Following that, Gu Yan turned to look at Gu Yuan's consciousness which was staring at her, understanding that Gu Yan had taken her words to heart. Thus, in order to fully grasp the situation, she intentionally added, "Now is not the time to waste. If they kick the door open with their feet, it's not impossible, but everything has its pros and cons. If the master comes because of the broken door, then... things will look rather unpleasant."
"There's no other way," Gu Yan said softly, looking at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan pursed her lips into a smile, deliberately not saying anything else, giving Gu Yan ample time for independent thought.
Hun Ling and Jia also looked at the hesitant Gu Yan, remaining silent.
After a moment of silence, Gu Yan stepped towards the wooden door.
Concurrently, Hun Ling and Jia voluntarily made way for Gu Yan.
Due to nervousness, Gu Yan passed them directly, stopping in front of the wooden door. Then, she lowered her head and stared at the lock glowing red. "I am definitely innocent," she said, raising two fingers and gently tapping the lock.
Gu Yan's lips curled into a smile.
Unexpectedly, Hun Ling and Jia happened to catch Gu Yan's smile. Jia immediately walked in front of Gu Yan without thinking. "..." He knew that many things were involved, so he didn't ask any questions but looked up at her.
"..." Hun Ling stopped in his tracks, frowning.
Gu Yan feigned nonchalance, looking down at Jia, who was deep in thought, and asked, "Why are you looking at me?"
Jia shrugged his shoulders, then looked back at Gu Yan, who was unlocking the door, conveying, "What do you mean?"
At the same time, Gu Yan understood Jia's thoughts and glanced briefly at Gu Yan's retreating figure, letting out a soft "Shh."
Hearing this, Jia immediately turned back, his gaze meeting Gu Yan's.
Gu Yan, without a blush or a skipped heartbeat, pointed towards Gu Yan.
Thus, all of Jia's questions dissipated after Gu Yan's silent actions. "Can she do it?" he blurted out, forgetting everything else.
Gu Yan always hated being suspected like this. So, hearing Jia say this, she started to get annoyed. "You're doubting me," she said, turning her head to look at Jia as she unlocked the door.
Jia was startled when he heard this and immediately turned back to look at Gu Yan, who was using her mind for two things at once, her face showing defiance. He straightened his back, deliberately emphasizing his imposing demeanor. "It's not exactly doubt, more like... suspicion." As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Gu Yan's hands.
"Suspicion..."
"If you could hurry up and open this lock, he wouldn't be saying this. You," Gu Yan interjected on Jia's behalf, "should focus. Otherwise, you might suffer a Qi deviation later, and I'll have to save you."
"Don't be so conceited. Who needs you to save me?" Gu Yan said, glaring fiercely at Jia before turning back to continue unlocking the door.
Just then, a faint stir was heard from inside the shop.
"Didn't all the souls inside lose consciousness? Why is there still a sound?" Jia voiced his question.
"What's going on?" Hun Ling looked at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan knew clearly that all the souls inside were under Gu Yan's jurisdiction. She thought that if she explained the situation inside to them clearly and precisely at this moment, Gu Yan would definitely feel that she had stolen her thunder and would use this explanation as leverage.
At that time, it would be difficult for Gu Yan to threaten her again. Therefore, for the situation to proceed normally, Gu Yan glanced at Hun Ling and Jia and remained silent.
"..."
Hun Ling frowned at Gu Yan's silence. "You don't know?"
Gu Yan hummed and looked at Gu Yan's retreating figure.
However, Gu Yan's response gave the now-unlocked Gu Yan the perfect opportunity to counterattack. She turned sideways, stared at Gu Yan with a mocking expression for a few seconds, and then spoke, "It's truly a rare thing that there's something you don't know." She clenched the lock and took a step towards Gu Yan.
Gu Yan looked at Gu Yan's smug and arrogant demeanor without getting angry. Instead, she lowered her head and smiled. "Yes, I'm not like you. You are the master's capable assistant. The master's trust in you is always higher than in me. Think about it," she said, "the master made a choice between you and me."
"Yes, the master chose me," Gu Yan said, completely following Gu Yan's words.
Gu Yan laughed. "Exactly. Since the master chose you, why would he tell me these rules and regulations? Could it be that we're supposed to compete?"
"The facts prove that you know nothing," Gu Yan said with a cold laugh.
Gu Yan was not angry, but rather felt a sense of 'conspiracy succeeded.' "Yes, I know nothing. So," she said, looking at Hun Ling, "it's useless to ask me."
Hun Ling looked disappointed upon hearing Gu Yan's words. "Alright, since you don't know, I won't ask." As he spoke, he turned his head, his eyes meeting Gu Yan's.
Gu Yan was displeased. "Why aren't you asking me?" She hated being ignored like this.
"Ask you," Hun Ling said, deliberately looking Gu Yan up and down. "Would you tell me?"
"Little monster, you're being rude," Gu Yan said, unable to stand being scrutinized by Hun Ling.
"As if you're polite. If you have the ability, don't call me a monster," Hun Ling said, his eyes turning sharp. "Ugly demon soul."
"Ugly..."
"Do you think you look good? You're hideous," Hun Ling interrupted.
After Hun Ling finished speaking, Gu Yan clenched her fists even tighter. "Your eyes bulge, your mouth is so big, and your figure is so short. You..."
"My heart is beautiful. Even if I'm ugly, people who interact with me naturally won't find me ugly. But you're different," Hun Ling interrupted. "Your heart is wicked, your appearance is terrifying, and your voice is so shrill. Tsk, tsk, tsk, truly frightening, more terrifying than a tigress."
"You..."
"You've gone too far," Gu Yan said helplessly, staring at Hun Ling, who was deliberately belittling Gu Yan.
Upon hearing this, Hun Ling snorted and fell silent.
Jia glanced at Hun Ling, who insisted on arguing with Gu Yan, then at Gu Yan's ashen face, and said, "He's still young and doesn't understand."
Hearing this, Gu Yan glared at Hun Ling, then glanced at Jia and Gu Yan, and said, "I've unlocked the door. Soon... the truth will be revealed." After saying this, she glared fiercely at Hun Ling and turned to step forward, pushing the door open.
Unexpectedly, the moment Gu Yan pushed the wooden door open, waves of cold wind rushed towards them.
Hun Ling instinctively shielded Gu Yuan's consciousness in front of him, while Jia consciously hid behind Gu Yan. Gu Yan turned to glance at Jia, then looked back at Gu Yan, who stood steadily in place. Feigning ignorance, she asked, "Why is there wind here?"