Night’s Nomenclature
Chapter 8: Shadow

How will I survive in this jail full of steel beasts?

Qing Chen knew he couldn't count on Lu Guangyi, that would easily expose him to his little knowledge of this world.

He couldn't count on the other boy that got transmigrated from Earth, because he was in a much worse situation than himself.

Therefore, Qing Chen decided to calmly reveal his ability to Li Shutong and try to prove that he was a person of use.

There was no doubt that Li Shutong was the most influential figure in the prison. So his actions carried quite a lot of risk, but it was also his best chance of getting out.

Li Shutong left with his hands behind his back, with Ye Wan and the large cat following tightly behind. Lin Xiaoxiao, however, was nowhere to be seen.

There was still some time before lunch, but the robot window was opened early for Li Shutong.

Ye Wan served Li Shutong and the large cat. The cat lazily picked and chose what it liked to eat.

Suddenly Lin Xiaoxiao appeared again out of nowhere. He kicked off his shoes and squat barefoot on the chair opposite Li Shutong's table.

The cat glared at him.

"Be more respectful in front of the boss," said Ye Wan, frowning.

Lin Xiaoxiao rolled his eyes, "Boss hasn't even said anything yet. You need to stop acting like my mom."

Li Shutong smiled and said, "Seems like you got big news for me."

"Yes," said Lin Xiaoxiao excitedly, "I may have discovered something big. Did you know that on the surface, Qing Chen appears to be the cleanest criminal I've researched yet? I can't find anything about him, which is why I'm excited."

"Too clean?" asked Li Shutong.

"Yes, way too clean. The documents show that he is a high school student in City 18. His parents both died in a car accident, and he received their inheritance. He has no criminal record, no background information, and no relatives," reported Lin Xiaoxiao.

"What is he charged with?" asked Li Shutong.

"Theft. His documents show that he stole an LCD phone, which was just enough for sentencing," replied Lin Xiaoxiao, "This prison, Prison 18 is meant for prisoners that have repeatedly committed serious crimes or been arrested by the tax authorities. As a thief, he doesn’t belong here in the first place."

In such a short time, Lin Xiaoxiao collected all this information about Qing Chen. To an ordinary person, this probably seemed like an unbelievable feat.

Lin Xiaoxiao continued, "More importantly, I asked some friends outside and found that his case was somewhat controversial. He claimed to have bought the phone through appropriate means and paid in full. It was just that somehow there was no transaction record and the security systems were also broken, so nothing could prove his innocence. As long as the cashier or video footage can prove that he was right, he can get out immediately. A typical method to get in the prison to do ‘business."

Li Shutong thought for a moment and asked, "How long is his sentence?"

"Sentenced for six months," Lin Xiaoxiao replied, "I'm afraid this is the shortest sentence in the history of Prison 18. Boss, just think about it… His surname is Qing!"

The surname Qing was too special in this era. Five major corporations monopolized all the industries in this world. One of these five was the Qing Family Corporation.

Qing was not a common surname, so if one suddenly met someone whose surname was Qing, there was a fair likelihood that the person was part of the family corporation.

"Continue," said Li Shutong with a smile.

"I told you before that the Qing Family Corp. arranged for Lu Guangyi to come in a while back," said Lin Xiaoxiao, "This is easy to confirm, but back then I just can't understand why the corporation sent such an insignificant person into the prison."

"I remember Lu Guangyi," said Ye Wan beside them, "He has been busy gathering people recently."

"Yeah," Lin Xiao said, "After he came into the prison. With the help of his fine mechanical limbs, he crushed the leaders of the former groups and took over their groups in just a month. Now there's only his group and two others left in the prison. I was at first wondering if his mission here is just to unite Prison 18."

"The Qing Family must know that boss is here," said Ye Wan. He was referring to Li Shutong. With him present, no one else dared to take control of the prison.

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and squinted his eyes. When he got excited, he almost wanted to pick his feet while talking, "Exactly, that's what I was wondering a while back. A little shrimp can't do anything in this prison. But now, the truth is clear. Lu Guangyi is nothing but a guide. This kid, Qing Chen, is the real deal."

When he got to this part, Lin Xiaoxiao looked puzzled again, “The weird part is that if Qing Chen is truly the core inheritor of the corporation, then why would he choose to come to this prison?"

Li Shutong suddenly said, "Perhaps the Qing Family is choosing the next generation's Shadow."

Ye Wan and Lin Xiaoxiao were stunned, "The next generation of Shadows, with Qing Chen as one of the candidates? So, he must be here for a mission."

Large corporations like the Qing Family have both a surface and an interior.

The head of the Qing Family was the surface, and the Shadow was the interior.

Shadows specialize in dirty work and command an exceptional amount of power. They are the underground ruler of the Qing Family, a position just below the head of the family.

However, just the selection process for each generation of Shadows was extremely brutal, much like raising a poisonous worm.

"Looks like the Qing Family is going to make things hard for everyone again,” Li Shutong said emotionally.

While they were speaking, a prisoner wandered over unintentionally, and when he was about five meters away from the three of them, Ye Wan's sudden ferocious glance scared him away.

The prisoner was stared at by the frightening eyes and got as far away as he possibly could.

Li Shutong and the other two stopped discussing this topic. Lin Xiaoxiao turned to ask, "Boss, even if he is a shadow candidate, why do they have to clear everything in his history? It’s almost like they don't want people to know that he is from the Qing Family."

At this point, they were almost certain that Qing Chen was a member of the Qing Family.

At their level, nothing should be seen as a coincidence.

"Unless Qing Chen's true identity contains even larger secrets," said Li Shutong.

"Boss, what's your guess?" asked Lin Xiaoxiao curiously.

Li Shutong shook his head, "Now that you mentioned it, I suddenly remembered a person that looks a bit like him."

"An enemy? Or a friend? Has Mother Ye1Refering to Ye Wan's mother-like behavior seen that person?" Lin Xiaoxiao was curious.

Li Shutong said, "None of you have seen him before, but you will eventually. Xiaoxiao, if everyone in this world were to be categorized as a friend or foe, I would be a much happier person."

While speaking, Li Shutong picked up the large gray cat on the table and held it in his arms.

While being rubbed on its chin, the large cat curled up comfortably on Li Shutong's lap.

He said to Lin Xiaoxiao, "I'm more interested in this Qing Chen. Go check out what he's like as a person."

Lin Xiaoxiao was startled, "Boss, are you sure? He is from the Qing Family!"

"I just want you to test him. Nothing more." Li Shutong laughed, "Also, wouldn't it be exciting to snatch someone from the Qing Family's hands?"

"But… where are two different types of groups," muttered Lin Xiaoxiao as he stared at his bare feet.

Li Shutong smiled and said, "There must be all kinds of people in a proper organization. Tigers that can scale a mountain; eagles capable of scouting the frontiers; wolves that can fight the enemies; leopards that are adaptable to different situations; and dogs that are loyal to the group. Everyone plays a role."

Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up, "Boss, what am I in this group?"

Li Shutong considered this, and said, "A fish that can paddle in the water."

Ye Wan calmly added, "Stick that can stir up shit."

Lin Xiaoxiao: "???"

…

• 1Refering to Ye Wan's mother-like behavior