It happened again.

Being in Dong Chengling's embrace was just too reassuring, too warm. Qiao Muyi, who had been deeply troubled by negative emotions, gradually calmed down and fell into a deep sleep—until she was once again startled awake by those needle-like, burning negative emotions.

Unlike the negative emotions she usually collected from colleagues and friends, the negative emotions from countless strangers around the world in the past two days felt like a pain drilling into her bones. The unceasing mention of strangers' names made her realize she was being hated by countless people, forcing her to actively block the spell's effects.

The negative emotions she typically gathered through words from others were like soft cotton candy—though they appeared large, they were very soft and sweet with a slight stickiness. This represented that although others might feel momentarily depressed because of her jokes, they would quickly laugh it off and bear no malice, even growing fonder of her—a beautiful girl did have that advantage.

If a guy mimicked her way of speaking every day, spouting toxic, overly sweet advice, he'd probably have been beaten up by now.

The overwhelming negative emotions of the past two days, however, were like Spicy Beef Jerky—dense and stimulating, with an extremely intense taste that caused discomfort. For Qiao Muyi, who had always led a simple life and mostly consumed sweets, it was akin to poison.

She thought it was a rare coincidence, but as the day went by, the negative emotions became more frequent. Their flavor even escalated from 'spicy' to 'wasabi' or other bizarre tastes, causing Qiao Muyi pain as though she had swallowed needles.

Qiao Muyi knew these were real negative emotions. Being hated, resented, detested... these were not mere jokes. These were people consuming all their rationality and cursing her with the foulest of words, wishing eternal damnation upon her.

These negative emotions weighed on her heart like a mountain, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Qiao Muyi had a vague idea of what was happening, but even though she could guess, she didn't know what to do.

Lost in a fog, even if I draw my sword and look around, I'm still bewildered.

She gently left Dong Chengling's embrace and sat up, preparing to leave quietly. It was time to leave.

Every ounce of resentment was a warning to her. She might not know how to protect herself, but she knew how to protect others—staying away from them was the best protection she could offer.

However, she and Dong Chengling had embraced a bit too tightly. Since Dong Chengling's ascension to the fourth transformation, she maintained a certain level of alertness even in her sleep.

"Are you awake?"

Dong Chengling also sat up. Her clothing was in disarray; her nightgown had slipped down to her arms, revealing a beautiful collarbone that seemed capable of holding wine. Her flat stomach, devoid of any excess fat, was exposed to the air, and her two "Da Bai Tu Milk Candies" proudly held their heads high, barely covered by the nightgown. Such a sight made even Qiao Muyi, a girl, feel too embarrassed to pretend to be asleep, and she couldn't help but open her eyes wide.

Dong Chengling preferred loose-fitting nightgowns for sleep, only buttoning the middle two buttons, and she didn't like wearing bras underneath. She used to feel uncomfortable during the day due to ill-fitting bras and had no close girlfriends to consult, so she naturally took them off to sleep.

Even after Qiao Muyi personally selected bras that fit her, Dong Chengling never changed this habit.

What a good habit, Qiao Muyi thought.

Dong Chengling, also mindful of her appearance, casually straightened her clothing and chuckled, "Xiao Qiao, you were quite restless last night. You've made my clothes all messy."

Qiao Muyi hugged Dong Chengling's arm and nestled against her, chuckling. "Last night was so rare for us to sleep together and chat, so I couldn't help myself... Besides, Chengling, you have such a good figure; you'll definitely have many suitors in the future. Ah, I wonder which man—one who likes your cooking, is proficient in Healing, shares an Intimate Understanding with you, and also lives next door—will be the lucky one..."

Dong Chengling laughed and gently poked Qiao Muyi with her finger, amused. "You're really sweet-tongued."

Qiao Muyi tilted her head and looked at Dong Chengling, wondering: Is she happy because I complimented her, or because I complimented Ren Suo? Dong Chengling really is a positive and radiant girl. Gu Yueyan, too, is a naive and sweet girl. Little Suo, why is your luck so good? Qiao Muyi, why is your luck so bad? Little Suo, if you're not good to Cheng Ling, I won't spare you even if I become the Demon King... Of course, if you're not good to Gu Yueyan, I won't spare you either. As for what you should do, figure it out yourself. I'm not sticking around to serve you anymore; it's just a pity I won't see your downfall. Qiao Muyi, you better leave quickly. Don't drag Cheng Ling down; she deserves to stand above the clouds and touch the rainbow... Of course, you can't drag Ren Suo down either. After all the times you've bullied him, just let him be. Let him be an ordinary person with many friends and lots of holidays—a little tax thief. Little Suo, why can you see through my unease? Qiao Muyi, why... are you still clinging to this current peace of mind?

Qiao Muyi took a deep breath, cleared the emotions from her heart, and with her usual smile said, "Cheng Ling, I—"

Suddenly, there was an urgent knocking on the bedroom door.

"Director... Qiao Muyi, Qiao Muyi, you're in trouble!"

Qiao Muyi and Dong Chengling were initially startled, but then they recognized Ren Suo's voice outside and both breathed a sigh of relief, though different thoughts simultaneously surfaced in their minds.

Ren Suo has a key to Dong Chengling's house? Has their relationship progressed this far?

I used Spatial Movement to teleport directly to his house, so now Suo is deliberately coming straight into my house. Is this like... an exchange of entry permits?

However, Ren Suo's voice was very urgent, as if he desperately needed a toilet. The two of them quickly got out of bed, opened the door, and saw Ren Suo standing outside, dressed neatly as if ready to go out.

"Ren Suo, what are you making such a ruckus for so early in the morning? I was just having an early chat with Cheng Ling. If you're deliberately causing trouble..." Qiao Muyi gritted her teeth and said ferociously, "If I said I wanted to assign you a few extra articles, I believe Li Dan wouldn't refuse my request... Hey, snap out of it!"

Qiao Muyi raised her hand to block Dong Chengling's ample, dazzling chest. Only then did Ren Suo, who was almost bewitched by the "Da Bai Tu Milk Candy," regain his senses. His mind returned to normal, and he quickly said, "Qiao Muyi, we need to escape right now! The Six Great Supernatural Organizations—Watchers, Wizard Council, Martial Soul Hall, Iron Sun, Winter Castle, and Tactical Bureau—have all determined that you're the Demon King who created the Source of Disaster and commanded your followers to slaughter!"

"A Federal Watcher has captured one of the Demon King's Followers, who divined your identity using a prophecy Spell!"

"All the earthquakes, serial murders, and the destruction of chemical plants by thunderstorms that have happened this month have been pinned on you! They believe it's you, as the Demon King, creating slaughter for your Cultivation!"

Dong Chengling, who was buttoning her clothes, paled slightly. "They're framing Xiao Qiao!? How could Xiao Qiao possibly do those things?"

Unlike the surprised Dong Chengling, Qiao Muyi actually felt a sense of relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her chest.

It's finally happened.

Compared to being shrouded by the unknown, falling into this trap actually brought Qiao Muyi peace of mind—she preferred to fight with all her might rather than merely survive ignobly.

Whether it meant life or death, being harmed by schemes and tricks, or becoming the Demon King and being executed, all were better than living in fear of the unknown.

With this thought, Qiao Muyi spoke in a relaxed tone, "The Mysterious Country won't just take the Federal Watcher's word for it. Besides, I'm a captain in the Tactical Bureau. I haven't done those things, they don't have solid evidence, and they can't..."

Ren Suo shook his head. "Director... Qiao Muyi, I've received definite news. The Tactical Bureau has already sent people to arrest you. The Federal Watchers caught one of the Demon King's Followers who truly divined your presence. Even if the Tactical Bureau wants to protect you, the situation forces them to detain you for questioning first."

"And in a few minutes, the Tactical Bureau's people will be here... led by Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan."

Although Qiao Muyi didn't know how Ren Suo got this information, she didn't doubt it one bit.

She felt a stir in her heart, sensing what was about to happen.

As the Deputy Director of the Tactical Bureau, she naturally knew that the Bureau could now detect through blood tests whether a Cultivator possessed Slaughter Spells; she had even undergone such tests herself. However, because the negative emotions she had collected before were all 'clean,' she had easily passed.

But now, she was enveloped in a mass of negative emotions that even she found disgusting. If she were to undergo a test again, she'd surely be classified as a Transcendent criminal, one who killed like a monster.

Qiao Muyi remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "Ren Suo, Cheng Ling, do you trust me?"

Ren Suo smiled. "Didn't I tell you before? Even if the whole world says you're wrong, as long as you deny it, I'll close my eyes, cover my ears, and trust you."

Dong Chengling quickly added, "If Suo trusts you, I trust you too."

Qiao Muyi smiled. Hearing these two sentences, she felt that what she was about to do didn't seem so frightening anymore.

Maybe in the days to come, I will often recall these words as motivation to keep living... or perhaps, there will be no future for me. The one who planned all this will never give me a chance to live.

"In that case, then I..."

Before Qiao Muyi could express her intention to turn herself in, Ren Suo suddenly stepped forward and hugged her! He also conveniently embraced Dong Chengling.

Ren Suo, with one in each arm, stood as if declaring, 'You both are my wings.'

Qiao Muyi and Dong Chengling were both stunned by his embrace, but Ren Suo was exceptionally calm. He looked at Qiao Muyi with expectant eyes and said, "Qiao Muyi, don't ever stoop to the level of those blockheads in the Tactical Bureau. They can't even see through such a shoddy framing attempt; they are not worthy of your trust."

"Qiao Muyi, you absolutely shouldn't entrust your precious life to those mediocrities, nor do you need to explain anything to them! They are ordinary people, incapable of discerning the truth!"

"To kill them would be to sully your hands!"

"And to fight against them is to play right into the expectations of the one working behind the scenes!"

"Destiny must be controlled by you yourself! How can you, who is meant to shine dazzlingly in the sky, allow mere mortals to drag you down to the ground?"

"Leave this battlefield they have prepared for you, find opportunities elsewhere, and then crush them with dignity and righteousness!"

For a moment, Qiao Muyi was bewildered. I just wanted to turn myself in; I didn't say I wanted to fight them! And I didn't want to kill them either! Ren Suo, do you have such a big grudge against Yu Kuangtu?

However, Ren Suo's words were quite sensible and also pleasant to hear. Rather than leaving her life in the hands of the Tactical Bureau, it would be better to seek out her own path to survival.

But why are you hugging me and Cheng Ling? Is this an intelligence debuff?

Qiao Muyi hastily pushed him away, turned her head to the side, and said with her arms crossed, "Well, since that's the case, I won't expect anything from that group of fools led by Yu Kuangtu. Hmph, I didn't expect you, Ren Suo, to occasionally say something reasonable."

However, soon, Qiao Muyi sighed. "But the Tactical Bureau is now completely networked with the public security system, and I'm all too aware of its vast power. You can run for a while, but you can't hide forever."

As she reflected on this, her heart grew heavy, and a nameless anger began to kindle within her. Moreover, I've been framed today. As long as my name isn't cleared, I'll have to live in constant fear, despised and hated by everyone, homeless. In the end, wouldn't I just have to channel these negative emotions in my Cultivation, treading a path powered by Resentment, sustained by blood, using the blood of all living beings to vent my endless loneliness... Maybe it'd be better to just...

However, at that moment, Ren Suo crossed his arms, shook his head, and with eyes ablaze, said passionately, "Qiao Muyi! Are you giving up just like that? You definitely have a way to turn the tables! For now, we make a strategic retreat. Once you find the opportunity to strike back, drag the mastermind into the light, and then flay them and break their bones, steam them and stew them, coat them in breadcrumbs and deep-fry them! Only then can you have your revenge!"

"Qiao Muyi, isn't your revenge meant to last from dawn till dusk?"

Her anger was immediately extinguished by these words. A thought struck Qiao Muyi, and she remembered the "Detective's Eye" she had learned. If she had enough clues, she might be able to find the mastermind and the evidence to expose them.

"I didn't expect you, Ren Suo, to occasionally make so much sense."

But as Qiao Muyi recalled the negative emotions entangling her, she sighed again. "That's right, I do have a way to find the mastermind. But even if I killed them to vent my anger, I still bear the hatred of the victims and am hunted by the Watchers of the Tactical Bureau. From now on, I would have to flee from place to place, homeless..."

"Although I am innocent, I can't pass the Tactical Bureau's checks now, and I have no way to clear my name..."

Moreover, if the name of the Demon King were to spread, Qiao Muyi would have to bear even more negative emotions. What she might become then, and what might happen, she couldn't guarantee.

Even if I escaped and found the mastermind, what would be the point?

At that moment, Ren Suo suddenly took her hand, then Dong Chengling's, bringing their four hands together.

Facing their surprised gazes, Ren Suo said emphatically, "If we find the mastermind and make them stop creating the Source of Disaster and the Demon King's Followers, can't you, Qiao Muyi, find a way to 'clean' yourself? You've been able to work at the Tactical Bureau, which means you have methods to elude its detection."

"When the time comes, you'll present the evidence, return to the Tactical Bureau with your head held high, and invalidate all false accusations."

"Moreover, you'll be able to continue working at the Tactical Bureau and return to a peaceful life. Isn't that what you prefer?"

"With me and Cheng Ling helping you, what do you have to fear?"

Looking into Ren Suo's and Dong Chengling's eyes, the sliver of worry in Qiao Muyi's heart quietly dissipated.

To purify those negative emotions, it wasn't that she had no way. But she had to maintain an exceptionally good mood, so good that even when in contact with those negative emotions, she remained completely unaffected, able to turn 'Spicy Beef Jerky' into 'Soft Cotton Candy.'

If it were up to her alone, Qiao Muyi was sure she couldn't do it. She wasn't as strong as Dong Chengling.

But if I wasn't alone...

Qiao Muyi exhaled softly and said with a smile, "Disproving these rumors, proving my innocence, making the Watchers and the Tactical Bureau realize their mistake, and then returning to the Tactical Bureau to resume my post as Deputy Director..."

"That does sound interesting."

"Ren Suo, you have quite a few good ideas today."

Feeling the warmth from their palms and gazing into Ren Suo's determined eyes full of trust, Qiao Muyi felt her heart soften.

Little Suo, how can you see through all my insecurities? Why do you have so much faith that I truly have a way? And why... when you answer me, are you so quick, so practiced, so logical?

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