Roaring Dragon-Chapter 135: Do You Like Me?

Midnight had passed. Capital City.

Junior constable Xiao Wang and the others, with shallow cultivation and already showing severe hypothermia, were rushed to the Imperial Medical Directorate as soon as the convoy entered the inner city. Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi accompanied them.

Strictly speaking, Xie Jinhuan should have gone there too for recovery, but since he was carrying a certain large-breasted sacred cat of the Wu Sect, he didn’t dare step foot in official territory. So after reaching the area near Zheng’an Street, he used the excuse of “reporting back to the Princess” and returned straight to the Prince’s Mansion.

Princess Changning, who partied nonstop in Danyang, had been bored out of her mind. After Xie Jinhuan left around noon, she’d taken her attendants and gone to her cousin’s house for another round of festivities by afternoon.

As for Zhao De, the Heir Apparent—he’d vanished ever since his trip begging money from the Crown Prince. Several palace guards were searching every pleasure house in the city but still couldn’t find him. Who knows if he’d dropped dead in a ditch.

With both the Princess and the Heir missing, the vast Prince’s Mansion felt empty and lifeless.

Back in his room, Xie Jinhuan laid Wan Yi down and had a maid bring hot water and towels.

Now that they were finally somewhere safe, Linghu Qingmo's relief at surviving death had given way to deep exhaustion. She turned her attention to checking Lin Wanyi's condition.

Lin Wanyi was lying on the bed. Her cloak had been taken off, revealing a stunningly beautiful face, her gold-rimmed glasses set neatly beside the pillow.

Although she’d dodged the ice spikes thanks to the cover of the trees, Lin Wanyi didn’t possess any fire-based cultivation or protective qi to resist the bitter cold. She had taken the full brunt of the freezing attack. The only reason she hadn’t turned into an ice sculpture on the spot was because the exposure was brief.

The chill had penetrated deep into her organs. Her face had been bluish at first, only regaining some color after Xie Jinhuan held her against him the whole way back. She was still unconscious, but her life wasn’t in danger.

Xie Jinhuan undid the black cloak and tucked her securely under his own bedding.

Linghu Qingmo handed over a wrung-out hot towel, still filled with lingering doubts.

“How did Doctor Lin end up at Ironthorn Ridge? And what was with that flute sound earlier?”

“Probably came looking for me after learning I’d gone to the county. She comes from wealth—has a few self-defense talismans.”

“Oh...”

Linghu Qingmo knew Lin the doctor was quite clingy. She couldn’t help wondering: the two of them were practically stuck together like glue—so how were they still only sharing innocent beds?

Realizing her thoughts had gone off track, she quickly reined herself in and glanced at the two swords placed on the table. She’d originally meant to ask whether they were real or imitation.

But Xie Jinhuan had always been open and honest, a demon-slaying righteous cultivator. Even if the swords were genuine and he didn’t tell her, he must have had his reasons. No point pushing further.

Still, those swords looked an awful lot like the Zhenglun Sword. If there really were secrets, what could they be?

Don’t tell me Xie Jinhuan’s master is Ancestor Qixia?

No way. If that were true, wouldn’t that make Xie Jinhuan a martial uncle?

A martial uncle making out with his junior niece? His master would break his legs!

As she chased away the ridiculous thought, Linghu Qingmo suddenly noticed something was missing.

“...Hey? Where’s Meiqiu?”

Xie Jinhuan had noticed the bird hadn’t descended when they left Ironthorn Ridge, and replied:

“That guy’s sharp. Probably spotted something and went off to track it. He knows how to get back.”

“Oh...”

Linghu Qingmo still looked worried, glancing toward the door before finally sitting cross-legged on the mattress to meditate.

Though Xie Jinhuan had burned through a lot of energy, his qi sea wasn’t as drained as Mo Mo’s. Seeing her clearly overdrawn, pale, and sluggish, he reached into his robes and pulled out—

The Dominant Aura Overflow Pill.

Lin Wanyi had said this stuff “restores vitality and energizes the spirit”—its effects were phenomenal.

Xie Jinhuan had intended to save it for himself. But pills could always be repurchased from the great Sisu Immortal. Girlfriends, on the other hand, needed care. So he walked over and offered the pill:

“Take this. It'll replenish your qi.”

Linghu Qingmo didn’t even question it. She trusted whatever Xie Jinhuan gave her, took the pill, and swallowed it whole.

And wow—it worked.

As soon as it entered her stomach, a warm surge spread through her organs and coursed throughout her limbs. Her fatigue melted away. Even the lingering panic in her heart quickly calmed, and her mind became piercingly clear.

All those little ripples suppressed at the bottom of her heart? They got magnified. The more she thought, the more things didn’t add up. The more she didn’t want to keep quiet.

Xie Jinhuan had returned to the bedside, gently wiping Lin Wanyi’s face with the hot towel. Her body gave off that familiar seductive, soul-dragging scent—like two pillowy milk buns set right in front of him. But his heart was only filled with guilt and care, not temptation.

He thought Mo Mo was meditating after taking the pill and didn’t pay her any mind—until he suddenly felt her gaze.

He looked back to see her sitting on the bed, snow-white robes flowing, her back straight and posture dignified. Her autumnal eyes no longer held their usual hesitation, but burned bright, full of wisdom and strength.

!?

Xie Jinhuan froze, thinking Did I just piss her off by fussing over Wanyi too much? He straightened his back, a little embarrassed.

“Uh... I thought you were meditating, didn’t want to interrupt...”

“It’s fine.”

Her voice was calm and icy.

Linghu Qingmo didn’t know why, but her mind was now crystal-clear. Her spirit buzzed, like a mellow drunk with no filter but plenty of confidence.

It’s like being possessed by an ancestor. Nothing to fear. Everything under control...

Noticing Xie Jinhuan’s subtle panic, she stood and walked to his side, arms crossed.

“Xie Jinhuan. Do you like me?”

“...What?”

He hadn’t expected that from her mouth.

Was this really his shy little Mo Mo—the one who’d blushed for days after a kiss?

He looked her up and down: her poised stance, her proud, cold beauty... was this really her? Was he being pranked by some ghost bride?

But Ye Hongshang had ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) long since finished her shift and was now lounging under the Gentleman’s Honor plaque, cheek in hand, thoroughly entertained.

Xie Jinhuan squinted at Mo Mo’s aura of righteous fury.

“Mo Mo, you...”

“I asked if you like me.”

Her sharp tone made him feel... weirdly on the defensive.

“Of course I like you. Otherwise, would I have kissed you?”

“I like you too,” Linghu Qingmo said seriously.

“...?”

Xie Jinhuan stared, half in shock. The seriousness of that confession made him laugh. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He stood, about to give her a celebratory smooch—but she blocked him with a raised hand and declared:

“My master once said, the righteous path is full of thorns. Few reach the end.

“I know you have high ambitions. You’d give up everything for that cause. I’ll follow your example and walk that road with you. If you fall, I’ll finish your mission with everything I have.

“And if I die first, don’t grieve. Stay the course. If I’m trapped in purgatory, suffering for eternity, I’ll still carry you in my heart—with no regrets.”

These weren’t idle words. Linghu Qingmo had always felt this way. She just never had the nerve to say it—until now, with the “courage booster” of a pill.

Xie Jinhuan felt the weight of her words—so deep, so sincere. Though he didn’t know why she was suddenly so bold, he gently embraced her and patted her back.

“Hey hey, don’t say unlucky stuff like dying halfway. You know how capable I am, right? I like you—so I’ll marry you. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up. If you frown, it’s because I didn’t do enough.”

Linghu Qingmo rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered into his ear:

“I’m not like Lin the Doctor. She only sleeps with you. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it with you.”

“...Uh.”

Xie Jinhuan sweated. If Wanyi heard this, she’d definitely leap up and start yanking hair.

“She doesn’t just sleep. She’s talented... great doctor...”

But Linghu Qingmo had seen it all.

An assassin shows up? She sleeps.

Xie Jinhuan’s injured? She takes a nap while tending him.

In the capital? Drags him into her bedroom for a nap.

Today? Showed up, cast one spell... passed out.

If that’s not a decorative sleep-vase, what is?

Still, she’d helped. Even a small contribution deserved respect.

Glancing at the still-unconscious Lin Wanyi, Linghu Qingmo asked curiously:

“She’s your confidante. I’m your confidante too. Who do you like more?”

Hiss...

A deadly question.

Xie Jinhuan looked desperately toward Ye Hongshang for help.

She just smirked, nibbling seeds, unwilling to interfere.

Facing Mo Mo’s expectant gaze, he thought carefully:

“Hmm... Both have their merits. Wanyi is gentle...”

Linghu Qingmo raised an eyebrow, leaning in.

“So I’m not gentle?”

“Eh-no! That’s not it!”

Xie Jinhuan panicked. If this were a palace drama, she’d already be empress... He was drenched in cold sweat.

“You’re upright, just, brave, career-driven—we’re like-minded, fighting side by side.

“But after all that blood and battle, we both need rest. I am your support. She is mine. She gives me warmth when I’m exhausted. That’s... that’s the gist.”

Ye Hongshang, reclining lazily, nodded:

“Ohhh~ Desperate men can say the cleverest things.”

Linghu Qingmo couldn’t hear the ghostly commentary, but after a moment’s thought, she tilted her head and rested her chin again.

“I can fight by your side and give you warmth~”

Oh boy. Still jealous. And now three parts playful, fully girlfriend-mode.

Thank goodness Wanyi was asleep. If she were awake, there’d be hair-pulling by now.

He rubbed her back and asked:

“So do you want to slay demons with me... or stay home, run the household, raise kids?”

“...Hmm.”

Linghu Qingmo blinked.

When Xie Jinhuan settles down, and she’s out there slaying monsters—someone’s gotta raise the kid, right?

Doctor Lin’s perfect for that... as long as she doesn’t nap while babysitting.

“Good point. I’ll handle the outside, she takes care of the inside. But she has to listen to me, right?”

Mother of mercy...

Xie Jinhuan glanced at still-sleeping Wanyi, then back to ultra-serious Mo Mo.

“Uh... I’m kinda busy slaying demons. Haven’t thought that far ahead...”

“Then I’ll talk to her.”

Linghu Qingmo pulled away, sat on the bed, and placed her hand on Wanyi’s wrist. Cold qi lingered, but her pulse was steady. She shook her gently:

“Wanyi? Doctor Lin?”

Xie Jinhuan nearly had a heart attack. He rushed over to stop her.

“She’s injured! Let her rest!”

“Hmm~”

Just as he said that, the curvy sacred cat beneath the covers stirred, furrowed her brows, and groaned awake...

Xie Jinhuan froze.

Ye Hongshang, suddenly energized, summoned sunflower seeds and liquor from thin air, reclining like an empress.

“Oho~ Let’s see who wins this catfight. Whoever does, I’ll name them the second wife. No playing favorites now, Jinhuan~”