Su Muyu held an umbrella in his hand, its tip pressed against Su Changhe's back: "Who brought you in?"
Su Changhe twirled the dagger in his hand lightly: "Every member of Spider Shadow was personally chosen by you. They are all absolutely loyal to you. Don’t you trust them?"
"I trust results more." Su Muyu glanced at Bai Hehuai on the ground and frowned slightly.
Bai Hehuai struggled to get up from the floor and slowly retreated to the door of The Head’s room.
"You shouldn’t doubt them. They’ve always been loyal to you, but you made one mistake," Su Changhe said with a smile.
"What mistake?" Su Muyu asked.
"They are loyal to you, but that doesn’t mean they are loyal to The Head. If they think your choices are wrong, will they help guide you back to the right path?" Su Changhe spun around, slashing his dagger toward Su Muyu.
Su Muyu stepped back, a strand of his hair severed by the dagger. He swung his paper umbrella fiercely and shouted, "Move!"
Bai Hehuai froze for a moment before immediately throwing herself forward, tumbling into the room. The Head remained undisturbed, still resting with his eyes closed despite the commotion. She then looked up at the Wooden Bird on the door and reached for the trigger cord.
"That’s enough for today." Su Changhe leaped over Su Muyu’s head, darting out of the corridor in a few steps before jumping down. "Su Muyu, you truly have many surprises around you—far more than I imagined."
Su Muyu exhaled softly, not dwelling on the meaning behind Su Changhe’s words. He walked to the door and saw Bai Hehuai about to pull the cord. Quickly, he flicked his paper umbrella to knock her hand away. Bai Hehuai snapped, "What are you doing? Don’t let him escape!"
"Consider it my request. Don’t pull it," Su Muyu said, lowering his head.
Bai Hehuai looked up at Su Muyu’s troubled and apologetic expression and finally withdrew her hand. She glanced at The Head lying motionless, then stood up and closed the door behind her as she stepped out. "You and that little mustached man are close?"
"Very," Su Muyu replied flatly.
"Ugh, your Dark River is so complicated," Bai Hehuai shrugged. "I almost died just now. I really don’t want to let him go."
Su Muyu sighed softly. "My apologies."
"Never mind. Let him run for now. I’ll call Chou Niu and the others later," Bai Hehuai waved dismissively.
"Miracle Healer..." Su Muyu closed his umbrella and hesitated before speaking. "About the intruder in Spider Nest—please don’t mention it to anyone. I’ll handle it myself."
Bai Hehuai paused, taking a moment to understand. "You want to protect the traitor? Have you lost your mind?"
"Miss, your only duty is to heal The Head to the best of your ability. The rest is Dark River’s internal affair. Please refrain from interfering," Su Muyu said firmly.
Bai Hehuai scoffed. "Then can you tell the rest of your Dark River that it’s your own business? When it comes to killing, maybe leave me out of it."
"I promise you, from today until The Head recovers, no one will be able to harm you," Su Muyu replied.
"Is that something you can guarantee?" Bai Hehuai raised an eyebrow.
"Unless I die first," Su Muyu said slowly."Fine, I'll trust you this once." Bai Hehuai looked at Su Muyu's utterly serious expression and ultimately felt she couldn't win against this strange fellow. She pushed the door open and returned to the room. The Head was still deep in slumber, and Bai Hehuai lay down on the long chair. Somehow, knowing Su Muyu had returned, the tension she'd been holding in her heart finally eased.
It seemed this guy really had some peculiar charm—no wonder those people trusted him so much.
But... that fellow with the little mustache...
Su Changhe strolled down the deserted long street, happily humming an unknown tune while toying with the small dagger in his hand: "The Medicine King Valley Divine Physician and the Dark River Assassination Art—how fascinating, truly fascinating!"
"What's so fascinating?" A hoarse voice suddenly came from the eaves beside him.
Su Changhe stopped in his tracks, his spine straightening instantly as his black robes billowed. Through gritted teeth, he said, "It's you."
"Indeed, it's me." The man wore silver robes that shimmered brilliantly under the moonlight. "It's been a long time, Undertaker."
"With your status, you dare come to Nine Heavens City?" Su Changhe sneered.
"With my status, is there any place under heaven I cannot go?" the silver-clad man retorted. "Anywhere I wouldn't dare?"
"That's an interesting claim. If you're willing, now would be the perfect time to visit that Nest," Su Changhe said darkly.
"Whether it's a good time or not isn't for you to decide. I cast a divination today—the signs say it's inauspicious for me to go," the silver-clad man replied with a laugh.
"I don't care about your affairs. Did you seek me out for something?" Su Changhe asked impatiently.
"Nothing in particular. I happened to pass by and saw you. By the way, I cast a divination for you and your dear brother too." The silver-clad man stood up. "Care to hear it?"
"Not interested." Su Changhe strode forward.
"Both omens are dire—nine deaths, one life," the silver-clad man proclaimed loudly.
Su Changhe ignored him and walked out of the long street. Wiping cold sweat from his brow, he gave a bitter smile and muttered, "Meeting a monster like you—isn't that dire enough?" He returned to the entrance of the Luo Jiuxiao Inn, where the entire building was pitch black, not a single candle flame in sight, as if everyone inside had gone to sleep. Su Changhe lowered his head in contemplation for a long while before suddenly turning away.
At that moment, the inn's door creaked open.
A gust of wind blew out from inside, carrying a chill.
"You're back—aren't you coming in to rest?" A small flame flickered inside the inn as Su Zhe struck a match to light his tobacco.
"Uncle Zhe, still awake at this hour?" Su Changhe forced an awkward smile and stepped back inside.
"Was asleep, but someone woke me up." Su Zhe took a slow drag from his pipe. "Quite annoying, but what can you do?"
"Your Mandarin sounds particularly refined tonight, Uncle Zhe," Su Changhe said with the same strained smile.
"Go upstairs. They're waiting for you." Su Zhe looked at Su Changhe and shook his head slightly. His Buddhist staff leaned against the wall, its golden rings jingling faintly in the breeze.
"Uncle Zhe, those chimes sound too much like a soul-summoning bell. My hands are shaking before I even go up," Su Changhe said, narrowing his eyes."Your trembling hands have nothing to do with me." Su Zhe gently tapped the tobacco pipe on the table before setting it down. "Hurry up and go upstairs. Don't let them come down."
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