"Why are you staring at me?" the old man asked, turning his head to Zhang Yan, who stood beside him.
"Why aren't you my disciple?"
"Aren't you already one?"
Zhang Yan was speechless for a few seconds. "Does this have anything to do with Feng Qi Shi?" he asked.
"No."
"Then why did you mention him?"
The old man... turned his back.
Zhang Yan... continued to glare at the old man.
The Demon Realm.
Under Yan Bian's coercion, Mu An Xiao changed into men's clothing and casually tied up her hair. She turned to look at Yan Bian, who was staring at her, and asked, "Why did you give me men's clothes?"
"If I gave you women's clothes, would you wear them?"
"No."
"Then that's that." Yan Bian glanced down at the clothes Mu An Xiao had thrown on the floor. "I'll help you throw these away."
"I'd appreciate that."
"The noodles are ready. They're probably soggy by now."
"Soggy?"
"I had her make them while you were bathing," Yan Bian said, turning towards the door and opening it herself.
Mu An Xiao had always disliked soggy noodles. Hearing Yan Bian say that, she was clearly a little disappointed.
A few minutes later.
She followed Yan Bian into Feng Qi Shi's room.
Feng Qi Shi sat at the table, pretending to be indifferent to Mu An Xiao. "You're back," he said.
"Mhm," Mu An Xiao nodded and walked to the table, looking down at the two empty bowls. "Where are the noodles?"
Feng Qi Shi replied, "Since you were gone so long, the noodles would have gotten soggy anyway, so I ate them for you."
Seeing this, Yan Bian frowned slightly. "It seems we'll have to prepare them again."
Mu An Xiao... breathed a sigh of relief.
Yan Bian said, "I'll go ask the cook to prepare them." She then turned and left.
After Yan Bian closed the door, Feng Qi Shi suddenly stood up and asked, "How did it go?"
Mu An Xiao sighed and sat down. "It failed."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know what the most terrifying thing is?"
"What?"
"The most terrifying thing is connections. I ran into that this time," Mu An Xiao picked up her cup and took a sip of water.
"Connections?" Feng Qi Shi repeated, then laughed. "Aren't we both beneficiaries of connections?"
Mu An Xiao... She never denied being a beneficiary of connections, but she didn't want to admit it either, because she had accomplished many things herself. However, once the label of being a connection beneficiary was attached, her efforts would likely be invalidated. Therefore, she didn't want to reply to Feng Qi Shi.
Seeing Mu An Xiao's expression of non-response, Feng Qi Shi chuckled. "Tsk tsk, still don't want to admit it?"
"I don't want to admit it."
"Why?"
"I relied on my own efforts, not purely on connections."
"So, you're saying I'm a beneficiary of connections?"
"Yes."
Feng Qi Shi thought differently from Mu An Xiao. He didn't care about anyone's opinion, so he couldn't be bothered to continue this topic. "Tell me, what's the situation there?" he asked.
"Those five troublemakers knew the manager of the underworld. Naturally, the manager covered up their crimes of harming others and Yang Tai."
"What about Xu Lan?"
"Xu Lan," Mu An Xiao knew Xu Lan had it tough. "He had the evidence, but the underworld manager threatened him, saying that if he wanted to convict them, he could, but only if he left."
"He definitely wouldn't agree."
"It's precisely because he didn't agree that I ended up like this," Mu An Xiao picked up her cup. "In short, all my apologies were in vain."
"What are you planning to do next?"
"Next?" Mu An Xiao repeated, narrowing her eyes. "Honestly, I think there's something wrong with that underworld manager."
"Something wrong?"
"Yes. I don't know what's wrong, but I'm determined to succeed in this matter, just not now."
"When then?"
"When the affairs of the mortal realm are resolved, then I'll deal with this."
"You know where the entrance is?"
"I do."
"That's good. I'll accompany you next time."
"Next time, I'll have Hei Feng accompany me. You can forget it."
"Why are you rejecting me?"
"Because I want to."
Feng Qi Shi... He looked displeased. "I was so worried about you, and you're like this."
"You're worried about me? You're worried I'll abandon you," Mu An Xiao said, turning to look at Yan Bian, who was walking in with a tray. "Thank you for the trouble."
"It's my pleasure," Yan Bian said, walking forward and placing the tray on the table, then personally serving a bowl of noodles to Mu An Xiao.
Seeing this, Mu An Xiao said, "Thank you!"
After that, Mu An Xiao and Feng Qi Shi stayed there for another night before leaving. Before they left, the two children hugged Feng Qi Shi and cried. Mu An Xiao watched the scene and felt speechless. The cook repeatedly thanked Mu An Xiao, making her feel a bit embarrassed.
Back in the mortal realm.
Mu An Xiao and Feng Qi Shi walked together on the deserted street. They looked at each other, and Feng Qi Shi said softly, "It's even quieter here than before."
"The demon souls captured everyone, and we've been gone for so long," Mu An Xiao looked around. "Will they be alright?"
Feng Qi Shi was also very concerned about the lives of the mortals, but now, his biggest worry was whether the demon souls would use mortals to harm Mu An Xiao. Thinking of this, he said, "Mu Shazi, I think you should worry about yourself!"
"I know, but..." Mu An Xiao stopped mid-sentence as a strong wind suddenly blew. "What's going on?" She grabbed Feng Qi Shi's arm.
Feng Qi Shi's eyes narrowed. "....." He suddenly turned around and saw several dark figures flash past him. "Demon souls."
Mu An Xiao added, "The demonic energy is very strong." Thinking for a moment, she summoned her soul sword.
The moment the soul sword appeared, those dark figures suddenly vanished. Feng Qi Shi was also surprised. "They're afraid of the soul sword?"
Mu An Xiao gripped the soul sword tightly. "Definitely. As soon as I swing the soul sword, they're doomed." As she spoke, she turned and looked at Wan Sha standing not far away, startling her. "It's you?"
Wan Sha replied, "You're back, then come with me." As she spoke, she glanced at the soul sword in Mu An Xiao's hand. Worried about startling Wan Sha, Mu An Xiao put away the soul sword. Feng Qi Shi turned back and followed Wan Sha with Mu An Xiao.
Walking on the road.
Mu An Xiao asked, "Where are Piao and the others?"
"Piao is injured."
"Injured?" Mu An Xiao thought for a moment and asked, "He's a demon, how could he be injured?"
"I injured him with my sword."
Mu An Xiao... Her mouth twitched. "Are you annoyed that he spoke up for me?"
"Yes."
"Uh..." Mu An Xiao was speechless for a moment, then continued, "Then I truly apologize to him."
"He's been resting very well lately. Chen is taking care of him."