[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-52":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},2281908,4463,"Chapter 52: A True Man Never Lets a Grudge Last Through the Night","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>In a small tavern in the eastern quarter of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night deepened; three men in red robes sat around a table. The tavern’s patrons had long since fled, leaving only a trembling young waiter, carrying trays of wine and dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single oil lamp rested on the table, beside it a gold-threaded gauze cap and a sheathed saber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He slowly picked at his food with chopsticks, while his two subordinates whispered quietly beside him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Li family went through great trouble to obtain Blood Essence from the Dan Hospital—how could it vanish without reason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s surely been hidden by Xie Jin. We had no proof before, but now we have ironclad evidence. If we find the Blood Essence, he’ll have no defense left…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He, a Company Commander in the Red Lin  Guard, had handled too many cases to be fooled—he understood better than any Jianghu bandit how to evade suspicion, and interrupted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The item must be hidden in the Princess’s mansion—we won’t find it there. But he knows he’s been framed, yet refuses to report it to the authorities, instead going to great lengths to conceal evidence. There’s something behind this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The left-hand Red Lin  Guard poured wine for Zhou He: “Are you suggesting Xie Jin has hidden ties?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He sensed Xie Jin’s actions were suspicious, but couldn’t fathom the motive:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think he’s hiding that makes him so afraid of an official search?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… Recently, Danyang has had only two incidents—the Fengshihua  bandits, and the sky-piercing demonic aura from Ziwei Mountain. If Xie Jin uncovered a clue pointing to the bandits, he can’t be one of them—so it must be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Red Lin  Guard shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The blood-drenched aura from Ziwei Mountain must come from a Heaven-Piercing demon. If Xie Jin were connected to it, why would he risk living right before the Wang Fu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He also thought the idea of Xie Jin being a Heaven-Piercing demon absurd, and after thinking, said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regardless, we must uncover Xie Jin’s true background. He’s already won the Dan Wang’s favor—his rise is inevitable. The Red Lin  Guard has old grudges with him, and now we’ve set this trap. If this comes to light, the fallout will be endless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we just…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy mimed slashing his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He lifted his cup and drained it, pondering long before replying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Jin’s martial skill is formidable—he must have a high-level mentor guiding him. If we strike blindly without knowing who he answers to, we might invite disaster. We must report this to our superiors first. Only with their approval can we act. Otherwise, we three will be the scapegoats handed over to cover the mess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True. I’ll send a letter to the capital tonight…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, the tavern fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap… tap… tap…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slow, unhurried footsteps echoed from the dim alley outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three turned to see a figure in a straw rain cape and conical hat approaching the window, then stopping at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, we’re closed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hat-wearer bowed his head; the light angle hid his face, but the hilt of a blade peeked from beneath the cape. He said nothing, merely raised a hand and waved lightly outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aproned waiter, confused, glanced at the three red-robed men, then said nothing and ducked out of the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Red Lin  Guards frowned, their hands moving toward their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He set down his chopsticks, slid his saber within reach, and stayed still:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hat-wearer entered the tavern, closed the door behind him, confirmed no outsiders remained, then lifted his hat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the candlelight, a strikingly handsome face appeared before them, faintly flushed with wine:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We just met. Commander Zhou, you’ve forgotten me already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Jin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern plunged into deathly silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Lin  Guards weren’t fools—they saw Xie Jin’s move: clearing the room, locking the door—it meant one thing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Red Lin  Guards rose, swords in hand, their crimson Qilin  robes gleaming in the candlelight, their faces drained of color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they’d reviewed Xie Jin’s record these past two days—he never needed a second strike to kill, never soiled his sleeves even when slaying demons. Even alone, he was a deadly threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why he’d come to kill, both sides knew without needing words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He knew Xie Jin was skilled, but never imagined he’d dare retaliate against the Red Lin  Guard. His fingers tapped the table, paused a moment, then spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Shaoxia, you have real guts. But the whole city is hunting demons. We three aren’t amateurs. Coming here for revenge now is not wise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin sat at a table by the door, placing his saber on the surface:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to the Red Lin  Guard’s fearsome reputation, there’s no one nearby. Even if the waiter heard something, he’d clamp his hands over his ears and dare not look. The nearest patrol of Wu Zu is half a cup of tea away—plenty of time to kill you ten times over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He listened closely—no sound stirred outside. He knew Xie Jin spoke truth, and frowned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We were all present during today’s search. If something happens here, you think no one will see? You think you can escape suspicion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin shrugged lightly, voice calm:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for you to worry, Commander Zhou. I once deceived the entire world at Jiguan Ridge, framing Ziwei Mountain’s incident on the bandits. Handling your corpses is just one more job.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three Red Lin  Guards paled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He had been doubting whether Xie Jin was bluffing—now, hearing the confession outright, he knew their situation was dire. He roared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The demonic aura from Ziwei Mountain—did you cause it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin had never intended to leave any survivors since leaving the Princess’s mansion—any witness would expose him. Now, he was blunt:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. A few days ago, I dug up a Demon-Sealing Tomb inside Ziwei Mountain. Accidentally released a powerful demon—it’s now clinging to me. I’ve been running around putting out fires just to cover it up. Today, you nearly exposed me. Luckily, I destroyed the evidence in time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You bastard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with some suspicion, the three Red Lin  Guards couldn’t help cursing inwardly at this earth-shattering revelation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone—including the Dan Wang—had assumed Ziwei Mountain had merely birthed a powerful great demon: dangerous, but manageable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a Demon-Sealing Tomb was different. A demon sealed there was never truly killed—it was too powerful to destroy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last such Heaven-Piercing demon was the Corpse Ancestor, a century ago, who single-handedly triggered the Witch Cult Rebellion and halved the empire’s population.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xie Jin spoke truth, they wouldn’t leave this tavern alive—and Danyang could be leveled at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Zhou He, hardened by years of duty, felt his composure crack. He glanced out the window, searching the night for the Heaven-Piercing demon that had turned Danyang’s every shadow into a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin looked at the three Red Lin  Guards, voice still calm:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve answered your questions. Now, you must answer mine. What old grudge do the Red Lin  Guard hold against me? Why are you so eager to silence us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He wasn’t an idiot—he had no time for such questions now. He snapped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The whole city hunts demons. You’ve committed such a heinous crime, yet dare sit here openly? Do you truly believe the court can’t subdue the demon behind you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin remained unfazed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The court can subdue it—only if they know the demon is tied to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re elite Red Lin  Guards. You know the patrol schedule. The next batch of Wu Zu will pass this tavern in less than half a cup of tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Answer my question, Commander Zhou, and you might buy enough time for the patrol to arrive—enough to signal for help, maybe even a sliver of survival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Refuse, and I won’t force you. Your superiors will know anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Xie Jin gripped the saber on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Red Lin  Guards paled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He rose, but hesitated, fearing the demon behind Xie Jin—yet he shouted urgently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin released the hilt, listening intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He knew how long until the patrol passed—he’d stretch every second possible, even with a powerful bandit lurking outside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want the reason? I’ll tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin nodded: “Commander Zhou, don’t lie. You know my situation. If I find you fabricating, I won’t listen further—I’ll kill you and vanish immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth could be found elsewhere—Zhou He had no reason to lie. His words were merely verbose, occasionally interrupted by memory:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three years ago, the Imperial Hunting Palace on Yùgēng Mountain was haunted—disturbing His Majesty and the palace ladies…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My superior, Han Jingchuan, Battalion Commander of the Wangjing Garrison, was responsible for the palace’s security. He bore the blame, but found no cause…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coincidentally, Xie Wen, County Constable of Wanan, led patrols outside the palace when the Emperor arrived. Han Jingchuan, desperate to close the case, tried to pin it on Xie Wen for ‘negligence allowing demons to infiltrate.’ But the case was dubious—Xie Wen was merely demoted to Lingnan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin didn’t rush, listened patiently, then asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three years ago, I accompanied my father to Lingnan. On the way, we encountered a demon wrapped in black mist—I still don’t know what it was. Was it sent by you to silence him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He, desperate for the patrol to arrive, answered slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We already made Xie Wen take the blame. With his rank, he could never return to the capital to seek justice. Han my lord had no reason to ambush him mid-journey. The case was handled by Duan Battalion Commander—if you survive Danyang, ask him for details.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jin judged Zhou He wasn’t lying, and gave a slight nod:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take your words as good fortune—I’ll strive to survive. Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He scrambled for something to keep Xie Jin listening, yet found no opening—when suddenly, above the rooftops outside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goo—goo—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He’s heart sank—he recognized the signal: someone was coming. Xie Jin had no more patience. He moved his right hand, drawing his waist saber:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan flicked his wrist; two tea bowls on the table instantly became spinning blades, slicing clean across the necks of the two Red Lin  Guards on either side!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Red Lin  Guards had barely drawn their waist blades three inches when blood spurted from their left necks, and their bodies staggered backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He, as Company Commander, was no slouch in martial skill—he leapt back, drawing his sword—but before he could leap out the window, a terrifying force slammed toward his face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan, who had been seated by the door, hadn’t risen visibly, yet his body had already shifted sideways around the table, drawing his three-foot steel blade in one motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stomped forward, lunging in with heavy steps, holding the blade backward in his left hand, its edge flashing brilliant silver in the firelight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ting~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks flew through the tavern!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He, with astonishing reflexes, barely blocked the horizontal slash aimed at his ribs—but the force behind the blade was monstrous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the instant their blades met, the bright official saber was chipped half an inch deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade’s spine crashed into Zhou He’s chest and abdomen, instantly shattering several ribs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He’s lungs and organs trembled violently; his eyes widened in shock, yet without hesitation, his left hand shot out like a knife toward Xie Jinhuan’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But alas—his hand had barely extended when a claw like a coiling dragon seized his wrist, and then:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snick, snick—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan gripped Zhou He’s left arm, dragged his steel blade along the official saber, then swept upward, severing the upper arm, and followed with a swift backward slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unprotected left neck exploded in a burst of blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the blood could spray, Xie Jinhuan had already slipped past, snatching up the straw cloak behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssssss~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three Red Robe Red Feather Guards fell in succession, each with a fatal wound to the left carotid artery—so that in the dimly lit tavern, blood sprayed like three sudden fountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He clutched his neck with his remaining hand, crashing against the table beside him, his eyes still filled with boundless terror, even as he died, gazing toward the street, trying to cry for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his throat and trachea had been severed—no sound escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan used the cloak to shield the blood droplets, then calmly stepped over the two writhing Red Lin  Guards, reaching the window to pull down the support pole:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The alarm outside means the Wu Zu just appeared at the street corner—you should’ve waited until you heard their footsteps before acting. The outcome’s the same, but to avoid too much noise, I’d rather snap necks. At least then they die looking decent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window shut, blocking out the dim light and the blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He slumped to the floor, desperately kicking his foot toward the stool, trying to make noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad—his foot lifted, but the stool had already been moved, placed just an inch away, forever out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan walked to the door, scanning the three Red Lin  Guards whose lives were already fading, then carefully checked the surroundings, confirming no trace remained. He pulled a silver ingot from his sleeve and placed it on the counter as compensation to the tavern, then opened the door, bent low, and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed; the tavern fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sssss… sssss…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou He lay on the floor, breathing only faint, ragged whispers, struggling to raise his hand—his consciousness dimming further, until the last thing he heard was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Yang Weishi has a brother like this, he’s bound to soar to the heavens…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is what they call ‘one man attains the Dao, even dogs and chickens ascend.’ Xie Young Master is handsome, martially gifted, upright, and treats us constables and Wu Zu like brothers—who else deserves to rise so fast?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Xie Young Master is now drinking at Wuwei Pavilion—the Princess is hosting him alone, Zezeze … what an honor…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tap-tap…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps and lantern light passed along the street outside, then faded into the distance…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2389,"2026-06-20T01:38:11.747Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5da2537256634d29426672093a645aea174b276624790ce52f914802767253f3","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-53","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-51",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]