However, the issue Ouyang Ye mentioned had never been within Mu Anxiao's scope of consideration. She truly felt indifferent towards Zhao Meier. Yet, Ouyang Ye's question did make her ponder it.
"Do you mean, you can only release one." She deliberately said this, creating an opportunity for herself to think.
Ouyang Ye nodded.
Mu Anxiao asked, "If you can imprison them all together, can't you release them together?"
"No," Ouyang Ye replied, his tone serious. "Unless you agree to one of my requests."
"What request? Ouyang Ye, I'm warning you, don't push your luck." Mu Anxiao's heart leaped into her throat at Ouyang Ye's mention of a 'request'.
Ouyang Ye smiled.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao immediately wore a confused expression. "What are you laughing about all of a sudden?"
"No matter where you see me, you have to listen to me and be gentle with me. If you agree to this, I'll agree to release Zhao Meier." Ouyang Ye didn't want to beat around the bush and directly stated his request.
Mu Anxiao's lips twitched. "I don't think there's a problem with my attitude towards you. Besides," she said righteously, "this is just who I am. I really can't fake being gentle."
"You..."
"Furthermore," Mu Anxiao intentionally interrupted Ouyang Ye, "I think I'm already listening to you enough. If you push your luck further, it might become meaningless." With that, she met Ouyang Ye's eyes directly.
Ouyang Ye smiled again.
Mu Anxiao frowned, seeing this. "What are you smiling about now?"
"Mu Anxiao, don't you think what you're saying is quite laughable?" Ouyang Ye withdrew his smile and retorted.
"What did I say that you find laughable? I think what I said is perfectly fine."
"You say you're already listening to me enough. May I ask, if not for the matter of the Demon Sword, would you have lowered yourself to come looking for me?" Ouyang Ye asked, his expression becoming exceptionally serious.
As Ouyang Ye had said, Mu Anxiao was indeed doing this because of the Demon Sword. Without the Demon Sword's 'request,' she would never have swallowed her pride to seek out Ouyang Ye. Therefore, she did not refute Ouyang Ye's statement. However, her aversion to Ouyang Ye had already taken root in her heart. Thus, his request was truly a dilemma for her. But since he had spoken to this extent, it would seem too presumptuous of her if she didn't give him a satisfactory response.
Helpless, she could only set aside all rebellious thoughts and choose to comply. "No," she said softly.
At this moment, Ouyang Ye perceived the change in Mu Anxiao and said gently, "I believe Jiong Ye won't give up on Zhao Meier. Although I can't be sure if Jiong Ye would abandon his rescue for Zhao Meier, I know they are imprisoned together. Given Zhao Meier's personality, she definitely wouldn't let Jiong Ye go easily."
"You're trying to say that even if I don't want to save Zhao Meier, it's impossible." Mu Anxiao understood Ouyang Ye's implied meaning.
Ouyang Ye nodded.
Mu Anxiao sighed. "So, I have to agree to your request, is that it?" As she spoke, she prepared herself to tolerate Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye liked Mu Anxiao's intelligent reaction and thus hummed in agreement with a smile.
Mu Anxiao sighed again.
"I know it's difficult for you to obey me, but," Ouyang Ye said earnestly, "I also have my pride. The way you treated me in front of those subordinates, to be honest, it was embarrassing for me. So I can't make things too difficult for you. As long as you show me some respect in front of your subordinates, that should be enough, right?"
"I've always respected you quite a bit," Mu Anxiao said, her eyes flickering away slightly.
Ouyang Ye's lips curved. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Jiong Ye probably won't accept the Demon Sword," Mu Anxiao said deliberately.
Ouyang Ye looked down at Mu Anxiao, who had suddenly changed the subject, and said without thinking, "You want to claim the Demon Sword."
Mu Anxiao hadn't expected Ouyang Ye to understand her intentions so quickly. She was startled by this. "You can actually understand what I mean." She suddenly looked up at Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye: "The Soul Sword also belongs to the Demon Realm. Its disappearance means something to me as well..."
"You really do have plans for it." Mu Anxiao tensed the moment Ouyang Ye uttered these words.
"If it hadn't disappeared back then, perhaps you wouldn't have..." Ouyang Ye said, his eyes darkening as he thought about what happened a year ago. "In short, if it were here, I could have brought you back with it. That way, you would have long forgotten Feng Qishi, and so many unnecessary things wouldn't have happened. However, I'm quite satisfied with how things have developed now." He smiled.
"If Jiong Ye doesn't accept it, then it becomes my weapon." Living under the same roof, one must bow their head. Mu Anxiao thought that this was Ouyang Ye's territory, so she had to be clear with him. Of course, even if he didn't agree, she would still force the Demon Sword to stay by her side. In any case, her actions now were also giving him an out. Since he had taken it himself, she wouldn't dwell on it.
"If Jiong Ye doesn't let go, there's nothing I can do," Ouyang Ye said, wanting to clarify things so that Mu Anxiao wouldn't resent him.
"I know what I'm doing," Mu Anxiao said confidently, leaning forward to glance behind Ouyang Ye. "Alright, let's go." With that, she withdrew her gaze and fixed it on Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye smiled faintly. "Okay, but before that, you first have to..." He pointed to his face.
Mu Anxiao looked at him, dumbfounded. "What's wrong with your face?" she asked, looking at Ouyang Ye and then at her hand lightly poking his cheek.
"Kiss me," Ouyang Ye said blandly.
Kiss?
Mu Anxiao had never expected this fellow Ouyang Ye to be so 'shameless.' Looking at him, her lips twitched a couple of times. "Ouyang Ye, don't push it too far."
"How am I pushing it too far? All the demons on our side encourage their partners like this. You..."
"What do you need encouragement for? I'm not going to kiss you," Mu Anxiao interrupted in a low voice, glancing around. "You're their master. If any other demon sees this, where will your face be?"
"You're looking out for me." Ouyang Ye's eyes lit up.
"Yes," Mu Anxiao nodded, thinking to herself, 'Fool, I'm just looking out for myself.'
Ouyang Ye took her at her word and smiled. "It seems you've grown."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao forced a smile twice and deliberately held up her hand tied with the red string in front of Ouyang Ye. "..." She intentionally remained silent.