The little demon, heeding the dog-headed monster's words, fell silent.
Meanwhile, Hun Ling followed the Rabbit Queen into a grand hall. With a wave of her arm, the doors closed.
Hun Ling's body stiffened. He glanced back at the door the Rabbit Queen had shut and asked, "Have you encountered another dilemma?"
In the past, whenever the Rabbit Queen faced difficulties, she would bring Hun Ling here to guide her. Though she had never followed Hun Ling's advice, each time she listened, she found new hope. Yet, the actions she took afterward always deviated from Hun Ling's suggestions.
"I've locked up the rat demons," the Rabbit Queen said, her back to him.
Hun Ling looked at her retreating figure and said, "Is that so? Since you've confined them, you must have your reasons. Therefore, this isn't a dilemma."
"Can't you see my dilemma?" the Rabbit Queen asked, turning to face Hun Ling.
Hun Ling, observing the meaning hidden in the Rabbit Queen's expression, said, "You claim you want Mu An Xiao's soul essence, but actually," his eyes narrowed, "you're afraid."
"I'm not afraid," the Rabbit Queen averted her gaze.
"I've captured the person for you, and yet you're being so picky. What is it you want?" Hun Ling feigned impatience.
"I didn't sense her immortal energy; it was the dog-headed monster who did," the Rabbit Queen said, her eyes cast down.
Hun Ling's brow furrowed. He walked gracefully to the Rabbit Queen's side and said, "Aren't your senses keen? You spoke so convincingly just now, yet... you couldn't smell it?"
"I feel something is amiss with the dog-headed monster," the Rabbit Queen said, blinking slightly.
Hun Ling's eyes narrowed. "You mean you want me to investigate him?"
"Yes, I can see that he's afraid of you," the Rabbit Queen revealed her thoughts.
Hun Ling let out a wry smile. "Is it truly enjoyable to use me?"
"I'm not," the Rabbit Queen said, still avoiding his gaze.
Hun Ling turned his face away and said, "You say you're not. When you need me, you put on an expression of great reliance. When you don't need me anymore," he looked back at the Rabbit Queen, "you cast me aside. You say you're not, but who are you fooling?"
"I..."
"This is the last time I'll help you," Hun Ling declared.
"You're leaving?" the Rabbit Queen exclaimed in shock.
Hun Ling hesitated deliberately and said, "I wish to retire from the world."
"Without you, I can't manage at all," the Rabbit Queen said, agitated.
From the beginning, whenever the Rabbit Queen had trouble, she would become agitated like this, saying moving words. However, Hun Ling had long since grown numb to her pronouncements. But for the sake of his mission, he could only feign a softened heart after being hurt: "I don't see it. You say this every time, you act like this every time... but you've never listened to my opinions. I feel I'm completely useless. I want to help you, but I am willing but unable."
The Rabbit Queen choked back a sob. "Please, don't go. I want you to help me always. I can help you conceal your identity so the underworld officials can't find you. Please, I beg you, I can't live without you."
"I..." Hun Ling looked at the Rabbit Queen with feigned emotion, then nodded slightly. "Alright, I promise. I won't leave. But this time, I hope you'll tell me... what is your plan?"
"I want to conquer all the small towns and villages surrounding us, turn all those humans into my slaves. If they disobey, I'll kill them," the Rabbit Queen said, her eyes flashing with a dark light as she spoke.
Hun Ling felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this, but he maintained a smile on his face. "Good, I promise to help you until the very end."
"Thank you," the Rabbit Queen opened her arms.
Hun Ling took a step closer. "I only see you as a child."
"Mm," the Rabbit Queen nodded and lowered her arms.
"I'll go check on the dog-head," Hun Ling said.
The Rabbit Queen merely smiled, remaining silent.
Hun Ling blinked and turned, leaving through the door.
The moment Hun Ling departed, the Rabbit Queen's smile vanished. "Hun Ling, you truly are naive," she said, letting out a wicked chuckle.
Walking on the path, Hun Ling thought of the Rabbit Queen's expression and felt a wave of nausea. He mused, "That's strange. Why do I feel like vomiting every time I finish talking with the black rabbit?" He swallowed hard.
The next moment, the dog-headed monster cautiously approached Hun Ling from behind. "Hello there."
Hearing this, Hun Ling placed a hand on his chest and turned to face the dog-headed monster. "Do I know you?"
"I saw you with that group of people," the dog-headed monster pointed at Hun Ling.
Hun Ling's heart leaped. He calmly replied, "Yeah, together. So what?"
"I initially thought you knew them. Turns out," the dog-headed monster chuckled, "you have a plan. Impressive, truly impressive." He gave a thumbs-up.
Hun Ling cleared his throat. "Why are you coming to find me this late at night, singing my praises? What's your angle?"
"No particular reason," the dog-headed monster said with a foolish grin.
Hun Ling's eyes narrowed. "Did you give the Rabbit Queen some kind of drug that caused her nose," he pointed to his own nose, "to be unable to smell immortal energy?"
"You... you figured it out?" the dog-headed monster asked, looking at Hun Ling with apparent worry.
Hun Ling snorted. "I did. Normally, the Rabbit Queen's sense of smell is very acute. By all rights, she should have opened the door today, not you." He gestured to the dog-headed monster.
The dog-headed monster gave a foolish chuckle. "I... I did give her a drug, but don't worry, the effect isn't strong. Her nose will be able to smell again by tomorrow morning."
The moment the dog-headed monster said this, Hun Ling lowered his head in silence.
The dog-headed monster looked at the suddenly silent Hun Ling with confusion and asked, "Does the Rabbit Queen suspect me of something?"
Hearing this, Hun Ling looked at the dog-headed monster and said, "Is there something wrong with your ears?"
"No, my ears are fine," the dog-headed monster shook his head.
"If your ears are fine, then repeat what I just said." Hun Ling smiled.
The dog-headed monster's face stiffened. "Which statement?"
"Think," Hun Ling said without any further prompting.
The dog-headed monster gave a simple chuckle and, looking down as if reviewing every word Hun Ling had spoken to him, said with a smile, "Oh, you just guessed."
"Since you remember, let me ask you: was what you asked a superfluous question?" Hun Ling maintained his smile.
"Superfluous, yes, it was," the dog-headed monster nodded.
Hun Ling said nothing more and turned away.
The dog-headed monster leaned forward, cautiously peeking at Hun Ling's retreating figure, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Mu An Xiao was shoved into a woodshed illuminated by a green light.
"Why is there a green light in here?" Mu An Xiao asked the red-clothed rabbit spirit, turning his head.
The red-clothed rabbit spirit paid no attention to Mu An Xiao, closing the door and leaving.
The moment the red-clothed rabbit spirit shut the door, Mu An Xiao's expression froze.