Chapter 101: Dawn Ends in Void

Everyone’s faces turned pale, filled with deep disappointment.

Except Li Lin.

Because his attention was elsewhere.

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

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

In the lower right corner of the scroll was inscribed a verse: “Half the path is shrouded in gloom; without dawn, all becomes void!”

It was identical to the illusion he had seen.

Was “gloom” referring to the Gloom Character Technique?

Then what was “dawn”?

The Dawn Character Technique?

Li Lin couldn’t help but step forward and took down the painting.

He turned it over and over, but found nothing of value—it was merely an ordinary painting.

At this moment, the others gathered around.

Bai Zhiwei asked: “Inspector Li, have you discovered anything?”

Li Lin shook his head: “No, it’s just an ordinary scroll.”

Everyone grew disheartened.

“Immortals really love to torment people—why place so many blank heavenly books here?”

Su Huafang chuckled: “These aren’t blank heavenly books; we likely simply lack the conditions to observe them.”

“What conditions?”

Su Huafang said: “Who knows? Perhaps it’s some elusive immortal fate, or a special talent.”

Everyone felt this made sense.

Ding Fengqiu said: “Why don’t we each take one book out? See what changes arise later—it’s all up to individual fortune.”

Everyone agreed to the proposal.

Though they found nothing extraordinary, no one left the place.

They kept flipping through books and bamboo slips.

Hoping to find one with “writing.”

But after turning pages all night, until the next day, they gained nothing.

Everyone grew discouraged.

Since these were “treasures” kept in a secret chamber, they must be valuable—but they gained nothing at all.

It was deeply frustrating.

The only one who gained anything was Li Lin.

He had entered a peculiar array, and seemed to have uncovered a new “secret.”

Dawn… what could it be?

After leaving Goukong Cave, Ding Fengqiu thought for a moment, then brought back some turf from nearby and covered the cave entrance.

“These grasses grow tall and thick—only we will know this place; no one else will come.”

Su Huafang smiled: “Even if they find it, they can’t enter. The only person in this world who might unravel that array is probably Inspector Li.”

Ding Fengqiu looked at Li Lin: “Inspector Li, if you ever have free time, visit my Ding family in Guicheng—I’ll sweep the bed and welcome you as an honored guest.”

Now everyone believed Li Lin was from a prominent family.

Except Zhao Xiaohu… because he was still too young and lacked experience—he had no concept of such things.

Li Lin smiled: “There will be opportunities.”

Ding Fengchun, Su Huafang, and Bai Zhiwei left first, since they had come here secretly.

Li Lin, Bai Bu Fan, and Zhao Xiaohu returned to Beiliu County.

They did not go to see County Magistrate Ma; instead, they went straight to the posthouse to retrieve the steeds borrowed from the Military Office.

They had no intention of meeting County Magistrate Ma.

He didn’t want to get involved in this damned political infighting.

Just as the three stepped out of the posthouse, they saw County Magistrate Ma standing before them with several constables.

“Three inspectors, why are you leaving so hastily? Did I fail to entertain you properly?” Magistrate Ma said with a smile.

Li Lin’s face remained expressionless: “I have urgent business and must return.”

“Then I won’t detain you,” Magistrate Ma continued smiling. “Here is a token of appreciation—please don’t refuse.”

As he spoke, three constables stepped forward, each holding a small wooden tray, each tray bearing three gold ingots.

Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu’s eyes nearly bulged at the sight of so much money.

But they suppressed their greed and looked to Li Lin.

Li Lin thought for a moment, then smiled: “Thank you, Magistrate, for your gift.”

He took the three gold ingots and placed them in the steed’s saddlebags.

Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu happily accepted their gold ingots as well.

Li Lin mounted his horse and bowed: “Magistrate Ma, may we meet again under better circumstances.”

“Of course, of course,” Magistrate Ma said, stroking his beard contentedly.

Then he and the government office runners stepped aside to let them pass.

The three rode off quickly from Beiliu County.

Along the way, Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu were extremely excited.

It was their first time receiving so much money.

“Xiaohu, let’s go to Hongxiuzhao—we’ve got money now, let’s try the courtesan’s charms.”

Zhao Xiaohu was tempted, but suddenly remembered someone and shook his head firmly: “No, I’m saving for a wife.”

Bai Bu Fan stared at him in surprise: “Who have you set your sights on?”

Zhao Xiaohu grinned but said nothing.

Bai Bu Fan was displeased and pressed him with words, trying to make him speak.

But Zhao Xiaohu only laughed foolishly and gave no answer.

Time passed amid their bickering; before evening, the three rode back to Yulin County.

After returning the steeds to the Military Office, Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu departed.

Li Lin needed to report to Huang Yan about the Beiliu County Magistrate.

Of course, he concealed the matter of Goukong Cave.

After listening, Huang Yan slammed his fist on the table: “That scoundrel Ma Youde dares to deceive me… When I take office as Prefect of Jincheng, I’ll make him regret it—this infuriates me!”

Li Lin smiled; it was the first time he’d seen Huang Yan lose his composure.

But it was clear Huang Yan and County Magistrate Ma had a decent relationship.

Leaving the county office, Li Lin returned home and enjoyed the warmth of his bed.

The next day, Li Lin took out the “Nourishing Nature Scripture” and read it.

After spending the entire morning, he once again gained the “Body Cultivation +1” proficiency.

Then he went to the Papermaking Bureau.

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

“Sir, we’ve been waiting for you a long time.”

Li Lin inspected the paper’s quality and was quite satisfied.

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

He used cinnabar to draw the talismans.

Then he infused the paper with yin energy and hurled it forward!

This time, the summoning was extremely fast—a greenish-blue chain of lightning appeared in the air, but vanished before touching the ground.

Li Lin immediately understood the reason for failure.

Not enough yin energy was infused.

Second attempt… the moment the paper left his hand, lightning struck.

It nearly struck him.

These talisman papers, made from lightning-struck wood, were extremely efficient at drawing lightning.

Slightly increasing the yin energy infusion greatly accelerated the lightning’s arrival.

After trying another dozen times, Li Lin finally mastered the precise amount of yin energy to inject.

Li Lin was very pleased with himself.

As he stood with hands on hips, laughing loudly, Zhang Afu approached and whispered: “Master, several government office runners are outside.”

“Has something happened at the county office again?”

Li Lin instinctively turned to fetch his spear or other weapons.

But Zhang Afu said: “Master… you’ve been reported for disturbing the peace.”

Li Lin fell silent, then realized—he was indeed in the wrong.

Next time he practiced the Lightning Technique, he must go outside the city, to a place with no one around.

“Tell them I understand—I won’t practice anymore.”

Zhang Afu let out a breath—he was also afraid of sudden lightning strikes.

Especially when it struck the house, he feared the lightning might curve and kill one or two of the servants.

Since he wasn’t practicing thunder arts anymore, he might as well practice spear techniques.

Li Lin picked up the wooden spear, about to go through the forms, when Zhang Afu came over again.

“Master, someone is outside…”

“I’m not practicing thunder arts anymore.”

“No, it’s Young Master Zhao coming to pay a visit.”

“Zhao Hao? Quickly invite him in.”

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

(End of chapter)