Chapter 205: Let the Squire Keep It

People are like this: once they harbor even a slight doubt about something, that doubt grows ever larger, clinging to them like a shadow.

Soon, Ji Feng’s thoughts spread out.

Rumor has it that the Linglong Jade Box was a reward from the Prince of Qin to one of his high-ranking officials.

To people of the martial world, a County Commandant is already considered a high official, let alone Qin Donglai, who is the Military Inspector.

Someone who commands thousands of troops—what else could he be but a high official!

That high official was defeated and captured; his family was almost entirely executed, leaving only a concubine who fled with her young son.

And that Linglong Jade Box is the Qin family’s only hope for a future revival.

Martial sects never lack cultivation manuals, but they lack divine weapons and artifacts.

Thus, upon hearing this news, they flocked here en masse.

Ji Feng was no different.

He walked very slowly, as if an old man taking a stroll.

Just as he was about to leave this street, he heard a woman’s voice from behind.

“Xiao Hua, come back quickly.”

A woman and a little boy.

Matched.

As for the additional young man, it was not strange at all.

These martial folk have searched for over ten days across Yue Commandery, and besides the Yue Prince’s mansion, they’ve scoured nearly every other place.

So… they won’t let this “accident” go uninvestigated.

At least Ji Feng won’t. Since investigating wouldn’t take much time, he might as well try—what if they’re the ones?

Ji Feng quickened his pace and soon returned to the inn.

His wife came forward and asked, “How did it go?”

“That young Li has something suspicious,” he said, squinting softly: “But I’m not certain yet. I’ll test him again tonight.”

Meanwhile, Li Lin was rushing to make paper dolls.

His paper doll technique had already reached the peak stage.

He often took time to practice it specifically, since this ability, though seemingly lacking in direct lethality, possessed a “mechanism” that could serve one’s entire life.

After crafting another large paper doll, Li Lin drew a strange symbol on its back, then set it aside.

“Take a break, have something to eat,” Zhou Qingqing placed a bowl of preserved pork congee on the table: “You haven’t eaten in nearly a day.”

Li Lin was indeed hungry. He picked up the large bowl, blew on it, and slowly began to drink the congee.

To be fair, Zhou Qingqing’s cooking was quite good.

The congee was fragrant—rich with the aroma of rice, yet retaining the flavor of the preserved pork without being overly greasy.

“You seem quite virtuous—why doesn’t Qin Donglai treat you well?” Li Lin asked curiously.

“Perhaps because I gave birth to three children, then gave them all away,” Zhou Qingqing replied, her expression pained: “He probably thinks I’m heartless. But I had no choice—I couldn’t let three children grow up in a brothel.”

So that was it.

Li Lin understood.

“But you, Squire… why make such a gentleman’s agreement with Qin Donglai?” Zhou Qingqing asked curiously: “He never speaks the truth.”

Li Lin smiled: “When a man is near death, his words turn kind. Besides, he’s acting for his bloodline—I believe his agreement with me is sincere.”

Zhou Qingqing sighed softly: “I thought that after leaving the brothel and faithfully upholding womanly virtue for seven or eight years, I’d earn a peaceful end. But I never imagined I’d still be harmed by Qin family people.”

“This has nothing to do with Qin Donglai,” Li Lin said.

“I know,” Zhou Qingqing’s eyes flickered: “My husband still cares for his bloodline—he sent you here, and I’m already grateful. As for fulfilling his duty as a father…”

Li Lin shook his head helplessly.

He wouldn’t judge other people’s family affairs.

So he finished the preserved pork congee and resumed making paper dolls.

Zhou Qingqing cleared the bowls, drank some congee herself with her son, then went to the courtyard to wash dishes and clothes.

She brought a small stool and slowly scrubbed the clothes. Unintentionally, she noticed tiny paper dolls occasionally peeking out from the dark corners of the yard, then vanishing again.

She had once feared these little paper dolls, but now the more she watched, the cuter they seemed—and the safer she felt.

If her son could learn such an art, even if he never rose to greatness, at least he’d never lack food or clothing.

Could she ask this Squire Li to teach her son?

Zhou Qingqing began pondering this idea.

Inside the room, Li Lin counted the paper dolls he’d made. He felt he had enough “people,” and now began preparing other things.

Like horses, and a sedan chair.

But he was tired now, and his spiritual energy was low, so he sat cross-legged on the bed to recover.

Too bad this wasn’t his home, with a small spiritual vein—the rate of spiritual energy recovery was painfully slow.

Time passed quickly. Zhou Qingqing finished washing clothes and returned to the room.

Her son was already asleep inside. She glanced at Li Lin, sitting cross-legged, dared not disturb him, closed the door, blew out the candle, then returned to the central room, lay down fully clothed, and fell asleep.

Soon, it was deep night.

Li Lin suddenly opened his eyes.

Slowly, he took the Shengxi Pill from his clothing and swallowed it.

Then he got up, stepped quietly to the bed, and took the red tassel spear in hand.

His gaze fixed on a certain direction—as if he could see through the walls.

Then his head turned, his gaze lifted, finally resting on the ceiling.

Finally, he smiled, leapt up sharply, and thrust his spear forward.

The spear tip moved like lightning, piercing straight through the ceiling.

A crash rang out, followed by a muffled groan.

Li Lin withdrew the spear. A streak of blood clung to its tip.

He landed on the ground, immediately flung open the window, and leapt out.

Outside, he saw a black-clad figure leaping across rooftops ahead, vanishing swiftly into the night.

Zhou Qingqing woke at the noise.

But she didn’t rush out of her room—she called out: “Squire, what happened?”

“A petty thief showed up. I scared him off.”

Zhou Qingqing exhaled in relief, said nothing more, and lay back down fully clothed.

Li Lin looked at the small hole in the ceiling and shook his head helplessly.

He had no time to repair it—he could only hope it wouldn’t rain in the next two days.

Then he returned to bed and sat cross-legged again.

Soon, it was the next morning.

Li Lin heard footsteps stop before him. He opened his eyes.

Standing before him was Zhou Qingqing, holding in both hands a five-colored, shimmering, rod-like object.

Li Lin blinked. “Divine Bone?”

“Yes!” Zhou Qingqing nodded: “This object serves no purpose with me—let me give it to you, Squire Li. It’ll end up in your hands anyway.”

Li Lin didn’t take it. Instead, he asked: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll take this and abandon you and your son?”

Zhou Qingqing smiled: “If you truly wanted to seize it, Squire Li, you could have taken it already—I and Xiao Hua have no power to stop you. Better to keep it with you than with us. At least if something happens later, you’ll have the object—and won’t leave empty-handed.”

Li Lin looked into her eyes.

Zhou Qingqing’s expression was utterly open.

“Fine, I’ll take it for now,” Li Lin reached for the object. He was about to give her a firm promise when he suddenly said, “Huh?”

Zhou Qingqing tensed: “Is something wrong with it?”

“No!” Li Lin smiled: “Our chances of leaving here safely just increased.”

Zhou Qingqing’s face brightened instantly: “Really?”

(End of Chapter)