Chapter 101: Without the New Moon, It Ends in Emptiness

Everyone's faces turned pale with deep disappointment.

Except Li Lin.

Because his attention was elsewhere.

At the very bottom of this stone chamber, a painting hung there.

The painting depicted a white ocean with a silver moon hanging in the sky.

In the bottom right corner of the scroll was written a poem inscribed on the painting: "Half the path is obscure, without the new moon, it ends in emptiness!"

This was exactly the same as the illusion he had seen.

Does 'obscure' refer to the Obscure Technique?

Then what is 'new moon'?

The New Moon Technique?

Li Lin could not help but step forward and take down the painting.

He examined the painting back and forth but found nothing of value; it was simply a painting.

At this moment, the others gathered around.

Bai Zhiwei asked, "Did Inspector Li find anything?"

Li Lin shook his head: "No, this is just an ordinary scroll."

Everyone felt somewhat disheartened.

"Immortals truly love to torment people; how could they place so many wordless heavenly books here?"

Su Huafang smiled bitterly: "These are not wordless heavenly books; it is most likely that we simply do not meet the conditions to observe them."

"What conditions?"

Su Huafang said, "Who knows? It could be a vague immortal fate, or perhaps special aptitude, and so on."

Everyone felt this reasoning made sense.

Ding Yingqiu said, "How about each of us takes one out? Let's see what changes happen later; it all depends on personal fate."

Everyone agreed to this proposal.

Although there were no special discoveries, no one left this place.

They continued flipping through books or bamboo slips.

Hoping to find one with 'words'.

But they flipped through them all night until the next day, yet found nothing.

Everyone felt somewhat discouraged.

Since these were 'treasures' placed in a secret chamber, they must have value, yet they could 'get' nothing.

A great sense of frustration.

The only one who gained something was Li Lin.

He had mastered a very special formation and also seemed to have learned a new 'secret'.

New moon... what could it be?

Everyone emerged from the Gou Lou Cave; Ding Yingqiu thought for a moment, then brought some turf from nearby to cover the cave entrance.

"This grass grows very tall and dense; from now on, only we will know of this place, and no one else shall come."

Su Huafang smiled: "Even if they discover it, they cannot enter. In this world, the only one who can likely unravel that formation is Inspector Li."

Ding Yingqiu looked at Li Lin: "Inspector Li, if you have free time in the future, please visit the Ding family of Guicheng; we will sweep the mat to welcome you, ensuring guests feel at home."

Now everyone believed Li Lin was the descendant of a noble family.

Except Zhao Xiaohu... because he was still too young and lacked experience, having no concept of such matters.

Li Lin smiled: "There will be an opportunity."

Ding Yingchun, Su Huafang, and Bai Zhiwei departed first, after all, they had come 'secretly'.

Li Lin, Bai Bufan, and Zhao Xiaohu returned to Beiliu County first.

They did not go to see Magistrate Ma but went directly to the relay station to retrieve the fine horses borrowed from the Military Office.

They did not intend to see Magistrate Ma.

He did not want to get involved in the damn officialdom struggles of this place.

As soon as the three walked out of the relay station, they saw Magistrate Ma standing in front of them with several Constables.

"Three Inspectors, why leave in such a hurry? Is it because this official has not hosted you well enough?" Magistrate Ma said with a smile.

Li Lin smiled without warmth: "There is an urgent matter; we must return first."

"Then this official will not detain the three of you." Magistrate Ma continued smiling: "This is a token of gratitude; please do not refuse."

As soon as he finished speaking, three Constables stepped forward, each holding a small wooden tray, and on each tray sat three gold ingots.

Bai Bufan and Zhao Xiaohu, seeing so much money, had their eyes nearly pop out.

But they still suppressed the greed in their hearts and looked at Li Lin.

Li Lin pondered for a moment, then smiled: "Thank you, Magistrate, for the gift."

Having spoken, he took down three gold ingots and placed them into the saddlebag of the fine horse.

Bai Bufan and Zhao Xiaohu also happily accepted the gold ingots.

Li Lin swung himself onto the horse, clasped his fist, and said: "Magistrate Ma, we shall meet again when fate allows."

"Good, good." Magistrate Ma stroked his beard very satisfied.

Then he and the government office Runners made way.

The three of Li Lin rode their horses and quickly left Beiliu County.

All the way, Bai Bufan and Zhao Xiaohu were very excited.

This was the first time they had received so much money.

"Zhao Xiaohu, let's go to the Red Sleeve Pavilion. Now that we have money, we can try the taste of the courtesan queen."

Zhao Xiaohu was quite tempted, but he suddenly thought of someone and shook his head vigorously: "No, I need to save money to get a wife."

Bai Bufan looked at him in surprise: "Who have you set your sights on?"

Zhao Xiaohu chuckled without speaking.

Bai Bufan was naturally displeased and pressed him with words, trying to make him say it.

But Zhao Xiaohu just grinned foolishly and did not answer.

Time passed amidst the two's bickering, and before evening, the three rode their horses back to Yulin County.

After returning the fine horses to the Military Office, both Bai Bufan and Zhao Xiaohu left.

Li Lin, however, needed to report the matter of the Beiliu County Magistrate to Huang Yan.

Of course, the matter of the Gou Lou Prefect was naturally kept hidden.

After listening, Huang Yan slammed the table heavily: "That ruffian Ma Youde, how dare he deceive me... Wait until I am appointed Prefect of Jincheng, I must teach him a lesson. It infuriates me."

Li Lin smiled; it was the first time he had seen Huang Yan lose his composure like this.

However, it was clear that Huang Yan and the County Magistrate Ma must have had a good relationship.

Leaving the county government office, Li Lin returned home and then began to enjoy the boudoir of tenderness.

By the next day, Li Lin took out the 'Nourishing Nature Scripture' to read.

Spending the entire morning, he once again raised the proficiency of 'Body Refinement +1'.

Then, he went to the Papermaking Bureau.

The papermakers, upon seeing him, excitedly brought out two large stacks of yellow talisman paper.

"Honored guest, we have been waiting for you for a long time."

Li Lin checked the quality of the paper and was quite satisfied.

After paying the final balance, Li Lin carried the talisman paper home.

Using cinnabar, he drew the talisman symbols.

Then he infused the talisman paper with Yin Qi and threw it forward!

This time, the lightning attraction was extremely fast; green chains of lightning appeared in the air but vanished before reaching the ground.

Li Lin immediately understood the reason for the failure.

The Yin Qi was not infused enough.

The second time... the moment the talisman paper left his hand, it summoned the lightning.

It nearly struck him.

These talisman papers made from thunder-struck wood were very efficient at attracting lightning.

Slightly increasing the infusion of Yin Qi could greatly improve the speed of lightning attraction.

After trying more than ten times, Li Lin finally managed to master the dosage of Yin Qi infusion smoothly.

Li Lin was quite proud of this.

Just as he was laughing with hands on his hips, Zhang Afu walked over and whispered: "Master, a few government office Runners have arrived outside."

"Has something happened at the county government office again?"

Li Lin habitually turned to go to his room to fetch his long spear or other tools of his trade.

Who knew Zhang Afu would say: "Master... you have been reported by someone, accused of disturbing the people."

Li Lin was instantly speechless, then thought about it; indeed, it was his fault.

Next time he practiced the Thunder Technique, he would have to go outside the city where no one was.

"Say I understand, I won't practice anymore."

Zhang Afu sighed with relief; actually, he was also quite afraid of thunderbolts striking from a clear sky.

Especially when they struck inside the house; he feared the lightning might take a turn and strike one or two of them servants dead.

Since he wasn't practicing the Thunder Technique anymore, he might as well practice his spear technique.

Li Lin held a wooden spear and was just about to perform a routine when Zhang Afu came over again.

"Master, someone is outside..."

"I am not practicing the Thunder Technique anymore."

"No, it is Young Master Zhao who has come to visit."

"Zhao Hao? Quickly invite him in."

Li Lin put away his long spear and wiped the sweat from his brow.

(End of this chapter)