[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-50":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},2281906,4463,"Chapter 50: Gambling Saint?","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-50",50,"\u003Cp>Doors and windows tightly shut, a lone man and woman stood and sat in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning carried herself with dignified grace, her elegance like a lady painted in the national flower’s scroll, quietly allowing Xie Jin to scrutinize her with his “heart’s eye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xie Jin’s solemn expression, silent for a long while, his gaze as conflicted as an old Chinese physician facing an incurable illness, Princess Changning furrowed her brows slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Can’t you tell, or have you seen that my days are numbered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, I’ve seen that my own days are numbered!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the ghost bride refused to change her stance, Xie Jin’s inner anguish was beyond words, and after holding it in for so long, he could only reply:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The… armor beneath your robe, Your Highness, has a peculiar texture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning glanced down at the plump-headed peacock bulging beneath her robes, then lifted her eyelids, pondering before saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Icebone silk has unique properties—it disrupts qi flow. A skilled martial artist can detect hidden armor by observing subtle shifts in qi and body temperature. That’s not some secret art beyond ordinary understanding. Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin tried to beg the ghost bride for help, but she had grown even more outrageous, even spouting phrases like “bald girl” and “pale with a blush!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin felt that whether he was a great demon of Zihui Mountain no longer mattered—he’d die today, either on the princess’s hands or the Alchemist King’s. He had no choice but to press on:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The chest binding is embroidered with a wine gourd… and there’s a jade tablet hanging on her chest, inscribed with ‘Lingyu.’ Its quality is extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning sat up straighter, her face darkening with gravity, her almond-shaped eyes filled with profound astonishment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether someone wore hidden armor could be deduced by experts through qi flow and temperature differences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing embroidery through clothing—even identifying private items tucked between the bosom—this was clearly divine art beyond comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning had never heard of such a power, and her gaze turned suspicious:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you spied on me bathing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin shook his head urgently, speaking earnestly: “How could I possibly spy on Your Highness? This is truly my own secret art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning didn’t believe him for a second. To test his claims, she hid her right hand behind her waist:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Close your eyes and rub your ears.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin obeyed, closing his eyes and rubbing his ears back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratch-scratch-scratch~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This motion disrupted the six senses, making it hard for martial experts to judge an opponent’s movements through environmental details or qi fluctuations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning kept her hand hidden behind her waist, carefully gesturing inside her sleeve, confirming Xie Jin couldn’t possibly see it normally, then spoke again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done. How many fingers am I holding up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin didn’t turn his head—he answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning pulled her right hand from behind her back, looked at her three raised fingers, and her eyes widened in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a powerful art—he truly can see through clothing straight to undergarments…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—if he could see the jade tablet tucked between her bosom, then that meant…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning’s cheeks flushed crimson; she subtly raised her hand to shield the plump-headed peacock:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So in your eyes, I’m as naked as if I wore nothing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin knew this question was coming; he spoke earnestly, making up a lie:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The heart’s eye doesn’t see with eyes—it ‘perceives.’ Just as you can sense that Master Hou is practicing my headstand outside the window—your eyes can’t see it, but you deduce the motion from subtle details.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My art perceives invisible, intangible ‘qi’ in heaven and earth, sensing details ordinary people cannot—never did I truly see the jade pendant or your undergarments.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I could really see a woman’s body through clothing, how could I possibly sit here calm and composed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning didn’t fully believe this explanation. After a moment’s thought, she carefully studied Xie Jin’s expression, then subtly moved her arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wide sleeve of her outer robe slipped down one shoulder, revealing a fair, smooth back and a jade-white arm—her posture intoxicatingly alluring…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin’s pupils contracted—he hadn’t expected the landlady to be such a “broad-shouldered, smooth-backed” girl; he straightened slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness… are you hot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xie Jin’s instinctive physiological reaction—his flushed face and quickened breath—Princess Changning finally relaxed, sighed in relief, and pulled her robe back up, patting her chest:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I nearly died—I thought you could really see through clothes to a girl’s body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your art is terrifyingly unique—truly the kind of skill a hermit immortal might possess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve long admired the Hermit Immortals. Could you teach me this art? Name your price—I’ll give you anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin thought the landlady truly had grandeur—if he could teach it, he’d demand something she’d never dare offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was the ghost bride’s art—he could only wear a pained expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Secret arts aren’t lightly passed on; Dao isn’t taught to outsiders. The Hermit Immortals typically pass knowledge only from master to single disciple. Even their secrets aren’t shared with outsiders. Today, you helped me out, and I sensed your doubts—so I revealed this much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, with my shallow cultivation, I can barely even use it. My master always made me stare at bamboo to ‘investigate things and attain knowledge.’ I still don’t understand what he meant…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Investigate things and attain knowledge…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xie Jin’s words weren’t fabricated, Princess Changning nodded slightly and dropped the demand, settling for a compromise:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t teach it, I won’t force you. Hmm… with this ability, wouldn’t you win every dice game?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin blinked, puzzled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dice games? That’s child’s play—why would you need divine art to cheat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning loved dice games with friends while drinking, but the Scholar Palace’s gambling god had bullied her mercilessly. Now she rose, circling Xie Jin like a general inspecting a prized officer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In high-stakes gambling, if no equipment restrictions apply and both sides play openly, how do you even compete? Your art seems to bypass all limits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she wants me to use my supernatural power as a gambling god? Xie Jin still had to deal with Zhou He’s threat—he had no time for drinking. He preempted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This art drains the spirit. My master warned me before descending the mountain: never use it unless absolutely necessary…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning stepped before him. Though short and forced to look up, her aura carried the commanding presence of a senior lady:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few uses won’t hurt. I need your help. There’ll be plenty of rewards afterward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Princess Changning’s persistence, Xie Jin asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning placed her hands over her waist, a faint shadow of worry crossing her brow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not a big matter. You’ve heard of Wang He, the Scholar Palace’s Gambling God? The ‘Number One Bosom of Chongwen Academy.’ She’s mastered gambling to divine levels—I’ve lost to her countless times!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The day before yesterday at the Peony Pool, she beat me seven rounds straight—I had to flee the table to avoid drinking more. Even the young ladies of Chongming River tremble at her name…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scholar Palace Gambling God…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That nickname was enough to make anyone gasp for air…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin paused, then asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want me to help you beat her once?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning gestured to the house with a glance:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can use this art in gambling, tomorrow’s Mid-Autumn banquet will crush her utterly. Help me regain my honor, and this house is yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. 6 Qingquan Lane, though marred by noise, had an unbeatable location, size, and finish—even halved, it was no small fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing such generosity, Xie Jin finally understood the appeal of wealthy women. Thinking of Lin Wanyi’s “Two-Headed Dragon” scheme, he asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Property is too valuable—forgo it. I’m devoted to martial cultivation. I’ve heard the Wang Fu holds a martial ancestor’s scripture—could I…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning raised an eyebrow: “You’re greedy. The ‘Dragon Soaring and Subduing Decree’ is worth far more than a house. One banquet won’t earn you that. But if you make me happy, I’ll let you borrow the original copy from the capital—not just a transcript.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin wanted to see the divine scripture. Hearing this, he couldn’t refuse the landlady’s invitation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness’s kindness is overwhelming—I wouldn’t dare refuse. But I’m a man. Won’t it be improper for me to join a women’s drinking party?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning patted the plump-headed peacock, grandly declaring:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Mid-Autumn banquet is a gathering. I’m bringing a male companion—no one dares speak ill. Just sit beside me and whisper advice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Male companion…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin worried the Alchemist King might break his legs, but fortune favors the bold—he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The gambling tools are custom-made—you might not see through them. Come to Wuwei Pavilion later. I’ll test your skill first, so you won’t be caught off guard tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Princess Changning stepped out, her steps light, she noticed Meiqiu still crouched inside, staring at the ceiling, and followed her gaze upward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s she looking at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A bowl in the sky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Princess Changning returned to her princely mansion with her attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everyone left, Xie Jin shut the door, thought for a moment, and called:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Night Beauty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-clad ghost, ever at his side, materialized behind him, her soul-stealing eyes clearly displeased:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why didn’t you say anything about her just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan stumbled, spreading his hands: “Do I want to die? She’s the eldest daughter of the Dan King, the Emperor’s own niece!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongshang shrugged slightly: “Perfect then—she’s a breathtakingly beautiful little fortune heiress. That’s exactly what you’re missing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan did indeed lack one, but the old man wasn’t some nobody—he walked to the wardrobe, pulled out a change of robe, and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, how can you see what’s underneath the clothes? Can you teach me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Want to learn by staring at girls on the street?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not. If this divine skill could be applied to martial arts, it’d be incredibly powerful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongshang thought carefully: “This should be a innate ‘divine skill’ my sister was born with—she doesn’t see undergarments, she sees the essence of heaven and earth. Not you, not anyone else could learn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xie Jinhuan’s heart stirred:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you be a celestial descending to earth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Possibly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongshang straightened her posture, chest out, head high, assuming an ethereal stance:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of immortal do you think I am?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fox spirit…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or a lust demon…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan felt the conversation was veering off track and changed the subject:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can your seduction technique control anyone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongshang stepped closer, crossing her arms and leaning against the wardrobe:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Wanyi has excessive yin-cold energy—that’s why I could slip in so easily. I made you hear and see illusions, and you felt dizzy. But the young princess, Mo Mo, and others—if they sense possession, they’ll immediately use ‘Awaken Spirit, Expel Seduction’ to break free. I can’t control them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan felt deeply disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Ye Hongshang raised her slender eyebrows:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? You want me to knock the princess out so you can have your way with her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan took the robe and shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I need to resort to underhanded tricks to win over a girl? Just now, the Red Lin Guards attacked me—I need to find out why. I need an alibi. If you can seduce Princess Changning, this whole situation will become much easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongshang understood his meaning and gave him a look of approval:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A true man doesn’t let grudges linger overnight—I like that attitude. Hmm… it’s not entirely impossible. After drinking, the mind is clouded and easily influenced; even if illusions appear, they’ll just think they’re drunk. Get Princess Changning half-drunk, and I can buy you some time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing there was a way to fabricate an alibi, Xie Jinhuan said no more and quickly packed up…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1998,"2026-06-20T01:38:11.747Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b1f8af4b649890afe96560c711d62dfa966deef9efde86591b0efda8a2749301","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-51","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-49",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]