[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-121":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Shadow Empire",{"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},2267741,4428,"Chapter 121: Locking the Target, Reaching an Agreement, and the Conversation","the-shadow-empire-chapter-121",121,"\u003Cp>The light turned on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will rubbed his stinging cheek, some specks of blood still on his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up coldly at the middle-aged man, who stood helplessly, and at the whip in his hand—a rage more brutal than the man’s own desire for destruction began to rage within him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a very special whip, made of thick leather thongs—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some leather shops, they tan particularly hard cowhide, used for the bases or stiffening panels of leather goods, much harder than soft cowhide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some scraps, barely a centimeter square, were cheap and useless; Enio’s father brought some home, tied them together, and oiled them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was easy to swing—each strike left several raised, bleeding welts; every time he used it on Enio, Enio would jump off the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He treasured this whip deeply; in his dark, miserable life, this whip was the only light he had!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light that could redeem him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he swung it, the deep, visceral satisfaction made him forget all his troubles!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was one condition: the one being whipped had to be Enio, or his mother—not anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this situation now, he felt no relief, no light entering his heart—only fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much fear that he didn’t even notice why a stranger had appeared in his home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enio’s father didn’t know what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will stood up, snatched the whip from his hand, and lashed it across his face—the stunned Enio’s father finally snapped back to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun around and tried to run outside, but two large men who had entered blocked his path and shut the door behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he turned back, two more men stood beside Will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold him down…” Will touched his cheek again, his eyes filled with murderous intent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a string of “I didn’t know,” “Sorry,” and “Please spare me,” Will finally vented his rage and handed the whip to his subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, the whip was exceptionally effective—smooth and satisfying to use; he planned to take it home as a keepsake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enio’s father had no connection to Will, so Will struck without restraint, focusing mostly on his head and face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enio’s father’s hands were beaten into bloody pulp; he desperately tried to protect himself, sacrificing only his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lay on the floor, barely alive—but Will had gotten what he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enio had disappeared after leaving home recently; someone claimed to have seen him join some street gang, and Will now knew who to seek revenge on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t kill Enio’s father—not out of mercy, but simply to avoid further trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time he killed Kent’s mistress, Lucal quickly found him; he was forced to have one of his men take the blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paid twelve thousand, turning intentional murder into negligent homicide; his man didn’t bear full responsibility and received only two years in prison—the lawyer convinced the jury that the girl had accidentally fallen off the balcony during a heated argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will’s man cooperated fully with police and compensated aggressively, winning the forgiveness of the girl’s family, who hadn’t spoken to her in years; ultimately, the judge, following the jury’s opinion, ruled it an accident and noted the man’s sincere remorse and compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, only two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made him realize Lucal’s people had been watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, less than three minutes after they left, Lucal’s men entered the house, called an ambulance, and took the unconscious Enio’s father to the hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning of the incident, Lucal made no further arrangements—just told them to prepare documents and continue pursuing Will’s responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let him find someone to take the blame; in the end, it’s his own flesh that will hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, Lucal learned Will’s next target—Enio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more astonishing to Lucal was that the leader of the “Lans Family” Enio had joined was none other than Lans, the boss who had spoken with him a few times at the Labor Affairs Office!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Lans drove to the dock; Chairman Scott had already arrived, having barely slept, lost in thought over what Lans had told Vorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the line: “People won’t remember who walked across the bridge, but they’ll always remember who built it”—he felt his soul had been baptized!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, no one remembers who walks across the bridge each day, but as long as people walk across it, they’ll remember the one who built it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was common in the Federation and elsewhere; he wanted to become a bridge-builder, not just a passerby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had the ability to build bridges—he needed people to remember him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Vorn’s introduction, the two shook hands warmly. “You look very young.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you!” Lans didn’t mention his age. “You look young too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chairman Scott laughed heartily; for an old man, being called young was the sweetest compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, let’s go to my office to talk,” he told his secretary to bring three coffees and some snacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once all three were seated and the coffee arrived, Chairman Scott raised the issue of illegal immigrants paying union dues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After I went home yesterday, I thought about this constantly—it’s highly feasible, but also comes with additional problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the Federation’s union system, all benefits and assistance we offer members are based on the premise that they are Federation citizens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For example, we help workers fight capitalists for their rightful, legal rights, or assist them with legal issues they face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Illegal immigrants are not legal citizens or residents; when they encounter these problems, we can hardly represent them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lans, you should know—in civil litigation, courts can refuse to hear cases because illegal immigrants lack basic rights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a legal standpoint, illegal immigrants are “nonexistent”—no entry records, no identification; though they exist in reality, legally they do not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the union nor any social security system can make claims on behalf of a void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opposing lawyer merely needs to point out their illegal status, and the court terminates the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are precisely the union’s most important duties—in other words, even if they pay dues, we can’t actually help them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chairman Scott’s stance was honest—he didn’t trick Lans into paying immediately, nor did he refuse; he laid out the real problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Lans nodded in strong agreement. “Yes, Chairman Scott, you’re absolutely right—before they gain legal status, their dues carry far less weight than those of native workers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, Chairman Scott, perhaps we’ve had a flawed assumption from the start.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The purpose of having illegal immigrants pay dues isn’t to grant them all the rights and obligations of native members—it’s that I want at least fair, impartial treatment for them on the docks, in conflicts with native workers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recounted yesterday’s incident: “If we hadn’t intervened, Jamie’s clothes and money would’ve been stolen—and that would’ve been the end of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one could help him. But if he paid dues, the union could step in immediately, stop the bullying, and offer him support—then his dues would mean something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Help him recover his stolen money and clothes from Johnny, and protect his basic human rights as a dockworker.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what they want!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A workplace free from bullying, peaceful and safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chairman Scott thought carefully—he knew the docks better than anyone; this was his territory, and Lans was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Vorn, who looked back; the two veteran partners exchanged understanding in a single glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vorn pushed back his hair—a signal he was about to speak. “Lans, tensions between native workers and immigrants aren’t easily resolved, and… you know, we can’t monitor them every second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His point: the union wanted money but didn’t want to get overly involved in conflicts between natives and immigrants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allowing native workers to bully illegal immigrants was itself a form of management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by shifting pain could people feel less pain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Enio’s father—he transferred society’s injustice and cruelty onto his wife and child through domestic violence; the pleasure he gained from abusing his family helped his own wounds from society heal faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dockworkers were the same—they were exploited and oppressed, but if they could bully someone else, they felt “at least someone’s worse off than me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And by adopting the role of “abuser,” they felt better about their own lives and circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exploitation and oppression no longer felt unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lans frown, and knowing this money would ultimately come from him, Vorn continued: “Lans, you run dock labor—you know better than anyone how dull and painful this work is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People need an outlet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was the saddest truth about immigrants—they elevated the social bottom, becoming the basement floor, beneath the first floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vorn’s words were cruel, but true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these scapegoats, the dockworkers’ conditions improved significantly—and management became easier:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t work, someone else will. Clean up your arrogance and get back to your post—or pack your things and get out. Choose!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they’d compromise, release their emotions—perfect management system!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a vicious cycle, equally effective against illegal immigrants and immigrant workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t work, someone else will—they can endure humiliation and abuse better than you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is an unhealthy management system!” Lans emphasized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chairman Scott immediately replied: “But it works—and it’s efficient!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans thought for a moment. “What if we offered other outlets for emotional release?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like what?” Chairman Scott showed a flicker of interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Dockworkers’ Club!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dockworkers’ Club opened once every week, offering various foods, affordable goods, and entertainment—a good place to relieve stress and vent emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it only opened twice a month, and as the union cut funding, the club had grown increasingly dull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chairman Scott shook his head. “Every opening costs us a fortune—two or three hundred at minimum, up to four or five hundred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it’s hard to accommodate your idea, Lans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans rubbed his temples. “I have a proposal, Chairman Scott.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me take over the Dockworkers’ Club. I’ll handle the workers’ stress; you ensure my people aren’t bullied. Together, we form a disciplinary patrol to prevent this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your people?” Chairman Scott caught a detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded. “Yes, my people—the ones in blue uniforms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer demanded fair treatment for all illegal immigrants—it was unrealistic, at least for now—so he wouldn’t bother those not united around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chairman Scott and Vaughn exchanged a glance, then Vaughn asked, “How do you plan to run the workers’ club?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was essentially agreeing to Lans’s terms; Lans smiled slightly, “Of course…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The discussion went smoothly; in the end, they would pay no further bills for the club, nor would they receive any income from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans guaranteed the club would remain open long-term, operating two hours each evening from seven to nine on weekdays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On weekends, it would open from two in the afternoon until eleven at night, with no days off—not even on holidays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They handed full operational control to Lans; to ensure he wouldn’t abuse it and would manage the club well, he had to pay five thousand to the union’s account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he failed to fulfill the contract, the five thousand would become the union’s property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides quickly signed the contract, and Lans, representing the office, paid the union fee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Payment was made not by work card, but by the registration number assigned to illegal immigrants in the office; Lans would also assign personnel to join the union’s patrol system, conducting constant inspections across the entire port.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone stole a uniform and no longer remained registered under the office, and was spotted by the patrol, they would face appropriate punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ensure not one extra, not one missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lans had paid for these people and their identities; if someone impersonated them, it meant stealing Lans’s money!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finalizing the deal, he signed a check for Scott and handed it over; Scott accepted it, clearly pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if nothing else came of it, simply generating three thousand in profit was a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The workers’ club was located not far from the union’s office; from its structure, it had once been a large warehouse, converted into a club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The club’s manager took Lans inside for a tour; the space was vast and well-equipped, though some items were already outdated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans already had some renovation plans in mind; after having the keys left with him, he prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he left the dock, a police car blocked his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the window, he saw Officer Lu Ka in the opposite vehicle, and smiled to greet him, “Wait a moment—I’ll back up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officer Lu Ka looked at Lans’s smiling face and found it hard to connect him with the name “Lans Family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But over the years, he’d encountered all kinds of criminals—even gang leaders—and was no longer easily startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, observing Lans’s gentle and humble demeanor, he felt something inexplicable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. I came here specifically for you. Get out and chat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans paused, then agreed; he parked his car and joined Officer Lu Ka on the dock’s shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind and waves gently pushed against the rocks and concrete, showing no sign of the sea’s fury; seagulls circled above the harbor, occasionally landing on ship rails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The busy yet tranquil port, and the endless sea, always gave one a sense of refreshing calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lans Family?” Officer Lu Ka opened with an odd term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans couldn’t help laughing, “You’ve heard about it too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officer Lu Ka smirked, “I looked into it. You’ve been making quite a splash lately. They say you personally broke a worker’s arm here yesterday morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans replied calmly, “That’s slander. A lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ka smiled too, “Your appearance is very deceptive, Lans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you needn’t worry too much—I didn’t come here because of what you did yesterday morning, but because you’re about to face a major problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much do you know about the Camila Gang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans had a rough idea of what had happened: “An imperial immigrant gang. They were already somewhat notorious criminal organizations within the Empire, then expanded into the Federation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unlike other immigrant-based criminal groups in the Federation, the Camila Gang’s main criminal activities involve kidnapping and extorting imperial immigrants…”\u003C\u002Fp>",2347,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e8e2b2ee6182544a935b8e93ba47a066399b01273f8a1cd8f9399b3a34c5bda5","the-shadow-empire-chapter-122","the-shadow-empire-chapter-120",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]