Mu Anxiao had done this sort of thing before, even cleaning stables a hundred times dirtier than this one. In her eyes, this stable was already quite clean. However, she couldn't understand why Ouyang Ye, such a formidable figure, would stoop to cleaning a stable that even soul beasts disdained. She paused her work, looking down at the ground thoroughly covered with straw, and wondered if there was something beneath it.
At the same time, Gu Yan's impatient voice called out, "Can you hurry up? It stinks."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao's thoughts were instantly pulled back by Gu Yan. She then swept while turning her head to give Gu Yan a sheepish smile.
A quarter of an hour later.
Mu Anxiao lowered her rolled-up sleeves and stood by the horse, watching Gu Yan, who had grown accustomed to the smell, and said, "I'm done." As she spoke, she glanced down at the ground still covered with straw, thinking that she would check it out later. It wouldn't be convenient to look with the soul beast present.
"Thank you," Gu Yan said, stepping over.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao, afraid Gu Yan might discover the pile of straw, consciously stepped in front of Gu Yan and said, "You're welcome, it's my duty." As she spoke, she deliberately patted the money pouch at her waist.
Gu Yan then looked down at the money pouch and smiled, saying, "That, can I have it now?"
"That," Mu Anxiao repeated, following her gaze down to the money pouch and smiling. "Oh, look, I'd forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it." As she spoke, she casually pulled off the money pouch, then opened it in front of Gu Yan, took out the silver pieces, and handed the empty pouch to Gu Yan.
Gu Yan looked at this with confusion. "What are you doing?" she asked, not intending to take the pouch. Instead, she glanced at Mu Anxiao's hand holding the silver.
Mu Anxiao smiled. "This is what I deserve. I'm returning the money pouch to you." As she spoke, she held the pouch out further towards Gu Yan.
Gu Yan smiled.
Mu Anxiao knew Gu Yan wasn't intending to reward her. However, in Mu Anxiao's dictionary, work deserved compensation. Therefore, she decided to continue playing dumb with Gu Yan. "Sister Fairy, what are you smiling about? I can't take this money pouch, either by reason or by sentiment. If anyone saw me take it, they would misunderstand us."
"Misunderstand what?" Gu Yan couldn't keep up with Mu Anxiao's rhythm.
Mu Anxiao smiled. "You're so beautiful, people would think this is a token of love from you. I'd never be able to explain it then."
Gu Yan's face hardened. "I am a demon; of course, I wouldn't let mortals see me. So this you..."
"Give it to me," Mu Anxiao exclaimed excitedly.
Gu Yan was speechless.
Mu Anxiao continued her one-woman show. "No, I can't accept it. If I do, and the boss sees it, he'll be unhappy. Here, take it." She still held out the money pouch.
Gu Yan looked at Mu Anxiao's behavior and sighed helplessly. "Are you that fond of money?"
"No, you gave this to me. All the servants here are witnesses," Mu Anxiao feigned complete sincerity.
However, Gu Yan had encountered many mortals who were greedy for money, so she was not surprised by Mu Anxiao. With a soft sigh, she conceded. "Since you helped me clean, I'll give you this money pouch." She waved her hand.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao grinned as if she had gotten a great deal, her face beaming. "I knew Sister Fairy was generous! I love you so much." As she spoke, she put the silver into the money pouch.
Gu Yan sighed. "Is money really that good?"
"It's not, what do you want from me?" Mu Anxiao said with a smile.
Gu Yan glared at Mu Anxiao upon hearing this and turned to leave.
Then, Mu Anxiao smiled, tucked the money pouch at her waist, and followed Gu Yan.
On the mountain.
Lin Zong finally couldn't take it anymore. "Can we rest for a bit?" she panted, leaning against the large tree beside her.
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye stopped and turned to look at the completely exhausted Lin Zong. "Weren't you trained? Why are you tired?"
Lin Zong heard Ouyang Ye's words, raised her arm to wipe the sweat from her temples, and said, "I was trained, but I've never walked like this continuously. And I'm human. If I keep walking like this," she opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and continued, "I'll die."
"Will die," Ouyang Ye repeated, turned and walked in front of Lin Zong. "If that's the case, then don't walk anymore."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zong forced her eyes open. "No, what if you leave me behind?" As she spoke, she immediately reached out and grabbed Ouyang Ye's arm.
Ouyang Ye's body stiffened. He looked down at Lin Zong's hand and said, "I detest people grabbing me like this. If it weren't for the fact that you're useful, the moment you did that, I would have chopped off your hand." After speaking, he met Lin Zong's eyes.
Lin Zong let go upon hearing this.
Then, Ouyang Ye took a step back and turned away. "I'll wait for you. Tell me when you've rested."
Hearing Ouyang Ye's words, Lin Zong couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "Thank you," she said, sitting down under the tree.
Ouyang Ye folded his arms and looked ahead, sighing. "Tell me, are those women possibly lying to me?" As he spoke, he glanced ahead. "Otherwise, after walking for so long, why haven't we seen anyone?"
"Maybe they went deep into the mountains," Lin Zong said, taking a leather water flask from her怀 and unscrewing the cap to take a sip. She asked, "Are you thirsty?"
"Not thirsty," Ouyang Ye said, turning his head to look at the leather water flask in Lin Zong's hand and frowned. "Where did you get that from?"
"This is a necessity. I kept it in my怀," Lin Zong replied honestly.
Ouyang Ye was speechless upon hearing this.
Lin Zong chuckled at Ouyang Ye's speechless expression, screwed the cap back on, and put it back into her怀.
At the same time, footsteps could be heard from not far away.
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye frowned, quickly turned around, and looked in the direction of the sound, asking, "Are there many people coming here?"
"Not many," Lin Zong said excitedly, as if she had found her purpose.
"Is that so," Ouyang Ye said, narrowing his eyes. "Then the people coming should be them." As he spoke, he took a step forward.
Lin Zong saw this and quickly asked, "What are you going to do?"
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye stopped, turned his head to glance at Lin Zong, and warned, "Don't move." Then he turned back and continued walking forward.
Lin Zong dared not move after Ouyang Ye's words. "Don't abandon me," she whispered.
Ouyang Ye understood Lin Zong's concern and replied without looking back, "Don't move, and be quiet." He continued to advance.
Lin Zong fell completely silent after hearing Ouyang Ye's words.