[{"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-201":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},2264801,4420,"Chapter 201: The Vanished Zhou Qingqing","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-201",201,"\u003Cp>Li Lin arrived at Yuecheng’s “Flower Market Street,” where private brothels clustered thickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Government-run brothels were called \"Te Fang,\" accessible only to true high-ranking nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Qin Donglai, his concubine lived in a small alley south of Flower Market Street, in a two-courtyard house named Zhou Qingqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin went to this area to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After asking several neighbors in the alley, one person finally knew who Zhou Qingqing was and said: “That Zhou Qingqing sold her house and moved away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did she move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A month ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin calculated the time—it must have been shortly after Qin Donglai was captured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant… Zhou Qingqing knew Qin Donglai had been seized and fled immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That reaction speed was too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin asked again: “Do you know where she went?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The passerby shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about her son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The passerby still shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin inquired for a long time around the area but found no one who knew where Zhou Qingqing had gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin was left helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… Zhou Qingqing seemed to have something going on—she vanished all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, she had deliberately hidden her trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she sensed something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After searching the area for a while without success, Li Lin returned to the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he entered the hall, he found it even more crowded, and most of the people were martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he stepped in, over a dozen pairs of eyes turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin frowned—he sensed something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Qin Prince’s call for talented men attracted martial artists, it shouldn’t draw this many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was only one inn; other inns must be just as packed with martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Lin dressed as a scholar, most gazes withdrew, but a few remained fixed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half of those were women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin ignored them and walked straight through the hall, up the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, Li Lin sensed a tense, sword-drawn atmosphere among the martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin returned to his room and took out yellow paper and cinnabar from his satchel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These items were mixed with brushes and inkstones; the soldiers hadn’t inspected them closely upon entry, and even if they had, these things weren’t illegal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, over a dozen small paper figures were drawn; under the influence of spiritual energy, they slowly turned pink-purple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper figures came alive, hopping and darting wildly around the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several quickly dragged out small insects from the room, pushed them together, and crushed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin summoned the paper figures for safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many martial artists below, having them on guard let him sleep well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, tomorrow he could use the paper figures to search for Zhou Qingqing—but first, he needed her portrait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the paper figures couldn’t track her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to sleep, a light knock came at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dozen paper figures instantly vanished—some hid in the door crack, others under the bed, some clung to the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is it?” Li Lin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingcheng Sect, Qingshan Swordman Ji Feng. I wish to speak with the young hero.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin did not open the door; instead, he stepped back two paces, away from it, and asked: “I don’t know Ji Daxia. We have nothing to discuss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, silence lingered before the voice replied: “You’re not a martial artist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why come to Yuecheng, this place of trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said: “The call for talented men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see. Our misunderstanding. Apologies for the disturbance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps faded slowly, growing fainter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nearly midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin blew out the candle, lay down fully clothed on the bed, and closed his eyes to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several paper figures slipped out through the door crack under cover of night, watching the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more climbed to the window, placing the surrounding area under surveillance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant, if anyone approached the door or window, Li Lin would know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire night passed without disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin barely slept well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he awoke, he washed up casually and went downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main hall was much less crowded than last night—many were still resting in their rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin ordered congee with meat and asked the innkeeper: “What’s really happening here? Even the Qin Prince’s call for talented men couldn’t draw this many martial artists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The innkeeper couldn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a middle-aged man walked over, bowed, and smiled: “Young hero, may I sit and speak with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your voice sounds familiar,” Li Lin frowned at him. “Ji Daxia from last night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded: “Yes, it’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin sighed: “Sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.” Ji Feng sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin studied Ji Feng—the man’s appearance was unremarkable, yet he carried an air of authority, clearly someone accustomed to command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young hero, I can tell—you’re not here for the Linglong Jade Box.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Linglong Jade Box?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng stroked his long beard and smiled: “You’re clearly not here for the Linglong Jade Box. Then you shouldn’t stay—otherwise, trouble will come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, people upstairs began descending, in small groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced around at the martial artists and nodded: “Understood. Thank you for the warning, Ji Daxia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Li Lin rose and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no reason to compete with these martial artists over the Linglong Jade Box—his sole goal was to find Zhou Qingqing first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the inn, Li Lin led his steed and visited several other inns—all were packed with people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no other option, he went to a brothel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a high-end establishment; ordinary martial artists couldn’t afford to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they had little money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it’s said “the poor study, the rich train,” martial artists’ “wealth” was merely modest comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brothels were true money pits—martial artists might visit occasionally but could never stay long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin handed his steed to the eunuch and stepped inside, immediately surrounded by three scantily clad women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, this young master is so handsome! A new face!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, have you chosen someone? Why not me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, I’ll give you half price…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More women turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced around and said: “I’m only here to rent a room. I don’t need company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who comes to a brothel just to sleep without pleasure?” one woman scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said: “I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter erupted around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three women pulled Li Lin to a table and sat him down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the madam approached, shooed the women away, and looked at Li Lin: “Were you driven here by those martial killers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh… lately, this Linglong Jade Box business has drawn more and more killers. It’s become unbearable—people keep dying violently at night, murdered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin wasn’t interested in that. He asked: “I heard you once had a girl named Zhou Qingqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Donglai had told him Zhou Qingqing was a girl he had bought out of this brothel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her first three sons were fathered by different patrons; after birth, she gave them away—cold-hearted indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madam paused: “You’re…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a friend who was her husband. He met with misfortune and, before dying, entrusted me to care for his son,” Li Lin said slowly. “But when I went looking, I found Zhou Qingqing had moved. My friend’s son vanished too, so I came to ask—do you know where she went?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madam sighed: “She ended up a widow. We don’t know where she went. She bought her freedom, escaped the sea of suffering, and naturally had no desire to maintain any ties with us lowly folk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have her portrait?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a portrait, Li Lin could send the paper figures to search.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin was slightly disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then the madam said, 'But we can draw you one—just this money...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No problem. Ten taels of silver for one painting, how about that?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'My lord is truly generous,' the madam laughed, her eyes nearly closing: 'I’ll draw it for you right away.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1326,"2026-06-19T19:39:19.696Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","76175faa04776d6ea59ed0f704c659324b9d7569d37de7f2ebad759b20adeba2","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-202","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-200",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]