Roaring Dragon-Chapter 124: Maybe He Just Went Out Killing Again

The Ye Shirong residence was ablaze with torchlight. Officers had arrived in force, some bearing the emblem of the Chilin Guard.

Linghu Qingmo carried Meiqiu on her shoulder, searching the courtyard with Fei Ji and the others. She glanced toward the surrounding buildings and asked:

“Is Xie Jinhuan injured? Where did he go?”

“Guji~”

Meiqiu, dragged out in the middle of the night for unpaid overtime, rubbed its neck with one wing—but was promptly ignored.

Fei Ji, the Deputy Constable of Wanan County, crouched beside a mutilated corpse, worry etched across his brow.

“Master Jingkong said he went after the demonic assassin. The ground’s covered in shredded clothes, and the body’s in pieces... he probably didn’t fare much better.”

Linghu Qingmo had been resting at the prince’s mansion when she heard commotion from the outer city and rushed over with Meiqiu—only to find that Xie Jinhuan had once again gone off hunting demons behind her back.

Had she known, she wouldn't have pretended to be mad earlier. If she'd just stayed by his side, he wouldn't have been in danger alone...

While the group was still searching, a soft sound broke through the night air—a flutter of wind.

Several officers looked up on alert and spotted a disheveled young man leaping down from the wall, clad in the sleeveless tight-fit vest personally gifted by the Dan Prince.

“Eh? Momo, you came too?”

Linghu Qingmo rushed over, gripping his shoulders, examining him from head to toe.

“You’re not hurt, are you? Why do you look so pale?”

Xie Jinhuan had only taken one kick from Ye Shirong—but the rest of his exhaustion came from getting wrung dry by a certain crazy swordwoman. No way he could say that, so he replied:

“I’m fine. The remnants of the Dark God Cult are cunning. I chased one, but couldn’t catch them.”

Monk Jingkong, who was inspecting the scene, interjected:

“They pre-planted ‘Body-Eating Gu.’ Once it’s activated, nothing can be done. But Ye Shirong had been entrenched in the capital for twenty years. He even used secret arts to mask his cultivation. No one suspected him all this time—how did you see through it?”

Xie Jinhuan knew the officers would be curious, so he explained:

“I was playing music at the Linde Hall earlier and noticed something off about Ye Shirong. I came to check it out tonight and just happened to catch him.”

Linghu Qingmo narrowed her eyes and twisted his side:

“You had a lead and didn’t tell me? I knew you weren’t just talking to him in Linde Hall to gossip about that goatee...”

“I was going to talk to you about it, but you turned and stormed off.”

Xie Jinhuan chuckled, ready to find an excuse and slip away—when a voice suddenly rang out from the well:

“Milord, there’s something down here.”

He and Qingmo rushed over. The stone seal beneath the well had been forcefully broken, revealing a hidden tunnel. He dropped into it along with the others and found a corridor of prison cells.

Inside the cells, dozens of men were tied to wooden racks. All were long-haired, glassy-eyed, nearly indistinguishable from corpses—though muscular and well-built.

At the far end of the passage was a resting chamber with two plank beds, some dice, worn books, and a few medical supplies and bandages.

Linghu Qingmo had only arrested minor demons and criminals before. She was visibly confused.

“These people are...?”

Jingkong sighed deeply, his eyes tinged with pity.

“Blood slaves. The cultists keep them alive to slowly extract vital energy. Each time, just a little, then they’re fed pills to recover—creating a cycle that can last for years. It’s slow, but hard to detect.”

Fei Ji had seen many serious cases in the capital, but this was his first time witnessing such a depraved operation. He scanned the cells and asked:

“Can these people still be saved?”

Jingkong shook his head. “Their souls have long returned to the earth. What’s left are just empty shells. If there’s any mercy, it’s that they likely felt no pain when their bones were broken and their flesh torn.”

Seeing the officers grim-faced and Qingmo visibly enraged, Xie Jinhuan offered comfort in his own way:

“Ye Shirong died horribly—limbs shattered, spine broken, sliced dozens of times. At least the people got some justice.”

Fei Ji nodded slightly and turned to the officers:

“You see that? You lot hesitate with demon cultists, but they show no mercy to commoners. From now on, be more ruthless than they are. Only then will these bastards fear you.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Send all the blood /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ slaves to the Astronomical Bureau for identification. Investigate everyone connected to Ye Shirong in recent years.”

The officers got to work.

Fei Ji, as Deputy Constable, had no hope of sleep tonight. Seeing Xie Jinhuan all tattered and grimy, he asked with concern:

“Not all of us in the yamen are useless. Leave the rest to us. If you get any new leads, pass them along. Go back to the prince’s mansion and rest.”

But Xie Jinhuan had something private to discuss. He raised a hand and pulled Fei Ji aside under the pretense of discussing the case.

“Uncle Fei, I’ve got a favor to ask.”

Fei Ji’s mustache drooped in mock annoyance:

“We’re uncle and nephew, don’t talk like strangers. Just say the word—even if it’s to sneak into the Purple Gold Pavilion, I’ll put on a disguise and lead the way...”

Seeing Linghu Qingmo waiting nearby, Xie Jinhuan kept his voice low:

“It’s serious. Earlier today in Linde Hall, I noticed something odd about Li Gongpu. He kept staring at the Crown Prince. I think he’s trying to cozy up to him.”

“...What?”

Fei Ji’s expression grew serious. He stroked his chin.

“His Majesty keeps the Crown Prince on a tight leash. Li Gongpu’s a master flatterer who corrupts people with pleasure and indulgence. That could be a problem...”

Xie Jinhuan put on his most concerned face.

“Exactly. His Majesty’s rule is solid. Even if he’s a bit unrefined at times, it’s understandable. But if someone like Li Gongpu corrupts the Crown Prince—our future emperor—it could spell disaster.”

“You want me to find out if Li Gongpu’s getting close to him in secret?”

“Yes. But I’m on my own, and I don’t have many people I can trust...”

Fei Ji nodded and patted his shoulder.

“Your father’s case... I always figured Li Gongpu had a hand in it. Leave this to me. I can’t catch demons, but if someone’s breaking the law, I’ll sniff it out in no time.”

Xie Jinhuan clasped his hands in thanks.

“Much appreciated, Uncle Fei.”

“One more word of thanks and I’ll smack you! Go get some rest.”

“Heh...”

With the serious talk over, Xie Jinhuan headed toward the street.

Linghu Qingmo was waiting by the roadside with Meiqiu. When she saw no one else around, she stepped forward and held his arm.

“You heading back to the prince’s mansion?”

Xie Jinhuan needed to track down Muyunhong and trick her into handing over the Jiazi Lotus. He couldn’t drag Qingmo along for that, so he rubbed his neck and said awkwardly:

“Uh... I told Doctor Lin I’d stop by tonight. She’s probably still waiting. Just going for dinner—it’s not what you’re thinking...”

It’s not what you’re thinking? Then why are you explaining?

Linghu Qingmo took a deep breath. She was a bit upset, but Lin Wanyi was the official wife. If she tried to block him, she’d get her hair ripped out by that woman. So she just said:

“Go ahead. I’m not sleepy anyway. I’ll stay with the officers. Let me know if anything comes up.”

Xie Jinhuan feared Muyunhong might flee, so he had to go. But he didn’t want to leave Qingmo feeling neglected either. He hesitated, opened his arms for a hug—then realized he was filthy and pulled back awkwardly.

“Never mind. I’ll dirty your dress.”

Linghu Qingmo had already folded her arms, eyes cold—but when she saw him pull back, her gaze faltered.

She didn’t care that he was covered in dust. She actually felt bad for him. Seeing him restrain himself just to protect her clothes...

She looked away and said:

“You—don’t get mad, alright?”

Xie Jinhuan blinked, confused.

“You don’t want me to get mad?”

Linghu Qingmo felt better after hearing the ‘safe word’:

“I’m not mad. But you only get one more chance.”

Then she spun on her heel and ran.

Hey?!

Xie Jinhuan didn’t expect her to turn crafty. Since she’d said it out loud, he couldn’t let the opportunity go to waste. He darted forward, cupped her cheeks, and—

Smooch smooch smooch...

Linghu Qingmo’s face flushed bright red, but she gritted her teeth, said nothing, and didn’t say the safe word. She just stood on tiptoe, eyes shut, enduring the barrage of kisses.

Xie Jinhuan kissed several times. Since she didn’t call a stop, it would’ve been rude to do so himself...

But soon—

Zzz...

Her lashes trembled. She’d been trying to power through, preserve her “stop” chance, but Xie Jinhuan was too good at this. Any longer and she’d start moaning. She finally leaned back:

“Stop!”

Xie Jinhuan stood up straight, smug and satisfied.

“Only one chance left, huh? You better really mean it when you say ‘don’t get mad’ next time.”

Linghu Qingmo wasn’t actually mad. She’d just wanted to tease him a bit. Seeing that he hesitated just to protect her skirt, she couldn’t help testing him.

But of course, she’d never admit that. She put on a cold front, grabbed Meiqiu, and walked off.

“I’ll go work the case. You do your thing. Get some rest.”

Xie Jinhuan had more pressing matters to handle. Though he saw she wasn’t happy, he had to go. He just shook his head with a smile and flew off.

Whoosh~

Linghu Qingmo took two steps, then glanced back. Seeing him rushing straight toward Doctor Lin’s place, her gaze turned complicated. She muttered:

“Flirtatious bastard...”

“Guji~”

Meiqiu sat on her shoulder and patted her head with one wing. It seemed to be comforting her:

Don’t overthink it. Maybe Ah Huan just went out robbing someone for cash!

Seeing Meiqiu’s goofy expression, Linghu Qingmo patted its head. Her mood lifted a little. She took a few more steps—then looked back one more time...