Roaring Dragon-Chapter 96: Obsession

After handling everything that followed at the Golden Tower, night had fallen. The group returned to the Heir Apparent’s residence.

The Dan Prince’s son had won a hefty sum of silver—no way he was going home without blowing it all. After lodging his complaint at the palace, he vanished without a trace. Still, before he left, he didn't forget to give Xie Jinhuan his share of the winnings.

With silver in hand, Xie Jinhuan was in a much better mood. When he returned to his guest room, he saw that Yang Dabiao had already moved the plaque that read “Upright Gentleman” inside.

The flamboyant four characters left Meiqiu baffled, as if wondering—do even one of those words apply to Ah Huan?

But Momo actually thought it suited him. She stood in front of the plaque with her sword, studying it carefully, and asked:

“When we return to Danyang, where are you planning to hang this?”

Xie Jinhuan poured water into the bathing tub as he quipped:

“What kind of decent man hangs something like this indoors? If you like it so much, take it back and hang it in your boudoir. Consider it a keepsake from me.”

Linghu Qingmo couldn’t possibly accept those four words, but if Xie Jinhuan didn’t want it, she honestly did feel like keeping it.

Decades from now, when Xie Jinhuan had become a great elder of the righteous path and she was cultivating in solitude at Zihui Mountain, looking back on today might be quite amusing...

She turned her head and noticed Xie Jinhuan fiddling beside the bath. She asked:

“Are you planning to take a bath?”

“Mm.”

Xie Jinhuan stirred the water and, seeing that Momo had no intention of leaving, asked tentatively:

“Do you want to join me?”

“?”

Even if I did, could I possibly bathe with you?!

Linghu Qingmo found the question completely absurd, but after thinking a moment, she shut the door and pulled the screen over to block the tub.

Xie Jinhuan froze, a little overwhelmed by the gesture:

“We’re really bathing together? Then let me help you—”

Smack!

Linghu Qingmo slapped away the hand trying to untie her skirt, eyes darkening:

“What nonsense are you thinking? You’re being targeted by the Underworld God Cult and your enemies. I’m guarding your cultivation. Just wash up, I won’t peek.”

Xie Jinhuan was a bit disappointed, but still touched by Momo’s heartfelt protection. He tugged on her sleeve and pulled her to sit beside the tea couch.

Linghu Qingmo thought he was about to force her into the bath and grew tense, raising her sword in warning:

“What... what are you trying to do?!”

Xie Jinhuan shook his head and poured a cup of tea:

“Momo, be honest. What exactly did you see today?”

“?”

Linghu Qingmo’s cold expression stiffened. She instinctively straightened her chest and answered with the poise of a Daoist nun with a steadfast heart:

“I didn’t see anything! Even if I did, it was just an illusion messing with my mind. It’s not real.”

Xie Jinhuan wanted to dig further, but the Ghost Wife sneakily emerged again. She sat behind Momo, holding up her left hand, where a crystal orb appeared in her palm.

With her cultivation, peeking into Momo’s illusion wasn’t hard.

Inside the orb played a first-person replay from Momo’s perspective—just like when they first met in Qingquan Alley. He was shirtless, brimming with righteous energy, left hand behind his back, right hand extended forward, and even reciting lines...

Linghu Qingmo noticed the aloof young man across from her was staring at her ears and even reached up to touch his own. She was about to ask when Xie Jinhuan suddenly stepped forward, stopping just a breath away. Left hand behind his back, right hand extended toward her, eyes full of emotion:

“Immortality is a long path, and the road to eternity is lonely. Lady Momo, would you be willing to become my Dao companion, to pursue the sublime teachings and ascend together to the Jade Terrace?”

Ah?!

Linghu Qingmo trembled, staring blankly at the man suddenly confessing to her. Her face turned visibly red all the way to her neck!

Thump-thump~

There were no echo drums, but the sound of her heartbeat filled the room.

Seeing no response, Xie Jinhuan extended his hand further:

“To find the one true heart, never to part, together forever~”

Crackle—!

Linghu Qingmo snapped out of it, seized his outstretched wrist, and slammed him onto the tea couch. Her right hand flared with blue-white lightning:

“What nonsense are you spouting?! You... you better say ‘Don’t be mad’ right now!”

Her eyes were icy, threatening to fry him if he didn’t comply!

But Xie Jinhuan, already pinned and shocked, seized the chance and tilted his head innocently:

“Wasn’t that what you saw this afternoon? I was just recreating the scene.”

“I...”

Linghu Qingmo’s face flushed crimson. She was about to deny it when suddenly she froze again:

“How did you know what I saw?!”

Xie Jinhuan replied with a serious face, spouting nonsense:

“I’m a disciple of the Hidden Immortal Sect—I can see through illusions. How else do you think I beat Taishu Dan? My reaction earlier was different because I saw what Wei Lu saw... oh crap!”

He jolted, eyes suddenly locked behind her like he’d just witnessed something horrifying. Linghu Qingmo turned to look, confused:

“What are you staring at?”

From the crystal orb, Xie Jinhuan had just glimpsed seven or eight scantily clad women striking seductive poses—helpfully labeled with floating captions identifying each one...

The scene was pure Inverse Tiangang.

Pity he was pinned and couldn’t watch properly. He turned back:

“I just remembered the illusion Wei Lu saw—it was... let’s just say totally unsuitable for minors. You absolutely must not spread this. If this gets out, he’ll hang himself for sure.” 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Linghu Qingmo was intrigued and leaned in:

“What did he see exactly? Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”

“Sigh. A gentleman judges actions, not thoughts. Wei Lu saw his innermost desires. Going forward, judge him by his deeds. I used secret techniques to see this—it mustn’t be misconstrued or revealed.”

Linghu Qingmo blinked and nodded solemnly:

“Right. Illusions aren’t reality. I broke free myself. You mustn’t twist my meaning either! Hmph... and you cheated today! If you were caught in an illusion, I bet you’d see all kinds of filthy stuff too...”

Xie Jinhuan didn’t believe that at all and was about to retort—when the Ghost Wife, ever eager to stir the pot, took matters into her own hands.

Before he could speak, his head swam and his vision changed:

A sixteen-foot-tall wife, a national-beauty glasses lady, an icy goddess Momo, a peaceful princess, an innocent little medicine girl...

Most absurd of all—there was even a painted portrait of Nangong Sword Fairy’s back!

And his plump father in an official’s robe, spraying spit as he ranted:

“How many is that now?! You want a dozen mischievous boys and chubby girls? ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ I only earn fifteen taels a month, and you still want books, tuition, and pills—are you trying to keep me working until I’m a hundred?!”

...

Linghu Qingmo waited for a response but found Xie Jinhuan zoning out, dazed, staring ahead with an unreadable look. He even reached forward before quickly pulling back.

“Xie Jinhuan?”

“Mm?”

He snapped out of it and sat up with a chuckle:

“I was peering into my true heart. If I really were under an illusion, that’d be my reaction. And what I saw... well, I’m a lecher, let’s leave it at that.”

Linghu Qingmo felt his response didn’t match a simple lustful dream—it reminded her more of Zhang Huaiyu’s post-illusion daze.

Indeed, everyone had inner demons, obsessions. Even someone like Xie Jinhuan wasn’t exempt...

She considered offering a word of comfort—maybe due to his troubled family past.

But the white-robed scoundrel before her had a knack for exploiting every opening. Sensing her sympathy, he leaned in affectionately.

?!

Linghu Qingmo jolted and clamped her hand over his mouth, her face turning apple red as she glared:

“You pervert, you’re just... say ‘Don’t be mad’ right now!”

Xie Jinhuan figured this was usable and replied earnestly:

“Don’t be mad! A gentleman keeps his word. Cultivators speak with conviction. If you’re angry, that voids the oath!”

“?”

Linghu Qingmo puffed up, wanting to glare, but bound by her promise. She clenched her teeth and forced a soft reply:

“I won’t let you kiss—mmph!”

Before she finished, Xie Jinhuan smoothly slipped past her guard and pressed his lips to hers.

Crackle—!

Electric arcs burst from her hands. The killing aura surged!

But true to her word, she didn’t strike him. She stumbled up after the kiss, flustered:

“Stop!”

Xie Jinhuan found her utterly adorable. He’d already kissed her, and now she was calling a safe word—what a wasted chance. Still, he nodded seriously:

“Okay, I’ve stopped! But you can’t be mad. You have to forgive me—otherwise it doesn’t count!”

Hey?!

Linghu Qingmo took a deep breath, glaring at him. Her brows were raised, but bound by her promise, she suppressed her fury and said through clenched teeth:

“I’m a disciple of Zihui Mountain. I won’t go back on my word like you. You... you only have two more chances!”

“Mm. I’ve sincerely stopped. You must sincerely not be angry—same goes back in your room, or it’s void!”

Linghu Qingmo’s lashes quivered. She wanted to beat him but couldn’t break her oath. Gritting her teeth, she turned and hurried out, scooping up Meiqiu as she left—perhaps to let the bird pay his debt of lust!

Having kissed Momo, Xie Jinhuan felt all the gloom from Steward Hou’s sabotage lift. He still had to visit Wanyi’s place to study the Divine Martial Canon. He began tidying up...