Breathing

"Shadows can become the patriarch?" Qing Chen asked, confused.

He still had no clear concept of the struggle for shadows. Before, due to the need for secrecy, he could only pretend to know everything in a muddled way.

Now, he could finally resolve many of his doubts.

He decided to ask directly!

Li Shutong knew that Qing Chen was not from the Inner World, so he explained patiently, like a teacher clarifying things for him: "It is said that the Qing Clan existed in the previous era of human civilization. Back then, shadows were just disposable pawns for the Qing Clan Group, chosen from Qing Clan descendants without any background. Their power was not as great as it is now."

"Later, a particularly talented Qing Clan shadow turned the tables. From then on, he established new rules."

"All patriarchs must have served as shadows and witnessed the dirtiest things in this world. And those who have served as shadows will be supported by the clan for life, never to be abandoned."

Qing Chen asked, "How many shadows are there?"

Li Shutong replied, "A new generation is chosen roughly every ten years. One patriarch might have been accompanied by over ten shadows."

He continued, "The medical technology of this era is already very advanced. A patriarch can live for a hundred years, some even over a hundred and fifty years. Therefore, when a patriarch abdicates, he must choose the one he most approves of from over ten shadows."

"What about the other shadows?" Qing Chen asked.

"They hand over their power," Li Shutong said, "but they can live out their remaining years in peace. Becoming a shadow not only grants the qualification to become patriarch but also a golden medal of immunity from death."

"I always find this system a bit strange. Since that Qing Clan ancestor was himself a shadow and knew the hardships of being a shadow, why did he establish this 'dog-eat-dog' system?" Qing Chen wondered.

"Oh, the rule of nine people competing for succession wasn't set by him, but by his son. It seems his son chose several shadows who were all useless, leaving him with no one capable to rely on. So, he let his subordinates compete among themselves, and the one who won would naturally be the strongest," Li Shutong explained.

"Did that Qing Clan ancestor not stop his son?" Qing Chen asked.

"In the beginning, the struggle for shadows merely involved completing tasks; whoever was more capable won," Li Shutong said. "However, over the past thousand years, the struggle for shadows has gradually changed, becoming about whoever can survive."

Qing Chen nodded. This made more sense.

The family laws set by the ancestors were an embodiment of idealism, but all ideals would gradually decay with time.

Nothing remained unchanged because people's hearts were constantly changing.

"This custom of the shadow struggle has continued ever since," Li Shutong said with a smile. "Perhaps all the Qing Clan patriarchs understand that if the Qing Clan were not ruthless, how could they establish a foothold in this Outer World?"

"That's true," Qing Chen nodded. "So, I need to be careful about my own safety now, because all nine shadow candidates want to eliminate the others."

"Yes," Li Shutong nodded. "To be honest, this time is beyond my expectations. I didn't expect someone to try to eliminate others right at the beginning. It's never been this fast before. Unless, someone feels threatened by you."

"Is it because I'm close to you?" Qing Chen analyzed. "No, no, even before I met you, the death warriors were already following me."

"Don't overthink it. You'll understand as time goes by," Li Shutong said.

"Can I withdraw from the shadow struggle? Does joining the Knights conflict with being in the Qing Clan?" Qing Chen asked.

"They don't conflict," Li Shutong shook his head. "It's just better not to let people know you've joined the Knights. Didn't you see I'm locked up here? From now on, I'll teach you at midnight, and during the day, it'll be like it is now. Also, I don't recommend you withdraw from the shadow struggle, because you haven't yet seen the extent of a shadow's power."

"Okay," Qing Chen nodded. He wasn't a person lacking courage. Since Li Shutong advised him not to withdraw, he would play along with the other candidates.

At this moment, Prison No. 18 was exceptionally spacious. Qing Chen felt uninhibited.

Li Shutong sat cross-legged on the ground, with Big Cat nestled beside him, asleep. Qing Chen also sat cross-legged opposite him.

"Do you have any more questions?" Li Shutong asked.

"I see that the standard weapons in the Inner World are still firearms. Are there any more powerful weapons?" Qing Chen asked.

"Yes, but not many," Li Shutong said. "There are small EMP grenades specifically designed for mechanical limbs, and also special weapons mounted on mechanical limbs. However, the consortium and military still primarily use firearms, and the bullets are basically made of copper."

Qing Chen was puzzled. "The Inner World's technology should be very advanced. Why are the weapons similar to those in the Outer World?"

Li Shutong smiled and said, "Because, to kill a person, one bullet is enough."

Qing Chen understood. Everyone continued to use them because they were the most cost-effective weapons, and they were sufficient.

The phrase "sufficient" was very important.

It was like how some people online said that the mirrors in the Inner World weren't as technologically advanced as imagined; besides defogging, they had no other additional functions.

This was because the mirror's function was simply that. It wasn't that the more complex the technology, the more complex the everyday items would become.

"Alright, now that the trivial matters are out of the way, let's talk about business," Li Shutong said.

"The furthest path among all the shortcuts in the world?" Qing Chen asked.

"That's right," Li Shutong nodded. "Extend your right hand."

Qing Chen spread his right hand and brought it forward. Li Shutong suddenly grabbed his wrist.

In just an instant, he felt his breathing falter. It was as if an extremely powerful mental will was controlling the rhythm of his breathing, and even the speed at which his blood flowed.

The pulse in Li Shutong's grip felt as if it had been shackled.

The next moment, Li Shutong's breathing rhythm changed. Qing Chen watched in astonishment as the man exhaled a puff of white mist, and then flame-like patterns extended from his cheek to his ear.

Qing Chen was stunned!

Everything the man was displaying completely defied common biological sense!

But before he could react, Qing Chen felt his own breathing rhythm being forcibly altered. His heartbeat, his breathing, everything felt different!

As Qing Chen breathed, it felt as if a surge of fire was rolling down his throat and spreading throughout his alveoli. The terrifying heat swept through his entire body, followed by excruciating pain!

It wasn't real heat, but a hallucination caused by inexplicable pain.

Slowly, flame-like patterns began to appear on Qing Chen's cheeks, and the pain spread along these patterns into his brain.

He wanted to break free from Li Shutong's grip on his wrists, but Ye Wan, standing beside him, calmly said, "Endure it."

Qing Chen gradually quieted down, neither struggling nor begging.

It was just like yesterday when he went through waterboarding.

Lin Xiaoxiao said, "Do you remember what I told you? Only those who have lived a life of pain can ascend to a higher level."