"This is the only way to avoid the Master's tracking," Xi'er spread her hands. "If you don't want to, then I have no other options."
"This..." Rose hesitated.
Mi Feng didn't know what Rose intended to do. However, he believed that as long as it concerned Rose, he would help her without question. "Having a way is better than having no way, Rose, you..."
"The wolf demon has been captured," Rose said abruptly.
Mi Feng didn't react immediately. He blinked and said, "I know about that."
"I want to save him," Rose said, her eyes fixed on Mi Feng with determination.
Mi Feng had always harbored feelings for Rose. The demons in the Demon Cultivation Ground were generally aware of this, and Xi'er was no exception. Now, Rose was so openly expressing her resolve, making Xi'er feel a pang of sympathy for Mi Feng.
Conversely, Mi Feng gave an awkward yet polite smile. "It's just this matter." He cleared his throat.
"It's just this matter, are you willing to help me?" Rose's attitude remained as cold as ever.
Xi'er glanced at both of them, rendered speechless.
Mi Feng smiled. "Whatever concerns you, I will help without reservation. However," he paused, his eyes darkening as he thought of the crimes committed by the wolf demon and Mu Anxiao, "regarding the wolf demon's matter, your words alone might not be enough to persuade the Master." He then shifted his gaze to Xi'er's face.
Seeing Mi Feng looking at her, Xi'er was startled. "Why are you looking at me?" she asked, glancing at Rose again.
Mi Feng continued, "You are the demon with the highest status in the Demon Cultivation Ground. I believe if you accompany us, this matter will surely be settled."
"You want me to help you," Xi'er said, pointing at Mi Feng and Rose before shaking her head. "Impossible."
"Why?" Mi Feng frowned.
Xi'er sighed softly and asked, "Do you know what they did to be imprisoned?"
"This..." Mi Feng hesitated. "I heard they did some wrong things, apparently related to the demon-eating beasts in the Forbidden Forest. I don't think it's that serious, is it?"
Prompted by Mi Feng, Rose also chimed in, "I also heard that the demon-eating beasts were injured, and a traitor died. If that's the case, didn't they earn merits? Why were they arrested? Even if they made mistakes, these merits should offset them."
"I think so too," Mi Feng agreed with Rose.
Xi'er sneered, "That's just your assumption. If things were as simple as you say, the Master wouldn't have issued such an order."
"What exactly happened to them?" Rose grew anxious.
Hearing this, Xi'er turned to Rose and said plainly, "Mu Anxiao used forbidden arts, and the wolf demon did not stop her."
"You, Song Xi, and Zhao Mei'er were all present then," Rose suddenly recalled the most critical fact.
Xi'er's lips curved. "We were, but don't you think about our statuses and their statuses? Besides, we didn't earn any merits. Of course," she said with a serious expression, "if you wish to find the Master together with him, I won't stop you."
"Let's go," Rose ignored Xi'er and looked at Mi Feng.
Mi Feng said, "This matter..."
"I believe the Master will definitely listen to me. You are merely my foil," Rose said, walking ahead.
Mi Feng's eyes darkened.
Seeing this, Xi'er couldn't help but feel sorry for Mi Feng. "If it were me, I would never help her," she said, stepping back.
Mi Feng looked at Xi'er and replied, "I'm doing this willingly. Even if I were you, I would help."
"Fool."
"Suit yourself," Mi Feng said, bypassing Xi'er and walking towards them.
Moments later.
Rose and Mi Feng entered the study, walking gracefully to Ouyang Ye's luxurious desk and stopping.
"What is it?" Ouyang Ye asked, not looking up from his brush.
Rose grunted, "Master, I heard about the wolf demon's situation." She dared not mention Mu Anxiao and started from there.
Mi Feng's heart sank upon hearing this.
Immediately, Ouyang Ye put down his brush, looked at Rose and Mi Feng, and stood up. "Is that so? You've come to plead for them." He then placed one hand behind his back.
"Yes, about this matter, the wolf demon..." Rose began. Thinking of Mu Anxiao, she couldn't let go of the thought. "Setting aside the wolf demon, Mu Anxiao also earned merits; they should be... offset."
"Do you know what mistake she made?" Ouyang Ye retorted.
Rose's heart skipped a beat at Ouyang Ye's unexpectedly cold tone. "She used forbidden arts."
"Is it permissible to use forbidden arts here?" Ouyang Ye continued to ask.
Rose's gaze flickered. "No, it is not."
"Since you know, do not insist further," Ouyang Ye said, waving his hand dismissively. "Alright, you may leave now."
"But..."
"Master, may we visit them?" Mi Feng, fearing Rose might say something wrong, quickly interrupted.
"You may. Go ahead," Ouyang Ye said, turning his back.
Thus, Mi Feng's question effectively silenced Rose.
"Master, we shall take our leave," Mi Feng said, pulling Rose away from the study before she could recover her senses.
Immediately, the moment the study door closed, Rose violently shook off Mi Feng's hand. "You did that on purpose," she glared at him.
Mi Feng pursed his lips. "The Master detests verbose demons. If you had spoken one more word, your life might have been forfeit."
"That's none of your business," Rose retorted, her voice low.
Mi Feng, understanding Rose's temper, spoke without anger, "I know. I shouldn't have interrupted you, but I believe as long as Mu Anxiao is there, the wolf demon will be fine. You can rest assured about this."
"Mu Anxiao has status, but the wolf demon does not. In other words," Rose glared at Mi Feng, deliberately questioning, "do you know how grave the crime of using forbidden arts is?"
"I..."
"What if the Master changes his mind and assigns all the blame to the wolf demon?" Rose said, her eyes wide. "Tell me, what then?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Mu Anxiao will definitely..."
"I trust no one but myself right now," Rose said, turning around. Just as she was about to touch a mechanism, the door opened.
Mi Feng, oblivious, turned to dissuade her again when Ouyang Ye appeared within their sight. Seeing him, he quickly greeted him, "Master."
Conversely, Rose, without a word, knelt at Ouyang Ye's feet.
Ouyang Ye looked down at Rose and asked, "What are you doing?" He had not yet stepped over the threshold.