The street.
Mu Anxiao walked through a dark and eerie alley, re-entering the bustling district. This time, however, she didn't linger at the demonic tower but passed by it, continuing her slow walk towards the ghost forest.
The vine spirit, seeing Mu Anxiao slow down, quickly hid, thinking to follow once she was further away.
At the same moment, the black-dressed woman from yesterday descended from the sky, landing in front of Mu Anxiao. "Where are you going?"
Mu Anxiao stopped, truly startled by her. "I'm going to the demonic forest, why are you blocking me?"
"Your scar, I can help you get rid of it."
"Really?"
Mu Anxiao hadn't heard much good news that morning, so the black-dressed woman's words did lift her spirits somewhat.
"Why would I lie? You got injured here anyway. If you hadn't come, I was planning to send it to you."
"Do you know where I am?"
"Of course, I do. Young Master Shen's residence. I know that."
"How did you know I was at Shen... that place?"
"If I'm not mistaken," the black-dressed woman glanced around, "you are Gu An's reincarnation."
"..."
Mu Anxiao was clearly taken aback that the woman before her knew Gu An and had seen through her identity. This alone terrified her.
"I guessed right."
"..." Mu Anxiao also looked around and whispered, "Only you know, right?"
"Of course. I was the only one here who communicated with Gu An. Back then," the black-dressed woman's smile gradually faded as she muttered, "I also met her for the last time here."
"What?" Mu Anxiao hadn't heard clearly.
"Nothing." The black-dressed woman didn't want to recall that sad past. She then spread her hand, conjuring a red pill, and said, "Eat this."
"What is this?"
"This is called the World-Resolving Pill. Once you eat it, no poison will harm you. Of course, the main reason I'm giving it to you is to help eliminate the scar on your back."
"Thank you." Mu Anxiao nodded, reached out, took the World-Resolving Pill, and put it in her mouth.
The pill dissolved, and as bitterness spread through Mu Anxiao's mouth, she quickly nodded, her expression contorting.
"..."
"It's very bitter, isn't it?"
"Mmm." Mu Anxiao couldn't open her mouth, so she could only nod.
"..." The black-dressed woman smiled. "My name is Yan Bian."
At that time, Gu An had left in a hurry, and Yan Bian had never had a chance to tell Gu An her name. She had planned to introduce herself properly once Gu An returned.
Who knew Gu An would die!
So when she sensed Mu Anxiao was Gu An yesterday, she was overjoyed.
As for what she had just said to Mu Anxiao, it was all a lie.
There was only one World-Resolving Pill in existence, and Gu An had given it to her back then. She had never taken it, keeping it until now.
Just now, when Mu Anxiao passed by the demonic tower, Yan Bian sensed her and came out.
Now, seeing Mu Anxiao still recovering, she chuckled, covering her mouth. "Is it that bitter?" she said, then noticed a green light being dissolved on Mu Anxiao's forehead.
"Bitter," Mu Anxiao swallowed hard twice and said, "Why is your medicine so bitter?"
"This pill can resolve all poisons in the world. You have one poison on you."
"Me?"
Mu Anxiao hadn't noticed anything, but the green pill Shen Xian had given her earlier was indeed strange. However, she assumed it was a gift from him and didn't think much of it at the time.
"Yes, but the toxins from the poison you ingested will only take effect after several hours."
"How do you know?"
"A feeling."
"If you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have known. By the way, this pill is called the World-Resolving Pill, is it because it can resolve all poisons in the world?"
"Yes."
"It's... Wait, that's not right," Mu Anxiao felt she could waste a bit more time. "Didn't you just say you were helping me with my scar? Why are you saying I have poison now?"
"I didn't know at first, but," Yan Bian gently tapped Mu Anxiao's forehead with her index finger, "just now, there was a green light here. If I'm not mistaken, the poison you took was green."
"Green..." Mu Anxiao's eyes widened.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Mu Anxiao had always thought Shen Xian was acting for her own good, but unexpectedly, he had poisoned her. She found it hard to accept for a moment.
"Why would you take poison for no reason?"
"Oh, I just picked up a green pill on the roadside. I thought it could enhance my magical abilities, but it turned out to be poison."
"You dare to eat anything you find on the road," Yan Bian laughed. "You're truly insane. Even children know not to eat things from outside. You're really... as foolish as ever."
"..." Mu Anxiao gave a wry smile.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to look for monsters, and incidentally... find the cause of my past life's death."
"You're too bored."
"I..." Mu Anxiao touched the back of her head. "It's not me. Young Master Shen wants to know. He's injured, and I thought... I'd find it for him."
"Because of Shen Xian?"
"Mmm."
"..." Yan Bian froze.
Seeing Yan Bian's strange expression, Mu Anxiao asked, "What's wrong?"
"In your past life, you did it for that Shen Xian, and you're still doing it for him now?"
"..." Mu Anxiao's eyes widened as if she had heard a major secret. "What do you mean?"
"In your last life, you went looking for those monsters because of Shen Xian, but I don't know what you were trying to do. This time," Yan Bian reached out and pulled Mu Anxiao's arm, "don't go."
"Why?"
"Back then, I was the one who saw you off when you left. But," Yan Bian's eyes gradually reddened, "after you left, you never came back."
She hadn't wanted to tell Mu Anxiao these things, but thinking of Gu An's final experiences that year, she felt it was necessary for Mu Anxiao to know.
However, in Mu Anxiao's eyes, Yan Bian was just an insignificant little demon unrelated to her. Her speaking to her like this now made Mu Anxiao uncomfortable.
But even so, her words contained secrets that Mu Anxiao was unaware of.
At this moment, Mu Anxiao wanted to understand.
"In my past life, were we very close?" she asked.
"Not very close, but we were friends."
"Then do you know Xiang Nang?"
"Mmm."
"So that's how it is. Then... why didn't you tell me yesterday that you knew me? Why wait until today?"
"......"
Yes, Yan Bian hadn't intended to tell Mu Anxiao that she recognized her.
But the moment she sensed Mu Anxiao's presence again, Yan Bian suddenly decided to return the World-Resolving Pill to Mu Anxiao and tell her that she knew Gu An, regardless of the outcome. She wanted Mu Anxiao to know that she existed.