Mu Anxiao’s cold smile bloomed as Hong’er spoke. “No need for you to say it. All my wicked deeds are…”
“But, all these wicked deeds you’ve done were before you possessed her,” Mu Anxiao coldly interrupted.
Hong’er froze. “You’re talking nonsense. Before I knew her, I never…” Her eyes flickered. “I never did anything wicked. It was because of her that I… developed this penchant for evil. It’s all because of her, because… her.” She glared at the dagger in her hand.
“Your talent for shifting blame is just like that Madame of the Mu Manor. Alas,” Mu Anxiao shook her head slightly. “You truly are a dog that followed the lady, just like your master.”
“Mu Anxiao!” Hong’er roared, enraged.
“Then, I should be half your master too, shouldn’t I?” Mu Anxiao deliberately provoked Hong’er.
Hong’er’s eyes widened.
As Hong’er’s eyes widened, Mu Anxiao clenched her fists. “I’ll give you three counts. If you don’t return the dagger to me, I’ll…” Her eyes emitted a blue light. “Kill you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“This dagger is my only weapon. For her,” Mu Anxiao’s fists began to glow blue, “I can do anything.”
“You…”
“Stop with the ‘you.’ Hurry up,” Mu Anxiao coldly interrupted.
The dagger began to struggle.
Then, Hong’er looked at Mu Anxiao’s indifferent expression, and recalling Mu Anxiao’s ruthless tactics during their fight, she became scared. “Calling you an immortal is less accurate than calling you a demon. You female demon!”
“Female demon…” Mu Anxiao didn’t mind the name Hong’er gave her. She smiled faintly. “Call me whatever you want. Give her to me.” She extended her hand.
Hong’er’s eyes darted. “I can give it to you, but you have to promise to let me go.”
“Let you do evil?”
“I…”
“Stop with the ‘I.’ You have two choices,” Mu Anxiao said calmly.
Hong’er’s eyes sank. “You want me to choose?”
“One, obediently hand over the dagger and comply. Two, fight me again, hand over the dagger, and be… directly sliced by me.” Mu Anxiao smiled, her lips curling. “Alright, you choose.”
“You female demon.”
“Compared to you, I’m still far behind.”
“You are an immortal, yet you misuse demonic arts. Not only that, you’re threatening me. Be careful, I’ll report you to the higher-ups.”
“If you have the ability, then do so. But before that, you must make a choice,” Mu Anxiao said coldly.
“You…”
“Three, two, one. Good,” Mu Anxiao counted down quickly, approaching Hong’er. “I know your choice.” As she spoke, she brought her palm in front of Hong’er’s face.
Hong’er instinctively widened her eyes.
The next second, Mu Anxiao muttered a spell, and Hong’er relaxed. “Master, what do you want me to do?”
“Give it to me,” Mu Anxiao said, extending her hand.
Immediately, Hong’er replied, “Yes.” She took a step forward and placed the dagger in Mu Anxiao’s palm.
Witnessing this, Jia and Feng Qishi were stunned. “Mu Anxiao, what did you do to her?” Jia asked, moving in front of Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao, holding the dagger as if it were a treasure, rubbed it against her clothes. “This time, I definitely won’t abandon you again.” With that, she put the dagger back into her sleeve and looked down at Jia, who had rushed to her side.
Jia asked, “What did you do to her?”
“Nothing much, just used a control spell.”
“It was a demonic art,” Feng Qishi also arrived in front of Mu Anxiao.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao immediately looked up at Feng Qishi, whose expression was solemn, and said faintly, “This has nothing to do with you anymore.”
“Using that demonic art once or twice should suffice. Why,” Feng Qishi frowned slightly, “have you become addicted to it?”
“Whether I’m addicted or not has nothing to do with you.”
“You…”
“Didn’t you say you would help me sever my ties with my master? Fine, I’ve also made up my mind,” Mu Anxiao interrupted disdainfully. “After all, the immortals of the heavenly realm have never taken me seriously. Instead, Ouyang Ye has given me many benefits. Since that’s the case, as you wish.”
“It seems you’ve made up your mind,” Feng Qishi said coldly.
“You were the one who made this decision for me first. So,” Mu Anxiao glared at Feng Qishi, “this is all thanks to you.”
“Mu Anxiao, you…”
“You see, I don’t owe you anymore. Naturally,” Mu Anxiao said, stepping back, “my affairs are no longer your concern.”
“Are you really going to marry Ouyang Ye?”
“You gave me the courage. What, are you regretting it now?”
“You…”
“Feng Qishi, the reason we’ve ended up like this is all your fault. It’s you…”
“I’m doing this for your own good,” Feng Qishi couldn’t help but interrupt in a low voice.
“I know,” Mu Anxiao said coldly.
Feng Qishi was startled. “You know?”
“You can be so heartless towards me, it must be because that woman said something to you. Feng Qishi,” Mu Anxiao’s eyes were indifferent, “I’m truly tired of this side of you. You think everything you do is for my own good, but in my eyes, it’s just a display of cowardice.”
“Cowardice…” Feng Qishi repeated, lowering his eyes, feeling inferior.
“Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and set up the bridal chamber for me, lest Ouyang Ye be displeased.” Mu Anxiao said, glancing at the dazed Hong’er. “Come with me.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Let’s go.” Mu Anxiao glanced down at Jia, then turned and walked away.
Hong’er followed closely.
Feng Qishi stood frozen, contemplating Mu Anxiao’s words. His eyes darkened as he stepped forward, saying, “Mu Anxiao, I have something to tell you.”
Mu Anxiao: “…” She glanced sideways but didn’t stop.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi hurried past Hong’er and walked beside Mu Anxiao. “Are the souls of those conscious beings all in your hands?”
“No.”
“Then where are they?” Feng Qishi asked, grabbing Mu Anxiao’s arm.
Mu Anxiao’s body stiffened, and she stopped with Feng Qishi. “What exactly do you want? Are you planning to put those souls in the bridal chamber as decorations?” She tilted her head and glared angrily at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi’s eyes darkened. “No.”
“No, then…” Mu Anxiao said, a sudden realization dawning on her. “I know.”
“You know where they are?” Feng Qishi was excited.
Then, Mu Anxiao shoved Feng Qishi’s hand away and said, “Ouyang Ye sent you, didn’t he?”
“…” Feng Qishi’s body stiffened.