Little Pink Starfish

I Feel Like I Just Can’t Let Him Go

Jing Mo stared at Tian Xingzi, completely speechless.

Tian Xingzi, on the other hand, gave Jing Mo a once-over. This man was destined to be emperor—True Dragon Fate. A life drenched in blood and glory… grand and magnificent at first glance, but whether it was truly good? That was something only the man himself could feel.

Those tiny bean-like eyes of Tian Xingzi locked onto Jing Mo, and for a moment, the prince felt like his very soul was being laid bare. It was as if those murky green eyes could pierce straight through him. Jing Mo froze in place, completely unable to move.

Yu Xiaoxiao shouted from beside the bed, “Hey, old Daoist, sit down!”

Tian Xingzi sniffled loudly—his mucus practically pouring into his mouth—and Jing Mo nearly vomited. What soul-piercing gaze? I must’ve been hallucinating!

“You want to fly out the window again?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked when Tian Xingzi didn’t move.

Without another word, the old man shuffled over and sat down obediently.

“I knew you were faking it!” Yu Xiaoxiao crowed. “Tossed out a window and still not a scratch—wanna keep pretending?”

Tears welled up in Tian Xingzi’s eyes. He wasn’t some martial arts expert! Sure, he ran scams across the land and knew a few self-defense tricks, but surviving that flowerbed landing? That was pure dumb luck!

Xiao Wei suddenly spoke up, “That day you said those things about our Prince Consort—were you telling the truth or trying to scam us?”

Yu Xiaoxiao cleared her throat meaningfully.

Jing Mo came over as well. “What did he say?”

The old Daoist swallowed hard. “I—I was scamming. Just for money.”

Yu Xiaoxiao patted Gu Xinglang on the shoulder triumphantly. “See? Told you so.”

Gu Xinglang gave Tian Xingzi a long, unreadable look.

But Tian Xingzi felt Gu Xinglang’s current expression was even worse than when they first met. He looked utterly miserable—as if cursed by fate.

Xiao Wei glared at Tian Xingzi too. This shabby old man is supposed to be the greatest warlock in the world? I’m just a guard and I’m doing better than him! “Princess,” he muttered, “why keep him?”

Yu Xiaoxiao clapped Tian Xingzi on the shoulder, knocking him onto a stool. “I just feel like I can’t let him go.”

Merciful heavens! Tian Xingzi practically sobbed. *What kind of logic is that?! Just because you *feel* it?!*

Xiao Wei asked, “Princess, you keeping him to tell fortunes?”

Yu Xiaoxiao shook her head. “I can do that myself.” After all, she already knew the plot. Why need a fortune-teller? As long as she didn’t self-destruct, no one could touch her!

Tian Xingzi’s dignity snapped. Insult me if you must, but leave my profession alone! He pointed (hesitantly) toward Jing Mo and said, “Then tell me, what’s his fate?”

Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t even look up. “Jing Mo’s definitely going to be emperor!”

Screw my life. Tian Xingzi nearly faceplanted. What was the point of him anymore?!

Jing Mo didn’t speak, but his pleased expression said it all.

Xiao Wei muttered under his breath, “Another mouth to feed…”

Jing Mo cleared his throat and tried to return to the matter at hand. “Shouldn’t we be thinking about the National Preceptor?”

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “I’ll have my father summon an imperial physician.”

Tian Xingzi snorted. “What can an imperial doctor do about Mo Wen’s poison? Just bring him here.”

Three simultaneous killing intents blasted toward him. Gu Xinglang and Xiao Wei were expected. But even Jing Mo?

Yu Xiaoxiao actually paused to think about it. Bring Mo Wen here… then make him kneel and beg Wuhuan’s forgiveness. Burn down Yongsheng Temple. Find Wuhuan a new love… Then she and Little Gu could travel and eat their way across the empire…

Yu Xiaoxiao started drooling.

Tian Xingzi stared at her mouth. “Um, is the Princess… salivating?”

Gu Xinglang wanted to shout, “Shut up!”

Yu Xiaoxiao declared, “Little Gu, let’s go have wontons later.”

Gu Xinglang: …

Tian Xingzi practically shrieked, “We’re discussing saving someone’s life and you’re talking about wontons?!”

Yu Xiaoxiao replied seriously, “I’ll go get Mo Wen. Wait here.”

“Princess!” Gu Xinglang and Xiao Wei both called out at once. Gu Xinglang immediately grabbed his wife’s hand.

“That’s MO WEN we’re talking about,” Jing Mo added quickly. “Princess, don’t be rash. Let’s think this through.”

Yu Xiaoxiao turned to look at Tian Xingzi. Well? Say something! This was your idea!

Tian Xingzi bowed his head. He never said anything, okay?

Xiao Wei, the ever-reliable one, suggested, “Maybe we can use those monks we caught to trade for the antidote?”

Gu Xinglang frowned. “Would Mo Wen agree?”

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “One of them’s a ‘head of the martial monk division.’ Sounds impressive, doesn’t it?”

Xiao Wei nodded slowly. “Sounds feasible. I’ll go with the Princess back to the palace.”

Gu Xinglang said, “But what if Mo Wen gives us fake antidote?”

Yu Xiaoxiao nodded solemnly. “Right, a man like Mo Wen—no morals, only shamelessness. He would do that.”

Xiao Wei’s face twisted. “So we’ll need someone to test it?”

Jing Mo began rubbing his temples again. Is there really any difference between negotiating with a hostage and demanding the cure outright? Can these people PLEASE get a grip?!

Tian Xingzi shrank into himself. If they forgot he was here, that would be perfect. May the ancestral spirits protect him.

Yu Xiaoxiao paced twice around the room. This was definitely harder than chopping zombies—but not enough to stump Yu Instructor. She picked up a teacup from the table, dumped out the tea, and strode to Wuhuan’s bed.

She began unbuttoning his clothes.

Gu Xinglang quickly grabbed her wrist. “What are you doing?!”

“I’m collecting a bit of heart blood.”

Jing Mo’s expression darkened. “You think he’s beyond saving, so you’re… helping him go peacefully?”

“What?!” Yu Xiaoxiao was shocked. “I’m saving him! Isn’t it obvious? Hold this.” She shoved the teacup into Gu Xinglang’s hands.

Gu Xinglang hesitated. She wants me to kill Wuhuan?!

Yu Xiaoxiao—undeterred—used her free hand to swiftly open Wuhuan’s shirt. Then, with a flick of her wrist, a dagger glinted. A deep red stream of blood flowed from Wuhuan’s chest into the cup.