[{"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-99":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},2264699,4420,"Chapter 99: Fateful Convergence","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-99",99,"\u003Cp>Li Lin was the first to charge out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men across from him were resting side by side; seeing a young man leap from behind the bushes, they were instantly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they were about to demand an explanation, a spear thrust toward them, forcing them to split left and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This suited Li Lin perfectly—he feinted with his spear, creating a flurry of spear shadows that drove back the slightly heavier man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu lunged out together, joining forces against the slender man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Bu Fan excelled in short knives, while Zhao Xiaohu wielded a long spear; neither was particularly strong, but together, one close and one distant, they complemented each other well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slender man wielded a waist knife and was still quite capable; his pupils were dark gray, with faint white glimmers flickering within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu’s spear technique was well-practiced—each strike was swift—but his blood qi was weak, lacking power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time the slender man parried, he could knock the spear tip off course; logically, he should have counterattacked, but every time he did, Bai Bu Fan would rush in with his twin short knives, attacking where the man had to defend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slender man retreated step by step, yet he showed no panic—only waiting silently for an opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After blocking several more spear thrusts, the light in his eyes flared violently, as if dark energy surged forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment, Bai Bu Fan suddenly threw a cloud of white dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slender man’s eyes were locked in some technique—he could not close them, and could only watch helplessly as the white dust struck his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both large eyes were instantly coated with a thick layer of white powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He screamed in agony, dropped his waist knife, and rolled on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was quicklime—it boiled upon contact with moisture, causing unbearable pain that made the man want to gouge out his own eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu stepped forward two paces and drove his spear through the man’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man gurgled twice in his throat, then fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two killed their enemy and immediately turned to aid Li Lin—only to see him standing nearby, smiling at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short distance away, the heavy man lay slumped on the ground, blood streaming from his throat, his eyes lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu said admiringly, “Brother Li, you’re truly formidable. You took down an enemy all by yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin waved his hand, gazing at the two corpses with a touch of resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had come here to help Rongxian County track down all the Spirit Hunters and give the County Magistrate peace of mind—but now, the last two had been killed by them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still… Li Lin felt no regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone has their side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was Su Huafang or Bai Liwei, both had good relations with Li Lin—he naturally chose to help his acquaintances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t possibly side with two strangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, these two didn’t look like good people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin threw down another paper doll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it was to locate Su Huafang and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper doll darted merrily through the forest; soon, Li Lin knew exactly which way to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Lin led the two boys over a ridge, they heard shouts ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did that paper doll come from? The remaining two beasts can still use this technique? Let me destroy them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, it was Ding Yingqiu’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that voice, Zhao Xiaohu’s expression brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait! I recognize these little paper dolls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clever and mischievous—these must be Li Xunshou’s paper dolls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Bu Fan called out happily, “Uncle! Where are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that Bu Fan? We’re right here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re insane—they’ve been tracking us, and you still…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin and the two boys followed the voice and found the three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were seated on a clean platform beneath a massive rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cluster of pink paper dolls danced and wiggled their hips nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang and Bai Liwei were naturally delighted to see them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ding Yingqiu watched Li Lin with wary eyes, even a hint of hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Xunshou, you’re truly… despicable,” Ding Yingqiu sneered at him. “You claimed no interest, said you wouldn’t come—yet now you’re trailing us. These paper dolls for navigation? Impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled helplessly. “Ding Xunshou, you misunderstand. I wasn’t following you. My being here is pure coincidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang said, “I believe Li Xunshou isn’t that kind of person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With their assurance, Ding Yingqiu’s expression eased considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still remained cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin looked at all three seated in meditation and asked, “What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Poisoned,” Su Huafang sighed. “We came here intending to keep a low profile, but one of them recognized me and invited us for drinks. We didn’t realize until too late—they’d poisoned the wine. We sensed something wrong and barely escaped. Outside the wilderness, we fought them for three days and four nights—they chased us relentlessly, leaving no chance to fully purge the poison, so we’ve been suppressing it with pills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let us three guard you while you meditate to detoxify.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang and Bai Liwei immediately closed their eyes, focusing all their effort on expelling the poison with Yin methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu kept watching Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled. “If I had ill intent, you couldn’t escape now. Relax and detoxify.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu realized he was right, gritted her teeth, and began focusing her Yin energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About an hour later, the three gradually awoke from meditation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang exhaled deeply. “Finally, I feel better. But I don’t understand why those four suddenly attacked us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei snorted. “When I find those two bastards, I’ll make them wish they’d never been born.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Bu Fan added, “Uncle, those two are already dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dead? How?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Bu Fan said proudly, “Li Xunshou killed one. Myself and Xiaohu killed the other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei paused, then stood and patted Bai Bu Fan’s head. “Well done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Bu Fan beamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu stepped closer to Ding Yingqiu. “Ding Xunshou, need a hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” Ding Yingqiu stood up, staring at Li Lin. “Why are you here too? Explain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still didn’t fully trust him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin recounted the full story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang listened, then clicked his tongue. “That County Magistrate Ma is a ruthless man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin immediately understood. “You mean… Ma County Magistrate is using us to eliminate them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly,” Su Huafang chuckled. “When we broke out of the tavern, there were many bystanders. This is Ma County Magistrate’s territory—he wouldn’t have missed what happened to us. He could’ve asked any passerby and known everything. Yet he claimed ignorance, and just happened to go to Yulin County for help. Isn’t that strange? Why didn’t he go to Xingye County? It’s much closer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin stroked his smooth chin. “I think I know why they poisoned you… Maybe they assumed you three were the magistrate’s hired hunters sent to eliminate them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang pondered. “That’s possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei spat. “Damn it—we got dragged into someone else’s feud. What bad luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu, hearing this, realized she had completely misjudged Li Lin. She bowed deeply. “Li Xunshou, I was foolish and unjust to you. If you wish to strike or scold me, do so—I won’t flinch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin waved his hand. “No need. The misunderstanding is cleared. We’re colleagues now—we’ll support each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu nodded firmly. “Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Su Huafang said, “Why don’t you join us, Li Xunshou? I feel… this might be your destiny.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yingqiu and Bai Liwei looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He too felt it—some unseen force seemed to have drawn him here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1285,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","711b158bb92b4325a093154a866449658a16dc019bc0bbc5f1f6c45a2451d554","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-100","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-98",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]