Roaring Dragon-Chapter 21: Rather You Die Than Me

Two quarters of an hour later.

Tap tap tap...

A large force of constables arrived from all directions, sealing off the entire street. Armed soldiers in black armor patrolled in pairs between the buildings, combing through for any traces of demonic creatures.

Inside Sanhe Tower, whether gamblers or staff, everyone was squatting in neat rows with their hands on their heads. Constables, holding ledgers, interrogated and searched them one by one:

"Your boss was eating people in the back, and you claim you didn't know?"

"Officer, I really didn't know. The boss came around for an inspection this morning, was all smiles and chatting, didn’t seem off at all..."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"This morning..."

"Specific time!"

"About three-quarters into the hour of the dragon..."

...

In the rear courtyard, a crowd had already gathered.

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi were leading a team digging through the yard, searching for illicit drugs and controlled materials.

Under the eaves, two bodies were covered with white cloth — the steward and the young servant. County Constable Yang Ting and the coroner were crouched over the scorched corpses, examining them closely.

Because Xie Jinhuan’s handling was a bit too brutal, the coroner muttered complaints under his breath:

"Young Master Xie is truly heroic, but he’s too heavy-handed. Yesterday's demon monk needed over three hundred stitches and still looked like a patchwork monster. Today we’ve got two with gutted chests... looks like I’ll be working late again tonight..."

When County Constable Yang Ting first arrived, seeing the destroyed house and the corpses, he thought these were victims killed by the demon.

Finding out the demon had been beaten into such a state, while Xie Jinhuan remained unscathed — with only some blood staining his sleeves — he couldn’t help but marvel at Xie Jinhuan's terrifying skills.

But with so much going on recently and having barely slept for half a month, Yang Ting had no time for compliments, focusing instead on examining the burnt corpse:

"There’s a birthmark on the leg. The deceased should be Li Shizhong himself. But he was fine this morning. How did he suddenly end up like this?"

"Looks like he took 'Demon Transformation Pills.' Those help demonic cultivators strengthen their bodies and suppress 'bloodthirst cravings.' The lower the grade of the pill, the more grotesque the bodily mutations. Li Shizhong probably mixed his own batch and overdosed, causing this..."

...

Xie Jinhuan stood nearby, also helping examine the bodies.

From what he knew, 'demons' referred to spirits born from animals, plants, or objects gaining sentience, and after advancing beyond the mundane, they could even take human-like forms — catgirls, octopus girls, you name it.

But actual demons were rare in Dagan, thanks to the many sects and teachings keeping them in check.

'Demonic cultivation' was one of many ancient traditions — alongside Daoism, Buddhism, and shamanism. In history, cults like the Underworld God Sect, Yama Sect, and Immortalization Sect all stemmed from this path.

According to the books, demonic cultivators split into two types: ghost-cultivators and body-cultivators. Different methods, same core principle — survival of the fittest. They cultivated by blood rituals, soul harvesting, and other brutal practices — in short, they preyed on the living to empower themselves.

Someone like Li Shizhong, strengthening his body with demon pills, was a textbook example of the body-cultivator type — what the authorities referred to as 'demon bandits.'

Most demon disturbances in Dagan were caused by such people bringing it upon themselves.

Listening quietly, Xie Jinhuan noticed the girl beside him, Miss Mo Mo, pressing her chest with a frown. He asked:

"Are you hurt?"

Linghu Qingmo, always cool and aloof, was indeed in some discomfort.

Earlier, when the demon lunged at her, Xie Jinhuan had saved her — by full-on tackling her like a runaway cart.

Already nursing injuries from a previous fight with Xie Jinhuan, Linghu Qingmo was supposed to be resting. That tackle? Felt like getting slammed by a truck, and she even had to cast a lightning spell after landing.

Now that the danger had passed, she felt sharp pain in her chest, hardly daring to breathe deeply.

Still, she held no grievance against Xie Jinhuan — if not for him, she might've been clawed. She just said calmly:

"I was injured two days ago. I'm fine. Just need a little rest."

In public, Xie Jinhuan couldn't exactly offer to rub her injury, so he only warned:

"Slaying demons isn't kid’s play. It's always life or death. You’re a young lady — best wear your armor next time. That thing’s damn effective."

You think I don’t want to?

You smashed it to pieces and took it for repairs!

Linghu Qingmo's lips moved, but as the defeated party, she didn’t complain — just asked curiously:

"Your martial arts are... a bit too rough. And I’ve never even heard of your techniques before."

Xie Jinhuan replied casually, "There’s no fixed forms in real fighting. Whatever works best for you is the best art. Doesn’t have to be famous."

"The Silver Dragon Eight Forms — aside from 'Alert Dragon Without Blame,' what are the other moves?"

"The first four are basic: punch, sweep, hack, thrust — use all the strength you got.

The essence lies in the latter four: 'Winding Dragon Coiling the Mountain,' 'Rock Dragon Crossing the Ridge,' 'Alert Dragon Without Blame,' and... 'Throw the Dragon's Mother.'"

"...?"

Linghu Qingmo thought the first three sounded normal, but the last one sounded extremely suspicious:

"'Throw the Dragon's Mother'? What the hell does that mean?"

"Ultimate trump card! When you’re losing bad, you just run for your life — that’s why it’s called throwing the Dragon’s Mother."

"If it’s about escaping, by your naming habits, shouldn’t it be something like 'Muddy Dragon Diving into the Sea'?"

"Smart. But you have to shout the move’s name for it to work. Even if you lose, you can’t lose in spirit."

"...That’s a «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» thing?"

...

While they were chatting, Yang Dabiao suddenly shouted:

"Dad, come look at this!"

"Who’s your dad? Use my title in public!"

"Deputy Constable Dad, hurry!"

Hearing the ruckus, Xie Jinhuan headed toward the study.

The wreckage in the room had been cleared. The chest containing Ascension Powder had been sealed with an official stamp, but bloodstains still marred the floor.

Yang Dabiao stood by the wall, lifting a landscape painting to reveal a hidden compartment behind it. Inside were silver notes, gold ornaments, and several account books.

Linghu Qingmo inspected them — they detailed the gambling hall’s finances, profits from selling illegal medicines, and even private payrolls paying off crooks like Taoist Chen Yuan.

The latest entry showed a three-hundred-tael payment, recipient unspecified.

Seeing that, Xie Jinhuan naturally thought of the freshly obtained fortune:

"That three hundred taels must’ve been the fee for hiring Fu Dongping."

Linghu Qingmo had been chasing these demon bandits for half a month without any real clues. Finding this evidence out of the blue, she couldn't help but be suspicious:

"Going by these books, it was Li Shizhong colluding with demon bandits to gather Dragon Beard Grass. Both the people and the goods match... Is the case really cracked just like that?"

Yang Dabiao scratched his head, grinning:

"With such solid proof, it must be real. With this wrapped up, we can focus on tracking that big demon from Zihui Mountain and the giant footprints discovered last night..."

What?!

Xie Jinhuan, who had been treating this as none of his business, was struck like lightning!

If they closed the case too fast, the full force of Dagan’s law would soon focus entirely on him!

He immediately raised his hand to interrupt:

"Everyone, hold up!"

The excited crowd immediately quieted.

Given how absurdly competent Xie Jinhuan had proven himself over the past two days, nobody dared underestimate him.

Yang Dabiao asked seriously:

"Jinhuan, you have something to say?"

Xie Jinhuan didn’t hesitate:

"Strange events usually hide monsters. Whether it’s yesterday’s bandits, Fu Dongping, or today's main culprit — they’re all dead, no witnesses left..."

"Yeah — because you killed them."

"...?"

Xie Jinhuan froze.

Yang Ting whacked his son's head with his bamboo pipe:

"Stop joking. Let him finish."

Suppressing the urge to strangle Yang Dabiao, Xie Jinhuan continued:

"First, right after we started investigating, Li Shizhong suddenly went berserk and started eating people. Too coincidental — that's doubt number one.

Second, if Li Shizhong knew about what I did at the warehouse, he wouldn't have hired a second-rate thug like Fu Dongping. If he didn’t know, how could he have tracked my movements so precisely? That’s doubt number two.

Third, even if Li Shizhong underestimated me and hired Fu Dongping, it’s unbelievable that he’d let the killer carry incriminating evidence like the medicine bottles, leading us straight to his den. That’s doubt number three.

"Although the evidence seems solid, based on these points, I suspect someone set up this entire case."

Yang Ting, a veteran in solving cases, puffed on his pipe and nodded:

"First two doubts might be explained by negligence, but the sudden overdose and death, plus the death of the steward — indeed suspicious.

"The purchase records match the ones from Dongcang Street, and there’s no evidence of frame-up at the scene. Proving foul play will be difficult."

Yang Dabiao stroked his chin:

"If Li’s family kept proper ledgers, and those don't match the ones here, we could prove the records were forged by demon bandits..."

Linghu Qingmo shook her head:

"If the ledgers match, it proves Li’s family ordered Li Shizhong to hire bandits and kill people.

If they don't match, Li’s family is still guilty of selling Ascension Powder illegally.

"And with Li Shizhong dead, the Li family can just claim ignorance and blame it all on him.

We can’t just barge into their house to seize their ledgers."

The room fell silent.

Everyone understood perfectly.

Behind the Li family stood Li Gongpu, a favored official close to the emperor himself.

Selling Ascension Powder was serious, but not big enough to topple giants.

Even if punished, it would mostly be political enemies taking advantage.

With Li Shizhong dead, the Li family had the perfect scapegoat — and a powerful backer.

But if they didn’t check the real accounts, they couldn’t prove the ledgers were forged.

Based only on the current evidence, it would seem everything — demon disturbances, hired killings — were all Li Shizhong's doing.

And the real masterminds could slip away clean.

Yang Dabiao scratched his head, troubled:

"This case is tricky. With Li family's backing... maybe we should focus on the Zihui Mountain demon first..."

The hell?!

Hearing that, Xie Jinhuan immediately stepped forward, voice stern:

"Big Brother Yang, how can you say that?

"This case involves hired demon bandits and murdered civilians. Just because the Li family is powerful, we’ll let it slide?

"What about the innocent dead?

"And if there’s a hidden mastermind, using the Li family as a cover to misdirect us —

maybe the 'sky-piercing demon aura' at Zihui Mountain is their doing, too!

"In my opinion, we must attack both fronts at once:

investigate the Li family thoroughly, punish them as an example — and dig up the real culprits behind the demon bandits!"

"Right! Right!"

Shamed into action, Yang Dabiao clapped Xie Jinhuan's shoulder:

"We’ll investigate! What are we — cowards?! To hell with the Li family — let’s raid them!"

Liu Qingzhi, more cautious, suggested:

"Maybe report to the Prince first, and ask for backup..."

Yang Ting and Linghu Qingmo exchanged silent glances.

Everything Xie Jinhuan said was correct — but reality wasn't so simple.

Raiding the Li family while chasing demon bandits would require half of Danyang’s entire manpower.

The Prince himself was already stretched thin investigating the demon aura.

Starting a "Third Quarter Anti-Demon and Anti-Smuggling Campaign"?

The Prince would probably die of a heart attack.

Ultimately, Yang Ting exhaled smoke and looked at Linghu Qingmo:

"This case is messy and huge. You’d better report to the prefecture."

Linghu Qingmo nodded:

"I’ll personally report to the Prince. Meanwhile, Yang Daren, don't focus only on the Li family. Keep chasing the demon bandits too. If we find the real mastermind, we can clear up everything."

Xie Jinhuan frowned and said sincerely:

"How can we say 'clear them'? Selling Ascension Powder ruins countless lives.

The Founding Emperor himself outlawed all narcotics.

"The Li family enjoys imperial favor — yet they harm the people for profit..."

"Alright, alright!"

Linghu Qingmo, feeling more upright than most already, hadn’t expected Xie Jinhuan to be even more zealous.

Afraid he’d say something that could get them all killed, she pushed him toward the door:

"You go back and look after Doctor Lin. We’ll talk later!"

"Miss Linghu, I’m just being honest..."

"Yes, yes! We’ll investigate thoroughly! No mercy!"

...

Under Xie Jinhuan’s righteous battering, the old hands at the yamen had no choice but to spring into action, dispatching reinforcements.

Xie Jinhuan, though politely pushed out, secretly sighed in relief.

He prayed hard that the Li family had indeed done something dirty — and that there was a bigger mastermind behind it.

Preferably something huge —

like Li Gongpu plotting rebellion, demon bandits trying to assassinate the Prince —

no, the Emperor!

Only then could Danyang City be plunged into chaos, and the court’s attention dragged away from the Zihui Mountain demon aura.

Giving him more days to lay low — and deal with the scary old auntie at home.

But looking at the officials’ competency...

if the Li family wasn’t guilty, he would be the next to fall.

If they couldn’t find the real culprits, the authorities would come after him.

This was a true case of —

Rather you die than me.

Maybe... he really did have a talent for immortal cultivation?