Roaring Dragon-Chapter 107: Where the Hell Did You Bring Me?

Rustle, rustle...

In the pre-dawn hours, a light drizzle fell over the city.

Sparse lanterns flickered through the misty rain, casting a faint haze over the empty streets.

Linghu Qingmo walked down the road under an oil-paper umbrella. With the streets silent and desolate and no trace of any evil cultivators, a slight crease formed between her brows.

"How did Xie Jinhuan find evil cultists before? I can’t find a damn thing..."

“Gujii?”

Meiqiu perched on her shoulder. Seeing that Momo was out late at night hunting prey again, it flapped its wings and took off into the sky to scout for any generous donors willing to offer their hearts—and wallets—for a noble cause...

It was Linghu Qingmo’s first time patrolling the streets with Meiqiu. Seeing it take flight, she looked puzzled for a moment.

Still, she understood Meiqiu was likely off searching for demonic targets. She waited under the eaves of a roof, but when two whole kè passed without Meiqiu returning, she began to worry she’d lost him.

Thankfully, after quite a while, Meiqiu returned, landing back on her shoulder and shaking off the rain. Then it locked its eyes forward.

“Gujii!”

The message was simple and clear!

Seeing Meiqiu had found a target, Linghu Qingmo followed its lead. It took her all the way from the inner city to the outer wards—specifically, to the area near the Carefree Den.

The Den transformed into a ghost market at night. People from every stratum of society gathered here. With the rain, patrols had thinned out, and the number of shady characters only grew.

Linghu Qingmo hid in the shadows, carefully observing the various pedestrians. Following Meiqiu through a winding path, they finally stopped outside a dilapidated wooden shack.

The structure was rudimentary, built of lumber. There was firelight inside. A cloth curtain hung at the entrance, and now and then, she saw servants dressed like those from wealthy households going in. A moment later, they’d leave with a muscular man in tow. She could even hear murmured voices:

“Wanchun Brothel. Third room.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I’m fast and clean...”

...

...?

Linghu Qingmo frowned in the dark, suspecting ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) this was a hideout for contract killers.

Any force willing to handle blood money definitely had deep backing. Linghu Qingmo didn’t possess the kind of terrifying combat prowess Xie Jinhuan had, so barging in alone wouldn’t end well. After weighing her options, she hoisted Meiqiu and headed for the Lin residence...

—

Rustle, rustle...

By now, it was deep into the night. The chill in the air grew heavier, and soft rainfall tapped against the window.

Due to her cold-natured cultivation technique and the icy wind from the dreamscape sea, Lin Wanyi had curled herself into Xie Jinhuan’s armpit, even sleepily pulling the autumn quilt over her head and burying herself in it.

Xie Jinhuan lay on the outer side of the bed, holding her as she meditated in her dream. Eventually, mental fatigue wore him out too, and he fell asleep beside her.

After who knew how long, a strange noise came from outside.

“Goo~ Goo...”

?

Xie Jinhuan abruptly woke and glanced toward the window, puzzled. Then he turned to the curvy kitten beside him.

Lin Wanyi was completely wrapped in the quilt, only her flawless cheeks exposed. Maybe she heard something too—her lashes twitched, and she opened her eyes, only to find herself sleeping like some concubine. Her face instantly flushed, and she tried pushing him off:

“You...”

“Shh—Meiqiu's outside.”

“Huh?”

She stopped moving, focused her ears, and indeed heard Meiqiu’s faint cooing. She glanced toward the pitch-black window.

“Meiqiu knows where I live?”

Xie Jinhuan had never brought Meiqiu here before. After thinking for a second:

“Someone from the Prince’s Mansion probably came looking for me.”

“What?! The Prince’s Mansion knows you slept here last night?!”

Xie Jinhuan gave a helpless look. “I didn’t come back all night—had to leave a message somewhere. Don’t worry, only Linghu knows.”

Linghu Qingmo?

Lin Wanyi blinked, her expression clearly saying:

You sneaked over to my place and still had the guts to tell Linghu about it? Aren’t you afraid she’ll get jealous?

She must’ve come by just before dawn to confront you.

Unlike me—I cooked for you even after your busy day...

Her mind ran wild. She shuffled back and nudged him out of bed:

“Go, quickly! Don’t say you slept here—just say you were in the guest room...”

Xie Jinhuan knew if Momo showed up this early, it had to be urgent. Without arguing, he got up, equipped his weapons, and before leaving, tucked the quilt around her.

“It’s not dawn yet. Get a bit more sleep.”

“?”

Wrapped like a dumpling, Lin Wanyi gave him a strange look.

“...You... should rest more too.”

“Sleep well.”

He snugged the quilt one last time, then slipped out the window and vanished.

Face flushed, Lin Wanyi originally intended to sleep more—but since he left, and it was Linghu who’d come to get him, she couldn’t really fall back asleep. So she started pondering:

He said the money for the herbs is ready. He must want to refine the pill soon. The herbs should arrive in a few days...

We’ll need Zisu to help with the alchemy...

Seems like Xie Jinhuan will be staying in the capital a while longer. Maybe I should call that little troublemaker back...

With that thought, she gave up on sleep, sat up, and began writing a letter home.

—

Outside the residence.

Fine autumn rain fell onto the deserted street. The lantern hanging by the door was the only light in sight.

Linghu Qingmo, dressed in a white gown with her sword in hand, stood under the eaves, staring into the drizzle and at the lantern with the Lin surname in the distance.

What’s taking Xie Jinhuan so long...

Still messing around with the Lin doctor, maybe...

I showed up before dawn to find him—what if she comes out and sees me?

(←_←)

Ugh~ tsk tsk...

Just imagining that sour glare made Linghu Qingmo shrink back slightly.

I’m here to investigate a case—not to fight over a man with some clingy sour plum...

...

As she sulked, Meiqiu suddenly dove from the rooftop straight into the residence, followed by:

Whap! Whap! Whap!

Sounds of wings slapping someone’s skull.

Linghu Qingmo looked up, and moments later, a figure leapt from the residence and landed beside her under the eaves, cutting through the curtain of rain.

“Momo? What are you doing here?”

Linghu Qingmo eyed his face—no lipstick marks—and glanced toward the residence.

“Lin doctor didn’t see you off?”

“It’s not even dawn. Didn’t want to disturb her. I wasn’t doing anything—just training.”

She wasn’t some naive girl—she didn’t believe that for a second. But she wasn’t here to catch him in the act, so she let it slide. Picking up the oil-paper umbrella by the wall, she said:

“After you left last night, I went out again to follow some leads. Ended up sending Meiqiu ahead, and it led me to a hidden shack in the Carefree Den. Looks like some sort of assassin-for-hire operation.”

“Carefree Den...”

Xie Jinhuan turned to Meiqiu, about to ask, but Meiqiu simply made a neck-slashing motion and clawed at the air.

He quickly held it down.

“Uh... yeah, sounds shady. Let’s go take a look.”

He took the umbrella and held it over Momo’s head, walking side by side into the rain.

Linghu Qingmo glanced up at the umbrella, then at him, as if to say: Just crawled out of her bed, and now you're playing the gentleman with me. Not afraid she’ll get mad if she sees?

Xie Jinhuan got the hint and shrugged.

“I didn’t bring an umbrella. Just sharing space. Why’d you go hunting for leads alone? What if you ran into a real monster?”

“I’m still a proper disciple from a reputable sect. Maybe I’m weaker than you, but I’ve got Meiqiu as a lookout. If I can’t even investigate a little, how can I roam the world slaying demons?”

“Heh...”

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing. I’m just... proud. If every official was as diligent as you, evil wouldn’t have a place to hide.”

She figured he was calling her weak, but didn’t argue. Two li later, they passed a steamed bun shop that had just opened. She bought a few meat buns and handed him one:

“You must be tired from last night. Eat something, or you’ll run out of steam when we meet a demon.”

Tired, huh...

He felt there was some shade in those words. But since she got up early and all, he didn’t brag—he took the bun and started eating...

—

Blood Rain Tower – Luojing Branch Office

As dawn neared, inside the hidden shack at the Carefree Den, four or five muscular men—who hadn’t been “hired”—gathered gloomily around a brazier. They sighed, glancing at the door, hoping for one last customer before morning shutdown.

Their boss, Fan Hainie, sipped wine at the table with two side dishes, speaking with mocking disdain:

“In this business, it’s like running a brothel. You need guts, you need stamina. Dirty or not, pain or not, you better know your trade. Music, tricks, styles—master every damn thing.”

“Just lying there to earn silver? Who the hell can’t do that?”

“Rich clients want value. Someone with real skills and a better body than you—why would they pick you?”

“I don’t feed deadweight. You don’t get a job in three days, get out. Don’t sit there rotting.”

The downcast men quickly nodded and bowed.

“I’ll train harder, Boss Fan. Please send some work my way...”

“Yeah, I’m starving...”

“Big-ticket jobs scare you, small ones you scoff at—what job am I supposed to give you?”

As the grumbling continued, footsteps suddenly echoed outside.

Tap tap—

A heavy mace lifted the cloth curtain. A nobleman in a white brocade robe appeared at the entrance, scanning the room. Behind him stood a girl in matching couple-style gear, clearly confused.

The musclemen all stood up, puffed out their chests, showing off abs, pecs, and biceps—some stern-faced, some sunny, one round-faced with a beard like a fluffy bear...

Rustle rustle...

Inside and out, the room fell silent, save for the sound of rain.

Staring at those burning gazes, Xie Jinhuan felt a chill on his scalp. He glanced at Meiqiu and thought:

Where the hell did you bring me?!

So the Carefree Den’s infamous flesh market wasn’t a myth after all...

“Gujii?”

Meiqiu, ever helpful, raised its wing to slap his head.

Xie Jinhuan hadn’t fallen so far as to rob male prostitutes. He was ready to turn and leave—but now that he was here, walking out would be awkward. All he wanted now was to throttle the bird.

Fan Hainie watched the trio exchange glances and asked suspiciously:

“You here to hire someone... or looking for a job?”

Xie Jinhuan had actually come to rob the place—but there wasn’t a single coin in sight. As for that kind of business? Ugh...

He held steady. After a moment, he turned to Linghu Qingmo:

“Wait outside. I’ll go in and ask some questions.”

Linghu Qingmo still wasn’t sure what kind of place this was. It was supposed to be a killer’s den, but something felt... off. She nodded and backed away with Meiqiu.

Xie Jinhuan entered, feeling the pressure of multiple stares. Not wanting to sit on some unclean chair, he stayed standing and asked:

“What’s the business here?”

Fan Hainie studied him, then slid over a price sheet.

“Nothing legit happens at the Carefree Den after dark. If you’re here for justice, wrong address.”

Xie Jinhuan glanced at the sheet. It showed a diagram of a person with numbered body parts.

Below it:

Fifty taels.

One hundred taels.

One hundred fifty taels...

He studied it carefully.

“Organs... sold this cheap?”

Fan Hainie frowned. “That’s the cult business. I run a proper black market. Fifty taels for a slap, a hundred for a broken limb. All liability taken by our men—no heat on the client.”

“...”

Xie Jinhuan nodded—he got it. A "Didi for beatdowns" kind of deal. ‘Wanna throw hands?’ deluxe edition.

So not a brothel. Just a mercenary muscle service. Honestly? Kinda heartwarming.

He didn’t need the job—his righteous hero image was still intact and he wasn’t strapped for cash. He sat at the table:

“Running this in the capital isn’t easy. Who’s backing you?”

Fan Hainie raised his wine and sipped.

“Blood Rain Tower.”

Xie Jinhuan had heard of them—an infamous intermediary force in the martial world. Specialists in information, matchmaking mercenaries, and shady deals.

Them having a branch in the Den wasn’t surprising. Though rumors said Blood Rain Tower only appeared before a bloodbath...

He glanced at the eager musclemen by the fire and thought:

Yeah, it might be bloody... but not in the way you’d think.

“...Thought Blood Rain Tower never got its own hands dirty. What’s this, raising assassins now?”

“Look at these guys. Do they look like assassins?”

Fan Hainie sighed. “The capital’s too deep. Business is slow. Gotta make some side money. Rich young masters like to brawl, so we opened this little gig.

“If you’ve got a nemesis, come by. These guys are handpicked. You want a broken nose, they won’t touch the eyes. If they’re caught, they won’t rat. Blood Rain Tower will handle the aftermath.”

Xie Jinhuan didn’t need to pay anyone to settle scores.

But... he did want info. He placed a silver note on the table.

“What do you know about the Dark God Cult’s presence in the capital?” 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Fan Hainie paused, then waved his hand. The musclemen quietly retreated.

“They’re buried deep. We haven’t dug them out yet. But a few days ago, someone bought a large batch of Drunken Bone Fragrance from a Weizhou medicine peddler. Not as potent as zombie flowers, but cheap and abundant. Good for mass hallucination. Could be related to the cult.”

Xie Jinhuan wasn’t surprised.

Their failed Blood Demon Pill project meant they’d try again. Whether they used zombie flowers or other poisons didn’t matter—their location and cover identity did.

“Who bought it? Who sold it?”

Fan Hainie slid the note over.

“No idea who bought it. But ninety percent of sellers in Great Qian dealing in that stuff are southern frontier folk. I know how to find them. Market rate: one hundred taels.”

Xie Jinhuan already knew how to contact the Wumeng. He wasn’t going to waste the money. Without another word, he stood and left the shack.