[{"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-94":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},2264694,4420,"Chapter 94: A Small Test of Skill","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-94",94,"\u003Cp>“Li Xiaolang, how is your physique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the eldest lady ask this, Hong Luan’s face turned even redder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids beside her looked over with clear interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling showed no interest at all, while Huang Qing stared at Hong Luan with wide, uncomprehending eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fidgeting for a while, Hong Luan whispered: “My lord… he is exceedingly imposing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding maids immediately shrieked, then laughed and teased each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling’s expression remained flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing, however, seemed to realize something, suddenly covering her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Huang family’s eldest lady looked at Hong Luan and smiled: “You look utterly smitten—clearly not lying. Just how imposing is this Li Xiaolang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Luan didn’t know how to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest lady, being a mother who had borne children, spoke calmly: “This is to give Qing’er some sense of what to expect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Luan glanced at Huang Qing, then lowered her head, avoiding everyone’s gaze, and whispered: “Last night… it hurt at first, then I felt as if I’d floated into the clouds, lost all sense of the world, and when I woke, it was already noon the next day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids listening nearby shrieked with excitement, only calming down after a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest lady chuckled: “Looks like both of you are blessed. Li Xiaolang is handsome and has inner depth—you’ve struck gold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, both Huang Qing and Hong Luan were too embarrassed to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ling said nothing, her face still expressionless, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we must have your husband pick a date.” The eldest lady paused, then asked: “Hong Luan, have you seen any other women in Li Xiaolang’s new residence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are a few maids like me, but I can tell my lord has no interest in them, and they’re not pretty either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest lady nodded: “Then no problem. Qing’er!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing looked up at her mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now rest easy and prepare for your wedding. The rest will be handled by your father and your elder brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin was now in the back courtyard of the county government office, facing the Huang father and son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In about four months, I’ll be transferred to Jincheng. The new County Magistrate of Yulin hasn’t been appointed yet.” Huang Yan regarded Li Lin gently: “But don’t worry—as long as I’m in Jincheng, no one in any town or county under my jurisdiction will give you trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin bowed slightly to show he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After my transfer, my family and I will leave. The Huang residence will be empty—you may move in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, I already have a house,” Li Lin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter. You may live wherever you wish. That residence will be one of Qing’er’s dowry items.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder they were a wealthy family—such a prime, five-hall residence, given away as if it were nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re alone in the world, and I know you’ll hardly contact your family again. So if your elders wish to propose or arrange a betrothal, I’ll send someone to handle it for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin felt nothing unusual about the house being given.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when it came to rituals and ceremonies, he knew nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him, having his future father-in-law take care of all this was a true lifesaver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the larger the family, the more complex the ancestral rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qi’er, take him around now to familiarize him with each department.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qi stood up smiling: “Come on, Kun’ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two left the back courtyard and headed straight for the government office’s various offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The County Constable holds dual responsibilities of patrol and criminal investigation, so he oversees both the Military and Judicial departments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the County Magistrate, in terms of real power, the County Constable is the second most powerful man in the county.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Military Department, Chief Shi sat sipping tea. Seeing Huang Qi and Li Lin arrive, he immediately rose and bowed with a smile: “County Constable… Li Xunshou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qi laughed: “I’ve brought Kun’ge to get him acquainted. Chief Shi, carry on as you please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Chief Shi’s smile grew strained; his gaze toward Li Lin held unmistakable envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew well—he would never get the County Constable position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qi sat in the main seat and pointed to the shelves around him: “The Military Department is my favorite place to work—Judicial is too gloomy. Since I often work here, I’ve moved all the old and unsolved cases from Judicial here. If you’re interested and have time, try solving a few.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Huang Qi turned to the side and asked: “Chief Shi, have there been any notable cases logged in the last two days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is one.” Shi Gandang glanced at Li Lin, then continued: “In a household south of the county, a woman has been missing for three days. Suspected to be the work of a wraith.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qi smiled: “This is precisely the kind of case Kun’ge excels at.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then called out: “Zhao Feng, come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man with a long sword at his waist entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Xunshou, you’ve met him before,” Huang Qi said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Feng immediately bowed deeply: “Of course. I’ve wanted to speak with you many times, but never had the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, you’ll serve under Kun’ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Feng paused, then gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Chief Shi had brought over the case file and handed it to Li Lin: “Li Xunshou, the case documents are here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin took it, studied it briefly, then said: “I’ll go take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qi smiled: “Good. Getting familiar early is wise. I’m confident you’ll handle this well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin then left the government office, followed by over a dozen government office runners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Feng, as deputy chief, could summon government office runners with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon they arrived at the household in the southern county.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a small three-room house with a tiny courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin and his men knocked. Soon, a gaunt man emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask, sir… are you here about my wife’s case?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally, you’ve come!” The man nearly wept: “My wife vanished. Her family comes daily, accusing me of killing her—but how could I kill my own wife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t panic. Let us investigate first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stepped aside immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin turned to Zhao Feng: “Search the house. Look for bloodstains, drag marks, or anything unusual. In terms of investigative experience, you’re far more skilled than I am. I appreciate your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Feng and the government office runners stared at Li Lin, surprised—this future County Constable seemed unusually approachable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More so than the current County Constable Huang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dozen or so government office runners quickly began searching the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men clearly had experience—they examined even the tiniest details meticulously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since Li Lin was the future County Constable, they worked extra hard to earn his favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, his three-year-old child, a half-year-old infant, and an elderly man were all moved outside the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They watched helplessly as their belongings were rummaged through, tense and anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about half an hour of searching, they finally found something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the firewood pile of the kitchen, several dried bloodstains were discovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin grunted: “In the territory guarded by the True Lord, wraiths don’t commit crimes so freely. Expand the search from this house. Killing is easy; disposing of a body is hard. There must be traces. If you need more hands, send for additional government office runners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more hours passed; as dusk fell, one government office runner cried out excitedly: “Found it! Found it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone rushed over. Beside the vegetable patch behind the house, they had dug up a corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman’s corpse—naked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man rushed forward, wailing: “My wife! How could you be buried in the dirt… I’d rather you’d run off with some vagrant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced at the elderly man trembling beside him: “Incest. Take him away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1346,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0bb4337f85a272439f8494aa65e5997ddf10a91d94fd0924532084877d5c328a","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-95","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-93",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]