Naming Technique of the Night

Chapter 268 211. Set traps for the candidates

Qing Chen didnʼt know what tasks had been involved in past Shadow Clashes, he just felt it strange that all the candidates were suddenly heading to City No. 18.

According to the information he had, Qingʼs Bloodline was scattered across nine cities, with factions engaging in constant intrigue and rarely gathering together.

It was only for the Clanʼs grand meeting, which occurred every four years, that everyone would converge in City No. 10... the political heart of the Federation.

But whatever the case, this intel was crucial for Qing Chen.

For the upcoming Shadow Clash, he would have to rely on himself.

And this chat group might provide him with a lot of useful information in the future.

It seemed that Li Si, this Time Traveler, must also have connections with Qingʼs Family, otherwise he wouldnʼt be so concerned about the Shadow Clash.

In the chat group, Li Si asked, ”Is the gathering of candidates in City No. 18 related to the Lee family? Why?”

Chuang Wang replied, ”Donʼt you know? The old man from the Lee family isnʼt going to last much longer. His residence in District 1, Half-Mountain Villa, has been under sudden martial law three times in the past two months, and thereʼs a medical team thatʼs become a permanent fixture there. From all indications, the Lee family is about to enter a period of chaos.”

Chuang Wang continued, ”When a corporation undergoes a power transition, thereʼs always a host of problems. Qingʼs Family has its Nine Dragons power struggle, and the Lee family is no different. The most likely successor now is the Liʼs Big Room. But rest assured, the others wonʼt just sit by idly.”

”But why are Qingʼs shadow candidates getting involved in the Lee familyʼs affairs?” asked Li Si, still puzzled.

”Qingʼs historial shadows are most notorious for their underhanded tactics,” explained Chuang Wang. ”You think these underhanded means involve running out on the street to brick someone in the face? Of course not. These so-called underhanded tactics involve espionage, alliances, and betrayal. In other words, the shadows have control over all foreign affairs. So, I suspect Qingʼs second round of tasks might have something to do with the Lee familyʼs power transition. Perhaps it involves quietly choosing someone from the Lee family to support. That way, when the Lee family changes hands, Qingʼs next generation of shadows can maintain a close relationship with them. Ha, just a thought, take it as you will.”

Contemplating, Qing Chen found Chuang Wangʼs speculation quite plausible.

At that moment, he took Nan Gengchenʼs phone and sent a message to the group.

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A little duck: ”I heard that the first task in the Shadow Clash requires everyone to successfully obtain a Taboo. Is that so?”

Chuang Wang happily replied, ”Little Duck Brother is well-informed. Thatʼs right. Previously, Qing Huai entered Taboo Land No. 002 as part of a task to retrieve a Taboo named Snake of Trickery, ACE-003.”

Qing Chen slowly typed, ”So, that means every Shadow Candidate must have a Taboo on them. If we rob them, could we not get their Taboos? How about we join forces? Each Taboo has incredibly powerful effects; they are the cornerstone for establishing oneself in the Inner World.”

Nan Gengchen, who knew Qing Chen was a Shadow Candidate, watched him send this message and immediately hailed him as an expert!

This wasnʼt just a desire to steal Taboos; it was clearly an attempt to incite othersʼ greed for the Taboos, thereby smoothing out his own path in the Shadow Clash!

That was Qing Chenʼs real purpose for suddenly joining the chat!

Previously, he had baited the holder of the Devilʼs Stamp.

This time, he had baited the Shadow Candidates.

Qing Chen was either tricking people or on his way to trick someone. Nan Gengchen looked on with respect; perhaps only such a person was best suited to survive in harsh environments.

The chat group suddenly quieted down as everyone seemed to ponder deeply about the Taboos.

As Qing Chen thought about how to steer the conversation, Chuang Wang suddenly chimed in, ”Hehe, about Little Duck Brotherʼs suggestion, I gave it some thought and itʼs not a bad idea. At least, I can provide two pieces of information: some of the shadow candidates heading to City No. 18 have no foundation there whatsoever.”

”Moreover, since they are participating in a Shadow Clash, they naturally have to fight each other, and we Time Travelers can just sit back and watch the rivalry. Friendly reminder, rumor has it that one of the shadow candidates has two Taboos on them.”

With those words, Chuang Wang undoubtedly pushed everyoneʼs emotions to a new height.

Taboos.

There were known to be just over three hundred Taboos in total, and most were still missing. Qingʼs shadow candidates could leverage Qingʼs powerful information network to relocate lost Taboos, but the Time Travelers werenʼt as capable.

Therefore, pillaging would be a shortcut.

The Shadow Clash is a path of struggle; isnʼt there also competition amongst Time Travelers?

After all, itʼs just a more populous Shadow Clash, no less bloody than Qingʼs own Shadow Clashes.

Many have already felt the strangeness of Taboos, like the Devilʼs Stamp, a functional Taboo that, despite its lack of significant combat support capabilities, is equally mysterious.

To those newly acquainted with mysticism, such an item is irresistibly attractive.

Qing Chen sent another message, ”But I think itʼs safer to work together.”

But then, Lu Ya sent a message to the group, ”Thereʼs no need for an alliance, letʼs just rely on our own skills.”

Qing Chen sighed in relief, it didnʼt matter if they truly formed an alliance or not, he could never team up with these strangers.

All that was necessary was to establish some enemies for the other Shadow Candidates.

As he looked up, he caught Li Tongyun and Nan Gengchen staring at him blankly.

”Qing Chen, brother, youʼre too crafty,” the young girl said.

Qing Chen picked up on a telling detail, Li Tongyun said he was too crafty.

If she were an outsider, unaware of his status as a Shadow Candidate, she would at most believe he coveted the Taboo, but only those aware of his identity would understand that he planned to set the wolf to deal with the tiger!

Qing Chen looked thoughtfully at Li Tongyun, only to see the young girl suddenly cover her mouth: ”Oops, I revealed too much.”

”When did you confirm my identity? Through what clue?” Qing Chen asked curiously.

Li Tongyun replied sweetly, ”No need for any clues. After all that has happened, even online there are people speculating whether Liu Dezhu might have a boss behind him. I figured if someone was silently controlling everything, it had to be you. Only Qing Chen brother has the ability. So, Iʼve been certain of your identity for a long time, Qing Chen brother is the best!”

Qing Chen was astonished; many were seeking clues to unearth his true identity, yet Li Tongyun used unquestioning trust and admiration to directly deduce it.

Then, Qing Chen said to him, ”Xiao Nan, now that you two have revealed your identities to each other, from now on, youʼll be partners in the Inner World. Try to support each other, and if youʼre unsure about anything, you can always ask XiaoTongyun...”

Nan Gengchen listened on the side, feeling more and more that something was amiss...

Qing Chen turned to Li Tongyun: ”How is the situation with the old master of the Li family? Is it really that bad?”

”Yes,” Li Tongyun nodded: ”I went to see him three days ago. He was in good spirits at that time, but I overheard from the servants at Banshan Manor that he had fallen into a coma before, and it was not easy to resuscitate him. These days, there have been people continuously coming in and out of Banshan Manor, and members of the Li family from the Federal Groupʼs military are being summoned individually. It must be Grandpa Li arranging his affairs. The servants say heʼs still holding on, simply because there are still matters unsettled.”

”Who in the Li family is most likely to take over the reins of power now?” Qing Chen inquired.

”During the internal meetings, I only had the right to listen. I could only sit quietly in the corner without the ability to observe everyoneʼs expressions and nuances,” Li Tongyun said: ”For now, Liʼs Big Room looks the most overbearing in the meetings, as if they have the situation well in hand. But I donʼt think itʼs that simple. The dog that bites doesnʼt bark. My old butler said that thereʼs trouble brewing in City 18, and many will die in the coming times.”

Qing Chen nodded. In the Inner World, the heads of powerful corporations were no different from emperors. How many dynasties in history had managed a peaceful transition of power?

Thus, the old butler was right; many in City 18 would die soon.

Many people in the world think that the struggle for Qingʼs shadow is a cruel process, and also foolish.

After all, the battle for the shadow that occurs every few years always results in the sacrifice of several outstanding young members of the family, making the system appear as if it were stabbing itself in the foot.

However, upon closer examination of these corporations, Qing Chen suddenly realized that the struggle for shadow was a clever system. It allowed for a very prolonged process of transitioning power before any extreme situation erupted.

By the time a Family Head retired, the Shadow was already in full control, leaving no room for anyone to dispute.

Furthermore, the process of becoming a Shadow Candidate also selected the cruelest, smartest, and most powerful successor for the family.

Even if a candidate was initially kind-hearted, it was difficult to maintain that kindness through this ordeal.

As harsh as it may be for the candidates, the system was beneficial for the Clan.

A huge entity like a corporation could only stand tall in the Federation for so long not out of goodness, but out of ferocity and wisdom.

It was only at this moment that Qing Chen looked at the time on his arm.

The countdown read 46:00:00.

It was two oʼclock in the morning, which meant there were only two short days left for the current return trip.

”XiaoTongyun, go back to sleep. You still have to go to school tomorrow,” Qing Chen said as he escorted Li Tongyun up to the second floor.

Before entering the house, the young girl looked up at him eagerly: ”When grandma and grandpa go back to Zheng City, can I come stay with you and mom for a few days?”

”Of course,” Qing Chen smiled indulgently: ”Hurry back now.”

At this moment, everyone needed to rest and gather their strength, as they were about to head back into the Inner World and face the brewing storm in City 18.

...

Thanks to the students ʼYanyu Jingruhuaʼ and ʼChing Youyuʼ for becoming new allies of this book. The bosses are generous, may the bosses make a fortune!