Jiong Ye had been here for a year, and he had a general understanding of Ouyang Ye's methods for dealing with traitors. Although he never admitted to betraying Ouyang Ye, given the circumstances of what had just happened, he realized that the mistake he had made now was far worse than the crime of betrayal. Therefore, the moment Ouyang Ye uttered those words, he was terrified.
"I was really just..." he looked at Ouyang Ye's eyes, becoming exceptionally cautious, "I was just joking."
At this moment, Mu Anxiao could also see Jiong Ye's regret.
Conversely, Xi'er was disgusted by Jiong Ye's pretense of foolishness. "Your actions just now were enough to prove your rebellion. Even if you act like an idiot, we won't believe your nonsense," she said, turning to look at Ouyang Ye. "Master, how do you intend to deal with him?"
"He..." Ouyang Ye paused, then looked at Mu Anxiao. "How do you plan to deal with him?"
However, Mu Anxiao never expected Ouyang Ye to pass this hot potato to her. Glancing at him, her face only showed a dry laugh, nothing more.
Seeing this, the corners of Ouyang Ye's mouth curved into a slight smile. "After you marry me, I will entrust you with deciding some matters for me. So now," he paused for a moment, then continued, "I will leave this matter to you to decide."
"I don't think we're at that stage yet." Mu Anxiao wanted to refuse. She knew Ouyang Ye would not easily kill Jiong Ye.
Ouyang Ye smiled. "From the moment you started caring about me just now, you have already reached this stage."
"I just showed a little concern for you, you..."
"You are different from others. Naturally, the care you give me is different from the care others give me," Ouyang Ye interrupted in a low voice.
Xi'er, hearing Ouyang Ye's words that sounded like sweet talk, couldn't help but chuckle.
At this moment, after Ouyang Ye's words, Jiong Ye once again recognized the relationship between Mu Anxiao and Ouyang Ye. Thus, valuing his life above all else, he decided in his heart at this moment to trust Mu Anxiao. "Mu Anxiao, I was wrong before. I was blind and didn't recognize your importance. Please forgive me." He shifted his gaze to Mu Anxiao's face.
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao also shifted her gaze to Jiong Ye's face. "You..."
"This is her choice. When did I say," Ouyang Ye interrupted, jealousy surging like a fierce flood, "that you have the right to butt in?" He cast a killing gaze directly at Jiong Ye's face.
Jiong Ye did not expect that a casual remark would so quickly bring him a death sentence. He hastily moved his gaze away from Mu Anxiao's face and looked at Ouyang Ye. "What... what do you mean by that?" he asked, his heart filled with apprehension.
"Since Mu Anxiao doesn't want to..."
"When did I say I didn't want to?" Mu Anxiao, deeply feeling Jiong Ye's trust in her, hurriedly interrupted Ouyang Ye.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ye immediately looked at Mu Anxiao and said with a fake smile, "You don't need to decide. This matter," he reached out and placed his hand on Mu Anxiao's shoulder, "it's better if I decide it myself."
"You say..."
"Alright, I know. Don't force yourself," Ouyang Ye interrupted Mu Anxiao, then removed his hand and looked at Xi'er. "Xi'er, I'll leave this to you."
"Yes, Master... Should we still lock him up here?" Xi'er became uncertain due to Ouyang Ye's change of heart.
"Change the location," Ouyang Ye said, glancing at Zhao Mei'er, who was still standing in place. "Zhao Mei'er, come here."
"Yes, Master," Zhao Mei'er said, approaching.
Immediately after, Ouyang Ye smiled faintly at Zhao Mei'er and said, "Do you still want to leave here and find Feng Qi Shi?"
"No longer," Zhao Mei'er said firmly.
Ouyang Ye looked at Zhao Mei'er's resolute attitude and smiled with satisfaction. "Very good. From now on, you will stay by Xi'er's side."
"Yes..."
"Master, I can handle things myself and don't need anyone to help me." Xi'er disliked Zhao Mei'er and quickly interrupted Zhao Mei'er's response.
Seeing this, Zhao Mei'er felt wronged.
"Are you going to defy my decision?" Ouyang Ye asked, looking at Xi'er.
Xi'er, hearing Ouyang Ye's sarcastic tone and seeing his cold gaze, became fearful. "Master, I dare not."
"It's good that you dare not. From now on, you take good care of her. If she makes a mistake, it will all be on you," Ouyang Ye said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Alright, I'll leave the matters here to you."
"What about me?" Mu Anxiao couldn't stand it and quickly asked.
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye slowly turned and met Mu Anxiao's eyes. "I still need to recover from my injuries. Take me back to the courtyard." He offered his arm to Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao looked and frowned. "You mean, there's nothing for me to do here."
The moment Mu Anxiao said this, Jiong Ye's gaze became vacant.
"Yes."
"But... the Demon Sword..."
"It's the Soul Sword, isn't it?" Ouyang Ye intended to correct her.
Mu Anxiao's eyes flickered slightly. "What about it?" she asked, looking down at the Soul Sword on the ground.
"Let it stay here..."
"You want to lock it behind the screen? No, you can't do that." Mu Anxiao said, grabbing Ouyang Ye's arm.
Ouyang Ye smiled faintly. "I don't have the habit of locking weapons behind screens," he said, patting Mu Anxiao's hand with his other hand, then looking at Xi'er. "You only need to take Jiong Ye away. As for this Demon Sword and the insects, just ignore them."
"Master, you want to just leave them lying here?" Xi'er was surprised.
Ouyang Ye nodded.
"Yes, Master." Xi'er dared not defy Ouyang Ye's wishes and nodded in response.
Mu Anxiao frowned. "Wouldn't it be easier to just let me take them?"
"You still have to take care of me," Ouyang Ye said, glancing at Jiong Ye. "You don't need to worry about this matter anymore. Let's go."
"But..."
"If you keep saying 'but', I'll get angry," Ouyang Ye said gently.
Mu Anxiao understood that if she said anything more at this time, it would do no good for anyone. Therefore, with the idea of benefiting everyone, she reluctantly cooperated with Ouyang Ye. "Alright." As she said this, she glanced at Jiong Ye one last time and turned to leave with Ouyang Ye.
Subsequently, only the remaining few were left here.
"Where are we going now?" Zhao Mei'er asked curiously.
"Just follow," Xi'er said coldly, casting a spell to chain Jiong Ye's hands and feet. "Don't expect Mu Anxiao to save you. She's in no position to help herself."