Roaring Dragon-Chapter 49: The Landlady

As expected by everyone present.

The moment Lin Wanyi heard the phrase “a bowl in the sky,” her chest heaved, and her gorgeous face turned green. She glared at Xie Jinhuan, teeth clenched, then stormed off with a flick of her sleeve.

“Hmph...”

None of the guards dared stop her.

She barely had a few lines the whole time, but the way she acted with her eyes alone—definitely Oscar-worthy.

Linghu Qingmo had never experienced anything this embarrassing and quickly followed her out, fleeing this scene of public execution.

“Doctor Lin, wait for me...”

From the front gate, their voices could still be heard as they left.

“Miss Lin, what’s wrong?”

“Miss Linghu, Jinhuan he... huh?”

...

All eyes returned to Xie Jinhuan, filled with mixed expressions.

He shrugged slightly, a trace of awkward helplessness in his voice.

“Lord Tie, Elder Li—was that really necessary?

“These past days I’ve risked my life through blades and corpses, all to contribute a little to the yamen’s efforts. Took no money, asked for no merit—and now just because I wrote some nonsense in private, you humiliate me like this in public...”

“We get it, we get it!”

Tie Fengzhang, being a man himself, understood just how much trouble they’d stirred up for Xie Jinhuan. At this point, who even remembered the whole “blood aura” incident? He stood up and bowed repeatedly.

“It was all a misunderstanding. We acted rashly. The yamen is busy, I won’t disturb you any longer. Men, fall back!”

Li Jing, realizing he’d just poked around the kid’s private quarters, also stood and cupped his hands.

“I was merely assisting the Prince’s Office in their investigation—nothing personal.

“Calligraphy is like swordsmanship, and Young Master Xie’s penmanship is quite refined. I imagine your swordplay is no less so.

“When you have time, feel free to visit the academy—we’ll have some drinks and talk more. Farewell.”

With that, whoosh—he vanished on the spot. His lightness skill was no joke.

Xie Jinhuan cursed internally: You old bastard, fine, leave—but how about returning my book first? I didn’t even get to read it yet...

As for Ji Shiqing and the rest, they left without saying a word, like they were never even there.

Only the three Chilin Guards remained, baffled.

Zhou He hadn’t expected Xie Jinhuan to clean up the evidence so thoroughly in such a short time. He’d even managed to lure him out and completely divert the attention of the yamen elites.

Still... if Xie Jinhuan had truly been framed, why go to such lengths to cover it up rather than expose it on the spot? Clearly, he had something to hide.

Now that things had gone this far, Zhou He couldn’t twist the situation any further and silently withdrew with the others.

Tap tap tap...

Within moments, the three or four dozen people who had filled the courtyard had all vanished, and the setting sun dipped below the city wall.

Xie Jinhuan stood at the door, watching the three Chilin Guards leave with the rest, frowning inwardly.

Thanks to his ghost wife’s earlier insight, it was now certain: Zhou He had planted the setup.

Though the motive remained unclear, Zhou He had tried to frame him. And by not confronting him directly, Xie Jinhuan had all but confirmed he was onto something—Zhou He would surely suspect him too.

This hidden threat had to be dealt with quickly.

But for now... there was someone else who needed attention.

Inside the room, Princess Changning and Steward Hou still stood there.

Steward Hou twirled the tips of his mustache as he eyed Xie Jinhuan’s physique.

“Not bad, kid. You’ve only just moved in, and already planning on double armfuls? Give it a few more days and you’ll probably be eyeing Her Highness and Nangong Fairy too, huh?”

Princess Changning’s almond eyes darkened.

“Out.”

“On it.”

Steward Hou instantly obeyed, slipping out and even politely closing the door behind him.

Click.

Xie Jinhuan blinked at the sound. He looked around at the now very private room, glanced at the noble and elegant landlady standing by the wardrobe, and muttered inwardly—Wait, closing the door? Does she plan to jump me?

He was still shirtless from earlier and wearing only trousers—not exactly appropriate for a private audience with a lady.

He moved as if to retrieve his clothes from the wardrobe, but Princess Changning stood right in front of it—no getting past her. He had no choice but to bow slightly.

“Just some random scribbles. I didn’t expect to embarrass myself in front of Your Highness.”

Her eyes swept across his abs and chest, before looking away with a hint of frost.

“You really think a few jokes can cover the truth?”

...?

Xie Jinhuan’s heart sank a little. He studied the landlady carefully—this one was clearly not someone to be trifled with.

“Your Highness... means what exactly?”

She walked over and sat at the edge of the bed. Despite her full, rounded figure, she crossed her legs with imposing grace—pure queen energy.

“Yesterday afternoon, Zhou He and the others were lurking near Qingquan Alley. Today, they show up with an inspection team—and all three of them just happen to be present? That’s no coincidence.

“The Chilin Guard never picks a fight they can’t win. For them to stage something like this, they had to be sure of themselves. I stepped in because I worried you wouldn’t be able to handle being framed—but you resolved it on your own.

“What I can’t figure out is—if you’re innocent, why go through all this elaborate play to hide that they planted something?”

Since the princess already knew the Chilin Guard was involved, continuing to play dumb would only backfire. Xie Jinhuan decided to be honest:

“Someone came in earlier today and left behind a demonic cultivation manual and Blood Essence.

“My father’s situation... I assume Your Highness has heard. I don’t know who’s targeting me, and I couldn’t risk stepping into their trap—so I had to find my own way to clear my name.

“The items are now in the teacabinet of the Wuwei Pavilion. I hope Your Highness won’t take offense.”

Clearly, Princess Changning had stayed behind not just to offer a reminder. There was a glint of suspicion in her gaze.

“The Chilin Guard has framed people many times to eliminate dissidents. It’s good to be cautious. But knowing their methods—if they really wanted to deal with someone like you, with no background, they’d just cut you down and slap on a charge after.

“Using such elaborate tactics to frame you? My guess is... they fear the ‘Fengling Valley’ backing you and want to dig into it first.

“The Prince’s office is also curious about where this Fengling Valley actually is. But since you act righteously and have done much for us, we haven’t forced the question.”

Xie Jinhuan’s “background” was entirely self-made.

As long as no one could prove Fengling Valley didn’t exist, they couldn’t disprove that it did.

That gave him the illusion of having powerful backing—and also explained his mysterious three-year absence.

Seeing that she wasn’t going to let it go, he kept up the act and replied seriously:

“Fengling Valley follows the Hidden Immortal lineage, and never meddles in worldly affairs. According to ancient tradition, disciples who enter the mortal realm are not to disturb their masters during retreat. I dare not violate those rules.”

The Hidden Immortal sects had always lived deep in the mountains, never appearing unless the world was in chaos.

During the Witch Cult Rebellion, many Hidden Immortal masters had come down to help. There were many legends of such hermits «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» in history.

For example, the founding emperor of the Northern Zhou dynasty supposedly earned a heavenly scripture just by helping an old man find his sheep, laying the foundation for a 300-year rule.

Of course, some say he just sold fishhooks to the steppes and got reinforcements that way...

Whatever the case, no one knew where those Hidden Immortal sects lived. Even if someone found one, the next visit would reveal nothing but empty mountains.

Princess Changning knew Hidden Immortal disciples wouldn’t reveal their home base, but still warned him sincerely:

“Because they stay out of worldly affairs, many scoundrels have impersonated Hidden Immortal disciples to cover their tracks. If you can’t say where your sect is, how can you prove you’re really one of them?”

He had no proof. Seeing she wasn’t going to let it go, he racked his brain, checked to make sure no one was eavesdropping, and whispered:

“Disciples of the Hidden Immortal sects often possess secret techniques not found in the martial world. Things like incredibly accurate fortune-telling, mastery of arcane formations, or... the ability to see spirits.”

Princess Changning had heard such stories and asked with interest:

“What secret ability do you have? Your martial arts don’t count—even if unique, they’re still within normal limits. Hidden Immortal techniques are usually incomprehensible to outsiders.”

He had planned to bluff with “Silver Dragon Eight Forms,” but she didn’t buy it. He had no choice but to put on a serious face.

“Martial arts are merely for survival. What my master truly taught me was the ‘Mind’s Eye’—it lets me see what others cannot.”

“Oh?” she asked, half-believing. “And what can you see?”

Xie Jinhuan studied the golden-blooded beauty in front of him, preparing to show off—

When the ever-present night demoness whispered softly in his ear:

“She’s wearing a frosty silk bandeau and pantyhose, embroidered with little wine gourds.”

...What?!

Xie Jinhuan froze. I meant her cultivation method or physical flaws! Don’t screw me over, lady! How can I say that?!

Unfortunately, he couldn’t exactly open his mouth now—and the demoness clearly wasn’t planning to help him out either.