[{"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-197":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},2264797,4420,"Chapter 197: The Tide of Public Opinion","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-197",197,"\u003Cp>Li Lin sat in the front hall, beside him were Huang Ying and Fang Fengyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin blinked, then regarded him with clear distaste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dual-cultivation art was primary; the other two were auxiliary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dual-cultivate with a man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin waved his hand: “No way. I can’t teach you a thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t wish to become a master in a short time, without enduring hardship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin sighed: “This technique only works with one’s own wife or concubines—others cannot use it, especially men. Do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying was no virgin—he understood at once, his eyes widening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!” Fang Fengyi’s face twisted with anger; he flung his sleeve: “Utter nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!” Fang Fengyi turned away, feigning disinterest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin now gazed toward the back courtyard: “Qing’er should be here by now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Sister is chatting with Mother in the back courtyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” Li Lin relaxed: “I’ll go attend to some matters and return in a few days to fetch her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t Big Brother-in-Law stay here overnight?” Huang Ying asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have important matters to handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying sighed in disappointment: “That’s a shame—I was looking forward to discussing great affairs with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just a lowly County Constable—what do I know of great affairs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin bowed slightly, then departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Lin’s figure vanish, Fang Fengyi muttered: “Short-sighted, lacking ambition—what did the Prefect see in him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying frowned at him, then smiled: “Big Brother-in-Law has his talents—he’s just hidden from our eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t agree,” Fang Fengyi snorted, then snapped open his fan: “I’ll return now. Tell my sister to come home early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!” Huang Ying bowed and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, someone arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man wore the robes of a government clerk, middle-aged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The prisoner sent from Yulin County—you received him, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask him about the Qin family’s senior generals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I probed him, but he’s stubborn—he won’t speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Fengyi snorted: “Can’t you use torture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Fengyi frowned, then sighed: “Forget it. Since I’m about to marry into the Huang family, I’ll give them some face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Fang Fengyi asked: “How much do you know about the dual-cultivation art?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Fengyi nodded: “So Li Lin’s woman lied? The Huang family is aiding them… what are they up to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk asked: “The Huang family aiding Li Lin of Yulin County? I find that unlikely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you think so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk thought a moment: “The thoughts of nobles are beyond the understanding of a servant like me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the waiter brought wine and dishes, then withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Fengyi ate a few bites, then stood up, smiling: “Eat up—these are yours as a reward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk clasped his fists and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin now stood before the Wang residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gatekeeper approached and bowed: “Sir, are you here as a guest, or seeking someone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin wore a red official robe—not a high-ranking officer, but not someone a gatekeeper could insult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seeking a friend,” Li Lin smiled. “I know Wang Tianyou—could you announce me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gatekeeper went inside. Soon, the one who emerged was not Wang Tianyou, but the eldest son, Wang Yunzhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to his previous haughty, arrogant demeanor, Wang Yunzhi now beamed with warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed and smiled: “If it isn’t County Constable Li—welcome, please come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yunzhi stepped forward to block him: “Constable Li, if you’re my brother’s friend, you’re my friend too—please, come in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you forcing me to be your guest?” Li Lin asked, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all!” Wang Yunzhi hurriedly waved his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then step aside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yunzhi seemed about to speak, but seeing Li Lin’s impatient expression, he stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Lin’s retreating figure, Wang Yunzhi’s face twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he hadn’t found Wang Tianyou, he’d go to Tianyi Gate to find An Xin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stating his purpose to the gatekeeper of Tianyi Gate, An Xin soon emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Lin, his eyes brightened: “Brother Li, we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Lin studied his appearance: “You look exhausted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…” An Xin grimaced: “It’s unlikely. The elders guard these texts tightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin handed him the annotated manual on the Soul-Calling Paper Doll Art: “This is the token for borrowing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xin stared at the manual, stunned, then said: “I’ll ask the elders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1149,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1790f39cc82fa7c007c8696e8a347d074883ba55b117b5d4ba0e5f38ef1be947","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-198","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-196",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]