Fourth Ghost and Second Ghost, the red-clothed female ghost, were not familiar with each other. However, he knew she was the one who disliked him the most. Every time she saw him, she would criticize him, calling him dirty, smelly, and even ugly.
He didn't particularly like her either.
However, as the saying goes, true feelings are revealed in times of hardship. Although it was all an act just now, Second Ghost's actions had genuinely touched him.
Therefore, he decided to reciprocate this 'soul-felt gratitude,' lest he appear too unmanly.
Thus, he played along with her, "I just forgot."
Upon hearing this, Second Ghost felt her reputation salvaged. "Be mindful next time," she said, pretending to be serious and moved aside.
Mu Anxiao felt nothing towards their interaction. She then extended a hand, clenched it into a fist, and the silver rope automatically detached from Fourth Ghost's body.
Fourth Ghost felt a sense of relief.
Wei stepped forward, his voice considerably softer than before, "Why did you put on an act?"
"That woman, did you see her?" Mu Anxiao retracted the silver rope and turned to face Wei.
Wei pondered for a moment, recalling the woman standing still in her spot. "I know, I saw her. You immobilized her," he said.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you just let her go?" Wei asked, unaware of what had transpired between them.
Second Ghost had retreated a few steps after Fourth Ghost was released.
Fourth Ghost glanced at Second Ghost's disdainful expression towards him, remained silent, and leaned against the tree with a wronged look.
"Do you want to know?" Mu Anxiao countered.
Wei smiled, "If I didn't want to know, I wouldn't have asked you, would I?"
"That makes sense," Mu Anxiao nodded, then turned to Second Ghost, "By the way, didn't she tell you?"
Wei didn't even glance in her direction. "If she had told me, I wouldn't be asking you, would I?"
"True," Mu Anxiao nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Due to time constraints, first agree to two requests of mine." She held up two fingers.
Wei looked at Mu Anxiao's fingers and nodded. "Alright, go ahead." He trusted that Mu Anxiao's requests wouldn't be too unreasonable.
Mu Anxiao's lips curled into a smile. "First, when we return, you all must feign fear of me. Second, whatever I say, you just listen, because I intend to frighten that woman."
"Frighten the woman?" Wei repeated, failing to understand Mu Anxiao's intention. "Why frighten her?"
"Because she's not afraid of you and even wants to compete with you. That's why I immobilized her to calm her down and keep her away from here."
"She's no ordinary person?" Wei asked in a low voice.
"If she were ordinary, I wouldn't have..." Mu Anxiao's eyes flickered. "...ended up like this." She extended her blood-stained hand to Wei.
Wei looked at the palm of Mu Anxiao's hand, then recalled what Second Ghost had said when she went to find Ouyang Ye. He said, "Didn't she just scream heartbreakingly? She sounded rather frail..."
"Frailty can be feigned. In any case, cooperate with me," Mu Anxiao interrupted, then looked at Second Ghost. "If you dare to expose me, you'll regret it."
Second Ghost, having experienced Mu Anxiao's temperament, shook her head, indicating she wouldn't dare.
Mu Anxiao understood Second Ghost's meaning and said, "Let's go back," before walking ahead.
Fourth Ghost glanced at Wei and Second Ghost, then trotted after Mu Anxiao.
In the blink of an eye, Mu Anxiao and the others returned to the presence of the other ghosts.
The ghosts were relieved to see Fourth Ghost return, but First Ghost showed a confused expression. "You're not dead?" he asked.
Fourth Ghost glared at First Ghost without a word.
Seeing Fourth Ghost's smugness, First Ghost turned directly to Mu Anxiao. "You deceived us."
Mu Anxiao replied, "What is this attitude?"
"I..." First Ghost was intimidated by Mu Anxiao's gaze and said, "I dare not."
"If you dare not, then shut your mouth," Mu Anxiao said. She then looked at the other ghosts, pointing at Fourth Ghost. "He is now my subordinate. From now on, he will no longer think of attacking people. As long as you all do the same, you won't have to return the silver."
Mu Anxiao's thoughts were constantly changing. Just moments ago, she had only intended to make them fear her.
However, on her way back, she had thought of other mortals. She believed that if they continued on their current path, they would undoubtedly become a nuisance.
Whether resolved sooner or later, they had to be dealt with. She figured it would be more convenient to subdue them all to her service at this opportune moment.
She believed that upon witnessing this, the woman would surely flee in panic!
"..." The ghosts remained silent.
Wei frowned, "Mu Anxiao, this is not appropriate."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned to look at the confused Wei and said, "What's not appropriate? From today onwards, you are mine, and I..."
"Your injury has healed," Second Ghost suddenly interrupted.
Mu Anxiao smoothly swallowed the words that were about to leave her lips and turned to look at Second Ghost's surprised expression. "It's healed. What... surprised, or disappointed?"
Second Ghost smiled, "I'm happy for you."
"..." Mu Anxiao was bewildered by Second Ghost's sudden change. She paused and said, "There's nothing to be happy about in this regard. As long as you listen to me, that will make me happy."
"I will listen to you."
Second Ghost noticed that Mu Anxiao's wound had healed. Coincidentally, when he was practicing sorcery, he had heard that Immortals who possessed healing arts were usually powerful.
Therefore, he began to believe in Mu Anxiao's strength based on this very fact.
"..." Mu Anxiao frowned.
Second Ghost looked at Mu Anxiao's silence and her perplexed expression, then gave a dry laugh. "What's wrong? You don't believe what I said?"
"It's not that I don't believe you," Mu Anxiao narrowed her eyes. "Your trust in me comes rather suddenly. I'm a bit... surprised, so tell me why you trust me."
Second Ghost replied, "You know healing arts."
"..." Mu Anxiao smiled slightly. "You trust me solely for this reason?"
"Yes, those who know healing arts are great deities. I believe," Second Ghost said, his eyes filled with determination, "that you will surely find a way to keep me fed."
"..."
This was a question Mu Anxiao hadn't considered. Hearing Second Ghost suddenly bring it up, she was a little taken aback.
Fourth Ghost knew that Second Ghost possessed a good amount of knowledge. Upon hearing his words, his eyes lit up, and he became inexplicably excited. "I knew you were amazing."
While Fourth Ghost and Second Ghost expressed their affirmation of Mu Anxiao, the other ghosts all displayed looks of anticipation and trust.