10. Use Fire

Lin Xiaoxiao was the one who created nightmares for Qing Chen.

This world has never been solely about mechanical civilizations; it has always harbored even more mysterious civilizations up to this point.

And tonight, Lin Xiaoxiao created this nightmare entirely based on Uncle Li Dong's instruction, wanting to test what kind of person Qing Chen really was.

In this nightmare named "Twin Ghosts Dilemma," Lin Xiaoxiao wanted to test Qing Chen's courage and ability to withstand pressure, but he hadn't expected that Qing Chen's reaction could no longer be judged simply by his courage or resilience.

He suddenly realized that in times of crisis, this young man would undoubtedly confront the situation with the fiercest and calmest attitude.

At this moment, Qing Chen showed no signs of trembling, nor did he exhibit the desperate valor common to ordinary people when they fight back. The only thing that emanated from him was calmness.

However, Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't understand why, although he was clearly preventing the other from picking up the dagger, Qing Chen suddenly broke free from the nightmare's restraints.

After all, this was Lin Xiaoxiao's home ground.

By then, Qing Chen had already realized that he no longer needed to go upstairs to kill someone. He spoke to the empty living room, "Lin Xiaoxiao?"

The nightmare hadn't dispersed, and Lin Xiaoxiao, wearing a police uniform, came down from upstairs with a smile, "How strange, you can still maintain clarity in this nightmare. The boss was right; you really are exceptional."

"Why? I don't think I've offended you," Qing Chen was puzzled.

"Because the boss values you, I need to find out what kind of person you are. But now it seems that the nightmare might be ineffective against you," Lin Xiaoxiao explained, sitting on the bottom step of the stairs.

"Is this your special ability?" Qing Chen asked.

"Yes," Lin Xiaoxiao shrugged, "Just like you have a photographic memory, I have my abilities, and there's really nothing to hide."

Qing Chen felt that this world was becoming even more mysterious in his mind.

The coexistence of mechanical and mystical studies in the world did not scare him; on the contrary, it piqued his interest even more.

And the events that were unfolding were probably why Uncle Li Dong and others held such an extraordinary status in this prison.

Qing Chen wanted to explore all this and desired to possess it even more.

Seeing Qing Chen deep in thought, Lin Xiaoxiao took the initiative to ask, "Are you from Qing's Group?"

Qing Chen didn't answer the question directly but instead asked, "Is it because of the assumption about my identity that I receive special treatment? Why do the mechanical jail guards not care about you?"

"Naturally, it's because the boss is special enough that the mechanical jail guards don't bother us," Lin Xiaoxiao said, "You don't need to change the subject. Back to your identity, last night I found a surveillance video of you talking to Lu Guangyi, who was sent here by Qing's. He was eager to contact you, so I am certain you are from Qing's Group."

Qing's Group… Qing Chen noted these four words.

At that moment, he felt more relaxed.

The other party had vast connections in this prison, whereas he felt like a child just learning to walk in comparison.

If that was the case, then there was no need to be too nervous.

Since they still wanted to engage with him after figuring out his situation, it indicated that they too had demands.

Qing Chen sat on the worn sofa and asked with a focused tone, "Since you are certain I am from Qing's Group, why extend an olive branch to me?"

"Our organization doesn't care about background; anyone who shares our ideals can join," Lin Xiaoxiao said smilingly. "Of course, they must qualify."

Qing Chen was momentarily taken aback, realizing all this was actually an assessment to see if he qualified to join.

He had thought they wanted to collaborate with the power behind him.

"You want to recruit me?" Qing Chen asked, puzzled.

"I didn't say you qualify yet. Honestly, I feel you are not one of us," Lin Xiaoxiao said, "But the boss said our organization needs all sorts of people: visionary eagles, mountain-steadying tigers, battle-ready wolves. Everyone has their use."

"Then what role do you play in your organization?" Qing Chen asked.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't want to answer; he just smirked mysteriously and said, "Guess?"

Qing Chen thought for a moment and said, "The production team's donkey?"

Lin Xiaoxiao: "???"

What the heck?

It's not even as good as a swimming fish!

At this moment, Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly realized that the other party was completely relaxed while facing this unknown nightmare and unknown self, and was effortlessly navigating it.

This teenager was only 17 years old.

Lin Xiaoxiao curiously said, "Qing's Group arranged for Lu Guangyi to come here with such fanfare, and then they arranged for you to come here. What exactly do you guys want to do, or what are you looking for?"

Qing Chen thought to himself, if I say I don't even know why I'm here, you certainly wouldn't believe me...

This matter... you've got to ask Lu Guangyi...

To be honest, Qing Chen was also pondering whether he should find Lu Guangyi to clarify the reasons and consequences?

However, just thinking about Lu Guangyi, with his nagging and fawning demeanor, gave him a bit of a headache.

"It's alright if you don't want to talk, I'll figure it out sooner or later," Lin Xiaoxiao said, "Alright, get some rest. You'll have to play chess with the boss tomorrow morning."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Qing Chen's vision darkened, and he was pulled out of the nightmare. He slowly got up from the prison cell floor and lay on the cold bed, not knowing what to think.

He looked at the thick Alloy Gate, beyond which was a cold and mysterious world.

...

Return countdown 20:59:21.

Return countdown 20:59:20.

Early in the morning, as usual, Uncle Li Dong sat by the dining table, silently studying a chess endgame.

It wasn't yet time for the prisoners to leave their cells, and the whole prison was quiet.

Lin Xiaoxiao crouched in his chair and said, "Boss, I tempted him last night using the 'Double Ghost Dilemma,' and guess what, he was ready to pull out a knife and kill one...such intense murderous intent."

Ye Wan frowned, "I told you to be moderate. Ordinary people can easily break down in the 'Double Ghost Dilemma.'"

"Don't worry," Lin Xiaoxiao replied irritably, "I didn't go through with it. Besides, you don't know, that kid actually managed to escape my control in the nightmare."

"Oh?" Uncle Li Dong looked up, "I confirmed he's just an ordinary person. It's quite special that an ordinary person could escape your control in the nightmare."

Even the big cat resting with its eyes closed on the table glanced curiously at Lin Xiaoxiao.

Ye Wan asked, "How did he manage that?"

"I'm not sure," Lin Xiaoxiao shook his head.

"Perhaps he has a strong will," Uncle Li Dong did not delve deeper into the matter. Others too had managed to break free from the constraints of nightmares.

Crouching, Lin Xiaoxiao said, "Boss, I still advise you to think carefully. Qing Chen is quite murderous, not our kind of person at all."

Uncle Li Dong suddenly laughed, "We lost so many colleagues for this cause, and even the three of us are trapped in this prison. So you see, Xiao Xiao, we can't use gentleness to combat the dark, we need fire."

As he spoke, Uncle Li Dong's expression turned somewhat somber, "Ye Wan, bring me the harmonica."

Dinner time was approaching, and the prison gradually became noisy. The sounds from the steel beasts behind the Alloy Gates, like boiling water starting to bubble.

But suddenly, a melodious harmonica sound rose above the prison square, soothing to the soul.

The sound of prisoners banging on the cell doors gradually ceased, and everyone listened quietly, as if someone had poured fresh spring water into a dried-up wasteland.