[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-25":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},2281881,4463,"Chapter 25: The Ice Beauty with Unshakable Dao Heart","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>The east brightened with the pale glow of dawn, and townsfolk gradually rose; shouts echoed through streets and alleys:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Buns…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Candied hawthorns…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the Lin family’s medical clinic, in the large mansion, maids were already bustling; Jia Zheng prepared the carriage in the stables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the main courtyard, silence still reigned; in the maiden’s chamber, Lin Wanyi lay on her bed in only a belly-band and thin trousers, her side revealing a full, rounded curve, her face of peerless beauty trembling with delicate lashes, flushed with shy color—no one knew what dream had stirred her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, Lin Zisu, whose figure had developed exquisitely, lay flat and still, her chest faintly exposed beneath the belly-band; she slept on until the first ray of dawn touched the window, then blinked open her eyes in confusion, glanced left and right, and suddenly sat bolt upright:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no, oh no…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crisp slap landed on the plump, rounded curve beside her, sending waves rippling through her hips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi jolted awake in her dream, startled as if struck by Xie Jin, and blinked around in bewilderment before snapping angrily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zisu! What are you doing now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Zisu scrambled off the bed, frantically searching for shoes and clothes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re late! Auntie, why didn’t you wake me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Lin Wanyi notice the sun had risen; she sat up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who told you to stay up talking all night and making silly jokes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, Lin Zisu had discovered her aunt bathing in Xie Jin’s room and had insisted on asking about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing they were about to miss school, and fearing punishment, Lin Zisu tugged at Lin Wanyi’s arm and shook it:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auntie, come with me—say I stayed up late helping you with a patient last night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wanyi was clearly no stranger to being used as a shield; mindful that Zisu still helped with alchemy, she sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, fine. Get dressed first—I’ll go with you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hee~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Zisu finally exhaled in relief, pulling on her skirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Wanyi rose to dress, she opened her wardrobe—and the small pouch containing the “Rogue’s Excitement Garment” caught her eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such scandalously alluring attire, she clearly couldn’t bring herself to wear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it had cost thirty taels of silver—a fortune—and she couldn’t bear to give it to a maid, nor could Zisu wear it, and leaving it here was unthinkable…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief hesitation, Lin Wanyi reasoned no one would see it underneath, and her curiosity overpowered her; she took the pouch, slipped behind the screen, and changed into the undergarment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump. Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leggings were so tight she struggled to pull them up, even tiptoeing twice to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When dressed, Lin Wanyi stepped out from behind the screen in a water-green waist-length ruqun, inspected herself in the mirror: her figure remained unchanged, nothing visible from outside, only a slight tightness along her legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bounced lightly on her feet—then realized the bodice held perfectly, offering minimal sway, feeling remarkably comfortable; she nodded inwardly, deciding thirty taels had been well spent…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elsewhere, the Princess’s Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, maids came and went along the Yan Mountain Lake, delivering delicacies to the lakeside pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the grand hall stood a long table, flanked by two soft cushions; behind it, bronze cranes emitted incense, while maids stood by in attendance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Linghu Qingmo had barely slept these past two days, her brow heavy with fatigue; as she ate breakfast, her expression was troubled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Zi’s mouth is stubborn—he won’t confess no matter how we question him. The government office dares not beat him harder, and the County Commandant’s office has found no trace of the demonic bandits behind this. The case is stuck again…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the long table, Princess Changning sat sideways, her attire lavish: a chest-high hezi skirt, over which draped a pale yellow wide-sleeved robe, both waistband and hem edged in bright yellow, embroidered with cloud patterns; her chest panel bore a peacock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips were crimson as roses, her almond eyes brimming with allure; beside Linghu Qingmo, they looked like sisters of opposite temperaments, now swirling a wine cup:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re just here for training—do you really think you’re the ‘Ice Goddess Detective’? If you can’t solve it, leave it to the government office. The Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival is starting soon—come with me to the Peony Pond later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many matters pressing, Linghu Qingmo had no interest in the festival:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the same every year—nothing worth seeing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning sighed helplessly, then recalled something and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you went to investigate yesterday with a young man named Xie Jin—strong martial skill, strikingly handsome…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo sensed her friend’s implication and quickly clarified:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Jin is Yang Dabiao’s friend—he just came to lend a hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning was skeptical, knowing her friend’s nature, and warned earnestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingmo, you’re honest and straightforward, with no guile. Be careful when making friends outside—don’t let those seemingly virtuous playboys deceive you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xie Jin had knocked her out, touched her chest, and made her do chores, she still considered herself a Dao-heart-steadfast Ice Beauty, immune to seduction by rogues:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible. I have my boundaries. And Xie Jin is upright—his martial skill rivals yours, and he’s no rogue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a member of the Great Qian imperial family and a prince’s daughter, Princess Changning had enjoyed unparalleled advantages since childhood, possessed strong talent, and though she appeared perpetually indulgent, she trained diligently when needed; hearing this, she remained doubtful:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t believe it. Bring him here. Let him fight me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo had suffered enough—she didn’t want her friend getting soaked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xie Jin suddenly got a brain fart and used his “Azure Dragon Claw” again and grabbed the wrong person, his hands might get chopped off by the Prince:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The government office is swamped—no time for sparring. Next time, maybe. Eat first—I’m off to the government office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning had no recourse against this workaholic friend; after finishing breakfast, she began preparing for her autumn outing to the Peony Pond…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo left the princess’s mansion alone; seeing no one watching, she turned sharply into Qingquan Alley!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, the side street bustled with pedestrians—mostly servants and maids from nearby households, buying wine and vegetables; breakfast stalls steamed with heat, people coming and going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo hadn’t paid attention to the roadside until she passed a butcher’s stall and heard a familiar voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Half a catty of lean meat, finely diced—each piece one inch long, one inch wide, no more, no less, not a speck of fat allowed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, your requirements are…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can’t, I’ll do it myself…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo turned to see a noble young lord, wearing a white brocade robe and carrying twin weapons, standing before the stall, taking the cleaver from the butcher’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his shoulder sat Meiqiu, pitch-black, staring intently at the meat on the chopping block—then:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish-swish-swish~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed lord’s blade moved like wind, slicing and chopping in rapid strokes; in the blink of an eye, ten cuts had turned the meat into evenly sized square cubes. He plunged the blade into the chopping board and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The blade’s dull—needs sharpening. Exactly half a catty. How much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The butcher stared, dumbfounded, gazing at the board for a long moment before muttering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… sixteen cash. Master, with your knife skills, do you really need to buy meat yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A wanderer eats alone, and the whole family stays full. I’m used to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo had never expected Xie Jin to turn buying birdseed into such a spectacle; she hurried over:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Jin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gujii~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meiqiu, who had been staring longingly, spun her head a full 180 degrees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin wrapped the diced meat in a lotus leaf, then turned with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good morning, Miss Mo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo hadn’t noticed before, but now, face-to-face, she saw his robe was exquisitely made—fine fabric edged with silver thread, waistband embroidered with cloud patterns, and a warm jade inset at the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His black hair was neatly tied, his handsome features complemented by eyes like icy springs, utterly devoid of desire—his presence delivered a powerful visual impact…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo, caught off guard, was momentarily stunned by that “smile”; only after careful scrutiny did she recover:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you dressed so dashing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin merely wanted to appear virtuous and harmless, avoiding suspicion as a grave-robbing monster; faced with Mo’s blunt praise, he glanced down:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sleeve got dirty yesterday—I bought this on a whim. Really that handsome?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You call this “on a whim”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo thought his appearance could earn him a fortune as a concubine; she wasn’t good at compliments, so she replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… nice. But it doesn’t suit Meiqiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem—I’ll dye her white next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?! (Gujii?)”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin carried Meiqiu as he walked, glancing at the icy, ethereal beauty before him—her large, luminous eyes shadowed by dark circles—and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Mo, didn’t you sleep last night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo rubbed Meiqiu; “No time to sleep. The Li family insists they knew nothing about the Sanhe Pavilion incident. The capital supposedly sent someone to oversee the trial—the government office is helpless. As for the demonic bandits behind it, we haven’t even found a shadow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wang Fu issued a direct order: everyone must prioritize tracking the demonic aura from Zihui Mountain. If we still find no trace today, we’ll report it to Luojing and have the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau come himself to investigate—then I’ll gladly introduce you to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan stumbled inwardly—he knew the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was the empire’s ultimate weapon. If he truly came to investigate Zihui Mountain’s demonic aura, Xie Jinhuan would flee before he could even blink, let alone dare show up to pay his respects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing divine punishment was truly coming, Xie Jinhuan’s expression turned grave:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The demonic aura from Zihui Mountain is almost certainly the work of the hidden demon rebels. Can’t you find even a single clue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo shook his head: “All evidence points to Li Shizhong and the Li family, but there are no living witnesses. The only suspicious points are the three you mentioned yesterday—but there’s no proof to confirm the demon rebels framed them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan hadn’t been speaking nonsense yesterday. They’d inexplicably obtained evidence, barely arrived at Sanhe Pavilion, and the mastermind went mad—the chief accountant was dead. How could such a coincidence exist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently reflected on recent events, then suddenly asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, didn’t you go back to examine the corpse the night before last? What was the condition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We found nothing. The decay was too severe—already crawling with maggots, just like...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo tried to find a comparison but couldn’t describe the disgusting scene, so he merely turned his head and gestured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The county government office is right here—why not go see for yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xie Jinhuan didn’t uncover something against the demon rebels or the Li family, Lu Wu would come investigating him. He immediately picked up Meiqiu and headed toward Wencheng Street:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo led the way. After a few steps, he glanced again at Xie Jinhuan’s waist-mounted sword:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sword is also standard Zihui Mountain issue—where did you get it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan hadn’t dared draw his blade in front of Meiqiu these past two days, but once touched, it couldn’t be hidden—he’d already prepared an excuse. Now he flicked his fingers lightly, revealing the characters “Zheng Lun” etched on the blade:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zihui Mountain’s legal swords are famed throughout the land. I’ve heard of them for years, so I bought a high-priced imitation. Doesn’t it look authentic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Zihui Mountain legal swords looked identical, differing only in the inscribed characters. The Zheng Lun Sword had been lost for a hundred years—no living disciple had ever seen the original.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo clearly didn’t suspect this was a true family heirloom; he gave it a cursory glance:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The material’s good—cost quite a bit, I’d guess. How much silver did you pay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan exhaled in relief and sheathed his sword:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifty taels. Worth a hundred Meiqius!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo lifted Meiqiu up, turning her side to side to examine her:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s that cheap?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gujii~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two chatted as usual, soon exiting the intersection, where ahead lay the magnificent gates of the Princess’s mansion, parked with a luxurious carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several charming maids waited nearby, surrounded by armored Wu Zu from the Wang Fu—Liu Qing stood among them, likely serving as ceremonial guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before them, the grotesquely ugly but towering Head Steward Hou Jiye waved a fan atop the steps, loudly demanding a bribe from a brocade-clad young lord:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To see the top courtesan of Huahua Street, you must first pay five taels for tea. My master’s worth far exceeds that of any courtesan—ten taels for you to deliver a message?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh, Head Steward, you shouldn’t say that. How can the Princess be compared to a courtesan? If the Princess hears...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she finds out, it’s an insult to the imperial family! I’m just a servant of the Zhao clan—I’ll only get slapped, nothing more. But you, Master Liu, won’t be so lucky...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright, I’ll pay...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already asked—the Princess refuses to receive visitors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan watched this bullying spectacle and thought it perfectly suited the Head Steward’s appearance:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linghu Qingmo took it in stride—perhaps fearing his girlfriend might see, he turned into a side alley:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess Changning is breathtakingly beautiful and holds great power—many admire her. Every day, people come to bother her, so the Princess assigned Head Steward Hou to block them outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2288,"2026-06-20T01:38:11.747Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","48a7c67f99de834d265bc41f4c35863faebb27da842bb79af55d1269996a3600","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-26","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-24",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]