[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-dark-and-dawn-light-years":3,"chapter-dark-and-dawn-light-years-dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-114":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Dark and Dawn Light-Years",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2264714,4420,"Chapter 114: Ambush","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-114",114,"\u003Cp>Everyone turned to look, and Ding Yingqiu immediately buried her head between her knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zhiwei stifled a laugh beside him, his body trembling violently, on the verge of bursting out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had experienced this himself—when he first met Zhao Xiaohu, they’d chatted so merrily, only to feel utterly awkward when he learned the boy was only thirteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he’d nearly been ready to accept Xiao Hu as his big brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, seeing Ding Yingqiu fall for the same trick, he felt sympathy—and found it hilarious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu, after all, was a “child of the Jianghu”; after a brief moment of shyness, she walked over, grabbed Zhao Xiaohu’s ear, and dragged him aside to scold him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one cared to listen to what she was saying, though they could hear it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group planned to rest here for the night; Fan Shan somehow found a hoe and began digging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mountain was made of red soil, not the usual rocky terrain, so they quickly dug a pit half a zhang deep, lit a fire at the bottom, ensuring no distant observer would see the glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the others joined in, expanding the pit’s base, then crouched inside to warm themselves by the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those on watch sat along the pit’s edge, observing the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had expected a quiet night, since supply convoys normally didn’t travel after dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unexpectedly, Yan Han, posted above to keep watch, suddenly called out: “Brothers, something’s wrong—someone’s coming down the official road.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone instantly leapt out of the pit and crouched in the grass, watching the road below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, a cluster of “light sources” was approaching from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were soldiers carrying torches, and their column stretched long, with numerous donkey carts hauling supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zhiwei couldn’t help saying: “Aren’t they afraid of the Wild Wraiths? I don’t see any Spirit Hunters here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because there was no red glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu suddenly spoke up: “I get it—they’ve strung a long line, wrapping the entire convoy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the point of a string?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if that string is made of Spirit-Barrier Powder—or coated with it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zhiwei froze: “That’s allowed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never thought of it either—this time I learned something,” Ding Yingqiu smiled. “My family has a core technique that trains the eyes; I see farther than you. The men on the outer edge are holding ropes—some parts are even tied to the carts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So if we cut that rope, we can wipe out the entire supply convoy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Ding Yingqiu nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zhiwei said: “But stay cautious—if they’re using Spirit-Barrier Powder, there might be Spirit Hunters among them, and martial artists for sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the supply convoy had reached just below the mountain’s mid-slope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I, Yan Xunshou, Ding Xunshou, and Brother Fan—we’ll strike the front,” he paused. “Li Xunshou, Bu Fan, Zhao Xiaohu Xunshou—you’ll attack the rear. Wait until we move first. Li Xunshou, keep an eye on the two kids—don’t let them act rashly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin and the other two nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a reasonable division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Li Lin, Bai Bu Fan, and Zhao Xiaohu had all joined the Spirit Hunters only recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they couldn’t be assigned the harder tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group crouched and waited a while longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move!” Bai Zhiwei hissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four of them leapt down using Light Body Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin gestured with his hand, and Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu immediately followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t leap directly down; instead, they circled around to the rear of the supply convoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting had already broken out ahead; faint shouts echoed: “Who dares raid the Great Yue army’s grain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the clash of swords and blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, soldiers at the rear charged forward, leaving only one middle-aged man behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few breaths later, someone cried: “The Spirit-Barrier Rope is cut! They’re glowing red—they’re Spirit Hunters!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin looked at his white jade token—it was now glowing red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wild Wraiths, sensing the scent, began gathering around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Act—burn the grain first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin raised his spear and charged forward first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped out of the grass, the middle-aged man guarding the rear snapped his gaze toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So fast!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin had already raised his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that instant, the man suddenly produced a bow, raised his hand, and shot an arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speed was extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the spear in hand, Li Lin possessed “Spear Intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the arrow left the bow, he seemed to sense its trajectory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thrust his spear forward, then swept it sideways—the tip tracing a circular arc; the arrow flew into the center and was deflected aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he successfully deflected the arrow, his hands tingled with numbness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such tremendous force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s expression hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides now held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the enemy was formidable, Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu moved to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burn the grain,” Li Lin shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They obeyed instantly and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pulled the stoppers from their water bags and rushed into the convoy, dousing the carts with water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you scoundrels!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man roared, spun, and aimed his bow at Zhao Xiaohu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew the arrow, ready to release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, he suddenly twisted sideways—the arrow flew, but his movement caused it to veer wildly off target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gleaming spear tip appeared exactly where the man had stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not dodged, he would have been pierced and killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at Li Lin, drew a broadsword from his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carts were now ablaze; Bai Bu Fan shouted: “The convoy’s on fire! On fire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu chased down and speared two soldiers rushing to put out the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced at his white jade token—the red glow was growing brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly retreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the middle-aged man now charged at him like a madman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his blade down at Li Lin’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But halfway through the motion, he had to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the spear’s reach always exceeded his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man threw his head back to avoid the thrust, then countered with a slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rapid series of clashing strikes forced him to fall back step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief exchange, he suddenly covered his face with his sleeve and retreated wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloud of white powder exploded before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Xunshou, go!” Bai Bu Fan shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin looked—four red glows ahead had merged and were moving up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately turned and leapt, aiming to vanish into the trees beside the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a whistling sound came from behind; Li Lin twisted mid-air and struck with perfect, natural timing—his spear tip struck the arrow dead center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin now knew who the archer was—the man who had nearly killed him outside Bo Bai Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deflected arrow bounced back to the man’s side; he stared at Li Lin’s retreating back, his face dark with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, countless soldiers began aging inexplicably… and dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames devoured the convoy’s supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man sighed, pulled a thin blanket from his waist pouch, draped it over himself, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paid no heed to the screams of his comrades behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin and the others returned to the mountain’s mid-slope and reentered the Spirit-Barrier circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire at the bottom of the pit still burned, unextinguished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All seven had returned; only Ding Yingqiu had suffered minor injury—a shallow cut on her arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu walked over and said: “Let me bandage you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get lost!” Ding Yingqiu snapped, but her eyes darted nervously around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu chuckled but didn’t leave—he pulled out a white cloth and prepared to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone pretended not to notice their interaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zhiwei smiled and said, “Let everyone rest tonight; tomorrow we’ll have Brother Fan guide us back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Shan laughed happily—he had destroyed the enemy’s supply convoy, a great achievement, and now he could finally return to Yulin County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1323,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","06f238dc514c7dca0bb42de568c72a1113e74f5ac79b8f3a9268356cc9778fb4","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-115","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-113",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]