New and dark light years

Chapter 497 Dragon Qi
For scholars, the position of head constable was a very "unworthy" official post.

After all, all other pursuits are inferior, only studying is superior.

But for others, this position has a different meaning.

Although Gu Yunpeng is 'honored' as an elder of the Zhuxian Society, to be honest, being an elder in this kind of unofficial 'society' that even has a bit of a bandit-like nature doesn't really give him much prestige.

There is no future in it.

In the Immortal Execution Society, being an elder was the highest position he could attain; he couldn't very well become the Grand Master as well.

However, the situation is different within the official government system.

On the surface, he went from being an elder to a head constable, which seemed like a lower position, but his career path was suddenly opened up.
The position of constable belongs to the civil service system. If you do well, you might even become a county lieutenant, or be transferred to the local militia or prefectural army as a captain.
Neither of them is more prestigious than an elder of a society.
Moreover... this is a legitimate official position, not some shady, underworld organization.

Zeng Hongluo looked at Li Lin and asked, "Lord Li, what should be done with me?"

Before Li Lin could speak, An Xin, who was standing next to him, left.

They also dragged away Gu Yunpeng, who was kneeling.

"How insensible..."

An Xin's voice could be heard outside complaining about Gu Yunpeng.

"You're right, sir. I'm so glad you gave me this advice. I'll treat you to a drink to thank you for your guidance..."

An Xin's voice faded into the distance, but Li Lin heard it all, and his expression was quite helpless.

This is what is known as 'good intentions from subordinates,' which often leads to well-intentioned but misguided actions.

To be honest, he personally has absolutely no interest in Zeng Hongluo.

Although she was quite pretty, it wasn't enough to win him over.

As his status and power have increased, he has become increasingly picky about women.

Views on choosing a spouse have changed significantly.

I used to think that being gentle, family-oriented, and pretty was enough.

Now... he feels he can have higher expectations.

If he met Huang Qing now, the two probably wouldn't end up together.

“This intelligence is extremely important; you have done a great service.” Li Lin looked at her and asked, “What does Lady Zeng want?”

“The adults should know,” she said resentfully.

Li Lin closed his eyes for a moment and said, "Why should I know? The reward is what you want. If you can't answer, I'll give you some silver."

Seeing Li Lin feign ignorance, Zeng Hongluo's expression turned aggrieved: "My lord, why is it possible for Chu Rengong, but not for me?"

Li Lin said solemnly, "Because Chu Rengong is a concubine that my wife took in for me."

“Ah…” Zeng Hongluo was stunned.

She had always believed that Li Lin had taken Chu Rengong into his room voluntarily.

"How is this possible..." Zeng Hongluo said in bewilderment, "Why would the master's wife take the initiative to help you take a concubine!"

“Of course she has her reasons,” Li Lin said. “You should also understand that, under normal circumstances, matters of the household are decided by the legal wife.”

Zeng Hongluo fell silent. She asked, "Does Your Excellency really not want to accept me? I can do everything that Chu Rengong can do. I can also do things that she can't do."

Li Lin sighed and said, "Then I'll be frank. You are indeed very beautiful, but at most you're on par with Chu Rengong, not as good as my other three ladies. Secondly... I don't trust you completely. Instead of wasting your energy on me, you should think about what kind of reward you'd like."

Zeng Honglu stared at Li Lin, observing his expression. Then she understood, nodded and said, "What you say is very true, sir. Then I will tell you my request."

"Go ahead."

"I need a clean identity in Yulin County. Also, I need a house, not too big, just a two-courtyard house will do."

"no problem."

These are all things that money can solve.

It seems like her demands were higher, but actually, Gu Yunpeng becoming the head constable was the real reward.

Zeng Hongluo breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your reward, sir."

"I will have someone give you another hundred taels of silver," Li Lin said, waving his hand. "You may leave."

"Yes."

Zeng Honglu bowed slightly and left.

The matter of the Immortal Execution Society has come to a temporary end.

With two fewer members from the branch offices gone, the Zhuxian Society seemed to have lost interest in causing trouble for Li Lin, allowing him to enjoy a period of peace and quiet.

During this time, there are quite a few things happening outside.

When Zhang Zouzhi became the governor of Henan and Hunan, he killed a large number of officials and gentry and actually implemented the slogan of "distributing land".

The large amount of land he seized from officials and gentry was distributed to his subordinates and soldiers.

He then occupied Yucheng, raised his banner, and proclaimed himself the King of Da Shun.

When Li Lin heard the news, he was handling government affairs in the White Tiger Hall of the administrative office. He sighed helplessly, "Yu County has been taken over just like that. Zhang Zouzhi is also a capable man."

Jiang Jili stood to the side and said disdainfully, "He's just a bandit. So what if he calls himself a king? Does he know how to govern a country? Does he know how to administer the government? With him causing such a ruckus in Yu County, things will only get more chaotic. It's a pity for the people there; they'll suffer."

It must be said that Jiang Jili has a point.

After Zhang Zouzhi occupied Yu County, he was captivated by its dazzling world.

They forcibly took women from officials and gentry into their harems, indulging in debauchery and extravagance, seemingly having completely lost their former ambitions.

Li Lin then asked, "How is the situation in Xiangjun?"

“We have occupied almost all the counties in Xiangjun and have tried our best to distribute porridge,” Jiang Jili sighed. “But we were ravaged by Zhang Zouzhi’s army before, and apart from the elderly and children, there are almost no able-bodied people to be found. Although some of our people have moved there, they have not really started production. It will take at least two or three years for Xiangjun to recover its vitality.”

“Then let’s wait two or three years,” Li Lin said with a smile. “The one thing we have plenty of here is time.”

This is the truth.

Although Li Lin didn't seem to have any intention of going north, he had already occupied the three prefectures of Tianjin, Guangxi, and Hunan.

These three counties are all grain-producing areas. If managed well for three to five years, they can harvest a large amount of grain.

With provisions in place, there's no need to worry about a lack of soldiers.

Most importantly, in three to five years, Li Lin's strength will improve even further.

By then, both their personal strength and influence will have grown to a very formidable level.

“However, I think someone doesn’t want to give you time to rest and recuperate.” Jiang Jili placed another document on the table: “Our spies on the border have reported that the Tang family army in Dian County is moving around very frequently. Although they are not coming for us, if they swallow up the remaining counties in Dian County and then digest them, it will be a threat to us.”

Li Lin nodded, looking at the map on the table: "Mainly... Dian County is located at a higher elevation, making it easier for them to attack us, but it would be more troublesome for us to launch a counterattack."

Jiang Jili said, "I have an idea, and I would appreciate your decision, sir."

"Go ahead."

"When the Tang family army attacked Dian County, why don't we take Jiaozhi instead?"

"Attack the Tang family and they'll have to come to our rescue?" Li Lin asked with a smile.

"Yes."

Jiaozhi was originally the territory of the southern barbarians, and it was conquered by the Tang army decades ago. It is an important transportation hub located between Tuodi County and Dian County.

If Jiaozhi County is captured, then Tang's army will be in a very passive position.

“Besides, we don’t necessarily have to take it down. Just by making an attacking gesture, we can make the Tang family army hesitant and timid.” Li Lin looked at the map and nodded, saying, “That’s a good idea. So, who do you think is suitable to be the commander?”

"It's Tang Chun, of course!"

Li Lin asked with a smile, "Why did you choose him?"

“Since he is a surrendered general, it is now his turn to demonstrate his loyalty,” Jiang Jili said with a smile. “If he is truly loyal, he will certainly do his utmost. If he is not truly loyal, then sending troops to Jiaozhi will also sow discord between him and the Tang family.”

"Secretary Zhang, your method is putting Tang Chun in a very difficult position."

"But it will also allow him to gain the approval of the adults and us colleagues the fastest." Jiang Jili looked confident: "On the premise that he truly submits."

After thinking it over, Li Lin agreed with Jiang Jili's approach: "You will be in charge of pushing this matter forward."

Jiang Jili cupped his hands and said, "Your humble servant obeys."

Li Lin returned home from the administrative office.

Then he was surprised to find that Liu Chi had woken up and was chatting with Huang Qing, while Hong Luan stood beside them, pouring tea and water for the two of them.

When the three of them saw Li Lin return, they all stood up.

"My lord, you've worked hard." Huang Qing came up and gently patted the 'dust' off Li Lin's body.

Hongluan and Liuchi watched from the side.

Liu Chi looked at Huang Qing with a hint of envy in her eyes.

After Huang Qing finished tidying his clothes, Li Lin clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liu Chi and asked with a smile, "True Lord Liu, how are your injuries?"

"Just like my second sister, you can call me Little Chi."

Upon hearing this, Huang Qing and Hong Luan both had strange expressions, and there was even a hint of 'I knew it' in their eyes.

"Little Chi." Li Lin called out softly without any ceremony.

Liu Chi looked a little shy, but she still looked at Li Lin and said, "Li Lin, thank you so much this time. If it weren't for you, I might have died in that cave."

"You are the sister of the Tree Fairy and the Blue Scale True Monarch, which means you are half a relative of mine. It's only right that I do this, so there's no need to thank me."

"You mean, we're a family!"

Li Lin pondered for less than two breaths, then nodded emphatically: "That's exactly it."

His 'covetousness' of the Tree Fairy Goddess has never changed.

After I marry the Tree Fairy Goddess, Liu Shen and Liu Chi will both be my sisters-in-law, so we'll naturally be family.

“Okay, then I’ll come visit you guys often in the future!” Liu Chi looked at Li Lin and said, “The Zhenjun Temple has been repaired, and I have to go to ‘take up my post’.”

Then she looked at Huang Qing and said, "Sister Qing, when I come again, will you teach me embroidery?"

“Of course it’s good,” Huang Qing said with a smile.

Then Liu Chi flew into the sky and disappeared into the distance.

This Zhenjun Temple wasn't actually built for Liu Chi, but since she has a powerful backer, what's wrong with her taking over the post first?
Huang Qing withdrew her gaze and went to Li Lin's side, asking, "I never expected that Sister Chi's identity is actually a Chi dragon. You really can't tell from her appearance."

At this moment, Li Yanjing appeared.

She clung to Li Lin, saying aggrievedly, "Husband, that Chi sister is such a problem. As soon as she wakes up, I have to hide. It's so uncomfortable."

The dragon aura that the Chilong possesses is a very uncomfortable 'aura' for ordinary monsters.

Previously, when Liu Chi was asleep, the dragon aura was not obvious.

But now that her injuries have healed considerably, Li Yanjing is finding it difficult to keep up.

They could only hide inside the altar.

"It's alright. Just keep cultivating diligently. Once you become a Ghost Immortal, you won't be afraid of her anymore."

"Then I'll have to pamper myself more, my husband," Li Yanjing said with a smile. "You usually pamper the eldest wife more, and I don't even get half the favor she receives."

Huang Qing blushed immediately: "Yan Jing, do you want to receive family discipline?"

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more." Li Yanjing smiled happily.

That night, just as Li Lin was about to engage in dual cultivation with Hong Luan, he suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, husband, you have a new tattoo on your back."

Ok?
Li Lin was puzzled.

Huang Qing gently traced a line on Li Lin's back with his fingers, then said, "My lord, there is indeed a tattoo, but it's not obvious; it seems to grow from under the skin."

"What kind of tattoo!"

“A dragon.” Huang Qing’s expression was strange. “A dragon that looks like glass.”

Hongluan also wanted to see the tattooed dragon, but she couldn't break free from Li Lin's grip and could only beg for mercy with teary eyes.

Li Lin paused for a moment, then twitched the corner of his mouth.

He had some vague guesses about this matter.

The next day, he looked at the Tree Fairy floating in the air. He originally wanted to ask her about the tattoo on her back, but after thinking about it, he decided not to bother her and went to the Blue Scale True Lord Temple instead.

The incense here seems to be burning even brighter now.

When Li Lin arrived at the main hall, he neither saw Liu Shen nor Lu Ying.

Just as they were about to leave, they saw Liu Shen fly down from the sky.

She glanced at Li Lin, then crossed her arms over her waist, turned her head to the side, and snorted.

He looked extremely unhappy.

Li Lin asked with a smile, "Who made Little Mirage angry?"

Liu Shen remained silent.

Li Lin said helplessly, "Alright, since you're unhappy, I won't bother you anymore. We'll come again next time."

After saying that, Li Lin lifted his foot to leave.

At this moment, Liu Shen became anxious. She suddenly flew in front of Li Lin, put her hands on her hips, stomped her left foot a few times, and said angrily, "You know I'm angry, so why don't you try to coax me?"

How am I supposed to know you're angry if you don't say anything?

"Now you know, hurry up and coax me."

Li Lin held out his left hand: "Here's a suck for you, but don't take too much."

"I didn't mean to suck you..."

Despite saying this, Liu Shen's body still honestly absorbed a mouthful of Li Lin's blood essence.

She then rolled around on the ground for a while before standing up and saying happily, "Alright, I'll forgive you since you're so sensible. Li Lin, what brings you here?"

Li Lin then told him about the dragon tattoo on his back.

"Oh, it's nothing, that's just Third Sister's dragon energy entering your body."

Will there be any impact?

"Of course there is, but I remember it was a good thing!"

Li Lin had a vague idea of ​​what was going on, and then said, "In that case, I'm relieved. By the way, where did Junior Sister Lu go?"

"It seems she went to participate in some martial arts tournament!"

what?
Li Lin was puzzled: "Why is she, a temple keeper, getting involved in this commotion!"

(End of this chapter)