Mu An Xiao noticed something was off with Zhao Xiang and asked, "What's wrong? Don't you think my plan is good?"
"It's not that it's not good," Zhao Xiang said, taking a sharp breath. "The fact is, Ouyang Ye doesn't know I'm looking for my parents. If I go now, I'm afraid it will arouse his suspicion. Then... what should I do?" He was still afraid of Ouyang Ye.
Mu An Xiao was speechless.
Observers see things clearly.
After Zhao Xiang finished speaking, She Ning crossed his arms in front of him. "You were quite determined when you talked about killing monsters just now."
Hearing this, Zhao Xiang turned to look at She Ning, who was speaking with a 'mocking' tone. His mind dulled. "What do you mean by that?"
"What do you think I mean?" She Ning intentionally retorted.
Zhao Xiang listened to She Ning's words, then recalled his earlier firm intention to use She Ning to kill the hooded monster. His eyes darkened. "Monsters are different from my parents." He avoided eye contact.
She Ning let out a cold laugh. "From your conversation, I've gathered some meaning," he calmly stared at Zhao Xiang's face. "You're afraid of your master."
"You..."
"But have you ever thought that those monsters are essentially your master's creations? If you compare the monsters to your parents," She Ning interrupted Zhao Xiang and continued to stare at him, saying, "It seems the monsters are more important to your master."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhao Xiang retorted, unconvinced.
She Ning said, "I'm saying it's best to use your brain when doing things. If you keep treating your brain as a mere decoration," he sneered, "you'll just wait to be killed."
Zhao Xiang felt She Ning's words held some truth and fell silent.
Seeing Zhao Xiang's silence, She Ning shifted his gaze back to Mu An Xiao. "You said you have a lead. What do you mean?"
"Thanks to you, I thought of a monster."
"Monster?" She Ning repeated, surprised. Mu An Xiao actually had connections with monsters.
Mu An Xiao nodded and looked at Zhao Xiang. "To be honest, I really don't want you to follow me."
Hearing this, Zhao Xiang looked up at Mu An Xiao, who was clearly showing disdain for him, and asked, "Why?"
"Firstly, you are Ouyang Ye's capable assistant. Secondly, I always feel you will betray me, as you have betrayed me more than once or twice. Thirdly, following me will only bring you danger, and you might even become Ouyang Ye's enemy. At that point, your parents will be in trouble." Mu An Xiao spoke and tilted her chin. "Think about these things carefully."
"What do you want me to think about?" Zhao Xiang was slow-witted.
Mu An Xiao calmly looked at Zhao Xiang's foolish expression, twisted her lips, and said, "What else? Whether to follow me or not."
"..." Zhao Xiang began to ponder.
She Ning asked, "Am I going into the city with you too?" He suddenly couldn't figure Mu An Xiao out.
Mu An Xiao turned to look at She Ning and nodded. "Yes, you're following me. Of course," she said, a smile curling her lips, "I'm only doing this for the people in these villages. As long as you successfully negotiate with Ouyang Ye, they won't have to suffer anymore."
"I'm very pleased you have such thoughts," She Ning said, in a mature tone.
Seeing She Ning like this, Mu An Xiao couldn't help but smile, then looked at Zhao Xiang again and asked, "Have you thought it over?"
"I'll follow you." Zhao Xiang responded immediately.
"Aren't you worried about your parents anymore?" Mu An Xiao was surprised by Zhao Xiang's decision.
Zhao Xiang replied, "I am worried, but I think... if I can gain my master's trust, then I can meet my parents. And the only one who can help me achieve this," he stared at Mu An Xiao's face, "is you."
"Are you going to betray me?" Mu An Xiao could only think of this.
Zhao Xiang shook his head. "Not exactly. I'll help you find the coachman, and then," he smiled at Mu An Xiao, "you can put in a good word for me with the master, alright?"
"Put in a good word for me," Mu An Xiao repeated with a smile. "As expected, these are words born from thought. You've said them so well that I don't even know how to retort."
"You're willing to help me?" Zhao Xiang was excited.
Mu An Xiao glanced at She Ning, who had called Zhao Xiang 'clever', and then looked back at Zhao Xiang, saying, "As long as you don't harm us, I'll help you."
"I won't," Zhao Xiang shook his head, feeling happy.
Mu An Xiao continued, "It's best if you don't. If you dare to betray us, just you wait. And," she added, her gaze sharp, "if you dare to play any more tricks, don't blame me for not being polite."
"What tricks could I possibly play? Saying that about me is too rash," Zhao Xiang said.
Mu An Xiao snorted lightly, then suddenly remembered A Chu from the inn. "Right, before that, you have to make a vow." She said, tilting her chin.
Zhao Xiang frowned. "You still don't trust me."
"That monster, like you, is one of Ouyang Ye's subordinates. He doesn't know I'm looking for her. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I hope you will trust me from now on," Zhao Xiang said earnestly.
"Swear it," Mu An Xiao said coldly.
"Alright, I swear," Zhao Xiang said, his eyes firm, lest his mind falter and arouse her suspicion again. "Say what you want me to say."
"Think of it yourself," Mu An Xiao said coldly.
Zhao Xiang's eyes flickered slightly. "Can you give me a starting phrase? I really can't say it myself." He then lowered his eyelids slightly.
Mu An Xiao looked at Zhao Xiang's dawdling demeanor and sighed helplessly. "You're really something," she said, clearing her throat. "Just say, if you dare to deceive Mu Xiao, may you never be reborn."
Never be reborn?
This phrase, no matter who it was directed at, was the most venomous 'curse'.
As it happened, this was exactly what Zhao Xiang feared most, so he hesitated.
"..." His eyes began to involuntarily dart away.
Mu An Xiao crossed her arms and watched Zhao Xiang's expression. "Then let's change it," she said. She knew the previous sentence was indeed a bit vicious, so she didn't want to trouble Zhao Xiang. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Just take an oath that if you dare to lie to me, you'll give me all your family assets, including your parents' little savings."
"My parents don't have..."
"Whether your parents have a little savings or not, they wouldn't tell you," Mu An Xiao interrupted, narrowing her eyes. "My patience is limited. Hurry up and take the oath, then let's go." She then widened her eyes.
Seeing Mu An Xiao like this, Zhao Xiang was scared. "Alright, I..." He followed the usual manner, raising three fingers to his temple. "I, Zhao Xiang, swear that if I dare to betray or deceive Mu Xiao, I will give all my property and businesses to Mu Xiao alone. If I go back on my word, I will let Mu Xiao..." He trailed off.
Mu An Xiao snorted and said, "Let me what?"
"Let Mu Xiao handle me," Zhao Xiang said plainly.
Mu An Xiao smiled after Zhao Xiang finished speaking.
She Ning said calmly, "I'll remember these words for you." He then stared at Zhao Xiang.
Zhao Xiang felt wronged, but thinking of his meritorious service, he swallowed all his bitterness.
Seeing She Ning cooperating with her, Mu An Xiao curved her lips and turned to walk ahead.