"I know this upset you, but... my master isn't..."
"Stop right there," Mu Anxiao found Xu Lan's words increasingly strange. "You don't know if you're you?" She raised her head to meet Xu Lan's gaze.
"..."
"You don't know if you're you?" Mu Anxiao's tone was accusatory.
"Master, if you sincerely apologize to them, perhaps they'll be moved. After all, you were sent by that side. However," her eyes darkened, "they simply won't accept it."
Listening to Xu Lan, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but recall the Yin Messengers who had given her the cold shoulder during her apologies earlier.
At first, she thought the Yin Messengers were still angry and thus temporarily refused her apology.
So, she reasoned, if she was more sincere, perhaps things would improve.
Over the next few *li*, those Yin Messengers did change, but their faces were filled with mockery. She still didn't pay it any mind.
She thought perhaps their smiles were just like that.
At this moment, hearing Xu Lan, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "No wonder they all seemed odd, half waiting for me here."
"On the first day of your return, Master heard about it and came up with this plan. He also passed judgment on those five women, and they accepted it. However, the condition was that you, Master, would be demoted and removed from your post."
"What?"
"Master obeyed because of me."
"How can there be such people here?"
"I heard that the managing Yin Messenger knew them from their past lives."
"Knew them?"
"Yes, with Master's abilities, it's simply... not enough."
"What?"
"It was that managing Yin Messenger who revealed your identity, sparking everyone's resentment."
"How could this happen?" Mu Anxiao felt bewildered by everything here.
"He said that if you didn't leave by tomorrow, you'd be arrested, so Master told you to leave."
"..."
Before returning, Mu Anxiao thought the matter had been resolved smoothly. Who knew that upon arriving here, such disgusting things would happen?
Taking a deep breath, she remembered how obedient and compliant the five women had been at the inn. She thought they must have spoken the truth, but were then brainwashed by that managing Yin Messenger. How detestable!
"You..."
"If I leave, will your master be alright?"
"Yes!"
"Fine, I'll leave."
"Huh?"
"Tell me the way in and out."
"Okay."
"That straightforward?"
"Master told me you definitely wouldn't let this matter go."
"He was right. After I leave, tell him for me, I..." Mu Anxiao spoke as she changed the normal candlelight back to green fire, "I forgive him for now."
"Mhm."
Another three days passed.
Mu Anxiao stood outside the Demonic Tower, looking weary. With one hand on her hip, she tilted her head up and looked at the unchanged Demonic Tower, then smiled. "I'm back." As she spoke, she swallowed and stepped into the Demonic Tower.
Ten minutes later.
Mu Anxiao reached the center of the main hall and began shouting, "Shen Fengzi, where are you?"
Upstairs.
Feng Qishi sat by the window, dozing.
Downstairs.
Yan Bian weaved through the crowd of demons and walked up behind Mu Anxiao, who was covered in dirt and had rotten leaves in her hair. With a look of disdain, Yan Bian asked, "Who are you?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned around and looked at Yan Bian. "It's me."
Seeing this, Yan Bian was startled. "Why do you look like this?"
"It's a long story. I won't bore you with the details. Just tell me, where is Shen Fengzi?"
"Upstairs, the first guest room."
"Okay, I got it," Mu Anxiao said, pulling out a core from her sleeve. "Make me a bowl of noodles."
"I'll have the cook make it for you right away, but I can't accept this." She reached out and pushed Mu Anxiao's hand away, still with a look of disdain.
Normally, Mu Anxiao was someone who liked to take advantage of opportunities. Now that she had such a chance, how could she refuse?
So, she retracted the core and said, "Then thank you."
"You're welcome. You've brought a good cook here, saving me a lot of trouble. I should be thanking you."
"Thanking me," Mu Anxiao chuckled foolishly. "In that case, I'll have two bowls of noodles."
"Alright."
Mu Anxiao smiled, and as she reached out to pat Yan Bian's shoulder, Yan Bian took a step back. "Why don't you go take a bath and change your clothes first?"
"..." Mu Anxiao had never seen anyone look down on her like this during her time here. Seeing Yan Bian like this, she was taken aback. "You're disgusted by me."
"You're too dirty."
Mu Anxiao then lowered her head to look at her clothes, a pout on her lips. "They are a bit dirty."
"I'll arrange something for you."
"No core, right?"
"No."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao breathed a sigh of relief.
The Mortal Realm.
The old gentleman stood in the center of the Immortal Hall. Immediately after, the sound of whistling wind reached his ears, and the voice of the Dog-headed Demon entered his ears. "Old Sir, there's a situation."
"Go on." He glanced at Zhang Yan.
"..." Zhang Yan frowned slightly.
Dog-headed Demon: "The Vine Spirit sent a demon to the underworld, seemingly to expose Mu Anxiao's identity, so that Mu Anxiao couldn't help the demon souls she wanted to help, and so that the Yin Messengers would mock her."
"Is he deliberately trying to harm Mu Anxiao?"
Zhang Yan's eyes widened when he heard this.
Dog-headed Demon: "Yes, but don't worry, Mu Anxiao has already left."
The old gentleman deliberately glanced at Zhang Yan. "Then she's safe."
"Yes, but..."
Before the Dog-headed Demon could finish speaking, the old gentleman interrupted. "No need. If I'm not mistaken, that demon sent down was you, wasn't it?"
Then, the Dog-headed Demon chuckled sheepishly twice. "You've seen through me, Old Sir."
"..."
Hearing the old gentleman's lack of response, the Dog-headed Demon quickly explained, "Didn't you tell me to lie low near the Vine Spirit? I can't refuse what he asks me to do, can I?"
"I understand. In any case, if you dare to harm Feng Qishi, you'd better watch out."
Zhang Yan immediately added, "And Mu Anxiao!"
The Dog-headed Demon didn't realize two people were speaking and said with a grin, "Got it."
"..." The old gentleman pondered for a moment and asked, "Are you sure Mu Anxiao will go back?"
Dog-headed Demon: "The Vine Spirit said she wouldn't give up easily and would definitely take action."
"It seems the Vine Spirit knows Mu Anxiao very well!" The old gentleman deliberately looked at Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan's eyes narrowed, and he muttered, "The Vine Spirit again." He frowned.
Dog-headed Demon: "Yes, he..."
"If you dare tell the Vine Spirit that I helped you change your face, I'll make your face change back. Remember that."
"No, no," the Dog-headed Demon replied urgently.
"Alright, that's all!"
The Dog-headed Demon responded with an "Okay" and then fell silent.