A huge, sealed room was filled with rows of shelves taller than a person, densely packed with glass bottles. Each bottle contained a worm, some larger than the one Xiang Wan had taken earlier, others as thin as a hair, some a deep reddish-black, and others nearly transparent. Without exception, as Shi Di moved further in, whichever bottle his hand touched, the worm inside would writhe violently as if possessed.
Xiang Wan was quite surprised. If what Shi Di had said was true, then how many people here must he be controlling? Judging by the number of bottles on the shelves, there were at least tens of thousands, while the number of people in this cave, according to her estimation, was far less than the number of these insects. Therefore, Xiang Wan guessed that what Shi Di had told her earlier was mostly a bluff. If she really was one of these people, she was probably fooled by him.
“Look how interesting this is,” Shi Di said as he walked forward, casually tossing the bottle in his hand onto one of the shelves. “They are much more loyal than people, and they will never betray you.”
Xiang Wan listened silently, pretending to observe the insects along the way, her pace slowing down. Shi Di was lost in his own thoughts, walking along like a king holding a military parade, except his soldiers were just a bunch of useless insects.
Xiang Wan used her sleeve to cover herself, then casually took the bottle back and stuffed it into the bottom shelf, making a barely noticeable mark. She actually wanted to take it too, but judging from Shi Di's intentions, bringing her here, besides showing her his trump card and ensuring she couldn't escape his control, must have a mission for her. Otherwise, why would he bring someone he'd just rescued here?
"You must be very curious as to why I brought you here?" Shi Di said without turning his head, but his voice sounded somewhat nostalgic. "Originally, I thought she would be like me, wishing the whole world were at my disposal. Hahaha, what a pity, so many years of companionship ultimately failed to sway her in the slightest."
Selfless devotion? Ha, how could anyone in this world be so foolish as to think that just because they adopted her, their heart can't hold anyone else?
As Xiang Wan listened, she pondered who he was talking about. If it was about companionship, only the original owner of the body was close to him. Could it be that he had some other feelings for the original owner? Thinking about it, she felt a little creeped out.
"They don't even know what they're protecting, yet they fight so desperately. I really want to know what it would feel like to lose your life to what you're protecting?"
Shi Di chuckled mockingly, reached down and took a bottle from the shelf. Inside was a thick, jet-black worm. After the glass bottle was touched, the worm merely swam lazily for a moment before finally settling at the bottom.
"Look, the insect resembles its master, thinking itself safe and sound, but in the end, it is only making wedding clothes for others."
The bottle was handed to Xiang Wan, and she reached out and took it.
"After you go out, boil it and make a small bowl of soup. I'll need it."
Xiang Wan nodded, picked up the bottle, and followed him out of the secret room. As they came out, she saw Shi Di casually wipe his hand to the side, and the door closed.
Someone came looking for Shi Di. He gave Xiang Wan some instructions and then left. Following his instructions, Xiang Wan poured the worm into boiling water. Strangely enough, no matter how ferocious the worm had been before, it dissolved upon contact with the boiling water, turning into a transparent, gelatinous mass. The longer it boiled, the more the gelatinous mass dissolved, until it simply disappeared.
When the broth in the pot was half-cooked, Xiang Wan took a bottle and put the contents of the pot into it.
Shi Di was gone for a long time. Following her memory, Xiang Wan went to the secret room and retrieved the worm. She cooked it as before and put it in a bottle. To test its uses, she took a long, thin worm from the pool and poured some of the water she had collected onto it. After waiting for a long time, there was no reaction.
Hearing footsteps outside the door, Xiang Wan quickly tidied up the mess and stood at the door to wait.
Shi Di rushed in and reached out to Xiang Wan. Xiang Wan quickly handed him the bottle, waiting for his next move.
"There's a dinner party later, you'll come with me."
Xiang Wan nodded, indicating that she understood.
Shi Di went inside and changed his clothes, and also changed his mask to a silver wire mask that only showed his mouth.
They're dressed up in their finest attire; it seems the person they're entertaining is someone of great importance.
"Wear this outfit, and once you're out there, watch your step and do as I say."
Xiang Wan silently took the gray robe and veil he handed her, changed into the clothes, and then covered her head with the veil that had previously only revealed her eyes before covering the gray veil on the outside.
After making all the preparations, Shi Di went out and headed underground.
Along the way, she saw many people coming and going. The further down she went, the more high-class the people she encountered became, which could be distinguished by their clothing. There were quite a few people dressed like Shi Di along the way, only with slightly different patterns on their collars and cuffs, but she was one of the very few.
Because everyone was wearing masks, strangers couldn't recognize each other. Along the way, Shi Di also spoke with people, but used code names instead.
"People from the Eagle Tribe? They rarely appear here." Shi Di struck up a conversation with a person whose image was that of an eagle.
"It's my duty."
"Those two people last time, we were really grateful for the help from your Eagle Division, and we haven't had a chance to thank them yet."
"I wouldn't dare. It's the same service, and helping each other can save a lot of unnecessary trouble."
"This fellow is straightforward, which suits me well. If we have time, we should find a place to chat."
"I won't be a light bulb."
As he spoke, the man glanced at Xiang Wan, and before Shi Di could speak again, he strode away.
"interesting."
Shi Di stared in the direction the man had left, and after a moment, continued walking forward.
A long table, big enough to seat twenty people, was placed in the middle of a hall. On the table, directly opposite the chairs, there was a tripod with various patterns on it. Xiang Wan glanced at it and saw that there was only one of each animal, while in the very center was a sun.
After the guests took their seats, Xiang Wan stood behind Shi Di. Looking at the others, very few had brought maids with them.
After everyone was seated, the last person to enter appeared. As soon as she entered, everyone stood up and bowed to her in respect.
Xiang Wan could tell she was a woman entirely from her figure, clothing, and the mask on her head—a silver-threaded, gold-edged fox mask with striking red lips peeking out from beneath. The person walked with a graceful, swaying gait. Her hair wasn't long, but its silvery-white color was quite unusual.
After this person took their seat, the others followed suit, their expressions solemn, unlike their previous casualness. Xiang Wan was wondering how such a woman could command such respect when the person in the main seat spoke, instantly shattering all her suspicions.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
