[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-108":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Roaring Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2281964,4463,"Chapter 108: Where Are You Taking Me?","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-108",108,"\u003Cp>Shush shush shush~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, a light rain began to fall within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparse street lanterns were blurred by mist and rain, and the roads held no pedestrians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo walked down the street, oil-paper umbrella in hand; the entire street lay empty and devoid of scenery, and there was not a trace of demonic cultists—her brow naturally furrowed with worry:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did Xie Jinhuan always find demonic cultists? Why can’t I find any?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gujii?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meiqiu squatted on her shoulder; seeing that Qingmo was also out hunting for targets late at night, and out of consideration for the night snack, she did not slack off—she spread her wings and soared into the sky, searching for comrades willing to generously donate their silver…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Linghu Qingmo’s first time out with Meiqiu; she looked slightly puzzled at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she understood Meiqiu was searching for demonic cultists, so she stood beneath the eaves waiting. Twenty minutes passed, and Meiqiu did not return—she even feared she had lost Meiqiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after a long while, Meiqiu finally flew back, landing on her shoulder, shaking her head and flicking water from her feathers, then fixing her gaze ahead:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gujii!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the meaning was clear!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo, seeing Meiqiu had found a target, immediately followed its guidance—only to run all the way from the inner city to the outer city, arriving at the area of Xiaoyao Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At night, Xiaoyao Cave became a ghost market, where all sects and factions converged; on rainy days, patrols were reduced, and those who operated in the shadows multiplied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo hid in the shadows, carefully observing the various passersby on the street, following Meiqiu as it weaved through alleys, until finally stopping near an old, dilapidated shack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shack was built of wood; firelight glowed inside, and a cloth curtain hung at the entrance. Occasionally, men dressed as retainers of wealthy households would rush in, and soon after emerge with a sturdy man—low murmurs could barely be heard:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wanchun Pavilion, third room…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, rest assured—I always act swiftly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo frowned inwardly, suspecting this was a den for hiring assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any faction daring to handle blood-for-hire deals must have formidable backing; Linghu Qingmo lacked Xie Jinhuan’s terrifying killing skills, and entering alone would likely end badly—after much deliberation, she simply picked up Meiqiu and headed toward the Lin residence…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shush shush shush~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now dawn; the chill deepened, and the sound of continuous rain drifted through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to her cultivation method, Lin Wanyi’s body was naturally cold; in her dream, she was swept by icy sea winds, and she nearly curled up beneath Xie Jinhuan’s armpit, half-asleep, pulling the autumn quilt over herself and burying her entire body within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan lay on the outside, embracing her as he cultivated in his sleep; later, overcome by fatigue, he too fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After such quietness for an unknown length of time, a sound suddenly came from outside the room:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu~ gu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan jolted awake, glanced out the window, puzzled, then turned to look at the big cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi had buried herself entirely in the quilt, leaving only her exquisite face visible; perhaps she too had heard the noise—her eyelashes fluttered, then her eyes opened. Seeing how she had slept like a concubine, her face flushed crimson, and she tried to push the man away:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh~ Meiqiu is outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi immediately stilled, listening closely—sure enough, she heard Meiqiu’s coos. She lifted her gaze toward the dark window:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does Meiqiu know where I live?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan had never brought Meiqiu here; after a moment’s thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone from the Wang Fu must be looking for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?! Does the Wang Fu know you sleep here at night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan’s gaze was exasperated: “I didn’t return all night—I had to leave a message. Don’t worry, only Linghu Qingmo knows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi blinked, her eyes conveying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You sneak over here to sleep with me, yet you tell Linghu Qingmo? Aren’t you afraid she’ll get jealous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You came over before dawn—did she flip her jealousy pot and come to cause trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike me—you were busy all day, yet I still cooked you a meal…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Lin Wanyi pulled back slightly and pushed Xie Jinhuan away:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You go out! Don’t say you slept in my room—say you were in the guest room…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan knew Qingmo had come for a reason—he said nothing more, rose, hung his weapons, then turned to tuck the quilt snugly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not yet light—sleep a little longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi, wrapped like a caterpillar, gave him a peculiar look:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… you should rest too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sleep well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan tucked the quilt, then leapt out the window, vanishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi’s cheeks burned; she had wanted to sleep a little longer, but now that he was gone—and had been called away by Linghu Qingmo—she couldn’t sleep. She began to ponder inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said he’d gathered enough money for the herbs—he must want to brew the pill soon; the herbs should arrive in a few days…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brewing the pill will require Zi Su’s help…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems Xie Jinhuan will stay in the capital for a while—maybe I should bring back that troublemaking girl…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Lin Wanyi lost all desire to sleep. She sat up and began writing a family letter…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine autumn rain fell upon the empty street; the lanterns hanging at the gate were the only light visible along the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo, dressed in a white dress, sword in hand, stood beneath the eaves of the small pavilion, gazing at the drizzling rain and the distant lantern bearing the character “Lin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why hasn’t Xie Jinhuan come out yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he still doing something improper to Lin the Physician…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not even dawn—I came all this way to find Xie Jinhuan. Will Lin the Physician come out and glare at me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(←_←)!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph… tsk tsk tsk…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo, imagining that sour look, shivered and muttered to herself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m investigating a case—I’m not here to squabble with you, you sour radish…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of idle thoughts, Meiqiu, circling above the residence, dove straight down into the compound, followed by a sound:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tap tap tap—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like wings slapping against the skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo snapped back to attention, gazing afar—she saw a figure silently leap out, cutting through the fine autumn rain, landing instantly beneath the eaves:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingmo, why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo glanced at Xie Jinhuan’s face—no lipstick marks—then turned her eyes toward the residence:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t Lin the Physician see you off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not even dawn—I didn’t want to disturb Miss Lin. I didn’t do anything—just cultivated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo wasn’t a fool; she didn’t believe this flimsy excuse—but she wasn’t here to catch him in adultery, so she didn’t press the issue. She picked up the oil-paper umbrella leaning against the wall:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After you left last night, I went searching again. Finally, I had Meiqiu track someone—it led me to a hidden shack in Xiaoyao Cave. It looked like a place that hires assassins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiaoyao Cave…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan turned to look at Meiqiu, about to ask—when Meiqiu immediately mimed slashing its throat and extending its claws. He quickly grabbed it:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… yes, definitely a dirty place. Let’s go check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Xie Jinhuan took the umbrella and held it over Qingmo’s head, walking beside her into the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo gripped her sword, glanced upward, then glanced at Xie Jinhuan—her look implied: Just crawled out of Lin the Physician’s bed, and now you’re being so kind to me? Aren’t you afraid she’ll see and get angry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan understood her meaning, and slightly shrugged:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t bring an umbrella—let’s share. Why did you come out alone to investigate? What if you ran into demonic bandits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m from a prestigious sect—my cultivation is only slightly weaker than yours. With Meiqiu as my lookout, if I can’t even handle reconnaissance, how will I ever roam the world slaying demons?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you laughing at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. I’m just pleased. If all officials in the government were as diligent as Miss Qingmo, there’d be no place left for demons and evil to hide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo felt Xie Jinhuan thought her weak, but she didn’t argue. After walking two miles, she spotted a steamed bun shop open, bought several large meat buns, and handed one to Xie Jinhuan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must’ve been exhausted last night—eat something first. Don’t want you too weak to fight demons later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exhausted…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan sensed hidden meaning in her words, but, appreciating her thriftiness, he didn’t boast—just took the meat bun and ate it with her…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xueyu Tower, Luojing Branch Office!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn approached. Inside the hidden shack in Xiaoyao Cave, five or six sturdy men who hadn’t secured any clients huddled around a small brazier, sighing and staring at the curtain, hoping for one last customer before closing at daybreak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boss, Fan Haiye, sipped small sips of wine beside the table, where two side dishes sat, his eyes holding a hint of mockery:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doing this line of work is no different from being a courtesan—you must be bold, unafraid of dirt or hardship, and constantly train hard, mastering every skill: singing, playing instruments, everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who can’t lie on a kang and earn silver?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clients spend silver to choose; others know fancy tricks and have better physiques than you lot—why should they pay you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t keep idle mouths. If you don’t work for three days, leave on your own—don’t sit here and annoy me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several dejected men quickly bowed and nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll train hard when I get back, Master Fan, please give me a job…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, we can’t even afford rice…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big jobs? Clients are ruthless, you’re too scared to take them. Small jobs? You look down on those few coppers—what job should I assign you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he droned on, footsteps suddenly sounded outside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tap~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a rounded iron club poked aside the curtain, revealing a noble young lord in a white brocade robe, glancing into the room, followed by a female martial artist in couple’s attire, her expression puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five or six muscular men immediately stood, puffing out their chests, abs, and biceps, each wearing a different expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold and stoic, sunny and cheerful, round-faced with a full beard like a little white bear…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle-rustle-rustle~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an instant, silence fell inside and outside the room, leaving only the patter of rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan faced dozens of burning stares and felt his scalp prickle; he turned to look at Meiqiu, thinking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell did you bring me to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “hook sellers” of Xiaoyao Cave aren’t just legends…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gukji?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meiqiu, faced with the question, flapped her wing straight at his head!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan hadn’t gone mad enough to steal money from selling his ass—he wanted to turn and leave, but since he’d come this far, walking in felt inappropriate; all he wanted now was to throttle the escort who led him here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Haiye, seeing the three—man, bird, and woman—exchange glances at the door, grew puzzled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, are you here to select men, or to hire a job?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan had come to rob, but the room clearly held no wealth; as for beauty… ugh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan’s resolve was strong; after a moment’s silence, he turned to Mo Mo:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait outside. I’ll go in and talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo didn’t understand what this place was for—though it seemed like a killer guild, it lacked solemnity or menace. She said nothing, hugged Meiqiu, and retreated to the alley’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan entered the room, facing the stares of five or six muscular men. Honestly, he felt pressure—he feared the chair was dirty and didn’t even sit down to pose:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What business does your master run?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Haiye studied Xie Jinhuan for a moment, sensing ill intent; he set down his chopsticks and slid a price list before him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At night, Xiaoyao Cave has no legitimate business. But if you’ve come for justice, you’ve come to the wrong place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan glanced at the list: a human figure was drawn, with parts labeled one, two, three, four…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below it read:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One: fifty taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two: one hundred taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three: one hundred fifty taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan pondered carefully, then asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Human organs? Sold this cheap?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Haiye frowned: “That’s the work of demonic Daoists. I’m legitimate underworld. Slap a face—fifty taels. Arms and legs—one hundred taels. All responsibility falls on the enforcers; we guarantee no connection to the client.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan nodded slightly—he understood: this was “Didi Enforcer”… “Got a grudge?”…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this wasn’t a hook seller but a thug broker, Xie Jinhuan felt oddly at ease. But since he currently wore the persona of a righteous hero and didn’t need silver, he had no intention of taking a job; he sat down at the table:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Running this business in the capital is risky. Which mountain does your master lean on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Haiye lifted his wine cup and sipped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xueyu Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan had heard of Xueyu Tower—it was a Jianghu  “broker,” specializing in selling intelligence, hiring assassins, and making connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense that Xiaoyao Cave had a branch of Xueyu Tower, but rumors claimed Xueyu Tower had high prestige—once it showed its face, bloodshed inevitably followed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan glanced at the hungry, muscular men beside the brazier and thought: this “bloodshed” might be a bit too… bloody…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Er… I thought Xueyu Tower never got its hands dirty. Now it’s raising assassins?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These scrawny onions look like assassins?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Haiye sighed: “The capital’s waters run too deep—business is hard. But we must earn extra cash. Lately, wealthy sons here love to brawl over women, so we opened this shop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you have a sworn enemy, come to us. These men are carefully selected—they strike with precision. Break a nose? We won’t touch an eyelid. If caught, if they dare whisper your name, Xueyu Tower will clean up after you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan wanted to deal with his enemies—he’d never pay for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did want information; he pulled out a silver note and placed it on the table:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know anything about the Mind God Cult’s presence in the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Haiye fell silent for a moment, then waved his hand; the men quietly retreated to the back courtyard:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Mind God Cult is buried too deep—we can’t find them. But a few days ago, someone bought a large quantity of Zui Gu Xiang from a drug peddler in Weizhou. It’s not as potent as Crazy Corpse Flower, but it’s cheap and plentiful. If you want to control many people with illusions, it’ll do well enough—possibly linked to the Mind God Cult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan wasn’t greatly surprised by this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mind God Cult had failed to forge a Blood Demon Pill—they’d need another. Whether they used Crazy Corpse Flower or another hallucinogen didn’t matter; what mattered was identity and location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know who the buyer and seller were?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Haiye pulled the silver note toward him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Buyer’s unknown. But nine out of ten drug peddlers selling this stuff in the Great Dry are from the Southern Frontier. I know how to contact them. Market price: one hundred taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan knew how to reach the Witch Alliance—he wouldn’t waste money on this. Without another word, he rose and left the room…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requesting monthly votes or 2!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2582,"2026-06-20T01:38:11.747Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","54b7d6fa19e4f9926885630a2824379d81c0d77095d4ecbd77b33d74df5a72c7","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-109","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-107",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]