Chapter 187: Ming Long

With the wild boar king as his loyal mount, Xie Jinhuan traveled to Zhenyao Ling with ease, enjoying the magnificent scenery of seven hundred li of Zihui Mountain along the way.

Autumn chrysanthemums in the deep valley were breathtakingly beautiful.

To thank the wild boar king, he named it “A Da,” after its habit of never growing tame and charging him on sight.

Upon returning to Danyang, Xie Jinhuan planned to slip away quietly, but Mo Mo went to the Academy to repair his soft armor, and the news reached the Dan Prince’s ears.

Xie Jinhuan liked his considerate landlady, but their relationship had made little progress—only twice had Nai Duo shown him her snow-white skin.

Yet the Dan Prince regarded him as his future son-in-law; even the salvaging soft armor was a reward from the Dan Prince, so Xie Jinhuan naturally treated him as an elder. When he learned the Dan Prince knew he had returned, he went straight to the Wang Fu.

At noon, the Dan Prince had prepared lunch in a teahouse lined with calligraphy and paintings.

Seven days before the imperial family entered mourning, alcohol, meat, and entertainment were forbidden; meals were all vegetarian, yet exquisite in color, aroma, and taste.

The Dan Prince was not wearing a python robe; even in mourning attire, he radiated a refined and elegant demeanor, speaking softly:

“The appointment or dismissal of a County Captain never reaches His Majesty’s ears—he likely didn’t even know the details three years ago. This whole matter is entirely the fault of Li Gongpu and the He family; both clans have been executed in full. Calm your anger. The court is still a good court—only a few traitorous ministers are to blame…”

The Dan Prince’s words clearly feared that Xie Jinhuan, due to past grievances, would harbor resentment against the entire court and damage their relationship.

But the events of that year had nothing to do with the Dan Prince, and his father was still alive—Xie Jinhuan was certainly not petty enough to hold a grudge.

They exchanged tea for wine, shared a simple meal, and since Xie Jinhuan still had to return to the capital to deal with the Spirit God Cult, he rose to take his leave.

The Dan Prince personally saw him off, walking along the garden path, and reminded him:

“This is a time of great turmoil—you’ve been swamped this month. I had planned to have Ling’er take you around the capital, but aside from your recent retreat into seclusion, I haven’t seen you rest at all.”

“The new emperor hasn’t been crowned yet, and you’ll likely need to work hard during this period—don’t let anything go wrong before the coronation ceremony; the consequences would be bad…”

Walking beside him, Xie Jinhuan paused, then asked:

“Forgive this junior’s boldness. Your Highness holds high rank and power, and is too close to the capital. I heard from the Princess—uh… about suspicions…”

The Dan Prince understood his meaning and shook his head with a smile:

“I have no guilt toward His Majesty or the court. If trouble truly comes, there’s nothing I can do. As a subject, I cannot suspect the court first. You needn’t concern yourself with these matters.”

“By the way, last time I asked Xu Hunli to forge a weapon for you, but you gained merit too quickly in the capital—just as it was shaped, you received another reward, so we had Xu Hunli modify it again, changing it over ten days straight until you retreated into seclusion at home. Only then was it finalized. Take a look.”

As the Dan Prince spoke, he turned and waved his hand; Zhu Wenyuan stepped forward carrying a long spear.

The spear was nine feet long, its shaft pitch-black, yet faintly revealing colorful patterns under light. A pale-gold dragon-head pommel held a one-and-a-half-foot silver blade, mirror-smooth, with a matching pale-gold butt. Even without considering materials, its design was stunning.

Xie Jinhuan accepted the spear with both hands; just from its feel, he knew its cost was astronomical, and he said humbly:

“The court has already granted me rewards. I fear I am unworthy of this.”

The Dan Prince clapped his shoulder, radiating bold generosity:

“A fine horse deserves a fine saddle. Forget everything else—just for uncovering the He family and removing a threat to the state, I owe you a famed weapon.”

“This spear may not be a celestial artifact, but it’s close. Xu Hunli poured his soul into forging it—the blade is made of ‘White Saint Essence Gold.’”

“It comes from the Western Rong’s Warrior Saint Mountain. White Tiger governs slaughter—this spear’s strike shakes souls and terrifies spirits. Even a martial cultivator below the Supergrade can ‘break curses.’ With it, you’ll be like a tiger with wings when slaying demons and purging evil.”

In martial cultivation, “breaking curses” means using martial techniques to severely damage yin spirits.

Before this, martial cultivators inflicted only pure physical damage—there was no way to harm ghosts, spirits, or other yin entities.

This spear’s ability to “break curses” means martial cultivators now have a way to kill spirit cultivators before reaching Supergrade—and even against normal foes, each strike carries true damage.

Against someone like He Hai, who’s as tough as iron, his three souls and seven poisons might already scatter before his armor fully breaks.

Though this effect seems simple, it’s truly miraculous before Supergrade, and even after reaching Supergrade, it enhances “breaking curses” further—undoubtedly a family heirloom-level famed weapon.

Xie Jinhuan had encountered spirit cultivators twice already, and he was deeply tempted by this spear. He lightly flicked his wrist and thrust it sideways into empty air.

Sssss~

The spear shaft trembled gently; the silver blade pierced the air with a sound like a dragon’s roar.

Xie Jinhuan’s eyes shone with admiration:

“Excellent spear!”

“Hehe~”

The Dan Prince, seeing Xie Jinhuan’s practiced stance, smiled warmly:

“Glad you like it. Don’t feel unworthy. If you use this spear to slay a hundred demons and evil spirits, I’ll consider it worth every bit.”

Zhu Wenyuan shook her head teasingly: “For Master Xie, that’s barely a month’s work.”

“True.” The Dan Prince asked: “This spear still lacks a name. You’re well-read—what do you think suits it?”

Xie Jinhuan felt the spear was truly precious. He held it, studied it, and recalled:

“Three years ago, I left home to study. Now I’ve achieved a little. It’s like three years silent, then one cry that astonishes all. Combined with its dragon-like roar—how about ‘Ming Long’?”

“Ming Long.”

The Dan Prince nodded: “A fine name—perfectly matches the spear’s commanding presence. Honestly, I thought you’d name it ‘Silver Dragon.’”

“Ah, ‘Silver Dragon’ has ambiguous connotations…”

“You knew? To be honest, if you weren’t so upright, ‘Silver Dragon Eight Forms’ would make nine out of ten people think of something lewd…”

Xie Jinhuan didn’t think it was lewd—he himself thought it meant “Lewd Dragon”…

——

Meanwhile, at the Zihui Mountain Book and Sword Pavilion.

After parting with the demon girl, Nan Gong Ye felt immense pressure—since detoxification depended on luck, and only days remained until month’s end.

But before resolving this, another matter needed attention.

At this moment, Nan Gong Ye stood in the storage room behind the Book and Sword Pavilion and took out three wooden boxes containing the lotus blossoms from the Jiazi Lotus.

Zhang Guan followed closely, still hesitant:

“The Mingwu monk of Fan Yun Temple entered First Grade last year—his cultivation outclasses Xie Jinhuan by more than half a grade. He’s a Buddhist prodigy. If he loses this battle, not only will Zihui Mountain lose territory, but Qing Mo’s marriage may also…”

Nan Gong Ye had partnered with Xie Jinhuan many times and knew his strengths and weaknesses well.

He Man, a First Grade half-demon as swift as lightning, had failed to gain any advantage over Xie Jinhuan. How could a sect skilled in defense but not offense possibly overpower him?

Yet the Spirit God Cult had a Supergrade cultivator—a grave threat. If Xie Jinhuan challenged Fan Yun Temple, he risked being ambushed en route. Nan Gong Ye thought for a moment and warned:

“Xie Jinhuan has a good chance of winning, but his fame is too great—he’s vulnerable to schemers when traveling. Notify Fan Yun Temple: have them come to the Qintian Monitor the day after tomorrow at noon to discuss their relocation to Danyang.”

“Understood. I’ll send the message at once.”

…

After arranging the sect’s trivial matters, Nan Gong Ye feared Huang Mao would grow impatient. He returned alone to Danyang, patrolling everywhere to avoid being tracked by the elusive demon girl and catching her off guard.

Thinking of the demon girl’s visit today, Nan Gong Ye was deeply puzzled.

The Seven Star Nails were a sealing technique invented by the Qixia True Person. The human body has roughly seven hundred twenty acupoints; the antidote lies in seven random ones, in a fixed order—with no room for trial and error.

The Burnt Immortal Gu could be forcibly neutralized with Immortal herbs like Huiyang Grass, but the Seven Star Nails were universally considered unbreakable—once locked, one couldn’t even abandon the body to possess another.

In this world, only she herself and her master, the Qixia True Person, could break the Seven Star Nails.

Bu Yuehua couldn’t have used her master’s line to break them—so how had they been undone?

Bu Yuehua’s martial arts came from some ancient patriarch—she must have a powerful master. Could she have asked her master for help…?

Nan Gong Ye pondered silently, still unable to deduce the reason, when he arrived near Qingquan Alley.

At this moment, Xie Jinhuan had returned, mounted on horseback, reaching out to pull Qing Mo up. Beside the horse hung a long spear—brand new, it had been fitted with a black sheath to prevent unnecessary wear.

Qing Mo wore a black-and-white horse-face skirt, glancing left and right, radiating a sense of mischief:

“Can’t you borrow another horse? The street is full of people.”

“Then how about you ride, and I walk beside you?”

“Sigh…”

This foolish girl wouldn’t dream of making her lover walk—she leapt onto the horse’s back, sitting sideways, wrapping her arms around his waist. Seeing Xie Jinhuan glance around, she asked:

“What are you looking at?”

“Hehe, it’s been a while since I came back—I’m just taking a look…”

…

Nan Gong Ye peered from the alley, watching the young couple’s shy, innocent demeanor. His eyes revealed a touch of complexity—he felt he shouldn’t be here.

But he had no choice. To detoxify and defeat the demon girl before month’s end, he needed this boy’s help—and he had to escort them back.

After a moment of silence, Nan Gong Ye plucked a leaf and brought it to his lips:

“Duuu wu wu~~”

A faint melody drifted onto the street.

Xie Jinhuan, searching for Bing Tuozi’s whereabouts, heard the tune and knew he was nearby. Seeing the other unwilling to meet face-to-face, he said nothing, and spurred the horse hard:

“Giddyap—!”

“Sssss~~~”

The steed reared high on its front hooves, then shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, racing toward the city’s edge.

Behind him, Linghu Qing Mo had been keeping some distance, but the sudden lurch threw her off balance—she clutched the man’s waist tightly, then raised a tiny fist and tapped his back lightly:

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Mm.”

“Hey? Say the safe word! Or I’ll beat you all the way!”

Xie Jinhuan paid no mind to her little outburst, leaning back against his “Mo Mo cushion,” galloping through the streets in fine clothes and a spirited steed. Occasionally, his peripheral vision caught sight of the black-clad female warrior trailing them—he truly felt the exhilaration of a swift horse beneath him…

Clip-clop, clip-clop…

…

————

One more chapter, still being polished—wait a few more minutes or two.

(End of Chapter)