[{"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-119":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},2264719,4420,"Chapter 119: Clues","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-119",119,"\u003Cp>The next day, Li Lin went to the county office and found Huang Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li County Wei , what brings you to me?” Huang Yan said gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin bowed and said, “Yesterday on patrol, I noticed that Xingzhuang has clandestine prostitutes at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Huang Yan slightly frowned, then said, “Whether open or hidden, turn a blind eye—they’re all unfortunate souls; don’t tax them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But they’re all physically incomplete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Lin spoke, he observed Huang Yan’s expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan’s eyebrows lifted, his eyes filled with anger: “You mean… someone is systematically forcing women into prostitution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded: “That’s the only conclusion possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his tone calm: “I knew nothing of this. It seems there’s a force in this county I’m unaware of—and someone covering for them. Who do you think it is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said, “It’s not hard to guess. You, my lord, couldn’t possibly be involved. I’ve only just become County Wei —I couldn’t have done this either. So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Assistant County Magistrate,” Huang Yan snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Assistant County Magistrate was the second-in-command of a county and should have been prominent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Assistant County Magistrate of Yulin County was unusually low-key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin rarely saw him; he spent most of his time in the “Rites” office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went home to rest as soon as his shift ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely managed any duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he was just waiting for retirement age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Investigate. If it’s not the Assistant County Magistrate, keep digging,” Huang Yan said coldly. “I’d like to see who dares do this under my nose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Huang Yan’s expression shifted from cold to warm—he was satisfied with Li Lin’s ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his second day in office, he’d already handed him a major case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew well: after managing Yulin County for over a decade, such a major secret had been hiding beneath his watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this stain surfaced after his transfer to Jincheng, it would severely damage his future career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this is what they call a blessing star?” he smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin arrived at the Military Office, preparing to lead a patrol, when he noticed the government office runners in the courtyard were acting strangely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He counted them—there was one fewer than yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young runner who had “suggested” he visit Xingzhuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s missing?” Li Lin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Shangjin isn’t here,” someone answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Full name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Shangjin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he request leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin felt a bad premonition, but his expression remained calm: “Same as yesterday—divide into five patrols.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other four squads immediately left the courtyard; they sensed something was wrong and chose to depart first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “Who’ll show the way? Let’s patrol to He’s house and see what he’s up to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a middle-aged runner was “pushed” forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“County Wei …” the middle-aged runner smiled obsequiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lead the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two incense sticks’ time, the middle-aged runner led the group to a peasant’s home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the low courtyard wall, movement could be seen inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He! He!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged runner shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a girl emerged—her hair was a malnourished yellow, her frame thin and small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing so many runners outside, she panicked, trembling and bowing her head, too afraid to look anyone in the eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Girl, where’s your brother? Why hasn’t he come to work? His superiors have come looking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle De…” Hearing the word “official,” the girl grew even more frightened, her voice trembling: “Brother… is inside… unconscious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the runners’ expressions grew even stranger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same expression had appeared yesterday, when He Shangjin made his “report.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin had noticed it then too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned slightly and entered the courtyard, stepping into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was small, dim due to its tiny, low windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, a figure lay on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin approached and saw the man’s pale face; when he touched his wrist, the pulse was faint, barely there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin’s medical skill was now strong—he took the man’s pulse and found He Shangjin’s vital energy nearly depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does anyone have ginseng or—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin stopped mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around the room—he knew no such thing could be here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he stepped into the courtyard, pulled out a fragment of silver, and said: “Who’ll go to the apothecary and buy a few strands of ginseng root?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will.” It was again the middle-aged runner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, Yu Tong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I’ll remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Tong accepted the silver with both hands and hurried off to the nearby apothecary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin’s gaze swept over the runners; he smiled faintly, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To anyone with even basic emotional intelligence, Li Lin’s calm expression made it clear: he was not to be trifled with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl retreated back into the room, afraid to emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runners instinctively stood at attention, avoiding eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere grew quieter, heavier, more oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Li Lin said: “What are you all standing there for? Go inside and help with chores. He’s the only one left in this house—he’s unconscious, his sister is too young to manage anything. As colleagues, helping isn’t too much to ask, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runners exhaled in relief and immediately began working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some drew water from the well; others chopped firewood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then one man said: “County Wei , that’s not his sister—it’s his child bride!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin scratched his head. The girl’s “brother” had misled him, but a child bride raised from childhood calling him “brother” was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Yu Tong returned with three strands of ginseng root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to return the remaining copper coins to Li Lin, but Li Lin refused: “Keep it as your fee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged runner gratefully accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group crowded into the small room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ginseng strands were sliced; two pieces were placed under He Shangjin’s tongue. Soon, he woke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face remained deathly pale; he glanced around, saw Li Lin, and tried to sit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin pressed him down: “Stay lying down… What happened? Why are you like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last night I stayed home—I didn’t go out…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your vital energy is clearly drained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One runner laughed, then immediately clapped a hand over his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Shangjin thought for a moment: “Last night I had a dream—a beautiful woman kept… doing it with me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. Rest well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin stepped out of the room, looked around, and said: “Leave five men nearby to watch He. If anything happens here, report to me immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Result… no one volunteered to stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin turned to face them, smiling: “From your expressions, you clearly know what happened to He. Can you tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runners shrank back, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin didn’t anger—he turned and walked away, continuing the patrol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for He… he went to find Zhao Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Hao had recovered; he’d returned to Yulin County just yesterday from Jincheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first congratulated Li Lin on becoming County Wei , and upon hearing Li Lin’s request, immediately agreed to secretly protect He.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin then returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a feeling that tonight, a clue would appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At night, a stone was thrown from the backyard into his house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone was wrapped in paper, on which three crooked characters were scrawled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chief Constable Yan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1219,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5ec962eda0fa9dd642fc99c87fc8c6e4588a48fb8b67a57a544914ce7f924bd0","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-120","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-118",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]