Chapter 21: We Suspect the Red Umbrella Is a Dwarf!

Ji Huo turned to look at Iron Eagle, and Little Red Sugar beside him grinned foolishly at Iron Eagle, even sticking out her tongue and making a face.

"Are you suspecting Little Red Sugar is Red Umbrella?" Ji Huo replied irritably, "What kind of assassin would openly wear their professional attire?"

Iron Eagle laughed heartily, "Of course no assassin would be so foolish. I was just making a casual remark. In fact, Red Umbrella has become an idol for many noble ladies and female heroes in the martial world. Many have adopted this outfit."

"Is that so?" Ji Huo blinked, surprised at this revelation.

"Ranked seventh on the assassin list, and just a little girl—words like 'red clothes' and 'barefoot' inspire dreams of heroism. Many in the martial world now dress like this, all influenced by Red Umbrella. Even some noble ladies attend banquets in this style," Iron Eagle explained. "Many local authorities once tried to arrest Red Umbrella, but ended up catching only her fans. Now they no longer judge by attire alone."

So this is like cosplay in another world... Ji Huo looked at Little Red Sugar with a strange expression, not expecting this girl to have so many admirers.

"And since Red Umbrella has many enemies, some commit crimes dressed like her. But most are just fans. This time, I could tell the culprit was specifically targeting Red Umbrella."

Ji Huo asked curiously, "Do you know who is after her?"

Iron Eagle glanced at Ji Huo and pondered, "It's hard to say, but I suspect this killer will strike again. If you stroll the streets at night, you might encounter them. Second Young Master, best not to go out after dark these days—it's unsafe."

Ji Huo looked at Iron Eagle and smiled, "I'll remember that. Thank you for the warning." Then he asked, "What do you think of Red Umbrella?"

Iron Eagle hesitated, looked around to ensure no one was listening, and whispered, "The Six Gates suspect Red Umbrella is actually a dwarf."

Ji Huo: "?!"

Little Red Sugar: "!!"

Seeing Ji Huo's odd expression, Iron Eagle explained, "This is the conclusion we reached after discussion. Red Umbrella first appeared three years ago. According to local reports, she was just a seven- or eight-year-old girl, yet she killed 'Whirlwind Blade,' who was ranked seventh among assassins at the time."

"It's unbelievable that a child of seven or eight could achieve such a feat. Even the most gifted in sacred grounds or major sects couldn't have such accomplishments at that age."

"So we suspect Red Umbrella is actually an adult, a dwarf, disguising herself as a little girl."

Ji Huo nodded, indicating he understood. This was why he dared to bring Little Red Sugar openly to the Six Gates—no one would imagine that three years ago, her strength already surpassed most people in the world.

"If Red Umbrella really is a little girl, she'd be ten by now," Iron Eagle said with a wry smile. "I can't imagine—a seven- or eight-year-old ranked seventh among assassins three years ago. What terrifying strength must she possess now? And if she truly is a child, doesn't that mean all us grown men have been practicing martial arts in vain all these years?"

Ji Huo nodded, "I think so too. There are many false rumors in the martial world; best not to believe them all."

Iron Eagle agreed, "Exactly."

After Ji Huo and Little Red Sugar left, Iron Eagle silently watched their departing figures and murmured, "If an assassin dared to come openly to the Six Gates headquarters, it would mean she was certain she could escape unscathed—her strength would be unimaginable..."

"Such a young age... Could it really be my mistake?"

He stood for a long time. All his experience told him it was impossible, yet his investigator's intuition warned him it just might be true.

"I must be drunk. How could this be possible?" Iron Eagle shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Iron Eagle, Iron Eagle, why are you still standing there? What about the case in the neighboring village? They've sent someone to hurry you again!" A constable rushed in and complained at the sight of Iron Eagle.

Iron Eagle slumped into his chair, looked at the pile of files on the table, and grumbled, "I've been working overtime too much lately. I'm exhausted—half-blind and half-deaf. I need three days to recover."

"Huh?" The constable was dumbfounded. "How should I answer them?"

"Tell them to go to hell!" Iron Eagle's shout echoed through the entire Six Gates.

...

"Damn! Damn! He actually said I'm a dwarf! He's the dwarf! His whole family are dwarfs!" Little Red Sugar muttered angrily, fuming nonstop, "He's short and fat, with a big nose and small eyes, always out of breath when he walks, dark circles around his eyes, sallow skin—clearly overindulgent. How dare he talk about me? I really want to throw dust in his eyes. Damn, so hateful!"

Ji Huo shrugged. He had to admit, the Six Gates' theory wasn't entirely unreasonable. If Little Red Sugar weren't an extraordinary genius, and hadn't received Red Umbrella from the system, she probably couldn't have achieved such feats at seven or eight.

Red Umbrella is a dwarf... Ji Huo couldn't help but burst out laughing. This must be the most outrageous rumor Red Umbrella had ever suffered.

"What are you laughing at?" Little Red Sugar stared at him coldly, her eyes narrowed.

"I just thought of something funny."

"What is it? Tell me."

"The sow in the neighboring village gave birth to octuplets—all colors."

"Oh."

Little Red Sugar pouted angrily and marched ahead, still muttering under her breath.

Ji Huo hurried after her and asked, "Have you guessed who set the trap to lure you out?"

Little Red Sugar snorted and spat out, "Thunder Boy."

Ji Huo nodded, "I suspect him too. The case file notes the victim's wounds were slightly red—that's the mark of Thunder Hands. The previous cases showed the same, and I think the Six Gates suspect him as well, though Iron Eagle didn't say it outright."

"Besides, the innkeeper of Tongji Inn is skilled, and his staff are formidable. To kill him amidst such defenses, the killer must be an expert. Small stature—there are only a few in the martial world who fit."

"But I've never met Thunder Boy, never crossed paths with him. Why would he try to lure me out and throw dirt on my name?"

Little Red Sugar was puzzled. They all moved in the same circles; it seemed unnecessary to stir up such trouble just to draw her out.

"I don't know. I suspect Thunder Boy will strike again. Let's patrol the streets at night these next few days. When we catch him, we'll beat him up and everything will become clear."

"Alright!"

Little Red Sugar clenched her tiny fist and waved it fiercely. "I'll beat him up so badly his own mother won't recognize him!"