Chapter 197: The Tide of Public Opinion

Li Lin sat in the front hall, beside him were Huang Ying and Fang Fengyi.

At this moment, Huang Ying’s face glowed with excitement: “Big Brother-in-Law, you turned Hong Luan into a master in just half a year—can you teach me too?”

Li Lin blinked, then regarded him with clear distaste.

Hong Luan and Huang Qing’s qi surged so rapidly because of the combined effects of the dual-cultivation art, the Foundation Establishment method, and the minor spiritual vein.

The dual-cultivation art was primary; the other two were auxiliary.

Dual-cultivate with a man?

Impossible!

Li Lin waved his hand: “No way. I can’t teach you a thing.”

“Big Brother-in-Law, I’m your little brother-in-law!” Huang Ying nearly jumped up in desperation: “Can’t you help me at all?”

Who wouldn’t wish to become a master in a short time, without enduring hardship?

Fang Fengyi looked at Li Lin with a strange expression—he too had a faint desire… but didn’t want to show it, hence his demeanor.

Li Lin sighed: “This technique only works with one’s own wife or concubines—others cannot use it, especially men. Do you understand?”

Huang Ying was no virgin—he understood at once, his eyes widening.

Fang Fengyi recalled something and couldn’t help laughing: “That dual-cultivation art? Only small sects in the southern frontier treat it as some precious secret.”

Li Lin looked at him: “Yet you yourself are serving in the southern frontier—why not hold a high post in the prosperous Central Plains?”

“You!” Fang Fengyi’s face twisted with anger; he flung his sleeve: “Utter nonsense!”

Huang Ying glanced between Li Lin and Fang Fengyi, then smiled: “Both brothers-in-law, stop quarreling—we’ll all be family in a few months.”

“Hmph!” Fang Fengyi turned away, feigning disinterest.

Li Lin now gazed toward the back courtyard: “Qing’er should be here by now.”

“Big Sister is chatting with Mother in the back courtyard.”

“Good.” Li Lin relaxed: “I’ll go attend to some matters and return in a few days to fetch her.”

“Won’t Big Brother-in-Law stay here overnight?” Huang Ying asked.

“I have important matters to handle.”

Huang Ying sighed in disappointment: “That’s a shame—I was looking forward to discussing great affairs with you.”

“I’m just a lowly County Constable—what do I know of great affairs?”

Li Lin bowed slightly, then departed.

Watching Li Lin’s figure vanish, Fang Fengyi muttered: “Short-sighted, lacking ambition—what did the Prefect see in him?”

Huang Ying frowned at him, then smiled: “Big Brother-in-Law has his talents—he’s just hidden from our eyes.”

“I don’t agree,” Fang Fengyi snorted, then snapped open his fan: “I’ll return now. Tell my sister to come home early.”

“Understood!” Huang Ying bowed and smiled.

After leaving the Huang residence, Fang Fengyi did not head home directly—he turned down an alley and entered a tavern, taking a private room on the fourth floor.

Soon, someone arrived.

The man wore the robes of a government clerk, middle-aged.

“The prisoner sent from Yulin County—you received him, didn’t you?”

The man bowed respectfully.

“Ask him about the Qin family’s senior generals.”

“I probed him, but he’s stubborn—he won’t speak.”

Fang Fengyi snorted: “Can’t you use torture?”

“Young Master, the government office is under the Prefect’s watch—he clearly values this prisoner. I dare not act rashly, lest I be discovered.”

Fang Fengyi frowned, then sighed: “Forget it. Since I’m about to marry into the Huang family, I’ll give them some face.”

The clerk exhaled in relief.

Then Fang Fengyi asked: “How much do you know about the dual-cultivation art?”

The clerk found the question odd but answered honestly: “It’s the secret art of the Ding family of Guizhou. Supposedly it accelerates cultivation for both parties, but the actual effect… is debatable.”

Fang Fengyi nodded: “So Li Lin’s woman lied? The Huang family is aiding them… what are they up to?”

The clerk asked: “The Huang family aiding Li Lin of Yulin County? I find that unlikely.”

“Why do you think so?”

The clerk replied: “Li Lin married a concubine-born daughter of the Huang family—a Hu woman. If he were truly valued by them, they’d have married their eldest legitimate daughter to him, not offered her to you.”

“That makes sense,” Fang Fengyi nodded. “Yet he holds the position of Military Supervisor—that’s fact. Huang Yan placed him there, so there must be deeper reasons you haven’t grasped.”

The clerk thought a moment: “The thoughts of nobles are beyond the understanding of a servant like me.”

Fang Fengyi smiled approvingly: “Exactly! Status is distinct. Stay in the government office, watch Huang Yan’s every move. Report any new developments to me—understood?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

At that moment, the waiter brought wine and dishes, then withdrew.

Fang Fengyi ate a few bites, then stood up, smiling: “Eat up—these are yours as a reward.”

“Thank you, Young Master.”

The clerk clasped his fists and bowed deeply.

Li Lin now stood before the Wang residence.

The gatekeeper approached and bowed: “Sir, are you here as a guest, or seeking someone?”

Li Lin wore a red official robe—not a high-ranking officer, but not someone a gatekeeper could insult.

“Seeking a friend,” Li Lin smiled. “I know Wang Tianyou—could you announce me?”

The gatekeeper went inside. Soon, the one who emerged was not Wang Tianyou, but the eldest son, Wang Yunzhi.

Compared to his previous haughty, arrogant demeanor, Wang Yunzhi now beamed with warmth.

He bowed and smiled: “If it isn’t County Constable Li—welcome, please come in.”

Li Lin glanced behind him—no one else appeared. He bowed: “I came for Wang Tianyou. Since he’s not here, I’ll leave. Goodbye.”

He turned to depart.

Wang Yunzhi stepped forward to block him: “Constable Li, if you’re my brother’s friend, you’re my friend too—please, come in!”

“Are you forcing me to be your guest?” Li Lin asked, smiling.

“Not at all!” Wang Yunzhi hurriedly waved his hands.

“Then step aside.”

Wang Yunzhi seemed about to speak, but seeing Li Lin’s impatient expression, he stepped aside.

Watching Li Lin’s retreating figure, Wang Yunzhi’s face twisted.

Since he hadn’t found Wang Tianyou, he’d go to Tianyi Gate to find An Xin.

After stating his purpose to the gatekeeper of Tianyi Gate, An Xin soon emerged.

Seeing Li Lin, his eyes brightened: “Brother Li, we meet again.”

But Li Lin studied his appearance: “You look exhausted.”

An Xin sighed helplessly: “The sect has been swamped with affairs—I haven’t slept well for over ten days. But you, Brother Li—I heard you were promoted. Congratulations.”

He bowed and smiled.

Li Lin waved off the praise: “Just a minor post. I’ve come to request access to your sect’s regional records—to look up some information. Could you help?”

“This…” An Xin grimaced: “It’s unlikely. The elders guard these texts tightly.”

Li Lin handed him the annotated manual on the Soul-Calling Paper Doll Art: “This is the token for borrowing.”

An Xin stared at the manual, stunned, then said: “I’ll ask the elders.”

“Thank you.”

(End of Chapter)