at Jia's face.