Chapter 83: Romantic Tribulation!

After handling the aftermath at the Antique Street, Xie Jinhuan went with Yang Dabiao and the others to the county government office.

Because of their long separation and his great achievement, Fei Ji specially arranged a banquet on Buzheng Street to welcome him back and celebrate his success.

Since he could remember, Fei Ji had been his father’s childhood friend and colleague, often taking him along to play; his knowledge of human organs, his martial skill only reaching the eighth rank at sixteen, and his uncanny ability to identify postures at a glance—all were taught to him by Fei Ji without reservation.

Having spent over a decade together, Xie Jinhuan truly regarded Fei Ji as an uncle or elder brother and wanted to catch up, but there were too many officials and government office runners present; the county magistrate was drunk and insisted on kowtowing to him twice, leaving no chance.

After the banquet ended, Xie Jinhuan returned to the Wang Fu to rest.

In the guest chamber of the Wang Fu, Xie Jinhuan lay on a soft couch, his white robe undone and the Ice Scale Armor removed and draped over the backrest; on his muscular chest, a scar, already scabbed and healed, was visible.

Linghu Qingmo sat beside the couch, holding a cotton ball, carefully wiping the wound:

“Still painful?”

“Just a superficial wound, no feeling at all.”

“Good….”

Linghu Qingmo, recalling Xie Jinhuan’s fluid assassination technique last night, felt a quiet curiosity:

“Where did you train before? Your battlefield experience is so sharp—there shouldn’t be no record of your name in the Jianghu.”

Xie Jinhuan didn’t know where he’d been these past three years, so he repeated the old line:

“The Hidden Immortal Sect has a rule: once aboard, forget those on shore; once ashore, never speak of what was on the boat.”

?

Linghu Qingmo was a proper Daoist disciple, and she frowned:

“Does the Hidden Immortal Sect have that saying?”

“Yes.”

“Oh… then it’s fine not to say more.”

Linghu Qingmo continued carefully wiping the wound.

Xie Jinhuan thought Qingmo was easy to pacify; after a brief pause, he sighed softly:

“Looking back now, it truly feels like a lifetime ago.”

“Back in the capital, I was just a young master—neither rich nor poor, with no particular talent. My greatest wish was to live like a god: ‘travel the Northern Sea by morning, rest at the Southern Hills by night.’ And if I could find a Dao companion to share the Jade Terrace with, that would be perfect.”

“But back then I was too greedy—wanted to learn everything—and ended up accomplishing nothing. Not only did I fail to seek immortality, I didn’t even deserve to know a fairy like Miss Linghu…”

?

Linghu Qingmo had been listening to his reflection, but gradually realized something was off.

It sounded like it was aimed at her!

Linghu Qingmo sat up straighter: “Isn’t Lin the Physician your old flame? Isn’t she a fairy too?”

Of course she was…

Xie Jinhuan couldn’t say he hadn’t known Wanyi before, so he changed the subject with a lie:

“Hmm… before I left the mountain, my master divined for me and said I’d encounter a ‘Romantic Tribulation,’ trapped between two women, and no matter which I chose, I’d be wrong…”

Before he finished, the ghost bride, ever at his side, chimed in:

“Oh my~ What about Sister?”

Damn it…

Xie Jinhuan blinked, forcing himself to continue:

“My master also said I stand out like a tall tree among lesser ones—I’ll meet many women. Maybe three, four, five…”

Huh?!

What kind of roguish playboy was this?

Linghu Qingmo’s gaze turned suspicious; she studied Xie Jinhuan closely, confirmed he hadn’t been possessed, then asked:

“And then? What did you do when it happened?”

Xie Jinhuan was barely holding it together, but since he’d spun the tale, he had to make it stick:

“My master said the Dao isn’t about being heartless. If it’s destined, treat each person with sincerity from start to finish—that’s ‘fate.’ But if you hesitate and abandon them halfway, that becomes a ‘tribulation.’ Hmm… perhaps he meant I should let things unfold naturally.”

Linghu Qingmo pondered deeply, then nodded after a long while:

“Your master speaks sense. Indeed, as cultivators, our duty is to eradicate demons and defend the Dao. As long as your heart is set on the world and you’re willing to sacrifice yourself for righteousness, what does it matter if you have several Dao companions?

“Even the Emperor has three palaces and six courtyards. Even if you married a hundred girls, in my eyes, you’d still be better than those bald monks who cling to rigid rules but do nothing for the people.”

This struck him right in the heart.

Xie Jinhuan gazed at the cold, elegant face before him, deeply moved, and grasped the small hand still wiping his chest:

“Miss Qingmo understands—this is nai nai nai~~”

ZZZZT—

Linghu Qingmo was no meek Lin Wanyi; seeing Xie Jinhuan’s hands wandering again, she instantly summoned electric light in her palm, jolting him violently.

“Why are you touching my hand? I think this ‘Romantic Tribulation’ is entirely your own doing!”

But then she remembered the morning’s bet!

Three times, no anger allowed…

Remembering this, she quickly suppressed her annoyance and put on a understanding expression:

“I’m not angry! You’ve only got two chances left!”

“Huh?”

Xie Jinhuan had just been shocked—he wasn’t about to admit defeat—and said solemnly:

“No, you already shocked me, so it’s still three chances!

“Only when I say ‘Don’t be angry’ as the safety phrase does the chance count. If I don’t say it, even if you’re truly not angry, it doesn’t count!”

Safety phrase?

Linghu Qingmo wanted to argue, but this time she’d acted too quickly—she had no real ground to stand on—so she relented:

“Fine, but we bet on catching the killer. You said there were two, but you only caught one, so it’s not entirely my loss…”

Xie Jinhuan didn’t want to push Qingmo too hard; after thinking, he proposed:

“How about this: we both win. I get three chances to say ‘Don’t be angry,’ and you get three chances to say ‘Stop.’ Deal?”

?

Linghu Qingmo frowned slightly, feeling this arrangement seemed fair.

As long as she didn’t waste her chances early, no matter how much Xie Jinhuan tried to kiss her and then say “Don’t be angry,” she could always counter with her “Stop” card—completely risk-free.

Since they’d indeed made a bet, she couldn’t back out, so she added:

“Alright, but you must keep your word—completely halt all actions and words!”

“Fine. It starts now.”

As Xie Jinhuan spoke, he began thinking how to trick Qingmo into using her “Stop” card, then flood her with “Don’t be angry”—when voices came from outside the courtyard:

“Xie… Hey? Yang Dabiao? Why are you running?”

“Oh! I didn’t see Prince Shi!”

“You couldn’t miss my outfit? Never mind—Is Xie Brother inside? The show at Jinlou is about to begin…”

“Jinhuan just took off his robe, and Miss Linghu is…”

“Ah? Sorry, sorry, I disturbed you…”

…

Linghu Qingmo heard Yang Dabiao’s nonsense and froze, rushing to the door:

“Yang Dabiao, what are you talking about?!”

Xie Jinhuan quickly pulled on his robe and came to the door with Meiqiu.

There, standing in the corridor, was Prince Zhao De—wearing a bright red python robe, holding a folding fan inscribed with the words “Must Win!”

He looked like a flamingo spirit, glaringly conspicuous in the courtyard—impossible to miss.

Seeing this “Crimson Dot of Danyang” outfit, Xie Jinhuan didn’t know how to respond, and stepped forward:

“Prince Shi’s attire is truly eye-catching.”

“To win money at Jinlou, I must dress festively.”

Zhao De fanned himself as he walked, praising:

“Xie Brother’s abilities are what truly dazzle. If I hadn’t heard Lifu mention it this afternoon, I wouldn’t have known you went out last night and killed a demon bandit.”

“I was just strolling at night, happened to run into one…”

“Hey!”

Zhao De raised his hand, speaking earnestly:

“Humility is good, but if everyone who achieves merit refuses rewards, how many heroes will still risk their lives to slay demons and protect the realm?”

I never said I wouldn’t take the silver!

Seeing the prince understood the principle of Zi Gong redeeming captives, Xie Jinhuan cooperated:

“Prince Shi speaks wisely.”

Zhao De nodded happily, then waved his hand:

“Lifu, book a banquet of Eight Immortals at Zijin Pavilion tonight to reward Xie Brother—charge it to the Wang Fu’s account!”

My god…

Xie Jinhuan knew this was coming; he opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

Linghu Qingmo had wanted to stop Zhao De from exploiting the Wang Fu’s resources, but Lifu, unusually, didn’t obey—he whispered:

“Your Highness, Changle Street sent word today: the Red Lin Guard will conduct routine patrols tonight—things won’t be lively.”

The Red Lin Guard inspections usually shut down entertainment venues; to avoid disappointing important guests, places frequented by the Crown Prince of Danwang, for instance, must be notified in advance.

Zhao De frowned upon hearing this:

“They just inspected half a month ago—why again? Who’s so clueless?”

“It’s Battalion Commander Han Jingchuan of Wangjing personally leading the team; likely there’s a major case…”

?

Xie Jinhuan had only been idly listening, but upon hearing Han Jingchuan’s whereabouts, his eyes narrowed—he sensed an opportunity!

Jinlou and Changjie are both prime real estate near the imperial palace, just two streets apart—easy to travel between.

Accompanying the Crown Prince in merrymaking is the best alibi…

But this time, the entourage was too large, and he’d just gained fame; he stood out too much. Disappearing for half an hour would be hard to explain.

As Xie Jinhuan silently weighed his options, his ever-present ghost bride whispered in his ear:

“You’ve got a gunshot wound to your chest—claim it split open midway and excuse yourself. I’ll buy you half an hour. Kill him and leave; if no chance, return immediately.”

Xie Jinhuan said nothing, merely raised a hand to rub the spot where he’d been shot.

Linghu Qingmo stood beside him and, seeing him rub his chest, instantly tensed:

“Is the wound hurting again? Should you return to your room and rest?”

Xie Jinhuan lifted his hand slightly: “Fought this morning, stirred up qi—slightly pulled it. Not serious.”

Linghu Qingmo was worried, but in public, she couldn’t remove his clothes to check. Instead, she subtly gripped his arm, supporting him like a wounded man…

——

On the other side, the Lin household.

As the sun set behind Mount Riluoxi, a carriage halted on Baishi Street.

Outside the gate flanked by two stone lions, Lady Lin, still graceful, stood on the steps, her eyes smiling:

“My precious daughter’s back? Were you tired on the road?”

Lin Wanyi stepped down from the carriage with her maid Qinwen and bowed gracefully:

“Mother, why did you come out? I’m not gone for long.”

Lady Lin came forward and sniffed lightly:

“Daughters grow up and leave home. If I don’t look at you more now, I won’t get the chance later. I heard you met a young Master Xie in Danyang?”

“Huh?”

Lin Wanyi paused mid-step, her expression instantly stiffening:

“Mother, how do you know that?”

“Do you think I’m deaf? How could I not know?”

Lady Lin took Lin Wanyi’s arm, sighing:

“This Xie Jinhuan is impressive—your father says several colleagues were talking about him tonight. In just half a night, he slew demonic bandits and solved a major case…”

Lin Wanyi had already heard of Xie Jinhuan’s formidable exploits on the road; knowing her own double-headed dragon’s strength, she found it unremarkable. Hearing her mother gush, she smiled faintly:

“Xie Jinhuan handles affairs efficiently, but I have no relationship with him—only helped him refine a Dragon Blood Elixir…”

Lady Lin frowned, displeased:

“No relationship? Did he write ‘a bowl in the sky’ to tease you? You glared sourly at the disciple of the Sect Master of Zihui Mountain, said ‘hmm~’, competed to serve Xie Jinhuan, and even slept in his bed…”

Huh?!

Lin Wanyi stumbled, nearly falling over the threshold, her face flushed:

“Mother, how do you know all this? Did you plant spies in the clinic?”

She turned to look at her maid Qinwen!

(←_←)!

Qinwen shrank her neck, eyes wide with innocence.

Lady Lin turned her daughter’s face back:

“You’re hiding this from me? If Zhang Zihu of the Dan Hospital hadn’t mentioned it in a letter to your father, I’d never have known you’d befriended such a talent…”

Lin Wanyi felt deeply embarrassed, stammering in explanation:

“My relationship with Xie Jinhuan is perfectly pure—this is all idle gossip. If you start imagining things too, my reputation will be ruined.”

Lady Lin didn’t believe a word, asking:

“Then why are you back this time?”

Lin Wanyi returned this time to share a room with Xie Jinhuan!

But how could she say that? She could only sigh helplessly:

“I just missed Father and Mother—I came to visit.”

“...”

Lady Lin had thought her daughter returned to share good news; now she was disappointed. She let go of her arm and gazed outside:

“Where’s Zisu?”

“She still has duties—probably won’t return to the capital for a few days.”

“Oh~ I still have to go shopping with Lady Wang. I’m off. Wash up and eat something…”

“Uh…”

…

(End of Chapter)