Roaring Dragon-Chapter 40: Isn’t This Handing Me the Knife?

After leaving the library, the young lady Momo was already carrying Meiqiu and sprinting far ahead, clearly afraid that he would snatch the book back.

Xie Jinhuan didn’t chase immediately. Instead, he patted the Zhenglun Sword at his waist and muttered:

"Big Beauty Ye, were you Qixia Zhenren’s ex-girlfriend? She buried you — was it some kind of crime of passion?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the red-robed specter casually emerged behind him, strolling down the street with a red umbrella resting on her shoulder:

"I like men like you. How could I ever fancy a woman? Don't believe in twisted wild histories.

"I think it's more likely I seduced that little Taoist girl, made her mine, but then things got out of hand and she buried me."

Qixia Zhenren had been the previous Grandmaster of the Dan Ding Sect. Usually, the sect master was the strongest figure among all affiliated branches. Even though there were countless sect leaders ranked among the super-tier, there was only ever one Grandmaster.

And currently, across the entire Great Qian, there were only three living Grandmasters: Lu Wuzhen of the Daoist Dan Ding Sect, Wuxin Monk of the Buddhist Chan Ding Sect, and Wei Wuyi of the Martial Dao Southern Sect.

Xie Jinhuan found it hard to believe that someone of that level — a supreme Daoist figure — would be obsessed with some girl-crush affair. Nor did he believe Ye Hongshang had successfully seduced Qixia Zhenren. After thinking it over, he muttered:

"The person who wrote that book probably knew some inside story. But it must have been Ye Ci, the Twin Saint of Sword and Pen, who wrote it. He should be dead already... hard to investigate."

Ye Hongshang shrugged slightly:

"What's past is past. Mortal life is brief — white hair comes in the blink of an eye. Better to live in the present. Why dig up old grudges?"

"If I don't figure out your past, how can I dare dig you up?"

"Oh? A few days together and now you can’t bear to put me back underground?"

It wasn’t that Xie Jinhuan couldn’t bear it. It was just that compared to digging a grave, reburying someone was way harder. After a few days, he was still only at the peak of the fourth grade — who knew when he’d ever reach first-grade?

If he could uncover Big Beauty Ye’s real identity and confirm she posed no great risk, then digging her up and hugging her thigh would solve a lot of his current troubles.

He could even get a beautiful wife for free...

After a few more casual exchanges, Xie Jinhuan put away the books and quickly caught up at the street corner:

"Momo?"

Linghu Qingmo was striding forward, secretly grinding her teeth. When she spotted Xie Jinhuan approaching, she hurriedly hid the book behind her waist:

"This book is pure slander. I won't let you read it, don't you dare bring it up again!"

She glared at him, her wide eyes slightly furrowed — honestly kind of adorable.

"Why would I bring it up? Relax, I won’t grab it."

Xie Jinhuan waved it off, glancing around the bustling street:

"Where to next?"

"Gooji!"

Meiqiu instantly perked up — obviously suggesting food.

But Linghu Qingmo had just eaten breakfast, no way she’d indulge Meiqiu’s whims. After a moment’s thought:

"Let's head to the county office. We brought back a lot of corpses yesterday. If we can confirm their identities, we might find some useful leads."

Xie Jinhuan actually wanted to slack off and go back to studying The Brotherhood Chronicle, but thinking back — yesterday he was still a righteous young hero chasing a killer. If he dropped everything today, his character setup would collapse. So he nodded:

"Alright, let’s go..."

...

Not long after, they returned to the county office.

As soon as they stepped onto the stairs, Linghu Qingmo spotted Yang Dabiao and two of his subordinates huddled together whispering, all looking grim. She frowned and asked:

"Yang Dabiao, something happen again?"

"Ah, don't even mention it."

Yang Dabiao turned around when he saw them, his two thick eyebrows practically merging into one:

"Those damned Li family again. Early this morning, Little Wang and the others were patrolling West Market for demon collaborators. They overheard some gamblers chatting — seems the Li family buried some gamblers alive for not repaying their debts..."

"What?!"

Xie Jinhuan instantly sharpened up, eyes narrowing:

"Is that true?!"

Yang Dabiao placed one hand on his hip, looking miserable:

"I didn’t believe it at first, so I had Little Wang and the others check it out. Turns out a few of those gamblers had indeed been reported missing over the past three months. Since they were habitual gamblers, we didn’t prioritize their cases before. Master Linghu, what do you think..."

He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.

After the Sanhe Tower incident two nights ago, the Li family had pulled invisible strings, almost keeping the entire county office sleepless all night.

Yesterday, once they realized the real demon collaborators were someone else, they were planning to pin everything on Li Shizhong and wrap up the case — a quiet compromise to avoid endless struggles with the Li family.

Now, suddenly there was a mass burial case. Even if the victims were gamblers, under Great Qian law, it was still a major crime.

If they investigated, the Li family's powerful backing would almost certainly intervene, tying them up in endless red tape.

The county office was already stretched thin trying to find the demon collaborators — who had time or energy for another hard, thankless task?

Yang Dabiao’s meaning was clear:

"They're just a few rotten gamblers. Maybe... we pretend we didn't see it?"

Linghu Qingmo knew full well that the demon collaborators were the bigger threat. She was about to suggest shelving this case temporarily — catch the big demon first, then deal with this.

But before she could even speak, the indignant and righteous Xie Jinhuan beside her had already darkened his face:

"Unbelievable! I thought the Li family merely trafficked Ascension Powder, but to murder innocent commoners right under the Prince’s nose?! I may hold no official title, but I know a little martial arts. If Brother Yang lacks manpower, just say the word — I’ll serve under your command!"

"......"

Yang Dabiao didn’t lack manpower — he just didn’t want to gnaw on this bone.

But with the way Xie Jinhuan put it, if he refused, it would seem like he was condoning corruption.

With no other choice, Yang Dabiao forced himself to clap Xie Jinhuan’s shoulder:

"Mm... I was just wondering how to handle this. Since you're here, why don't you come along and help your brother out with some advice?"

"Let’s move."

Xie Jinhuan casually pressed his hand against his mace hilt and turned to stride off. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Yang Dabiao opened his mouth to protest but ended up motioning for a few constables to follow.

Since yesterday, Linghu Qingmo had noticed that Xie Jinhuan was a bit too righteous, fearlessly challenging ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) powerful families. Compared to him, she — known for her hard work — seemed like a jaded old county official.

But she admired that kind of man. Walking beside him now, she praised:

"If all the officials in the world were as fearless as you, there would be no more demons or monsters. Evil needs fertile soil to breed — with sunlight blazing overhead, where could they possibly hide?"

Xie Jinhuan blushed slightly at being praised as 'Xie Blue Sky,' but he had no choice.

Demon collaborators alone wouldn’t keep the Great Qian’s iron fist occupied. To relieve pressure on himself, he had to keep sacrificing ‘comrades’ and keep the system running mad.

If the yamen (magistrate office) got bored... he definitely wouldn't be able to slack off!

Originally, he hadn’t even thought about how to dig up dirt on the Li family — but they just handed him the knife. If he didn’t cut deep now, how could he live up to their "help"?

"I'm really no hero. Just helping out when I'm free. To truly rid the world of evil, it’ll be up to people like you and Brother Yang."

Yang Dabiao, flattered, chuckled awkwardly:

"Ahh~ you really know how to talk, kid. Truly the son of Master Xie."

"Heh heh..."

——

Taoxian Lane, Spring Screen Pavilion.

A luxurious carriage pulled up outside. A house steward cautiously helped a man out:

"Careful, Young Master..."

Captain Zhou He of the Chilin Guard stood at the entrance with two guards. When Li Ziwen exited the carriage, Zhou He cupped his fists:

"Young Master Li."

Li Ziwen, nephew of Yellow Gate Officer Li Gongpu, was already over thirty and fairly capable. Though he hadn’t officially entered government service, he was managing family business and highly favored by his powerful uncle.

Though he was still recovering from torture at the yamen two days ago, he maintained a refined bearing and waved off the servant's support:

"Captain Zhou, you’re too polite. This misfortune came out of nowhere. If not for you and your efforts, I might still be drinking bitter tea at the county office."

Zhou He smiled smoothly:

"I was merely carrying out orders. The Sanhe Tower case had nothing to do with you, Young Master. As for favors, back when I traveled through the capital, your family extended me much kindness. I haven’t even repaid that yet. Now you’re the one entertaining me — I feel ashamed."

"It's just a home-cooked meal on our own turf. Please, Captain, this way."

...

Amid pleasantries, they entered Spring Screen Pavilion.

As one of the most extravagant establishments in the Flower Lane district, it was downright lavish.

For today’s reception, the Li family even summoned every top courtesan in the area — over ten beauties in fine dress, including several exotic foreign girls in daring outfits, their bosoms as big as their heads...

Zhou He, cautious and shrewd, showed almost no reaction.

But the two Chilin Guards behind him were starstruck, grinning so wide they stumbled over their own feet.

Li Zixian — an old hand — saw Zhou He’s demeanor and immediately knew: one meal wouldn't settle this favor.

Once seated in a private room, he had a steward bring out a box:

"I heard your esteemed father’s health has declined. A friend sent me some Longyang Flowers — precious ingredients for tempering body and meridians. If left until next year, they’ll lose their efficacy..."

Longyang Flowers were peak-tier materials for body-refining pills. Ordinary warriors could barely afford them, but they were extremely easy to turn into cash.

As a warrior, Zhou He could hardly resist. A smile crept onto his face. He was just about to politely refuse when a servant came pounding upstairs, shouting:

"Young Master! Young Master!"

Li Zixian frowned:

"What’s the shouting for?"

The servant bowed repeatedly, hurried to his side, and whispered:

"Young Master, the county office... they suddenly raided the farmstead..."

Li Zixian's frown deepened. He raised a hand to silence the servant and glanced at the Chilin Guards nearby.

Zhou He — known in the capital as a 'red-robed plague god' — instantly caught on.

Without batting an eye, he said:

"Your family asked me to handle things properly. His Majesty dislikes double-dealers. If something’s wrong, best to speak plainly."

Li Zixian rubbed his fingers together, hesitated, but leaned in to murmur:

"Nothing major. Gamblers who couldn't pay their debts — worthless scum who sell their wives and daughters. As a warning to others... I had them buried at the farm, turned into fertilizer."

Zhou He’s brow twitched slightly, clear displeasure:

"Write the report carefully. If they died working off debts, and you generously granted them burial land — it’s an act of great virtue. Bring me the promissory notes and indentures."

"Ah?"

Li Zixian was stunned — but immediately caught on, laughing:

"See? That’s what makes a real Chilin Guard. Quickly, go find the documents!"

"Yes, Young Master — I’ll think of something..."