Little Pink Starfish

Severed Emotions, Faded Desires

Just then, Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei pushed their way through the crowd. One glance at Gu Xinglang’s expression—cold enough to freeze water—and Xiao Wei stepped forward, shoving the old Taoist and snapping, “Trying to scam our master? Scram!”

The Taoist staggered back a step but kept staring at Gu Xinglang.

Gu Xinglang was about to order Xiao Wei to throw the man out when the captain of the guards arrived with reinforcements from the Gu estate.

The onlookers quickly scattered in all directions—this situation was escalating fast.

Surrounded by guards, the old Taoist looked entirely unconcerned about being beaten. He calmly said to Gu Xinglang, “Severing all seven emotions and ridding yourself of six desires may, in fact, be a blessing to those around you.”

Xiao Wei’s eyes went wide. No emotions, no desires? Was he suggesting the Prince Consort become a monk? Then what about the Princess?!
“Get lost!” Xiao Wei roared, delivering a kick that sent the old man flying ten meters away. “Don’t let me see your face again!”

Xiao Zhuang snorted. “He’s clearly just a crazy old man.”

Still sprawled on the ground, the Taoist called out toward Gu Xinglang: “Those who defy fate will suffer Heaven’s wrath!”

Meanwhile, Yuxiaoxiao was happily chewing on pig head meat. The autumn rain had long stopped, and the sunlight filtering through the thick clouds still gave a faint sense of warmth. With food in her mouth and the cheerful noise of the street around her, Her Highness once again praised this zombie-free world—it was freaking beautiful.

Back to Gu Xinglang: he didn’t feel the beauty at all. The Taoist’s ominous words had left him with a deep chill, something he couldn’t shake.

“Bring him over,” Gu Xinglang said suddenly.

Xiao Wei frowned. “Prince Consort?”

“I want to ask him something,” Gu Xinglang insisted.

Two guards dragged the old Taoist back before Gu Xinglang.

The Taoist smiled, showing two yellowed teeth. “Best heed my advice, Prince Consort.”

Gu Xinglang’s voice was ice. “You want me to abandon my wife and leave my family?”

“For a man who should have died, where is the meaning of family?” the Taoist countered.

“You crazy old—!” Xiao Zhuang raised a hand to scold him.

The Taoist ignored him, still staring at Gu Xinglang. “I bear you no grudge. I wouldn’t curse you without cause. I say this for your own good. Better to sever the limb and survive now, than regret it in the future.”

“You want my Little Gu to cut off his own arm?!” a sharp voice cut in.

Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei both exhaled in relief. Their princess was here. With her around, all demons and monsters would surely scatter.

The Taoist turned and froze when he saw Yuxiaoxiao.

Holding a half-eaten pig head, she eyed him. “You’re a Taoist?” She had just gotten into it with a bunch of monks—and now here came a Taoist. What is it with religious folks in this world? Do they all want beef with me?

“You…” The Taoist trembled as he stared at her. “I cannot read your fate. Where are you from?”

“Huh?” Yuxiaoxiao was puzzled at first, then realized—Crap, did this old man just figure out I’m not from here?!

She glanced at Gu Xinglang, who was sitting pale under the eaves. Her gut screamed that she couldn’t let this Taoist spill the truth. She wanted to live a good life with her Little Gu!

“You—” The Taoist raised his voice, trying to say more.

“You what?! Go to hell!” Yuxiaoxiao roared and promptly flung the old man across the street, right into a massive vat—of who knows what.

Xiao Wei, seeing the Taoist land in misery, still reported dutifully, “Princess, that Taoist was spouting nonsense to the Prince Consort.”

Yuxiaoxiao’s heart clenched. She turned to Gu Xinglang. “What’d that old geezer say to you?”

Gu Xinglang met her eyes. The Taoist’s strange gaze had rattled him, but her question brought him back. He shook his head. If he was still alive, then fate hadn’t abandoned him. What heavenly destiny nonsense?

Yuxiaoxiao stepped closer and touched his face. “What did he really say?”

“He was just rambling,” Gu Xinglang said.

COUGH. Xiao Wei couldn’t help clearing his throat.

Yuxiaoxiao quickly hid her hand behind her back. She’d forgotten it was still greasy from pig head meat—and now Gu Xinglang’s cheek was smeared with lard.

Sniffing the air, Gu Xinglang asked, “What’s that smell? Xiaoxiao, you…”

His gaze landed on the pig head—missing bits on both sides—and he didn’t finish the sentence.

“Oops, sorry. I got pig grease on your face,” Yuxiaoxiao said, then shoved the pig head at Xiao Zhuang. “Here, hold this. I’ll wipe him clean.”

But in public, Gu Xinglang couldn’t bear having his wife clean his face. He quickly took out a handkerchief and did it himself.

Yuxiaoxiao watched him and asked, “Do you like pig head meat?” It wasn’t exactly a delicacy favored by nobles. Gu Xinglang hadn’t expected his refined princess to enjoy something so common.

Before she could answer, Xiao Wei said, “The Taoist’s up again.”

Everyone looked across the street.

The old man climbed out of the pickle vat, looking like a drowned rat. But he didn’t care. While Yuxiaoxiao and Gu Xinglang stared at him, he stared right back.

“You will regret this,” he said solemnly.

Thunder rumbled in the sky.

Yuxiaoxiao could swear—it had nothing to do with her.

“You still have time to sever your emotions,” the Taoist called to Gu Xinglang.

“HEY!” Yuxiaoxiao exploded. She and Little Gu hadn’t even faced a love triangle or any evil exes, and the first thing to test their relationship was a Taoist?

She vanished from her spot and reappeared in front of him, fist raised.

The Taoist didn’t dodge. Looking at her with a mysterious expression, he said, “I am Tian Xingzi.”

Tian Xingzi, Earth Xingzi—whoever he was, she didn’t care. Princess Yuxiaoxiao grabbed him again and slammed him to the ground.

At that moment, torrential rain came pouring from the sky, casting the world into a yellowish haze.

“Princess,” Gu Xinglang was carried over by Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei. He spoke softly, “Don’t bother with this kind of charlatan. Let’s go home.”

Yuxiaoxiao tossed Tian Xingzi to the ground and considered whether she should say something threatening to scare him off for good.

A guard brought the carriage around. Gu Xinglang climbed in and extended a hand toward her. “Let’s go home.”

Home. That word always filled Yuxiaoxiao with warmth. Taking his hand, she let him pull her into the carriage.

The old Taoist sat in the rain, watching them disappear into the distance. Earlier, he had seen behind the young consort—clouds thick with blood. This man was destined to bear countless deaths.

“Po Jun…” the Taoist whispered—the name of a star that governs slaughter and misfortune. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply.