"Yes, wait for me," Mu Anxiao said, and then transformed into a blue light, slipping through the gap in the door.
Feng Qishi believed Mu Anxiao would not lie to him, so he stood his ground, calmly waiting for Mu Anxiao.
In the blink of an eye, Mu Anxiao reappeared outside the reception hall. Unexpectedly, just as she was about to enter, the Madam's voice came from behind her, "Who are you?"
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned around to face the startled Madam with feigned composure, remaining silent.
Conversely, the moment the Madam recognized Mu Anxiao's face, her eyes widened, "Mu Xiao."
"It's me, what's wrong?" Mu Anxiao retorted, showing no fear.
Xiang'er, still terrified of everything due to Hong'er's incident, grew even more frightened upon seeing Mu Anxiao's appearance. "She's a demon," she stammered, hiding behind the Madam.
The Madam was already scared, and Xiang'er's words made her hairs stand on end. Looking at Mu Anxiao, her eyes were filled with fear as she said, "Are you really Mu Xiao?" She began to question Mu Anxiao's identity.
After communicating with Feng Qishi, Mu Anxiao remembered that King Jin had already seen her. If she abandoned her identity as Mu Xiao now, it would be unrealistic. In the future, she might even need to use Mu Xiao's identity to enter the palace. If they were to see her true form now, it would not be beneficial for her.
With no other choice, she lied, "Of course, I am Mu Xiao."
"You... you're a demon," the Madam said hastily.
Mu Anxiao knew the Madam would seize this opportunity to label her with this baseless identity. To dispel the Madam's wild thoughts, she stated firmly, "I am not a demon."
"Then why did you appear here like that?" the Madam questioned, pointing a finger at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao calmly watched the Madam's slightly trembling hand, feeling an indescribable sense of satisfaction. To solidify her image in the Madam's mind, she deliberately said, "This is all because of you." She deliberately moved two steps closer to the Madam.
"You... what do you mean by that?" The Madam's gaze flickered.
Mu Anxiao snorted coldly, "You know very well what I mean. For the past half a year," she said, crossing her arms and shaking her head slightly, "who else but you has tried to harm me repeatedly? Deep mountains, forests, cliffs, deserted houses, butchers... tsk tsk tsk... if I recall correctly, these were all your doing, weren't they?"
"It wasn't me," the Madam declared firmly.
"Not you," Mu Anxiao said, nodding slightly. "Yes, yes, it wasn't you, but did you instigate it?"
"Mu Xiao, don't make baseless accusations," the Madam urged, flustered.
Mu Anxiao uttered an "Mm," then spread her palm and conjured a beam of red and blue light. "Madam, see what this is?" She deliberately held the light beam close to the Madam's face.
The Madam's eyes widened upon seeing it.
Xiang'er, terrified, crouched down and covered her head.
Mu Anxiao then looked down at Xiang'er with a cold sneer. "Madam, you always said I had a tough fate and even questioned why those who tried to kill me weren't more decisive," she said. "I think you know the reason now."
"You're a demon," the Madam exclaimed agitatedly.
Mu Anxiao lowered her gaze and smiled. "If I remember correctly, Mu Hua seems to be doing quite well in the palace," she said, fixing her gaze on the Madam's face.
The Madam frowned. "What do you want to do to my daughter?"
"I can't do anything to your daughter here, of course," Mu Anxiao said, looking down at her own hand. "However, if you want your daughter to live, then perhaps..."
"If you dare to harm my daughter in any way, I will fight you to the death."
"Oh?"
"What 'oh'? I'm not afraid of you. If you dare to hurt my daughter, I will..."
"When you hurt me, why didn't you think about my mother's feelings?" Mu Anxiao interrupted intentionally.
"What is your status, and what is my daughter's status? You, Mu Xiao," the Madam said indignantly, "what are you?"
"You truly are Mu Hua's mother. I'm so touched, so touched," Mu Anxiao said, clapping her hands.
The Madam snorted. "Stop playing games. I'm telling you upfront, if you dare to lay a hand on my daughter, I will risk my own life," she said, her eyes wide. "I will fight you."
"Alright, come on then." Mu Anxiao could no longer stand the Madam's behavior and directly extended her hand holding the light beam, bringing it close to the Madam's face.
The next second, the heat from Mu Anxiao's palm instantly spread in front of the Madam's face. With a swirl... the Madam became completely immobilized in that instant.
Xiang'er looked up at Mu Anxiao's actions and then at the Madam's trembling shoulders. Her eyes widened... and she fainted.
Immediately after, Mu Anxiao said coldly, "Do you feel it?"
"You demon..."
"This is only a fraction. If you provoke me further," Mu Anxiao interrupted with an evil smile, "it won't be just this fraction, old hag."
"Mu..."
"From now on, you'd best watch your mouth, lest you anger me and I disfigure both you and your daughter."
"Mu Xiao, don't..."
"If you don't believe me, try it." As soon as Mu Anxiao finished speaking, the light beam in her palm turned completely red.
The Madam froze.
Mu Anxiao said coldly, "And by the way, speaking nonsense also has its punishment."
"Mu Xiao, you will definitely be punished. I will find a demon hunter, you..."
"I am a disciple of an immortal. But speaking of it, having such a good master is also your doing. If you hadn't tried to kill me, I wouldn't have had this opportunity," Mu Anxiao said, narrowing her eyes. "What is there to fear for someone who has died once?"
"You died..."
"An immortal saved me. If it weren't for the immortal, I would have been truly killed by you long ago. A life for a life, so even if I kill you, I won't be punished. On the contrary," Mu Anxiao's lips curled, "you will receive the most terrifying punishment. That fire... is much larger than the fire in my palm."
The Madam was terrified.
"However, as long as you obey me, I won't let you suffer such a fate," Mu Anxiao said, staring at the Madam's stunned face. "If you understand, nod."
The Madam nodded.
Mu Anxiao was satisfied with the Madam's response. She lowered her hand and said, "Don't come in and disturb me." After speaking, she glared at the Madam and walked into the reception hall.
After Mu Anxiao entered, the Madam's legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the ground.
At the same time, Xiang'er opened her eyes and saw the Madam. "Madam, what's wrong?" she asked, sitting up.
The Madam shook her head.