Roaring Dragon-Chapter 50: The Gambling Saint?

The doors and windows were shut. One man and one woman—he standing, she sitting.

Princess Changning carried herself with noble grace, her whole bearing like a figure from an imperial scroll, serene and refined, as she quietly let Xie Jinhuan observe her with his so-called Mind’s Eye.

But as he stood there frowning, looking more distressed than an old physician diagnosing a terminal illness, her brows creased slightly.

“What now? Can’t see anything? Or did you just find out I’m on my deathbed?”

No, I’m the one who’s about to die!

With Ye Hongshang refusing to give a proper answer and instead whispering outrageous things like “hairless girl, baby-pink skin,” Xie Jinhuan was filled with despair and didn’t know who to complain to. After struggling for a while, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) he finally managed:

“Your Highness... your... inner armor. It’s quite a unique material.”

Princess Changning glanced down at her overly prominent embroidered peacock and raised her eyes again. After a moment of thought, she said:

“Ice Silkwisp is known to interfere with energy flow. With enough skill, one can determine its presence by sensing the disruptions in qi circulation. That doesn’t really qualify as an unteachable secret technique. Is there anything else?”

Xie Jinhuan attempted to signal the ghost wife for help, but she was only getting wilder—now tossing out comments about “no hair, baby-smooth pink skin”!

If I repeat any of this, even if I were a demon from Zihui Mountain, I’d either be killed by the princess or skinned alive by the Dan Prince!

Cornered, he braced himself and said:

“There’s... an embroidered wine gourd on your bandeau. And... you’re wearing a jade pendant with the characters ‘Ling Yu’ engraved on it. The craftsmanship is exquisite.”

...?

Princess Changning sat up straighter, her delicate face suddenly solemn, eyes flashing with deep astonishment.

Being able to detect inner armor by sensing subtle differences in qi and temperature—sure, experts could do that.

But to see through clothing, down to the pattern of embroidery, and even identify a pendant wedged between her cleavage?

That was beyond mortal technique. That was... divine.

“Have you spied on me bathing before?” she asked coldly.

“No!” Xie Jinhuan waved his hands frantically, looking utterly sincere. “I’d never do that to Your Highness! This is truly a secret technique of mine.”

She clearly didn’t believe him. To verify it herself, she hid her right hand behind her waist.

“Close your eyes. Rub your ears.”

Xie Jinhuan obeyed, placing both hands over his ears and rubbing gently.

Scritch scritch scritch...

The technique was meant to interfere with a martial expert’s six senses—making it nearly impossible to deduce someone’s movements from ambient details.

With utmost caution, Princess Changning moved her hidden hand behind her back and formed a specific gesture inside her sleeve.

“Alright. How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Three.”

He answered instantly without so much as turning his head.

She slowly pulled out her hand and looked. Three fingers.

Her expression grew more and more bewildered.

What a terrifying ability... If he really saw the pendant in my cleavage earlier, then...

!

Her face flushed pink. Without a word, she raised her arm slightly and subtly shielded the proud peacock.

“So to you... standing in front of me is no different than being naked?!”

Xie Jinhuan had expected this and solemnly replied:

“The ‘Mind’s Eye’ doesn’t see with the eyes. It’s perception—just like how Your Highness could tell Steward Hou was outside trying to mimic my handstand. Your eyes couldn’t see it, but you picked up on the clues.

“This technique senses the subtle qi of the world—things invisible and intangible. I didn’t actually see your pendant or your undergarments.

“If I truly had X-ray vision, would I be standing here looking calm and unflustered?”

Princess Changning still looked skeptical. She observed his eyes closely, then, without warning, subtly shifted her posture.

Whoosh...

The outer sleeve slipped from her shoulder, revealing a swan-white collarbone and slender arm—elegant and utterly enchanting.

?!

Xie Jinhuan’s pupils shrank. He hadn’t expected the landlady to have such, uh... slippery shoulders.

He straightened up slightly.

“Your Highness... are you feeling hot?”

Seeing his very real physical reaction, and his qi slightly unsettled, she sighed in relief and pulled her robe back on, patting her chest.

“Whew. For a second there, I thought you really could see through clothes.

“This technique of yours is bold and unique. It really does seem like something from the Hidden Immortals.

“I’ve long admired them. Would you be willing to teach me this ability? Name your price—anything.”

Anything?

Xie Jinhuan was touched by the generous offer. If he could teach it, he’d definitely ask for something she’d blush to even hear.

But since this was Ye Hongshang’s innate skill, he could only smile wryly:

“Such techniques are passed from master to disciple only. Hidden Immortals forbid teaching them lightly.

“I showed it today only because Your Highness protected me and had doubts. Even then, I only revealed a glimpse.

“My own understanding is shallow—I can barely perform it. My master made me practice by watching bamboo sway and said it was ‘investigating the nature of things.’ I still don’t get it...”

“Investigating the nature of things...”

She nodded, seeing he wasn’t lying, and didn’t press further. Instead, she offered a compromise:

“If you can’t teach it, I won’t force you. But with this skill, wouldn’t you win every time at dice or gambling?”

Xie Jinhuan blinked.

“You need divine insight... to win at dice?”

Princess Changning often drank and played dice with friends—but the academy’s ‘gambling saint’ always beat her mercilessly. Now she circled Xie Jinhuan with an appraising look, like a general evaluating a prized recruit.

“If there are no constraints on the tools, skilled gamblers can’t play fair. But your technique... could bypass those rules.”

She wants me to use my special powers to cheat at gambling? Xie Jinhuan was still dealing with Zhou He’s mess and didn’t want to waste time drinking. He preemptively deflected:

“This technique is mentally draining. My master warned me not to use it unless absolutely necessary...”

Princess Changning stepped closer. Though shorter, her posture carried real top-dog energy:

“Once or twice won’t hurt. I need your help with something. You’ll be well rewarded.”

Xie Jinhuan could only ask:

“What kind of help?”

She laced her hands at her waist, brows furrowed in mild frustration.

“It’s not a big deal. Have you heard of Wang He, the Gambling Saint of the academy? The so-called ‘number one bosom of the Confucian Court.’ Her gambling skills are freakish. I’ve lost to her every time.

“Just two days ago at Peony Pond, she beat me seven rounds straight—I had to leave the table! Even the rich girls of Chongming River fear her name...”

The Gambling Saint...

That nickname alone was suffocating.

Xie Jinhuan thought for a moment.

“So Your Highness wants me to help you beat her?”

“Exactly.”

Princess Changning, ever the generous landlady, pointed at the courtyard:

“If your technique works on dice, then tomorrow’s Mid-Autumn banquet is our chance. Beat her for me, and this entire house is yours.”

No. 6 Qingquan Alley—despite its reduced value from the noise, its location, space, and decoration made it a rare find. Even at half-price, it was no small gift.

Xie Jinhuan was finally starting to understand the benefits of a rich older woman. But remembering Lin Wanyi’s Double Dragon scheme, he asked:

“A house is too generous. I’m focused on martial arts. I heard the Prince’s residence holds a manual left by the Martial Ancestor. Would it be possible...”

She raised an eyebrow.

“You are greedy. The Dragon Subduing Canon is worth far more than any house. You can’t win it over drinks. But if you make me truly happy, I can let you borrow the original scroll from the capital.”

Hearing that, Xie Jinhuan couldn’t turn her down now:

“Your Highness is too kind. I wouldn’t dare spoil your fun. But... isn’t it odd for a man to attend a girls-only drinking party?”

“No worries.”

She patted the embroidered peacock with pride.

“The Mid-Autumn banquet is just a gathering. If I bring a male companion, no one will dare say a word. Just sit beside me and offer some pointers.”

Male companion...

Xie Jinhuan started to worry about having his legs broken by the Dan Prince. But then again—no risk, no reward. He nodded.

“The gambling tools are specially made. You may not be able to see through them. Come to the Wuwei Pavilion later—I’ll test your ‘length’ so we don’t suffer again tomorrow.”

As she said this, she walked off gracefully. Spotting Meiqiu still staring at the ceiling, she paused:

“What’s it looking at?”

“He’s looking for the bowl in the sky.”

“Oh...”

...

Later, Princess Changning returned to her residence with her attendants.

Xie Jinhuan closed the door behind them, then called softly:

“Night Beauty?”

“Mmm~”

The red-robed spirit woman appeared behind him, her seductive eyes narrowing in annoyance:

“Why didn’t you talk about her just now when I gave you the chance?”

“...Excuse me?” Xie Jinhuan nearly tripped.

He spread his hands. “You want me dead? She’s the Dan Prince’s daughter and the Emperor’s niece!”

Ye Hongshang shrugged.

“So what? A gorgeous little rich princess—you need one of those right now.”

Sure, he did need one. But that wasn’t the point. He changed into a fresh robe and asked:

“By the way—how can you see through clothing? Can you teach me?”

“Planning to go peep at girls on the street?”

“Of course not! I meant using it for martial purposes. That would be insanely useful.”

She thought a moment. “It’s probably an innate divine sense I was born with. It doesn’t see the clothes—it sees the essence of all things. Not just you—no one else could learn it.”

That gave Xie Jinhuan pause.

“Are you... a fallen immortal?”

“Could be.”

Ye Hongshang stood up tall, puffed out her chest, and struck an ethereal pose.

“What kind of goddess do I look like to you?”

A fox...

Or maybe a lust demon...

He quickly changed the subject.

“This charm ability of yours—can you control anyone with it?”

She leaned against the wardrobe, arms crossed.

“Lin Wanyi was easy because of her excess yin. I can give you illusions or whispers—but someone like the princess or Qingmo girl? Once they notice it, they’ll dispel it with cleansing techniques. I can’t control them.”

“Really?”

He looked disappointed.

She arched a brow.

“What, want big sis to help you knock out the princess for a roll in the sheets?”

He shook out his robe.

“Do I look like I need dirty tricks to seduce a girl? I need an alibi. The Chilin Guard came after me—I have to figure out who’s behind it.

“If you can charm Princess Changning just long enough, I can get that alibi.”

Understanding, Ye Hongshang gave him an approving look.

“Ah, a man who doesn’t sleep on his grudges—I like that. Hm... It’s not impossible. If she’s tipsy, her mind will weaken. Even if she hallucinates, she’ll think it’s the booze.

“Get her half-drunk. I’ll keep her busy for a while.”

Seeing that he had a plan now, Xie Jinhuan got to work packing up quickly...