New and dark light years

Chapter 454 Following cultivators is the right path

Spiritual energy is a very difficult energy to obtain; otherwise, there wouldn't be only a handful of people who can cultivate it.

So far, Li Lin knows that only he and the emperor can cultivate spiritual energy.

As for whether the president and elders of the Zhuxian Society would do it, Li Lin assumed, based on the worst-case scenario, that they would.

After all... the ability to create wine gourds imbued with spiritual energy and to distribute immortal sword techniques like 'Heavenly Purification Sand' to subordinates indicates that they possess greater knowledge.

In order to activate the Immortal Sword Technique, spiritual energy is necessary. Therefore, Li Lin guessed that these people were probably also cultivating using spiritual energy.

The difficulty in obtaining spiritual energy naturally leads to extremely high energy efficiency.

Although Li Lin only used a spear technique created by mortals, driven by spiritual energy, this spear technique displayed a spectacle unimaginable to mortals.

Even though he didn't have a spear in his hand, everyone around him saw a large spear thrusting towards him, pointing at the White Tiger's forehead.

"A mere Grandmaster level cultivator couldn't possibly produce such a phenomenon." The white tiger stuck out its enormous tongue and licked the blood that had trickled from its forehead to its nose. "There's only one possibility... you're a cultivator!"

Li Lin raised an eyebrow, smiling without saying a word.

Liu Shen didn't seem surprised at all. She had already guessed it; she was carefree, but not stupid.

Baihu looked at Liu Shen: "Sister Shen, why didn't you say so sooner?"

"Oh, you're actually calling me Sister Mirage now?"

A fawning smile actually appeared on Baihu's face: "Sister Shen, if you had known he was such a powerful expert, I would have been willing to be his dog, let alone a True Lord."

Liu Shen leaned back instinctively, looking at the other person with an incredulous expression: "You are the White Tiger."

"I am the White Tiger. The White Tiger's job is to follow cultivators." The White Tiger turned its head back and looked at Li Lin with a fawning smile, "Brother Li, I have no problem becoming a True Lord."

Li Lin looked at the white tiger and asked with some curiosity, "Why did you change your mind after you learned that I am a cultivator?"

The white tiger lay down, pressing its body as low as possible below Li Lin, before saying, "This is how we white tigers are. Although I have never met my parents, my divine soul inheritance tells me that if I encounter someone who knows or cultivates immortal arts, I should follow them. Even if I can't follow them, I shouldn't oppose them, or I will suffer the consequences."

Li Lin raised an eyebrow: "Were there many cultivators in the past?"

White Tiger shook his head: "I don't know. I only have some memories of my ancestors. Sister Shen is much older than me, so perhaps she knows."

Li Lin looked at Liu Shen.

Liu Shen also shook her head: "I can't remember many things from the past, but my older sister might know."

Li Lin sighed. The Tree Fairy Goddess was mostly asleep, and she had exhausted herself protecting him in the capital last time. He didn't want to disturb her rest for such a small matter.

Then Li Lin looked at Baihu: "Brother Hu, you are willing to become a True Lord and protect the people of this region. I thank you on behalf of the people. However, our altar has not yet been delivered, so we hope you can wait a few more days until the altar is in place and the True Lord Temple is built before we invite you to come."

"No problem, no problem." Baihu nodded repeatedly: "Once the True Lord Temple is built and the altar is set up, just have Sister Shen notify me."

Li Lin bowed to express his gratitude.

Baihu's gaze swept between the two of them before he asked, "Brother Li, Sister Shen, may I take my leave now?"

Li Lin nodded.

Liu Shen waved his hand, somewhat impatiently saying, "Let's go, let's go."

The white tiger nodded to Li Lin, and then with a few leaps, disappeared into the distant mountains and forests.

Despite its enormous size, it moves with remarkable speed and agility.

Seeing the white tiger leave, Liu Shen looked at Li Lin: "I didn't expect you to be so capable."

"They just have some ability to protect themselves."

Liu Shen chuckled and said, "You humans are quite hypocritical. If you're powerful, just admit it. What's wrong with that? By the way, I've already brought the White Tiger for you. Now you can let me absorb your blood energy, right?"

"It's okay, but..."

Li Lin looked around and saw that besides the two of them, there were other personal guards present.

Liu Shen said, "They can't see me anyway."

"But if you roll on the ground, they'll see the dust you kick up."

“Alright.” Liu Shen was also someone who listened to advice. She nodded and said, “I’ll go back to the True Lord Temple first. When you have time, come and let me absorb your blood energy.”

"no problem."

Upon seeing Li Lin agree, Liu Shen soared into the sky.

Li Lin withdrew his gaze, mounted his steed, and headed towards Tianjin.

Green Mountain Pass is not far from Tianjin; if you ride a fast horse, you can get there in half a day.

Around dusk, Li Lin arrived at the Huang residence in Tianjin.

A dozen or so guards stayed at the post station, while Li Lin stayed in the backyard of the Huang residence.

Huang Yan sat opposite Li Lin, and the person responsible for serving them tea was Huang Yan's newly acquired concubine.

A cup of tea was placed in front of Li Lin.

Li Lin clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Auntie."

"You're too kind, sir," the alluring woman said with a smile, then stood aside with the tray in her arms.

This woman had been reprimanded by Huang Yan for the matter of sending messages by carrier pigeon, which was considered a serious mistake. She thought she would be kicked out of the Huang residence, but unexpectedly, she was still able to stay here.

Moreover... now that Madam Huang has returned, but judging from the concubine's happy expression, it seems that she has not been targeted by Madam Huang.

Huang Yan looked at Li Lin and said, "You came here so late, it must be something very important."

Li Lin nodded: "I have found a new True Lord, and I hope to obtain an altar."

Huang Yan took a sip of tea and asked, "Are you really planning to build a Zhenjun Temple on every official road in Jin County?"

Li Lin nodded.

"It's not impossible, but it would be quite expensive."

Li Lin said, "What is taken from the people should be used for the people. Those wealthy merchants and gentry have made so much money; it's time to release some of it."

"You're being a bit harsh," Huang Yan said with a smile. "Those people will talk behind your back."

Li Lin said, "I will make them famous. In the future, a stone tablet will be built in front of every Zhenjun Temple. The more money you donate, the bigger your name will be engraved. The person who donates the most money will be listed at the front."

Upon hearing this, Huang Yan burst into laughter. He pointed at Li Lin and said with a helpless smile, "Your method not only makes those wealthy gentry flock to it, but also secretly puts them on the fire to roast. It's quite insidious."

Li Lin quickly replied, "I had no such thought."

"Whether you have such thoughts or not, this is a good method." At this point, Huang Yan looked at his concubine beside him and said, "Nianhua, go outside and keep watch. No one is allowed to enter without my permission, understand?"

The concubine nodded, turned around, and left.

After the concubine left, Huang Yan looked at Li Lin and asked seriously, "Now that it's just the two of us, father-in-law and son-in-law, here, are you really planning to establish your own independent regime?"

"It cannot be called separatism; it is simply building up local defenses."

Huang Yan shook his head helplessly: "With you saying that, I can rest assured."

"What does Mount Tai mean by this?"

"I have already requested a transfer from the Secretariat and I estimate that I will be leaving in one or two months."

Li Lin looked at him and asked, "Why is Taishan in such a hurry to leave?"

“With me here, you'll be constrained in many ways,” Huang Yan said with a smile. “Only when I leave will you truly be free of worries.” “But outside…”

"Don't worry, I'm out here, so I won't be implicated by you," Huang Yan said with a smile. "After all, my eldest son works under the Prince of Lu."

Li Lin was silent for a moment, then said, "It's my fault for dragging you into this."

“What’s there to implicate? Those who achieve great things don’t need to care too much about sentimentality.” Huang Yan looked at Li Lin and said seriously, “Since you’ve decided to take this path, you must be determined to see it through to the end. Your biggest weakness is that you’re too sentimental. It’s not that being sentimental is bad, but as someone in a position of power, it makes you an easy target for your enemies. Of course… those who are sentimental are more likely to win people’s hearts. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. It’s up to you to decide.”

Li Lin nodded.

Huang Yan continued, "Also, you should be careful when you secretly meet with enemy envoys in the future. Someone almost sent a secret letter to the capital."

Li Lin's eyes narrowed slightly: "Who is it?"

"I've already had the informant eliminated." Huang Yan's eyes gleamed coldly. "But there should be someone behind him. I suspect it's someone from the government army. The informant's surname is Hong and his given name is Guishan. You can investigate this yourself. The government army is your territory, so I can't interfere."

Li Lin nodded to show that he understood.

The two chatted for a while longer, then Li Lin stood up and said, "Then I'll be leaving now."

"Hmm... Take good care of Qing'er."

"Will do."

As Li Lin emerged from the backyard and stepped out of the moon archway, he saw Huang Yan's newly acquired concubine standing there.

She was still holding the wooden tray.

Seeing Li Lin come out, she smiled and said, "Is the young master about to leave?"

Li Lin clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

After he finished speaking, he prepared to leave.

But at that moment, the concubine hurried up and whispered, "Young master, wait a moment."

Li Lin turned around and looked at her with some confusion.

The concubine approached Li Lin and whispered almost in his ear, "Young master, I heard you refine a lot of youth-preserving pills and body-strengthening pills. Could you send me a few bottles?"

The two were extremely close at this moment, and Li Lin could even feel the heat from the other's body and the woman's fragrance emanating from her.

He subtly distanced himself, his movements discreet. After all, she was Huang Yan's concubine, and Li Lin didn't want to strain their relationship too much: "It's fine. I'll send someone to deliver the Youth Preservation Pill in a couple of days."

The concubine's name was Nianhua, and she was overjoyed: "Thank you very much, son-in-law."

"There's no need for that. You are an elder, so this is the least you can do to show your respect."

Li Lin then cupped his hands in greeting and left without hesitation.

Nianhua watched Li Lin's retreating figure until he was far away, then her eyes sparkled with admiration as she whispered with a smile, "So handsome!"

After Li Lin left, he went to the post station, mounted his steed, and, accompanied by his personal guards, left the city.

Although it was already night, because the Four Wonders True Lord was very powerful, and Liu Shen patrolled between Jincheng and Yulin County every day at a high intensity, there was nothing strange or eerie about the area, making it a very safe place.

Therefore, the curfew in Tianjin is not very strict.

Besides, Li Lin is a military governor; if he wants to leave the city at night, who would dare to stop him!
Li Lin, accompanied by his personal guards, sped along the official road under the moonlight, arriving at the government army camp about two hours later.

Upon seeing that it was the military governor, the guards at the gate immediately opened the door.

As soon as Li Lin entered, he saw Xiao Chunzhu running over while putting on her coat.

He bowed before Li Lin, somewhat surprised, and asked, "Sir, why have you come to the camp so late? Has something important happened?"

Li Lin nodded and said, "Have someone beat the drums to seal off the camp. No one is allowed to go out. Before the ban is lifted, anyone who dares to break out will be killed without exception."

Immediately, a personal guard ran out to relay the order.

Xiao Chunzhu's eyes sharpened; he knew something big was about to happen. He immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "My lord, I'll go back to my tent to get my weapons."

Li Lin nodded.

Xiao Chunzhu turned and left, not wanting to waste a single moment.

Li Lin returned to the commander's tent.

Although he hasn't been here for a while, everything here is very clean and spotless.

It's obvious that people come to have their cleaning services done every day.

Li Lin sat down on the black lacquered chair.

Before long, the four supervisors arrived, and Xiao Chunzhu followed. He was already a commander, and after Li Lin reorganized the army, his position would be promoted one rank.

After the five men entered, Li Lin gestured to the guards beside him.

A dozen or so guards immediately surrounded the commander's tent.

Seeing this, the four supervisors all looked somewhat nervous.

In particular, Xiao Chunzhu had a long knife tied around her waist. Normally, weapons are not allowed in the commander's tent.

Moreover, Xiao Chunzhu was Li Lin's confidante, and the other four all knew what that meant.

Li Lin's gaze swept over the four of them, carefully observing their expressions, before he smiled and said, "I came so late because I have something I need to take care of."

The five of them remained silent, listening attentively.

Li Lin continued, "A few days ago, someone in the capital intercepted a secret letter for me. It was a false accusation against me, saying that I was colluding with the Qin traitor."

Upon hearing this, the four supervisors all reacted differently.

Guo Yuan was covered in sweat, Ji Bo's eyes darted around, and although Zhang Qi and Mu Yi's expressions changed, they didn't quite understand.

Xiao Chunzhu took a step back, blocking the entrance to the command tent, while her right hand was already on the hilt of her sword.

His gaze, sharp as an ice blade, slowly swept over the backs of the four men.

Li Lin laughed and said, "I've already killed the informant. Then I investigated and found out that it was actually someone from our own military unit who sent out the secret message. Who do you think it was?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yi's forehead began to sweat.

None of the four spoke.

Li Lin was not in a hurry. He leaned back and said, "The four supervisors need not be nervous. I will not wrong an innocent person. We will know who it is in a while."

The four men then realized that Li Lin had summoned them to make it easier for someone to arrest people from among their subordinates.

At this moment, all four of them seemed a bit more nervous than before.

After all... even if you didn't do it yourself, what if you were wrongly accused or the investigation was wrong!
Such things do happen.

Li Lin closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair to rest.

The five people stood quietly, none of them speaking, only the sound of their breathing rising and falling.

I don't know how much time passed, but then I heard hurried footsteps outside.

Li Lin opened his eyes at this moment.

The four supervisors all turned around and looked at the entrance to the commander's tent.

Everyone's heart began to beat faster and faster uncontrollably.

Who is it?
(End of this chapter)