Little Pink Starfish

Gu Bai maintained his impassive expression, meeting the gazes of the Demon Elders with calm detachment.

Three seconds passed. The elders exchanged uncertain glances. The plan seemed solid, and he certainly looked trustworthy… but does this guy really have what it takes to be a spy?

Yes, Ziche Shubai’s stoic demeanour inspired confidence, but his proud, aloof, and deeply stubborn personality was entirely unsuited for subterfuge.

Still, Gu Bai simply gazed at them, radiating his signature noble and frosty aura.

Qiguan Rui stepped in, smiling warmly. “We are honoured by the trust you place in us, elders. My gege and I will handle this mission flawlessly.”

The focus shifted to him immediately. True, they thought. Even if Ziche Shubai isn’t ideal, Qiguan Rui is perfectly capable.

His rapid rise in influence within the underground arena was proof of his charisma and cunning. If anyone could handle such a delicate mission, it was the young man who had already captivated so many demons. With his strategic mind and Ziche Shubai’s naturally trustworthy appearance, the pair seemed tailor-made for the role.

Thus, the decision was made.

Some among the elders briefly considered imposing restrictions on the duo to ensure their loyalty. But after weighing the risks, they dismissed the idea. Ziche Shubai and Qiguan Rui had nowhere else to turn—the Lingwu Continent offered no refuge for traitorous martial artists turned demons. Restricting them unnecessarily might backfire, driving them to rebellion.

The image of Ziche Shubai’s unwavering dignity sealed the deal. Best to let them believe they’re on equal footing, they thought.

Satisfied, the Demon Elders turned their attention to the practicalities of the mission.

Qiguan Rui addressed the room again, his tone thoughtful. “Since our identities as demons must remain hidden, there’s the issue of concealing our Wu Qi. Once we use it, it would be all too easy to expose ourselves.”

Gu Bai thought sarcastically: Sure, keep spinning your story. Like your miraculous bloodline can’t handle this effortlessly.

But Qiguan Rui’s concern wasn’t entirely unfounded. Recently, a groundbreaking invention had emerged in the Demon Domain: a special drug capable of temporarily altering a demon’s Wu Qi, making it indistinguishable from that of a martial artist.

The inventor of this game-changing concoction? None other than Liu Manluo.

Gu Bai’s sharp peripheral vision flicked toward the fiery beauty lounging nearby. Of course, he thought. It’s always her.

Liu Manluo had long been underestimated, her early years overshadowed by her less-than-stellar martial talent. But as she grew older, her extraordinary intellect more than compensated for her physical shortcomings.

The drug she had developed allowed demons to masquerade as martial artists for up to four hours. Though the user would be left weak for an entire day afterward, its effectiveness in covert operations was undeniable.

Liu Manluo’s voice was as sultry as her appearance. “Naturally, if we’re sending you into enemy territory, we’ll ensure you have every tool to succeed.” Her lips curved into a beguiling smile. “I will accompany you personally to guarantee everything goes smoothly.”

Qiguan Rui turned to her, his expression unreadable but polite. “Manluo-xiaojie, what exactly do you mean?”

Liu Manluo’s confidence didn’t waver. “The drug I created requires precise preparation. With me by your side, you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

Her suggestion caused an immediate stir. The conservative and neutral elders were especially displeased.

Sending Liu Manluo, with her undeniable allure, alongside a pair of men with a strong rapport seemed like a recipe for disaster. If she disrupted their teamwork or caused either to falter, the mission would be compromised.

They were about to object when Liu Wuheng interjected. “I must agree with my sister. This mission hinges on absolute secrecy. Should unforeseen circumstances arise, having the drug prepared on-site will be invaluable.”

His words carried an unmistakable subtext. Not only could Liu Manluo provide practical support, but her presence would also serve as a safeguard, ensuring the two “outsiders” remained loyal.

Reluctantly, the other elders conceded.

Gu Bai inwardly sighed. This is practically handing the pervert another pawn to manipulate.

In the original story, every woman who joined Qiguan Rui’s side ultimately became fanatically loyal, sacrificing everything for him. Whether it was due to his charisma or his manipulative methods, the result was always the same.

Would Liu Manluo fare any better? Unlikely.

Gu Bai couldn’t help but recall the mixed reactions when he finished writing the story—readers simultaneously berated him for his treatment of the female characters and praised the work as a “masterpiece.” If I’d known I’d end up in this world, I’d never have written such a mess.

The discussion eventually turned to logistics.

Ziche Shubai’s status as a student of Qingtian Academy was invaluable. Not only did it grant him access to elite martial artists, but it also positioned him as a key player in the larger political landscape.

The Demon Elders agreed that the mission’s success depended on swift action.

Before long, Gu Bai and Qiguan Rui departed the underground arena, leaving the Demon Domain behind.

Accompanying them were Liu Manluo, Xin Xinba’s granddaughter Xin’e, and a small group of low-ranking demons who would serve as both servants and potential scapegoats.

They boarded a specially prepared ship that sailed smoothly across the sea, carrying them toward their destination: Tianku Town.

Tianku Town was a modest but bustling settlement nestled along the coast. Many of its residents were low-level demons who lacked combat ability. For generations, they had maintained the town as a front, trading seafood and living inconspicuously among martial artists.

When their ship docked, several burly men on the shore immediately recognised the subtle markings on its sails.

“Welcome back,” one of them called out, his face splitting into a servile grin. “We’ve prepared accommodations for honoured guests such as yourselves. Please, follow me.”

Qiguan Rui descended first, his flowing robes and graceful movements exuding authority. Gu Bai followed, his expression cold and distant, yet no less striking.

Behind them, Liu Manluo and Xin’e disembarked, their faces hidden beneath veils. Even so, their alluring figures captivated onlookers.

As the group made their way into Tianku Town, Gu Bai couldn’t help but feel the weight of the journey ahead.

This is it, he thought. The real game begins now.

****

Pinky says: If you were wondering about the haps of my process, let me enlighten you.

I’ve payed for chatGPT and made my own AI to translate everything. The only thing it cannot do is the sexy times. I basically only have to edit, and I only edit once because I don’t wanna. I gave up on being diligent very quickly. But I plan to poop ten chapters a day so no one goes hungry. I have a lot of free time. The end.