Chapter 88: 88, Shadow, Qing Zhen

The Qing family's offspring are invisibly divided into several categories. One type is steady, responsible for the entire machinery of the family, performing glamorous tasks—both the inner core and the face of the family.

Another is the idle, like Luo Ran, who merely needs a stronghold to sustain him; there is no expectation of achievement, only to drift through life in idle consumption.

A third is the shadow, like Qing Zhen, who performs all the dirty work, bearing no inheritance rights to the family, yet takes the most money in daily affairs.

Normally, a bastard like Luo Ran would not qualify to command a stronghold, but Qing Zhen made it possible.

Or perhaps Luo Ran's rivals fear or rely on Qing Zhen, so they dare not contest him.

Placing a bastard in the position of stronghold controller is unprecedented for the Qing family, a testament to Qing Zhen's standing within it.

Qing Zhen gazed at Liu Bu and Luo Xinyu, saying, "Speak of those three—I mean Xu Xianchu, Yang Xiaojin, and Ren Xiaosu... Wait, is there a connection between Ren Xiaosu and Yang Xiaojin? Their names sound rather fitting together."

"No relation," Liu Bu shook his head. "Ren Xiaosu is merely a drifter beyond the stronghold, forcibly dragged in as a guide. His strength is immense—I suspect he is also an extraordinary being."

Qing Zhen shook his head. "Only slightly stronger?"

"Isn't that enough? He can lift a grown man with one hand," Liu Bu said anxiously. "And Xu Xianchu—though his physical strength and stamina are average, his supernatural ability manifests as a shadow that can even block bullets!"

Upon hearing this, Qing Zhen's interest piqued. He instructed the person beside him, "Record this: Xu Xianchu, an incompletely matured extraordinary being, danger level C. Ren Xiaosu, suspected strength-type extraordinary being, danger level F."

Beside Qing Zhen stood not only combat personnel but also many researchers in hazmat suits, one of whom was tasked with documenting his decisions.

At this moment, Liu Bu suddenly realized Qing Zhen's interest in Xu Xianchu was slightly greater; they seemed to regard Ren Xiaosu as insignificant.

"Is Ren Xiaosu considered an extraordinary being? Then you should capture him quickly," Liu Bu said, while Luo Xinyu remained silent beside him.

Qing Zhen smiled. "He will be captured, of course. They must be in this city now, though strength-types are not rare."

This moment, both Liu Bu and Luo Xinyu realized the Qing family's understanding of extraordinary beings was far from superficial.

It was natural—the world lay in their hands, so these secrets were likely known to the family in advance. They possessed more resources, more intelligence power.

Yet the Qing family could not define the tiers of extraordinary abilities, only categorizing them by danger levels.

Perhaps this danger level referred to the degree of threat to the family itself?

Thus, Xu Xianchu, whose shadow could fight and deflect bullets, was classified as danger level C, while Ren Xiaosu, merely stronger, was dismissed—could even the strongest fists surpass firearms?

In the end, physical prowess feared guns and cannons. In the family's eyes, if an extraordinary being's power could not exceed that of hot weapons, their destructive force was limited.

After all, such weapons were largely controlled by the family.

At this point, Qing Zhen had confirmed Ren Xiaosu as a drifter beyond the settlement, Xu Xianchu as a private military officer, and Yang Xiaojin's origins unclear. Of course, even if Luo Ran had told him directly, he might not have believed it—he preferred to verify doubts himself.

In truth, Liu Bu did not realize that compared to Ren Xiaosu and Xu Xianchu, Qing Zhen was clearly more intrigued by Yang Xiaojin. According to Liu Bu, Yang Xiaojin seemed well-versed in Huo Zhi Company and other families, making her identity far more complex than the others.

Now Qing Zhen stood amidst the city's ruins, surrounded by crumbling civilization and fierce family combatants, yet wore an immaculate white suit. With leisurely interest, he asked, "Has Yang Xiaojin ever demonstrated any special abilities?"

"Yang Xiaojin has no special abilities," Liu Bu pondered for a long time, as if the girl had shown nothing beyond decisiveness and ruthlessness.

If Ren Xiaosu were here, he would surely object—advanced jump rope and advanced singing were incredible skills! Wasn't that special enough?

Of course, Ren Xiaosu was not here now; he had already found his long-sought gold shop.

Qing Zhen, unsatisfied with the answer, fixed Liu Bu with a serious gaze. "Think again."

For some reason, Liu Bu suddenly felt a mountainous weight pressing upon him. He gritted his teeth. "Yang Xiaojin truly has no abilities. I think you should beware of Ren Xiaosu..."

"Oh?" Qing Zhen nodded, turning to Luo Xinyu. "What special quality does Ren Xiaosu possess to warrant your concern? Could he have abilities beyond mere strength?"

Luo Xinyu froze. Ren Xiaosu's special abilities?

She considered, then ventured cautiously, "He's rather annoying?"

This was no idle remark—Luo Xinyu spoke from deep experience.

Yet Qing Zhen merely laughed at her answer, instructing those nearby, "Xu Man, lead the team and bring these three back. Midnight, no later."

"Understood," the soldier named Xu Man directly took away six combat squads, deploying 180 people against three—this was likely a high-level treatment within the Qing family.

As Qing Zhen's confidant, Xu Man understood the stakes of Jing Shan's secrets; no outsiders present could escape.

Qing Zhen lingered in place, humming a tune, seemingly at ease, while Liu Bu and Luo Xinyu were far from relaxed. Luo Xinyu could not help but ask, "Are the changes in Jing Shan also connected to this laboratory?"

"No, no, no," Qing Zhen laughed. "The changes in Jing Shan were beyond our expectations. We usually call such places... sacred manifestation sites. Because of someone's transformation, the entire mountain range changed. But we discovered Jing Shan's changes too late to identify who that person was."

Liu Bu grew tense. "This has nothing to do with us!"

Qing Zhen paused. "I know it has nothing to do with you. If it did, the one who should be nervous now would be me."

"What do you intend to do with us?"

This time, Qing Zhen seemed not to hear, waiting only for Xu Man to bring Ren Xiaosu, Xu Xianchu, and Yang Xiaojin together.

At this moment, the combat unit from the forest finally returned, carrying something. Qing Zhen smiled at Liu Bu and Luo Xinyu. "Do not be too surprised in a moment."

...

Thanks to the garden keeper for becoming the book's silver ally, and thanks to Linghubao, Tai Niubi, and Panni for becoming the book's new masters!