Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Wraithspeaker Emerges (Part 2)
“Come back with me to Cang Yue’s residence. From now on, that will be your home.”
Gu Cang Yue reached for Song Wei Chen—but Mo Ting Feng lifted a hand and blocked him.
“Even with the Wraithspeaker identity, she’s still the number-one suspect in a major disappearance case,” Mo Ting Feng said coldly. “Major-case suspects have always been monitored around the clock by the Dust Warden Office. Case Supervisor Lord—are you planning to break the law?”
“Spare me,” Gu Cang Yue snapped. “What if I insist on taking her anyway?”
Song Wei Chen rolled her eyes. Great. Needle to needle again—ready to clash at the slightest spark, childish as grade-schoolers.
“Are you two done?” she said flatly. “Am I just a prop you drag out whenever you want to fight?”
“If you want to brawl, find another reason. Stop using me as the opening line.”
She turned and strode out. She needed to find Ding He Ran. If his injury wasn’t serious, she’d promised to take him to Autumnwater Town to look for clues.
“Wait!”
Both men spoke at the same time.
Gu Cang Yue moved faster. “Where are you going?”
“Lord Cang Yue,” Song Wei Chen said, forcing a polite tone, “I’m under suspicion. Going to your residence would be inappropriate.”
“I really have to work. Once I find the truth and clear my name, I’ll come visit properly, alright?”
She was grateful—truly. He’d saved her again and again, even storming the Dust Warden Office for her. But that didn’t mean she wanted to repay him with her body. The memory of how he’d acted in Autumnwater Town still made her tense. Maybe it had been a coincidence. Maybe it was the Big Bird’s mating season.
Maybe she could like him someday. But that was later. Not now.
Her name might be Wei Chen, but she wasn’t someone others could arrange and define at will.
“You won’t come with me?” Gu Cang Yue stared, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d heard.
For the first time, his balance wavered. Even his usual self-address slipped, raw and unguarded.
“No one has ever refused me.”
A shadow of anger showed in his eyes. No one could deny him—no one, not even the one who could glow beneath Blackwater.
He had meant it. He genuinely wanted her as a companion.
Mo Ting Feng noticed the shift and stepped forward, wary. Song Wei Chen lifted a hand, stopping him.
She looked straight into Gu Cang Yue’s fierce gaze without flinching. Then she smiled—soft, almost sweet—and hugged him like a friend.
“I don’t believe someone who keeps saving me would hurt me.”
She wasn’t naive. She was gambling.
She was gambling on his compassion. On the warmth hidden beneath his ruthless ways. And on the fact that, toward her, he held even the faintest trace of tenderness.
Gu Cang Yue froze.
It was almost laughable—whether as a high god in the past or a fallen god now, no one had ever approached him on their own. No one had ever hugged him first.
People respected him or feared him. None of them treated him with ordinary warmth.
The anger he felt vanished like smoke. In its place rose something greedier, something that didn’t want to let her go.
“If you won’t come with me,” he said, voice turning strange, almost coaxing, “then can I stay here with you?”
“I don’t feel right leaving you alone.”
Who would believe those words came from the Lord of the River of Oblivion? He didn’t even call himself “this lord” anymore.
Song Wei Chen knew she’d won her bet.
“You staying here will scare all the clues away,” she said, sniffling. A chill rolled through her, and she sneezed again. “How am I supposed to investigate with you looming over everything?”
“Then hug me one more time, and I’ll go,” Gu Cang Yue said shamelessly.
A fierce bird acting cute—it was unbelievable.
Song Wei Chen raised her arms with a look that said she had no choice, but Gu Cang Yue was faster. He pulled her close and held her tightly. He couldn’t explain it. He only knew he liked the scent on her—familiar, calming, like something he’d been missing for far too long.
Beside them, Mo Ting Feng’s face turned so cold it could freeze stone.
“Case Supervisor Lord,” Mo Ting Feng snapped, “the Dust Warden Office is for handling cases, not… handling business!”
Gu Cang Yue’s expression iced over. He’d forgotten this eyesore was still here.
He released Song Wei Chen, clearly ready to strike back, but she caught his sleeve at once.
“Give me some face, alright?” she whispered. “He’s still my boss. Let it go.”
She looked at him with quiet pleading. Gu Cang Yue’s fury deflated on the spot—he had no defense against her.
“Fine,” he said at last. “I’ll come again soon.”
He flicked a glance around the hall, voice cutting sharp. “Take good care of her. Anyone who dares bully her is making an enemy of Cang Yue’s residence.”
At last, Gu Cang Yue left.
Song Wei Chen exhaled hard, like she’d been holding her breath the whole time. She sneezed twice in a row, wiped at her nose, and started toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Mo Ting Feng asked.
She stopped and rolled her eyes. Did they rehearse the same lines together?
“Where do you think?”
“I’m going to haul bricks, do 996, do 724, and take He Ran to look for clues, Boss.”
She lifted her chin. “Remember to give me a five-star review.”
“No need,” Mo Ting Feng said, stepping closer. His expression was dark. “Compared to that, I care more about your relationship with Gu Cang Yue.”
“Why is he so invested in you?”
“What relationship could it be?” Song Wei Chen shot back, irritation flashing. “I’m his woman. Do you believe that?”
Mo Ting Feng’s face tightened. The words poured oil straight onto the nameless fire that had been burning in him since he’d seen her hug Gu Cang Yue.
“Good,” he said, voice clipped. “Very good.”
“Since you admit it, answer me this. You said Nian Niang attacked you—how did you escape?”
“Escape?” Song Wei Chen bristled. “What escape?”
“I told you—she threw me into the water. You didn’t believe me!”
“I believe you,” Mo Ting Feng said sharply.
“But aside from Gu Cang Yue, Blackwater’s poison has no cure. Blackwater steals the soul—no one survives. Who saved you?”
Song Wei Chen froze.
So that was the real trap.
Gu Cang Yue had warned her: do not mention that he saved her on the night of the new moon. How was she supposed to answer?
“I…”
“Who saved you?” Mo Ting Feng pressed, his voice hardening. “Whoever appeared there that night must be connected to the White Robe disappearance. Say it—and you’ll have a chance to clear your name.”