Little Pink Starfish

The real Yi Linglong was a wild and unruly soul, someone who did whatever she pleased.

When Hua Rongyue said this was a “small scene” in Yi Linglong’s memory, she wasn’t exaggerating — Yi Linglong was someone who had seen truly grand stages.

Situations like walking into a trap with nothing but a single blade — she’d experienced such things more times than one could count. Before she went mad, she might not have even bothered with events like this.

But after she lost her mind, she loved them.

No one else in the martial world shared Yi Linglong’s strange preferences. Ordinary people might not run away from something like this, but they definitely wouldn’t enjoy it. Yi Linglong was different — she particularly enjoyed being the center of attention, especially in a moment when everyone was against her.

Once a person went mad from qi deviation, their nature inevitably turned violent and arrogant. Yi Linglong relished being under the spotlight — it made her feel good.

Hua Rongyue had speculated about Yi Linglong’s psychology. Maybe part of it was a performer’s desire to be seen, unleashed after going mad. Or maybe… she just wanted to show off those outrageous outfits.

Yi Linglong adored loud reds, greens, gaudy florals — preferably embroidered with a hundred patterns, looking just like an old lady’s quilted jacket. Add the powdered face and bright red lips, and she looked like some spirit born of a cotton quilt.

Her appearance aside, her killing skills were miles ahead of everyone else in the martial world. But after every “performance,” she never received praise — only curses.

Yi Linglong’s reputation steadily snowballed in the direction of “Demon Cult Leader.” In the hearts of those in the martial world, she was someone who ought to be slain. Her name had always been associated with the word “freak.”

And that “freak” wasn’t just figurative — it meant Yi Linglong, a man, dressing as a woman.

Not to mention ancient times — even in modern days, people would struggle to accept Yi Linglong’s appearance. As a time-traveling modern woman, Hua Rongyue had to admit — it really was hard on the eyes.

But what made Yi Linglong impressive was that she didn’t care. No matter what people said, she held her head high and did as she pleased.

Now surrounded by people herself, Hua Rongyue didn’t exactly feel “comfortable” like the real Yi Linglong might have, since their personalities were different. But she didn’t feel nervous either — instead, she felt… strangely calm.

In her mind, she could almost predict what would happen next. After all, Yi Linglong had experienced something similar after the Tianyi Tower master’s death. That incident wasn’t even very grand, yet oddly enough, it was similar in scale to what was happening now.

So how had Yi Linglong handled it back then?

Hua Rongyue realized this didn’t feel like an unforeseen incident — it felt like she was re-enacting something that had already happened.

“Why’s he dressed like that?” someone next to Jiang Lianhuan snickered. “Did you tell him this was an important occasion, so he showed up in his best outfit?”

The tone was subtly mocking, like they were criticizing both Hua Rongyue and whoever had sent her, as lacking discernment.

Jiang Lianhuan silently thought — no, this was just how she always dressed at Baicaotang.

Hua Rongyue’s appearance stunned everyone. Just now, the fake “Yi Linglong” in all black, face veiled, had seemed exactly like what one imagined Yi Linglong to be. But this newcomer, also holding a blade, didn’t look like a killer at all.

He seemed more like someone who should live in the sun. The part of his face that showed was more exposed than the previous imposter’s — enough for people to glimpse his features.

Rumor had it that Yi Linglong was a man with a feminine appearance.

This person, though showing only his eyes, still gave people a hint of his face. Those closer could even see half of it clearly.

The mask was tight-fitting, covering only half of Hua Rongyue’s face — it couldn’t change her bone structure or facial contours.

Male and female features were fundamentally different. A woman’s beauty was a natural gift — the gentleness and allure in her brows and eyes were blessings men couldn’t possess. But there were always a rare few touched by the heavens who could transcend that divide.

Calling a man “beautiful” usually felt wrong — but if he was that beautiful, no other word would do.

Hua Rongyue still remembered how people had reacted the first time Yi Linglong dressed as a woman — shock, disgust, ridicule, and scorn.

Yi Linglong had never shown her true face.

Most people knew the name, not the face. After all, assassins lived in the shadows. Strictly speaking, this was the first time she’d shown herself publicly.

To Hua Rongyue, everything unfolding felt familiar. This face — it was also the first time it had appeared before the crowd. And she knew exactly what it looked like.

That same face.

That same forehead, nose, brows, eyes, body — and blade.

Hua Rongyue listened carefully, trying to detect if any familiar scorn from Yi Linglong’s memories was emerging from the crowd.

But everything around her was silent.

One Tianyi Tower operative below was clearly stunned. Hua Rongyue realized he probably knew her, even though she didn’t recognize him — his reaction made it obvious.

He recognized that distinctive outfit and familiar face. If this weren’t the real Yi Linglong, no one would dare dress like that.

And because he recognized her, he stood frozen for a long time — unaware that his legs had already gone weak.

The people around him were clearly awaiting his command. Seeing him stunned, no one dared move. Once he faltered, his subordinates had no idea what to do.

The assassin’s mind was probably a mess, but he still had some judgment left. Eventually, he raised his blade — and his expression turned grave as he looked at Hua Rongyue.

Onlookers quickly realized — this person must be the real Yi Linglong. Even the Six Gates agents in the tavern were stunned.

“Why did the Tianyi Tower assassin suddenly draw his blade?” someone asked.

Jiang Lianhuan’s heart skipped a beat.

“He’s giving off killing intent,” someone nearby whispered.

“Killing intent? Is that all it takes to make Tianyi Tower’s assassins draw their swords?” the “interviewer” behind the screen asked skeptically.

“It’s not just any killing intent,” Jiang Lianhuan said slowly. “You may not feel it, but to that Tianyi Tower assassin… it must be overwhelming.”

Jiang Lianhuan was one of the most skilled martial artists present — his explanation earned instant credibility.

Hua Rongyue smiled at the Tianyi Tower assassin — and cold sweat immediately began dripping down his forehead, all the way to his neck.

This assassin was no slouch — even the fake Yi Linglong earlier had been easy for him. But now, staring at Hua Rongyue, he was terrified.

Hua Rongyue found it all fascinating. In that moment, she felt a strange presence inside her — not her own, but something bold, distinctive, unrestrained, and wild.

She knew exactly what to do. Under a thousand watchful eyes, she struck.

That flash of movement was like a meteor streaking through the sky.

Her strike was simple — just a single, clean cut.

Moments earlier, people might have thought the fake Yi Linglong was already a master of speed. But after witnessing this cut, all those thoughts vanished like smoke.

Her blade was like a swallow returning to its nest. Some even thought they saw a flash of light — and suddenly, all the Tianyi Tower assassins’ eyes widened.

They saw Yi Linglong’s blade — plain-looking at a glance, but unmistakably Wushang, the only one of its kind in the world.

With that one strike, a thin red line appeared on each assassin’s neck — about the length of a finger.

The wounds were deep — down to the bone — but carefully avoided vital points. Even so, the scars would likely never fade.

Her blade also tore the veil off the fake Yi Linglong’s face. He was still barely breathing, but now bore a deep scar across his cheek. He looked up at Hua Rongyue, gasping.

Oh, that guy.

Hua Rongyue recognized his face and laughed — he was one of Tianyi Tower’s younger operatives. She remembered him.

She watched the blood trickle down his face, which he didn’t bother to wipe. He simply stared at her with intense, unblinking eyes.

“How is he still alive?” someone inside Drunken Residence shouted, furious. “Why didn’t the Gu worm kill him?”

Jiang Lianhuan watched Hua Rongyue from the tavern. Beyond that single blade, every one of her movements was slow and deliberate — graceful, composed.

A beauty that made the scalp tingle.

The silence lingered. Even breathing seemed to vanish from the air.

Hua Rongyue wondered — if this were the real Yi Linglong, what would she do to someone pretending to be her?

Probably… leave a mark on his face too.

Who had Yi Linglong scarred in her past life?

“Yan Sheng once said his martial skills were impressive.” The “interviewer” behind the screen let out a satisfied sigh. Everyone in the room could hear his pleased tone, while another person gave a cold snort.

“A man with a woman’s face… truly the type you’d bring. Still pushing your plan to make Yi Linglong fall for a man? He seems better suited to playing a clown.”

Hua Rongyue, just like the Yi Linglong in her memories, slowly sheathed her blade. She stood still for a few seconds, waiting for that familiar mocking voice.

But silence reigned.

She slowly closed her eyes — the red mole by the corner glimmered enchantingly, searing into the hearts of all who saw it.

“Yi Linglong must have… gone mad,” someone inside Drunken Residence whispered, voice trembling. “Maybe that madness is the only reason he survived.”