"What are you doing?" Mu Xiang didn't quite understand Wan Sha's words.
"I have a feeling Mu An Xiao isn't dead," Wan Sha said with conviction in her eyes. "Now, we just need to wait for Piao's news." She continued to stare at Mu Xiang's face.
Mu Xiang then lowered her head to look at the booklet and asked, "What if she lost her memory?"
"We'll talk about it when we find her. What we can do now is manage this place well, and wait for her return. I want to earn my freedom again."
"Aren't you already completely free?"
"I like things I earn, not things given for free. They don't feel secure."
"Alright." Mu Xiang had thought Wan Sha would suggest going with Piao and the others to find Mu An Xiao, but instead, she got this reply. Mu Xiang felt a little disappointed.
"What's wrong? Are you not satisfied with my decision?" Wan Sha noticed Mu Xiang's thoughts.
Mu Xiang replied, "It's not that I'm dissatisfied. To be honest, I don't want to stay here anymore."
"Why?"
"This past month, I've run into Mu Long and the others several times. Every time Mu Long saw me, he kept mentioning Ye Yu," Mu Xiang's eyes darkened. "He also said the Ye family hasn't given up."
"..." Wan Sha frowned.
"So, I want to leave. But... since you want to wait, I can't say anything. However..." Mu Xiang continued, "I have to be upfront. I might not be able to wait until that day with you."
Wan Sha had forgotten about the Mu family's affairs. Hearing Mu Xiang mention it, her memory was awakened. She thought for a moment and said, "Let's go."
"Go where?" Mu Xiang's heart suddenly felt lighter.
"I don't know. Oh, right," Wan Sha thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know where Piao is going?"
"Didn't he tell you?"
"No, he just said he was looking for Mu An Xiao. I didn't ask further. Do you know?"
"He's going to Jin Cheng for business."
"Jin Cheng..." Wan Sha pondered. "Then let's go in the opposite direction of Jin Cheng. Maybe we can find news of Mu An Xiao."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Seeing Mu Xiang's cooperation, Wan Sha smiled. "Speaking of which, he really tells you everything."
"Not really. It's just that... earlier downstairs, I was talking to him about the food for those people, and then he casually mentioned his identity and where he was going."
"Is that so? But speaking of which, those people can really eat."
"Exactly. He gave me a full five hundred taels of silver, two hundred of which is their monthly wages. Tell me," Mu Xiang sat down, casually picking up the booklet and tucking it into her embrace, "if we leave, who do we give this money to?"
"Give it to Chen. That girl seems quite reliable. Later, tell the chef to ask her for the money."
"Okay," Mu Xiang agreed, then paused and realized, "Wait."
"What's wrong?" Wan Sha asked, puzzled.
"He only gave a year's worth of money. He might not even be back after a year. No," Mu Xiang suddenly stood up, "I need to ask him for at least three years' worth of money."
"You've calculated it clearly," Wan Sha said, turning to look at the sky outside. "Speaking of which, we have to leave next month."
"Why?" Mu Xiang thought they would depart tomorrow.
Wan Sha replied, "We need to prepare. Also, there are many monsters this month, which isn't good for either of us."
"Alright," Mu Xiang said, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Lin Yan and Chen are both going with him."
"They're all leaving?" Wan Sha frowned.
"Yes. Lin Yan wants to go to Jin Cheng for some property deeds. As for Chen," Mu Xiang paused and said, "She's really something. Last night I went to find her, she said she had no money, and that problems could be solved without money. In the end, she made a bet with me, saying if she went to find Piao, she'd be a dog."
"Without money, does she have other methods?" Wan Sha knew Piao liked to travel alone, so hearing Mu Xiang say that, she became curious.
"She wants all those who have immortal destinies to cultivate demonhood with her," Mu Xiang smiled wryly. "I don't know what she's thinking."
"She's really simple," Wan Sha said, thinking for a moment. "This month, you observe those people carefully. Then, you can choose who to give the money to."
"Got it," Mu Xiang agreed, pointing to the door. "I'll leave now."
"Go ahead," Wan Sha nodded and picked up her book to continue reading.
Night fell.
Chen stood in the center of the hall, looking at the brothers entering the shop. After a few seconds of silence, she quickly rushed forward to tell them about her departure.
Upon hearing this, they all spoke words of touching farewell, feigning disappointment.
Piao knew their thoughts about Chen, so he sat at the table, looking without exposing them at Mu Xiang, who had been circling him, and asked, "What is it?"
"I've thought of a problem," Mu Xiang, who had been circling since daytime, finally mustered the courage.
Piao said, "Tell me." He had already sensed she had something on her mind, but chose not to pry.
Mu Xiang gave a couple of dry laughs and said, "I heard you say you won't reach Jin Cheng until a year later, right?" She gestured with her chin.
"..." Piao remained silent.
Mu Xiang continued, "You only gave me a year's money. You see..."
"Not enough," Piao interrupted.
"Mm."
"After a year, I'll find someone to take them to my courtyard. This is the territory of the Vine Demon. It's not a solution to have them stay here indefinitely," Piao said.
"Leaving?" Mu Xiang sounded a little disappointed.
"I can't trouble you forever. My people are already on their way from Jin Cheng. It should take about a year. In the meantime, I'd trouble you to send someone to tidy up the courtyard."
"Tidy up the courtyard..." Mu Xiang chuckled. "That also requires money, you know."
Hearing Mu Xiang's words, Piao naturally crossed his arms in front of him and smiled, "No, how did I not realize before that you were so greedy?"
"It's a matter of livelihood, please understand." Mu Xiang bared her teeth, her face contorted into a fake smile.
"Why are you becoming more and more like Mu An Xiao," Piao muttered, throwing a money pouch towards Mu Xiang with a spread of his hands. "There's a hundred taels in here, is that enough?"
Mu Xiang casually caught the money pouch and smiled, "It's enough."
Piao sighed and turned his head to look at Yin Ye, who was approaching the entrance.
Meanwhile, Yin Ye, who was leisurely watching him enter the hall, excitedly said, "You're back." She ran up to Yin Ye.
Yin Ye replied, "The fellow who took your short knife didn't appear." She then looked at Piao, who was watching her, and frowned.
Piao waved his hand.
Seeing this, Yin Ye glanced at the calmly silent face and said, "Don't be too disappointed. Your things will definitely return." With that, she walked to Piao's table and asked, "What is it?"
"Come with me."
"Come with you?" Yin Ye exclaimed in surprise and gave a dry laugh. "I still need to find Mu An Xiao."
"Originally, I was going to find you to go together. Because of my disciple's relationship, I waited for you here," Piao said calmly.
"Do you know where I am? You're looking for me," Yin Ye said disdainfully.
Piao cleared his throat and asked, "Is it... good to squat in front of the city gate?"
Yin Ye's expression froze, and she quickly crouched down, saying, "Don't say it."
"Come with me," Piao raised an eyebrow.
"Okay," Yin Ye nodded.
"We'll set off tomorrow morning. I believe you can come up with a good reason for that idle person," Piao said, picking up his teacup and taking a sip.
Yin Ye mumbled, "I know," then stood up and walked towards You Xian.
And so, Piao made all the arrangements.
The next day, they set off for Jin Cheng.