"Alright, tell me, what is it you need to discuss with me?" Zhang Yan got back to the main topic.
Mu Anxiao wore a solemn expression. "This matter concerns Jihuahua and 癞皮狗."
"What about them?" Zhang Yan was calm.
"癞皮狗 is doing alright. As for Jihuahua," Mu Anxiao's eyes narrowed, "there's been a problem."
"What kind of problem?" Zhang Yan asked.
Mu Anxiao's gaze deepened, and he recounted the entire incident to Zhang Yan. After listening, Zhang Yan said, "From Jihuahua's perspective, there's no issue."
"How is there no issue?" Mu Anxiao inquired.
Zhang Yan explained, "Look, that swindler-demon, whatever it is, is merely the mastermind. But 癞皮狗 and Jihuahua did indeed kill people due to their own selfish desires. If they confess and save Hu Yuan, there's no problem."
"You mean, you want that swindler to get away with it?" Mu Anxiao couldn't fathom Zhang Yan's thoughts.
"Of course, he can't get away with it," Zhang Yan added.
Mu Anxiao narrowed his eyes slightly. "Did you even understand what I was saying?"
"Aren't you just saying that the little demon is protecting that swindler-demon?"
"Yes. Setting aside other things, do you have a way to find that swindler?" Mu Anxiao asked with utmost seriousness.
"Finding it..." Zhang Yan gasped. "There are ways, but it's rather troublesome. I still suggest you ask Jihuahua for clarification. You've told me only part of the story, and I don't think I'm suited to get involved. I can help you take care of them back home."
"Don't you have something to do?"
"I thought I could help, but I didn't expect it to be this complicated. I think," Zhang Yan intentionally evaded, "it's better if I don't get involved. Once I do, everything falls apart."
"Are you saying it's because you don't have money?" Mu Anxiao asked.
Zhang Yan's eyes deepened. "If I wanted to earn this money, I would have done so decades ago. I just feel that this matter is not suitable for me to meddle in. I will be your strong backing, alright?" He clenched his fist.
"I knew you weren't reliable," Mu Anxiao grumbled.
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I'm going to see if those two are fighting. You focus on your mission." With that, he turned and ran off.
Mu Anxiao curled his lips, then turned to look at the large crowd ahead. He sighed, then glanced at the large, stout demon who appeared beside him and asked, "How is he?"
"He still refuses to talk," the stout demon said with difficulty.
Mu Anxiao nodded. "I expected this outcome. However, as his elder brother, why didn't you contact that swindler, but rather your subordinate?"
"My subordinate is very sensible. He doesn't let me worry about anything and handles all matters for me. I've never interfered with these things." The stout demon's eyes darkened. "It's precisely because of this that he feels I'm useless."
"What do you mean?" Mu Anxiao asked.
"He says I'm useless, that I can't do anything. He says I'm so strong but can't handle anything independently. He asks what right I have to lecture him," the stout demon said, lowering his head.
"It's alright. If he's unwilling to talk, I'll find out myself," Mu Anxiao said, taking a step forward.
Immediately, the stout demon looked up at Mu Anxiao's retreating back, let out a breath, and looked at the little demon who reappeared, saying, "Now, are you satisfied?"
"I'm sorry, Big Brother," the little demon said.
"Now you can tell me why you didn't tell her, right?" the stout demon asked.
"No," the little demon replied coldly.
The stout demon looked at the little demon, who had never acted this way before. "It seems you truly regard that swindler as your benefactor."
"Big Brother, he saved you too. You should be grateful," the little demon said.
The stout demon shook his head. "I am not grateful to him. If it weren't for him, Master wouldn't have died, and we wouldn't have committed so many evil deeds. A'ji, I'm helping you this once because I consider you a brother. Next time, I absolutely won't help you anymore." With that, he vanished.
The little demon looked at the wisp of smoke left by the stout demon, clenched his fist, and said, "Now, are you satisfied?"
"Satisfied," a woman in a red cloak said, appearing beside the little demon.
The little demon turned halfway to face the woman who looked exactly like Hu Yuan in his previous life. "When will you return," he fixed his gaze on her eyes, "my Master's body?"
"Don't worry," the woman's lips curved slightly. "I've already found a suitable body. That body has a very long immortal age, much better than your Master's sinful form."
"You deliberately let the Yin messengers discover you!" the little demon exclaimed.
The woman reached out and placed her hand on the little demon's shoulder. "You are the most obedient demon I've ever met. Not bad."
"It's for Master," the little demon said, clenching his fists. "If it weren't for you, my Master would have been fine."
"You hate me?" the woman pointed to herself.
The little demon glared at her. "If you weren't using my Master's body, I wouldn't even glance at you, let alone obey your orders. Are you happy now?"
The woman smiled. "Very happy. You've successfully piqued Mu Anxiao's curiosity about me."
"You're just a task for Mu Anxiao. Don't be so conceited," the little demon exposed.
"I like it."
"You revealed yourself to the world just for a body, having those Yin messengers search for and capture you everywhere. It's truly laughable," the little demon glared at her.
"Based on what you're saying, you don't want your Master's body anymore?" the woman asked, feigning surprise.
The little demon looked at the woman's expression and snorted, "I was just saying. Now, you can go find Mu Anxiao. Remember, do not harm my Master's body."
"I know," the woman nodded and disappeared.
The little demon's eyes deepened. The moment he turned, he encountered the soul spirit child. "Jihuahua, you have quite the nerve, associating with that kind of demon."
"You saw, why didn't you capture him?" the little demon asked.
The soul spirit child stepped closer to the little demon and said, "I have the authority to report directly, but not the authority to capture demons yet. However, I'm definitely reporting your matter."
"Suit yourself. I've already confessed."
"You helped that demon for the sake of your Master?" the soul spirit child suddenly said.
"Yes," the little demon admitted, hesitating. "But please don't tell anyone."
"Why?"
"If you tell, that demon will destroy Master's body. So please, absolutely don't say anything," the little demon said, his voice trembling with unshed tears.