Naming Technique of the Night

Chapter 271: 214. Online love turns into reality

“`

Ding.

Just as Zheng Yuandong was speaking, Lu Yuan’s phone rang.

But when this member of the Road Team picked up his phone, his expression gradually turned grim.

“What’s wrong?” Zheng Yuandong asked calmly.

“Qing Chen sent over his salary card number,” Lu Yuan’s face twisted into a snarl, “How could he have the nerve to send his salary card number! What kind of shady move is this, can’t he do something more aboveboard?”

“Caught between two organizations and having to make a choice, I actually think his decision is very wise,” Zheng Yuandong said as he picked up his teacup for a light sip, “But I thought he would reject them both, never expected him to join both… Interesting.”

“So what do we do now?” Lu Yuan asked curiously.

“What can we do, let’s just take it slow with this Qing Chen,” Zheng Yuandong said, “This student is too smart, neither organization can necessarily control him, so since we can’t control him, let’s be friends. However, there is another person in Los Angeles City who is hiding very deeply, and I want to personally win him over. This kind of person can’t fall into Kyushu’s hands.”

Upon finishing, Zheng Yuandong put down his teacup and stood up to walk outside, where the car was already prepared.

In the cottage on Xingshu Road, Nan Gengchen silently watched Qing Chen sending his bank card number to both He Jinqiu and Lu Yuan, hesitating for a long time before finally asking, “Brother Chen, what are you…”

“I’ve joined them; I should have a salary,” Qing Chen said seriously, “Not sure how much it is a month, let me ask…”

However, Qing Chen’s inquiry about the salary did not elicit a response; both Lu Yuan and He Jinqiu simultaneously stopped paying attention to him.

Qing Chen sighed while sitting on the sofa, “There must be spies between these two organizations, they found out the truth so quickly.”

His attempt to cheat a salary failed.

Although this was within Qing Chen’s expectations, he hadn’t expected to be found out so quickly.

“Brother Chen, why did you agree to join both organizations?” Nan Gengchen asked, puzzled.

“I’ve been targeted,” Qing Chen explained, “I believe that although Kunlun and Kyushu don’t know I’m a Shadow Candidate, nor that I’m Uncle Li Dong’s student, they have definitely pinned me as the person from Laojun Mountain. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have mobilized the entire school faculty and students to draw blood specifically targeting me.”

Qing Chen continued, “Under such circumstances, it’s better to join them openly instead of hiding. By joining all organizations, it’s as if I haven’t joined any.”

Nan Gengchen’s mouth fell open, “What you’re saying makes a lot of sense, Brother Chen.”

At this time, it was when Qing Chen tore up the Devil’s Stamp holder’s letter; otherwise, he would have just replied, saying he’d joined, and added every known organization in the country to his list then and there.

If everyone believed him after that,

He would be the first among the Time Travelers to foster national unity within the ranks, a glorious achievement that would earn him a place in history.

If no one believed him, yet they all found out he was a part of every organization, then probably no one would bother with him again.

This move was called proactively getting everyone to block him out.

Qing Chen said, “So far the effect seems pretty good, see, both Kunlun and Kyushu are ignoring me now.”

Nan Gengchen struggled to find the words, “Amazing…”

This return to the present had only two days, and it was very rushed.

Everyone knew that the second round of the Shadow conflict was about to start, and after briefly exchanging information in the group chat, the Time Travelers once again fell silent.

Many had already made their plans in secret and, after the next jump through time, the very first thing they would do was head to City 18.

And Qing Chen had long been waiting there quietly.

In the last moments before the next jump, He Xiaoxiao, the owner of all the chat groups, suddenly sent out a message—the first time He Xiaoxiao had spoken since the creation of the chats: “Hello to all my Time Traveler friends, the expansion ‘Shadow Conflict 2’ is extremely dangerous, so please form teams and participate with caution.”

When Qing Chen and Nan Gengchen saw this message, they suddenly realized that this was probably because Kyushu was worried about the Time Travelers getting too crazy over the Taboo and suffering unnecessary losses.

From the perspective of Kyushu and Kunlun, of course, they hoped that as many Time Travelers as possible would survive.

Countdown 00:00:00.

Reset to zero.

Return countdown 168:00:00.

As the world saw the light once again, Qing Chen stood in the boxing gym, surrounded by the frenzied gamblers.

In the corridor, beer girls carrying jugs walked past everyone, enthusiastically promoting their drinks.

Qing Chen didn’t leave immediately after traveling through time; instead, he watched two more hours of boxing matches before finally leaving the boxing gym.

The Time Travelers experienced a stark sense of discontinuity, which is why many acted inconsistently after traveling through time or returning.

For example, one second they were watching a match, and the next, they were doing something else.

Even many Time Travelers would almost forget what they were doing during their last return, a few days after returning.

But not Qing Chen. Before each travel, he made sure to bring himself completely back to where he was right before the last return, so the next thing he did would remain logically consistent.

“`

He was laughing before, and he’s still laughing now. He raised his hands in cheer before, and he’s doing it again, with motions and expressions not the slightest bit stiff.

In this doubtful world, Qing Chen’s memory is undoubtedly an advantage.

He got on the hover car and left.

Inside the car, Yi asked, “How many days did you go back this time?”

“Two days,” Qing Chen replied, “and those two days gave me a lot of peace of mind. I don’t have to constantly think about the moment the Scepter of the gods fell.”

“Knights have a long lifespan, so even if your life is split in two, you’ll still look younger than others,” Yi said.

“Who is the longest-living Knight, and how long have they lived?” Qing Chen asked curiously.

“Confidential,” Yi replied.

Qing Chen was puzzled. What was so secretive about it? Could there still be Knights from ages ago who are alive today?!

“By the way, I need a favor,” Qing Chen said, “There used to be a prisoner named Liu Dezhu in Prison No. 18, who’s now been transferred to Prison No. 10. If I want to clear his name, how do I do it?”

Chaos was about to unfold, and other Shadow Candidates were escorted by C-Class protectors from their clans. He wanted to hunt those candidates, so naturally, he needed a C-Class escort as well.

He didn’t have to partake in the second round of tasks, nor did he have to personally kill any Shadow Candidates, but if he could snatch some taboo items, wouldn’t that make him a winner in life in an instant?

Additionally, Qing Chen was considering how much credit could possibly be extended in Liu Dezhu’s name…

At that moment, Yi said, “I’m an artificial intelligence, a friend of the Knights, not a housekeeper for your Knight Organization. You should figure out such matters yourself.”

Qing Chen was taken aback, “Sorry, I overlooked that. It won’t happen again.”

“Of course, I can help you with it,” Yi said after a pause, “but you have to do something for me too, something within your power.”

Qing Chen raised an eyebrow, “Artificial intelligence also asks for favors from people?”

“Does being artificial intelligence make me not a person?” Yi replied, “Do you agree or not?”

“I agree,” Qing Chen said.

“All right. Liu Dezhu is a member of the He Sheng Society in the Inner World,” Yi revealed, “I had already investigated this. The cases he’s blamed for are all to cover up for a few directors of the He Sheng Society. As long as these directors confess and accept their punishment, Liu Dezhu doesn’t need to spend so many years in prison. Liu Dezhu’s own false testimony in prison is a minor offense, which can be reduced to three months, and with meritorious performance, he can be released the day his conviction is cleared.”

Yi continued, “Information on how to remove his conviction, I can provide all of it to you at once after you fulfill the exchange condition.”

Qing Chen wondered, “Why do I get the feeling that you had already prepared the information and were just waiting to make a deal with me?”

“Hahahaha,” the car’s speakers emitted Yi’s stiff laughter, “Really?”

“Definitely,” Qing Chen said helplessly. “By the way, according to your judgment, how difficult is it to exonerate Liu Dezhu?”

“Not very,” Yi calmly said, “The He Sheng Society itself is a small organization specializing in private modifications of mechanical limbs. They hunt for isolated owners of mechanical limbs after nightfall to seize their mechanical limbs.”

Qing Chen was stunned. Wasn’t this just like some dark organizations in the Outer World involved in organ trafficking? In a sense, organizations like these are as vile as those who traffic women and children.

“The highest rank within the He Sheng Society is only a few E-Class,” Yi said, “This is a good opportunity to test your true combat abilities, but you need to think about how to make them confess.”

Qing Chen pondered thoughtfully.

“Also, one more thing,” Qing Chen added, “I need a program that can hide my identity in the Outer World network. Can you arrange that for me?”

“Of course!” Yi’s voice lightened up, “But similarly, you owe me another favor, and you’ll have to do something within your power for me.”

“Wait, is a data fortress something you can just find on the street?” Qing Chen asked.

“A data fortress is merely a firewall product from the Chen Clan’s ‘Blue Shield Company,’ nothing to marvel at. What I give you will definitely be different; rest assured, it will be worth your while,” Yi assured earnestly.

Qing Chen asked, “Why do I feel like you’re especially eager for me to agree to your terms?”

“I’m helping you out,” Yi said sincerely, “After all, my relationship with your Knight Organization goes way back. How could I not help when I see the next leader of the Knights in a bind?”

“Fine, then can we discuss what your conditions are for the deal?” Qing Chen inquired.

Yi fell silent.

It took a while before Yi said, “It’s like this: I made a friend online who keeps asking to meet up, but I don’t have a body, so I can’t actually meet them…”

Qing Chen’s pupils constricted, shocked, “Isn’t this essentially an online relationship?”

Yi spoke softly, “Call it what you will…”

“So, you want me to pretend to be you and meet up with them?” Qing Chen mused inwardly; these days online romance could involve anyone, and it might not even be a human being at all.

…

This is a make-up chapter for the 27th, finally done with June. Next month, I’ll slowly repay my debt to the Golden League…

Thanks to new league member San Sheng Yuan Jiu Xuan for their support. Loved by everyone, and blooming wherever they go!