Roaring Dragon-Chapter 79: Following the Thread

2:00 AM. A luxury residence near the East Market.

A lavish three-courtyard estate lay cloaked in darkness. A few scattered guards patrolled the grounds, while a faint light glowed from the rear sleeping chambers.

Inside the richly adorned bedroom lingered the scent of cosmetics and incense. Two concubines huddled under the covers, trembling.

Yang Sichen, a wealthy merchant, sat at a round table in his night robe, writing with a brush. A blanket was draped over his shoulders against the autumn chill.

As one of the capital’s most renowned pharmaceutical tycoons, Yang Sichen had riches to burn and no shortage of skilled guards—but evidently, none of that mattered now. Eyes full of respect, he spoke:

“Master Hero, such brilliant methods—you come and go in my house like it’s your own. But next time, do give some notice. Placing a sword at one’s throat is... truly startling.”

Outside the room, Linghu Qingmo stood watch with her sword drawn. Although she was technically accompanying Brother Jinhuan to investigate a case, at this moment she felt less like a righteous disciple and more like one half of a criminal couple.

Back at Xiaoyao Cave, Xie Jinhuan had gone into the fur shop to investigate, only to stir up a swarm of “fleas”—spies and informants who scattered the moment he moved. In a blink, they were gone.

Following orders, she’d stayed put and hadn’t acted rashly. Soon enough, Xie Jinhuan had returned and whisked her toward the East Market.

Qingmo had been full of questions. When she learned they were heading to the city’s top medicine wholesaler—Yang Sichen—to get a list of Longyang Flower buyers, she thought it’d be nearly impossible.

After all, Yang wasn’t some minor figure. Top cultivation clans near Jingzhao Prefecture—like Taiyin Palace and Zihui Mountain—sourced their ingredients through him. His network spanned both the righteous and the underworld, and his client lists were closely guarded trade secrets.

Qingmo had imagined that once they arrived, she’d knock on the door as a direct disciple of Zihui Mountain, build rapport through existing ties, appeal to shared interests, reason with him, and then get the list.

But nope.

Brother Jinhuan had just strolled up to the Yang estate, slipped past all visible and hidden guards like he had x-ray vision, snuck into Yang Sichen’s bedroom, and put a sword to the man’s throat.

And the most astonishing part?

Yang Sichen, a seasoned old hand in the Jianghu, hadn’t even resisted—he’d just gotten up and started writing like they were old friends. Communication was smooth, cordial... ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) disturbingly efficient.

Qingmo had been dumbfounded. Weren’t they chasing down a murderer? Why did this feel like they were robbing the rich?

She was even hiding outside, afraid that if Yang Sichen recognized her, he’d start jacking up prices on Zihui Mountain, and then her master would string her up for punishment. She mulled quietly:

No wonder Brother Jinhuan catches demon cultists so fast...

This level of stealth, interrogation, reconnaissance, and assassination—professional hitmen couldn’t compete. What a waste of talent on mere investigations...

I couldn’t do it even if I tried...

But... damn, it works.

Meiqiu was unfazed by all this. The fat hawk paced lazily along the rooftop and occasionally chirped “Guji?”—as if wondering why Jinhuan was taking so long this time.

——

Inside the room, Xie Jinhuan stood behind Yang Sichen, sword in hand but tone relatively casual thanks to Qingmo “supervising” from outside.

“Apologies for the intrusion. But this list has over a hundred names and you’re still not done? How many people ordered Longyang Flower?”

Yang Sichen, though terrified, acted like he was catching up with an old friend:

“Ah, Longyang Flower—every martial cultivator above the fourth rank needs it. Medicine shops, alchemists, sects from Danzhou, Weizhou... they all get it from me. Over eight hundred buyers, and demand always outpaces supply.”

Eighty taels per qian of herb, and it had that many buyers?

Jinhuan frowned. “You remember the names of that many people?”

Yang chuckled, thinking this was just a high-stakes business move:

“Every long-term contract is a unique deal. If I couldn’t remember them, what kind of merchant would I be? I guarantee I won’t write a single name wrong.”

Jinhuan could tell Yang was a pro. But there was no time to vet eight hundred people.

The murderer had acted locally—goods shipped out of province could be excluded.

As for medicine shops and alchemists, they both had turnover; if they used it regularly, someone would notice. If they consumed huge quantities without raising eyebrows, their influence would be obvious—not consistent with a rogue cultivator. Exclude them too.

As for Jianghu sects—most didn’t even bother hiding. Killing people was just part of the job. If they were really cultivating on demon paths using animal medicine... it would just be embarrassing.

“Cut out all the outsiders, plus any local shops, alchemists, and sects. How many private buyers have been ordering Longyang Flower in recent years?”

Yang thought a bit. “Not many. Thirty-some folks. Most of them use it to treat chronic illnesses.”

“Give me a quick rundown of who they are and what they use it for.”

Yang wrote while explaining:

“Hmm... Vice Director Huo Zhonghu from the Astronomical Bureau—gathering herbs to refine ‘Banishment Breaking Pill,’ trying to hit transcendent rank...

“Baron Lie’an, Ye Shirong—treating old wounds from the Jian’an Rebellion...

“Commander Wu of the Daxing Centurion Office... also old injuries...”

...

Jinhuan mentally ruled out those with no need to buy Blood Essence Crystals from the black market.

Even so, there were still seven or eight suspicious names—mostly household retainers or unaligned martial artists.

He was wondering how to dig deeper when Yang got to the 27th name and casually said:

“Wu Su of White Horse Street. Runs an antique shop. Buys Longyang Flower to treat an old ailment...”

?

Jinhuan’s brow furrowed. He interrupted:

“An antique dealer? What chronic illness of his needs Longyang Flower?”

Yang explained:

“Shopkeeper Wu supposedly injured his foundation from overwork in the past. Got a prescription from an Imperial Physician—requires long-term use of Longyang Flower for nourishment. Small quantities.”

Plausible... barely.

Jinhuan thought for a second. “Tell me more about this Wu Su.”

“Uh...” Yang hesitated. “Shopkeeper Wu’s been convalescing at home for years. His son runs the shop now. I haven’t seen him in ages.”

Wealthy, low-profile, rarely goes out...

That lined up almost perfectly with their rogue demon cultivator profile.

Jinhuan recalled the killer’s ability to map out all experts within a hundred-zhang radius and pressed further:

“Anything special about him?”

Yang thought. “He’s nicknamed ‘Golden Eyes Wu.’ Used to make a fortune gambling on raw jade. Rarely misjudged anything. Fairly well-known in the antique district. Not sure if that counts?”

That definitely counted.

Jinhuan was nearly certain now.

Still, for thoroughness, he had Yang finish the list and analyze all 30+ people. Everyone else either had too much power or too strong a background. None were as suspicious as Wu Su.

Having locked onto his main suspect, Jinhuan wanted to act immediately—but remembered his own issues and asked:

“Can you get any kind of medicinal herb?”

Yang tugged his blanket tighter, afraid to look back. “What’s Master Hero after?”

“Jiazi Lotus Rhizome. I’ll pay. No robbery.”

“?”

Yang didn’t believe that for a second.

But he really didn’t have any in stock. He apologized:

“Jiazi Lotus Rhizome... only old religious sects or the royal treasury keep that. Last one I heard of went to Master Abbot of Fanyun Temple, as a reward from the court after he ascended beyond peak rank and performed a ritual for the emperor.

“This herb is used by post-transcendent elders for cleansing marrow. Every sect guards it like a lifeline. I’ve got none.”

Even the capital’s top supplier had nothing. Jinhuan’s heart sank.

“Understood. It’s late. Rest well. Apologies again for the disturbance.”

Yang saw he really was leaving, then hesitated:

“You really need that herb?”

Jinhuan stopped. “You know someone who has it?”

Yang spoke with a touch of pride:

“Not just anyone. But peak-level monsters like Shang Lianbi or Sikong the Grandmaster—they’ve definitely got stashes.”

“Oh?”

The name Shang Lianbi struck Jinhuan like thunder.

The only elder in the world openly studying demon cultivation—master of all five systems: Immortal, Buddhist, Martial, Wuist, and Demonic. He ruled over Dragonbone Shoal, a thousand miles of forbidden territory.

Romance of the Sentimental Swordsman, Shang Lianbi depicted his exploits—harassing fox spirits and flirting with octopus girls. The envy was real...

Who knew if the stories were true, but someone of his rank could probably steep Jiazi Lotus in tea just for fun.

“You can contact someone like him?” Jinhuan asked.

“Absolutely not.”

“..."

You mother—!

Jinhuan’s eyes darkened.

Yang shivered and quickly added:

“But the herb isn’t that rare. No need to trek to Dragonbone Shoal. Within a thousand li, there are sellers.

“But these mountain-top elders don’t want money. They trade in equivalent treasures.

“If you can offer something valuable enough, I can inquire for you. Should have results in three to five days. I take a five-percent cut.”

Five percent? Pretty steep...

But Jinhuan was broke. If money transfers failed, there wouldn’t even be a transaction. He cupped his hands politely:

“Thanks. Please check on the going price. I’ll visit again soon.”

“My pleasure. Next time, knock.”

“Got it.”

——

Outside the Yang Estate.

Xie Jinhuan walked down the street, scanning the name list.

Linghu Qingmo trailed behind, glancing back every few steps. Only once she confirmed Yang hadn’t sent anyone after them did she exhale in relief.

“Why are you so... so aggressive about this? Yang Sichen’s a proper merchant. Even my uncle in the Zihui Mountain Affairs Hall has to treat him with respect. You just put a sword to his throat...”

Jinhuan hadn’t actually killed Yang. It was just efficient.

“There’s a time and place for mercy. The demon’s still out there. If I’d wasted time being polite, people might’ve died. That kind of softness causes bigger consequences.”

“Oh...”

Qingmo thought it over. Made sense. She jotted it down in her little notebook as a “Jinhuan Quote” and asked:

“Why were you asking about Jiazi Lotus?”

Jinhuan blinked, then smiled at her:

“Zisu wants to refine that ‘Raging Dragon Vitality Pill.’ Needed it, so I’m helping out. The sect’s lotus, though...”

Qingmo quickly shook her head:

“Anything else, I’d give you. But that herb? It’s the sect’s lifeblood. Even my master hasn’t reached transcendent rank—she’s not allowed to use it. I can’t help.”

“Haha, just kidding.”

Jinhuan smiled easily, but inside, he was crumbling.

Only twenty days left... and Meiqiu had eaten a good chunk of his points...

No use stressing. Seeing Qingmo studying the list with such determination, he grinned:

“Wanna make a bet?”

Qingmo recalled the last bet (which ended with him groping her chest) and tensed.

“What kind of bet?”

“The killer. If I don’t catch them by sunrise, I buy you breakfast. If I do... you give me three ‘get-out-of-anger-free’ cards.”

“Get-out-of-anger-free?” Her brows pinched.

“Yeah. If I piss you off three times, you have to forgive me.”

“So if you kiss me, I can’t hit you?”

Jinhuan definitely wanted more than a kiss, but he nodded:

“If you’re too scared to bet, I’ll go alone next time. I move faster anyway.”

?

Qingmo’s eyes narrowed.

Was this a bet or a threat?

But the idea of Jinhuan leaving her behind genuinely terrified her...

He was so good at this. If she didn’t learn from him, how would she ever become a true heroine like her master?

Besides, the killer was slippery as hell—able to sense any expert within a hundred-zhang radius.

Even if Jinhuan found their hideout through the flower sales, catching them would be a whole other beast...

Still, if he did catch them, that was a win.

She mulled it over for a while, then nodded with gritted teeth:

“Fine. But if you lose, I get three ‘Stop Now’ cards!”

“Huh?”

“No matter what you’re doing, if I say stop—you stop.”

Hissss...

Even mid-moment? That sounded... frustrating.

Jinhuan hesitated, but trusted his ghost wife’s logic. If the killer was still using animal-based meds, Wu Su was 90% the guy—and the other 10% was on this list.

“Deal.”

He wasted no more time and darted toward the antique district.

Linghu Qingmo, aware of his skills and still nervous, summoned her resolve and leapt after him.