Roaring Dragon-Chapter 76: Turbulent Times

“Oh? Then I won’t hold back.”

Seeing Xie Jinhuan so eager to test his resolve, Ye Hongshang’s interest was clearly piqued. Her gaze turned flirtatiously sly as she reached out with a delicate, snow-pale finger—aiming for the ridges of his chest.

Xie Jinhuan didn’t react at first... until he felt the very real press of that finger on his chest.

Then her velvety palm slid across his abs, inching lower—toward the source of all his joy.

Skeptical, Xie Jinhuan tried to grab her wrist—and actually caught it. He immediately pulled, trying to drag the soft, fragrant beauty into his arms...

She didn’t budge an inch.

“Huh?”

He tried again—nothing. The curvy beauty in front of him was as immovable as an iron statue. No matter how hard he pulled, he couldn’t shift her arm. His only option was to lean in closer himself.

Ye Hongshang backed off just a hair, raising a brow with a teasing smirk.

“Hm? Didn’t you say you wanted to test your willpower? Gave in already?”

Xie Jinhuan froze mid-motion, then leaned back into the tub with forced calm.

“That didn’t count. Do it again. I swear I won’t move a muscle this time.”

Amused, Ye Hongshang leaned in closer, puffing out her chest.

“Alright then. Big sis is feeling generous—have a touch. I won’t mess with you this time.”

“...”

Staring at the round, ghostly temptress in front of him, Xie Jinhuan summoned the unwavering eyes of a sage Buddha.

“You’re trying to lure me into a trap. I won’t fall for it!”

“What trap? I’m being serious. Go ahead and touch.”

She took one of his fingers and gently pressed it down.

His fingertip sank ever so slightly—like into a soft cloud.

Holy hell...

Xie Jinhuan hadn’t expected the ghostly succubus to be so... honest. If she was really offering, he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He lunged in with a Soaring Dragon Claw!

And of course—phased right through.

“Hey?! You—!”

“Hehe~”

Ye Hongshang looked down at him with a teasing glint and a touch of disdain.

“Oh, please~ With willpower like yours, you might as well skip the arena tomorrow. Save yourself the embarrassment.”

“You said you wouldn’t trick me! I just touched a bit...”

“You touched, didn’t you? A poke still counts! Who told you to get greedy and try to squeeze?”

Realizing he truly couldn’t withstand the ghost bride’s seductive tactics, Xie Jinhuan sobered up.

“One more try. I swear this time I won’t flinch.”

“Last chance~”

“Bring it.”

As she leaned in, their faces drew so close he could feel the warmth of her breath. Her red lips approached his—and there was only a sliver of distance left.

If she hesitated even a second...

With the thought worth a shot, he first leaned away—then lunged forward while she “pursued” him.

Only to freeze up entirely, neck locked tight like sleep paralysis.

“Oh my~ Trying to feint and counter? You naughty little thing.”

“...!”

Utterly outmatched, Xie Jinhuan could only admit defeat.

“Alright, alright. I’ll rest up. Still gotta go hustle some cash later. Don’t mess with my flow.”

“Hmph~”

——

Li Residence

Outside, the silver moon hung high in the sky.

Inside the inner chamber, Li Gongpu, a Yellow Gate Officer, sat behind a decorative screen, dressed in a night robe with a soft blanket draped over his shoulders. Two maids stood by massaging him.

Beyond the screen, Han Jingchuan—Chilin Guard Centurion, golden badge at his waist—sat beside a tea table. A small golden Buddha figurine rested at his side.

“If not for Lord Li’s help back then,” Han said, “I’d never have cleared my name in the haunted palace case. I heard your birthday is approaching, so I brought this golden Buddha—”

“Just get to the point,” Li Gongpu said with a half-lidded, impatient glance.

“Er... you’ve likely heard about Xie Wen’s son. Three years ago, I ordered Xie Wen to take the fall and relocate his family to the southern border. They were ambushed and killed en route. Now Xie Jinhuan’s returned—and he’s likely out for blood. Three Chilin Guards died in Danyang recently, and I suspect he was involved. I just haven’t found solid proof.”

He paused, then continued:

“Ordinarily, someone so minor wouldn’t warrant your attention. But he’s been making waves lately. The Dan Prince treats him like his own son. I’m concerned...”

Li Gongpu opened his eyes, visibly irritated.

“I told you to suppress the Sanhe Tower incident. Not only did you fail, but all your men died in Danyang.

“Today alone, I’ve received three impeachment memorials from the Censorate. And now you want me to help deal with some rising ‘hero of the people’?”

Han Jingchuan bowed his head respectfully.

“Xie Jinhuan’s fame is rising too fast. With the Prince backing him, he’s sure to settle old scores—and that could include threatening your position. Right now, before he gains more power, is the perfect chance to get rid of him. I came here to ask for your guidance.”

Li Gongpu was still fuming over the Sanhe Tower mess and the gambler-buried-alive scandal, and had no patience for this useless subordinate. But Xie Jinhuan was indeed a problem.

He went silent for a moment, then spoke:

“The haunted palace case was already buried deep. If Xie wants to dig it up, he’ll have to go off-script.”

What worried Han Jingchuan wasn’t court ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) battles or political networks—it was Xie Jinhuan throwing civility aside and killing him outright.

“What should I do then?” he asked. “Strike first? Would the Prince retaliate?”

“You’d be handing him the moral high ground,” Li Gongpu snorted. “He hasn’t even come after you yet, and you’re already panicking? What are you, his butler?”

“Er...”

“Just wait and watch,” Han offered.

Li Gongpu looked at him like he was an idiot.

“There’s no such thing as guarding against a thief forever. You’ve got a grudge? Then wait for him to make a move. Once he steps out of line, you’re holding the knife. What happens next is up to you.”

Han Jingchuan nodded slowly, considering his words.

“I’ve been patrolling Changle Street lately. The Dan Prince’s heir goes there every night to carouse. If Xie Jinhuan is sniffing around for me, he’ll learn soon enough. If he dares show up...”

“Then he’s committing treason by attacking an imperial guard,” Li said coldly. “Kill him on the spot—it’ll be justified. And if he manages to kill you, I’ll use that as an excuse to go after him. Either way, we win.”

Han Jingchuan was mostly convinced, but still cautious.

“What if he’s patient? What if he doesn’t come?”

“Then why are you panicking?” Li sneered. “If he doesn’t act, he can’t rise. I’ll keep him bottled up here in the capital. He won’t amount to anything.”

“Yes, my lord.”

——

Elsewhere – The Great Qian Imperial Palace

Midnight. The Imperial Study of the Lizheng Hall.

Empress He, now past fifty, stood behind Emperor Zhao Jin, gently massaging his shoulders.

The Emperor, clad in a night robe, held a memorial in hand—the Dan Prince’s report on the Huaijiang Bay Blood Case, with a self-criticism attached.

Though they were full brothers, Zhao Jin and the Dan Prince were both born of concubines, not the Empress.

In the autumn of the eighth year of Jian’an, the Second Prince launched a coup, killing the Crown Prince at Xuande Gate. He seized the throne and sent assassins to slaughter the brothers living in the Ten Princes’ Residences—a historical event known as the Jian’an Incident.

Only Zhao Jin and the Dan Prince survived, protected by loyal retainers.

Instead of fleeing, Zhao Jin gambled everything. With the help of his father-in-law He Xiu, he rallied a dozen deathsworn warriors, ambushed the Second Prince during his celebration, and killed him. The court then supported Zhao Jin’s ascension.

He was gravely injured during that rebellion. Though not yet old, his temples were already graying. Despite retaining an emperor’s bearing, his voice carried a note of frailty.

“The Underworld Sect has been stirring again... trying to break open the Tomb of the Corpse Ancestor and release some apocalyptic demon. Their activity grows bolder each year...

“The Empress Dowager of Northern Zhou has ambitions to dethrone her emperor—she eyes our land like a tiger...

“And Jinghuan... he’s too young. I truly don’t know if he’s ready for the throne...”

The Empress offered quiet reassurance.

“Your Majesty is still in your prime, with plenty of time to guide him. And the Great Qian is full of talent—Lu Wuzhen, Fan Li, Hou Jiye, and many more. Even younger ones like Zhang Huaiyu and Deng Tingzhu are coming into their own.

“Recently, in Danyang, a youth named Xie Jinhuan made a name for himself—brilliant in both brain and brawn. Given time, he could become a pillar of the realm.

“Jinghuan listens well. Even if he’s not a conqueror, with loyal ministers by his side, he’ll at least be a worthy keeper of peace.”

Emperor Zhao Jin shook his head.

“Qian has known peace for a century. But beneath that calm, schools and sects clash, monsters lurk... One wrong move, and the entire land could become a boiling cauldron. In times like these, peacekeepers aren’t enough—we need a restorer, a revivalist... cough cough...”

He suddenly coughed twice, deep and hoarse.

Worried, the Empress quickly handed him a crimson pill and helped him steady his breath.

After swallowing the medicine, Zhao Jin looked better. He exhaled softly.

“Life and death are in Heaven’s hands... I don’t even know if I’ll make it through this winter. At least I’ve ruled for twenty years. The road for Jinghuan is mostly paved. Even if he can’t defend it forever... it won’t fall on his watch.”

“Your Majesty,”

The Empress soothed him with care. “As the common saying goes—‘Each child bears their own fate.’ You should focus on your health. Let Jinghuan learn to walk on his own.”

“...Hah. You’re right.”