[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-75":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},2267695,4428,"Chapter 75: Rainstorm [Bonus for Cumulative Tips]","the-shadow-empire-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>\"I see,\" and then the receiver was placed back on the handset base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foreman lit a cigarette, gazing at the empty warehouse—Hiram and his crew had been dismissed, of course without a single penny paid to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The company had always operated this way—it saved a fortune, and since the losers weren’t them, they never complained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Foreman A glanced at his colleague: \"Someone will come soon to take over our duties; we’ll hand over the keys and leave then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other man said nothing, but his beaming expression made his delight obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, both were thrilled—though the job was easy, being stuck here day after day with nowhere to go had become unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d have quit long ago if not for Arthur’s high status and the generous pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, at last, they could leave; they whispered plans for where to go out and celebrate that night—they’d practically grown lice from being cooped up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a torrential downpour arrived, just as the radio had forecast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire city was shrouded in a curtain of rain, misty and dreamlike, transforming the world into something surreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain was so heavy it hammered the metal roofs like pebbles; only a few desperate souls braved the streets, while everyone else huddled under eaves, and even the roads grew sparser with cars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even luxury cars of this era weren’t well-sealed—if water got into the engine, it was no joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many cars had pulled over to the roadside; the cheap ones with canvas roofs were ruined—rain poured in from outside, turning the interiors into drizzling rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur cursed as he parked his car in the garage—he was a moment too late, and the interior was already soaked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he knew what to do and ordered his servants to clean it up quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then put the matter out of his mind, thinking instead of how to get more money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had barely a week left before leaving No. 25.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm washed the world clean; in the misty haze, several figures in thick raincoats arrived at the warehouse’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ve seen me—I’ll sneak in and trick them into opening the door, then signal you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwin gave a signal, then slammed the door hard, while the others stood at a distance, waiting for Erwin’s cue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure absolute safety, everyone carried weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pounding on the door couldn’t be drowned out by the rain—not even by the deafening drumming on the roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two foremen exchanged delighted glances and hurried to the door, flinging it open: \"You’re finally here—just you alone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supervisor A was very friendly; although Erwin’s raincoat had a hood, the heavy rain had drenched his hair, messy and covering part of his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then reacted swiftly: \"A few others are waiting outside—I saw you’d locked the door.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s pouring!\" Foreman B explained. \"Here’s the key—call your boss later to confirm the handover. This place is yours now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope your boss discussed this with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwin didn’t know exactly what had happened, but he knew it couldn’t be bad: “Of course, the boss said to call him once we get the key.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured toward the door: \"I’ll call the others in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two foremen had no objections: \"If they don’t like getting soaked, they’re welcome to come inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they pulled on their raincoats, both were already eager to head to the red-light district near the docks—this downpour meant more girls would be available, and they couldn’t wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans entered and saw the two supervisors changing clothes; he glanced at Erwin in confusion, and Erwin held up the key. Though Lans didn’t understand what was going on, he still cooperated and walked toward the bottles: “I’ll check them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foreman A glanced at Lans, now without his hood, unable to see his face but sensing his expression was unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Erwin: “Your friend is kind of unpleasant—nothing could possibly be wrong here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwin smiled: “Sorry, he’s a bit sensitive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two supervisors glanced at Lans a few more times, now fully dressed; they had a good impression of Erwin: “You look kind of familiar… have we met before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwin was quick: “Have you been to the Red Romance nightclub by the entrance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two foremen exchanged knowing, lewd grins: \"If we weren’t on duty tonight, I’d drag you along—next time, let’s make plans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand, and Erwin shook it: “Definitely next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the other one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both pulled up their hoods, said goodbye, and plunged into the rain, vanishing into the mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they were gone, Lans spun around: \"Hurry—get the Howard brothers here fast! We need to move this stuff out now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had changed—clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morris, though small, was fast—he bolted for the door. Lans grabbed Hiram and pointed: \"Open the warehouse gate! Everyone else, prepare to load the goods!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two minutes later, two utility trucks—each 3.5 meters long and 2.2 meters wide—rolled in; their high sides could hold at least fifteen cubic meters of cargo!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The workers, soaked from waiting in the rain, leapt down and began swiftly loading the goods using forklifts and tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Howard brothers stood by the truck cab, staring at the liquor, swallowing hard: \"How much do you think there is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Howard lit a cigarette: \"At least two hundred thousand worth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged glances—greed, shock, faint fear—all emotions present, but mostly awe at Lans’s boldness—this was a massive operation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiram’s crew were skilled; they filled both trucks in no time. There was no time for waterproofing—they just told them to drive off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans’s rented warehouse was nearby; large trucks were still rare in this era, mostly seen only near docks or train stations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elsewhere, their appearance was unusual—and always drew witnesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiding the goods elsewhere wouldn’t guarantee secrecy, and the distance made it unlikely they could move everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the docks, trucks were everywhere; with the heavy rain and thick fog, visibility dropped below fifty meters—perfect for smuggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two trucks quickly reached Lans’s rented warehouse—a common daily rental spot at the docks—and unloaded in under ten minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone then trudged back through the rain to the original warehouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm began to ease—torrential downpours like this rarely lasted more than twenty minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Lans had guessed the situation: the shift change had been delayed by the storm, and the foremen mistook them for the incoming crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So another group was surely on the way—just unknown when they’d arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every second felt agonizingly long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the second trip, the warehouse was nearly empty—this might be good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain had lessened to a heavy downpour, but the oppressive clouds still loomed, as if ready to collapse onto the city at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morris stood in the rain holding a lantern, watching the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five roads led into the docks; he focused only on the one leading to the warehouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, four headlights appeared at the road’s end—two cars approaching; instinctively, Morris tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the cars moved slowly—the dock roads were rough from constant truck traffic, and with low visibility, they dared not speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they turned toward the warehouse road, Morris quickly opened and closed his lantern’s cover repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While loading the last batch, Lans spotted a light flickering through the fog—someone was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked the loading progress: about two thousand bottles remained. He shouted: \"Stop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone’s coming—drop everything and get out now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans held absolute authority; no one argued. Workers scrambled into the truck beds, and both trucks sped into the fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn’t go far—only one road led out, so they pulled over nearby, turned off engines and lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About three minutes later, the two cars crept slowly forward; everyone held their breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they passed, Lans signaled the Howard brothers to restart the engines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the two cars arrived at the warehouse; under the dim bulb, the warehouse number stood out clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver was cheerful: \"They actually opened the door for us…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant’s nephew paused, his face darkening with unease: \"Drive in fast—something’s wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the rain soaked or damaged the bottles, their value would plummet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when they entered the warehouse and saw only about two thousand bottles left in the corner, they let out a furious roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Jobe, about to rest, was jolted awake by the phone—the pitch-black clouds outside made the night feel utterly suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>",1396,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f36da949bd35e3637b37be46db2da8dcecfa5726b3c7a0e274b4c6ad2d17f138","the-shadow-empire-chapter-76","the-shadow-empire-chapter-74",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]