Little Pink Starfish

This Isn’t Earth—This Is the National Guardian Temple!

Little monk Wang Yue darted away like a startled rabbit.

Behind Yu Xiaoxiao and Xiao Wei, the courtyard they had just left erupted with cries of alarm—someone was shouting about a fire. The two exchanged glances and climbed back onto the wall, crouching to watch where Wen Fenglin would run.

A muscular monk burst out of the burning meditation hall, carrying Wen Fenglin on his back.

“Follow them,” Yu Xiaoxiao ordered.

Xiao Wei, feeling uneasy without a proper weapon, grabbed a thick branch from the ground and gave it a few test swings. He was confident that with Wen Fenglin’s delicate build, this makeshift club would do the job just fine.

Meanwhile, Emperor Xianzong’s imperial carriage arrived at the gates of the National Guardian Temple. From inside the carriage, Xianzong could see black smoke rising from the temple grounds.

“F-Fire!” the captain of the palace guards cried out beside the carriage.

Xianzong’s vision went black. It’s over! He knew—ten to one—his daughter was behind this. Ever since he found out she was missing from the Gu residence, he’d been pacing restlessly in the palace, waiting for news. He waited from morning till night. Then the Gu family sent word—not only was the princess missing, but so was the prince consort. Upon hearing this, Xianzong knew things were bad. His daughter had definitely gone off to pick a fight with Yongsheng Temple again!

He’d rushed over as fast as possible—but it was too late.

“Your Majesty,” the captain said, “since there’s a fire, you should return to the palace at once.” A gentleman should not stand under a crumbling wall. How could the emperor risk his life by entering a fire zone?

Tears welled in Xianzong’s eyes. “I must go in!”

“Your Majesty!” The palace guards and eunuchs all dropped to their knees, trying to stop him.

Covering his face, Xianzong muttered, I don’t want to go either, but I have to save my daughter! He dropped his hands and declared, “No more persuasion! Grandmaster Mo Wen is still in the temple. I must confirm his safety with my own eyes!”

Refusing help, Xianzong jumped from the carriage and ran toward the temple gate.

From the pagoda terrace, Mo Wen saw the fire and stood, moving to the edge. Leaning on the stone railing, he stared in the direction of the blaze.

Both Jing Mo and Tian Xingzi breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, the princess set the place on fire.

Chengguan now rose and joined Mo Wen at the railing. Watching the flames, he said calmly, “That’s where the Young Master rests.”

Jing Mo and Tian Xingzi stiffened. Wait, that wasn’t the plan, was it?!

“Yes,” Mo Wen replied. “That’s Wen Fenglin’s meditation room.”

“Aren’t you going to check on him?” Chengguan asked.

“He has my men with him,” Mo Wen said. “It’s just a fire. He’ll be fine.”

“Of course,” Chengguan bowed. “He is blessed by the heavens.”

Jing Mo clenched his fists. Even though Yu Xiaoxiao was powerful, all of Mo Wen’s followers were no joke either.

“I’ll go take a look,” Mo Wen said to Chengguan. “You stay here and keep His Highness company.”

“Yes,” Chengguan agreed.

Mo Wen leapt off the terrace, followed closely by his monks.

Tian Xingzi muttered, “What’s the point of building stairs then?”

Only once Mo Wen was out of sight did Chengguan turn to Jing Mo and say, “Your Highness, this is not a place to linger. You and the Daoist should leave now.”

Jing Mo stood. “What about you, Grandmaster?”

Chengguan smiled. “My martial skill is modest. It’s only natural I couldn’t stop Your Highness.”

Tian Xingzi shouted, “Untie me already!”

Jing Mo drew his sword and cut the ropes binding the old Daoist.

“Ah!” Tian Xingzi leapt to his feet, feeling reborn.

Chengguan said quietly to Jing Mo, “Get him out of here quickly.”

Jing Mo’s face darkened.

“Some things shouldn’t drag too many people down,” Chengguan added in a whisper.

“What do you mean?” Jing Mo asked.

Chengguan replied, “Fengtian is a small kingdom. It cannot bear the consequences.”

Jing Mo said nothing, fists clenched.

“Right now,” Chengguan continued, “what matters most is preserving strength. If something happens to Wuhuan, and Zhuri gains a new national master, I’m sure the third prince will thrive.”

Jing Mo gave Chengguan a long look.

Tian Xingzi couldn’t wait. “Let’s go, Your Highness! What if Mo Wen comes back?”

“Take care,” Jing Mo bowed to Chengguan and walked toward the pagoda exit.

Tian Xingzi followed and said to Chengguan, “The world is on the verge of chaos—take care of yourself.”

Watching them go, Chengguan turned to the sky. He ignored the firelight and looked upward. The stars in the night sky sparkled, surpassing all earthly brilliance.

As they descended the pagoda, a monk rushed toward them.

Jing Mo shoved Tian Xingzi into the shadows.

The monk stopped upon seeing Jing Mo and bowed.

“Looking for the Grandmaster?” Jing Mo asked.

Panting, the monk replied, “His Majesty has arrived. I was sent to inform the Grandmaster.”

Jing Mo stepped aside. “He’s on the terrace.”

As the monk hurried off, Tian Xingzi emerged from the shadows. “Why’s that old emperor here? Isn’t the temple rowdy enough tonight?”

“You go ahead,” Jing Mo told him. “I’m going to meet His Majesty.”

Hearing he could move on alone, Tian Xingzi brightened. “I’m off, then!”

He ran several steps before Jing Mo’s cold voice rang behind him: “The princess said she won’t let you off. You might want to reconsider running.”

The old Daoist immediately burst into tears.

Jing Mo passed him and said, “Be smart.”

At that same time, Yu Xiaoxiao and Xiao Wei were standing on a forest path, blocking a monk who was carrying Wen Fenglin on his back. The monk glared at the two masked figures and barked, “Who are you?!”

Yu Xiaoxiao deliberately lowered her voice and growled, “It’s the middle of the night. Where you takin’ your lady? We rob for money and love! Leave your cash and your woman!”

The monk gasped. Did someone really just try to rob and seduce inside a temple?!

Xiao Wei added in a gruff voice, “Refuse and we’ll kill you!”

“Yeah!” Yu Xiaoxiao echoed.

The monk was furious. “Do you even know where you are?!”

Yu Xiaoxiao scoffed. “What, not Earth?”

“This isn’t Earth—this is the National Guardian Temple!” the monk bellowed. “If you don’t want to die, scram before this great monk teaches you a lesson!”

Yu Xiaoxiao snorted. Ignorance is terrifying.

“Princess Linglong,” a calm voice called out—it was Wen Fenglin.

What the hell?! Yu Xiaoxiao thought. Even disguised like this, this sissy still recognized me?!