When Feng Qishi saved them from the sea of fire, he never intended to delve into their past. For him, reaching this point meant their past must have been filled with suffering.
No one wished to dwell on past pain, and neither did he.
Therefore, to avoid reopening their wounds, he had never inquired about their histories.
However, hearing Shuer speak now, a strange feeling stirred within him. He even regretted not having asked back then.
He thought, if he had asked, perhaps Shuer would not have ended up like this.
With this thought, he fixed his gaze on Shuer's face.
Shuer calmly met Feng Qishi's suddenly focused gaze and asked, "General, what is it?"
"It's nothing. I just wanted to ask you," Feng Qishi felt a sudden urge to try and change Shuer's mind one last time. Regardless of the outcome, he wanted to try. "What kind of past did you have?"
Shuer's expression froze.
Mu Anxiao, however, never expected Feng Qishi to ask such a question. She then raised her eyes to meet his gaze, her lips forming a silent question for his explanation.
Feng Qishi, oblivious to Mu Anxiao's stare, continued to look at Shuer. "What is it?"
"That's all in the past. Even if I told you, it wouldn't be interesting anymore," Shuer said, forcing a smile at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi: "If you tell me, perhaps I can help you."
"Please don't waste your time. I," Shuer saw through Feng Qishi's intentions and her attitude became resolute, "Since I've already decided this is how it will be, then so be it. No matter how much you say, I won't listen."
"...." Feng Qishi stared at Shuer in silence for a few seconds. "Shuer, you are a maid in my residence, a maid I saved. If you are leaving, you will have fulfilled one wish of mine. Naturally, if you are leaving, you should also fulfill one wish for me."
"General... what do you mean by that?"
"I won't force what should not be forced. If you leave like this, I will have regrets."
"Do you truly want to know?" Shuer cautiously probed.
Feng Qishi: "Yes, I genuinely want to know your past. Only then can I find peace. Also," his demeanor turned serious, "You are dying in my residence. I must give the world an explanation, because..."
"Just say I committed suicide," Shuer interrupted.
Feng Qishi smiled down, "Don't be naive. In the eyes of the servants, you were a cheerful woman. If it's attributed to suicide, they won't believe it unless you want me to say you were driven to death by them." His gaze was sharp.
Mu Anxiao never imagined that a single sentence of hers would bring Feng Qishi to such clarity. She glanced at both Feng Qishi and Shuer, maintaining her silence and waiting for the outcome.
Shuer, seeing Feng Qishi's earnestness, especially after his lengthy explanation, showed a troubled expression.
She didn't know how to respond.
Feng Qishi: "My request is not difficult. Just tell me about your past."
"Even if you know my past, you can't fully explain it to those people. Besides, my death is my business. I never intended to involve anyone. You doing this," Shuer looked conflicted, "is being too forceful."
"There are already people in this city who dislike me, and many who wish me dead. Now, you are to be carried out from my place. How will outsiders perceive me then?"
He said this intentionally to extract information from Shuer. With that information, he could find a breakthrough to persuade her to revive.
Similarly, Mu Anxiao recognized Feng Qishi's intention. She crossed her arms and calmly watched Feng Qishi's serious expression, remaining silent, curious to see what he would do.
Shuer: "General, you are not someone who values face. My... past is truly not worth your knowing."
"I've already agreed to fulfill your wish. For you to treat me this way, isn't it unfair?"
"..."
"Tell me, your past."
"I..."
Unexpectedly, just as Shuer uttered one word, Gu Yan, dressed in black and veiled in black, suddenly appeared before Feng Qishi. "What good will it do even if you know her past?"
Feng Qishi, not recognizing Gu Yan, asked, "Who are you?"
"Who am I? She seems to have a taste for me," Gu Yan said, glancing at Shuer.
Mu Anxiao sensed Gu Yan's demonic aura and lowered her head.
Likewise, Gu Yan saw Mu Anxiao as a useless mortal and completely ignored her, turning her attention back to Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi: "Taste? You are a demon." As he spoke, he conjured his long sword.
Immediately, Gu Yan glanced at the long sword in Feng Qishi's hand and said, "Are you planning to fight me?"
"What do you think?" Feng Qishi replied coldly, raising his sword.
Gu Yan smiled, "I simply wish to take her away. Your reaction is rather excessive."
"She is my person. You can't take her."
Mu Anxiao found Feng Qishi's words misleading and was speechless.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing Feng Qishi's statement, Shuer's head began to ache violently. She raised a hand to cover her head and slowly crouched down.
Gu Yan then looked down at Shuer and exclaimed, "Not good, her consciousness has returned."
"..." Feng Qishi glared at Gu Yan.
At this moment, Mu Anxiao had a realization. Gu Yan had, from the first moment she saw Shuer, fixated on her. It made sense that Shuer's consciousness had resurfaced, and it was all thanks to Gu Yan.
However, seeing Gu Yan's surprised expression now, she felt a sense of satisfaction.
Shuer closed her eyes, enduring the pain alone.
Mu Anxiao dared not intervene, only watching Shuer.
Gu Yan clenched her fist, about to use her demonic arts on Shuer again, when Feng Qishi's sharp gaze pierced through her disguise. "Gu Yan, if you dare to move, I will scatter your soul."
Gu Yan believed she had hidden her intentions well. She never expected to be seen through so quickly after arriving.
Her expression stiffened. Without a word, she turned and vanished.
Mu Anxiao looked at the usually slow-reacting Feng Qishi with astonishment, swallowing hard. "You actually saw through it. How amazing."
Shuer, writhing in pain on the ground, began to roll around.
Feng Qishi, seeing this, quickly looked at the indifferent Mu Anxiao and said, "Aren't you going to help?"
"She is your person. I..." Halfway through her sentence, Mu Anxiao realized it wasn't the time for such talk. With a sigh, she stepped forward and began casting spells on Shuer's soul, attempting to alleviate her pain.