[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-empire-of-shadows":3,"chapter-empire-of-shadows-empire-of-shadows-chapter-6":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Empire of Shadows",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1432135,1884,"Chapter 6: Gunmen and Bullets","empire-of-shadows-chapter-6",6,"\u003Cp>Chapter 6: Gunmen and Bullets\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons are incredibly common in Jingang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When violence becomes the rule in broad daylight, weapons inevitably become a key resource—both to defend oneself and to infringe on the rights of others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with the choice between “having a gun in hand” and “reporting to the police afterward,” any smart resident of Jingang City knows which option to take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although weapons are everywhere, not everyone possesses them, let alone openly displays them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only three types of people dare to do that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the federal law enforcement officers. They have the legal right to carry guns; if they shoot you, all they have to do is file a report saying, “... I showed my ID, then he tried to grab my weapon, so I followed protocol under Section…,” and then they get a nice vacation, with enthusiastic greetings from colleagues upon their return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second group is gang members, who not only don’t hide their weapons but wish for as many people as possible to see them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thrill of knowing their weapons can kill fills them with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re the scariest because the first two groups at least abide by some rules. But the capitalist’s people? They only recognize money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the face of money, laws and morals are nothing that would stop them from pulling the trigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the western outskirts of Jingang City is a place called Angel Lake, a popular tourist spot, with a local saying known only to residents:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When capitalists get angry, the water level in Angel Lake rises!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outsiders might not understand this, but locals know that the lake level rises because of all the oil barrels dumped in it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whichever kind it is, nobody messes with these bastards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People at the bottom of society actually understand how to navigate these crises and make choices better than most adults might assume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when faced with an imminent crisis, this man immediately gave in without a moment's hesitation—so quickly that it almost looked... practiced!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do it right away, and I promise it won’t happen again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fordis retracted his hand, letting his coat naturally fall to conceal his weapon, which allowed the man in front of him to finally take a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just in those few seconds, his mind had gone blank, his body was drenched in sweat—he’d felt like he’d nearly died!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Elvin and Lance with newfound wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have some things I’d like to discuss with... this gentleman here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fordis glanced at Lance for a few seconds, then turned away. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire company, Fordis was among the boss’s most trusted men. If he’d been sent out on this errand, it was certainly because the boss found this young man intriguing. ℞𝖆𐌽Ɵ𝐁Ëʂ\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lance gestured for the trembling drunk to step aside. “Unless you’d like to chat out here in the hallway, which I’m sure your neighbors would love to overhear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re okay becoming the laughingstock of this dormitory by tomorrow, we can continue here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man suddenly realized what was happening. Though he still held some fear, disgust, and resentment, he moved aside to let Lance in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Federal people still cared about their pride—even a bastard of a drunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The apartment was a typical one for people at the bottom—less than forty square meters, with a cramped kitchen, dining area, and bathroom, and beyond them, a bedroom and a small storage room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This setup was rather interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those in the lower levels of the federation could go without a separate kitchen, but not without a storage room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though most poor folks had very little, they always had a collection of inexplicable, useless things they refused to part with—junk, essentially.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like themselves, in terms of their worth on the path of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a storage room, the place would be an utter mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no sign of a woman or child’s presence, but a photo frame on the dining table held a picture of the man and a child. The whole scene suggested the man wasn’t doing too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suspicious stains and strange odor on the sofa made Lance decide not to sit. He stood nearby, close to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen, Ethan is my friend. I’ll have him apologize for his reckless behavior, but you’re at fault, too. You shouldn’t have tried to deduct money from his pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drunk man nodded instinctively, murmuring “uh-huh” in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So after the case is closed, he’ll apologize, but you also need to return the wages you withheld from him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll see that he doesn’t pursue this further, but you have to promise this is the last time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your arrangement will remain in place. He’ll keep using your work card every month, paying you fairly. But you won’t make things difficult for him by withholding pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lance walked over to the table, picked up the picture frame, and remarked, “Cute kid. Yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drunk man snapped out of his daze, suddenly tense. “This has nothing to do with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lance put the frame down, smiling. “Whether he’s involved or not depends on your choice, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re all just despicable stowaways here, thieves from another world. There’s nothing here worth holding on to for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you have family here. You have a child, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded repeatedly. “I get it. I’ll give him the money, but please, don’t make any trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lance’s hand rested on the edge of the table, and he suddenly felt the sticky grime. It was unpleasant, though he restrained himself from showing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve always believed that everything runs according to certain patterns and rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as rules exist, we’ll follow them. That’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At market rate, fifteen dollars is what you’re due. Nobody has the right to take away your money—that’s the rule.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as you follow the rules, so will we.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his position near the door, Elvin watched Lance with admiration. He never expected so much could happen in one day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan ran off, they got into trouble, then Lance took him to borrow money. They didn’t get the money, but they solved the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even rode in a car and saw Lance act so cool in person!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was so worth it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too cool!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his daze, the drunk man finally came to his senses. “I know what to do now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “Can I know your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a confident, self-assured smile, as if everything were under his control, Lance replied, “Lance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, the drunk man had changed into a different set of clothes. Though they still carried a strong odor, they were better than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In silence, he got into the car. When they arrived at the precinct, he immediately explained the situation and signed a document under the watchful eye of some impatient police officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From inside the car, Lance watched the events unfold through the glass window. It was a curious feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fordis couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer and asked, “Aren’t you scared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lance looked back at him in the rearview mirror. “Scared of what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fordis smirked. “This is a police station, and as far as I know, you’re an undocumented person. And so is the kid with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lance couldn’t help but run his hand over the car door. The smooth walnut wood felt satisfying, explaining why some people liked classic cars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mind if I ask why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because there’s twenty thousand dollars between me and them, and that’s a gap they won’t cross.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fordis pondered this for a moment before saying with some admiration, “That’s a wise answer. Are you really only eighteen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lance didn’t answer, only smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far away, under a bridge, Ethan hid in an abandoned culvert where many homeless people lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place stayed warm in winter since the wind couldn’t get in, and it remained cool in summer thanks to shade and the cold air seeping from nearby pipes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the drunk man, Ethan apologized earnestly, “I shouldn’t have hit you so impulsively. I’m sorry, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the man could still feel the ache in his cheekbone from Ethan’s earlier punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan was only twenty but looked at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight, maybe even older.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was strong. His father had been a leatherworker—a respected profession both in the Empire and the Federation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leatherworking symbolized a craft, a social standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s hard to imagine leatherworkers having social status, but looking back at historical shifts in social class, it did exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because originally, those who could afford leather goods were usually nobles. So leatherworkers initially served the nobility, giving them a status above ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to his father’s stable income and social standing, Ethan grew up tall and strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drunk, now facing this intimidating young man, watched Ethan bow with an expression of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Lance and Fordis, finally facing reality. “I made some mistakes, too. It wasn’t all your fault. We’re even…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan received his twenty dollars, not a cent short. The man had planned to give him a bit more, but Lance refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rules are rules, and it’s best not to break them when you lack power—that’s survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching the drunk man leave, Lance asked Fordis to wait a little longer. He had a few more things to discuss with Ethan.\u003C\u002Fp>",1571,"2026-06-06T01:02:09.211Z",1,"novelbin.me","acfb7fed626f10bc842ead8ea1c24890d0fd81c5501828a4666eafaefb60af01","empire-of-shadows-chapter-7","empire-of-shadows-chapter-5",646,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fempire-of-shadows-cover.jpg"]