Naming Technique of the Night

However, this subordinate slowly realized that the youth had gradually stopped the trembling deep in his muscles, and even his expression was becoming more and more resolute.

Qing Chen suddenly said, "You can't escape anymore, can you?"

Jindai Yunhe looked at Qing Chen, "I believe it's best for a prisoner like you not to harbor too much hope. Rest assured, no one can rescue you."

Qing Chen continued, "You abandoned the more efficient floating ship, indicating the Northern Airspace has been sealed off. This log cabin must be in a lumberyard of some production base, the wood used is ash, which suggests you didn't even have the chance to cross Chunlei River."

Chunlei River is the boundary between the south and the north of the Federation, and people usually use this river to distinguish between the South and the North.

In spring, the floating ice from the Northwest rushes eastward along the river. When the floating ice collides within the river, it makes a crackling sound like ice blocks colliding and melting.

Thus it was named Chunlei.

Ash is a fast-growing tree species south of Chunlei River, rarely seen in the north, at least there wouldn't be loggers from the north who specially seek out ash trees to build houses.

Jindai Yunhe smiled, and he gestured for his subordinate to stop tormenting Qing Chen, "Inspector Qing Chen does indeed have meticulous observation, but that ability is of no use. Don't think that killing a B-Class gives you more ambition. Like I said, the gap between you and me is as vast as heaven and earth."

In fact, even Jindai Yunhe was surprised. On their way fleeing the Central Plains, they were astonished to find the North had already been sealed off by the Li Family.

It was said that the madwoman Li Changqing had dropped all her responsibilities to start tracing their whereabouts.

It was understandable for Qing's Family to be pursuing them, but why would Li Changqing of the Li Family?

Li Changqing in military uniform is the craziest of all.

At this very moment, just the A-Class floating ships from the Li Family that had taken to the skies numbered six, patrolling the Northern Airspace, almost achieving full radar coverage.

This was also why Jindai Yunhe and his group had to abandon their floating ship.

Furthermore, someone had sent him a message that even Fire Pit had issued a command into the wilderness, instructing all the wilderness inhabitants to track them down.

Jindai Yunhe didn't understand why Fire Pit, which had nothing to do with this matter, would also get involved.

As a result, the way he looked at Qing Chen was somewhat strange.

He had merely kidnapped a confidant from Shadow's side, yet it had caused such a big commotion.

Jindai Yunhe began to suspect that there might be others popping out to save this youth.

Jindai Yunhe didn't show any sign of this on his face as he mockingly said, "Do you know what your fate will be? I will bring you back to the North, and then have you live in a pigsty like Qing Mu, eating pig feed. You'll be watched by Qing Mu's old colleagues, and we'll also capture your current colleagues and imprison them nearby, letting them watch as you turn into a filthy pig. Do you think it's ironic that you tried to challenge the Jindai family, hoping to easily make us hand over Qing Mu, only to end up as the new Qing Mu yourself? Regardless of whether you submit or not, from now on, when Qing intelligence personnel dare to provoke the Jindai Consortium, they'll think of you, and they'll start to fear, afraid they'll end up just like you."

Qing Chen ignored the other's mockery and simply said, "There must be a lot of people looking for me outside by now, so many that you need to scorn a prisoner to find peace of mind."

Jindai Yunhe narrowed his eyes.

Qing Chen said, "Send me back, and I will spare your life."

Jindai Yunhe suddenly laughed out of anger, "Honestly, I never imagined that Inspector Qing Chen, in such a situation, could still threaten an A-Class expert. Rest assured, even if I am to die, I will kill you before my death. This situation is actually not that complicated; I put a knife to your throat, and if the other side cares enough about you, they must let me go. Just like a bank robber holding hostages, it's a deadlock. Do you think anyone can solve it? How are bank robbers usually dealt with? It seems to be with a sniper, right? But, does a sniper work on an A-Class expert? We already have a sixth sense."

This appeared to be a stalemate; as long as Jindai Yunhe doesn't do something foolish, even if their location is discovered, as long as no one is willing to fire a shot that would kill both him and Qing Chen at the same time, then Qing Chen remains his most significant bargaining chip.

Jindai Yunhe said with a smile, "Don't worry, even if Shadow himself comes, I'm confident I can kill you before he kills me."

Qing Chen rested with his eyes closed, acknowledging the deadlock.

At that time, Jindai Yunhe seemed not ready to end the topic, instead asking, "Where have you hidden your Taboo? Otherwise, let's make a deal. Tell me the hiding place of the Taboo, and I will stop tormenting you along the way, how about that?"

Qing Chen glanced at him, "You've all changed my clothes for me, so you should know I haven't hidden anything on me."

Jindai Yunhe pondered for a moment, "Swallowed it into your stomach?"

"Why don't you cut me open and take a look?" Qing Chen said indifferently.

Jindai Yunhe shook his head, "There's no need for such a test, you know I won't kill you right now."

But the torture would not cease.

As he spoke, Jindai Yunhe once again pressed on Qing Chen's wound, ravaging the youth's will with endless pain.

He seemed to take great pleasure in tormenting others.

Even though Qing Chen remained silent, his eyes tightly shut.

At that moment, Qing Chen suddenly opened his eyes and said, "There is indeed something hidden in my body."

Jindai Yunhe's eyes brightened, "Which number Taboo?"

Qing Chen shook his head, "It's not a Taboo, it's a will of steel."

"..." Jindai Yunhe laughed mockingly, "Still able to crack jokes at this time, I believe in the perseverance of Qing Chen Inspector. It's alright, the Taboo was just incidental, it doesn't matter if we don't get it."

With that, he turned back to see if his subordinates had finished cooking.

Jindai Yunhe picked up the kettle from the stove and poured a cup of water for each of his subordinates, "You've all worked hard. We still have a tough journey ahead back to the North, and with our mission upon us, we substitute water for wine. Once we return to the North, I will commend you all for your efforts."

The subordinates offered their teacups, waiting respectfully for Jindai Yunhe to fill them individually.

After casually chatting in Japanese for a few sentences, they began to sip the water in small gulps as it cooled.

Half an hour later, one of them suddenly collapsed to the ground, groggy.

Some looked in astonishment at Jindai Yunhe only to find the A-Class expert observing them with a calm expression.

Thud, thud, all six subordinates lay on the wooden floor, breathless.

Qing Chen was stunned; he hadn't expected Jindai Yunhe to be so ruthless, to kill all six of his own subordinates.

However, this also indirectly indicated that Jindai Yunhe's situation must be very dire. Such actions were likely to prevent leaks and betrayal.

In dire straits, any defection could lead to Jindai Yunhe's utter downfall.

Qing Chen asked, "You don't trust them?"

Jindai Yunhe glanced at Qing Chen, "Is there anyone in this world who is truly trustworthy? They are dead, but I will complete the mission on their behalf. If I live to return to the North, then they will all be meritorious. The Jindai Consortium will provide for their families, who will enjoy the honors they have brought. Don't you think this is the best outcome? They were also willing to sacrifice their individual selves for the greater goal of the Consortium."

Qing Chen was stunned; he realized Jindai Yunhe wasn't making excuses, but genuinely believed in this justification.

He sneered at Jindai Yunhe, "Such hypocritical virtue. If they were truly willing to sacrifice, then you could have just asked them to commit suicide. Why bother poisoning them without their knowledge?"

"Let's go, I know you are a Time Traveler, and there are still 21 days left until your return. We must reach the North before you return," Jindai Yunhe said with a sneer.

With that, Jindai Yunhe dragged Qing Chen, forcefully pulling him into the snowy wind outside the door, their destination unknown.

Stumbling, Qing Chen found each step in the snow seemed to drain all the strength from his body, and as he looked out at the snowy woods, he thought he might truly not survive this ordeal.

But it didn't matter, life wasn't solely sweet without bitterness.

He had tasted life's bitterness long ago; this time it was just a bit more intense.