Roaring Dragon-Chapter 51: Young Master, You Can Sing Too?

Step, step, step...

Along the busy banks of the Chongming River, two figures darted one behind the other, heading toward the medical pavilion.

Inside the residence, Lin Wanyi had been full of sour jealousy, but the moment she stepped outside, her expression flipped to flustered irritation. As she walked, she muttered under her breath:

That damn pig-hoofed bastard...

He said he just needed help handling a few local constables—yet somehow every notable name in Danyang showed up! How am I supposed to show my face in public now?

And even if it’s all just an act, why is she described as “radiant and peerless,” while I’m just “an auntie on the street”?

I’m only two years older than her! What exactly do I lose to that ice block?

Young and dumb—doesn’t know how to appreciate a proper elder sister yet...

If it weren’t for you saving me yesterday, I’d have cursed you already...

——

Meanwhile, a hundred paces behind—

Linghu Qingmo gave chase, sword in hand. Though her steps seemed urgent, the gap between them never narrowed. Her gaze flickered with complex emotions, thoughts swirling in her mind:

This Xie Jinhuan... you already have such a gorgeous sweetheart. Why write about me at all?

And fine, write if you must, but why praise me like I’m a goddess and treat your ex like an afterthought?

Is that Doctor Lin going to scratch my face?

Last time I passed by Wencheng Street, two madams were pulling hair and throwing shoes in the middle of a catfight...

——

She’d never dealt with this kind of thing before, but once it came up, she couldn’t just ignore it.

Gritting her teeth, Linghu Qingmo finally caught up.

“Doctor Lin, wait a moment.”

Lin Wanyi was still debating whether to keep playing along with the bastard’s act. Being called out like that made her a little embarrassed. She clenched her jaw and answered with carefully measured civility:

“Is there something else, Miss Linghu?”

“Not really.”

Linghu Qingmo slowed her pace, trying hard to appear calm.

“Xie Jinhuan just wrote that stuff for fun. There’s nothing between us, Doctor Lin...”

“I don’t have anything with him either.”

Hands on her hips, Lin Wanyi gave a soft snort:

“I just thought he was talented, kind-hearted, and a fellow native. We chatted [N O V E L I G H T] a bit. Who knew he was secretly writing such nonsense?”

Linghu Qingmo, being the soft-hearted type, still wanted to defend Xie Jinhuan. After all, he might lose a lovely confidante over this:

“They say a gentleman is judged by his actions, not his intentions. It’s just some private scribbling, no harm done. If it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll keep my distance from him outside of official duties.”

Lin Wanyi was only playing a part—she wasn’t trying to actually chase anyone off. She replied evenly:

“No need. We’re just regular acquaintances. I’m upset because of what he wrote—‘a bowl in the sky,’ seriously? Anyone would be pissed hearing that! I’ve got nothing against you, Miss Linghu.”

Is that so?

I swear I saw you giving me the evil eye just now...

Linghu Qingmo opened her mouth to explain further, but Lin Wanyi had already spun around and jogged off toward the street.

“The pill furnace’s still burning at the clinic. I won’t hold you up. Goodbye.”

“Eh—?”

Linghu Qingmo was left standing there. She wanted to explain more, but Lin Wanyi had vanished like a breeze. With a helpless sigh, she turned and stormed back the way she came—time to find Xie Jinhuan and give him hell!

Except... how do you scold someone for secretly writing that you’re beautiful and kind?

It’s not like he showed it off—those nosey yamen folks found it during a random search.

What was she supposed to do? Warn him not to think she’s good-looking anymore? That would just make her sound nuts.

Linghu Qingmo mulled it over. Her master was called the “Daoist world’s number one beauty” and just laughed such things off.

As the disciple, she too should be a cold-hearted sword fairy—her dao heart unshaken by mortal gossip.

But why did Xie Jinhuan praise me with such detail, and treat Doctor Lin so casually...?

Could it be that in his heart—

Lost in a spiral of daydreams, Linghu Qingmo wandered off without realizing where she was going...

——

Nightfall. Peach Immortal Ward lit up with festive lanterns once more.

Wuwei Pavilion, nestled beside West Residence Lake, rose just two stories tall, its dark green tiles gleaming under moonlight. The upper floor was open-air, supported by elegant columns.

Despite its name, “Martial Might Pavilion,” the second floor was filled with low tables and plush couches. A room at the far end featured a balcony that faced a full moon, framed by the glow of lanterns from Peach Immortal Ward—truly a charming view.

Swish—

The sliding door opened.

A maid named Duoduo knelt by the table, tray in hand. She wore a sheer yellow palace dress, her fair skin spilling from her neckline. Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

“Young Master Xie, what kind of wine do you like?”

Xie Jinhuan, clad in a cloud-patterned brocade robe, sat straight-backed beside the table, glancing at the tray—

Only to find that this little maid was trouble. She’d deliberately held the tray right at chest level, just above a soft white valley...

He wasn’t in his own house, so obviously he couldn’t lay a finger on the staff. He scanned the wine selection instead—Wuwei Pavilion was well-stocked. From fruity brews for children to century-aged liquors worth a hundred taels, all listed on a jade placard. He barely recognized most of them.

“I’m the guest here. Wouldn’t dare override the host. Just go with whatever the Princess likes.”

“Alright~ Her Highness is changing, she’ll be up soon. Any songs you want to hear? We’ve got elegant ones, or if Young Master likes the naughty kind, this little one can sing those too~”

So it was you singing?

No wonder that voice sounded familiar...

Looks like none of the landlady’s staff are ordinary...

Xie Jinhuan had been hearing lewd songs for days. Curious to test the girl’s skill, he thought a moment, then asked:

“‘Song of Heroic Spirit.’”

“Huh?”

Duoduo blinked, then glanced awkwardly around the lavish room, noticing the other maids gathered nearby.

“You sure you want that one?”

“Hmm? You don’t know it?”

“W-Well, I know a bit...”

Duoduo passed her tray to another maid, then brought out a painted pipa, sat sideways on a spring stool, and strummed:

Twang~ Twang twang—

“Among majestic mountains lie countless glories!

A thousand autumns of spirit fill the chest!

The long river surges like a dragon's charge,

While clouds wreath the heights of many peaks...”

Every note was clear, powerful—resounding with heroic flair. Thanks to her generous chest, her vocal projection made the song even more stirring.

Xie Jinhuan raised an eyebrow—this girl really did have talent.

Would’ve been nice to buy her and bring her home...

Just then, footsteps came from beyond the door.

Step, step...

Princess Changning appeared, now wearing casual home robes. She ascended with her maids, frowning as Duoduo wailed away.

“What on earth are you singing?”

Duoduo shrank back: “Uhh~ Young Master Xie asked for it.”

“Oh, did he?”

Princess Changning sat beside the peacock screen. “Pretty unique taste. Having a girl sing that in a brothel setting—reminds me of those... hmm...”

Duoduo helpfully filled in: “Fake-virtuous scholars.”

The Princess blinked, then clearly agreed.

Xie Jinhuan didn’t mind the joke. Raising his cup, he said:

“Just a bit of fun. I’ve only just arrived in Danyang, and yet Your Highness is treating me so kindly. I must offer a toast in thanks.”

The Princess drained her cup and gestured at the dice set on the table.

“Drink if you want, but don’t forget why you’re here. Give it a try.”

Xie Jinhuan put down his wine and picked up the gambling tool, noticing the curious stares of all the surrounding maids. He hesitated.

“Your Highness, this technique’s one of my bottom-drawer secrets. If word got out...”

The Princess understood, raising her hand slightly.

“You’re all dismissed. No one comes upstairs without my order. No eavesdropping.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Duoduo looked disappointed, clearly wanting to keep drinking, but she obeyed and slid the door shut.

Now alone, the Princess looked around again and frowned.

“Where’s your big bird? Still hunting that ‘bowl in the sky’?”

“It sleeps early, so I left it home.”

Xie Jinhuan casually replied as he inspected the lacquered red dice cup. It felt unnaturally light. He tried infusing it with qi—but it resisted. Probably made with something like Ice-Silk Thread.

The dice themselves were translucent, with dots marked only by red and green colors—no indents.

The Princess, pouring wine for herself, added helpfully:

“These are special dice crafted by the Armory Institute—meant to counter high-level cultivators. Even the prince’s enshrined experts can’t read them. Try it.”

Xie Jinhuan nodded. He swept three dice into the cup and shook it:

Thud thud thud...

The clatter was oddly muffled, like rubber-coated iron. The vibration in his palm was uneven too. Even guessing how many dice were inside was hard, let alone the numbers.

Thud—

After several shakes, he slammed the cup down.

The Princess leaned in. “What are the numbers?”

Xie Jinhuan focused like he was casting a spell.

“...Three, five, six.”

She lifted the cup. Bingo.

“Hah~ not bad at all.”

Her eyes lit up, clearly envisioning sweet, satisfying revenge.

Xie Jinhuan smiled modestly and toasted again.

“I’m a man of no background. If I can use a little sleight-of-hand to help Your Highness, it’s my honor.”

The Princess was drinking a bit fast, but she was in a good mood. She raised her cup again.

Xie Jinhuan had a clear goal—get her tipsy and look for a way to escape.

He drank like a pro, as smooth as any high-end escort or nightclub prince.

The Princess had seen him crash the pool at Mudan Pavilion and thought he was some stoic swordsman. But now? Charming, smooth-talking, easy on the eyes—what a surprise.

Didn’t expect that. In the hall, a nobleman. Under the table...

They exchanged cups rapidly. With Xie Jinhuan downing his liquor so quickly, the Princess didn’t hold back either. In just fifteen minutes, the whole pot was empty.

In the end, even Xie Jinhuan was feeling buzzed. The Princess was leaning against the low table, cheeks flushed.

“Enough, enough. What kind of man drinks this hard with a lady? Can’t we chat about romance or poetry for a change?”

“Forgive me. Spent too long on the road—got used to big bowls and strong drink.”

Timing was right. Xie Jinhuan subtly glanced at the Zhenglun Sword beside the table.

Ye Hongshang was ready.

Whoosh—

A wave of dizziness hit the Princess. She closed her eyes and massaged her forehead.

“Why’s tonight’s wine so strong...?”

“Maybe Your Highness drank too fast. Would you like me to sing you something?”

“...Huh?”

The Princess blinked, thinking she’d misheard. She looked at the white-robed young master across from her.

“You? Singing?”

“After hearing so much every night, I picked some up. Just don’t laugh, alright?”

He cleared his throat and tapped a rhythm with his hand.

“Blossoms flutter down a winding path,

The courtyard basks in golden light...

Orioles chirp beneath the willow shade,

And fallen petals drift in disarray...”

His voice was clear, tuneful—surprisingly good.

His eyes, though... kind of seductive. Like a male succubus or something...

The Princess blinked again. This wasn’t the same man! Or was it? She couldn’t quite tell. She straightened up, impressed.

“Wow, didn’t expect that. A righteous young swordsman singing brothel ballads. Been practicing in private, haven’t you?”

“Just for fun. How about we take turns? I sing a line, Your Highness follows. Whoever messes up drinks?”

“I’m game!”

The Princess eagerly filled her cup...

——

Meanwhile, back in the room—

Xie Jinhuan quietly tiptoed toward the balcony door.

Seeing what was inside, he finally understood why Meiqiu freaked out!

The table was still in the center of the room—but he clearly wasn’t sitting there anymore.

Yet Princess Changning was still leaning against it, gazing dreamily into the air, smiling to herself... then suddenly, she began singing alone:

“Leaning on the railing, full of sorrow...”

Elegant and dazzling as ever, but something was off. Talking to empty space like she was possessed.

Satisfied that Ghost-Wife’s illusion spell was working, he peered outside.

The guards patrolled only below—none would come up.

But Ghost-Wife was still a spirit, not flesh. She could mimic him, but not move objects. Too long and the trick would be exposed.

No time to waste. Xie Jinhuan shut the balcony door, made sure no shadows gave him away, and vaulted back down to his own quarters.

Just before leaving, a worried thought crept in:

She’s not gonna do something stupid and ruin my image, right?

...Forget it. Mission comes first. I’ll deal with the aftermath later.