Chapter 43: 43. Breath

“Shadows can become the Family Head?” Qing Chen was puzzled.

Up to now, he had no clear concept of the Shadow Struggle, and because he couldn’t reveal too much, he could only feign understanding, as if he knew everything.

Finally, he could resolve many doubts.

Ask directly!

Uncle Li Dong, knowing that he wasn’t from the Inner World, began to explain in detail like a teacher, “It is said that during the last human civilization era, Qing’s Family existed. Back then, a Shadow was merely a disposable role within Qing’s Group, usually assigned to those Descendants of Qing without any background, and they didn’t hold as much Power as they do now.”

“However, one incredibly talented Shadow overthrew the master and set a new rule.”

“Every Family Head must have been a Shadow, to have witnessed the filthiest things in this world. And those who have been Shadows, the Clan will never abandon; they will be provided for until the end of their days.”

Qing Chen was puzzled, “How many Shadows are there?”

Uncle Li Dong answered, “On average, a new generation is selected every decade or so, and a single Family Head may have accompanied over a dozen Shadows.”

He continued, “Nowadays, medical technology is quite advanced; a Family Head can live for a hundred years, some even over a hundred and fifty. Hence, when a Family Head steps down, he has to choose his successor from among the dozen or so Shadows he has known.”

“And the other Shadows?” Qing Chen asked.

“They transfer power,” said Uncle Li Dong, “but they can live out their twilight years in peace. Having been a Shadow not only qualifies one for the position of Family Head but also grants an immunity from death.”

“I always find this system a bit odd. Since that Qing Family Ancestor had been a Shadow himself and knew the suffering, why would he establish such a parasitic system?” Qing Chen wondered.

“Oh, the rule of the nine fighting for the position wasn’t set by him; it was set by his son. It seems his son chose several Shadows who turned out to be useless, having no one capable by his side, so he let the subordinates fight amongst themselves. The winner would naturally be the strongest,” Uncle Li Dong explained.

“Didn’t the Qing Family Ancestor stop his son?” Qing Chen asked.

“At first, the Shadow Struggle was just about completing tasks; the one with the greater abilities won,” Uncle Li Dong said. “But as nearly a thousand years have passed, the Shadow Struggle gradually degenerated, becoming a matter of survival—only those who can stay alive become the Shadow.”

Qing Chen nodded; this made sense.

The ancestral family law reflected idealism, but all ideals gradually decay over time.

Nothing is immutable, for the human heart is everchanging.

“Since then, the practice of the Shadow Struggle has continued,” Uncle Li Dong said with a smile. “Perhaps all the Family Heads of Qing’s Family understand that without ferocity, how can they hold their ground in this Inner World?”

“Indeed,” Qing Chen nodded, “so I must be careful about my own safety, since all nine Shadow Candidates want to eliminate the others.”

“Yes,” Uncle Li Dong nodded, “to be honest, this has surpassed my expectations too. I didn’t expect someone to attempt eliminating the others so quickly; it usually doesn’t happen this fast. Unless someone feels threatened by you.”

“Because I’m close to you?” Qing Chen analyzed. “No, no, that’s not right. The Death warriors had already started following me even before I met you.”

“No need to overthink it, with time, you will naturally understand,” Uncle Li Dong said.

“Can I drop out of the Shadow Struggle? Does being in Qing’s Family and joining the Knights conflict?” Qing Chen asked.

“No conflict,” Uncle Li Dong shook his head, “but it’s still better to keep it a secret that you’ve joined the Knights. Haven’t you seen that I’ve been locked up here? I will teach you at midnight like now, and continue as we do during the day. And I wouldn’t recommend you drop out of the Shadow Struggle; you haven’t yet seen just how great the Power of a Shadow can be.”

“Alright,” Qing Chen nodded. He wasn’t someone without courage. Since Uncle Li Dong advised not quitting, he would just play along with the other candidates.

At this moment, Prison Number 18 was particularly empty, and Qing Chen felt a sense of freedom without the usual constraints.

Uncle Li Dong sat cross-legged on the ground, with the big cat snuggled up to him asleep, and Qing Chen also sat cross-legged opposite him.

“Do you have any more questions?” Uncle Li Dong asked.

“I see that the standard weaponry in the Inner World is still firearms. Are there more powerful weapons?” Qing Chen asked.

“There are, but not many,” Uncle Li Dong said, “There are small EMP grenades specifically against mechanical limbs, and special weapons mounted on mechanical limbs, but the military of the conglomerates still mainly uses firearms, and the bullets are basically made of copper.”

Qing Chen was puzzled, “Given the Inner World’s advanced technology, why are its weapons similar to those in the Outer World?”

Uncle Li Dong smiled and said, “Because to kill a person, one bullet is enough.”

Qing Chen understood that everyone continued to use them because they are the most cost-effective weapons, and they are sufficient.

The word “sufficient” is very key.

It’s like how some say that mirrors in the Inner World aren’t as high-tech as imagined, aside from being able to defog, they don’t have any other additional functions.

That’s because the function of a mirror is just that simple. It’s not that the more complicated the technology, the more complicated the everyday items will be.

“Alright, enough of the trivial matters, let’s talk about the important issues,” Uncle Li Dong said.

“The longest path among all the shortcuts in the human world?” Qing Chen asked.

“Right,” Uncle Li Dong nodded, “Stretch out your right hand.”

Qing Chen spread out his right hand in front of him, only to see Uncle Li Dong suddenly grab his wrist.

In just an instant, he felt his breath hitch, as if a strong spiritual will was controlling the rhythm of his breathing, even the speed of his blood flow.

The pulse that Uncle Li Dong grasped felt as if it had been locked in shackles.

The next moment, Uncle Li Dong’s breathing rhythm changed, and Qing Chen watched as he exhaled a white breath, followed by a Fire Rune pattern extending from his cheek to the side of his ear.

Qing Chen was stunned!

All of this displayed by the other party completely defied biological common sense!

But before he could react, Qing Chen felt his own breathing rhythm also being forcibly changed, his heartbeat, his breathing, all become different!

Qing Chen only felt that when he breathed, it was like a fiery surge rolling into his throat, then spreading through all his alveoli, the terrifying temperature sweeping through his body, followed by heart-wrenching pain!

It wasn’t actual temperature, but the illusion of pain caused by the inexplicable agony.

Gradually, Fire Rune patterns began to appear on Qing Chen’s cheeks as well, with the pain spreading along the patterns into his brain.

He wanted to pull away the wrist that Uncle Li Dong had clamped, but Ye Wan at his side said firmly, “Endure it.”

Qing Chen gradually calmed down, no longer struggling or pleading.

Just like when he experienced water torture yesterday.

Lin Xiaoxiao said, “Remember what I told you? Those who have experienced painful lives can ascend to a higher level.”