[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-242":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},2282098,4463,"Chapter 242: Past and Future (Revised)","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-242",242,"\u003Cp>Splash~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prison door creaked open, Shen Cang raised his hand in a courteous gesture:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan straightened his robe slightly and stepped out of the cell, following Shen Cang to a guard room outside the corridor, where an oil lamp glowed inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged man in crimson official robes stood with his hands behind his back, still plump and pale as ever, but now with a beard—giving him, despite his military origins, an air of scholarly refinement, his demeanor markedly different from before; had they not grown up together, he might not have been recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him stood a petite constable with large breasts, who had just been flattering him, but upon seeing him enter, hurriedly introduced:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie, this is Director Guo Deng of the Capital Judicial Office, a relative of Empress Dowager, upright and kind-hearted—speak freely of any grievance you have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wen, seeing the grown-up Xiao Deng he barely recognized, felt a flood of emotion, but given his current status, he bowed with calm dignity, as a Northern Zhou official would toward a foreign envoy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan returned the bow, then glanced around and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The matter in Lishan is complicated—too many people know about it, and it could cause unnecessary trouble. May I speak privately with Director Guo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wen naturally nodded solemnly, gesturing for Xiao Biao to step outside and wait; only when the footsteps faded did his brow lift with excitement, his hand lightly tapping Xie Jinhuan’s occiput as he whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You little devil! What are you doing? The whole world is in an uproar—you fought Lu Yan, fine, but why kill Li Huaichuan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan sighed helplessly, had A Piao keep watch outside, and pulled two sheets of discarded paper from his sleeve:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was set up. My friend and I had just reached Baihua County when we heard news about her father’s killer—we followed the trail and easily found this inside the Jianchuan Mine. Then Li Huaichuan ambushed us at the exit, harboring murderous intent—I had no choice but to act. Lu Yan arrived almost immediately afterward…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wen knew his son wasn’t reckless; he took the papers, examined them, and with years of experience as a county constable, analyzed them briefly—his brow furrowed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems the one setting this trap wants to link the Xueyue Manor massacre to Empress Dowager, to mislead you—but they didn’t know your connection to her…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan shook his head: “Not just that. I concealed my movements coming here, yet they spread precise rumors across vast distances to lure me to Jianchuan—this means their network spans Nanjiang, Daqian, and Beizhou, and reaches the highest echelons. I didn’t believe such a powerful force existed, but Li Huaichuan appeared just in time, Lu Yan arrived right after—even if they hadn’t killed me, they used laws, morality, and political stance to trap me completely, leaving me unable to stand in the north, and I can’t prove my innocence. These coincidences? I don’t believe them for a second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wen also didn’t believe any force could reach this level—if it did, it wasn’t mere demonic heresy; it must be one of the remnants from the Witch Cult Uprising, the Immortal Ascendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The specifics were beyond Xie Wen’s understanding; he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These matters must be discussed with Empress Dowager. Your father and she will believe you—but this is truly hard to handle. Li Huaichuan was a meritorious descendant; even if he sought to kill for treasure, he died in his own home, with no evidence. Lu Yan’s actions were legally and historically justified—he likely didn’t even know he was tricked by a demonic Daoist. If you claim you were framed by a demonic Daoist, no one in Beizhou’s court will believe you. If all else fails, you must retreat to the Southern Court for now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan shook his head: “They dared to lay bait for me—I must uncover the truth. Running away in shame would confirm I murdered for profit. I can handle this—I only need Empress Dowager’s protection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already sent word—news should arrive soon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After discussing the current situation, Xie Wen examined Xie Jinhuan’s body, finding it covered in battle scars, deeply pained, then gestured toward the distant cell:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That girl—is she…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan couldn’t truthfully call her his wife; he whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alias Hua Ruyue. Currently, a martial arts companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wen nodded slightly, understanding—the girl was still a romantic pursuit, a martial beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Southern Court delegation had arrived in Yanjing two days prior; Xie Wen, hearing an old acquaintance had come, visited them at the Ministry of Rites—but found a crowd of women: Princesses, Lady Wanyi, Qingmo, Zisu, Duoduo—he couldn’t tell who might be his future daughter-in-law, and had wanted to inquire subtly, when sudden footsteps rushed toward them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tap-tap…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wen immediately straightened, assuming the solemn posture of diplomatic protocol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan, who had mastered his posture since age three, instantly regained his cold, dignified aura, glancing outward—only to see Shen Cang hastening to the door, bowing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Guo, a noble guest requests to question Young Master Xie—please accompany me, Young Master Xie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble guest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Wen had been curious who would dare interfere at such a moment—but instantly realized, and quickly gestured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan, assuming it was the red-haired elder sister herself, wasted no time and hurried out…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow had melted, the city glittered with lanterns, and a full moon hung overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four female guards in brocade robes, swords at their sides, stood outside a hall behind the Ministry of Justice; the interior glowed brightly, yet doors and windows were tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan was brought to the courtyard gate, where Shen Cang halted; he entered alone. The female guard at the door said nothing, only raised her hand and opened the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, the central hall displayed the Seven Juniors painting; unclear whose office it was, a shadow could be seen beyond the inner door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan stepped in, glancing around—he saw a woman in a magnificent phoenix robe, golden hairpins adorning her head, standing alone before a scroll. Tall and elegant, her long hair coiled black as ink, radiating an aura of noble reverence—unapproachable, untouchable—yet not delicate like the landlord’s wife, but firm and resolute, her back straight as a blade or a towering pine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan remembered the golden-armored elder sister had red hair; seeing this, he was bewildered, wary of mistaking his benefactor, and stepped forward to bow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foreign subject Xie Jinhuan—may I ask, which noble lady are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door behind him closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman before the scroll turned, revealing a face as pale as cold jade, eyes gentle yet sharp with three parts edge, her voice carrying the weight of long-standing authority:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three years gone—you’ve grown so much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her voice, Xie Jinhuan finally confirmed her identity, stepped closer, slightly puzzled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Empress Dowager, why is your hair different from last time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Guo glided toward the tea table; halfway, her entire form changed—the coiled bun began turning wine-red from the roots, her facial features subtly sharpened, her black pupils revealed a faint greenish hue, her skin paler than an ordinary woman’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the change was slight, her entire presence blazed a hundredfold—red hair, emerald eyes, exotic beauty with breasts larger than her head—yet still retaining her noble aura, her presence at least four meters tall…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she wore a sheer, slanted skirt, baring her white thighs and snow-white skin, with her hair unbound, she’d be a true Western Queen…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan blinked, astonished:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of divine art is this?” Empress Dowager raised her hand, gesturing for him to sit:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Merely an illusion—to conceal my identity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan sat before her, puzzled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you Empress Dowager Guo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager’s gaze never left him; though they were familiar, this was their second formal meeting. She replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am indeed the reigning Empress Dowager—but my origins are more complex than you imagine. You likely sensed my identity through some opportunity—I won’t hide it from you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To quickly understand each other, Empress Dowager Guo recounted her past to Xie Jinhuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the reign of Emperor Zhong of Beizhou, a clansman of the Guo family of Cangzhou served as Chancellor of the Anxi Protectorate; during famine relief, he accidentally found a female infant, whom his wife adopted as a daughter, naming her “Meiren.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though born in the Western Regions, Meiren was raised as their own child, bright and clever, displaying inhuman talent from childhood; by sixteen, she was undefeated in the military, then bid farewell to her parents to wander the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While seeking fortune in Nanjiang’s Phoenix Mausoleum, she fell into a crevice, trapped underground for sixty years. When she emerged, six decades had passed—the mausoleum had reopened, her parents long dead, the world transformed, demonic forces rising, on the eve of the Witch Cult Uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, while imprisoned, she did not despair; she trained relentlessly, seeking escape. When she emerged, she had become Beizhou’s supreme female martial deity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her parents were gone, their childhood teaching—“When high in court, worry for the people; when distant in the rivers and lakes, worry for the sovereign”—remained with her. She owed her life to their compassion for the poor of foreign lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, without hesitation, she chose the path of “bringing peace to the people,” returning to Beizhou to purge demons and assist the court, eventually becoming the female leader of the northern martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as the various sects stabilized the situation, a terrible rumor came from the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sikong Shitang had a disciple of astonishing talent, devoid of moral compass, who secretly studied the soul-refining arts of the Corpse Cult and Ghost Cult—meriting expulsion from the sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet though the Corpse Ancestor was wicked in countless ways, he had never betrayed his master. The uprising was called the “Witch Cult Uprising,” not the “Demonic Dao Uprising,” precisely because the Corpse Ancestor, though dabbling in demonic Daoist arts, never defected from his sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Sikong Shitang was the one who first taught his disciple: “To place the Witch Cult atop all sects, the Dao must be forged with iron will; compassion cannot command armies, sentiment cannot govern affairs”—then later chose the righteous path, betraying his former ideals and ambitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sikong Shitang, faced with a disciple surpassing him, could not bring himself to act; publicly claiming to purge the sect, he secretly hid the disciple in the ten thousand southern mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the righteous sects learned of it, the Corpse Ancestor had emerged, standing before the world in invincible glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sikong Shitang clearly suffered from feminine weakness—he hesitated to purge his disciple, then feared killing millions of lives, and ended up destroying both the millions and his own pride. After the war, his Dao-heart shattered, and he vanished utterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Corpse Ancestor was different—focused, decisive. Even when surrounded by the Northern Realm’s Three Immortals, Ye Ci, and True Person Qixia, and betrayed by his own master, he still fought desperately for victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet human strength has limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She joined the sect leaders in counterattack, and in the final battle at Longgu Beach, she drove the Corpse Ancestor down, sealing him within the Demon-Subduing Mausoleum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was wounded by the demonic blade forged from millions of vengeful souls. Though she clung to life, she showed signs of demonic corruption—and could not suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prevent chaos across the land, she chose corpse liberation—self-termination—to join her parents in the Nine Springs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before corpse liberation, to prevent further harm by cultivators, she planned to take Shang Lianbi with her; this ally was strong, enduring, and though the Corpse Ancestor had some faith, this man sought only immortality—a born cultivation machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, her body was damaged; she couldn’t defeat him, only inflicted grave wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, this seemed cruel—Shang Lianbi had never committed great crimes, and had indeed aided the righteous path; he merely feared death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t care. Afterward, she performed corpse liberation, ascended to immortality, and returned flesh and spirit to heaven and earth, ending all debts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed she had truly died, becoming one of the martyrs of the Witch Cult Uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum reopened sixty years later, she awoke again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no idea why—only that her body had become a shadow, her true form forever bound to the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum; she could no longer cultivate or refine Qi. If she left the mausoleum, her body would steadily weaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, she remained within the mausoleum, seeking a way to restore herself—until over twenty years ago, Beizhou suffered the Witch-Cult Plague, and the Guo family was drawn into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had once been a Guo clan descendant; now, she was their ancestral elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to her contributions during the Witch Cult Uprising, the Guo family became one of Beizhou’s great clans; the current young emperor and the short-lived Emperor Ai were both her direct descendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Beizhou’s signs of collapse, she remembered her parents’ childhood teachings, emerged from seclusion, returned to the Guo family, and entered the palace under the name of a Guo family heiress, becoming Empress Dowager and ruling from behind the curtain, purging the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after three centuries, Beizhou’s accumulated grievances ran deep; she was no true immortal. Even with all her strength, she could only maintain surface stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reforms harmed noble interests; many powerful families secretly sabotaged her, trying to force her from power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feudal princes feared the Guo family would usurp the throne, and pressured her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most crucially, the demonic Daoists—she had shattered their plots in Beizhou, and for years they had disguised themselves as the “Red Witch Cult,” committing atrocities and smearing her reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the rumor “The state falls to red, demons come to Zhou land,” the demonic Daoists’ master seems to suspect her identity—and has even attempted assassinations, testing whether she is the reincarnation of the Female Martial Deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her identity were exposed, she would surely face retribution from Shang Lianbi and other enemies; back then, she had decisively undergone corpse liberation, tricked the Old Demon of Mocong into shedding countless tears, and returned all the opportunities she had seized to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the Old Demon of Mocong’s temperament, if he discovered she was still alive, he’d likely strip her of every stitch of clothing to soothe his wounded heart…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2405,"2026-06-20T01:38:12.833Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7f5803da0a539fac7650f226b7fd6bdb1ca3150f09fff0bcea6d25399f529495","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-243","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-241",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]