Little Pink Starfish

Things That Happen Often Aren’t Miracles

The man in the blue monk robes turned to face Yuxiaoxiao and said in a deep voice, “Princess Linglong?”

Yuxiaoxiao stared at his face and froze on the spot. That face…

“I heard the Princess practiced martial arts from a young age. May I ask who your master was?” the man continued calmly.

“Drill Instructor?” Yuxiaoxiao blurted out.

Emperor Xianzong nearly fainted. What the heck is a “drill instructor”?

The man raised an eyebrow and smiled. “What do you mean, Princess?”

Looking at the face in front of her—exactly like the man who raised her—Yuxiaoxiao felt like the whole world had gone surreal. “You… you transmigrated too?”

“Transmigrated?” the man showed no offense, his tone still gentle and patient as he talked to her.

Yuxiaoxiao looked him over again. Wait a second. She’d once told herself: If that man dies in battle, humanity’s done for. Her drill instructor couldn’t possibly die!

“Who is he?” she asked Gu Xinglang.

The moment the bell sounds in his ears disappeared, Gu Xinglang was hit with a wave of dizziness. He could barely keep his eyes open. Hearing Yuxiaoxiao’s voice, he forced himself to lower the hand supporting his head and looked at the monk. “Never seen him. I… I don’t know who he is.” Normally, if he were thinking clearly, he’d know—someone who could order Chengguan around could only be the Vice Abbot of Eternal Life Temple. But at the moment, all he could think about was sleep.

“Big Brother, who is he?” Yuxiaoxiao turned to Gu Xingnuo next. At times like this, Big Brother Gu was more reliable.

Emperor Xianzong cleared his throat and said, “Linglong, don’t be naughty. Come greet Master Mo Wen.”

Yuxiaoxiao felt like she’d been struck by lightning. “Who?”

“Mo Wen,” the monk said, smiling gently at her.

“The Mo Wen of Eternal Life Temple?” Yuxiaoxiao asked hopefully.

“Yes,” Mo Wen nodded slightly.

Yuxiaoxiao’s clenched fists trembled. He really is that Mo Wen?!

“Hurry over,” Xianzong urged, trying to fill the awkward silence.

Yuxiaoxiao stepped forward slowly, staring at Mo Wen’s face. His bone structure was different from her drill instructor—this man’s frame was narrower. And that smile… Her instructor had been a cold, iron-blooded jerk. He never smiled like this. Still, this face—Yuxiaoxiao stood beside her father, staring in a daze. That jerk’s face… it really made her nostalgic. Wonder if he’s still alive in the apocalypse?

“Say hello,” Xianzong nudged his daughter. What’s with this intense staring at Mo Wen’s face?

“Have we met before, Princess?” Mo Wen asked with his ever-calm smile, unfazed by her rudeness.

“No wonder you taught someone like Wen Fenglin,” Yuxiaoxiao muttered. “Your disciple’s about to die, and you’re still smiling?”

“He won’t die,” Mo Wen said flatly.

Yuxiaoxiao shrugged. What a pity.

“Master, why did you come alone?” Xianzong asked with forced cheerfulness.

“If I hadn’t, I’m afraid my disciple would be on his way to the underworld already,” Mo Wen replied with what seemed like a joke.

Xianzong’s guts clenched. Yuxiaoxiao rolled her eyes.

“Chengguan, did you not hear me?” Mo Wen turned to the monk.

Chengguan bowed deeply, then said to Xianzong, “Your Majesty, this humble monk will escort the young master back to the temple.”

“Go, go,” Xianzong quickly nodded.

Chengguan and several monks carried the unconscious Wen Fenglin away.

“Master,” Xianzong waited until they were gone before nervously saying to Mo Wen, “Shall we go to the main hall to talk?”

“No need,” Mo Wen replied. “I haven’t been to Feng Tian in years, but the capital looks just the same.”

Xianzong smiled stiffly, anxiety flooding his entire being. In this moment, the emperor wished he was just dreaming. In the dream, there was no Mo Wen, no Wuhuan, and no Wen Fenglin! “Linglong, aren’t you going to greet Master Mo Wen?” he shouted to his daughter, trying to find any excuse to fill the silence before his nerves gave out.

Yuxiaoxiao ignored her dimwit father. She just kept staring at Mo Wen’s face, wondering: If that damn instructor of hers could smile like this, he wouldn’t have made it to age thirty-five still a single mutt. Life was truly brutal. But seriously, how could such a jerk share the same face as her instructor? With this face, how was she supposed to punch the guy if they ever fought?

“Ancestor,” Xianzong quietly begged his daughter.

“Hello,” Yuxiaoxiao finally greeted Mo Wen. One must live with hope, after all. The face of the infamous Empress looked just like hers—so if Mo Wen looked like her instructor, maybe there was a sliver of possibility? “Yu Xiaoxiao,” she added, testing.

Though Mo Wen’s smile didn’t waver, a flicker of confusion passed through his eyes.

Yuxiaoxiao kept her expression blank, but there was deep disappointment in her eyes. Things that happen all the time aren’t called miracles. She shouldn’t have hoped that damn man transmigrated too.

“She’s insane,” Xianzong muttered to Mo Wen. “Master, my daughter’s mind comes and goes. Please don’t take offense.”

“Is that so?” Mo Wen looked at Yuxiaoxiao and asked directly.

Xianzong glared hard at her.

Yuxiaoxiao nodded. So what if she’s lost her mind again? It’s not the first time.

Mo Wen then looked toward Gu Xinglang and asked, “Is that the Prince Consort?”

Gu Xingnuo turned to look at his younger brother and immediately noticed something was wrong. He quickly walked over, knelt down, and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Gu Xinglang shook his head. “It’s nothing, I’m just… a little tired.”

“Your head hurts again?” Gu Xingnuo’s voice trembled with worry.

His reaction stunned Gu Xinglang.

“Is it your head again?” Gu Xingnuo gently reached up to touch his brother’s forehead.

Yuxiaoxiao also returned to Gu Xinglang’s side. “Xiao Gu, what’s wrong?”

Looking at the two people worried about him, Gu Xinglang smiled. “I’m fine.”

Yuxiaoxiao touched his forehead—temperature normal. Then she felt his hand. His palm was sweaty.

“Really, I’m okay,” Gu Xinglang gently pulled his hand back. “I haven’t eaten all day. I… I’m just a bit hungry.”

Hearing that, Yuxiaoxiao suddenly realized—she was hungry too.

“Now that Mo Wen is here,” Gu Xingnuo quietly told his brother and sister-in-law, “we all have to be extra careful. Princess, stay with Xinglang. Don’t worry about anything else.”

“Big Brother,” Yuxiaoxiao asked, “Did Mo Wen always look like that?”

Gu Xingnuo glanced back at Mo Wen. “Yes. He never seems to age.”

“A demon?” Yuxiaoxiao responded instantly.

“Maybe,” Gu Xingnuo replied, but his eyes were still full of concern as he turned back to look at Gu Xinglang. “Are you really alright?”