Zhao Xiang offered no response, the smile fading from his face as he coldly regarded Mu Anxiao opposite him. "I think what you're saying is incorrect," he stated.
Mu Anxiao hadn't harbored much hope for Zhao Xiang's response. Her attempt to brainwash him was solely because she saw the potential for 'change' in him. Yet, after all her words, they seemed to be utter nonsense. So, she too began to laugh.
This time, it was Zhao Xiang's turn to be confused. "What are you laughing at?"
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao stopped laughing, her expression shifting to one of disdainful anger as she glared at Zhao Xiang. "I'm laughing at how stupid you are."
"You..."
"Whether you listen to my words or not is your concern, but a reality has now been laid out before you," Mu Anxiao said, tilting her chin upwards. "I believe you can understand what I'm saying."
Understand?
Zhao Xiang frowned, his mind replaying Mu Anxiao's words. He then looked down at his single hand, recalling the process of his 'demonic energy' being absorbed by the blue light opposite him. His eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "I don't understand what you're saying." He refused to accept reality, his sole focus now on dispatching those monsters.
Mu Anxiao had faced countless demon souls and monsters. Their wickedness, their evil, she knew better than anyone. She had encountered people like Zhao Xiang before. Therefore, from his expression and his words, she understood his intent.
Resigned, she fell silent.
Seeing Mu Anxiao’s silence, Zhao Xiang furrowed his brow. "Why aren't you talking anymore?"
"I forgot something," Mu Anxiao said, deliberately uttering words that baffled Zhao Xiang.
Zhao Xiang: "What did you forget?" He truly couldn't understand Mu Anxiao.
A smile played on Mu Anxiao's lips. "I've said so much to you, and you haven't understood any of it. It seems," she deliberately placed her single hand behind her back, continuing, "that any more words from me would be wasted breath. Instead of tiring myself out, I'd rather watch your show."
"Show?" Zhao Xiang repeated, raising his single hand. "Don't worry, you won't have that chance." With that, he gave his blood-stained wrist a slight twist and lunged towards Mu Anxiao.
Instantly, Mu Anxiao lightly stepped onto the blue light and charged towards Zhao Xiang.
In the next moment, Zhao Xiang and Mu Anxiao engaged in a mid-air battle, two beams of light alternating and emitting crackling sounds. The leaves, stirred by a strong wind, rustled noisily.
She Ning, after witnessing their next clash, withdrew his scattered thoughts and looked up again, worrying for Mu Anxiao. "I must help her," he declared, his legs suddenly giving way as he collapsed onto the ground.
Immediately, the fallen leaves beneath She Ning's weight emitted a crunching sound. Thus, he lay amidst the pile of fallen leaves.
Above.
Mu Anxiao grabbed Zhao Xiang by the throat and forcefully pressed him against a tree branch, stating coldly, "Still want to fight me." Her expression was nothing but indifference.
Zhao Xiang had never expected to be subdued by Mu Anxiao. Looking at her, his face contorted in fear as he stammered, "How is this possible?"
"Do you remember who I am yet?" Mu Anxiao suddenly asked.
Zhao Xiang listened to Mu Anxiao's question, his head starting to buzz. His expression twisted in that instant.
Seeing Zhao Xiang like this, Mu Anxiao deliberately said, "I'm letting go."
Concurrently, weakened by the intense pain, Zhao Xiang lost all strength and buoyancy. The moment Mu Anxiao spoke, he panicked. "Don't," he cried, grabbing Mu Anxiao's wrist.
Mu Anxiao calmly watched Zhao Xiang, who was now clinging to his own life, and said coldly, "Now, do you remember me?" A smile tugged at her lips.
Zhao Xiang, under Mu Anxiao's renewed questioning, knitted his brows tightly and muttered, "Mu Xiao." As he spoke, the red light in his eyes suddenly dispersed.
Mu Anxiao smiled at the sight.
Zhao Xiang looked confused. "What are you laughing at?" he asked, then looked down, fear seizing him. "How am I here? Take me down quickly."
"How are you here?" Mu Anxiao repeated, scoffing, "Zhao Xiang, stop pretending." She didn't believe he had truly lost his memory.
Zhao Xiang was a man who valued his pride. As Mu Anxiao suspected, he did indeed clearly remember everything he had just done, and because of it, he felt ashamed.
Unexpectedly, Mu Anxiao was quite direct and exposed him so easily.
He felt awkward. "I see," he conceded.
Mu Anxiao’s lips curved into a smile. "You dare to do it but not admit it. Want to go down?" She glanced downwards.
Zhao Xiang dared not look down, and nodded.
"You weren't afraid of heights earlier," Mu Anxiao observed with confusion.
Zhao Xiang chuckled. "Earlier... I was still being arrogant. Now I'm scared."
"Scared..." Mu Anxiao mused. "Alright, tell me, do you still want to kill monsters now?"
"No," Zhao Xiang replied, glancing closely at his blood-stained single hand. "How many monsters did I kill earlier?" This, he genuinely couldn't recall.
Mu Anxiao believed that given Zhao Xiang's personality, he would definitely not dare to revisit what had just happened.
Therefore, she casually replied, "About a dozen or so."
"A dozen?"
"Who knows? I only arrived later. I believe," Mu Anxiao said, abandoning any thought of coddling Zhao Xiang, and stated frankly, "You should remember your own heartlessness."
"..." Zhao Xiang lowered his gaze.
Mu Anxiao: "What, regretting it?" She simply wanted to ask.
Zhao Xiang said faintly, "What is there to regret? I avenged myself, I..." He trailed off, suddenly recalling the monsters' pleas for mercy, and his demeanor turned dejected.
Witnessing the change on Zhao Xiang's face, Mu Anxiao sighed. "Fine, I won't provoke you further. You can go down first." With that, she prepared to release him.
Seeing this, Zhao Xiang hurriedly said, "You can't let go." He tightened his grip on Mu Anxiao's wrist.
"Does it feel good being choked?" Mu Anxiao glanced at the hand still around Zhao Xiang's neck.
Zhao Xiang replied, "At least I won't..."
"Let go, I'll send you down," Mu Anxiao interrupted, sensing a demonic aura behind her.
Zhao Xiang, believing Mu Anxiao was not joking, complied and released his grip.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao held Zhao Xiang's arm, loosened her other hand, and turned, bringing him down with her.
Immediately, Mu Anxiao, carrying Zhao Xiang, landed steadily before the seated She Ning. She Ning looked up and was startled. "Mu Xiao, this..." He glanced at Zhao Xiang with a look of consternation.
Zhao Xiang gave a sheepish grin.
She Ning understood at a glance. "You're alright," he said, pushing himself up from the ground with difficulty.
Zhao Xiang remembered how he had bullied She Ning. The moment She Ning stood up, he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry." He then took She Ning's arm.
She Ning froze for a few seconds, as if taken aback by unexpected kindness, before replying, "It's alright." He looked at Zhao Xiang.
xxs