"Perhaps they are cultivators,"
"A monster," the young man said excitedly.
The old man glanced at Villager Number Two, who stood frozen, and said, "No, if he were a monster, this boy would not be standing here unharmed."
Hearing the old man's words, Villager Number Two thought of the look the wolf demon had given him earlier and became scared.
"You'd best not provoke him," the old man said as he walked up to Villager Number Two.
Villager Number Two absentmindedly glanced at the old man and blinked.
Then, the old man patted Villager Number Two's shoulder and turned to walk away.
Villager Number Two swallowed, abandoned the idea of going to the prison, and headed back towards the village.
After Villager Number Two left, the villagers also dispersed.
Meanwhile, the wolf demon returned to the prison cell and crouched beside Mu Anxiao, saying, "The matter is resolved."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao opened her eyes and looked at the wolf demon, asking, "What do you mean?" She sat up.
The wolf demon smiled, "I just met one of the guys from the village who bullied me outside. He insisted I go back with him, so I..."
"You beat him up in front of everyone and killed him?" Mu Anxiao interrupted.
The wolf demon frowned, "How could I do something so foolish? I threatened him with words, and then I flew away in front of the mortals."
"So, you think the matter is resolved?" Mu Anxiao asked.
The wolf demon nodded, "Yes, I saw he was quite scared. If he bothers me again, it won't be my fault if I retaliate!"
"Then, it seems I was locked up for nothing," Mu Anxiao said, utterly bewildered.
"It's alright, I'll keep you company, even though you didn't help me at all," the wolf demon said, patting Mu Anxiao's shoulder.
Mu Anxiao glared at the wolf demon and lay back down.
The wolf demon looked down at Mu Anxiao and smiled faintly.
Not long after, Villager Number Two rushed back to the village.
Villager Number One stood by the courtyard gate, watching Villager Number Two run towards them, and smiled, asking, "Oh, back so soon?"
"What did you say to your constable friend?" Villager Number Three asked, joining Villager Number One.
Villager Number Two stopped in front of them, panting, and said, "It's a monster, a monster."
"Are you talking about the woman?" Villager Number One probed.
Villager Number Two waved his hand, "No, it was... that guy."
"You met him?" Villager Number Three asked nervously.
"Yes," Villager Number Two gasped for breath, crouched down, and pointed to the sky, "He flew away."
"Flew away?" Villager Number One repeated, asking, "Did anyone else see?"
"Yes, they all said he was an immortal, but I just felt he was a monster because of his eyes," Villager Number Two swallowed, accepted the bowl handed to him by Villager Number Four, and said, "They were particularly terrifying."
"You mean he was... faking it before?" Villager Number Four asked.
Villager Number Two shook his head, "No, he was enduring."
"Enduring?"
"Yes, he said his patience has its limits, and if I... if we continue to pester him, he won't be lenient. So," Villager Number Two finished the water in his bowl in one gulp, and continued, "I want to say, let's just let him go, so we don't end up dying without knowing how."
"You make a good point," Villager Number One agreed, to avoid discouraging Villager Number Two.
"What do you think about that woman..."
Villager Number Three trailed off, but Villager Number Two quickly shook his head, "Don't mention her. Let's just let this matter go! That woman was just a passerby."
"Alright," Villager Number Three nodded slightly.
"Okay, let's start over. We'll look for the woman next," Villager Number One suggested.
"Why look for the woman?" Villager Number Four asked.
Villager Number One said, "Because those three were harmed by women. Also, most of the men we captured escaped, and the last one was a male monster. So, a woman would be more reliable."
"We said we'd look for a woman before, why did we suddenly go for a man?" Villager Number Five asked.
"That was my fault," Villager Number Two said, glancing at the other villagers, "I found it troublesome, and then I ran into that monster. So, it was my mistake, my mistake."
"Why do I feel like you've changed?" Villager Number Three asked, looking at Villager Number Two in surprise.
Villager Number Two gave a bitter smile, "My rashness this time almost prevented me from returning. So, on my way back, I thought a lot. Before, I always thought sticking to my own way was a good thing, and that I didn't need to listen to your opinions. But now, I think it's better to follow your advice."
"Sticking to your own way is a good thing, I can only say you were too stubborn," Villager Number One said mildly.
Hearing Villager Number One's words, Villager Number Two felt a twinge of displeasure, but remembering what he had just said, he forced a smile, "You're right, I'll change."
Villager Number One, seeing Villager Number Two's unspoken defiance, pursed his lips and smiled, "It's alright, take your time. This time, don't misjudge."
"Got it," Villager Number Two replied with a forced smile.
Villager Number One nodded slightly and looked at the other villagers, "Alright, everyone go back. This search is for me and him. You just wait for our news."
"Okay," everyone replied in unison.
Then, they all dispersed.
Villager Number Two walked up to Villager Number One and said, "Those three clearly did evil deeds and deserved punishment. Why do we have to do this?"
"The cultivators told us that they belong to our village, and if we don't do this, our village will be implicated. So, we have to do it."
"In that case, the time must be getting close," Villager Number Two said.
Villager Number One nodded, "Yes, we need to hurry."
"Mm," Villager Number Two nodded.
In the prison cell, Mu Anxiao turned to look at the wolf demon sitting beside her and said, "I have a feeling this matter isn't over yet."
"What do you mean?" the wolf demon asked, looking down at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao said, "I mean, I'm worried that other unfortunate people like you will be captured."
"That won't be your concern anymore. Once we're out, I'll help you find a master," the wolf demon smiled.
"How did you know I wanted to find a master?" Mu Anxiao asked as she sat up.
The wolf demon said, "If you continue like this, you'll become a true waste. I don't want to bully a waste."
"What do you mean by that?" Mu Anxiao frowned.
"It means, from now on, you are my target. One day, I will beat you to death," the wolf demon said seriously, pointing at Mu Anxiao.