[{"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-57":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},2264657,4420,"Chapter 57: A Bamboo Basket Drawing Water","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>Li Lin continued to surveil the Qin residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched Qin Feng depart with a large group, and saw the family’s only heir, a boy named Qin Huan, pacing restlessly inside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not enter the Qin residence to cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he trailed behind Qin Feng’s group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: the Qin residence had already been ambushed once, so it would be heavily guarded—perhaps even set as a trap right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, secretly following Qin Feng to see what he intended was the wiser choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng led his large group to a narrow alley in the western part of the county, turned twice, and surrounded a civilian house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave no warning, but simply said: “Pour the firewater, burn the house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firewater, in truth, was kerosene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several barrels of foul-smelling liquid were dumped onto the house, then a lit tinder stick was thrown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small wooden house instantly erupted in flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three figures burst through the thatched roof, landing on the nearby tiled roof, each slapping away sparks from their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them was Wang Tianyou, accompanied by his three warrior retainers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin noticed Wang Tianyou’s pale complexion—he must have been injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Qin, using such underhanded tactics against a mere junior? You must be truly desperate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wretched brat, you’re about to die and still yapping? Next year at this time will be your anniversary of death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng sneered, leaping onto the adjacent rooftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several Qin family experts also leapt onto the roof, surrounding Wang Tianyou on both sides to prevent his escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Tianyou glanced around, realizing he might truly die here, and pulled a soft sword from his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does it matter if I die?” Wang Tianyou laughed. “My father has seven sons—I’m just one. He won’t mourn me. But Master Qin, you’ve lost two of your three sons, and the last one is in grave danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng narrowed his eyes: “Is the coward hiding in the shadows one of yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! I don’t know that high-level expert,” Wang Tianyou chuckled. “Master Qin, you’ve sent all your elite out—aren’t you afraid your home will be stolen again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old man isn’t that foolish to be fooled twice,” Qin Feng said coldly. “That coward who dared enter my residence is already dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Tianyou’s face darkened—his words had merely been meant to provoke Qin Feng into leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t expected his own capture was part of a scheme—to lure out another person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wang Tianyou speechless, Qin Feng waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several Qin family experts attacked, while the remaining Qin retainers formed a perimeter, blocking Wang Tianyou’s escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t strong, but they could hold off for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if they held even a moment, the Qin experts could pin the three men again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sides clashed fiercely on the rooftop, Wang Tianyou’s face growing increasingly ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his silver sword danced with dazzling silver light, appearing formidable and eerie, the Qin experts had seen soft swords before—they had countermeasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the three retainers, under the assault of multiple Qin experts, they too grew desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, numbers always held an advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the battle nearing its end, Qin Feng prepared to join and end the farce—when his body suddenly tensed, and he instinctively turned to look behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one was there, yet he felt the tension of facing a deadly foe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, what’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Qin experts asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone is watching me,” Qin Feng scanned the surroundings. “He just leaked a sliver of killing intent—I sensed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which direction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng pointed to a rooftop eave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expert immediately used a light-body technique to leap over, a great sword in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After searching the rooftop, he shook his head toward Qin Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment, every Qin expert—including Qin Feng—tensed instinctively, all staring at the same direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The qi there was drawn by dark energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a crimson-blue lightning bolt formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qin expert who had just leapt to the eave instantly retreated, face pale with panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, he moved fast enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson-blue lightning struck the eave, sending shards of stone flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thunderclap was deafening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a person had been struck, they’d likely be shattered into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, everyone saw a shadow dart toward a distant tiled roof—clearly, this person had cast the Lightning Curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coward!” Qin Feng’s eyes turned red the moment he saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His two sons had died by this man’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leapt several times toward the spot—but when he reached the rooftop, the shadow was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coward! You dare kill my Qin kin—dare show yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared, swinging his longsword wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multiple sword qi slashed through the air, shearing off eaves and smashing the roofs of poor households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the shadow had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, taking advantage of the sudden attack, Wang Tianyou and his three men broke through the encirclement and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng looked around, eyes blazing red, letting out a furious roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All his effort ended in vain—how could he not go mad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Li Lin was already far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was somewhat relieved—just now, a sword qi had whistled past his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been in stealth mode, intending to strike Qin Feng from afar by hurling a spear to aid Wang Tianyou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the instant the red frame appeared behind Qin Feng, the man reacted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin never believed stealth was invincible—Zhao Xiaohu had found him even in stealth; others might too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he always proceeded with caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That caution kept him from getting too close—otherwise, things might have gone badly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wang Tianyou break free, Li Lin exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressure is best shared—someone else bearing part of it is ideal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He landed on the street and headed to the “Paper Horse Shop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nearly evening, yet the shop was still open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper sat behind the counter, looking listless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shopkeeper, we meet again,” Li Lin entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper glared at him: “Get lost. Seeing you makes me angry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t wronged you,” Li Lin smiled. “I’m here to buy something—aren’t you open for business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper sighed: “What do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cinnabar, yellow paper, white paper, silver, scissors…” Li Lin listed a long string of items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper eyed him suspiciously: “You’ve already learned the paper effigy arts and talisman techniques?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, just practicing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper turned, gathered all the items Li Lin requested, placed them on a square cloth, and neatly wrapped them: “Eight taels of silver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A bit expensive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never cheat old or young,” the shopkeeper snorted. “These are top-grade goods—I never substitute inferior for superior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin paid, took the items, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qin Feng’s Eight-Wind Rain Sword is fast—but his forehead is his weakness. His defense there is poor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin turned, puzzled: “What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. I just suddenly thought to say it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin left, expression bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper stroked his mustache: “Could it really not be this boy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1174,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","47e3d459f8e4b2c3ff27dbf430d8449b092fdfabbdf13f34e1fbf39b1c31c6f0","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-58","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-56",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]