The witch answered quite plainly.

"Oh, is that so? Then I'll call you Kikyo." Gu Mo nodded decisively, speaking without any politeness, one could even say very straightforwardly: "So, Kikyo, do you have something you want to tell me?"

"..."

"..."

A brief silence.

Even with Kikyo's usual composure, she couldn't help but lightly frown at this moment. It wasn't that her earlier words were insincere, but she had never before encountered someone so impolite in such a courteous setting, almost as if he was waiting for this moment.

But just this alone wasn't enough to shake Kikyo's spirit. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes gently fluttering. Her voice was as clear as the early spring wind in March, and just as calm as before:

"There are indeed some things I want to discuss with you."

Just now, she had stopped Xiao Ye to help the young girl clean off the accidental stain of filthy demon blood, and had also told this unfamiliar young man to come along... so he had followed her to her room, looking very composed.

—It seemed he already knew what she wanted to say.

"You have a fragment of the Four Souls Jade on you, don't you?" The witch's eyes, as clear as autumn waters, looked at the other person.

"Yes, a small piece, about the size of a pinky's fingernail, the shape is..."

Gu Mo laughed heartily, gesturing with his hand. It wasn't something that could be kept secret, after just attracting a bunch of nearby demons' attacks. Especially considering Kikyo was the witch who protected the Four Souls Jade fifty years ago; her understanding of the jade was unimaginably deep.

"Where did you get it from?" Kikyo lightly furrowed her brow, continuing to ask.

She had assumed this person would try to hide the matter, but never expected such a forthright admission, without a hint of hesitation, even eagerly explaining the details, gesturing the shape and size of the fragment.

This was excessively cooperative. Normally, those who used the jade's power would be so captivated by it that they found it irresistible, treating it as more precious than their own life.

Under no circumstances could they let outsiders know, often resorting to irrational, impulsive acts to protect their secret...

"How did I get it... I bought it." Gu Mo tilted his head, resting his hand on his chin, pondering earnestly before confidently nodding.

"Bought it?" The witch gently furrowed her brow again; his answer seemed stranger than before.

"Yes, I saw a store selling this fragment. I thought it could be useful, and the price was really cheap, so I bought it..." Gu Mo explained earnestly. That was indeed what happened, though whether the other person understood was another matter.

The witch nodded knowingly. It was peculiar, but possibly just a fragment scattered around, picked up by an ordinary person and sold, and this person happened to find it, recognize its value, and buy it.

It didn't seem like a lie, and there was no need to tell such an unbelievable lie...

After a brief silence, she slightly lowered her eyelids and spoke softly, "You've been using that fragment's power, haven't you?"

"That's right, it's been very helpful to me."

Gu Mo still admitted openly. The Four Souls Fragment was currently a powerful piece of special equipment in his hands, with several highly potent attributes attached, as strong as rare game items.

"You're surprisingly honest..."

Kikyo, for some reason, sighed lightly. The other person was extremely cooperative, but because of that, she didn't know what to say.

Even though he didn't seem to be bewitched by the jade into madness and irrationality, she couldn't conclude he was unaffected. He admitted using its power, acknowledging its help.

The witch hesitated, cautiously choosing not to assume she could easily make him relinquish the fragment for purification, despite his cooperation... but for now, his attachment didn't seem too deep, even if persistent, it could be resolved, as long as she understood his intentions.

Watching the strange person before her, a complex look flashed in Kikyo's eyes.

Her tone remained unchanged, yet seemed subtly infused with a peculiar emotion, hidden so well it was as if she herself didn't notice—

"What do you need the jade's power for? Is it to..."

"...turn yourself into a complete demon?"

Her voice was light.

Hmm? What's this about turning into a complete demon?

Gu Mo was a little taken aback, then suddenly understood, it seemed the witch before him assumed he was a half-demon?

......

(PS: Sorry for being late. It was a busy day due to land boundary issues, with neighbors coming over causing a commotion for half the day. Plus, it was raining all day, making things annoyingly difficult. My apologies...)

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