Chapter 193: Entrusting an Orphan

Beiliu County... almost everyone has been taken away.

The county magistrate's family was naturally taken to the Southern Barbarians as well.

Therefore, Beiliu County currently lacks a county magistrate, a county deputy, and a county commandant.

As the Prefect, Huang Yan has the authority to appoint a new county magistrate for Beiliu County during this special wartime period; he only needs to submit a report to the Secretariat-Chancellery afterward.

Li Lin glanced regretfully at the "Secret Records of Immortals" on the table, then shook his head lightly.

He did not like getting involved in such matters, especially since Huang Yan was his father-in-law.

If he truly did this, he would feel a sense of having no ability of his own, forced to rely on his wife's family.

"Brother Li, do not refuse; listen to what I have to say." Wang Tianyou took a deep breath and said, "I know you are proud and dislike such acts of clinging to power. But sometimes troubling an elder is actually a good way to strengthen the relationship between both sides."

Li Lin frowned slightly, but he had heard similar theories before, so he did not refute him.

The gist was that between two people, you trouble me, I trouble you, owing each other favors, and then the relationship improves.

But even understanding this, he did not wish to act this way; yet looking at the "Secret Records of Immortals" on the table, he felt it would be a great regret not to obtain this book.

Seeing that Li Lin seemed somewhat moved, Wang Tianyou continued, "Our Wang family does not need much; we only need to meet the Prefect once."

"Allow me to think it over; we will speak of this tomorrow."

"Thank you."

Li Lin returned home and told Huang Qing about the matter.

After listening, Huang Qing smiled and said, "I think Young Master Wang speaks reasonably. It has been over half a year since you married me, yet you have never asked my father for anything; over time, this truly gives people a feeling of estrangement."

"Because I feel that being able to marry you is already taking an enormous advantage from my father-in-law."

These were Li Lin's true words; Huang Qing was beautiful with a good figure, and extremely gentle and virtuous. Such a woman, even in this world, was extremely rare.

Hearing this, Huang Qing was very happy; she then said, "I actually also want to go to Jincheng to see my father and the Eldest Lady; let us take this opportunity and go see them."

"Jincheng is a bit far and quite dangerous."

"Can my husband not take me along casually with the local militia under the guise of official business?"

Li Lin pondered for a moment and said, "That is true; I happen to need to escort a rather weighty prisoner to Jincheng."

"Husband, then let it be settled thus." Huang Qing coquettishly said, "Okay?"

Li Lin understood that Huang Qing was giving him a 'way out'.

She could see that her husband's character was proud and he was not very willing to beg others for certain things.

But between father-in-law and son-in-law, they are originally family; the friendship of gentlemen is as light as water, which is not conducive to the development of the relationship between the two families.

Li Lin nodded: "Very well, I will take you and Hong Luan."

Huang Qing was overjoyed.

Li Lin picked up Huang Qing and went to the Small Spirit Vein to cultivate together; midway through, Hong Luan also joined in.

By the next day, Li Lin went to work refreshed, first visiting Qin Donglai in the prison.

One must admit, the Jiang family indeed had some capability; Qin Donglai actually managed to keep his life.

Although he still looked sickly, his complexion was obviously much better than the previous two days.

"Commandant Li, do you actually have the leisure to come see a prisoner like me?" Qin Donglai leaned against the cold stone wall, looking at Li Lin with hatred in his eyes: "I did not die; are you surprised? You never expected that someone would protect me!"

Li Lin immediately laughed: "At a time like this, are you still trying to sow discord?"

Qin Donglai frowned: "I do not know what you are talking about!"

"The one who agreed to let you live is actually me."

Qin Donglai's expression became very awkward; he then helplessly said, "Very well, it seems you intend to call me up to earn merit."

"You could say that."

Qin Donglai fell silent.

Li Lin then asked, "Is the Southern Barbarian Divine Bone you mentioned last time true or false?"

"Do you also want to cultivate immortality?"

"Yes."

"Hahahaha." Qin Donglai looked at Li Lin mockingly, laughed for quite a while, then wiped his tears and said, "Although there are indeed Immortals in this world, how many years has it been since one appeared? And over these few hundred years, how many people who claimed to be wise ran off to cultivate immortality, wanting to live as long as heaven, yet it was all a futile effort like drawing water with a bamboo basket; not a single person became an Immortal. On what basis do you think you can succeed? Just because you are handsome?"

Li Lin smiled and said nothing.

He had already obtained the Foundation Establishment method and cultivated the Small Spirit Vein; he had already formally stepped onto the Great Dao of cultivation.

Seeing that Li Lin remained unmoved, Qin Donglai said, "Why should I tell you?"

Li Lin said, "You can state your requests; I will do my best to help you with what I can accomplish."

Qin Donglai snorted and said nothing.

Li Lin turned to leave.

"Wait, won't you persuade me for a while longer?" Qin Donglai looked at him.

Li Lin laughed and said, "I do not like forcing people against their will."

Qin Donglai looked at Li Lin helplessly: "You are truly somewhat annoying!"

"If you do not speak, I am leaving." Li Lin held one hand behind his back and pointed outside.

Qin Donglai frowned in displeasure, stood up, and said, "Although I have survived, I also know what you intend to do with me."

Li Lin listened silently.

Qin Donglai continued, "I do not care, but there is one thing I have always been unable to let go of."

"What thing?"

"My youngest son... was raised outside."

Li Lin frowned.

"The Qin family's plan to rebel — I actually knew about it long ago." Qin Donglai sighed. "But I felt the risk was enormous. If things went wrong, it would mean the execution of nine clans. So I secretly kept a concubine outside and had her bear me a son. No one in the clan knows! That concubine doesn't even know my true identity."

Li Lin praised, "Impressive, truly impressive."

The man's sense of crisis was indeed remarkable.

"So I want to ask you to look after them."

Li Lin frowned. "They're in Yuecheng."

"Exactly!" Qin Donglai smiled. "If Qin Wang can march north and ascend the throne, then naturally you won't need to go look after them. But when you are able to go to Yuecheng, it means Qin Wang has already… at that point you'll be able to look after them."

"Fine, I agree." Li Lin nodded. "Now tell me — where does your youngest son live, and where is the so-called Southern Barbarian Divine Being's bone?"

"They're both in my concubine's hands. She doesn't know what the thing is, but if you say it's an important object I entrusted to her, she'll understand."

After hearing this, Li Lin couldn't help but click his tongue. "You planned this long ago?"

"I'm curious — wouldn't it be the same if I killed the concubine and just took the Divine Being's bone?"

"That would be her fate." Qin Donglai smiled. "So I want to gamble on it."

"But if you don't say anything, she might not necessarily come to harm either."

Qin Donglai chuckled. "I know that woman's nature. The money I left her will last at most three years. Once the money runs out, she'll abandon the child and go seduce other men."

"How can you be so certain!"

"Because that's exactly how she attached herself to me in the first place. My youngest son is her fourth child." Qin Donglai laughed heartily.

A mirth laced with mockery.

(End of chapter)