Chapter 44

"Only a shadow can become the head of the family?" Qingchen was puzzled.

He still had no clear concept of the shadow struggle. Previously, due to the need to avoid exposure, he could only pretend to know everything.

Now, he could finally resolve many of his doubts.

He decided to ask directly!

Uncle Lishu also knew that he was not from the Inner World, so he explained in detail, like a teacher clarifying his doubts: "It is said that during the last human civilization, the Qing family already existed. At that time, the shadows were just disposable characters in the Qing family group, specifically chosen from Qing family members with no background, and their power was not as great as it is now."

"Later, a particularly talented Qing family shadow overturned the table and became the master. From then on, he established new rules."

"All family heads must have been shadows, and they must have seen the dirtiest things in the world. Those who have been shadows are never abandoned by the family and are supported until their old age."

Qingchen asked, puzzled: "How many shadows are there?"

Uncle Lishu answered: "On average, a new generation is selected every ten years or so, and a family head may have been accompanied by over a dozen shadows."

He continued: "Medical technology in this era is very advanced, and a family head can live for a hundred years, some even up to 150 years. Therefore, when the family head steps down, they choose the one they most recognize from among the dozen or so shadows."

"What about the other shadows?" Qingchen asked.

"Hand over power," Uncle Lishu said, "but they can live out their days in peace. Once you become a shadow, you not only have the qualifications to become a family head but also a guarantee of safety."

"I always find this system a bit strange. Since that Qing family ancestor himself was a shadow and knew the hardships of being a shadow, why did he establish such a system that seems to breed competition?" Qingchen was puzzled.

"Oh, the rule of nine people competing for the position was not set by him but by his son. It seems that his son chose several shadows who were useless, and found no one useful around him, so he let the subordinates compete, and the winner would naturally be the strongest," Uncle Lishu explained.

"Did that Qing family ancestor not stop his son?" Qingchen asked.

"At first, the shadow competition was just about completing tasks, and the one with the greater ability would win," Uncle Lishu said, "but over nearly a thousand years, the shadow competition has gradually changed, and it has become a matter of who can survive to become the shadow."

Qingchen nodded, this made more sense.

The family rules set by the ancestors were an idealistic manifestation, but all ideals would gradually decay over time.

Nothing remains unchanged, because human hearts are always changing.

"Later, this tradition of the shadow competition continued," Uncle Lishu said with a smile, "perhaps the Qing family heads all understand that if the Qing family is not ruthless, how can they stand in this Inner World?"

"Indeed," Qingchen nodded, "so, I need to be careful about my safety now, because the nine shadow candidates all want to eliminate each other."

"Right," Uncle Lishu nodded, "to be honest, this time it's beyond my expectations. I didn't think someone would want to eliminate others so soon. Unless, someone feels threatened by you."

"Because I'm close to you?" Qingchen analyzed, "No, that's not right. The assassins were already following me before I met you."

"Don't overthink it, you'll know in time," Uncle Lishu said.

"Can I withdraw from the shadow competition? Is there a conflict between being in the Qing family and joining the Knights?" Qingchen asked.

"No conflict," Uncle Lishu shook his head, "but it's better if no one knows you joined the Knights. Haven't you seen that I'm locked up here? I'll teach you at midnight, and during the day, we'll act as usual. And I don't recommend you withdraw from the shadow competition because you haven't seen how much power a shadow has."

"Okay," Qingchen nodded. He was not a coward, and since Uncle Lishu said not to withdraw, he would play along with the other candidates.

At this moment, Prison No. 18 was particularly spacious, and Qingchen felt less restrained.

Uncle Lishu sat cross-legged on the ground, and the big cat was sleeping next to him. Qingchen also sat cross-legged opposite him.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Uncle Lishu asked.

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

"Yes, but not many," Uncle Lishu said, "there are small EMP grenades specifically targeting mechanical limbs, and special weapons mounted on mechanical limbs, but the military of the conglomerates still primarily uses firearms, and the bullets are mostly made of copper."

Qingchen was puzzled: "The Inner World is said to have very advanced technology, so why are the weapons similar to those in the Outer World?"

Uncle Lishu smiled, "Because, one bullet is enough to kill a person."

Qingchen understood. Everyone continues to use them because they are the most cost-effective weapons and they are sufficient.

The phrase "sufficient" is very important.

It's like how some people online say that the mirrors in the Inner World are not as technologically advanced as imagined, and they only have the function of defogging, with no other additional features.

This is because the function of a mirror is so simple. Not all daily items become more complex just because the technology is more advanced.

"Alright, let's finish the trivial matters and talk about the main things," Uncle Lishu said.

"The longest path among all the shortcuts in the world?" Qingchen asked.

"Exactly," Uncle Lishu nodded, "extend your right hand."

Qingchen extended his right hand in front of him, and suddenly, Uncle Lishu grabbed his wrist.

In just a moment, he felt his breathing pause, as if a powerful will was controlling his breathing rhythm and even the speed of his blood flow.

The pulse that Uncle Lishu held seemed to be bound by a chain.

In the next moment, Uncle Lishu's breathing rhythm changed, and Qingchen saw him exhale a white breath, followed by flame patterns extending from his cheeks to his ears.

Qingchen was stunned!

Everything the other person displayed completely violated biological common sense!

But before he could react, Qingchen felt his breathing rhythm being forcibly altered, and his heartbeat and breathing were completely different!

When he breathed, it felt as if a surge of fire was rolling into his throat and spreading to all his alveoli, the terrifying heat sweeping through his body, causing excruciating pain!

It was not real heat, but a sensation of pain.

Slowly, flame patterns also appeared on Qingchen's cheeks, and the pain spread along the patterns into his brain.

He wanted to break free from Uncle Lishu's grip, but Ye Wan, standing beside him, said calmly, "Endure it."

Qingchen gradually calmed down, not struggling or pleading.

Just like when he endured the water torture yesterday.

Lin Xiaoxiao said, "Remember what I said, a life that has experienced pain can become greater."