"Surely the Rabbit Queen wouldn't be so heartless," one rabbit spirit said, disbelief coloring his tone.
A shadow fell into the eyes of the third rabbit spirit. "Let me tell you a secret," she began. "That one, Hong Yan, she was a rabbit from our former cultivation sect. She's the one who escaped."
"We all figured that out," the first rabbit spirit said, impatience lacing his voice.
"I know. And it's her," the third rabbit spirit sighed. "She's made me realize that the Rabbit Queen never truly intended to help us. She just wants to use us to get revenge for her sister."
"How do you know that?" the second rabbit spirit asked.
"Those rabbit spirits who were supposedly set free… they didn't leave. They're dead," the third rabbit spirit stated, her gaze surprisingly firm.
"You must be joking. The Rabbit Queen wouldn't do something like that," the second rabbit spirit retorted, unconvinced.
"Earlier, I went to the back mountain and saw rabbit fur on the ground. Just as I was about to get closer to see what was going on, the Rabbit Queen suddenly appeared. She gave a rather flimsy explanation," the third rabbit spirit shivered, recalling the Rabbit Queen's indifferent face. "She said humans killed them. But I clearly saw blood on her hands at the time. I initially thought she had fought with humans, but then I searched the back mountain for a long time and didn't see a single person."
"Why didn't you come back and tell us then?" the second rabbit spirit asked, startled.
"I didn't pay it much mind back then. It was only when I saw Hong Yan showing concern for that green-clothed rabbit that it all came back to me," the third rabbit spirit explained.
"Why did seeing Hong Yan care for the green-clothed rabbit remind you of this?" The first rabbit spirit couldn't fathom the third rabbit spirit's thoughts.
"Hong Yan's concern for the green-clothed rabbit is like our concern for the Rabbit Queen. But what do we get after showing her care? A cold stare, a scolding. No matter how nice we are to her, she doesn't notice. She's expressionless. But Hong Yan showed just a little bit of care to the green-clothed rabbit, and look how happy the green-clothed rabbit is."
"Perhaps Hong Yan likes the green-clothed rabbit."
"Even if she does, what about the male rabbits among us who showed concern for the Rabbit Queen? Do you know what happened to them?" the third rabbit spirit asked earnestly.
"They were all expelled," the first rabbit spirit said offhandedly.
"No, they died," the third rabbit spirit's tone was now solely serious.
"That can't be right," the second rabbit spirit shook her head slightly.
"I don't know," the third rabbit spirit lowered her gaze. "But I believe Mu Anxiao."
"Tell us why," the first rabbit spirit gestured to the third rabbit spirit.
The third rabbit spirit explained, "Because Hong Yan became human due to the soul essence, and the Rabbit Queen was eager for us to become human. She tricked us into harming others, burdening us with sins. She knew everything but didn't tell us the truth. Only Mu Anxiao spoke out, so… I believe Mu Anxiao."
"You're such a fence-sitter," the second rabbit spirit said coldly.
The third rabbit spirit clenched her fist. "If you think I'm wrong, then leave. I'll cover for you. However, if the soul essence makes a move, I won't help you."
"You…"
"Stop," the first rabbit spirit interrupted the second rabbit spirit and looked up. "We must all believe Mu Anxiao, because by believing Mu Anxiao, we will see the light. The Rabbit Queen, she never took us seriously."
"Sister," the second rabbit spirit called out.
"Since we've already promised Mu Anxiao, we must keep our word," the first rabbit spirit said, glancing at the third rabbit spirit. "Listen to her."
The second rabbit spirit compromised.
"When we go back, we absolutely cannot be flustered, understand!" the third rabbit spirit said to the second rabbit spirit.
"Don't worry, we won't," the second rabbit spirit shook her head.
The third rabbit spirit nodded.
The first rabbit spirit gave a wry smile. "If the Rabbit Queen had ever taken us seriously, she would have come to save us long ago. But she didn't."
"Don't think about it," the third rabbit spirit reached out and patted the first rabbit spirit's hand.
The first rabbit spirit hummed in agreement. "I never thought we would end up using deceitful tactics on ourselves."
The third rabbit spirit offered a bitter smile.
The second rabbit spirit thought for a moment. "Then should we warn the other rabbits?"
The third rabbit spirit shook her head.
"Why?" the second rabbit spirit asked, puzzled.
The first rabbit spirit glanced at the third rabbit spirit. "Right now, only we have seen reality. If we speak to them," her eyes darkened, "they will only treat us as enemies. I believe that once this is over, they will see the truth."
"Yes, you're right," the third rabbit spirit nodded in agreement.
"Then their sins will surely be greater than ours," the second rabbit spirit voiced another concern.
"We are also demons who have earned merit through atonement. As for them… they can only rely on their own fate," the third rabbit spirit said helplessly.
"Indeed," the first rabbit spirit concurred.
The second rabbit spirit fell silent.
In the hall, Mu Anxiao sat at the table, her heart filled with worry for her own safety. She clenched her fists slightly. "The vine spirit is definitely up to no good. Damn it, I should have killed him back there. This is over," she thought, bending down and resting her forehead on the tabletop.
From behind the counter, the proprietress heard the sound and asked, "What's wrong?"
Mu Anxiao waved her hand.
The proprietress smiled. "Doesn't your head hurt?"
"No," Mu Anxiao replied vaguely.
The proprietress put down her ledger, walked around the counter, and approached Mu Anxiao's side. "Is there anything you want to talk about? Perhaps I can help you."
"You're just a mortal. How can you help me?" Mu Anxiao said, slowly lifting her head.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's dejected appearance, the proprietress asked, "Are you worried about something?"
"Yes," Mu Anxiao replied, letting her head fall again.
The proprietress reached out and patted Mu Anxiao's shoulder. "Is it related to the rabbit spirits?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao frowned and looked up at the proprietress. "Aren't you afraid of the rabbit spirits? Why are you bringing them up all of a sudden?"
"Most people's troubles stem from the rabbit spirits," the proprietress said, smiling wryly. "To be honest, I'm quite speechless about the rabbit spirits too."
"Why?" Mu Anxiao asked in return.
The proprietress sighed. "Rabbits are such cute little animals. It's so nice to hold them. But," she offered a bitter smile, "why do they have to harm people? How heartbroken are the families of those they killed? Why? Why do you think they do this?"
"In our human eyes, they are cute animals, delicious food. But have we ever felt their thoughts? Have we ever considered what it's like for them to lose their families? Although," Mu Anxiao shook her head, "what I'm saying might sound ridiculous, but this is indeed their perspective… perhaps!"