“Your rule is rather sudden,” Feng Qishi said blandly.
Sensing Feng Qishi’s slightly dejected tone, Zhang Yan leaned closer to him. “Do you want me to set this rule, or do you not?”
“Whatever you want, it’s your business,” Feng Qishi tilted his head up.
“Still playing tough,” Zhang Yan chuckled.
Shi Yi watched Zhang Yan’s retreating back and asked, “What do you mean by that?”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan turned his head to look at Shi Yi, a smirk playing on his lips. “It means, for Feng Qishi’s sake, I’ll refrain from setting that rule for now.”
“Why is it for his sake?” Shi Yi felt indignant.
“Guess,” Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow.
Shi Yi was left speechless.
Seeing Shi Yi’s speechless expression, Zhang Yan couldn’t help but smile and ask, “Rat spirit, what’s your name?”
“My name is Shi Yi,” Shi Yi introduced himself casually.
“Good, is there anything you want me to relay?” Zhang Yan asked.
Shi Yi thought for a moment. “Nothing.”
“Since you have nothing for me to pass on to Mu Anxiao,” Zhang Yan smiled, “that’s quite strange.”
“As long as she’s alive is enough,” Shi Yi whispered.
“Noted,” Zhang Yan nodded.
Seeing Zhang Yan’s serious demeanor, Shi Yi frowned. “I didn’t say anything, don’t you dare pass on false messages.”
“I know what I’m doing,” Zhang Yan said, then turned to the old man. “Alright, I should be going.”
“Do you know where she is?” Shi Yi asked.
“I do, but I can’t tell you,” Zhang Yan finished, and instantly disappeared in a beam of light.
The old man smiled faintly.
Shi Yi stared at the suddenly departing Zhang Yan. “Master, when can I go down?”
“Take good care of your senior brother,” the old man said, turning and walking away.
Shi Yi pouted.
Feng Qishi glanced at the old man’s retreating figure, then looked at Shi Yi. “If you take good care of me, when I get better, I’ll take you down.”
“Really?” Shi Yi asked.
Feng Qishi nodded.
Instantly, Shi Yi grinned at Feng Qishi. “Then I must take good care of you.” With that, he walked up to Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi looked up, tilting his head in confusion. “What are you doing?”
“Let’s go out for a walk.”
“No, I still can’t move,” Feng Qishi said.
Hearing this, Shi Yi sat down at Feng Qishi’s feet. “Tell me if anything happens.” He then began to meditate.
Feng Qishi looked down at Shi Yi’s eccentric behavior and sighed.
At the inn, Mu Anxiao sat at the table, looking displeased at the brazen way Villager Number One and Villager Number Two were drinking tea. “Even with all the money I have, you two will drink me dry.”
“Good tea, must drink more,” Villager Number One said, holding his teacup.
Mu Anxiao shot Villager Number One a sidelong glance. “You’re quite the actor, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean by that?” Villager Number One glared at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao chuckled. “I thought you were different from those other villagers, but it turns out you’re just the same.”
“Don’t look down on people from the village,” Villager Number One said sternly.
“Who’s looking down on you? It’s your own actions that make me look down on you,” Mu Anxiao said, deliberately provoking Villager Number One.
Villager Number One’s eyes widened. “You little girl, it seems I can’t let you go.”
Mu Anxiao glared at Villager Number One, then turned to Lü Bing, who was pretending not to know her, on the side. “Don’t serve more tea.”
“Oh,” Lü Bing nodded and walked away.
At the counter, Tian Jiang watched Mu Anxiao, who was provoking Villager Number One nearby, frown. “Strange, how does she know those villagers?”
Just as Tian Jiang was pondering this, a young man blocked her view, looking panicked. “Boss lady, what should I do?”
“What’s wrong?” Tian Jiang knitted her brows.
“I…” the young man swallowed, glanced back at Mu Anxiao, then quickly turned back. “They’re asking me to catch a demon.”
“What demon?” Tian Jiang asked.
“I don’t know, but… you know I’m not capable of it. How can I catch it?” The young man was clearly trying to distance himself from the two villagers.
“You could just refuse them directly,” Tian Jiang said coldly.
“I want to, but… it’s Mu Anxiao who brought them here. How can I refuse?” the young man said nervously.
“What’s Mu Anxiao’s relationship with them?” Tian Jiang asked.
“I don’t know,” the young man shook his head, then placed his hands on the table. “Please, help me think of a solution.”
Tian Jiang didn’t seem to be listening to the young man. She took a step aside and looked at Mu Anxiao. “I heard from the female jailer that she was supposed to be imprisoned for seven days, how is she out after only three?”
“Boss lady, it’s obvious. Those two must have brought her out,” the young man said nervously.
Suddenly, Lü Bing stopped beside the young man. “They’re quite the drinkers, they’ve had several pots already.” He placed the teapot on the table.
“What are they talking about?” Tian Jiang shifted her gaze to Lü Bing.
“I don’t know. Mu Anxiao got angry just now because they were drinking so much, and one of them even shouted at Mu Anxiao,” Lü Bing reported.
“Why did he shout?” Tian Jiang asked.
“Mu Anxiao said something about looking down on villagers, and they got angry,” Lü Bing said earnestly.
“It’s understandable. They are from the village, and they must have been offended to hear that,” Tian Jiang said blandly.
“I just find it strange, why are all the people Mu Anxiao knows so… varied?” the young man frowned slightly.
“Perhaps she doesn’t know them,” Tian Jiang said, looking at Mu Anxiao’s uncomfortable expression.
“Doesn’t know them?” Lü Bing turned to look in that direction, then back at Tian Jiang. “Then what are they doing together?”
“How would I know?” Tian Jiang said, her gaze still fixed on Mu Anxiao.
Hearing Tian Jiang’s words, the young man’s heart sank. “What should I do?” he asked.
“What’s wrong with you?” Lü Bing asked.
“They’re looking for me,” the young man turned to Lü Bing. “What should I do?”
“What are they looking for you for?” Lü Bing didn’t know about the young man being sought.
“They’re looking for me,” the young man pouted. “Your senior brother is doomed.”
“What’s going on?” Lü Bing became nervous.
The young man shook his head slightly. “It’s a long story. You all aren’t helping me. I’m going to die, I’m going to die.”
“How can you die, senior brother? You know exactly what’s going on, tell me,” Lü Bing grabbed the young man’s arm and asked.
The young man retorted, “Haven’t you noticed that neither of them ordered any dishes?”
“No dishes,” Lü Bing repeated, then openly looked at Mu Anxiao. “It’s true, senior brother. They’re only drinking water.”