If Hua Jinlan’s violent method of revenge had been applied to the Hunchbacked Granny, Hua Gu and A’Mang would already be two corpses. Xiao Shu walked softly between the two of them, squatted down, and placed her index fingers below the nostrils of each, testing them out before speaking, “They’re not dead. What did you do to them?”

“Nothing much, just let them sip a bit of the venom from the Manjusaka flower,” the Hunchbacked Granny stated faintly, as if poisoning the pair was a trivial matter.

“Then what did you give me?” I said weakly.

“The Intestine-Piercing Gu.”

“What? Intestine-Piercing Gu?” I couldn't believe my ears. My older sister had suffered from one of Hua Jinlan’s Gu poisons, and it had taken the combined efforts of everyone to drag her back from the brink of death. Now, it was my turn to be tormented by this damned thing! This family had never held any grudge against my sister or me, yet we were being driven to distraction by their insidious Gu poisons.

“Xiao Yu saved your daughter and allowed her spirit to pass on; why would you lay a Gu upon him?” Xiao Shu scolded.

Seeing Xiao Shu’s expression change, and feeling blamed by her angry gaze, the Hunchbacked Granny did not retort. Instead, she switched to a fawning manner, smiling sweetly at him, “Little Young Master, this was the only way I saw fit. If you can bring that ghost infant back to me, I will let bygones be bygones, lift the Gu poison from Mr. Xiao Yu, and release these two.”

I thought to myself that this was not an admission of fault; it was nothing short of **blatant blackmail. It seemed Xiao Shu’s position at Reflection Villa was not as secure as I had imagined. At the very least, this housekeeper clearly did not hold him in high regard.

Realizing her authority was lacking, Xiao Shu showed flexibility, setting aside her anger and speaking with a mild expression, “What do you want the ghost infant for?”

The Hunchbacked Granny turned away, her back to us, saying, “I have been in Reflection Villa for too long and wish to take a stroll outside. My daughter is dead, and at my age, I have few attachments left. I want to hold the ghost infant and raise it.”

I had heard that liars fear direct eye contact the most, and she spoke these words with her back turned, avoiding our gaze—perhaps she had something to hide. I mused that Xing'er’s origins must be quite significant, otherwise, why would the Monkey Tribe want her, and why would this Hunchbacked Granny desire her as well?

“Xing'er is not with us; the Monkey Tribe snatched her away. We are currently figuring out a way to save her,” Xiao Shu stated the truth, spreading her hands helplessly towards the old woman, indicating that since she wasn't in their custody, their threats were useless.

Hearing Xiao Shu’s words, the Hunchbacked Granny turned back, a flicker of something inscrutable in her eyes, and said excitedly, “I can tell you how to find the Monkey Tribe, and I can even help you reach the Sea of the Dead smoothly, provided you promise to bring the ghost infant back to Reflection Villa.”

It appeared this old hag was also a master negotiator. Not only did she hold three bargaining chips—Hua Gu, A’Mang, and myself—but she also tossed out two offers: helping us find the Monkey Tribe and assisting our passage to the Sea of the Dead, all in exchange for the infant. Xiao Shu and I felt like oxen fitted with nose rings, seemingly left with no choice but to follow where she led.

Sighing deeply, Xiao Shu sat back down on the chair, head bowed, not uttering a single word. The atmosphere in the library was frigid, as if plunged into the depths of a bitter winter. Imagine the scenario: two friends lying on the floor like corpses, one friend half-dead slumped in a chair, and an shameless old demon threatening to take the Star she loved most in exchange for my life. Anyone in such a predicament would surely sigh in despair.

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