Chapter 586: 371. The Achievements of the Dragon (10,000-word update for monthly votes)_2 Chapter 586: 371. The Achievements of the Dragon (10,000-word update for monthly votes)_2 “`
For them, this round was about more than just individual capability; it was also about who could first integrate the Kite Falcon and claim it for their own use, and who was the most ruthless, with the sharpest mind.
By the fourth round, the Shadow Candidates would probably have to officially take over the power from the current Shadows, and that would be the moment when the real power figures chose sides.
Qing Chen walked down the bustling street; New Year’s Eve was approaching, so decorations and lights were everywhere.
In the Inner World, New Year’s Day is a holiday as important as the Spring Festival.
Unlike the 18th city, there was also a unique Jindai Street here.
The entire street was adorned with red Wine Banners, with vendors selling sushi, tempura, takoyaki everywhere, and izakayas and synthetic barbecue restaurants densely packed on the ground floors of skyscrapers.
Even more distinctive were the girls in kimonos kneeling in shop windows, each looking gentle and dignified.
Men who had drunk too much would come here arm in arm, then after choosing a girl, they’d go inside with her. Afterwards, they’d emerge with a lollipop given by the proprietress.
Proprietresses of other establishments knew, seeing that lollipop, that the man had finished his business and there was no need to put any further effort into soliciting them.
Qing Chen passed through not to patronize the businesses but because Jindai Street had the fewest surveillance cameras in District 5, and the fluttering Wine Banners and dense holographic neons helped conceal his movements.
For Qing Chen, entering City No. 10 marked a new beginning, so he had to be extra cautious.
As the young man passed Jindai Street, the kimono-clad girls in the windows couldn’t help but look him over; usually, it was greasy middle-aged men who came here, so a graceful young man was a rare sight.
Did such a clean-looking young man also need to come to a place ?
However, to the girls’ disappointment, the young man did not linger but quickly disappeared at the end of Jindai Street.
Qing Chen returned to the Utopia Building. He first made a round to check for any PCE Security Management Committee vehicles, and only after confirming there were none did he step into the elevator.
He was worried that the A-list celebrity would call the police, even though his identity with the Federal Central Intelligence Bureau was enough to solve any problem. He did not want to become infamous before he even officially reported for duty.
He pressed for the 112th floor. The transparent elevator rose rapidly in the sealed shaft, and when it reached the 66th floor, the walls of the elevator shaft turned into transparent glass.
The thousands of household lights and the hovercars zooming past in the sky were just within arm’s reach, with the whole Cyberpunk World laid out below.
Qing Chen felt as if he had suddenly surged from the abyss to the heavens, with everything suddenly becoming clear.
There were stars falling to earth before him.
Arriving outside his apartment, Qing Chen sighed at the sight of the marks by his door.
Opening the door, the aroma of tea pervaded the space, accompanied by coughing sounds.
All the lights were turned off, with only the neon lights from outside casting shadows, but failing to illuminate Mr. Shadow’s face.
Qing Chen resignedly said, “You make yourself quite at home, don’t you? I haven’t even had the chance to buy a kettle, and you’re already here for tea?”
Qing’s shadow chuckled and pointed at the tea table in front of him, “Here, I bought one, as a housewarming gift for you.”
Qing Chen pictured the other person carrying a kettle, walking out of the Door of Shadow, and suddenly found the image both bizarre and down-to-earth.
“But surely, as a gift from the illustrious Qing’s Shadow, it should be something of the Taboo’s caliber, right? What’s the deal with giving a kettle?” Qing Chen asked.
Qing’s Shadow changed the subject, “What do you think of Yan Chunmi?”
Qing Chen thought for a moment and said, “She’s concealing her talents.”
“Oh?” Qing’s Shadow was somewhat surprised, “I am intrigued that you would notice that. Why do you think she is doing so?”
“Perhaps she’s worried I’m a boss who envies talent? Or afraid I’ll use her as cannon fodder?” Qing Chen guessed.
Qing’s Shadow laughed, “What do you think of her tactic?”
Qing Chen replied, “It’s immaterial to me.”
“Good, a leader should be broad-minded. Don’t concern yourself with how she thinks or acts, you just need to know what you want,” Qing’s Shadow commended.
Qing Chen suddenly felt that what Uncle Li Dong taught him was how to cultivate himself, what Li Xiurui taught him was how to maintain purity of heart, but what Qing’s Shadow wanted to teach him was how to be a competent boss.
But why? Why did he want to teach him these things?
Qing Chen had some theories, but the few answers he came up with were too fantastical, almost surreal.
“How do you plan to use the other Kite Falcons?” Qing’s Shadow inquired.
Qing Chen pondered, “Would you believe me if I said I haven’t planned to use them yet?”
Qing’s Shadow smirked, “Well, I’ve handed the people over to you. Whether you use them is your own business.”
At that moment, Qing Chen suddenly asked, “Did you kill Lao Shen’s family?”
Shadow couldn’t help but laugh and said, “What do you take me for? To ensure a loyal liaison and archivist, murdering their whole family? You’re undervaluing my personal charm. Moreover, Lao Shen has been underground for 32 years; I was only two when he was put away… Oh, are you trying to probe my age?”
Qing Chen was taken aback by the revelation of Shadow’s youth; this also indirectly overruled some of his speculations.
At least, Shadow couldn’t be the Inner World ‘Qing Chen’s’ father.