Chapter 303 - Chapter 303: 235, Insider Li Yinuo
Chapter 303: 235, Insider Li Yinuo
Now, Li Changqing and the outside world all think that Qing Chen is just a Genetic Warrior.
So in Li Changqing’s view, Qing Chen knew he could inject the Genetic Potion and was supposedly overjoyed beyond expectations.
However, this matter was not a surprise for Qing Chen, but a scare.
Firstly, Genetic Potions cannot be injected across levels; ordinary people who complete the first injection of the 005 sequence must wait a full month before the next one, otherwise, their bodies could not bear the load and they would die suddenly.
Qing Chen had yet to take any injections and going straight for the 003 sequence would likely kill him on the spot.
Secondly, having the Genetic Potion would cut off one’s offspring.
Although Qing Chen did not have that kind of worldly desire at the moment, what if he did in the future?
In short, this injection of Genetic Potion absolutely could not be taken!
Li Changqing looked at Qing Chen, “How come you’re not at all pleased with this 003 sequence FDE Genetic Potion?”
Before Qing Chen could speak, Li Changqing suddenly said with a laugh, “I understand now, you’re thinking I didn’t give you 002 and 001 as well. Really, I’m not that stingy. I’ve already told you that 001 and 002 are still being prepared and it’ll be half a month before I can give them to you. The production of those two sequences is too small, I can’t conjure them out of thin air for you.”
Qing Chen recalled and pondered in his mind and, checking against the timeline, said, “I can’t take this injection of the 003 sequence Genetic Potion now because it’s only been 13 days since I took the 004, and I need to wait 18 more days.”
The interval for the Genetic Potion is calculated based on a 30-day month.
Li Changqing looked at Qing Chen and had an epiphany, “So that’s the case, I thought you had already injected it. Fine, let’s keep the Genetic Potion with me, and I’ll give it to you when it’s time.”
Qing Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, what was this all about?
He hadn’t gained anything since coming here, and yet he was expected to take an injection first, where’s the sense in that?
Honestly, neither he nor Yi had expected Li Changqing to give him the injection in person!
Thankfully, from his first appearance on the fighting stage until now, only 10 days had passed in the Inner World’s time, and this allowed him to find the most suitable excuse.
But the problem arose, what to do after 18 days…?
At this moment, Li Changqing had Lao Liu put away the Genetic Potion, knowing that he would still have to witness Qing Chen’s injection next time, which caused Qing Chen to feel a headache.
He glanced out of the corner of his eye and suddenly saw that Li Yinuo was struggling to suppress a laugh.
Li Changqing pulled Qing Chen by the arm to sit down, “This is my niece, Li Yinuo, next to us. She’s also very fond of your matches. We were both there last night. I had already arranged for Lao Liu to save you, but unexpectedly, you turned the tide and won. Such a victory in a cross-level challenge is rare throughout the Federation.”
Li Yinuo said with a smile, “Hello, Brother Xiao Tu, I’m a fan of yours.”
Li Changqing earnestly said to Li Yinuo, “Why call him brother? Call him Uncle Xiao Tu.”
Li Yinuo, “???”
The beauty who was just secretly holding back laughter suddenly changed her expression!
How did she, while enjoying the drama, suddenly gain an uncle out of nowhere?!
But Li Changqing thought about it and said, “Never mind, Qing Chen is too young, you two just refer to each other however you wish. Oh yes, since we’ve met here, you might as well know his real name, Qing Chen, and don’t call him Xiao Tu anymore… although the name Xiao Tu is also pretty cute.”
Li Yinuo thought to herself, where was the name Qing Xiaotu cute at all?
“Auntie, let’s talk about serious matters,” Li Yinuo turned to Li Changqing, “We were just talking about Deer Island and the Jindai family. I heard that you’ve caught several people from Deer Island and the Jindai?”
At the mention of these two corporations’ names, Li Changqing’s expression darkened, “Those things who don’t know whether they’re alive or dead dared to cause trouble in the south. I predict they foresaw the Lee family’s power transition, so they wanted to stir things up. Recently, these two have been stationing troops in the north, perhaps expecting the old man here to pass away, then they will launch a small-scale war again.”
Li Yinuo curiously asked, “These years, they have caused quite a commotion, with marriages and frequent troop movements, why is that?”
“There are many Taboo Lands in the north, and the expansion speed is quite fast, with Taboo Land number 037 even spreading to 30 kilometers north of City 26. They might have sensed the crisis and want to reshuffle the cards within the Federation, to develop southward,” Li Changqing sneered, “But the three southern families control the political and economic lifelines, if we don’t get chaotic, they can’t come over.”
Qing Chen listened silently, not saying a word.
He realized that Li Yinuo was bringing up these issues suddenly just to help him understand more information, to compensate for his current isolated situation.
Qing Chen’s situation was very delicate, Uncle Li Dong had gone far away, and all the familiar faces were no longer by his side. Although Qing Yi was still present, he was not Qing Chen’s butler and would not readily lend a hand, usually seeking a principle of equivalent exchange—in fact, more an ally than a friend.
If he were to rely on Qing Yi for everything, that would be wishful thinking.
However, Li Yinuo, Li Tongyun, and Nan Gengchen, these three insiders, had always been dutiful and responsible.
“Auntie, which Shadow Candidate do you favor most in the struggle for the Shadow position?” Li Yinuo asked.
“I might favor Qing Wu more,” Li Changqing pondered, “Qing Wen is too conspicuous, causing others to treat him as a hypothetical enemy, yet he lacks the ability to overpower multiple foes single-handedly. Originally, Qing Huai was also eye-catching enough to share some of the limelight, but now he has died inexplicably in Taboo Land 002, and you were there at the time. They say he was hunted by a God’s Child of the Fire Pit, is that true?”
“It seems so at the moment,” Li Yinuo nodded, “Please continue, Auntie. I think Qing Zhong from the second branch is also very strong, why do you think he’s not fit for the position of Shadow?”
“I’ve met that lad, Qing Zhong. He is brave and strong but lacks cunning. Too impulsive,” Li Changqing said, “Such a person might be better suited as a general leading a charge rather than as the Shadow or Family Head. I think both the Shadow and the current Family Head of Qing’s Family, Qing Xun, would not choose him.”
“Then why do you choose Qing Wu?” Li Yinuo asked.
“Cleverness, restraint, and ruthlessness,” Li Changqing said, “He possesses many qualities a Shadow should have… You should study them more now because eventually one of them is bound to become the Shadow and wield great power. Understanding more about them now will be helpful later on.”
Li Yinuo nodded, her gaze briefly flitted over to Qing Chen, thinking that having this second-generation big shot of the Li family help analyze the situation should count for something.
At this moment, however, Li Changqing’s tone shifted, “In this generation, the ones I’m least optimistic about are Qing Yuan and Qing Xing; they lack distinguishing features, and the support from their families isn’t great either. Though Qing Yi is young, he shows signs of being an extraordinary being. Qing Shi may be a girl, but her father harbors great ambition behind the scenes. The struggle for the Shadow position is always mysterious; no one knows the outcome until the very last second, and even years later, the outside world might remain unaware. So current speculations are just for reference, of little value. You just need to understand each of them.”
Li Yinuo thought to herself that the result of the struggle for the Shadow really was enigmatic generation after generation.
Wasn’t she now sitting beside a candidate who had faked his own death? Who would have thought that the person who was initially overlooked would grow the fastest?
Qing Chen ate some snacks and fruit seemingly calmly, but he was seriously analyzing inside. This was the first time he was hearing an analysis of each candidate, finally offering him a more comprehensive concept of the overall picture.
Even Lin Xiaoxiao and Uncle Li Dong had never talked to him about this before, only suggesting that he should learn by himself slowly.
“Eh,” Li Changqing asked, “why have you suddenly become interested in the struggle for the Shadow?”
Li Yinuo went on to ask, “Auntie, I have made contact with several Shadow Candidates and some have also reached out to me. Although I don’t know their true intentions, I’ve accepted their offers, and now four of them have allied with me.”
Qing Chen listened on the side, thinking to himself that this seemed quite like his style of joining everyone in the Outer World.
Li Changqing questioned Li Yinuo, “Why are you allying with so many candidates?”
“I just want to ally with a few more to keep up with their movements. After all, these candidates are not part of our Li family, so it doesn’t matter if a few of them die,” Li Yinuo said.
Li Changqing commended, “You’re smart this time, but I’ve always suspected that Qing’s Family Shadow has already arrived in City 18. This time, Qing’s Family’s main event might lie in this Shadow.”
“Friend or foe?” Li Yinuo asked.
“Neither friend nor foe, but they likely share a common goal,” Li Changqing seemed unwilling to delve deeper, as it involved real secrets. She changed the subject, “The second round of tasks for the struggle for the Shadow probably doesn’t involve participating in the Li family’s power succession. That Shadow has always enjoyed misleading people, and nobody knows what he truly intends to do.”
At this point, Li Yinuo asked, “By the way, auntie, have you visited Grandpa?”
“No,” Li Changqing’s expression turned solemn as she looked towards Lao Liu and said, “Take Qing Chen to the shooting range to have some fun. Before one grows to B-Class, firearms tend to be more useful.”
“Sure, sure,” Lao Liu hobbled as he led Qing Chen out.
Qing Chen understood that he was being sent away, as Li Changqing wouldn’t want him eavesdropping on family core secrets.
But he didn’t mind; today’s gains were already substantial.
Qing Chen followed Lao Liu and asked, “Why do you go by Lao Liu? Is it because you’re the sixth in rank?”
“No,” Lao Liu shook his head, “I’m called Lao Liu because I once took six bullets for Boss Chang Qing in City 1, and that’s when my leg got damaged. She calls me Lao Liu to remind her not to forget that I’ve taken bullets for her.”
“I see,” Qing Chen nodded.
“The boss said something very true,” Lao Liu called out without looking back, “Until a Transcendent reaches Demigod status, firearms are always a Transcendent’s greatest enemy. Even an A-Class might capsize in the gutter when faced with a sniper. So, getting to know firearms is a good thing for you, and you should spend more time at the shooting range when you can.”
…
The power went out again; I’m posting one chapter now. I’m heading to an internet cafe to continue writing. There will be another chapter tonight.