Little Pink Starfish

Why “Murder and Arson” Are Always Paired Together

As soon as the guards from the money house charged into the room, Bear Bear’s second-in-command and the rest pulled down their black face scarves and rushed in to join the fight. By now, Bear Bear had already started brawling with the guards. If someone couldn’t make it as a decent bodyguard and ended up a pirate, they were probably no saint to begin with. The chaos quickly spilled out from the guest room into the front courtyard. Weapons were drawn, and blood soon began to fly.

Even with his injuries, Bear Bear found himself effortlessly defeating these guards. The fight reignited his confidence—his martial skills hadn’t faded after all. Reassured by his own strength, Bear Bear got more and more excited as he fought.

The noises from the violent brawl in the front courtyard reached the back of the money house, where several monks from Yongsheng Temple were drinking tea.

“What’s going on?” the lead monk asked Qian the money boss nervously. They had just deposited an entire carriage-load of valuables—offerings and gifts gathered on their journey. Though they didn’t understand why Master Mo Wen had suddenly decided to store the items here, they were certain of one thing: if anything went missing, Master Mo Wen would never forgive them.

Qian quickly rose and reassured the monks, “No need to worry, masters. Some local thugs must be stirring up trouble. We have hundreds of guards—it’ll be fine. Please wait here while I go investigate.”

The lead monk stood up.

Seeing him stand, the rest of the monks followed suit.

Qian felt a headache coming. If these monks insisted on watching over the valuables themselves, he couldn’t object. If even a single piece went missing… Yongsheng Temple would tear him apart.

—

At the mouth of the alley, Gu Xingnuo heard the fighting. He turned to Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei. “Go in. Tell Bear Bear to grab the silver and leave. Don’t linger.”

The two nodded, masked up, and leapt over the high courtyard walls of the money house like shadows.

In the carriage, Yu Xiaoxiao shifted in Gu Xinglang’s arms, mumbling, “Xiao Gu, Bear Bear and the others fighting?”

Gu Xinglang pulled the cloak over her more snugly. “Yeah. Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei have gone to help.”

Yu Xiaoxiao yawned, “Need me?”

Gu Xingnuo chuckled from the side. “Just some guards. Zhuang and Wei can handle them.”

Gu Xinglang kept quiet. His big brother sure was dismissive of Bear Bear and his crew.

Yu Xiaoxiao snuggled deeper into Gu Xinglang’s embrace. “Then I’ll go back to sleep.”

“Sleep,” said Gu Xingnuo. “When we’re home, we’ll have sweet dumplings.”

“Peanut filling.”

“Definitely peanut,” Gu Xingnuo promised.

Yu Xiaoxiao gave a content hum and drifted off again.

—

Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei arrived at the chaotic scene just in time. Xiao Zhuang leapt in with a blade, clashing with one of the lead guards.

Xiao Wei approached Bear Bear, knocking aside anyone in his path. Though someone tried to block him, they were no match.

Bear Bear glanced over and, from the disdainful look in Xiao Wei’s eyes, instantly recognized him. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re not here to get the money? Using this as a sparring match?” Xiao Wei snapped, kicking a guard into the dirt.

Bear Bear gritted his teeth. One day he’d strangle this kid. Couldn’t he talk without sneering?

“Move!” Xiao Wei shouted again.

“Where’s the vault?!” Bear Bear shouted back.

The guards around them, hearing this, fought even harder to stop them.

Just then, Er Gouzi came running in from the side courtyard, shouting, “I found the vault!”

“Let’s go!” Bear Bear roared, leading the charge.

Qian the money boss arrived just in time to see the mayhem and nearly passed out. Thieves were one thing—but this was insanity.

Er Gouzi led the pirates toward the vault. With their new ‘legal’ status, the ex-pirates found fighting more satisfying than ever. A powerful backer really made a difference!

“Stop them!” Qian screamed.

His personal guards rushed to intercept. One swung a blade at Er Gouzi.

Er Gouzi tried to parry but wasn’t that skilled. The guard kicked him down and slashed—aiming straight for his neck.

Er Gouzi curled up, arms over his head. He was ready to die for the cause.

Then—CLANG! Xiao Zhuang flipped through the air, knocking away the blade and countering with a slash of his own.

Er Gouzi blinked, touched his neck, and found it still intact. Looking up with teary eyes, he gazed at Xiao Zhuang like a savior.

“Where’s the vault?!” Bear Bear yelled over the noise.

“Here!” Er Gouzi waved frantically.

“Take them there,” Xiao Zhuang said, pushing him forward and deflecting another blow.

Er Gouzi sprinted ahead, with the pirates following.

“After them! Don’t let them in the vault!” Qian shouted, practically jumping up and down.

Xiao Zhuang felled another guard, then fixed his eyes on Qian.

Qian’s voice died in his throat. Xiao Zhuang looked honest and goofy most days, but he was an imperial shadow guard. And once he fought seriously… he wasn’t merciful.

Qian’s elite guards stepped in front of him, but after a few moves, most were already bleeding. Qian wanted to cry. With that level of skill, why would anyone need to be a thief?!

“Set it on fire!” Xiao Wei called out amid the chaos.

By now, having spent plenty of time with their princess, Xiao Wei fully understood why “murder and arson” always came as a pair.

“No!” Qian howled. “Fine, steal the money, but leave the building!”