[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-roaring-dragon":3,"chapter-the-roaring-dragon-the-roaring-dragon-chapter-81":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},2281937,4463,"Chapter 81: Speed Is the Essence of War","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-81",81,"\u003Cp>Wu Su stared fixedly at the white-robed young lord, took several deep breaths, his bloodshot eyes shifting from wariness to desperate ferocity, and his hunched frame straightened upright:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill you, and everything on you still becomes mine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, a deep thud echoed through the moonlit courtyard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Su focused entirely on Xie Jinhuan’s movements; the instant he struck, his left hand flipped up the Huang Lin Seal:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had the word left his lips than the Huang Lin Seal glowed with flowing light!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crouching qilin seemed to come alive; an invisible ring spread outward around him, causing the courtyard ground to tremble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan lunged forward—his first step landed, and the ground beneath him instantly turned to loose sand; instead of gaining leverage, he plunged forward, losing his balance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan reacted with astonishing speed; the Tian Gang Iron Club flashed from its sheath and swept horizontally downward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the force of the qi impact, the loose sand exploded outward, revealing a two-foot-deep groove that reached the solid ground beneath!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with a single downward thrust of the club, he leapt backward like a dragonfly skimming water!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wu Su struck, he had already leapt backward, attempting to flee!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the white-robed figure escape in an instant, he transformed the Huang Lin Seal into molten iron; from its fingertip-sized qilin mouth shot a red thread:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red thread exploded mere three feet from his body, erupting into a towering flame wave that instantly illuminated the entire courtyard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan, suspended midair, faced the breath of a fire dragon; before the searing heat reached him, his face burned with pain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But across all schools, the gap between third and fourth rank was an insurmountable abyss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the scorching flames engulfed him, invisible Gangfeng  surged around Xie Jinhuan, coiling like a dragon circling his body!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the force of the qi, the raging flames were sucked into the vortex, twisting into a fire dragon spiraling around him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Su, seeing a third-rank cultivator unleash a protective Gangqi , could not hide his shock—and immediately changed his hand seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was already too late!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xie Jinhuan landed on the eaves, his left hand already gripped the Tian Gang Iron Club; he thrust it forward, his body following the weapon’s motion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson fire dragon coiled around him roared outward, exploding upon leaving his body into a tidal wave of flame that swallowed Wu Su and the roof ridge!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the overwhelming, city-consuming inferno, Wu Su’s eyes widened in terror; his Huang Lin Seal turned pitch black, icy cold radiating around him—before the flames reached three feet from his body, they vanished into thin air!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the unstoppable momentum followed right behind the fire!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan lunged forward; the surging flames split cleanly in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the moonlight, it looked as if a celestial maiden had sliced open a crimson curtain—the very tip ahead glowed with a chilling silver point!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Su reacted swiftly enough, but against the raw, irrational power of a high-rank warrior, he had no countermeasure whatsoever!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the towering flames were torn open by that terrifying blade, the white-robed figure appeared three feet away—and then:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire blinded his vision; before Wu Su could even make out the figure, his entire chest swelled and burst open under the impact of the heavy club!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his vision began to spin and roll; in a fleeting glimpse, he saw the white-robed figure raise his left hand, grasping the Huang Lin Seal glowing with emerald light,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>while the lower half of his waist and legs stood in the fading glow of the flames, surrounded by shredded flesh and bone…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump-thump-thump~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames vanished in an instant; his head hit the ground and bounced forward a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The half-body toppled forward from the eaves, crashing onto the courtyard path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan caught the Huang Lin Seal and, under the pale moonlight, examined it, turning it over to inspect the engraving:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five Directions, Five Elders, command the Huang Lin… This artifact is quite powerful. What’s its origin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongshang appeared beside him, also examining it curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It possesses innate Five Elements techniques: gold-seeking, earth-piercing, metal-smelting, quenching, wind-blowing—it’s clearly an alchemist’s artifact, high-grade but useless as a weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alchemists and pill-makers were both rich; their specialized artifacts cost a fortune. The only one Xie Jinhuan had ever seen was the Lin family’s giant pill furnace—this one shrunk to such a small size, portable and concealable, was unheard of, and surely cost a fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan recalled Wu Su’s reverse scrying and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gold-seeking… So this device could detect the Zheng Lun Sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Hongshang shook her head: “The Zheng Lun Sword is a celestial artifact. If it could be detected from miles away, how could it ever slay demons? The top-tier treasures are mostly disguised with ‘conceal wealth’ enchantments—you won’t look like anything special unless you use it. That’s why some people find hidden treasures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan felt somewhat relieved; though the Huang Lin Seal was undoubtedly a divine artifact, holding it felt useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he wasn’t an alchemist; the only function he could use was “treasure-finding and enemy-detection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that function was entirely replaced by his ghost wife—she could see hidden treasures, even spot the landlord’s wife’s bald spots—far superior to this thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, keeping it as a backup tool wasn’t bad…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan decided to put away the Huang Lin Seal, then leapt down into the courtyard to check the bundle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside were several vials of Hua Yao Dan, a small box of Long Yang Flowers, silver notes, and cultivation manuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan picked up the silver notes and glanced briefly—discovering over three thousand taels, his heart warmed; the demon bandits were truly considerate, not wasting his night of running around inquiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was packing, a whistling sound came from beyond the buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up—three Immortal Officials flew in from different directions; Linghu Qingmo also landed on the eaves, watching anxiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you alright?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan wanted to share some of the loot with Mo Mo, but he had to deal first with the ghost wife’s grave-blasting crisis—these things could wait until after twenty days. For now, he simply replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrolling Immortal Officials landed around them, scanning left and right, their gazes slightly wary:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you two?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Jinhuan pulled out his “Dan” waist token:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Jinhuan and Linghu Qingmo of the Danzhou Qinshifu . This man is the mastermind behind the Corpse Case. Notify the government office immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gukji!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meiqiu was useless at everything except surrendering; seeing Xie Jinhuan raise his hand, she quickly lifted both tiny wings…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five a.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eastern sky glowed pale white; lights flickered along Buzheng Street, and a few official carriages could be seen heading toward the imperial palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the county government office, Fei Ji was directing government office runners to arrange the meeting room for the upcoming “Corpse Case Leadership Group Guidance Meeting,” saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chairs and tea must be arranged properly: the County Magistrate sits center; Xie Jinhuan, as Danwang’s Guard Captain, takes the right chief seat; the Imperial Astronomical Bureau takes the left chief seat; Chi Lin Guard next, then me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where does the Linghu official from Danyang sit? He’s the disciple of the Zihui Mountain Sect Master and sworn sister to Princess Changning…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… then place him in the right second seat; the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and Chi Lin Guard on the left…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>County Magistrate Wu Yuanhua felt he’d be scolded again today, and had risen early; seeing this, he rebuked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’ve time to arrange chairs, better get out and investigate more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fei Ji turned, rushed over, and fawned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magistrate Wu, up so early? Have you eaten? Shall I buy two baskets of buns?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Yuanhua waved him off, eyes full of displeasure:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen, the Prefect, is about to strip off my robes—how can I eat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Xie Jinhuan was fiercely righteous, always chasing demons or on his way to chase them—I thought he was truly diligent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look for yourself—it’s nearly dawn, and not a single soul from Danyang has arrived…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Hour is when the Emperor rises and ministers head to court; if a drowsy official passes the government office and finds it still asleep, he’ll be reprimanded—so the government office must open on time, and ambitious officials must arrive punctually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fei Ji was Xie Wen’s childhood friend; they’d worked together for decades, having watched Xie Jinhuan grow up from birth; hearing this, he quickly defended:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jinhuan understands social subtleties—he’s now a prince’s man. If he acts too aggressively, it will appear that we, the county government office, are neglecting the case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Yuanhua considered it—sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Late is fine. I just fear Dan Wang is exaggerating, building up his ‘son-in-law’—and he’s actually not that capable…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fei Ji patted the magistrate’s arm, smiling broadly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not likely! Jinhuan has been studious since childhood, highly skilled—just arrived yesterday, hasn’t had a chance to act yet. Progress will take a few days of investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, in Danyang, the demon bandits caused chaos, yet Jinhuan wiped out the entire gang—including their leader—in six or seven days. That alone has already made the entire Danyang government office and regional guards look utterly incompetent before the Censorate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve been investigating this case for eight months—if Xie Jinhuan solves it in three or five days, what will we be called?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Yuanhua pondered briefly: “Hmm… a waste of the people’s tax money! If His Majesty hears of this, he’ll likely strip every official in the county office and banish them to the southern frontier to guard demonic beasts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fei Ji clapped his hands: “The faster Danyang’s men solve it, the more incompetent Uncle Wu looks—so this case can’t be rushed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate found this reasonable and nodded slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True. In my view, this case still needs to be handled gradually…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Report—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, a sharp, piercing cry erupted outside!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate jolted in surprise and spun around, eyes blazing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you howling about at this hour? Another corpse again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol government office runner burst in, nearly tumbling over himself, gasping for breath, face alight with ecstatic joy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The corpse case is solved! The killer’s been caught!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, every government office runner in the room leapt to their feet, faces filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fei Ji’s expression froze; he hurried forward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you dare lie! How was it solved? Who caught the killer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was Xie Jinhuan, Master Xie…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brilliant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fei Ji clapped his hands and turned back:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look, look! I told you yesterday that Jinhuan treats us like family—even when he’s at the Wang Fu, his heart’s still here at the county office, treating our affairs as his own. Just look how proactive he is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get out of the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Magistrate waved Fei Ji aside and stepped to the door to ask:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re certain? Danyang’s men only arrived last night—how could they possibly have…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely true!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runner, wildly excited, spouted out in rapid succession:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Chi Lin Guard says Master Xie and the Purple Banner Mountain’s direct disciple went out for a stroll last night with nothing to do, traced the case from Xiaoyao Cave to the East Market, then from the East Market to the Antique Street, chased the demonic bandits for miles before cornering them and cutting them down on horseback!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I galloped over to the Antique Street to check, but dozens of officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and Chi Lin Guard were already there—even Minister Chen, Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel, and Censor Wang had all come to see for themselves, and not a single soul from our county office had shown up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is our Wanan County Office’s case—solving it so fast is a major achievement!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I saw three senior officials huddled together, discussing—mentioning Uncle Wu’s name several times, and words like ‘Ruizhou’ and ‘vacancy fill’—I reckon they’re planning to promote and appoint Uncle Wu… Hey hey hey? Uncle Wu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, the County Magistrate’s eyes rolled back and he fainted dead away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fei Ji reacted instantly, hoisted the County Magistrate onto his shoulder, and bolted for the door:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quick, quick, quick—saddle the horses…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Don’t we call a physician?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call a damn physician? Ruizhou’s in Lingnan—Uncle Wu’s dead or alive, he’s got to die at the crime scene…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2090,"2026-06-20T01:38:11.747Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f96231faa638e135526e7ccfdf63639b1519e811c9092e249a68986bb41323bd","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-82","the-roaring-dragon-chapter-80",252,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-roaring-dragon-cover.jpg"]