"What do you mean?"
Of course, he meant he wanted to get something out of her for free.
Fang Cheng wanted to stay, but he didn't want to make that clear. He wanted the Fox to know he was staying only to help her.
I want to leave, but you're asking me to stay. That means you'll owe me a favor.
The Fox wasn't particularly respectful when she spoke of the Ghost Princess, so she must hold a high position in the Iron-Cast Palace.
A favor from her would come in handy someday.
Fang Cheng reiterated, "If you want me to stay and help you, then I'll stay."
The Fox looked away and retorted, "This helps you, too."
Fang Cheng raised a finger and wagged it. "The risks and rewards are completely out of proportion. I don't want to get involved in the Iron-Cast Palace's mess."
Then why are you helping me?
The Fox wanted to ask, but she was afraid Fang Cheng would say something she couldn't face.
After a moment of silence, she finally said, "Then stay... I'll owe you a favor."
"Fine. I'll stay, then."
Fang Cheng smiled and took one of her paws, giving it a shake as if they were sealing a deal.
The Fox pulled her paw back, apparently reluctant to have any physical contact with Fang Cheng. Her six tails swished restlessly.
Fang Cheng paid no mind to her haughty act and asked, "What do we do next?"
The Fox took a deep breath to calm her jumbled thoughts, then considered the matter. "Ghost Rakshasa probably thinks we've escaped the Iron-Cast Palace by now. But we can do the opposite and sneak right back in to find out what's going on with the Ghost Lord."
"What if he's still alive?"
"Then we'll ask