Chapter 197: The Hearts of the People

Li Lin waited in the front hall, with Huang Ying and Fang Fengyi beside him.

Huang Ying's face was full of excitement: "Big brother-in-law, you actually turned Hongluan Jiao into an expert within half a year—could you teach me too!"

Li Lin was stunned for a moment, then looked at him with an expression of distaste.

The reason Hongluan and Huang Qi were able to grow their blood qi so quickly was mainly the combined effect of three things: the dual cultivation technique, the Foundation Establishment method, and the small spirit vein.

The foremost among them was the dual cultivation technique, with the other two as supplements.

Dual cultivation with a man?

Impossible!

Li Lin waved his hand: "Impossible. Can't teach you at all."

"Big brother-in-law, I'm your little brother-in-law!" Huang Ying was so anxious he nearly jumped up: "Can't you help me out?"

Anyone who could become an expert in a short time, and seemingly without hardship—who wouldn't wish such a dream could come true?

Fang Fengyi looked at Li Lin with a strange gaze. In truth, he was also a little tempted… but didn't want to show it, hence his expression.

Li Lin sighed: "This matter can only be done with one's own wives and concubines—other people won't do, especially men. Understand?"

Huang Ying was no greenhorn; he understood immediately, his eyes going wide.

Fang Fengyi recalled something and couldn't help but laugh: "Sounds quite interesting, this dual cultivation technique. It's only these small, minor sects down in Southern Border that treat such a thing as a treasure."

Li Lin looked at him: "Brother Fang, aren't you currently serving in Southern Border? Why not hold a high office in the prosperous lands of the Central Plains?"

"You—!" Fang Fengyi's face nearly twisted with anger, then he flung his sleeve: "Preposterous!"

Huang Ying looked at Li Lin, then at Fang Fengyi, and laughed: "Both brothers-in-law, stop arguing. In a few more months, we'll all be one family."

"Hmph!" Fang Fengyi turned away, putting on an expression of unwillingness to speak.

Li Lin now looked toward the rear courtyard: "Qinger should be here by now."

"Big sister is in the rear courtyard chatting with Mother."

"That's fine then." Li Lin felt relieved: "I'll go out to handle some matters first, and come back to pick her up in a few days."

"Big brother-in-law, won't you stay here?" Huang Ying asked.

"There are some important matters that need to be dealt with."

Huang Ying said disappointedly: "That's too bad. I was hoping to have a long chat with big brother-in-law about the great affairs of the world."

"I'm just a minor county lieutenant—what would I know about the great affairs of the world?"

Li Lin cupped his hands in a salute, then took his leave.

Fang Fengyi watched Li Lin's retreating figure disappear and couldn't help but say: "Short-sighted, with no ambition in his chest—what does the Prefect see in him!"

Huang Ying frowned at the man, but then smiled again and said: "Big brother-in-law does have his abilities; it's just that we haven't seen them."

"I wouldn't say so." Fang Fengyi snorted, then snapped open his fan with a flick: "I'm heading back too. Please trouble Brother Ying to inform my sister later, and tell her to head home early as well."

"Alright!" Huang Ying cupped his fist and smiled.

Fang Fengyi left the Huang residence, but didn't go straight home. Instead, he turned a corner and went to a tavern, sitting down in a private room on the fourth floor.

Before long, someone arrived.

The visitor was a middle-aged man dressed in a clerk's uniform.

"That prisoner sent over from Yulin County—you were the one who took him in, weren't you?"

The middle-aged man nodded respectfully.

"Help me ask him about the intelligence on the Qin family's several great generals."

"This lowly one tried, but that man's lips are sealed—he won't talk."

Fang Fengyi snorted: "Can't you use severe torture to extract a confession?"

"Young Master, the prefectural government office is right under the Prefect's nose. He seems to value this prisoner highly. I wouldn't dare act rashly, for fear of being discovered."

Fang Fengyi frowned, then sighed: "Fine. Since we're about to become related to the Huang family through marriage, I'll give the Huang family some face."

The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief.

But then Fang Fengyi said: "Regarding the dual cultivation technique—how much do you know?"

The middle-aged man found the question a little odd, but still answered honestly: "It's the secret art of the Ding family of Gui Commandery. They say it has miraculous effects and can speed up the cultivation progress of both parties' cultivation methods, but as for the actual results… they remain to be discussed."

Fang Fengyi nodded: "In other words, Li Lin's woman was lying? The Huang family is cooperating with them… what are they up to?"

The middle-aged man asked: "The Huang family cooperating with that County Lieutenant Li of Yulin County? This lowly one finds it hard to believe."

"Why would you think so?"

The middle-aged man replied: "Li Lin married a concubine-born daughter of the Huang family, and a Hu Ji at that. If the Huang family truly valued him, they would have married their legitimate eldest daughter to him, not spoken of giving her to you, Young Master."

"Makes sense." Fang Fengyi nodded: "But the fact remains that he obtained the position of Military Affairs Commissioner. That post is important. Huang Yan placing Li Lin there must have involved many considerations—it's just that you haven't seen through them yet."

The middle-aged man thought for a moment, then said: "The thoughts of such noble personages are very difficult for a servant like me to comprehend."

Fang Fengyi smiled with satisfaction: "Fair point! After all, there is a difference between high and low. You continue staying in the prefectural government office, keep an eye on every move Huang Yan makes, and if there are any new developments, come tell me. Understand?"

"Yes, Young Master."

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

Fang Fengyi casually picked at a few bites with his chopsticks, then stood up and smiled: "Eat up—it's all a reward for you."

"Thank you, Young Master."

The middle-aged man cupped his fists with both hands and bent his waist in a deep bow.

Li Lin now arrived before the Wang residence.

The doorman saw him and immediately came forward, cupping his fists: "This official, have you come as a guest, or are you looking for someone?"

Li Lin wore a red official's robe—not the attire of any great official, but also not someone a doorman could afford to give trouble.

"Looking for a friend." Li Lin smiled: "I'm acquainted with Wang Tianyou—could you announce me?"

The doorman went in at once. Before long, the person who came out was not Wang Tianyou, but the legitimate eldest son, Wang Yunzhi.

Compared to his previous aloof and arrogant attitude, Wang Yunzhi now wore a beaming smile, his face as pleasant as a spring breeze.

He clasped his fist and smiled: "So it is County Commandant Li. A distinguished guest has arrived; please, come in, come in."

Li Lin looked behind him, found no one else coming out, then clasped his fist and said: "I came to find Wang Tianyou. Since he is not here, then never mind. I take my leave."

Having said this, he was about to depart.

Wang Yunzhi immediately stepped forward to block Li Lin: "County Commandant Li, since you are my younger brother's friend, naturally you are my friend as well. Please!"

"Are you trying to force me to enter your home as a guest?" Li Lin asked with a smile.

"I do not mean that." Wang Yunzhi hurriedly waved his hand.

"Then step aside."

Wang Yunzhi seemed to want to say something more, but seeing Li Lin's impatient expression, he still moved to the side.

Watching Li Lin's retreating back, Wang Yunzhi's expression twisted somewhat.

Since he had not found Wang Tianyou, he would go to Tianyi Gate to find An Xin.

After stating his purpose to the Tianyi Gate gatekeeper disciple, not long after, An Xin came out.

Seeing Li Lin, joy appeared in his eyes: "Brother Li, we meet again."

Li Lin, however, scrutinized his appearance and said: "You seem very haggard."

An Xin helplessly gave a bitter smile: "Recently, there have been many affairs within the sect, and I have not slept well for over ten days. As for Brother Li, I recently heard you were promoted; congratulations."

He clasped his fist and smiled.

Li Lin waved his hand modestly: "It is merely a sinecure. This time, I wish to borrow your sect's local gazetteer to check some information; can you make an exception?"

"This..." An Xin gave a bitter smile: "It will likely be difficult. The elders of the sect guard these things very closely."

Li Lin handed over the prepared commentary booklet on the Soul-Attracting Paper Doll Technique: "This is the token required for borrowing!"

An Xin looked at the booklet, paused for a moment, then said: "I will go back and ask."

"Troublesome."

(End of this chapter)