As Feng Qishi saw the Yinzhai in the western-style suit hesitate, he quickly extended his right index finger and, with practiced ease, rewrote the demonic incantation on his left palm. He held it up before the fat, big-headed demon and uttered a single word: "Recite."
The fat, big-headed demon faltered.
The small demon stepped forward, saying, "This proves nothing."
"Since you don't believe me," Feng Qishi said, resigned.
The small demon's eyes darkened, "We absorbed the bad luck of those humans back then. Even if we didn't kill them directly, we still harmed them, so we must accept our punishment."
"Little one, Big Head," Hu Yuan called softly.
Feng Qishi was struck speechless.
Mu Anxiao watched the fat, big-headed demon and the small demon, saying, "If I recall the rules correctly, you will still be dogs in your next life."
"We are willing to be dogs, willing to discard all demonic powers within us. As long as our master is healthy in the next life, everything will be perfect for us," said the fat, big-headed demon.
Feng Qishi looked at their determined expressions and lowered his hand, turning to the Yinzhai in the western-style suit. "As long as I capture that female demon soul, everything can be resolved."
"Indeed. At least now the entire matter makes sense. Perhaps," the Yinzhai in the western-style suit looked at Hu Yuan, "he is innocent."
"Mmm," Mu Anxiao nodded.
Immediately, the man pushed open the door and entered the ward. "It's you."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned his head to look at the man returning with the lunchbox and said, "Hello."
"Hello," the man greeted, walking forward and smiling at Zhang Yan. "Hello."
Zhang Yan smiled politely.
"Please, sit down," the man said, then looked at Hu Yuan. "The congee downstairs isn't very good. I'll go back and make you some myself. Try it and see if it suits your taste." He walked to the bedside and placed the lunchbox on the dining table.
Hu Yuan inadvertently noticed the man's bandaged finger and asked, "What happened to your hand?"
"Oh, nothing," the man chuckled sheepishly.
Hu Yuan sighed and said, "Were you burned?"
"Eh?" The man was startled and then chuckled, "You figured that out?"
"Be careful."
The man nodded gratefully, then opened the lid of the lunchbox, saying, "Smell it, doesn't it make you want some?"
Hu Yuan obediently leaned over and took a cursory sniff. "It smells good, but it's too hot."
"It didn't burn you, did it?" the man asked.
Hu Yuan shook his head and asked, "Where's my mom?"
"She's resting for a bit and will come to see you," the man said, picking up a spoon.
Hearing that his mother was coming, Hu Yuan considered her health condition and said, "Don't let her come. Her health is most important. I'm fine."
"Your mom is better. She said she wants to see you to be at ease. Don't worry," the man patted Hu Yuan's shoulder.
Hu Yuan compromised, "Alright then." He nodded, glanced at Zhang Yan and Mu Anxiao sitting on the sofa, and then turned back to the man. "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet, I'm not too hungry," the man said.
Hu Yuan looked at the congee and said, "Would you like some?" He gestured to the lunchbox.
"Me..." The man pointed at himself, chuckled, glanced at Zhang Yan and Mu Anxiao, and said, "I'll drink it all in one gulp, and then you won't have any."
"In that case, I think you should go eat. Otherwise," Hu Yuan said, "it won't be good if you starve yourself."
The man nodded. "Alright then," he said, then looked at Mu Anxiao and Zhang Yan. "Do you need anything? I can bring it for you."
"No, thank you," Mu Anxiao said, standing up.
Zhang Yan deliberately remained silent.
The man gave an awkward laugh, then glanced at Hu Yuan, walked through Feng Qishi and the Yinzhai in the western-style suit, and left.
Feng Qishi watched Hu Yuan impassively and said, "This is your father, isn't it?"
"Yes, you can tell," Hu Yuan said, putting away the spoon.
Feng Qishi smiled, "I can see that he truly wants you, his son, to acknowledge him. He treats you very well."
"Time reveals a person's heart," Hu Yuan said, picking up the lid and covering the lunchbox.
The fat, big-headed demon and the small demon looked at Hu Yuan, tears welling up in both their eyes.
"Master, we must leave now," said the fat, big-headed demon.
The small demon gathered his emotions and said, "Master, I don't know when we will meet again. If we are fated in our next lives, we will continue to be your pets."
"Come here," Hu Yuan beckoned.
The fat, big-headed demon and the small demon exchanged a glance and walked to the bedside together.
"Sit," Hu Yuan indicated the side of the bed.
Without hesitation, they both sat down by the bed.
Then, Hu Yuan turned to Feng Qishi, "Can you help me brand their souls? I hope to recognize them in my next life."
"That's a bit difficult," Feng Qishi said, turning to Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao glanced at Hu Yuan's expectant gaze, then at Feng Qishi, saying, "Do you need me to teach you this spell too?"
"Yes," Feng Qishi nodded. "I don't know how."
"Don't you have a book? Can't you read it yourself?" Mu Anxiao said impatiently.
"How did you know I have a book?" Feng Qishi asked in surprise.
"You must have a book, otherwise how would you know the demonic incantation?" Mu Anxiao transmitted.
Feng Qishi's gaze flickered. "No, I can't understand it. If you teach me, I can get it right away."
"Annoying," Mu Anxiao said, pointing at his hand. "Raise your hand."
Feng Qishi complied, raising his hand, and said, "And then?"
"And then..." Mu Anxiao looked at Feng Qishi's fingers, hesitated, and said, "I forgot."
"Ugh!" Feng Qishi was speechless.
Following this, the Yinzhai in the western-style suit looked at the mournful-looking fat, big-headed demon and the small demon. "The verdict hasn't been passed yet. Why are you in such a hurry? I can't take you away even if I wanted to."
"You mean, we don't have to leave yet?" the small demon asked excitedly.
The Yinzhai in the western-style suit nodded and looked at Hu Yuan. "Even if Feng Qishi casts a spell to mark them, it won't matter."
"Why?" Feng Qishi asked, confused.
The Yinzhai in the western-style suit gave Feng Qishi a helpless look and said, "They have no memories. Perhaps their master has also reincarnated. The chances of them meeting will be very small, unless their karma is very, very deep."
Feng Qishi was speechless.
The small demon and the fat, big-headed demon didn't seem to mind. Instead, they both looked at Hu Yuan. The small demon said, "As long as we can stay with our master for one more day, it's good."
"Mmm, I agree," the fat, big-headed demon nodded.
"You are truly easily satisfied," Feng Qishi muttered.
Mu Anxiao glanced at Feng Qishi and said nothing.
Zhang Yan stood up from the sofa and said, "Then you should spend your time with your master."
"That female demon soul won't come back again, will it?" the fat, big-headed demon asked, looking worried.