[{"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-83":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},2264683,4420,"Chapter 83: The Two Anomalies","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-83",83,"\u003Cp>A red-tassled spear, a small bundle containing paper figures, talismans, cinnabar, Shengxi Pills, and a few silver notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distances between villages in Yulin County were not great; Li Lin reached Pingzheng Village in only half a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Shangtikou Village, Pingzheng Village was indeed much larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And its “infrastructure” was excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The narrow paths in Shangtikou Village were all dirt roads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But walking from the village entrance of Pingzheng Village, the ground was paved entirely with good-quality blue stone slabs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly quite wealthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin’s arrival drew the attention of many villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he ignored them, instead following the density of spiritual corruption directly to the village altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There floated a pig, standing upright, with an elephant’s trunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin bowed and said: “Greetings, Zhenjun of Shendu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The anomaly drifted closer, its long snout sniffing twice before Li Lin’s face, then said: “You smell delicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin instinctively stepped back two paces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it weren’t for Liu Zhe’s sake, I’d eat you right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin raised an eyebrow—apparently the Lady was even more formidable than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the old anomaly of the Qin family, and now this long-nosed anomaly, both seemed terrified of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this anomaly appeared far more talkative than the Tree Immortal Lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask, Zhenjun, what unusual events have occurred here recently?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me suck on you twice, and I’ll tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin decided against it—the scene when Su Huafang had been drained by the Zhenjun Lingti had been too gruesome to witness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Lin had no intention of complying, the Zhenjun snorted and returned to the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin turned around and saw a group approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading them was a middle-aged man with a large belly, radiating the aura of a wealthy patriarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he drew near, he immediately bowed and asked: “Are you the Li Patrol Inspector?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s me,” Li Lin returned the bow. “Are you by chance Squire Zhao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed it is I, indeed it is I,” Squire Zhao stepped forward, speaking with great respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ushered Li Lin into his home—a five-hall mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a residence was rare even in the county seat, let alone in a village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Zhao family was immensely affluent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging pleasantries in the main hall, Li Lin held his teacup and asked: “I hear there’s been an anomaly plaguing this village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squire Zhao nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stood and said: “Please follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at the fourth hall, typically reserved for the women of the household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two maids opened the right-side side chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After you,” Squire Zhao gestured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They entered the room—it was dark, all windows shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a single oil lamp glowed dimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin also caught a faint stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a physical odor, but the stench of malevolent energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it truly was an anomaly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squire Zhao approached a bed and carefully lifted the embroidered canopy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin’s gaze shifted to the figure lying on the bed—a woman’s form, yet on her face moved a man’s face, shifting about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nose, mouth, and eyes darted up and down, as if playing hide-and-seek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin frowned—this was clearly possession by an anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squire Zhao watched with eager anticipation: “What do you think? Is she afflicted by an anomaly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary people could not see the man’s face—only Spirit Hunters could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded: “It is indeed an anomaly, but this is strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is this woman to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Spirit Hunter, he could see only the anomaly’s form, not the woman’s original appearance, nor her age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Concubine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How old?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squire Zhao chuckled awkwardly: “Twenty-one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded: “Logically, with a Zhenjun stationed here, anomalies shouldn’t be able to enter. When did this symptom first appear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About ten days ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has she been outside the village recently?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin pondered—he sensed no unusual events had occurred recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had this anomaly slipped into a village guarded by a Zhenjun?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t dwell on it; instead, he pulled a talisman from his bundle and pressed it onto the woman’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the writhing man’s face vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Li Lin would have been powerless against such a thing—but now, things were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a “Calm Mind Talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many believed the Calm Mind Talisman was meant for humans, to strengthen their will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they were wrong—it was originally designed for anomalies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was once called the “Calm Nature Talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also known as the “Fix Nature Talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, as it was used more often on humans, it became known as the Calm Mind Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All anomalies are fundamentally “natures”—this talisman can temporarily suppress weaker anomalies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that it?” Squire Zhao whispered beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head: “Not yet. We must pull out the possessing anomaly… Do you have large sheets of paper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How large?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the height of a person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squire Zhao thought a moment: “Could grass-paper or bamboo-paper do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grass-paper and bamboo-paper… were low-grade paper; though usable for writing, in wealthy households they were used for wiping one’s backside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a servant carried in a large sheet and laid it flat on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin then borrowed a pair of scissors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cut two paper figures and painted the image of the Tree Immortal Lady on them with cinnabar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin infused them with yin energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two paper figures came alive—one crouched down, gripping Li Lin’s ankle bones, the other moved behind him, massaging his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like two gentle wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squire Zhao and the servants watching this scene wore strange expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fearful, yet with a hint of envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin cleared his throat and directed the two spirit-guiding paper figures toward the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his control, both paper figures extended their “hands” and pressed against the woman’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, simultaneously, they pulled—out came a yellow, humanoid shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, a possessing anomaly, once pulled free, would be terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this anomaly hovered midair, its eyes and nose darting randomly, emitting a shrill, eerie laugh: “Hee-hee-hee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that laugh, Li Lin felt something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!” Li Lin shouted to those nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squire Zhao and the others froze, then tried to flee—but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The anomaly suddenly exploded into a cloud of yellow mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness swallowed everything; Li Lin summoned the two paper figures back to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he threw out over a dozen small paper figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These tiny figures were unaffected by the yellow mist, darting around the perimeter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Li Lin had mapped the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow mist covered a wide area—Squire Zhao and several servants had collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the woman on the bed sat up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing triumphantly in the yellow mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the small paper figure, Li Lin saw the other’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old ghost from the Qin family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not one ghost, but two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a trap set for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin found it strange—hadn’t that old ghost been eaten by the Golden Light True Lord of Feirong County?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How is she still ‘alive’?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1166,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1a81de63f6f11a3a9f84bc9ab0fc7c24f3cbc47447c839c7908b7d85d61b011d","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-84","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-82",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]