Chapter 65: Memories of the Wan Yue
It felt as if I had returned to the time of blood invasion and unconsciousness, the sensation of weightlessness as if my body was suspended in the air. I felt warm all over, and whether my eyes were open or closed, everything around me was a vague, hazy pale white. I could hear the laughter of children at play one moment, and the clear reading voices from the classroom the next, the sounds rising and gradually fading away. Then came the familiar assembly trumpet from the military camp, the sounds of training exercises, followed by the thunderous roar of gunfire… Time in this world seemed to advance with the succession of various sounds.
“Jiang Yan, twenty years old, has completed all the training content of Dark Arrow Phase III with excellent results, not bad… So, why did you choose the Xuan Jia Team?”
As the mist in front of me dissipated, I suddenly found myself sitting in a small, closed conference room, facing an impeccably uniformed figure with a serious expression—Hao Huai.
“Hao Huai?”
I looked down at my body; under the camouflage uniform, my chest was swollen, my slender waist was cinched with a tactical belt, and I had long, straight legs. My black hair was draped across my shoulder from the back of my head, a few strands hanging down in front of my chest. Looking across from me, Hao Huai’s sharp gaze was fixed on me.
“I am the one asking you!” Hao Huai slammed his hand on the table, his expression growing colder, his gaze growing sharper. “Jiang Yan, you have already undergone blood invasion, and you still dare to mix in with the Dark Arrow Team? You really have some nerve!”
“It’s not… you… we…”
A chill and goosebumps spread across my body, as if I had been electrocuted. I shuddered and stood up to attempt an escape, but across from me, he had already drawn a gun, pressing it against my forehead.
Heh, vampire monster, die!
A cruel, sinister smile curled at the corner of Hao Huai’s mouth.
The gun went off, darkness engulfed my vision, but there was no pain; my body leaned back, and I fell again into the void of the pale white world.
…
As the mist cleared, I found myself in a large dressing room, surrounded by beautiful wedding dresses of various styles and colors.
“Sis, come help me! Is this one okay? I think these pearl flowers are so pretty!”
Xiao Yao? What are you doing here?
Before me was Jiang Yao, elegantly adorned in a white wedding dress that revealed one shoulder, twisting her body in front of a large mirror on the wall.
Her light golden hair was styled in an intricate updo, topped with a delicate white floral crown, resembling an angel. Beneath the soft lighting, her excited and bashful face was particularly radiant.
“Hey, sis, I have a secret to tell you! I’m getting married! I’m leading this time, and I’m not waiting for you!”
Jiang Yao twirled around, showcasing her wedding dress, the skirt blooming like a flower. The pearl embellishments on the waist and hem sparkled in the light, her face full of pride and shyness was clearly visible.
Married? To… who?
I shivered again, my mind swirling, slowly reaching out to touch Jiang Yao’s smooth shoulder.
“Secret! Can’t tell you!”
With a playful smile, Jiang Yao dodged my grasp and, gripping the hem of her dress, dashed to the mirror, leaping into the world within the reflection, gradually disappearing…
“Xiao Yao, wait!”
Panicking, I followed her into the mirrored world, but suddenly, I felt as if I had fallen into an abyss, and my awareness was completely drained once again.
…
When I landed back on the ground, I found myself surrounded by a misty wine-red haze, replacing the earlier white, pure world. The air was filled with heartbreaking screams, and the deafening roars of gunfire, like a dreadful battlefield sinking into hell, chilling to the bone.
The distant mist churned, scattering and gathering, distorting and tearing.
A huge, indistinct shape rose at the edge of my vision, slowly approaching, trembling, becoming clearer, and increasingly monstrous.
It was a colossal mass of flesh, stained with bright red on the surface, with a half-open, oversized single eye at the lower part of the mass. Around its twisted, swollen body, dozens of bloody tentacles writhed, some thick, some thin.
Countless dismembered limbs of the Dark Arrow Team’s soldiers scattered around this grotesque mass, lifeless, an unbearable sight.
Are there any still alive? Kill this monster… it can regenerate!
In the distant dark corner, I heard Hao Huai’s weak call, intermittent, lonely but stubborn.
Looking down, I saw myself wearing a familiar, tattered black combat uniform, visibly stained with the smell of gunpowder, revealing the graceful curves of my body and fair skin beneath. In my hand, I clutched the last remaining incendiary grenade.
A long tentacle pierced through the eerie wine-red mist, driving directly into my body, but the dark-haired girl remained transfixed, hesitating with the grenade in hand. It seemed I could hear the giant flesh ball weeping, like a thousand souls crying in unison.
The internal pain of the tentacle piercing my abdomen was absent; instead, I felt pleasantly warm, as if my body’s meridians were being nourished, like a mother’s chord supplying sustenance.
September 21, Saturday.
Today marked the fourth day of my slumber, in a room filled with various signal sounds, I remained sound asleep.
The rising and falling breath, accompanied by a touch of fragrant scent, indicated that the dreaming Jiang Yan was still on the verge of breaking through to the knight realm. At times, her rosy face would frown, panic, calm, and smile, as if she were experiencing a long and intricate dream.
“What? Sister Xiao Ai… she likes Zhao Peng?”
Jiang Yao was replacing a bag of new blood in the infusion, but her eyes were fixed in surprise on Zhou Ping’s face.
“Hehe… keep it down.”
Zhou Ping smiled slyly, her expression very mysterious: “A lot of people know, but Sister Xiao Ai is too introverted to express it. I suspect Zhao Ge knows, either playing dumb or embarrassed to show it in front of us.”
“What good is liking someone… can they even get married later?”
Jiang Yao sat beside Zhou Ping, her expression curious.
Sister Wan had never clearly restricted everyone from talking about marriage… but there were many girls in the Hyacinth group, so I suspect Sister Xiao Ai is not the only one who likes Zhao Ge.
Zhou Ping leaned over the bed, supporting her chin with one hand, a hint of melancholy in her eyes: “We Hyacinths are essentially a group of wandering blood clans, but we seem to be heading in the direction of a more formal blood clan. Gradually relying on blood ties, forming stable and transmittable groups. Those major families of orthodox blood clans out there are, in fact, all like this.”
“What about Sister Wan? She’s so beautiful and sexy, I don’t believe she wouldn’t attract other men.”
Jiang Yao blinked her big, beautiful eyes, suddenly turning the topic to the leader of Hyacinth.
“Shh!”
Zhou Ping hurriedly went to close the door, then covered her mouth and lowered her voice: “You may not know, many big bosses domestically have courted Sister Wan in private. They spent crazy amounts of money… Tsk tsk… But according to Uncle Liang, Sister Wan left the Hermit Alliance back then, seems it was because of relationship issues… You must keep this confidential; don’t say I told you!”
“Tsk tsk, Sister Wan is indeed impressive… mm, got it, I’ll keep it a secret!”
Jiang Yao nodded quickly, but seeing Zhou Ping’s mysterious and anxious expression, she became a bit confused: “Wait… Why are you telling me if it’s a secret!?”
“Hehe, we’re good sisters, our relationship is different! Let me tell you, you must keep it a secret, actually, Sister Ling also has someone she likes…”
Zhou Ping’s expression changed again as she continued with a series of secretive gossip, leaving Jiang Yao in a daze.
Indeed, it seemed they’ve all kept their secrets, probably in these years, there haven’t been any juicy scandals in Hyacinth… Jiang Yao suddenly realized what the biggest difference between her and these women really was.
“Well… what about you?”
After listening to so much gossip, Jiang Yao suddenly thought of something and smiled as she fixed her gaze on Zhou Ping’s eyes.
Zhou Ping’s cheeks flushed slightly, biting her lip, her body shifting shyly a few times before she leaned close to Jiang Yao and whispered a few hurried words.
“Really? You’re into ordinary people too?”
Jiang Yao was surprised, still processing it. But seconds later, she recalled Sister Tan, the land knight who had once returned home carrying a child in her womb.
“Um… can’t say… just met a little over half a year ago, graduated from a prestigious university, and teaches at a preschool near my housing complex. Hehe, he’s really handsome; I’m all about looks.”
Zhou Ping said, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her skirt, a hint of a dreamy smile on her face.
How terrifying! You’re a thirty-something female vampire, yet you’re also love-struck and can fall for an ordinary school’s master?
Zhou Ping seemed to have already started seeing me as her close friend, making me feel suddenly awkward. But… listening to someone else’s secrets was still quite thrilling.
Suddenly, a vague figure resembling a certain youth flashed through my mind, making my heart race with an odd feeling.
Right, very steady, almost close to breaking through… In the next few days, I could infuse some common blood; rare blood is seriously in short supply in the country right now.
The door opened, and Wan Yue entered with a faint smile, glancing at several medical monitoring devices as she examined the blood bags on the infusion setup. Zhao Peng stood outside the door, his eyes straight ahead, not looking sideways.
Wan Yue’s sudden appearance startled Jiang Yao and Zhou Ping, who were murmuring to each other. They immediately stood up, their faces flushed, both lowering their heads and daring not to speak.
Wan Yue frowned and looked around, noticing the crowd with some confusion: “Am I a ghost? Why are you two so nervous?”
Jiang Yao and Zhou Ping exchanged glances; after a few moments, they both shook their heads vigorously. Wan Yue, uninterested in their emotions, turned around to leave immediately: “Zhou Ping, watch here; remember to help Jiang Yan clean her body later. Jiang Yao, come with me this afternoon.”
“Yes, Sister Wan!” Zhou Ping quickly responded, glancing secretly at Jiang Yao beside her.
…
In a high-end tea house owned by Wan Yue, she sat quietly in a redwood chair, sipping from a teacup. Behind Wan Yue, Zhao Peng remained in his usual suit. Accompanying her for the first time, Jiang Yao wore a white long-sleeved shirt with a plain bow tie, paired with a black strapless skirt and brown shoes, her light golden hair wrapped in a white silk scarf, her hands gently clasped in front of her.
This outfit made her appear more mature and solemn, yet it still could not conceal Jiang Yao’s innate youthful playfulness.
Internal security measures in the Hyacinth group had not been lifted, so Jiang Yao accompanied Wan Yue while still hiding two daggers at the sides of her thighs under her skirt.
As I watched Wan Yue leisurely sipping tea, I had stood there for almost half an hour. Although standing still was easier than the military stance, I still felt somewhat impatient, twisting my little head from side to side, unsure of whom Wan Yue was meeting today.
Footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the tea room, and soon a man of medium height with a scruffy beard entered.
Seeing Wan Yue at the guest seating, the man’s demeanor grew solemn, and he slightly bowed: “Sister Wan, I’ve brought Old Master Chu.”
After saying this, the scruffy man winked at Jiang Yao, then moved slightly to the left to make way for the person behind him.
Huh? Is that Huang Gu?
Seeing the other party’s outfit resembling that of a delivery worker, Jiang Yao was reminded of the first time they met and almost laughed out loud.
Noticing a movement behind her, Wan Yue frowned and turned her head slightly, causing Jiang Yao to quickly shut her mouth and unconsciously smack her lips together.
Zhao Peng, on the other hand, remained calm, his expression unchanged, merely nodding lightly at Huang Gu.
A few seconds later, a soft cough echoed into the tea room, followed by an elderly man in a tai chi suit, accompanied by a young woman, slowly entering the tea room.
As soon as the cough faded, Wan Yue swiftly stood up, slightly bowing and bending her knees in a gesture of hospitality toward the elder.
Zhao Peng and Huang Gu also deeply bowed, remaining perfectly still.
Usually exuding dominance and pride, Wan Yue showed a side of cautious courtesy today, indicating that the person entering had a status far superior to that of the Hyacinth leader.
Seeing everyone so solemn, Jiang Yao quickly straightened her legs, bending down in a bow, while sneakily glancing toward the door.
“It’s been over twenty years, hasn’t it? Yue girl, you’ve improved a lot… Heh, are you still holding back from advancing? Hurry up, don’t think about the nonsense, push to get promoted in the next few years, so that you could be the second fastest in the history of the Hermit Alliance.”
The old man’s low voice, filled with age and steadiness, resonated as he passed by Wan Yue, smiling as he lightly tapped her forehead.
Trailing a few steps behind the elder was Yao Li, who didn’t leave a good impression on Jiang Yao. Just four days ago, she was involved in an ambush kidnapping with Wei Jun and ended up with her left arm severed when Jiang Yan confronted her, while the latter fared worse, thoroughly beaten and left as a bloodied mess.
However, it seemed Yao Li wasn’t having the best of luck at the moment. Without her left arm, she stood with her head down and eyes lowered, quietly standing beside the elder, not daring to breathe loudly.
“Old Master Chu… Elder Chu, you have aged…”
The elder referred to as Old Master Chu by Wan Yue was one of the three core elder figures within the Hermit Alliance, holding considerable power. Although merely a mid-level elder, he was undoubtedly one of the highest-ranking figures among the elite.
Wan Yue likely didn’t expect to encounter this elder, who had seen her rise from blood descent to baron status over twenty years ago, now having aged into an almost decrepit figure with the appearance of a man in his fifties.
Not only was his hair gray, but he also appeared to have developed age spots on his gaunt face, filling Wan Yue’s heart with a heavy sadness.
The lifespan of blood clans far exceeds that of ordinary persons; even the lowest-level blood servants theoretically live up to seventy or eighty years. Attendants can reach one hundred fifty or sixty, knights can live to two hundred, and those above baron, their lifespan starts at three hundred years.
It is said that legendary dukes, provided they avoid substantial injuries and maintain reasonable dormancy, could live for a thousand years.
In Wan Yue’s memory, Old Master Chu had fought fiercely against the Japanese blood clan over eighty years ago, sustaining many base illnesses, which naturally hindered his rise beyond mid-level baron. However, by calculations, he should have lived past three hundred years, yet now at just over two hundred sixty, he was nearing the end of his life.
For the blood clan, if someone appears old, then they truly are old.
Given Old Master Chu’s current degree of aging, he could be considered a super centenarian among ordinary folk.
“It’s about time. My life’s been quite splendid; you children still have a long way to go!” The old man slowly took a seat, not hesitating, reaching for the teacup with his bony fingers. As soon as he lifted the lid, a smile broke through on his face, revealing he was drinking my favorite Renhua Silver Hair tea, “Yue girl, you forgot.”
Have you not slept at all these years…
Seeing him drink a couple of sips, she quickly picked up a spout teapot to refill his cup.
What sleep? To live long without dying is to be a thief. Slept too much before, and woke up to realize you, girl, have actually run off! Sleeping and sleeping, just to live a few more years?
As I slept, cars turned into automobiles. While I slept, shadow puppets turned into televisions. If I sleep another year, I’d probably wake up too afraid to go out on the street…
The elderly man was humorously expressive, and his clever remarks evoked laughter from Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao’s light giggle stood out in the quiet teahouse, surprising Old Master Chu, who slowly set down his teacup, fixing his gaze on the young girl for several seconds, his smile shifting to joy.
This girl you brought out? She should be the one Zhuang Jianfei mentioned. Hmm… indeed a prodigious talent, with limitless potential ahead, the rare blood type is secondary, perhaps even a little demon like her can…
Old Master Chu replaced his smile with a nod toward Jiang Yao, then signaled Yao Li. Yao Li promptly reached into her pocket with her remaining right hand to retrieve a small black box, placing it on the tea table.
“Little girl, meeting is a kind of fate, the old man gifts you a box of Golden Dan. Be sure to keep it safe, don’t let Wan Yue steal it from you; she used to be quite a trickster and stole plenty of my medicine!”
The elderly man was truly witty, gifting such a treasure left Jiang Yao flabbergasted. Even as she received it, she was pleasantly surprised, while Huang Gu frequently shot her winks.
The Golden Dan was one of the hidden treasures of the Wang family, hugely beneficial for the growth of blood types below baron status, unique and valuable at sixty or seventy thousand per piece, and it was one of those rare items that was priceless.
According to Zhao Peng’s words, one piece of Golden Dan was equivalent to two hundred milliliters of rare blood, with six pieces in this box, already considered a hefty gift. Even Wan Yue had only given the Jiang sisters one box to aid in breaking through the knight realm in these months.
One could say this is the ancestral master’s blessing, so you should accept it graciously.
Wan Yue smiled softly, giving a gentle nod.
A whole box of Golden Dan! This trip has been a massive gain… So many conflicting feelings make my face flush as I quickly stepped forward to hold it, lowering my head, my heart pounding nervously.
“Now that we’ve had tea and exchanged gifts, let’s move on to business…”
Old Master Chu set down his teacup, turning his gaze toward the embarrassed Yao Li, letting out a soft sigh, “This Yao girl is also part of my nephew’s lineage. She followed Jianfei on some training before; if she has offended you, let it slide for the sake of the old man.”
As soon as Old Master Chu’s words fell, Yao Li halted her steps, deeply bowing to Wan Yue: “I’m sorry, Sister Wan. That day, I didn’t know better and shouldn’t have provoked Wei Jun… My grandfather forbade me from connecting my severed arm; take it as punishment and apology.”
Hmph… Zhuang Jianfei did not inform me and sent two cannon fodder to take my people; is Old Master Chu here today for that? Huh, is Zhuang Jianfei too cowardly to show his face?
Now that it was time for serious matters, the fierce aura enveloping Wan Yue returned, sweeping away her earlier suspensive demeanor, restoring her as the leader of Hyacinth. However, she elegantly lifted her skirt corner, casting her beautiful gaze between the elder and Yao Li, without accepting the elder’s olive branch.
This Zhuang Jianfei is a kid I’ve watched grow up. Able to rise to baron status in such a short time is a remarkable talent. You two have been at odds for over twenty years; it’s time to come to terms!
Old Master Chu sighed softly, a faint sadness appearing on his aged countenance: “In the Hermit Alliance, we speak of three core elders and six deacon elders, but these past few decades, we’ve lost more than we’ve gained—those who are dead, those who survive, and we’ve yet to fill the ranks. Originally, after you were elevated to baron, you could take some time to solidify, but alas…”
Heh… come to terms? Zhuang and I can never come to terms in this lifetime!
As if touching a sensitive nerve, Wan Yue instantly rose, slamming her hand on the tea table, her eyebrows furrowed, eyes blazing with rage!
Yue girl, do you think he let Cheng Yuanshan go back then? I’ve heard that Cheng Yuanshan died in Europe. Logically, your vengeance has had its resolution; it’s not like you are still being treated as a little girl!
Old Master Chu frowned, shaking his head repeatedly.
This is my matter with Zhuang Jianfei; I’ll not trouble Old Master Chu to excuse him. He sent someone to stealthily abduct my men, thinking he can get away with a simple apology from the underlings? Since when did your face lose all value?
Wan Yue smiled, turning her body slightly, taking out a lighter from her pocket and casually lighting a cigarette in front of her elders, cold as ice.
I know, Zhuang Jianfei’s been enjoying a smooth ride all these years, and his actions have grown domineering; spotting good seedlings, he has been reckless. This matter has been inquired by the alliance; although you’ve been away for ten years, the alliance still regards you as one of their own!
Old Master Chu was well aware of Wan Yue’s tough personality and naturally wasn’t going to hold her attitude against her.
Haha, regarded as one of their own? Then do you know why I left the Hermit Alliance?
Wan Yue suddenly burst into laughter, her laughter making her tremble, her mocking expressions growing thicker, “I spent four years in the Hermit Alliance, always considering it my home. Unfortunately, this home has gradually become like those old turtles… no, it’s worse than those old turtles, various freaks have infested it, and squabbles erupt over trifles!”
“That Cheng Yuanshan devoured my fiancé to break through to baron status, and Zhuang Jianfei didn’t intervene—what’s worse, he shielded and let him go! This treacherous scoundrel was aware Cheng Yuanshan was once with the Black Blood Clan!”
As she spoke, tears suddenly streamed down Wan Yue’s face, choking back sobs, her whole body trembling as if reliving a nightmare.
I can’t believe I’ve heard something so shocking… Turns out, Sister Wan has such a revealing backstory! Even her fiancé was consumed by a traitor from the internal ranks! The murderer was actually let loose!
Standing behind Wan Yue, the obedient Jiang Yao suddenly raised her head in shock.
Old Master Chu’s expression gradually darkened, letting out a gentle sigh: “I was sleeping at the time and knew nothing of the right or wrong… However, given Zhuang Jianfei’s ability then, he likely could not have prevented Cheng Yuanshan from defecting. The term ‘let go’ carries some bias…”
Upon hearing this, Wan Yue actually laughed instead of getting angry: “Haha, everyone says that… Haha, Zhuang Jianfei has been entangled with the Black Blood Clan in Southeast Asia since thirty years ago. How many of their overseas connections are clean? Didn’t the elders of the alliance open their eyes?”
“Enough, girl!”
Old Master Chu’s face turned a deep shade of anger, gripping his teacup tightly, his hands trembling slightly: “Zhuang Jianfei may have entered the alliance halfway, but he has merit! The alliance’s other elders surely have a fair assessment of him! What of you? You’ve entangled yourself with matters best avoided; your little frame, can you withstand it?!”
As he spoke, Old Master Chu’s piercing gaze focused on Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao immediately felt engulfed by an overwhelming aura of terror, causing her entire body to tense up and her face to turn pale involuntarily.
“Ah, I now am an independent Hyacinth; there’s no need for the Hermit Alliance’s elders to worry. I suspect you came here this time probably to hear the nonsense from those old turtles in Europe, right?”
“Those traditional orthodox blood clans in the West, when have they ever regarded our wandering blood clans from Huaguo? No benefits, no early start; coming to Huaguo to point fingers and give orders—if I believed them, I’d be a fool!”
Wan Yue chuckled as she wiped away her tears, gradually rising, regaining her usual aloof demeanor: “Elder Chu, please return and inform Zhuang Jianfei that as long as I, Wan Yue, am alive for one day, I will never let this debt go. I’m currently busy; if he dares to stretch his hand again, I will destroy him!”
Saying this, Wan Yue smashed her blue porcelain teacup heavily to the ground, the tea staining the porcelain and scattering into pieces all over.
“Huang Gu, make sure to arrange everything for Elder Chu’s stay and activities in C City. All expenses will be charged to me!”
After finishing, Wan Yue took a deep breath, turning to leave the tea room.
Seeing Jiang Yao still trembling in a daze, Zhao Yao directly pulled her arm, forcefully dragging her out the door.
Old Master Chu, Sister Wan must have had a difficult time all these years, even delaying her promotion to slumber…
The two factions’ tensions in the tea room ended without any agreement; the previously unnoticed Huang Gu slowly approached the elder’s side.
“Huang kid, sometimes, what you see and hear may not be the truth… Yue girl is not simple; that girl next to her is even more complex…”
Forget it, her arrogance has been indulged by me, so I won’t hold it against her. Since you chose to follow Yue girl, work hard. Don’t hinder your own growth; you’re not small anymore.
The elder’s words were cryptic, leaving Huang Gu even more confused.
Old Master Chu finished his tea in silence, not speaking any further.
