In the blink of an eye, Mu Anxiao was brought before the blade of the Demonic Sword (Soul Sword), bound by ropes that secured her hands and feet. To her surprise, the Demonic Sword, after all the commotion, showed no change. Witnessing this, she wondered what its previous elaborate actions had been for.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's silence, the Demonic Sword intentionally lowered its blade.
Upon seeing this, Mu Anxiao whispered, "You mean, if I don't speak, you'll throw me into the water and drown me."
The Demonic Sword bobbed up and down, responding with its movements.
Mu Anxiao, seeing the Demonic Sword's reaction, let out a cold snort and said, "You truly are merciless." As she spoke, she glanced at the red ropes binding her wrists and smiled. "You're really not afraid of being bothered. Just to say these words, you used sorcery to..." Before she could finish, the Demonic Sword struck her head with its hilt, causing her to fall silent.
Immediately after, the Demonic Sword rotated its blade and wrote a line of large characters in the air with sorcery: "Help me save my master, and I will set you free."
Master?
Mu Anxiao had never imagined that the Demonic Sword (Soul Sword) had truly forgotten everything about itself and her. Not only that, but even after Jiong Ye had hurt it so much, it could forgive him so easily. Looking at the characters in front of her, Mu Anxiao felt only heartbreak.
However, recalling the process of the Soul Sword's disappearance a year ago, she decided not to dwell on it. "You beg me, yet treat me like this. You're too much," she said. Before she could even look at the Demonic Sword, her entire body plummeted downwards.
Then, the Demonic Sword wrote again, "I'm not afraid of Ouyang Ye. If you don't agree, I'll let you die here." As it finished writing, Mu Anxiao's toes touched the surface of the water.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao looked down at the mist-shrouded water, then tilted her head to look at the Demonic Sword, which was on the verge of losing its temper. Her heart sank. Just as she was about to compromise, the light veil nearby was blown open by the wind and swirled. She swallowed her words for the moment, turned her head to look, and Ouyang Ye appeared.
"Demonic Sword, you are truly audacious," he said, waving his hand gently. The ropes snapped, and Mu Anxiao plunged into the water with a splash.
Upon seeing this, the Demonic Sword flew directly towards Ouyang Ye.
Meanwhile, Mu Anxiao, who thought her life was in danger, stood up. "It was just trying to scare me," she muttered. Looking up, she saw Ouyang Ye already confronting the Demonic Sword with his sorcery. "Not good," she mumbled, pulling up her water-soaked skirt and struggling to walk towards the edge of the pond.
A few minutes later.
Mu Anxiao spread her arms, blocking Ouyang Ye. "Don't hurt it," she said, then turned to glance at the rusty Demonic Sword, her heart sinking.
"This sword nearly killed you. If the red rope on my wrist hadn't reacted, you would have truly perished," Ouyang Ye said excitedly.
"Even if I perish," Mu Anxiao said, her gaze firm, "it has nothing to do with you. And I believe it would never take my life."
"It is Jiong Ye's magic artifact," Ouyang Ye stated calmly.
"I know," Mu Anxiao replied, pushing Jiong Ye's words aside for the moment. "But, it still has nothing to do with you." Having said that, she turned around and extended her hand towards the Demonic Sword.
The Demonic Sword remained motionless.
Seeing the Demonic Sword like this, Mu Anxiao frowned slightly. "If you want to die, then stay here." As she spoke, she was about to retract her hand when the Demonic Sword landed in her palm first. "You're wise," she said. Grasping the Demonic Sword, she lowered her hand and turned back to face Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye glanced at the Demonic Sword held by Mu Anxiao and snorted, "You truly refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
"What, you want to lock me inside that screen too?"
"You..."
"I've heard that once inside the screen, one's soul is scattered. If I go in," Mu Anxiao said, completely unbothered by Ouyang Ye's anger, "I'll never have to see you again."
"Mu Anxiao, if you dare to threaten me with your life again, I will not be polite," Ouyang Ye said, stepping aside. "Let's go."
"I'm just stating what you're thinking, that's all." Mu Anxiao gave Ouyang Ye a sidelong glance, walked past him, and went ahead.
Ouyang Ye followed Mu Anxiao.
Subsequently, as Mu Anxiao stepped over the threshold, she came face to face with Afeng. That one glance reminded her of the choice Afeng had made before, and she immediately asked, "Why are you out?"
Rose glanced at Afeng and consciously moved a step to the side.
Afeng appeared awkward. "I wanted to protect... Rose," he said, not daring to look at Rose.
"Protect Rose," Mu Anxiao repeated. The promise she had made to the wolf demon instantly flashed in her mind, so she quickly retracted her critical words and smiled faintly. "Your decision is very good."
"I broke that perfume. I was helping you," Afeng said, acting out a scene, afraid that Mu Anxiao would reveal his intentions.
Mu Anxiao knew that Afeng had nothing to do with whatever had happened inside. His current behavior was simply to show off in front of Rose. Of course, if it were before, she would have exposed all of Afeng's lies.
But in this situation, she could only continue to play along. "Then thank you."
"Why is your clothing wet?" Afeng said, inadvertently ignoring Ouyang Ye inside the door in response to Mu Anxiao.
"I thought the water looked quite warm, so I went in for a swim."
"Is that so? You certainly have unusual habits," Afeng said, his gaze unintentionally falling on the Demonic Sword in Mu Anxiao's hand. "You caught it?"
The Demonic Sword remained motionless.
Listening to Afeng, Mu Anxiao glanced at the Demonic Sword in her hand again and said, "What, are you looking for a chance to perform?" She raised the Demonic Sword.
Seeing this, Afeng involuntarily took a step back and said, "I won't waste your time."
"Please tidy up inside," Mu Anxiao suddenly said.
Afeng was stunned.
Mu Anxiao smiled faintly at Afeng's surprised expression. "You forgot, when we went in just now, you said I could do as I pleased, and you would clean up after it was done." She thought that this way, the wolf demon wouldn't be 'accidentally' harmed.
Afeng gave a dry laugh.
Following the swirl, Rose shifted her gaze to Afeng's face. "Since you're willing, then this place is yours."
"I..."
"Sisters," Rose said, without noticing Ouyang Ye, turning to look at the flower demons who had not received a response from Flower Demon Number Four. "Let's go. This is for him." After speaking, she glanced at Mu Anxiao and walked ahead.