Little Pink Starfish

A Madman’s Discovery

Jiang Lianhuan was searching the alleys one by one. Zhong Jin and his people hadn’t gone far—he quickly spotted blood again on the ground and followed the trail.

At that moment, Hua Rongyue was still facing Zhong Jin. As previously mentioned, she hadn’t fully adjusted to Yi Linglong’s body yet, so sometimes she’d perform like a master, other times like she was half-asleep.

But this time, everything flowed like water. From leaping off the rooftop to landing her blade—each motion felt rehearsed a thousand times. Her body responded naturally, smoothly, without a trace of the stiffness she’d experienced in Tianyi Tower.

“Who are you?” Zhong Jin’s red eyes flashed, locking onto her.

Hua Rongyue was still caught up in the surreal sensation of that flawless move. Was it possible? Had she finally synced with this body after all this time?

What had she been doing these last two months?

She couldn’t pinpoint anything specific, but deep down she suspected it was connected to those recurring visions—memories of Yi Linglong. Still, without evidence, she kept the thought to herself.

The sudden appearance of a mysterious figure startled everyone present—including Doctor Qi. No one knew this person’s intent.

It was the kind of world where assassins and enemies popped out constantly. Even if this stranger had just saved Xiao Han, who knew if they’d spare the rest?

Zhong Jin’s dazed mind cleared slightly. That technique just now—it felt… familiar, but he couldn’t place it. For now, he decided not to rush in. He clasped his hands and said, “Friend, I don’t believe we’ve crossed paths. Could you let us go in peace?”

The masked figure didn’t move.

Zhong Jin sighed in relief and turned to lift both Doctor Qi and the Wutong Scholar. Sparing Xiao Han for now, he prepared to leave.

“Hold it,” the masked figure said. “You can leave, but they stay.”

---

At the alley entrance, Jiang Lianhuan paused. Someone was already there.

A stranger. Dangerous-looking.

He studied the figure with interest. This… could be fun.

From the hands, Jiang Lianhuan noticed something rare—delicate and beautiful hands, slender and pale, almost like a painting. The figure’s side profile hinted at a handsome face, though most of it was concealed by a veil and hair.

And that knife… it looked familiar.

Still, Jiang Lianhuan didn’t recognize Hua Rongyue.

—He hadn’t even considered that the “useless tag-along” he’d left behind could be this person.

Meanwhile, Hua Rongyue was hyper-aware of every detail. Though her body was finally cooperating, her combat experience was still limited. She secretly wished for one of those convenient hallucinations to help her win—but none came.

She was painfully alert. Clear-headed. Completely in the moment.

She had hoped a bluff would scare Zhong Jin into dropping the hostages. No luck—he was about to bolt with both of them.

She maintained her mysterious persona, careful not to mention Doctor Qi by name—to avoid being recognized.

Zhong Jin’s red eyes stared at her. He was dangerous—unhinged from half a year in prison.

Her injuries still ached. Especially from the palm strike Lin Qiya had landed at Ba Ting Pavilion.

Zhong Jin’s expression turned vicious. He wasn’t giving up—not on his brother, not on the doctor who might save him. He began to move.

Hua Rongyue tensed, shifting her grip on the blade, letting it spin fluidly through her fingers.

Zhong Jin charged.

Time slowed. Hua Rongyue’s thoughts remained crystal clear.

I can’t match his strength, she realized. But I’ve got speed.

Zhong Jin, a powerhouse of brute force, surged forward like a mountain. Even enhanced by inner energy, he still appeared fast to most.

But then—he reached the masked figure’s position… and the figure was gone.

Jiang Lianhuan blinked. Where had he gone?

Zhong Jin instinctively looked up—just in time to see Hua Rongyue descending.

Her eyes were shadowed by her hair. Her expression was calm—like she was about to have dinner.

—She didn’t want to kill him. Just save Doctor Qi.

One clean slash landed on Zhong Jin’s shoulder. A deep wound. He screamed.

She kicked his other arm, sending Doctor Qi flying into safety.

From the alley entrance, Jiang Lianhuan had watched it all—and was genuinely impressed.

Fast. Impossibly fast.

Only a handful of people in the world could move like that.

That blade technique… it was from Tianyi Tower. Silent. Lethal. Cold.

But this one had evolved—fluid and graceful. Better than most Tianyi Tower assassins.

There was something… wild about it. A sharp edge of madness.

Jiang Lianhuan smiled.

Where did this icy, dangerous lunatic come from? And why hadn’t I heard of them before?

---

Hua Rongyue quickly placed Doctor Qi near Xiao Han. The doctor, still dazed, said, “Thank you, young hero…”

Worried he might recognize her, Hua Rongyue replied in a roughened voice, “No problem.”

She kept her head down, anxious to get away.

But Xiao Han was staring at her—looking utterly dumbfounded.

What now, dog-brain? she thought. Whatever’s cooking in that head, say it now so I can shut it down before it grows.

But he said nothing. So she gave up.

She rushed to change clothes—but just as she turned a corner, a hand grabbed her.

She tensed—ready to strike—until a finger pressed on her still-healing injury. The pain made her break into a cold sweat.

“Let me guess who you are…” Jiang Lianhuan’s voice was low, magnetic. “A Tianyi Tower assassin, traveling alone in Jiangnan, swift and deadly, already injured… And yet, no word from the Tower about any agents here—except one.”

He leaned in. “You’re Yi Linglong, aren’t you?”

Alone in the narrow alley, his red tear-shaped mole glinted beneath his eye. His breath quickened. His fingers trembled.

“…”

Hua Rongyue was silent.

He reached to remove her veil.

Just as he touched it, she whispered, “Young Master Jiang.”

Hmm? That voice was oddly familiar.

Still not recognizing her, he yanked off the veil.

And froze.

Hua Rongyue could feel the awkwardness pile up. She gently pushed him off and said, “Young Master Jiang, um…”

His face didn’t crack, but Hua Rongyue, master of overthinking, could read the emotions in his eyes.

From hope… to collapse.

She was about to console him when he muttered, “It’s really you? I didn’t expect…”

Wait—was that a trace of flirtation in his voice?

Warning bells rang in Hua Rongyue’s mind.

Instantly, she switched gears—back to her default: the kind, polite, well-mannered girl.

“I saw Doctor Qi and rushed over. Sorry I didn’t call for you—are you okay?”

Her sincere tone came naturally. And it hit like a splash of cold water.

Everyone knows: real assassins don’t worry about others. But Hua Rongyue was different—serious and gentle, as certified by Lord Yan himself.

Jiang Lianhuan fell silent again.

He looked at her face. The corner of her eye was bare—no red tear mole. She was… just a normal person.

And her expression? So genuinely kind and steady.

“I just didn’t want to trouble you,” she continued. “Actually, I’m really sorry about all this… You must’ve rushed over for nothing…”

As she spoke, she studied his face.

Bingo. His weak point was people with normal personalities.

She’d seen him light up moments ago. Now? After two wholesome sentences?

She watched him mentally deflate right before her eyes.

He released her and tidied his robe.

“Your knife…” he asked, eyes dull.

“Oh, Lord Yan gave it to me,” she explained earnestly. “Said it’d help with the performance. I was just wondering when to return it, and then today happened…”

Jiang Lianhuan looked… defeated.

Just moments ago, he’d charged in like a fighting rooster.

Now he walked out like a disillusioned philosopher.

“Want to rest at Baicao Hall?” Hua Rongyue offered kindly. “Doctor Qi brought back some good tea.”

“…No, it’s fine. I’ll head back,” he said, waving listlessly. But feeling it rude to leave so abruptly, he added, “Your martial arts… and acting… they’re really good. I underestimated you.”

“Oh no, not at all…” Hua Rongyue’s face flushed scarlet. Completely uncontrollably.

She was shy. Timid. Easily embarrassed.

Especially when she was also hiding something.

Jiang Lianhuan wasn’t ready for this visual assault. Seeing her blush was like getting struck by lightning.

He couldn’t handle it.

Without another word, he vanished—using lightfoot skills.

All that emotion… wasted. Ugh.

Hua Rongyue returned to Baicao Hall, changed clothes before the others arrived, cleaned up, washed the bloodstained sheets, and restored the place to order.

By the time Doctor Qi and the others got back, everything was neat and tidy.

The first thing Xiao Han said when he walked in?

“Oi, Hua! You have no idea what I just went through!”

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Ye ol’ Pinkster speaks: I just payed for all 600+ chapters of this story. Give me a couple bucks if you can, keeps me motivated.