[{"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-144":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},2264744,4420,"Chapter 144: The Lady","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-144",144,"\u003Cp>White Elephant Divine Meat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin’s expression was puzzled: “Are you sure this news is true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Shuyou nodded vigorously, then whispered: “About half a month ago, during my leave, I went to visit an old childhood friend. He’s a junior officer in the Tang family army. I saw it—and ate it—there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin became interested: “Tell me, what did this divine meat look like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve seen Yin Qi Stone, right, County Wei ?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded; he still had half a crate at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At first glance, the divine meat looks like Yin Qi Stone, but Yin Qi Stone has a glassy texture, while White Elephant Divine Meat is translucent too—but it feels like flesh, with faint muscle fibers inside, and even ordinary people can eat it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You ate it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did.” Xie Shuyou’s expression softened with nostalgia: “The taste was unique, but not unpleasant. After eating it, my blood surged, and my strength felt endless. My friend and I stayed awake for three days and nights, still full of energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like some kind of stimulant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin asked: “Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My friend trained in martial techniques. He said he could absorb a bit of its energy, but his cultivation was shallow—he could only take in a fraction; most of it went to waste. A true expert could absorb much more, and gain great benefit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded: “Sounds powerful. Do you know how to get some?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’m just a town guard.” Xie Shuyou sighed. “But… my friend lives in Yulin County. He has connections. He returns home every so often for a few days’ rest. You might be able to find his address.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your friend’s name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Chen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “Thanks. I owe you one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Shuyou was overjoyed—that was exactly what he wanted. Still, he bowed with both fists: “County Wei , you’re too kind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more casual words, they parted ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin returned to the village militia camp and slept in his tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the village militia escorted over two hundred Nanman captives away from Bobai Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Bai Zhiwei gave Li Lin a glance and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin knew the gold transfer was settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the Nanman women looked at the militia with anger and despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, many of their loved ones had died at the hands of these…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when they ate food that was decent by their standards, and instinctively gorged themselves… their anger and hatred toward the militia, toward the Daqi people, slowly melted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the reason they braved all dangers to come to Daqi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just for a meal. Just to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed they might live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they also felt that the Daqi people were indeed as kind as rumors claimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even willing to feed the wives of their enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only they wouldn’t kill their husbands and kin… that would be better still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With five hundred militia plus over two hundred Nanman, the group of seven hundred had far more blood qi than a small village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even without using Yu Jie Powder, the wilderness spirits dared not approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With over two hundred people, including many children, the march moved slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took seven days to return from Bobai Garrison to Yulin City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering the city, it caused a sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost the entire county turned out to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds lined both sides of the streets, mostly men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men stared at the women in the militia column, all excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been years since we saw border troops bring back female captives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not border troops—village militia. Don’t you see the man on horseback? That’s County Wei  Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably captured by border troops, then handed over to the militia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who cares who captured them? I’ve been single for thirty years—I can’t afford a bride, but I can buy a Nanman woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, I’ll buy one too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you already married?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still will! Just a concubine—more sons for my household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the women were locked in the jail, temporarily guarded by government office runners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The children were sent to the broker’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a few infants still nursing remained with their mothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying brought the roster, glanced over the women, and immediately picked one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother-in-law, count one less.” Huang Ying smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the Registrar—you decide the headcount.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, big brother-in-law.” Huang Ying grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rest is up to you. I’ll go handle the handover.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin arrived at the courthouse, bowed, and said: “My lord, the matter of the Nanman captives from Bobai Garrison is concluded. The Registrar is now tallying the numbers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then presented the sealed official documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan took them, read briefly, and smiled: “You handled this well, County Wei . You’ve worked hard. Go home and rest—I grant you three days’ leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “Thank you, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Lin returned to his backyard, he found an odd scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tree Immortal Lady sat in the main seat of the hall, while Li Yanjing stood beside her like a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Lin, the Tree Immortal Lady glanced at him, then looked away, as if utterly indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanjing, however, waved enthusiastically, delighted he had returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Tree Immortal Lady glared fiercely at Li Yanjing, who sheepishly lowered her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin walked over and asked with a smile: “Tree Immortal Lady, are you comfortable here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remained as terse as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin looked around: “Where are Qing and Hongluan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanjing replied: “Since the Prefect will soon take office in Jincheng, Lady…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Tree Immortal Lady fixed her gaze sharply on Li Yanjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanjing swallowed hard and immediately corrected herself: “Second Lady and Hongluan went to their family home for a short stay, to show more filial piety—since the Prefect will be in Jincheng, meeting again won’t be as easy as now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded, understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat beside the Tree Immortal Lady, staring at the coiled snake tail on the floor, admiring how its scales gleamed smooth and lustrous—adorably so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing his gaze, the Tree Immortal Lady grew uneasy; the tip of her tail snapped upright like a king cobra, trembling—not just threatening, but… nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin asked: “Tree Immortal Lady, have you heard of the Nanman White Elephant God?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tree Immortal Lady looked at Li Lin and nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it died.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tree Immortal Lady frowned slightly: “Let it die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin rubbed his head: “Some people are eating its meat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. Very nourishing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded; if the Tree Immortal Lady said it was nourishing, he should find a way to get some.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Yanjing leaned in and asked: “Master, do you have a way to get some? I’d like to taste a bit too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can a spirit eat it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How fresh! After all, it’s a barbarian god—even if its origins are dubious, our own origins aren’t exactly righteous either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Tree Immortal Lady lashed out with her tail and flung Li Yanjing across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… am righteous.” The Tree Immortal Lady murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanjing flew back, rubbing her cheek, looking utterly pitiful: “Lady, I didn’t mean you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tree Immortal Lady snorted and retreated into the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced beside him: the peach tree now bore no flowers—only small peaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said curiously: “When these peaches ripen, I wonder how many the Tree Immortal Lady will let me have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take them all,” Li Yanjing giggled, covering her mouth. “Besides, these peaches carry your scent—I can smell it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin had a question: “When these peaches ripen and are eaten, can the pits be planted to grow new peach trees?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could they grow new Tree Immortal Ladies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Li Yanjing answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then wouldn’t these little Tree Immortal Ladies be… children of mine and hers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Lin’s expression, Li Yanjing said: “You misunderstand. Though new peach trees can grow—and become little Tree Immortal Ladies—they aren’t her children. They’re merely her external manifestations. Think of it as a special divine skill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh… so that’s how it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then how do you know so well?” Li Lin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because over a hundred years ago, there was a True Lord Songzi who did exactly that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin asked curiously, “Then what happened to True Lord Songzi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s dead,” Li Yanjing smiled. “He abused his legal decoy body, got caught, and five third-rank Spirit Hunters beat him to death—word is the scene was brutal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1428,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","62d89b56aa3b1fcf5deeab467c3a0963ddeead9e1ce0636c8f7b1bebc711924d","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-145","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-143",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]