Xu Mu, I hate you

Xiao Ran could only let out a bitter laugh upon hearing this, unsure of how to respond.

She suddenly remembered Fang Chu's words from earlier.

Fang Chu had said that the two subordinates of the Dragon King refused to reveal any information not out of loyalty, but out of fear.

Upon careful thought, it made sense. If they truly leaked information, even if Fang Chu let them go, the Dragon King would not spare them.

Since death was certain either way, it was better to leave behind a good reputation.

Could it be that she was the same?

Was the reason she had been following Ye Chen all this time fear of him?

"Where should I drop you off?"

Xu Mu's voice pulled Xiao Ran out of her thoughts.

"My car is parked about a kilometer ahead of this estate. Just take me there. I'll call Zhong Qianqian to pick me up."

As she said this, Xiao Ran suddenly paused, then smiled. "Are you planning to take Zhong Qianqian with you?"

"If I wanted to, would you let me?"

Xu Mu glanced at Xiao Ran through the rearview mirror as he countered.

"I... would."

Xiao Ran hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"For your sake, I'll let her off. After all, the prescription she got is fake anyway."

Xu Mu proactively revealed this matter.

If Xiao Ran wasn't foolish, she could easily guess it.

Because she knew that Meng Wanyue was now following her, so Meng Wanyue must have long since told Xu Mu about Zhong Qianqian's identity.

Knowing Zhong Qianqian was Ye Chen's person and still letting her steal the prescription was clearly intentional.

However, Xu Mu saying it proactively was completely different from Xiao Ran saying it.

Xu Mu taking the initiative made it easier to bring the two closer, proving he trusted Xiao Ran.

"Is it really okay to tell me directly? Aren't you afraid I'll turn around and tell Ye Chen?"

Xiao Ran asked with a smile.

"Not afraid. No matter what, I am your lifesaver."

Xu Mu smiled, started the car, and drove towards the front of the estate.

Xiao Ran closed her eyes, her mind once again tangled in conflict.

After thinking for a long time, she took a deep breath, as if having made a significant decision.

"In the conflict between you and the Dragon King, I will remain a spectator. I won't help either side."

This was the only thing Xiao Ran could accept.

Just like this time, it was Xu Mu who was more skilled, having long ago turned Meng Wanyue into his own person.

He also used a method to deliberately leak the fake prescription to Zhong Qianqian. This round of confrontation was Xu Mu's victory.

"Good. I'm very happy that you can remain neutral."

Xu Mu nodded.

In his view, getting Xiao Ran, who was so loyal to Ye Chen, to remain neutral was already significant progress.

Xu Mu parked the car not far ahead of the estate. Xiao Ran pushed the car door open and got out alone.

"Be careful."

After saying this, Xu Mu drove away.

Xiao Ran got into her car and sat in the back seat. She took a deep breath before taking out her phone to call Zhong Qianqian.

...

On the highway heading to Yang City, Xu Mu received a call from an unknown number.

He answered and asked, "Who is this?"

"Xu Mu! It's me, Fu Jinyu."

A cool voice came from the other end.

Hearing this, Xu Mu remembered he had previously saved an Empress and promised to help treat her injuries.

"Who? Do we know each other?"

"Do you want to die? Believe it or not, I'll kill you!"

Fu Jinyu's cold voice came through.

"Oh, I remember now. So it's you."

Xu Mu revealed a smile.

"When are you coming to treat my injuries?" Fu Jinyu asked calmly.

"Anytime is fine for me. But as you mentioned before, you would provide the rare treasures. How about I first tell you what I need? Once you find them, I'll come over."

Xu Mu spoke into the phone.

"Fine."

Fu Jinyu agreed.

"Eighth-grade rare treasure, Dragon Spine Blood Vine. Eighth-grade rare treasure, Divine Heartwood."

Xu Mu paused. "Those are the main two. I'll bring the rest myself, free of charge."

"What? Eighth-grade? Dragon Spine Blood Vine and Divine Heartwood?"

Upon hearing these treasures, Fu Jinyu's voice trembled. "I only have a small meridian broken, and it requires eighth-grade rare treasures?"

"Just a small one? Let me tell you, if a major meridian were broken, forget eighth-grade rare treasures, even ninth-grade and divine herbs might not necessarily cure it."

Xu Mu spoke into the phone. "A broken meridian is the same as a broken arm or leg; it cannot heal on its own."

Fu Jinyu's voice was silent for a long time. After a while, she said, "These elusive eighth-grade rare treasures... if luck is bad, one might never find them in a lifetime, right?"

"Don't say that. Perhaps some powerful sects or other races have them?"

Xu Mu wasn't lying.

To treat meridians, these two rare treasures were absolutely necessary.

"Xu Mu, I hate you!"

"Huh? What did I do?"

Xu Mu was somewhat puzzled.

"You assumed I couldn't find eighth-grade rare treasures, so you deliberately said you would treat my injuries if I helped you rescue those cleaners."

Fu Jinyu's tone now changed, seeming to carry a slight sob. "You never intended to treat me! You were using me!"

"I did not."

Xu Mu spoke into the phone. "I know of a sect that has these two rare treasures. I'll do my best to obtain them for you, how about that?"

"Do your best? I won't believe you anymore! Damn men! You people of the Yan Huang race are all liars!"

"As long as you agree to five things for me, I will definitely get them for you."

Xu Mu spoke into the phone.

"Fine! As long as you can get them and heal my injuries, I'll agree to ten things, let alone five."

Fu Jinyu said from the other end.

"Then it's ten. Just send me the address directly. Once I get the herbs, I'll come find you."

Xu Mu agreed immediately.

"Ah? I just now..."

"If you say you were just joking, then I was joking too."

Xu Mu directly interrupted Fu Jinyu's words.

"Alright..."

Fu Jinyu's voice continued, "Let me be clear first, I won't agree to any disgusting things."

"Don't worry, I said it before. As a married man, I'm not interested in you."

Xu Mu said with a laugh.

"Then I'll send you the address!"

Fu Jinyu hung up after saying this.

Xu Mu shook his head slightly. In the original storyline, there was no description of the Heavenly Demon race.

He didn't know if his approach was right.

But, the boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridgehead. Since he promised this woman back then that he would save her if she rescued those cleaners...

He would definitely keep the promise he made.

...

Yang City Antique Market.

Xu Mu arrived at Dai Xingluo's antique shop.

Through his perception, he found that neither Dai Xingluo nor Bai Yi were there.

Only Li Zizai was sitting behind the counter.

After walking in, Xu Mu asked, "Is Xingluo here?"

"She was called away by the Dai family at noon today."

Li Zizai looked up at Xu Mu. "Her father, Dai Xuan, came personally to take her."

Hearing this, Xu Mu asked, "Was she called away, or was she taken away by force?"

Li Zizai revealed a faint smile. "It should be considered taken by force, because what Dai Xuan took away was Bai Yi."

"You're also an employee here. Didn't you help?"

Xu Mu walked further into the shop, carefully sizing up Li Zizai. "You're not very considerate, are you?"