Chapter 10

Lin Xiaoxiao is the one who creates nightmares for Qing Chen.

This world has never been solely about mechanical civilization; it has always continued to coexist with even more mysterious civilizations.

Tonight, Lin Xiaoxiao created this nightmare entirely following the instructions of Boss Li Shutong, wanting to test what kind of person Qing Chen really is.

The current nightmare, called "The Double Ghost Dilemma," was designed by Lin Xiaoxiao to test Qing Chen's courage and stress resistance. However, he didn't expect that Qing Chen's reaction couldn't be judged by courage and stress resistance alone.

He suddenly realized that this young man would face any crisis with the most fierce and calm attitude.

At this moment, Qing Chen showed no trembling, no signs of the bravery that ordinary people display when fighting back. All that could be seen in him was calmness.

But Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't understand why, despite his attempts to stop Qing Chen from picking up the dagger, Qing Chen suddenly broke free from the nightmare's constraints.

After all, this was Lin Xiaoxiao's home turf.

At this point, Qing Chen already knew he didn't need to go upstairs to kill anyone. He spoke to the empty living room, "Lin Xiaoxiao?"

The nightmare hadn't dissipated, and Lin Xiaoxiao, dressed in a police uniform, came down the stairs with a smile. "Strange, you can remain clear-headed in this nightmare. The boss's judgment is correct; you do have many outstanding qualities."

"Why? I don't seem to have offended you," Qing Chen was puzzled.

"Because the boss values you, I need to know what kind of person you are. But it seems that the nightmare has little effect on you," Lin Xiaoxiao explained, sitting on the last step of the stairs.

"Is this your special ability?" Qing Chen asked.

"Yes," Lin Xiaoxiao shrugged. "Just like you have a photographic memory, I have my own ability. There's no need to hide it."

Qing Chen felt that this world was becoming increasingly mysterious in his mind.

The coexistence of mechanical and mystical sciences didn't make him feel afraid; instead, it made him more interested.

And what was happening now might be the reason why Li Shutong and others held such a high status in this prison.

Qing Chen wanted to explore all of this and to possess it.

Seeing that Qing Chen was deep in thought, Lin Xiaoxiao asked, "Are you from the Qing Family Group?"

Qing Chen didn't answer the question but countered, "Is it because of your guess about my identity that I'm being treated specially? Why don't the mechanical guards manage you?"

"Of course, it's because the boss is special enough that the mechanical guards don't manage us," Lin Xiaoxiao said. "You don't need to change the subject. Let's talk about your identity. Last night, I found the surveillance video of you talking to Lu Guangyi. He was sent in by the Qing Family and was eager to contact you, so I'm sure you are from the Qing Family Group."

Qing Family Group... Qing Chen noted these four words.

At this moment, he felt more relaxed.

The other party had extensive influence in the prison, and compared to him, he was like a child just learning to walk.

Since that was the case, there was no need to be too nervous.

Because, if the other party was willing to continue interacting after figuring out his situation, it meant they had their own demands.

Qing Chen sat on the tattered sofa and asked, "Since you are sure I'm from the Qing Family Group, why are you extending an olive branch?"

"Our organization doesn't care about background. As long as we share the same ideals, anyone can join," Lin Xiaoxiao said with a smile. "Of course, you have to be qualified."

Qing Chen was taken aback. Was everything the other party did actually a test to see if he was qualified to join?

He thought they wanted to cooperate with the power behind him.

"Are you trying to recruit me?" Qing Chen asked in confusion.

"I didn't say you're qualified yet. To be honest, I don't think you're the same kind of person as us," Lin Xiaoxiao said. "But the boss said that an organization needs all kinds of people—far-sighted eagles, mountain-taming tigers, and battle-ready wolves. Everyone has their use."

"What role do you play in your organization?" Qing Chen asked.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't want to answer and smiled mysteriously. "Guess?"

Qing Chen thought for a moment and said, "A donkey in the production team?"

Lin Xiaoxiao: "???"

What kind of thing is that?

Even a fish that just swims around would be better!

At this moment, Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly realized that the other party, facing this unknown nightmare and unknown self, had completely relaxed and was handling it with ease.

This young man was only 17 years old.

Lin Xiaoxiao was curious. "The Qing Family arranged for Lu Guangyi to come in with such a big fuss, and then arranged for you to come in. What do you want to do? Or what are you looking for?"

Qing Chen thought to himself, if I say I don't know why I'm here, you definitely won't believe me...

This matter... you should ask Lu Guangyi...

To be honest, Qing Chen was also considering whether he should find Lu Guangyi to understand the whole situation.

But thinking of Lu Guangyi's talkative and sycophantic manner, he felt a headache.

"It's fine if you don't want to say. I'll figure it out eventually," Lin Xiaoxiao said. "Alright, get some rest. You have to play chess with the boss tomorrow morning."

As he spoke, Qing Chen's vision went black, and he broke free from the nightmare. He slowly got up from the cell floor and lay on the cold bed, lost in thought.

He looked at the heavy alloy gate, beyond which lay a cold and mysterious world.

...

Reversion countdown: 20:59:21.

Reversion countdown: 20:59:20.

In the early morning, Li Shutong sat at the dining table as usual, quietly looking at a half-finished chess game.

It was not yet time for the prisoners to leave their cells, and the entire prison was quiet.

Lin Xiaoxiao squatted on a chair and said, "Boss, I tested him with the Double Ghost Dilemma last night. Guess what? He was ready to kill someone first... That's a lot of killing intent."

Ye Wan frowned. "I told you to go easy. Ordinary people can easily break down in the Double Ghost Dilemma."

"Don't worry," Lin Xiaoxiao said irritably. "I didn't proceed, and you don't know, that kid actually broke free from my control in the nightmare."

"Oh?" Li Shutong looked up. "I confirmed that he's just an ordinary person. For an ordinary person to break free from your control in a nightmare, that's quite special."

Even the big cat on the table, who had been resting with its eyes closed, gave Lin Xiaoxiao a strange look.

Ye Wan asked, "How did he do it?"

"I don't know," Lin Xiaoxiao shook his head.

"Maybe his willpower is strong enough," Li Shutong didn't delve into it. There were others who could break free from the nightmare's constraints, not just Qing Chen.

Lin Xiaoxiao squatted and said, "Boss, I still advise you to be cautious. Qing Chen has a lot of killing intent and isn't the same kind of person as us."

Li Shutong suddenly laughed. "We've lost so many comrades for this cause, and even the three of us are trapped in this prison. So you need to understand, Xiaoxiao, we can't respond to darkness with gentleness; we need to use fire."

As he spoke, Li Shutong's expression turned somewhat somber. "Ye Wan, bring me the harmonica."

It was almost time for breakfast, and the prison gradually became noisy. The sound of the steel beasts in the alloy gates was like boiling water in a hot pot.

But suddenly, a melodious harmonica tune echoed across the prison square, refreshing and soothing.

The prisoners gradually stopped banging on their cell doors and listened quietly, as if someone had poured clear spring water into a dry wasteland.