[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-60":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},2267680,4428,"Chapter 60: What","the-shadow-empire-chapter-60",60,"\u003Cp>The enforcer muttered curses about his boss’s entire family as he stood at the deli counter ordering, knowing he’d have to pay for this meal himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kent hadn’t given him any money—this wasn’t the first time, and though he was furious, he swallowed his anger because his monthly salary had never been short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, when faced with injustice, you can’t hold back—because once you retreat one step, you’ll keep retreating forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no fast-food joints nearby, only bakeries and delis; to find a fast-food place, you had to go to the gas station, a bit farther away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empire natives weren’t used to the Federation’s fast food—perhaps because it hadn’t been localized yet; only when second-, third-, or even Nth-generation immigrants—those who proudly boasted “I’m one-sixteenth Empire blood” or “I’m one-thirty-second Empire blood”—became the community’s majority would they come to like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, these first-generation immigrants, including the younger ones among them, might find Federation fast food interesting, but wouldn’t eat it daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bread and deli meats, however, drew more customers; restaurants were also a decent option, but with so many people, it would cost a fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer ordered several chopped pork knuckles, a pile of the cheapest bread, a large bag of one-credit fruit salad, and a bundle of chilled beer—that was their lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pinched a piece and shoved it in his mouth; the fried pork knuckle’s exterior was crisp, and as the skin cracked, fat and juice burst forth, filling his mouth with meaty aroma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might be the most enjoyable part of his food run—he’d pick the best cuts, devour them greedily, and leave the rest for them to fight over!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed by a side alley, he noticed three cars parked there and stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the Bay or the Harbor; though cars passed by occasionally, few ever stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Empire tradition, buying a house weighed heavier than buying a car, so in Empire districts, it was almost unheard of for someone to rent a home while driving a luxury vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was curious—why were so many cars parked here? But curiosity was dangerous; once you felt it, you’d inevitably want to know what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, he lit a cigarette at the alley’s mouth and peered inside; after all, their casino was right next door—he needed to know if anyone else was running illegal operations here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one look revealed a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Lans—and Lans saw him. They locked eyes for a few seconds, and the enforcer’s heart lurched—he bolted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans, who had been discussing how to handle Kent, shouted, “Catch him!” and sprinted ahead; the others followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer had never known he could run this fast!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, he thought if he could maintain this speed, he might win a sprint championship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, fatigue hit, and his body screamed in protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t even reached fifty meters before his speed dropped sharply; the food in his hands became a burden—he hurled it behind him, hoping to slow the approaching pursuers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Lans and his group were all in their early twenties, slender and strong; the distance between them had shrunk to mere steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more strides, Lans shoved him hard in the back—the enforcer lost his balance and crashed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rolled over, scrambled to his feet, desperate to run again—but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elvin leapt and slammed into him, knocking the enforcer back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They tumbled together, surrounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer glared fiercely at the youths, especially Lans—he’d seen big scenes before, and inwardly, he wasn’t afraid. “You’re starting a war, Lans!” He knew Lans’s name—he spat it out correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans, breathing hard, lifted his foot and kicked the enforcer’s head, grinding his cheek into the ground. “What the hell were you running for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed down harder, then released, took a deep breath, crouched, and slapped the enforcer’s face. “I like your eyes. Here’s your chance: open the door for us, and I’ll let you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer said nothing, still staring at Lans with faint contempt—as if to say, “Your threats mean nothing to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan moved to strike, but Lans stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few punches wouldn’t change anything—he had confidence. His experience told him these youths wouldn’t kill him, and he knew their names—they’d retaliate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that confidence, he felt no fear, no intimidation—he clung to the belief: “The more I suffer today, the more viciously I’ll repay tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So you could beat him, even break his leg—he’d endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the difference between gang members and Elnio and the other youths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans pulled out a folding knife. Before the enforcer could speak, Lans stabbed him in the buttock—the blow made the enforcer panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his mouth to scream, but Lans punched his cheek—the scream turned into a muffled groan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess what—I might stab your artery next time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added, “This is my problem with Kent. If you insist on sticking your nose in, Angel Lake will weep for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, if Lans had threatened him with death, he might’ve thought… it was a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he was afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans pulled back his coat, revealing the gun inside. “After today, there won’t be a Kent in Jingang City. My patience is limited, friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Mo Lisi. “Go pick up the food he dropped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stood, grabbed the enforcer’s arm, pulled him up, and brushed the dust off his clothes himself. “Don’t disappoint me, friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer stayed silent—but this silence was different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans took the food bags from Mo Lisi and held them himself. “I’m coming with you. Don’t try anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shoved the enforcer forward. “I’ll tell everyone I forced you—you’re innocent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer sighed quietly. “Kent’s brother is a high-ranking officer in the Kamir Gang. Are you sure you want to do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans shook his head. “That’s tomorrow’s problem. Today, I’m taking him down—and I won’t say it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many witnesses here, if he backed down now, he might as well buy a ticket back to the Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to go back to the Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer stopped resisting. What do you do when you meet a madman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He limped ahead, pain fueling his fear—and shifting his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some onlookers saw them “making up,” and some youths began gesturing with two fingers to their eyes, then to the crowd—warning witnesses they’d been memorized. The onlookers wisely scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching gang conflicts was stupid—you might end up dead as a “witness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes later, the enforcer pounded on the door. “Damn it, open up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice from inside replied, “What’s for lunch today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fried chicken or pork knuckles?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even look—he opened the door, then froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enforcer’s cheeks were swollen, his clothes dusted despite being brushed, and blood seeped through his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could ask, “What happened?”, a gun was pointed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard slowly raised his hands. “Calm down, brother. Nothing can’t be discussed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shot a furious glare at the enforcer, mentally cursing his friend’s entire family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he recognized the group—his expression twisted. The events of yesterday were still fresh; he hadn’t forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between his own misfortune and his boss’s, he chose his boss’s downfall. “This has nothing to do with me—I didn’t lift a finger yesterday!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans tilted his head, signaling them to go down. The two guards exchanged glances—they didn’t want to go down there one bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, they’d thought the basement was hidden, safe. Now, why the hell had Kent chosen a basement for his casino?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not set it up in the middle of the square?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the dark muzzle swayed—and their hearts pounded with every swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Walk down slowly. Anyone runs, anyone speaks—I shoot.” Lans’s voice was soft, but it sent chills through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gritted their teeth and stepped inside; the others followed Lans into the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kent had no idea he had less than ten seconds left before disaster struck—he scratched his feet, chuckling with the guards over lewd jokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he heard heavy footsteps descending, he grinned. “Damn, you’re finally back—I’m starving!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let old man see what you bought me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bonus rule follows the old book’s standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every 333+1 in tips counts cumulatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>666+1 monthly votes, valid within the month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This chapter is from last month’s monthly votes.\u003C\u002Fp>",1392,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3f740f83b567bf7c930dc48900534b3e08aa88605d4ad0087c7723578599a69b","the-shadow-empire-chapter-61","the-shadow-empire-chapter-59",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]