(Ha ha ha... Little did they anticipate that their chosen target would be such a cold-hearted, selfish, malevolent, and cruel scoundrel! Hahaha... They have miscalculated! Surely they did not expect that anyone could be so indifferent and self-serving as to this degree? Hahaha...)
(How could one remain so unfeeling, allowing such a delicate and charming maiden to fall into a den of darkness without a flicker of concern? Heh heh heh... From any perspective, young man, you truly possess a heart of stone! Hahaha...)
"However, plans cannot keep pace with changes," disregarding the demon's taunts, Xiao Mu Yu continued coldly, "If the matter were to end here, the adversary might temporarily abandon their interest in me due to their inability to manipulate my psyche, opting instead to seek other targets."
(But the little fox's actions compel you to unwittingly fall into their trap, don't they? Heh heh heh... Young man, is this not what they call fearing not a god-like opponent, but a pig-like teammate? Hahaha...)
(Nevertheless, the little fox's ability is indeed convenient; as long as the opponent's strength is insufficient, they remain oblivious to its possession. Hahaha... In the future, you could utilize this handy skill to eavesdrop on many confidential matters, heh heh... But before that, heh heh... Shouldn't you properly train this little fox? So that it can listen to your commands in the future and not act recklessly as it did this time?)
Lowering his head slightly, Xiao Mu Yu regarded the small creature that had realized its mistake and was now cowering. His gaze exuded an icy chill. "You must remember, remember the words I imparted to you today! Hold them tightly in your mind! In the years to come, even if you forget my existence, you must never forget what I told you today!"
"This world is brutal and indifferent; between individuals, between sentient beings, there exists an unending array of schemes and deceit. Do not harbor the delusion that others will provide you with hope and warmth."
"In this world, the only one who can truly assist you is yourself! Any unwarranted expectations you place upon others will ultimately lead you into peril!"
"And in such a heartless, unfeeling world, compassion is the most unnecessary and should be the first emotion to be discarded!"
"Often, excessive compassion will only ensnare you in needless danger without yielding any benefit, and you can never be certain that those whom you pity are not merely exploiting your surplus of useless emotion to achieve their own ends. Thus..."
Fixing his cold gaze upon the trembling creature, Xiao Mu Yu delivered his verdict, "From now on, stow away your surplus, useless, and utterly unnecessary compassion. Do you understand?"
Timidly glancing up at Xiao Mu Yu, the little creature softly uttered, "Wuu... Wujii... Wujii..."
"..." Xiao Mu Yu stared coldly at the little creature. Under the weight of his icy gaze, it instinctively lowered its head, too afraid to meet his eyes.
(Hahaha... Young man, it seems your training has not taken effect? Heh heh heh... This little creature dares to defy you! Hahaha... What will you do now, young man? Hahahaha...)
Gradually withdrawing his frigid gaze, Xiao Mu Yu remarked indifferently, "If it refuses to listen, so be it. I trust it will eventually understand that what I have said is the truth of the world, and it will come to realize what is true only after it has battered its head against the iron walls of reality."
(Oh? Heh heh heh... So, we shall temporarily set aside the little fox's issues, but you still have many queries that remain unexplained, heh heh heh... Young man, will you not continue?)
"What do you mean?" Xiao Mu Yu asked coldly.
(Oh, I have far too many questions, hahaha... Let me ask you one by one, heh heh heh... First, let us discuss that unfortunate little girl, Yaya, and her family.)
(We have already established that she has issues, but what of her mother? What of her father? Do they also have problems? Where do the issues lie? Ah, hahaha... I simply cannot comprehend, so enlighten me, young man... Hahaha...)
Xiao Mu Yu was accustomed to the demon's antics.
With an icy gaze, he continued, "Let us first discuss her mother, that frail middle-aged woman. Undoubtedly, her love for Yaya is genuine; she unquestionably regards Yaya as her daughter and cherishes her. Ah, perhaps this is the only truth within this deception? So real that I nearly doubted my previous judgment."
"However, that girl has self-sabotaged, reaffirming my conclusions," Xiao Mu Yu stated coldly. "Do you recall when that middle-aged woman wept inconsolably while holding Yaya? In that moment, the girl inadvertently revealed a flaw."
(Oh? Did she? Heh heh... How did I miss that? I remember that the poor, beautiful little girl was merely tenderly comforting her semi-conscious mother. Such a loving act, how could there be a problem? Heh heh heh... Young man, you have muddled my thoughts.)
"Indeed, her comforting her so-called mother is not the issue; rather, the problem lies in her subsequent actions."
Xiao Mu Yu's tone remained frosty. "After soothing her so-called mother, her first priority was not to serve me, her guest, a cup of tea, but to wipe away the snot and tears left on her by her weeping mother. This action is her most significant exposure of a flaw thus far."
(Tch!!! What does that signify? It merely indicates that the little girl values cleanliness. Are you jesting with me, young man? What flaw is that?)
"De Bang is a nation that prides itself on etiquette; the people there place great importance on antiquated and practically useless customs. In such a nation, for a guest, Yaya's failure to attend to me immediately raises suspicions."
"This behavior can only signify one thing: she is not a native of De Bang," Xiao Mu Yu stated coldly. "If she were truly a citizen of De Bang, even in regard to a false guest like me, her ingrained habits would prevent her from neglecting such hospitality."
"Since she is not from De Bang, she has not cultivated such habits. Once she unconsciously regarded me as a fool ensnared in their trap, her actions became carelessly casual."
"And as for your claim about cleanliness, do you believe a girl from De Bang, living in a slum and dealing with waste and refuse daily, would prioritize her own cleanliness over those hollow customs?" Xiao Mu Yu remarked coldly. "Moreover, the tissue she used to wipe her nose was remarkably clean."
(That's absurd!! If the tissue were dirty, it would have been discarded long ago. Who would keep it? Even so-called impoverished individuals wouldn't retain used tissues!!!)
"Ah, indeed, even the so-called impoverished would not retain used tissues. However, that tissue was far too pristine; such finely crafted, perfumed tissue, though inferior to what the luxurious upper class uses, should not be found in such a dilapidated slum. If I recall correctly..."
A chilling wind swept across the man's icy visage, tousling his gray-streaked hair. "In Hammerstone Town, such tissues sell for three copper coins per small pack; that price is sufficient for an ordinary family to afford a modest meal."
"Do you think a family struggling to make ends meet could afford such tissues?" Xiao Mu Yu asked coldly.
(Ah, that is indeed a point. But what of the mother? What of her? She suffered a dreadful fate in the end. I cannot believe someone could act so convincingly as to die in the process... Heh heh heh... Young man, what do you have to say about this? If they are not truly mother and daughter, then where does the mother's affection for Yaya originate?)
"The so-called mother's feelings are indeed genuine; however, she is mentally unwell, likely having suffered a significant trauma that led to her mental collapse. For such a woman, if I so desire, I could easily employ a thousand methods to make her mistake me for her most cherished person," Xiao Mu Yu stated coldly. "Thus, you understand where her feelings for Yaya stem from, do you not?"
(Oh, oh, oh... I understand, I understand! Heh heh heh... Little fox, do you comprehend? Hahahaha... And what of Yaya's father? Is he also a fabrication?)
"Indeed, that father is also false," Xiao Mu Yu replied coldly.
(What evidence do you have? Heh heh...)
"From his manner of entering through the door," he said, tightening his cloak to conceal the battered sword beneath. "The dilapidated little house is clearly in disrepair; the wooden door has long been warped and rotted, and the lock is misaligned, necessitating a gentle lift to open. Yet, as the head of the household, the so-called Yaya's father was unaware of this, requiring three attempts to force the door open. Do you find this normal?"
(Hahahaha... Not normal, not normal! Of course, it's abnormal! So, young man, I have one final question: what benefit do they gain from expending so much effort to ensnare you? I cannot believe they are merely idle and seeking amusement at your expense.)
"Ah, they certainly have a purpose, and you are already aware of it, are you not?" Xiao Mu Yu stated coldly.