[{"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-221":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Dark and Dawn Light-Years",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":12,"novelImage":21},{"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},2264821,4420,"Chapter 221: Something Is Amiss","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-221",221,"\u003Cp>Li Xingzong was thrown into prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dead Lingxiao Sect disciple had been buried by Xiao Chunzhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The injured ones were taken by him to the clinic for treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chunzhu stood beside them, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One disciple couldn’t help asking: “Brother Xiao, why did you suddenly turn on us… Is being an official really that good? Can it make you forget brotherhood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears filled every disciple’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chunzhu sighed: “Because this is the only path left for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, he severed all ties with the Lingxiao Sect—no reconciliation possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon Li Lin heard of it. He sat in the military office and summoned Xiao Chunzhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard about your affairs. You’ve worked hard lately,” Li Lin smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chunzhu bowed deeply: “It is my duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s an opening for Deputy Commander in the prefectural army. Would you like to take it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chunzhu rejoiced, knelt, and kowtowed: “I am willing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy Commander is a nominal post with no real authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… it is a path upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Li Lin was now preparing to promote him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And compared to Constable, Deputy Commander is a proper official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninth rank… but still an official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then take the document and report in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin stamped the yellow paper and pushed it forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chunzhu rose, gripping the document tightly, trembling with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, he was an official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many people have spent their lives longing for this document, this seal, never to obtain it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he calmed down and asked: “Yet the number of martial artists in the realm keeps growing—how do you plan to handle them? Perhaps I should delay my posting…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. I have my own way to deal with the martial artists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chunzhu nodded and withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin reviewed the case files in the military office, found nothing requiring his attention, and rose to go to the prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong of the Lingxiao Sect sat on a moldy straw pile, wearing a tattered prisoner’s robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Lin entered, the jailer immediately brought a clean chair and placed it before the bars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin sat down and gazed ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong looked at Li Lin and said: “No wonder they call you Paper Young Master—you’re as handsome as the rumors say, even more beautiful than a woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin raised his eyes: “Are you trying to provoke me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin continued: “I read the official report of Xiao Chunzhu’s arrest of you. I noticed you seemed to have allowed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t understand what the County Magistrate means.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You let Xiao Chunzhu capture you on purpose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong narrowed his eyes but remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are people saying about me in the martial world now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong said: “They say you… seduced a woman with your looks, took the Linglong Jade Box from her, then abandoned her and returned here to Yulin County.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did this rumor start?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong shook his head: “The entire martial world is spreading it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “I can guess who it is… Fomen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong stared at Li Lin, puzzled—he didn’t see how this connected to Fomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin thought: That night, many martial artists escaped. Logically, the whole martial world should already know Fomen’s plan. But from Li Xingzong’s expression, it seemed the truth had been suppressed—he didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was controlling public opinion in the martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely Fomen—they’ve always been skilled at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget about Fomen for now,” Li Lin clapped his hands. “Let’s talk about you, Master Li—why did you let yourself be captured?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong said coolly: “A dozen archers and a dozen constables with waist knives—I wouldn’t dare move. I wasn’t deliberately captured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head: “Besides your Lingxiao Sect, Xiao Chunzhu arrested many other martial artists—but not in this prison. Their common trait? They were all easy to capture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingzong’s expression changed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his reaction, Li Lin already knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and left the prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time he went straight home and ordered his steward to deliver a letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon the next day, Li Lin hosted a banquet at Fugui Restaurant, inviting every Spirit Hunter in Yulin County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zhiwei and his nephew, Ding Yingqiu, Zhao Xiaohu, Yan Han, even He Yumao came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They greeted Li Lin warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zhiwei raised his cup: “Director Li, I toast you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drained it in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others followed suit. Li Lin returned the toast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few cups, the atmosphere grew lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said: “Many martial artists have come to the county lately. You all know this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also knew these people seemed to be targeting Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu, young and drunk, his face flushed: “Lin Ge, should I help you deal with them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term “Lin Ge” stirred envy in the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Li Lin was now County Magistrate and Commander of the Military Forces—their superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Bai Zhiwei now had to address him by title, no longer calling him “Li Xunshou” as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Xiaohu could still say “Lin Ge”—proving their bond was genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu watched Zhao Xiaohu with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head: “These martial artists are still behaving for now. But I sense something off about their backers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin continued: “I invited you here to ask for your help investigating the outskirts of Yulin County—look for anything unusual, like hidden bases set up outside the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are Wild Wraiths out there—how could they set up bases?” Zhao Xiaohu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said: “The True Lord isn’t fully controlled by the government. At least three or five factions still hold altars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu understood. She said: “Fine. I’ll investigate with Xiaohu for a few days. If we find anything, I’ll tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others gave similar assurances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin bowed, grateful: “Whether you find anything or not, I owe you all a favor. Come to me if you ever need help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An official’s favor—who wouldn’t want it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they ate and drank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu ate the most—nearly a third of the food and drink vanished into his stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu sat beside him like an elder sister, urging him not to eat so much or he’d get sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu immediately stopped drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them “show affection,” Li Lin thought of something and asked: “Ding Xunshou, when are you two getting married?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu blushed deeply and lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu blushed too, but scratched his head and grinned: “Soon. After spring, we’ll pick a festival for the wedding—will notify everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone bowed and offered congratulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the feast ended, they dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin returned home to find a familiar figure waiting at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Wang Tianyou, Master Wang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1147,"2026-06-19T19:39:19.696Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c0d1bd053e3e277b0565aeb79e4d9ecc57cd40c789481ebf4a2ffc2f8d0b16b1",null,"dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-220","https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]