This Dream Centipede was different from the filthy, grotesque evils You Su had seen before. It was imbued with an exceedingly enchanting rainbow-like color, and measured only as thick as a pinky finger.
If one set aside their prejudices against evils, one could even describe it as ’beautiful’.
It lay silently on Xiang Wenting’s neck, crawling without a sound. Strangely, the Dream Centipede’s two antennae were not piercing into Xiang Wenting’s skin.
You Su had learned from He Shutong that although the Dream Centipede was a high-level Dream-Related Evil, it was not inherently aggressive. Its sole power lay in the ability to induce deranged dreams through the toxin in its antennae.
But why was this Dream Centipede merely lying on Xiang Wenting’s neck without biting him? And the ease with which it crawled... it felt as if they were rather intimate...
"This gentleman."
Xiang Wenting stopped his tears, his expression grim, "You can talk about food carelessly, but not words. You stand here, benefiting from Xiuyun’s light. If you continue to slander recklessly, I think it’s time to show you out."
Ji Lingruo sneered at these words and curled her lips disdainfully:
"Pleasant words indeed. Before we came, how many times had Xiuyun been here? Yet every time she was refused at the door—isn’t that under your instruction?"
Xiang Wenting was slightly taken aback, looking at the tear-filled eyes of the little girl, a bit of guilt in his expression:
"Xiuyun, I’m sorry, I truly didn’t know about your previous visits; no one informed me."
Ji Lingruo slightly furrowed her elegant brows, feeling peculiarly that this noble gentleman seemed exceptionally sincere when he said these words.
"If my earlier words offended you, I apologize. May I ask, Mr. Xiang, what was the cause of Qiao Xiuying’s death?"
Qiao Xiuyun also looked over with a face full of concern.
Xiang Wenting shook his head, "Cause unknown."
"A courtesan without grudges or enmities, only associated with you, the City Lord’s son, yet died mysteriously, with her corpse nowhere to be found. Mr. Xiang, don’t you think when analyzed like this, you’re the biggest suspect?"
"Ying’Er and I were genuinely in love; why would I harm her?!" Xiang Wenting seemed gravely wronged, glaring tightly at You Su.
"The dead can’t run away, so naturally, they can stay with you forever." You Su, in the most flippant tone, voiced the most venomous speculation.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiang Wenting immediately slammed the table, spilling more than half of the ink from the inkstone.
"Stop slandering with baseless accusations!"
That said, there was suddenly a rustling, orderly sound of footsteps and armor outside the door.
"Young Master! Are you alright!" A robust voice called from outside.
Xiang Wenting’s chest heaved, his emotions finally calming slightly:
"I’m fine, just talking excitedly with friends. Stand down. If there’s anything, I will personally call you."
"Yes!"
The crowd outside the door then left in full, leaving You Su to subtly furrow his brows.
"I haven’t asked your name yet."
Xiang Wenting sat back down, calmly asking.
"I do not change names while traveling, nor alter surnames while sitting." You Su stood up straight, "I am Ye."
"The Ye Family of Henggao City? The one chosen by Miss Cailing last night, is that you?" Xiang Wenting visibly paused, exchanged a meaningful look with You Su.
You Su gave a light cough but did not deny it.
"No wonder you speak of finding letters from beneath the bed boards of the Elegant Bamboo Pavilion... Cailing is indeed special." Xiang Wenting suddenly uttered undue sentiment.
"Scum! New love after just losing the old!" Ji Lingruo sharply interjected.
Xiang Wenting neither confirmed nor denied, instead spoke slowly:
"I know Mr. Ye is kind-hearted, wanting to find Xiuyun’s sister’s remains, but Ying’Er’s body truly isn’t with me. I wish even more than you to find her. I’m a bit tired today. Please leave. Xiuyun can stay, and the City Lord’s mansion will accommodate you."
Qiao Xiuyun wiped the tears in the corner of her eyes upon hearing this and resolutely said, "I don’t want to stay here!"
Xiang Wenting gave a bittersweet smile, "Then please trouble Mr. Ye. If you need anything, you’re welcome to visit the City Lord’s mansion again. No one will dare stop you. I also hope if you find any clues, I will be the first to be notified."
You Su gazed at the Dream Centipede on his neck. The Dream Centipede seemed to see him as well and hurriedly crawled to the back of Xiang Wenting’s neck, not daring to reveal its head.
"Sorry for disturbing, Cyan Simurgh, Zi Yiyi, let’s go."
You Su walked away without hesitation, Ji Lingruo could only glare angrily at Xiang Wenting before grabbing Qiao Xiuyun’s hand and following You Su’s pace.
...
The four walked in silence back to the inn.
Qiao Xiuyun fell asleep in Zi Yiyi’s room, while the remaining three sat around the teapot in the adjacent room.
"This conversation didn’t seem to have much effect."
Before You Su could speak, Zi Yiyi piped up first.
She still felt dissatisfied with the absurdity of You Su’s actions the previous night, hence her tone was a bit amused, as if today’s setbacks were due to You Su’s energy being exhausted last night.
"If he directly told us where the body is, that would be unbelievable." You Su poured tea for both women.
"Your words sound as if you are certain he knows where Qiao Xiuying’s body is hidden."
Zi Yiyi had already removed her veil, revealing her slightly proud, delicate face.
"Didn’t you see the Dream Centipede on his neck?"
You Su suddenly asked.
"Dream Centipede?!"
Zi Yiyi and Ji Lingruo exclaimed simultaneously, even Ji Lingruo, who had just begun learning about evils, had heard of this evil, as this was the source of all changes brought by You Su.
"He too was afflicted by the evil?"
Zi Yiyi found it incredulous, that You Su discovered something she had not. One reason being that Dream-Related evils are intrinsically rarer compared to the other two types, and secondly, due to the extraordinary rank of the Dream Centipede, even following Hua Jing’s lead, she hadn’t seen it.