Mu Anxiao, seeing Jiong Ye's infuriating expression, immediately clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "You were lying to me," she said, preparing to advance.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi reached out and blocked Mu Anxiao's arm, still not turning his head as he faced Jiong Ye, who was provoking Mu Anxiao. He said coldly, "Tell us the truth."
"Some things can't be revealed too quickly. Once revealed," Jiong Ye began to retreat, "it's no longer fun."
"You dare to joke with people's lives, you..."
"I didn't say I was joking with people's lives. Those ghosts are no ordinary foes. The same applies here," Jiong Ye said, letting out a cold laugh. "To find the ghosts, you must first find their benefactor, because their actions are all in that person's hands." "You're talking nonsense," Mu Anxiao yelled.
Immediately, Feng Qishi turned to Mu Anxiao and said softly, "He's not lying."
"Not lying?" Mu Anxiao glanced at Feng Qishi, then at the grinning Jiong Ye opposite them. "So, there really are some ghosts in the city?"
"Guess," Jiong Ye cocked his chin, turned, and vanished.
Mu Anxiao immediately pushed Feng Qishi's arm away and ran forward, shouting, "Liar, explain yourself!"
The next second, Jiong Ye's voice, carried by the wind, reached Mu Anxiao's ears. "Half of what I said is true, and half is false. You'll have to figure that out yourself."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao tilted her head back, surveying her surroundings while replaying Jiong Ye's words in her mind. She then turned to Feng Qishi and asked, "Shen Fengzi, what did he mean by that?"
Feng Qishi: "Let's not talk about that. When did you learn the art of stealing?" He was referring to the 'Sleight of Hand' technique.
Mu Anxiao's eyes darted away briefly.
Feng Qishi continued, "You threw the stone intentionally." He stopped in front of Mu Anxiao, glancing at the river water, which had returned to its normal color.
Mu Anxiao had initially thought that a ghost had thrown the red stone into the water. To avoid alerting the enemy, she had pretended to know nothing.
She hadn't expected... Jiong Ye to appear in the end. And on top of that... she had been toyed with by Jiong Ye. Now, being questioned by Feng Qishi like this, she could only feel regret.
...
Feng Qishi looked down at Mu Anxiao's stunned expression and said coldly, "If you don't know how to answer, answer both questions together."
"I don't think it's necessary," Mu Anxiao replied, looking down.
What is a partner?
A partner is two people in a cooperative relationship. In tasks, there should be no concealment. Even when facing danger, one party must assist the other, not arrogantly take on everything alone.
Feng Qishi had been contemplating this question since Mu Anxiao prevented him from acting.
At this moment, hearing Mu Anxiao's sudden reply and recalling her commanding tone earlier, he emphasized, "Mu Shazi, we are partners."
"I know," Mu Anxiao replied faintly.
"You know," Feng Qishi narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you still concealing things from me and acting alone? Like just now, if I hadn't spoken, you would have fallen into his trap."
Mu Anxiao admitted that after Jiong Ye's words, her thoughts had become chaotic. So, when Feng Qishi stepped forward and exposed Jiong Ye, she felt an instant sense of relief. At that moment, she realized he was her partner.
Therefore, she had already prepared to be blamed by Feng Qishi.
She just hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
Looking at Feng Qishi's still serious expression, she said weakly, "I didn't mean to hide it from you. I just thought you didn't need to get involved. I thought I could handle it alone."
"Then you took my long sword when you were grabbing the pebble."
"At that time, I thought... if I conjured the soul sword directly, it would attract more ghosts. I wanted to scare one, to make that one... tell me the truth. I..." Mu Anxiao paused, then continued, "I didn't expect it wasn't a ghost, but Jiong Ye."
"You learned this technique from a celestial book," Feng Qishi said in a low voice.
Mu Anxiao nodded.
"You really learn as soon as you see it."
"What can I do, I'm smart," Mu Anxiao, not having the upper hand, glanced at Feng Qishi and lowered her head again.
Feng Qishi: "Don't do this in the future. Even if you can't say it, you can tell me with your heart."
Mu Anxiao: ... She dared not look up.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's guilty look, Feng Qishi continued in a serious tone, "Why aren't you talking?"
From the moment he started interacting with Jiong Ye, Feng Qishi's expression had been devoid of emotion, and his tone was incredibly indifferent. Even when speaking to Mu Anxiao now, he maintained a serious and aloof demeanor.
Initially, Mu Anxiao could understand; he was angry.
However, she had already explained everything, yet Feng Qishi remained this way, which made Mu Anxiao feel displeased.
"I don't dare to talk to you anymore," she said softly, with a hint of displeasure in her tone.
Hearing Mu Anxiao say this, Feng Qishi frowned. "You usually communicate with me just fine. Why... do you now dare not speak to me when something happens? Or perhaps," he lowered his head and looked at Mu Anxiao's face, "you're still feeling guilty."
"I'm not guilty," Mu Anxiao's tone was stiff.
Feng Qishi: "Not guilty, then why are you afraid to look at me?"
"You..." Mu Anxiao, hearing Feng Qishi's aggressive tone, had had enough. "What's with your attitude?" She mustered her courage, lifted her head, and met Feng Qishi's gaze.
Feng Qishi: "What attitude?"
"That guy is already gone, and I've admitted my mistake to you. You..."
"You only explained, you didn't admit fault," Feng Qishi interrupted.
Mu Anxiao looked at Feng Qishi's earnest expression correcting her words and sighed helplessly, saying, "I was wrong."
"You're actually not wrong. You also protected me," Feng Qishi added.
... Mu Anxiao was truly speechless with Feng Qishi.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's speechless expression, Feng Qishi smiled faintly. "Alright, let's get back to the main topic."
"You smiled," Mu Anxiao stated directly.
"Now that things are clear, I don't need to be so serious. In any case, from now on in such matters," Feng Qishi placed a hand on Mu Anxiao's shoulder, "I will be in front, and you will be behind. You must listen to me."
"I don't..."
"You're not allowed to say no," Feng Qishi interrupted. "Remember this, I am the man, and you are the woman. Protecting you is my responsibility."
"I don't need your protection. I can protect you. Back when you were Shen Yan, didn't I always protect you and lead the charge? Why are you saying this now," Mu Anxiao pushed away Feng Qishi's hand on her shoulder, "it feels so fake."