[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-71":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},2281927,4463,"Chapter 71","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-71",71,"\u003Cp>Moments later, at the Wang Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the guidance of House Manager Hou, Xie Jinhuan hurried through corridors and halls toward the Danwang Pavilion in the central area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>House Manager Hou remained as he always was—though his height barely reached Xie Jinhuan’s chin, his terrifying visage made even Xie Jinhuan seem ordinary by comparison, and now he sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“New faces replace the old. Twenty years ago, I nursed the Prince through every mess to seat him on the throne. Now that I’m old, the rest of the road is yours to walk, boy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan walked beside him, slightly puzzled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Prince is already a Prince of the Blood—where else is there to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>House Manager Hou fanned himself with a tiny fan, his eyes darting slyly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One more step beyond Prince… naturally leads to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey hey hey?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan had only twenty days left—he had no intention of dying prematurely, and swiftly cut off the suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking thus for a while, the seven-story Danwang Pavilion came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning of Xie Jinhuan’s return, the Dan Wang let out a long breath and stepped out the door to greet him, accompanied by Zhu Wenyuan. Seeing Xie Jinhuan approach, his expression lit up like a father spotting Zhao Zilong, and he descended the steps quickly with arms outstretched:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jinhuan, you’re injured—why venture out alone? Even if you mean to slay demons, you should’ve brought attendants…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan stepped forward and bowed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness humbles this humble subject—I never expected you to come yesterday, forcing you to make this trip for nothing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re unharmed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dan Wang had met countless people, but such a flawless young man as Xie Jinhuan was beyond his wildest dreams—he truly wished to make him his son-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his daughter thought it too hasty, so as a father, he couldn’t force it—yet his gaze still fixed on Xie Jinhuan like a prospective son-in-law:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just heard you’re planning to go to Jingcheng to investigate? That won’t do. Your body is your capital. No matter how useful you are, the court can’t use you until you’re broken. Stay here at the Wang Fu to rest these days—we’ll have a good chat about calligraphy, you and I, uncle and nephew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan could feel the Dan Wang’s genuine fondness, but the task must be done—he politely declined:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Mind God Sect strikes and kills hundreds at a time. Before I descended the mountain, my master taught me many skills. Going one day sooner might help the government office find clues early and spare innocent lives. I can walk without trouble, and I’ll be with the government office—they’ll look out for me. Your Highness needn’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brutality of the demon bandits Xie Jinhuan had cleaned up was witnessed by all of Danyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Dan Wang grieved for his beloved general, the times were indeed turbulent, and he sighed softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had planned for you to rest here two days, then join Ling’er to Jingcheng for the Empress’s birthday celebration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ‘demons and monsters’ in Jingcheng are more numerous than you imagine. Once you go, you won’t return in just a day or two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan urgently needed allies to reclaim his lost family assets, and these words stirred his thoughts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does Your Highness have a task for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not exactly a task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dan Wang clasped his hands behind his back and walked through the Wang Fu garden:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to records, the residual soul essence within the Transformation Elixir fades quickly if not consumed soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tai Shu Dan manufactured the Transformation Elixir in Danyang—meaning the user is near Danyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reviewing the Tai Shu Dan case, these demon bandits always act one step ahead and know the Wang Fu and Li family’s movements intimately—suggesting this person is likely in Jingcheng and holds high office…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan also sensed this Mind God Sect elder was no ordinary figure, and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who do you suspect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dan Wang fell silent briefly, then replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone could be it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan understood—the Emperor, Lu Wu, and others were all included.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was indeed a massive undertaking…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dan Wang walked ahead, continuing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Mind God Sect planted such a deep spy in Jingcheng—they must have a grand scheme.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to unearth this person, but Jingcheng’s court is a tangled web—everyone seems suspicious, yet no clear thread emerges.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re young but exceptionally capable—you might uncover some trace. That’s why I want you to accompany Ling’er to Jingcheng for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you find clues, good. If not, just keep Ling’er company, meet nobles, and it won’t hurt your future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan had been attacked three years ago, closely tied to the Mind God Sect—he’d have sought to destroy them even without the Dan Wang’s request, and replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Mind God Sect has committed countless atrocities. Even if Your Highness didn’t say anything, I’d find a way to root them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dan Wang nodded in approval, then continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ling’er has been wise since childhood—I trust her completely. I’ve entrusted this matter to her; you two discuss everything together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For convenience, I’ll appoint you as Palace Guard of the Princess’s Household. If you unearth the spy, I’ll make you Military Commissioner of Danzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Palace Guard of the Princess’s Household—put simply, it meant standing beside the Dan Wang, wielding the golden mace and axe as ceremonial guard; in Jingcheng, it was called “Guard of the Golden Mace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as a Princess’s Palace Guard—it naturally meant the landlord’s personal bodyguard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This appointment looked unmistakably like matchmaking…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan needed a background to open doors in Jingcheng, and seeing how well the Dan Wang catered to his needs, he bowed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank Your Highness for your great favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dan Wang finished speaking and didn’t linger, waving his hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have official duties to attend to—excuse me for a moment. Old Hou, take Master Xie to Wenshu Pavilion to rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Xie Jinhuan bid farewell to the Dan Wang and arrived at a pavilion in the Wang Fu garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilion was where the Dan Wang usually wrote and painted; walls were hung with numerous calligraphy and paintings—all his own work. As for their quality…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan glanced once, refrained from judging out of respect, and sat in the elegant chamber behind the peacock screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a small table lay a tray: the Wang Fu’s official token, and folded ice-silk garments, gleaming like metal yet soft and feather-light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid Dodo had waited long. As before, she knelt beside him, her large, snowy white flesh nearly brushing his face, her eyes sparkling with reverence:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Xie~ The Princess will be here soon—what wine would you like today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan, mindful of being in the Wang Fu, kept his gaze straight:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m injured—can’t drink. I’ll skip it today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh~ Master, your wound must hurt terribly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dodo rose, knelt behind him, and began massaging his shoulders:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let your maid rub them for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan straightened his back slightly, glancing around:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Dodo—is this appropriate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s inappropriate about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dodo leaned forward, her cheek brushing past his shoulder, gazing at his profile, her chest like two soft pillows:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you find me repulsive? I’ve only ever massaged the Princess—I’ve never touched another man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan hadn’t expected to be flirted with by a girl—there were other servants nearby, so he couldn’t play along, and merely said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I find you repulsive? If the Princess walks in and thinks I’m flirting with a maid, I’ll be dragged out and beheaded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, footsteps sounded outside the sliding door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tap-tap…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan quickly waved, signaling Dodo to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dodo wasn’t fazed—she sat up straighter, resuming her diligent shoulder-rubbing posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhhh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the sliding door was pulled open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning entered gracefully, clad in a pale gold palace gown, her makeup and attire exquisitely refined, her aura still powerfully commanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan rose to bow, but found Dodo still massaging him, refusing to let him stand—he looked embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Princess Changning didn’t mind. She sat before the peacock screen:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let her rub. You defeated powerful foes for me and rendered great service to Danyang—you deserve to be pampered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Er… thank Your Highness for your kindness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan, seeing this, accepted Dodo’s massage. Honestly, her technique was quite good…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning also deeply cared for Xie Jinhuan’s safety, but her close friend Lin the Physician and others had gone mad with worry—her more distant relationship made it hard to intrude, so now she carefully studied his complexion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is your injury?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan had been shot through the chest, but the wound was shallow; most of his pain came from the excessive strain of the Dao-boosting Elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With top-tier elixirs from the Dan Hospital and two days of rest, he now only suffered from general soreness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Dodo’s small hands kneading him, even the soreness lessened:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s no longer serious. In a couple days, I’ll be fully recovered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning gestured to the tray:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a gift from your father—‘Ice Scale Armor,’ crafted by Xu Hunli. It resists all attacks below Rank One and offers some protection against divine arts like lightning, fire, and poison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, your father has commissioned a spear for you, but this weapon must be custom-made according to your cultivation method and techniques—you’ll need to specify your requirements later, and it’ll take some time to complete...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Hunli is the director of the Military Equipment Institute; his metallurgical skill isn’t the best in the land, but it’s among the top in the entire Daqian Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons and armor crafted for someone of his stature are utterly reliable, yet their value is staggering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan picked up the soft armor and examined it—it resembled a sleeveless bodysuit, designed to protect the torso, but offered no defense for the head or limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan had only ever worn magical garments; he’d never seen real soft armor. Now, holding it in his palm, he struck it with a sword finger—and the qi surged through, instantly hardening the fabric so it no longer deformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the strike, it softened again, switching seamlessly without any resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan’s eyes brightened slightly—he realized this was truly a lifesaving artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his “P’an Dragon Horizontal Ridge” ignored blunt force; this armor ignored piercing strikes. Together, they amounted to near-immunity to physical damage—he could wear it straight up to the supreme rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But having accepted these lavish rewards, he felt awkward asking for more. After brief consideration, he set down the Ice Scale Armor:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are far too valuable... Hmm, I’m very interested in the Dragon Soaring Response Scripture from the Elixir King Pavilion—if I could borrow it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning replied generously: \"Father rewards based on merit—take them. As for the Dragon Soaring Response Scripture, I can lend it to you, but you’re not yet ready to begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan only needed to memorize it to repay Wanyi’s debt; he replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m just curious, wanting to see what this divine art is like. If it’s inconvenient, we can wait until later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning didn’t hesitate, raising an eyebrow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duoduo immediately understood and raised her hand to cover Xie Jinhuan’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan was puzzled; the next instant, a soft “susu~” sound came from across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound suggested the landlady was reaching into her peacock-patterned corset, groping in her cleavage...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan pretended not to hear anything. After a brief pause, the hand covering his eyes lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning remained in the same posture, cradling a cloud-white jade tablet in her right hand, offering it to Xie Jinhuan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan stared at the jade tablet, fragrant with the scent of milk—he hesitated to take it:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Martial Divine Scripture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To understand, Xie Jinhuan took the warm jade tablet—still radiating the warmth of milk—and infused it with his qi to probe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tablet immediately responded, revealing a vague human silhouette, even the flow of meridians—undoubtedly a map of the scripture’s energy pathways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the human form was impossibly fine-grained; his shallow cultivation made it impossible to discern any details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning knew Xie Jinhuan would frown. She explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Martial Ancestor left behind the Path to Immortality—its starting point is the supreme rank. As for the methods from ninth to first rank, to the Ancestor, they were merely beginner’s exercises—not worth recording in detail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve just entered the Divine Qi realm; your spiritual sense is like a guttering candle or a firefly—you can’t possibly trace the precise meridians, nor do you yet control qi well enough to meet the scripture’s threshold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan tried again carefully, but found it truly impossible. He gave up and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The supreme rank is just the starting point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning knew most people had no access to knowledge beyond the supreme rank. She explained seriously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In ancient times, the five current cultivation schools were divided into seven realms. The martial path was: Body Forging, Flexibility, Divine Qi, Breaking Demons, Dragon Soaring, Response, and Mingji .\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But spiritual energy in the world has dwindled; cultivators can no longer reach beyond the fourth realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To prevent cultivators from losing hope and faith, the various sects restructured the rankings—designating the fourth realm as the ultimate goal: 'Supreme Rank,' while the first three realms were subdivided into 'Ninth to First Rank.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Dragon Soaring Response Scripture is the Martial Ancestor’s compendium, distilled from ancient techniques—detailed and exhaustive—not meant to be copied, but to let later generations stand on the shoulders of countless ancient masters and forge their own martial path...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan listened quietly, nodding thoughtfully—he realized the situation was far beyond his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the scripture’s entry requirements, unless he reached the first rank, he couldn’t even comprehend it, let alone practice it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To teach it to Lin Wanyi, he’d need even higher cultivation—and she’d have to reach the first rank too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, even if he explained it directly, she’d never understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve learned much. When I’ve reached the first rank, I’ll come again to seek your guidance, Princess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With your talent, it won’t take long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Changning paused, then added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father has already instructed me—I’m entering the capital under the pretense of presenting birthday gifts to the Empress, and I still need to prepare some things. I won’t depart until the day after tomorrow. You’re now my personal bodyguard—aren’t you coming with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan only had twenty-one days—he couldn’t afford to waste two or three. Otherwise, he’d gladly follow the landlady:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s a major case in the capital—I’ll go ahead first, try to resolve it within two days. Then, when you arrive, I’ll accompany you without being distracted by trivial matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really don’t know how to rest. Fine. When I reach the capital in a few days, I’ll reward you properly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requesting monthly votes and serial reads or2!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to the patrons 【Li Hua Yin】【Xiang Si Deng Xia Su】【Jin Qiang Jiang Lu Suo】 for their patronage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to all patrons for your support, monthly votes, and recommendations or2!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2523,"2026-06-20T01:38:11.747Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c03cd5e4030c567e8899cc951e2b7eaea1f9a5ffb0df3536ee68d0628dfea7e5","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-72","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-70",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]