Little Pink Starfish

Sixth Sense

The Six Doors (六扇门) was an organization caught between the Jianghu and the imperial court.

Although most martial artists didn’t particularly like the name, the truth was — they frequently had to deal with the Six Doors.

It was, in essence, a government body similar to the Jinyiwei (Embroidered Uniform Guard), yet with key differences. The Jinyiwei were composed of formal court officials and trained secret guards, more akin to imperial bloodhounds. But in contrast, a significant portion of the Six Doors’ members were former martial artists who’d changed careers.

Because of those past lives in the Jianghu, no matter how long they’d served in the Six Doors, that rogueish, untamed aura clung to their bones. That’s exactly what made the Six Doors the most well-equipped department for handling martial world affairs.

The people there were complicated — you never knew which low-level officer might have once been a grandmaster from some sect, or which female constable was actually a holy maiden in disguise.

The Six Doors was the kind of place where “no questions asked” was a rule of thumb. Assassins, thieves, beggars, prostitutes — people of every stripe could be found there. It was, truly, a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

Hua Rongyue had seen much about the Six Doors in Yi Linglong’s memories. Those memories reshaped her fuzzy concept of what it actually was.

For a modern person, the Six Doors might just be something out of books or TV. But now, she could at least speak a few words of it herself.

Still, she found Yan Sheng’s behavior today a little baffling. Before leaving, he’d — intentionally or not — brought up the Six Doors. Though he was subtle about it…

— He was testing whether Hua Rongyue had any interest in joining.

Once she caught on, Hua Rongyue found it both funny and exasperating.

Apparently, the Six Doors were planning to recruit a new batch. Yan Sheng was one of those in the know — and had some say in who got in or not.

Based on her understanding of his character and future potential, Hua Rongyue doubted it was just “a little say” — probably closer to “half of Jiangnan.”

The timing of this recruitment made her a bit suspicious. Was the Six Doors reaching its limit and in need of fresh blood?

It had already been two months since the Tianyi Tower was burned down, but the aftershocks were far from over. Hua Rongyue still found herself waking in the middle of the night, ears twitching at the slightest sound. After all, she’d spent six months there — her senses had been sharpened. Any unusual noise set her on edge.

If even regular folks could feel the tension, the Six Doors must be in overdrive.

By the way, in the minds of the common people, all the recent chaos in Jiangnan was caused by the Tianyi Tower — and one of the most talked-about figures in the aftermath was Yi Linglong.

Ordinary people might not know the finer details, but when it came to Yi Linglong leaving the Tower? Oh, they could tell that story backwards. Some could explain it even better than Hua Rongyue herself.

This incident was the most sensational one in the martial world in the past two months. But Hua Rongyue knew deep down — this had little to do with how “strong” Yi Linglong actually was.

Sure, Yi Linglong was powerful. But what did that have to do with her, Hua Rongyue?

It was just that someone needed a scapegoat. Whether they knew her or not, she had become a convenient target. Everyone else still needed to survive in the Jianghu — but Yi Linglong? She’d completely vanished. So it was easy to pin everything on the former colleague who had “resigned.”

Hua Rongyue, minding her own business at home, had become the bearer of countless baseless accusations. From someone who only needed to show a bit of repentance to be forgiven by the organization, she had now become someone who’d likely be killed on sight. Jiangnan’s martial artists had certainly played a role in that.

So when Yan Sheng subtly hinted at recruitment, she could only smile bitterly.

“Me?” she feigned ignorance of his implications. But seeing her resist, Yan Sheng came right out with it: “The constables at the Six Doors start at two taels of silver per month.”

Currently, as a Baicaotang apprentice, Hua Rongyue got room and board — but zero pay.

She continued playing dumb and politely saw him out. Once the guest was gone and Baicaotang returned to its usual calm, she turned around — only to find Doctor Qi and Wan Fulián standing right behind her.

“Rongyue, you’re really joining the Six Doors? Two taels a month — you’ll be rich!” Wan Fulián said, eyes shining.

“I might not go,” Hua Rongyue replied, shaking her head.

“That Yan Sheng actually asked if you wanted to join — that’s something else,” said Doctor Qi, chiming in as he walked over.

“You both knew Lord Yan was part of the Six Doors?” she asked, surprised.

“Of course. A few years ago, I ran into some trouble and the Six Doors sent someone — it was him. You could say we’re old acquaintances.”

Ah, so that was it. Hua Rongyue gave Doctor Qi a suspicious look.

He made it sound so casual — probably because he wasn’t from the martial world. He didn’t understand what the Six Doors really meant, let alone what it meant for someone to be its future chief.

Judging by past experience… if Doctor Qi needed him to step in personally back then, it was probably that “mysterious constitution” of his acting up again…

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Since that day, Baicaotang welcomed a rather “magical” new apprentice. He showed up before dawn the very next morning, and Hua Rongyue hadn’t been informed. She opened the door, got startled — and nearly drew her blade.

Fortunately, Doctor Qi stopped her in time.

“He’s… the new apprentice,” he said quietly, pulling her aside.

Hua Rongyue stared at him in disbelief.

Doctor Qi explained with a sigh, “Well, his family… you know. He insisted, and we couldn’t stop him. Just bear with it. If it’s too much, just pretend he’s not there. Besides, with all the recent troublemakers around, having him here might help scare them off.”

…Xiao Han had become Baicaotang’s third apprentice.

— Also known as the “Shadow Apprentice,” best at creeping behind Hua Rongyue like a ghost, glaring fiercely with every step, while moving with extreme caution.

He was quite different from when he first visited — now, much more subdued. The arrogant rich kid who’d flaunted his rare Western blade and legendary tales now often slumped over a table, yawning and napping. Even the big tabby cat had been squeezed out of its usual spot.

It was only now, with him finally quiet, that Hua Rongyue could really get a good look at his face — which, frankly, did match her taste.

A very textbook example of a “domineering, charming villain” face — the type often seen in wuxia stories as the “coolest, most unbeatable rogue.” It wasn’t just his looks either — even his fashion sense appealed to her. As a rich kid, Xiao Han’s outfits were always on point.

Take his boots for example — nothing flashy at first glance, but once worn, they exuded style. Hua Rongyue adored that kind of understated yet fashionable aesthetic. It wasn’t about gold and jewels — it was about elegance and presence. In that sense, she and Xiao Han spoke the same language.

…If only he had a better EQ.

Despite his emotional cluelessness, as long as he stayed quiet and let her admire that pretty face, Hua Rongyue was happy to have him around — a decorative flower vase, if you will. Who doesn’t like a bit of eye candy?

She figured he probably wasn’t here just to help out — more likely, he couldn’t let go of her.

I mean, imagine if your significant other suddenly started spending every day with a gorgeous person. You’d be a little bothered too, right?

Most people would at least check in or ask questions — but Young Master Xiao? He had time and money to spare. He could stay and watch 24/7.

“Why are you even here?! Just go home!” Wan Fulián finally snapped.

She was outside drying herbs, carrying baskets back and forth — with Xiao Han trailing right behind her every step of the way.

Besides shadowing Hua Rongyue, Xiao Han’s other new hobby was playing tagalong to Wan Fulián. Even someone as mild-tempered as her was finally getting annoyed.

“Xiao Lian, listen — I’m just worried about you! That guy Hua… he doesn’t seem like a good person. There’s something about him that feels off. He’s hiding something, I can tell. And yet you insist on apprenticing here…” Xiao Han rattled off behind her.

“And what makes you think you’re a good person? At least he didn’t come in on his first day and destroy the counter!” That set Wan Fulián off even more. She turned, glaring daggers at him.

Xiao Han flinched under her stare. “That was… different…”

“What was different?!”

At that moment, both of them suddenly stopped — Hua Rongyue was standing at the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, watching them.

Neither had any idea when she’d arrived.

“Don’t listen to him. He’s just talking nonsense,” Wan Fulián rushed over, leaving Xiao Han behind and walking in with Hua Rongyue, chatting happily.

Xiao Han stood frozen, wanting to say something, but she never looked back. Left alone on the street, he looked oddly lost and pitiful.

At that moment, there was no one else on the road — just him. In all his life, he probably hadn’t experienced being ignored so directly, and now didn’t know whether to go in or not.

As he stood in front of Baicaotang, lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a pair of shoes before him.

Startled, he even took a step back.

He hadn’t heard a sound — didn’t even realize anyone had approached.

“Junior Brother Xiao,” came a low voice. Hua Rongyue had returned, looking at him. “Do I really not seem like a good person?”

Xiao Han stared at her warily.

Hua Rongyue had expected him to lash out, maybe even pick a fight. She was ready for it.

But instead, he didn’t say a word — just darted around her and ran inside, seemingly still shaken by their last encounter.

Comrade Xiao Han, though unwilling to sit quietly, still didn’t dare to provoke her directly. So he resorted to glares — fierce, dagger-like stares that followed her everywhere.

After he left, Hua Rongyue stood in the doorway for a moment, then suddenly chuckled.

“This guy’s EQ is terrible — but his sixth sense? Not bad at all…”