Roaring Dragon-Chapter 68: A Talent So Rare in This World?!

The autumn sun rose in the east.

Dan Prince Zhao Xiao strolled through the academy grounds, his five-clawed python robe gleaming beneath the sunlight, though his brows bore a shadow of grief.

Behind him walked Dean Zhang Zihu of Dan Medical House, explaining the situation:

“He was gravely poisoned, his vital essence nearly depleted. Even a divine being couldn’t have saved him if we’d delayed another quarter-hour. That we managed to snatch over three hundred souls from the jaws of death—it's entirely thanks to Young Master Xie, who risked his life to interrupt the Blood Ritual Curse...”

Behind them trailed Zhu Wenyuan, Princess Changning, Steward Hou, and others.

Due to the recent catastrophe, Princess Changning was dressed plainly. Hearing Dean Zhang’s account, she softly sighed:

“Had I arrived first last night, even if I had the courage to rush in alone, I wouldn’t have been able °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° to defeat Taishu Dan. Bravery aside, Xie Jinhuan’s character and intellect are flawless. He’s humble, never seeks fame or reward. I wonder what kind of master raised a disciple like that...”

Steward Hou fanned himself and nodded in agreement:

“This young man is practically a younger version of myself—cut from the same cloth. A hero recognizes a hero. There’s a deep sense of kinship.”

The entire group nearly stumbled.

The students following behind wore awkward expressions. If not for the solemn occasion, they’d probably be doubled over with laughter.

Dan Prince, however, wasn’t offended. Seeing the shifting expressions of the younger crowd, he even added:

“Old Hou isn’t exaggerating. During the 'Jian’an Incident' twenty years ago, my royal brother and I were trapped in the Ten Princes’ Mansion. If not for Old Hou and Cao Fo’er breaking through enemy lines to rescue us, there would be no Great Qian today.

“Sadly, the battlefield was filled with monstrous foes. Old Hou had half his soul torn away by a demon curse, ending his martial path. Otherwise, he’d still be matching blades and wits with Master Mu today.”

Princess Changning had only known Steward Hou as the old, wily caretaker. Now she was genuinely curious:

“Was Steward Hou really as dashing as Xie Jinhuan back then?”

“Uh...”

Dan Prince paused thoughtfully, then delivered an answer with impeccable tact:

“Judging heroes by their looks is rather shallow. But I’ll say this—back then, when Old Hou and I attended banquets, the moment he walked in, the entire hall would fall silent. All the talented men and fair maidens... usually couldn’t even be bothered to look at me.”

“...”

Everyone nodded slowly. Message received.

After all, if Steward Hou stood next to Xie Jinhuan now, most people would probably be so awestruck by his... unique features that they wouldn’t notice the handsome young man beside him at all.

The group tactfully let the subject drop and continued walking until they arrived at a serene lakeside pavilion.

This was the recovery ward reserved for high-ranking guests. Since no VIPs were injured last night, only Xie Jinhuan had been placed here.

At the veranda outside, Liu Qingzhi and Yang Dabiao waited in low conversation:

“With Brother Xie’s abilities, even two wives wouldn’t be enough. But who’s wife and who’s concubine—that’s tricky...”

“Doctor Lin’s father is the Vice-Director of the Imperial Medical Institute, and she knew Jinhuan first...”

“But Miss Linghu is no slouch either—direct disciple of Zihui Mountain’s sect leader...”

...

Not far away, Linghu Qingmo stood by the water, arms wrapped around her sword, staring at the koi in the lake. As a pure-hearted little Daoist nun, her mind was still tangled with Xie Jinhuan’s disrespectful actions earlier...

The drug hasn’t worn off yet. He couldn’t control himself. I shouldn’t take it to heart...

Even if he did do it on purpose—he did save all those people last night. What’s one little kiss compared to hundreds of lives?

Most heroes won’t even save that many in a lifetime...

I shouldn’t have been so harsh...

Just as her mind spiraled, a voice called from afar:

“Yang Dabiao (Liu Qingzhi), at your service, Your Highness!”

“You may rise.”

Linghu Qingmo snapped back to reality and quickly hurried forward, a little flustered:

“Greetings, Your Highness!”

Dan Prince had always treated Linghu Qingmo like a niece and smiled warmly:

“Jinhuan’s awake?”

She nodded:

“He is. Doctor Lin is tending to him now.”

She rushed ahead to the door and knocked:

Knock knock—

Dan Prince straightened his robe before stepping onto the veranda, his mood not unlike an uncle meeting his beloved godson.

But after waiting at the door for a moment, there was no response—only a voice from inside:

“Huh? Where is he?”

Linghu Qingmo’s expression changed. She flung the door open.

Clatter—

What greeted them was a bundle of discarded rope on the floor—and Lin Wanyi sitting on the bed, looking around in confusion.

Being nearsighted, she hadn’t noticed the dozen-strong crowd outside until she picked up her gold-rimmed glasses and put them on. Even Lin Zisu was peeking in from the back of the group.

The scene wasn’t far off from waking up mid-faint after... overdoing it—only to find the whole street watching you.

“Ah—this commoner greets Your Highness!”

Lin Wanyi was stunned. She checked the room again, then jumped off the bed and crouched to check underneath:

“Xie Jinhuan?”

Dan Prince bent over too, equally confused when he saw nothing under the bed:

“Where did he go?”

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi were horrified.

Linghu Qingmo’s face went pale. She didn’t even have the strength to scold the “official partner” who’d lost their shared boyfriend. She ran to the window.

Meanwhile, Lin Zisu darted inside:

“Auntie, what were you even doing just now?!” fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Having fainted in Xie Jinhuan’s arms and only just woken up, Lin Wanyi couldn’t explain any of it:

“I... I must’ve fallen asleep...”

Princess Changning scanned the room and spotted a piece of paper on the desk. She stepped forward and read aloud:

Demonic shadows streak the skies, and bloodstains linger still.

The evil hides among men, escaping judgment’s will.

Do heroic souls fear foul winds and evil’s power?

My sword points true—to restore justice this hour.

Worry not, my friends. I shall return shortly...

“He... Where did he go?!”

The room fell silent.

Linghu Qingmo, upon hearing this poem of resolve, could only stomp her foot in helpless frustration:

“That reckless fool! He heard the authorities were searching Zihui Mountain for traces of demonic qi and insisted on helping. I told you not to let him go!”

Lin Wanyi looked completely innocent. Her eyes mirrored those of a favorite consort who accidentally caused a political scandal—pure guilt and terror.

Dan Prince’s eyes reddened. He stepped forward and gently took the letter, studying the bold, powerful handwriting:

“This... Such talent exists in this world?!”

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi, who’d spent the most time with Xie Jinhuan, practically collapsed to their knees.

Yang Dabiao pounded his palm, heart full of regret:

“Jinhuan—no, Brother Xie—is truly loyal, brave, and unmatched! My father was a county constable. If I had even half his drive, I wouldn’t still be a deputy!”

Liu Qingzhi was just as ashamed:

“Compared to Young Master Xie, I don’t deserve this uniform... Ugh! I’m utterly humiliated!”

Even the ever-humble Steward Hou couldn’t help but praise:

“This boy’s resilience... even I must admit I fall slightly short.”

If Xie Jinhuan could make Steward Hou humble himself, that alone was a feat unmatched.

Dan Prince gazed at the poem, speechless.

To him, Xie Jinhuan had become something close to myth:

A man whose father died in the line of duty, yet remained humble and disinterested in fame;

A martial genius peerless among his generation;

Upright in heart and unshakable in conviction;

Ready to sacrifice his life for the people;

Diligent, tireless, and as handsome as he was talented in poetry...

If he had even one of those traits, he’d be destined for greatness. And yet Xie Jinhuan had all of them.

If there was any flaw, it was that he wasn’t the Dan Prince’s own son.

If only...

Wait. A son...

Realization dawned. This daughter-loving prince suddenly remembered—he still had a daughter to marry off. He turned toward Princess Changning:

“Ling’er, what do you think of Xie Jinhuan?”

“Eh? Me?!”

Princess Changning actually knew even more about him than her father. She knew he was brilliant, witty, good at drinking, singing, dancing, gaming—basically perfect. Even she felt a little pressure just thinking about him.

But the bigger problem? Her girlfriends.

Seeing her father’s eager expression, Princess Changning subtly gestured toward the two girls beside her:

“Since Jinhuan isn’t here, why don’t you return to the palace and rest, Father? I’ll send people to search for him—he’s still wounded, and I wouldn’t want anything to happen.”

Only then did the Dan Prince remember: he was not alone. Publicly stealing someone’s crush right now... yeah, not ideal. He wisely held his tongue.

But that future son-in-law? He was already decided.

Nightfall, deep within Zihui Mountain.

From afar, the occasional howl of beasts echoed through the trees. Beneath the stars, the black-feathered Meiqiu flew in lazy loops, keeping watch.

In the untouched wilderness, Xie Jinhuan—sweat dripping, injuries aching—dragged along his “ancestral horse” and hacked through brush with his Zhenglun Sword.

“Didn’t feel this far last time. Why the hell aren’t we there yet?”

The red-clothed ghost beside him floated idly, utterly unhelpful:

“Last time, you were scared I’d suck your yang energy, so you practically flew here. Now you’re crawling. Totally different pace. At this rate, it’ll take three or four days.”

Xie Jinhuan could tough it out, but he worried the authorities might find the tomb first. Looking up at the endless mountains, he only regretted one thing—not bringing along the gorgeous Doctor Lin.

“You’re so powerful—can’t you come up with some shrinking-earth technique? Flying sword, cloud-treading, anything?”

Ye Hongshang shrugged:

“It’s possible. But every technique that manipulates heaven and earth requires control over heaven and earth. If you don’t have the strength to fly a few hundred li, how would you suddenly soar across mountains?”

Xie Jinhuan sighed. She had a point.

Just as he was about to continue trudging on, something felt wrong. He stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing.

Behind him, even the stubborn horse refused to move forward—backing away in fear...

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