Night's Nomenclature
Chapter 325: The Disappearance of Qing Chen

In the long street, Li Changqing was almost exhausted, fighting and retreating.

At this time, the Shendai Family experts besieging her had been reduced from eight to two.

Many people misunderstand Baguazhang, thinking it's a gentle martial art, but in reality, it's extremely aggressive, targeting vital points with almost every move, striking high and low, as light and deadly as fluttering leaves.

In Outer World martial arts sparring, most fights degenerate into brute force contests—whoever can swing their arms harder wins.

However, that's only when the practitioners' strength, speed, and reflexes can't match the techniques. Now, in the hands of A-Class Li Changqing, Baguazhang is a completely different matter.

Perhaps this is the true elegance of Baguazhang.

The Hu Family Intelligence Agency is a neutral intelligence organization, and their survival in the cracks of the Conglomerate relies on orthodox Cultivation methods.

However, no one would have imagined that Li Clan member Li Changqing would also become a director of the Hu Family Intelligence Agency.

The next moment, a B-Class Gene Soldier noticed that Li Changqing was exhausted and fiercely pursued her.

Li Changqing ran towards the end of the street, but the moment the enemy was about to approach, she suddenly turned around.

Her white hands moved like needlework, passing through the B-Class Gene Soldier's arms, and with a palming motion, her palms were placed on the Gene Soldier's lower jaw, using an inch punch to send him flying.

The B-Class Gene Soldier's momentum combined with the force of her palms resulted in the sound of his own neck breaking. Before he even hit the ground, he was dead!

Hidden Flower Under Leaves!

The Shendai Family A-Class expert, who had planned to take advantage of the situation, hesitated upon witnessing this swift and decisive counterattack, and dared not approach.

He was worried that Li Changqing's exhausted expression was a deception.

The gunshots in the air above the street had stopped at some point.

Li Changqing stood wearily in the street and looked back, but Shendai Tongwu's trace had vanished without a trace.

She wasn't surprised, as this was a trap set by the Shendai Family, and their escape route was anticipated.

However, even if Shendai Tongwu returned to his family, he would Face^[-] severe punishment.

If they had killed Li Changqing tonight, the impending civil war, combined with the last-minute change of command in the Li Clan intelligence system, would have been disastrous, potentially causing the entire system to collapse.

But since they failed to kill Li Changqing, all losses would have to be borne by Shendai Tongwu, the executor.

Li Changqing looked towards Jinmao Building two kilometers away, wondering if the sniper had left on their own or had encountered danger.

She knew that after eliminating all the Shendai Family snipers, the sniper could have left.

For a sniper, that would have been enough.

But they didn't leave. Those wasted shots were meant to suppress the enemy for her.

However, doing so also put the sniper in danger.

Wang Bingxu had disappeared at some point. This B-Class expert who had followed her for many years was likely going after the sniper on Jinmao Building.

Thinking of this, Li Changqing suddenly turned to the A-Class expert: "Your boss is gone, just the two of us left. I'll allow you to choose your method of death."

However, upon hearing this, the A-Class expert didn't continue fighting but instead fled.

Tonight's battle had shattered the A-Class expert's mental defenses, thanks to Li Changqing and the mysterious sniper.

"Boss, should we chase him? I can drive," said Little Eagle.

Li Changqing shook her head: "Wake up Old Nineteen. I have something more important to do."

A-Class experts aren't easily killed. The Shendai Family, despite using seven B-Class Gene Soldiers and one A-Class expert, couldn't kill Li Changqing quickly.

Moreover, Li Changqing was alone, and after the battle, she had no strength to pursue the enemy.

Eight against one, the Shendai Family's A-Class expert had preserved his strength far better than Li Changqing.

The enemy had escaped because they anticipated the arrival of reinforcements from the 081 Garrison Regiment. If Li Changqing pursued recklessly, she might end up in a worse situation.

But that wasn't the point.

Li Changqing had to go to Jinmao Building. She was worried about Qing Chen's safety!

Compared to this, even pursuing Shendai Tongwu and the A-Class expert could wait.

By now, the wig Li Changqing had been wearing was gone, and her black leather jacket was torn in many places due to the intense fighting.

She simply took off her leather jacket and threw it on the ground. She didn't feel cold in the cold winter, wearing only a black vest.

This Li Changqing had a bit more heroic spirit than before.

"Cough, cough, cough," Old Nineteen woke up again.

She looked at Old Nineteen: "Are you alright?"

"Should be fine," Old Nineteen coughed, "Boss, you...don't catch a cold."

"I'm going to Jinmao Building first, we'll talk later," Li Changqing said, and ran towards Jinmao Building.

Old Nineteen panicked: "The shield battalion of the 081 Garrison Regiment will be here soon. Waiting for rescue here is the best option."

"No, I'll go save someone first. You wait here," Li Changqing said as she ran away.

Old Nineteen watched his Boss's back, wondering what was so important that Li Changqing would abandon the pursuit of Shendai Tongwu and the A-Class expert?

After all, the shield battalion was arriving soon, it was the best time to capture the Shendai Family.

If they delayed, by the time they tried to capture them again, the main figures of the Shendai Family in City 18 would have likely fled the country.

But he knew that nothing could stop his Boss once she made up her mind.

Li Changqing arrived at Jinmao Building and took the elevator straight to the 130th floor.

Standing where Li Dongze once stood, she confirmed at a glance that the sniper who had saved her had indeed been attacked and seriously injured!

Opposite the wall that Qing Chen had smashed through with his back, Li Changqing found a bullet hole from a sniper rifle. With this evidence, she figured out what had happened.

But the question was, where was Qing Chen? And whose blood was on the floor?

The most puzzling thing was, what happened to the missing floor tile?!

If it were broken in battle, that would be normal, but a whole tile disappearing was not!

Li Changqing checked the Jinmao Building's surveillance footage but found that the hard drive storing the recordings was gone.

Qing Chen shouldn't be dead. Someone saved him.

But who?

She returned to the street with questions in mind.

The shield battalion had arrived and were quickly searching the area.

Li Changqing looked at Little Eagle: "Are you alright?"

"I'm...fine," Little Eagle said, "I was just shouting and waving flags, and no one cared. I didn't dare to bother anyone..."

"Normal," Li Changqing said, "Specialization is important. From now on, just focus on driving. Until the remaining Gene Medicine injections, you don't need to participate in combat."

Little Eagle didn't help much in the fight, but his sharp turn when they were trapped was impressive.

If they had been stuck in Shendai's first ambush, they would have been finished.

Li Changqing said to Little Eagle, "Is our car still drivable?"

"Even though it collided with their off-road vehicle, our car is sturdy, and the engine and other parts are fine," Little Eagle said.

"Okay, let's head back to Ban Shan Mountain Estate," Li Changqing said.

Li Changqing picked up the severely injured and immobile Old Nineteen and threw him into the back seat.

She herself sat in the passenger seat.

However, Li Changqing suddenly noticed something unusual: "Where are the bodies of those Gene Soldiers? Two are missing?"

Little Eagle shivered and replied: "Boss, it was terrifying. While you were fighting, a Shadow Gate suddenly opened on the street. A black hand reached out from the gate, dragging the bodies by their ankles and pulling them in!"

Old Nineteen had fainted again and didn't know what happened.

Little Eagle was terrified. The hand from the darkness took away the bodies, it was horrifying.

Li Changqing paused: "Shadow Gate? Don't scare yourself. That's the effect of Forbidden Artifact ACE-008."

She knew about this Forbidden Artifact. History has recorded its existence multiple times. Forbidden Artifact ACE-008 is actually a necklace.

It was initially picked up by an ordinary person who stumbled upon it. At that time, the Metahumans civilization had just emerged, and few knew what Forbidden Artifacts were.

Later, the effect of Forbidden Artifact ACE-008 was discovered, but the ordinary person was murdered out of envy for possessing it.

It is said that this artifact has appeared in the hands of tomb robbers, thieves, and assassins, but its current owner is unknown.

Li Changqing was clueless. She didn't know who stole the bodies from the battlefield, so she stopped thinking about it.

She looked at the chaotic street.

After tonight, Shendai's foundation in City 18 would be uprooted by Li Changqing.

How did Shendai know her itinerary?

The origin of the vehicles Shendai used.

The residences, funding sources, and entry methods of those experts.

All of this would become clues for Li Changqing.

City 18 is one of the Federation's twin stars, gathering many forces and informants. But from tonight onwards, the Shendai Family would be unable to influence it for at least ten years.

The Shendai Family's losses were significant.

The vehicle quickly left the battlefield and headed towards Ban Shan Mountain Estate.

News of Li Changqing's attack gradually shocked the entire estate, but she didn't go to the Secretariat. After sending Old Nineteen to the estate's medical center, she had Little Eagle drive her to Autumn Leaf Manor.

The small courtyard's "No Visitors" sign still hung quietly.

Li Changqing pushed open the door, but it was empty.

The sniper had already left the battlefield, she knew that.

Therefore, Qing Chen should have returned by now.

Unless he was seriously injured and needed to hide and recover.

She took out her phone, only to find that it had been smashed in the battle.

"Where's your phone?" Li Changqing asked Little Eagle.

Little Eagle handed it over: "Boss, I don't have Instructor Qing Chen's phone number."

"No need," Li Changqing input a series of numbers from memory.

Little Eagle was shocked. Boss Changqing had memorized Qing Chen's number?!

Even in the Outer World, few people would memorize phone numbers nowadays.

At that moment, Daybreak's image in his mind became even taller.

However, after Li Changqing dialed the number, it wasn't answered.

The woman's Face^[-] grew serious.

...

...

Luoshen Building, 132nd floor. Qing Family Shadow sat at the dining table, watching Qing Chen's phone light up: "Who's calling this late at night?"

He didn't even bother to answer the call, nor did he look to see who was calling.

The room was dark and quiet, only the sound of Shadow boiling water.

After a long time, Qing Chen slowly regained consciousness. He felt a burning sensation in his abdomen, pain with every movement.

His arms and back were severely injured from Wang Bingxu's kick.

Qing Chen stared at the three bodies lying crookedly in his living room: "This is..."

Qing Family Shadow poured himself another cup of tea and said calmly: "Sacrificial offerings for your Marionette."

"Ah?" Qing Chen was truly surprised. He didn't expect the other party to do this, but he was more concerned about another question: "Why only three?"

The room fell silent.

After a long pause, Qing Family Shadow slowly said: "I won't bother with such a foolish question. I'm a patient. I saved your life and found three sacrificial offerings for you. The first thing you should say is thank you, not ask where the rest are."

"I didn't ask where the rest are," Qing Chen said seriously.

Qing Family Shadow tapped the table with his finger: "But that's what you meant."

Qing Chen asked: "Did you cut off the power in Jinmao Building?"

"Yes," Qing Family Shadow nodded.

"If you hadn't wasted time cutting off the power, you might have arrived earlier, and I wouldn't have been injured," Qing Chen said, breathing heavily on the sofa.

"You have quite a few demands on your savior," Qing Family Shadow sighed, "If I hadn't cut the power and taken the surveillance, my identity might have been exposed. My identity is one of the biggest mysteries in the Federation, puzzling thousands, even tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands of people. Such an interesting mystery, how can it be solved just because of saving a small character like you? Isn't it more interesting to continue to keep them puzzled?"

"Why save me?" Qing Chen asked.

"No reason. Keeping you alive makes the Shadow Succession more interesting," Qing Family Shadow said, "However, you should be more polite when speaking to me next time. Do you know, I don't have much time left, and each time I use my power, it shortens my life, meaning I'm using my life to save yours."

"Thank you," Qing Chen said seriously.

No matter what, no matter what the other party wanted to use him for, saving his life was real.

Then, Qing Chen flicked his wrist and used the Marionette to sacrifice the three corpses in the living room.

Although they were both used to death, having corpses in the living room was unpleasant.

In an instant, the three corpses turned to ashes. This battle alone allowed the Marionette's second thread to be fully formed, reaching 50 meters in length!

Moreover, the third thread had grown over twenty meters.

If it weren't much thinner than hair, Qing Chen's wrist wouldn't be able to bear it.

"Although I didn't give you a Forbidden Artifact, these offerings are a little something. Don't say I haven't given you anything," Qing Family Shadow said.

Qing Chen thought, Qing Family Shadow was good at business. This effortless deal was incredible.

Qing Family Shadow looked at Qing Chen: "How are you considering my offer to join Qing Clan Secret Intelligence Agency?"

"Where's the workplace?" Qing Chen asked.

"City 10, that's the political center of the Federation," Qing Family Shadow said.

"Is it dangerous?" Qing Chen curiously asked.

"How could being a spy not be dangerous?" Qing Family Shadow said.

"What are the benefits for me?" Qing Chen asked.

"Only those who have never had power would ask such a childish question. Being allowed to join the Secret Spy Agency is already a benefit," Qing Family Shadow sighed.

Qing Family Shadow continued, "Qing Clan Secret Intelligence Agency has professional infiltration, assassination, and intelligence personnel, with countless informants. We handle external reconnaissance and control public opinion, and internally monitor all Qing Family members and officers of the controlled Federation army. We carry Federal Central Intelligence Bureau credentials, and we can kill people on the street and still get immunity from the PCE Public Security Committee. Isn't this power great enough, benefits enough?"

Qing Chen said: "I'll think about it..."

He felt it wasn't that simple. If he agreed, there might be plans waiting for him.

He might get caught in the vortex of power and not be able to escape.

"As you wish," Qing Family Shadow asked in a calm tone: "You had the chance to kill Qing Wen and Qing Zhong tonight, why did you let them go? You like Forbidden Artifacts, you should know those two have three Forbidden Artifacts between them—Qing Wen had one, Qing Yi gave him one, and Qing Zhong also had one. Wasn't the temptation great enough to sway you?"

"Killing can wait, but saving someone needs to be timely, otherwise there's no chance later," Qing Chen said.

"Womanly compassion," Qing Family Shadow casually said.

"Not womanly compassion. If you don't save friends in danger, why have that power?" Qing Chen asked.

In fact, Qing Chen had given up a huge profit tonight.

Not only the life and secret Qing Family Shadow promised, but also the three Forbidden Artifacts on those two.

"Was the conflict between Qing Wen and Qing Zhong tonight arranged by you?" Qing Chen asked.

"Of course not, why would I design such a low-level plot?" Qing Family Shadow said, "Every Shadow Succession will have seemingly hot candidates who are actually not so smart, or those who appear powerful but are impulsive and foolish. It's normal."

...