Chapter 187: Promotion

Li Lin, reeking of blood, returned home to find Huang Qing dressed in full regalia, standing at the front, with Li Yanjing and Hong Luan flanking her on either side, followed by over a dozen retainers.

Huang Qing bowed gracefully: “Congratulations, County Commandant, on your triumphant return!”

The others followed a moment later, bowing in unison: “Congratulations, County Commandant, on your triumphant return.”

Li Lin paused, then laughed: “We’re family—why all this ceremony? Get up.”

Huang Qing rose, her eyes shimmering with flowing light—full of admiration and love: “My lord fights on the battlefield, facing endless peril, while we women remain safe behind. We owe you boundless gratitude.”

Li Lin reached out and stroked Huang Qing’s head.

A man who has a woman so sensible and grateful will gladly risk his life defending home and country, and feel it is only right.

Hot water had been prepared and kept warm all along.

Upon returning home, Li Lin could wash himself immediately.

Huang Qing and Hong Luan personally scrubbed his back and massaged him.

After bathing, Li Lin sat in meditation within the “Lin Yuan” minor spiritual vein.

Several Thunder Strike Spells had drained nearly all his spiritual energy.

But I must admit, the Thunder Strike Spell powered by spiritual energy was truly powerful.

Even a Great Apparition had been wounded—though the Lizard True Lord had already been severely weakened by the Tree Immortal Lady—yet Li Lin had only just begun Foundation Establishment, and his spiritual energy was still meager; still, he achieved such power. If he trained for a few more years… just imagining it filled him with exhilaration.

Li Lin meditated in the minor spiritual vein all night; Huang Qing and Hong Luan did not come to cultivate with him—they knew he needed to restore his strength.

After all, the invading enemy had not truly retreated.

At dawn, Li Lin “awoke,” feeling his spiritual power had recovered eighty percent, and his body felt much better.

He had barely stepped out of his house when he saw Li Yanjing waiting outside.

“You’ve been waiting here all this time?”

“Yes!” Li Yanjing nodded: “The Tree Immortal Lady expended much incense last night to hold down that Lizard Head. Now she’s trying to recover fully, so she won’t be able to help you these next few days. Be careful.”

Li Lin looked up and saw the peach tree’s phantom in the sky had indeed grown fainter; he nodded.

After breakfast, he went to the county government office.

Jiang Jili sat in the courtroom, dark circles under his eyes, yet clearly exhilarated.

Seeing Li Lin, he hurried over, excitedly saying: “I counted last night’s kills—do you know how many enemy soldiers you killed?”

“How many?”

“Seven hundred thirty-one heads!” Jiang Jili’s hands trembled uncontrollably: “You even killed one of their True Lords! Our Yulin County’s combat strength is this strong? This merit alone can elevate both of us by one rank.”

Li Lin fell silent for a moment, then asked: “Have we counted our casualties?”

“Seventy-eight severely wounded, twenty-six lightly wounded, ninety-one village soldiers killed.”

Li Lin sighed softly, then asked: “Have the compensation amounts been calculated?”

“They have.”

“Give me the compensation money. I’ll deliver it myself.”

Jiang Jili blinked, then pursed his lips: “Fine. It’s yours.”

Li Lin narrowed his eyes. What do you mean it’s mine?

“You think I’d embezzle this compensation?”

“Aren’t you trying to win people’s hearts?” Jiang Jili looked at Li Lin with a strange expression: “But it truly is yours—you charged ahead last night. Without you, Yulin County might already be fallen. I admit that.”

Li Lin paused, then said: “I never meant to win hearts. I simply feel responsible—they went to battle under my command. If they died, I must ensure their families receive every copper coin, no less.”

Jiang Jili stared at Li Lin, bewildered, finding it unbelievable.

Then he saw Li Lin’s eyes—like still water.

He burst into laughter: “Yes! Exactly! That’s the most powerful charm of all!”

Li Lin thought Jiang Jili was insane, and stopped bothering with him.

Li Lin then led the government office runners, loading wooden carts with chests of copper coins, and visited each household on the list of the dead.

He delivered the news of their loved ones’ deaths, listened to their heart-wrenching sobs, and handed out the compensation.

All day, Li Lin’s mood remained heavy.

At dusk, Li Lin returned to the county office.

There he unexpectedly saw Xiao Chunzhu.

“County Commandant!” Xiao Chunzhu bowed, beaming.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay in Jincheng? Why come back? The roads must’ve been dangerous.”

Xiao Chunzhu smiled: “The enemy’s main force was repelled this morning by Governor Huang.”

“So soon?”

“The Huang family of the capital…” Xiao Chunzhu gazed at Li Lin with envy: “That’s one of the few great clans—immense depth.”

To marry a woman from the Huang family is fortune.

Even a concubine-born daughter is fortune.

“So you came back?”

“Yes.” Xiao Chunzhu smiled: “Governor Huang ordered me to return—to assess the situation. If necessary, I was to escort you and your lady to Jincheng for safety.”

“Can you protect the two of us alone?”

“I couldn’t—but I had several experts following me. When they saw the danger had passed, they returned.”

Li Lin felt deeply moved—Huang Yan still valued family.

Even now, he still wanted to protect his daughter—and by extension, himself.

“County Commandant, I hear Jincheng will clear the remaining enemy stragglers by tomorrow.” Xiao Chunzhu continued: “Governor Huang also said that if your side is stable, you’re to lead troops to Beiliu County in four days.”

“What for?”

“Assess the situation—then decide your next move. Here’s the token. In three days, three thousand troops will arrive from Jincheng under your command.”

Xiao Chunzhu handed Li Lin a command token.

His envy was even more obvious.

Li Lin took it and saw it bore the title “Military Inspector of the Southern Route.” He understood at once.

His father-in-law was sharpening his blade.

And Li Lin was the blade he trusted most.

Xiao Chunzhu bowed and withdrew.

Li Lin put away the token, returned to the military office, and stared at the mountain of case files piled before him—his head ached.

Most village soldiers had fought outside last night, and the government office runners had guarded the walls; thus, some criminals took advantage to cause trouble in the city.

Over a dozen people had been murdered; many women had been assaulted.

After reading a few files, Li Lin summoned all the constables: “These cases are yours to handle. Remember—anyone who committed crimes last night shall be punished one degree worse.”

Crimes committed behind the lines during wartime must be punished more severely.

All constables bowed and replied in unison: “Yes.”

Li Lin continued: “But you must have solid evidence before convicting anyone. No wrongful arrests—do you understand?”

The constables bowed their heads: “Yes.”

Immediately, the constables led the government office runners out to gather evidence.

By nightfall, they had arrested many suspects.

The next morning, as Li Lin arrived at the county office, Jiang Jili came to see him.

His expression remained excited, but now his eyes held envy: “I didn’t expect you’d be promoted to Military Inspector of the Southern Route of Jincheng.”

(End of Chapter)