[{"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-181":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},2264781,4420,"Chapter 181: The Ones Who Shouldn","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-181",181,"\u003Cp>The beacon fires of Jincheng blazed up in three columns!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, neighboring counties and military garrisons also lit three columns of beacon fires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a signal to each other that an external enemy had invaded—and it was also the highest level of alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Lin led the village militia back to Yulin County, the city gates were already closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the guards on the wall saw Li Lin did they open the great gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said to Su Huafang: “Go notify the village militia camp outside the city—they must enter Yulin immediately to help defend it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang bowed his fists: “Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiaohu, Bu Fan, you two go rest for now. Come to the county magistrate’s hall at dusk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them left immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin then ordered the government office runners to return, while he climbed onto the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain on the wall hurried over: “Greetings, Assistant County Magistrate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many men are on the wall now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the village militia enters, you’re in charge of this section. Ensure at least two hundred men patrol the wall day and night—understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” The captain bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin thought for a moment and said: “Given the situation, villagers from nearby areas will soon flee here. Be careful to verify their identities—don’t let spies slip in with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving these orders, Li Lin went straight to the county magistrate’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The government office runners sighed with relief when they saw Li Lin return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them said: “Assistant County Magistrate, you’re finally back—the Assistant Prefect has been waiting for you in the hall for a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded and quickly made his way to the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili was pacing back and forth, clearly anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing footsteps, he turned and saw Li Lin—immediately, he exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re finally back,” he rushed to Li Lin’s side. “What happened? Why did Jincheng light three beacon fires?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin gave a brief account of the events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili sighed helplessly: “Again? Another traitor? Why are so many people flocking to Qin Tuo, that rebel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe they’ve lost faith in the imperial court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili instinctively glanced around, his expression tense, then sighed: “Don’t say things like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know, I know—if anyone hears it, I’ll beat you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili pointed at Li Lin, his finger trembling with anger, then swept his sleeve aside: “Hmph. A brute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin laughed: “Enough. I’m going home to wash up and change clothes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you worried?” Jiang Jili asked. “An enemy is invading!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin pointed to the sky: “We have the Tree Immortal Lady watching over us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True—she’s your family’s patron,” Jiang Jili nodded lightly, his expression relaxing considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew well how great an impact a powerful True Lord could have in times of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must go to the wall yourself,” Li Lin suddenly said. “Many villagers will flee here. You need to help verify their identities—keep spies out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, yes!” Jiang Jili nodded. “I’ll have the household registers moved to the wall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “Then I’ll head home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili gave a slight bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t because Li Lin refused to help or shirked work—it was simply that these duties fell squarely under the Assistant Prefect’s responsibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Assistant County Magistrate, Li Lin normally had no need to handle such paperwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His primary duty was to lead the village militia and defend the wall when enemies attacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fought on the front line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Lin returned home, Huang Qing and Hong Luan rushed to him, both visibly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time they truly faced danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I’m here, and the Tree Immortal Lady is watching over us. Yulin County will be safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hong Luan, cook dinner—I’m hungry.” Li Lin turned to Huang Qing: “Boil water for me—I’m going to bathe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women immediately set to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanjing appeared from the altar. After eating the White Elephant Spirit meat, her form seemed more solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin reached out and touched her hand—it was warm, her texture nearly indistinguishable from a living person’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you flirting with me?” Li Yanjing asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all,” Li Lin shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Lin felt a chill on his back—he turned and saw the Tree Immortal Lady hovering behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze seemed cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lady, it’s been so long—I’ve missed you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled without hesitation, uttering words so syrupy they bordered on cloying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Tree Immortal Lady clearly liked it—her expression softened considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If enemies come, we’ll rely on you this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tree Immortal Lady nodded lightly, said nothing more, and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was very busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Busy digesting the incense offerings, turning them into her own power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was why most temple-residing True Lords rarely appeared—they spent every day strengthening themselves, with no time for anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanjing covered her mouth with her sleeve, eyes crinkled in amusement: “You make the Lady so easy to fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not fooling her—I truly miss her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you don’t miss me at all...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin raised an eyebrow: “You appear nearly every day—it’s unavoidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll have to be more reserved from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Huang Qing stepped forward: “Master, hot water is ready. Shall I wash your back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No... if you’re here, bathing will take too long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing blushed instantly—Li Lin spoke the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin bathed alone, then ate dinner—it was nearly dusk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his spear and stepped out, under the worried gazes of the two women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the magistrate’s hall, all the Hunting Spirits had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even spotted an unexpected face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yumao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Brother is here too?” Li Lin asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m from Yulin County, and now I’m a Hunting Spirit. With such a major event, I had to come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin asked: “How is your Yin Nourishing Scripture coming along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve barely entered the threshold,” He Yumao smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced at Bai Zhiwei, Ding Yingqiu, and the others: “Let’s go to the wall and stand guard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had no objection to Li Lin’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides exorcising demons and monsters, Hunting Spirits also bore the duty of guarding local areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In emergencies, they even took orders from the captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group reached the wall and heard commotion from the west gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin led them over and saw dozens of archers on the wall, bows drawn but not released, watching warily below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assistant Prefect Jiang Jili was there too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s happening?” Li Lin asked as he approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A group of people who shouldn’t be here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin looked down and saw at least four hundred people gathered just below the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They appeared to be almost entirely villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t be here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili sighed: “They’re from around Beiliu County—they should be fleeing to Beiliu, not coming to Yulin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1168,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e67af01e407dd61166bb89a437013c5044b968bbaf0677e80dd25563bdfc613e","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-182","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-180",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]