Xie Shou, caught between Zhao Xiang and Mu Anxiao's stares, grew uncomfortable. "Why are you looking at me?" he asked, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "You're making me feel quite awkward." He waved his hand dismissively.
"Where did you find out about me?" Zhao Xiang inquired, curiosity piqued by Xie Shou's words.
"I know a fair bit about the situation between you and Ouyang Ye," Xie Shou replied with a playful smirk. "If it's not too much trouble, could you put in a good word for me with the Master?"
"And what would I get out of it?" Zhao Xiang narrowed his eyes. "You're quite ambitious, thinking of taking my place with the Master."
"I just want some standing with the Master so my life isn't constantly under threat. I'm not as bad as you think," Xie Shou explained earnestly, afraid of being misunderstood.
"Opportunities are earned. If you can't even muster the ability to create your own, then even a hundred good words from me wouldn't help," Zhao Xiang stated sternly.
"Doing something is better than doing nothing," Xie Shou persisted, still hoping for Zhao Xiang's assistance.
Mu Anxiao observed Xie Shou's subservient behavior, then glanced at the waiting yokai. She turned to Zhao Xiang and asked coldly, "Zhao Xiang, can you tell me what happened at the General's Mansion?"
Zhao Xiang immediately shifted his gaze from Xie Shou to Mu Anxiao. After a moment of dazed contemplation, he replied, "They've all been apprehended."
"Everyone at the General's Mansion?" Mu Anxiao's heart quickened.
Zhao Xiang, not wishing to be used as a tool for Xie Shou's survival, found answering Mu Anxiao far easier than dealing with Xie Shou. He deliberately ignored Xie Shou and focused his attention on Mu Anxiao. "That's all I can say," he stated.
"You…"
"That's a secret the Master forbade you to speak of, isn't it?" Xie Shou suddenly interrupted Zhao Xiang.
Zhao Xiang's brow furrowed. He turned back to Xie Shou, knowing his words were not baseless. He wondered what threat Xie Shou could possibly pose.
Seeing Zhao Xiang's silent expression, and glancing at the yokai and Mu Anxiao, Xie Shou asked, "Why aren't you speaking?"
"I dislike people who beat around the bush. Just say what you mean," Zhao Xiang said, his gaze chilling.
Xie Shou looked at Zhao Xiang's cold, impassive face with a hint of panic. "No, I think you've misunderstood me."
"…" Zhao Xiang remained silent.
At this moment, Mu Anxiao felt like an observer, watching their exchange. She deliberately kept quiet, enjoying the spectacle.
Seeing that Zhao Xiang was still ignoring him, Xie Shou grew nervous. "It seems you truly misunderstand me."
"Misunderstand what?" Zhao Xiang asked coldly.
Xie Shou's nerves tightened. He pursed his lips. "You think I'm going to report you to the Master. You think," he guessed from Zhao Xiang's expression, "that I'm trying to threaten you."
"Aren't you?" Zhao Xiang retorted.
Xie Shou became agitated. "Of course not! I just don't want to die. Besides," he shed his flippant demeanor, "with my status, even if I reported you, the Master wouldn't listen. More importantly, I have no such intentions. Honestly," he lowered his voice, "you worrying like this is just unnecessary."
"Oh," Zhao Xiang replied dismissively.
Seeing Zhao Xiang's perfunctory reaction, Xie Shou said softly, "Can you help me?"
"I can help you, if you really want it," Zhao Xiang said, his heart softening towards Xie Shou.
Xie Shou beamed.
Zhao Xiang's expression stiffened slightly. "Don't get too excited yet. My position with the Master isn't that high either. At most, I can put in a good word or two. As for whether the Master will listen…" He sighed. "I don't know."
"Just your promise gives me hope," Xie Shou exclaimed happily. He then looked at Mu Anxiao. "Let's go find the coachman."
Mu Anxiao was surprised that Xie Shou was so full of confidence based on Zhao Xiang's vague promise. Seeing his joyful expression, she found herself speechless.
"…"
Not receiving a response from Mu Anxiao, Xie Shou quickly turned his attention back to Zhao Xiang. "Um, do you know what the coachman looks like?"
Zhao Xiang frowned. "What do you want to do?" His face clearly showed his reluctance.
Sensing Zhao Xiang's unspoken feelings, Xie Shou averted his gaze. "I won't bother you. If possible, I hope you can take me with you."
"You stay here," Mu Anxiao said, not wanting Xie Shou to accompany them.
Xie Shou's expression froze. He looked at Mu Anxiao. "I'm going with him, not you. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"In a hurry? Which eye of yours saw me in a hurry? I just don't want you to follow me. That's all," Mu Anxiao replied, her face turning cold.
Seeing this, Xie Shou hastily turned to Zhao Xiang for support.
Zhao Xiang glanced at Xie Shou. "I also think it's best if you don't follow us. You should stay here."
"You…"
"I'm only responsible for supervising her, not for helping her find the coachman. However," Zhao Xiang added, glancing at Mu Anxiao again, "don't worry, I won't report you."
"What about us?" Yokai Number One blurted out anxiously.
Zhao Xiang immediately looked at Yokai Number One who had spoken, and then at the other yokai who were also looking at him. He said calmly, "I won't report you either. You can all wait here with peace of mind until I bring her back." Then, he shifted his gaze to Mu Anxiao.
At this moment, Mu Anxiao felt a deep sense of unease about Zhao Xiang. She couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong, but she felt he was acting strangely.
Following Zhao Xiang's pronouncements, the yokai relaxed, and Xie Shou also sighed with relief. "Alright then, we'll wait for you to return." He then looked at Mu Anxiao. "I believe you'll be able to find him."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned to Xie Shou and snorted, "Don't get your hopes up too high." With that, she turned and walked ahead.
Xie Shou smiled. "I do believe in you."
Meanwhile, Zhao Xiang glanced at them and followed.
After Mu Anxiao and Zhao Xiang had left, Yokai Number One asked, "Boss, are they going to betray us?"
"…" Xie Shou's eyes darkened. He looked at Yokai Number One.
Caught by Xie Shou's intense gaze, Yokai Number One felt uncomfortable. "Boss, did I say something wrong?"
"Zhao Xiang is a trusted aide to the Master. If we don't trust him, we don't trust the Master. Do you understand what I mean?" Xie Shou stated matter-of-factly.
Upon hearing this, Yokai Number One lowered his head and fell silent.