Chapter 140: The Appeals of North America
In the early days of the Chinese internet, numerous divine theories circulated that held a significant reverence for North America.
North America was bestowed with the title of “Heavenly Distant Country,” which not only represented a geographical admiration but also reflected the aura smeared on North America by public intellectuals during its more than half a century of global hegemony.
However, in the world of vampires, until the early seventeenth century, the New World of North America was essentially an external wasteland. The development of vampires in North America lagged behind that of Central and South America for a long time.
It was not until the mid-nineteenth century, after the American Civil War, that, riding the waves of the Second Industrial Revolution and the Gold Rush, the long-established British marquis family, the James family, migrated to the East Coast of North America, bringing with them the essence and prestige of the vampire world to this emerging nation.
This place had none of the complex historical entanglements of the Old World, nor the entrenched interests that had already solidified. Both the nation of North America and the James family within the vampire world were entirely new pioneers of this land.
Leaving the Old World behind, the James family, reestablishing themselves in North America, nearly monopolized more than half of North America’s underground resources in just over half a century, thereby elevating themselves to the ranks of top-tier families during the global economic depression of the 1930s, becoming the youngest ducal family.
The James family dominates the entire North American region, and the few remaining families collectively cannot compete. Their influence on North American secular society far exceeds that of the old families of Asia, Europe, and Africa.
If the Wang family of China represents the integration of civilization and order, the James family of North America has aligned their ambition with the hegemonic aspirations of the country. They operate in a more discreet manner than their European counterparts and are adept at utilizing the capital brought by civilizational development, firmly adhering to the ideals of unipolar hegemony in the North American world. This mode of coexistence allows them a tighter bond to the peculiarities of North American secular society than the traditional noble families of Europe.
The Empire State Building in New York is one of the star assets controlled by the James family from behind the scenes. In fact, much of New York City is inextricably linked to the James family.
Wall Street is filled with commercial agents of the James family, and every major listed company in the North American securities market is more or less infused with capital from institutions associated with the James family.
On the top floor of the Empire State Building, in an exaggeratedly luxurious room, Elvin quietly sat at one side of a large round table, interestingly gazing at the distant urban skyline and the Statue of Liberty standing at the mouth of the Hudson River, the corners of his mouth carrying a hint of barely detectable sarcasm.
His aide, Frank, stood like a wooden man in a distant corner.
This was already the third time in the past two months that Elvin had sat here, anticipating a meeting with the leader of the James family.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Elvin, the patriarch is currently attending an important family meeting on the West Coast and cannot meet with you.”
A voluptuous, still charming middle-aged blonde woman, dressed in a suit so tight it seemed ready to burst, walked into the room with a seductive stride, coming to Elvin’s side.
“Madam Catherine, it’s a great honor to meet you in person.”
Elvin straightened his suit, stood up, and perfectly took her slightly raised hand, performing a kiss on the hand gesture, his face adorned with a warm smile: “My great-grandfather used to say that if he could meet Madam Catherine, it would be like sitting down with the Duke of James himself.”
“For the friendship and cooperation across the Atlantic, and to witness your elegance and beauty, my great-grandfather has always looked forward to your visit to Europe.”
Elvin’s manners could be described as impeccable, also showcasing his significant status.
As a senior mid-tier earl, Catherine was quite satisfied with Elvin’s performance, for in terms of actual influence, Elvin was far greater than herself, the chief steward of the James family.
Elvin’s status was not merely that of the newly promoted heir of the venerable Engel family; he also led a legitimate vampire alliance formed by many prestigious European families.
Although the legitimate vampires of North America looked down upon their arrogant and outdated compatriots staying in Europe, this time, the James family’s humble stance and pleasant words made the conversation quite agreeable.
“Mr. Elvin, your upbringing truly exemplifies the standards of the entire European aristocracy… now, let’s get to the point.”
Catherine took a seat on the other side of the large round table, clapped her hands, and a large projection screen slowly descended from the glass wall, both blocking out the outside world and serving as a display.
“Madam Catherine, I hope the James family can soothe some investors’ emotions and call upon the North American investors’ alliance to continue increasing their R&D funding.”
Elvin got straight to the point, inserting a USB drive into the tabletop port, revealing a pyramid-like list on the projection screen, numbering close to a hundred, with dozens at the lower levels specifically highlighted in color.
“As you can see, the current North American investors’ alliance has expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the Ancestor Project, particularly from tier-three investors. I believe the James family has also been influenced by them…”
Elvin pointed at certain names on the screen, smiling as he stood and strolled around the large round table, “I am well aware that this year is an election year in North America. Whether the James family can continue its amicable cooperation with the North American government hinges on the attitudes of these tier-three investors.”
“Mr. Elvin, I somewhat agree with these gentlemen’s opinions; the timeline is indeed too long. They are not merely collaborators of the James family but also significant figures in both parties of Congress.”
“The President at the White House has repeatedly expressed concerns regarding whether he can be re-elected next year, as most of his campaign funds come from these tier-three investors.”
Catherine sighed, shaking her head gently, a mysterious smile appearing on her face: “You should know that even the Federal Security Council comprises tier-two investors. The James family understands your difficulties, but we must also consider the interests of the investors.”
“Mr. Elvin, as a close ally, I now need to be informed of all project details; this is a necessary condition to appease some individuals.”
Catherine sat up straight, her smile fading, and her expression gradually became serious.
“That will take quite a bit of your time, Madam Catherine; please look at this…”
Elvin, as if predicting the situation, elegantly pressed a button in his hand, and the projection screen switched, displaying three large icons labeled as tier-one, tier-two, and tier-three.
Noticing that Catherine was fixated on the screen, Elvin smiled gently and clicked on the tier-three icon, the image switching again.
“Tier-three project, codename Immortality, progress assessment at forty-three percent. Progress on telomere regeneration is slow and will require at least twenty more years to possibly achieve the first stage of clinical application, with an expected lifespan extension of about twenty years…”
“Tier-three project, codename Dream, progress assessment at fifty-two percent. There remains room for improvement in the revival of immune and nerve cell activity. Achieving a risk-free technological hibernation involves solving many challenges, and for now, we can only say it is barely usable… We are attempting to integrate freezing technology to explore a new supplementary research path.”
The projects that tier-three investors cared about most reached this progress in seventy years, which is already quite fast; I believe Madam Catherine understands how difficult it truly is to apply vampire technology to ordinary people, and the side effects have always been a major challenge…
Elvin sighed intentionally, shrugging his shoulders with a troubled expression, “Funding remains the largest shortcoming, and time is also a concern. All experiments are rigorous and costly, especially since preparing many crucial experimental reagents is a significant expenditure of both money and time.”
Catherine let out a cold laugh, slowly rising to her feet, pointing at a key piece of information on the screen: “Mr. Elvin, just for the Dream project, the North American investors’ alliance has invested over four billion dollars in the past thirty years. If the success rate is only fifty percent for hibernation, I believe any investor would not accept it!”
While speaking, Catherine swayed her seductive hips and walked up to Elvin, “I have no doubt about the technical strength of the Engel family, but since we are allies, I still hope you can share the core experimental data of these tier-three projects.”
The university research resources controlled by the James family can provide free assistance to expedite research progress.
Elvin looked into the eyes of the middle-aged beauty close to him and, after a minute, gently replied, “I’m afraid that violates our non-interference agreement… However, if these investors cannot wait, I suggest adopting the current technological hibernation.”
Although the success rate is only fifty percent, that still means half of them could live to see the first stage’s success, don’t you agree?
As soon as he finished speaking, Catherine’s pupils constricted. Such statements, if leaked, would cause a huge uproar.
As for the other tier-two and tier-one projects, they are not part of today’s discussions, so there is no need to introduce them.
Noticing Catherine’s change in expression, Elvin dismissed it with a smile. He reached out to turn off the projection, directly putting the USB drive away from the tabletop slot, as if today’s discussion had strict limitations.
Catherine’s face twitched slightly; she took a deep breath and slowly returned to her seat, showing an elegant smile after several seconds: “I’m glad to receive Mr. Elvin’s candid response… As for the funding issue, please rest assured; I will propose increasing the annual contributions at the North American investors’ alliance.”
Elvin smiled and raised a glass of wine from the side, giving a slight nod: “Thank you very much; that is the direction in which the James family and the Engel family strive together for the glory of the legitimate vampire world!”
As Catherine’s hesitant gaze followed him, Elvin adjusted his suit and left with a casual grace.
Watching the young figure slowly recede, Catherine bit her lip, suddenly raising her voice: “Mr. Elvin, I hope the Engel family can also put in efforts regarding the remaining tier-two and tier-one projects; the White House and the Federal Security Council are not the only ones concerned; it is also the patriarch’s personal wish…”
I do not intend to ask the Engel family to disclose the samples of the Ancestor, but the whole of North America looks to them to surpass the accomplishments of the Goebbels family.
Should the Engel family choose to completely conceal the research outcomes of tier-two and tier-one projects, it would be seen as the greatest deception to North America and the James family, which would be a desecration of our friendship!
Elvin paused for two seconds, gave a slight nod, and still departed without looking back.
Two hours later, Elvin was already aboard a private executive plane returning to Europe.
In the private cabin, Elvin was still browsing documentation on his laptop. Having been subtly warned by Catherine earlier, the smirk on the blonde youth’s lips had yet to fade.
Frank stood upright, unflinching, like the air itself.
“Frank, today that Madam Catherine wanted to know the progress of the tier-two and tier-one projects; I refused. What do you think she will say?”
Elvin poured a glass of red wine, suddenly muttering.
Frank paused, looking around, then realized that the family heir was asking him, quickly lowering his head: “Lord Elvin, has the James family exhibited any behavior that displeased you?”
In just a hundred and fifty years, these opportunists who had drifted to the New World have started to hold themselves in high regard. If it weren’t for my great-grandfather’s quick actions over seventy years ago, perhaps there would be no existence of the Engel family in this vampire world… I must let her know that the dignity of the Engel family must not be underestimated!
Elvin sipped his wine, his tone carrying blatant disdain: “They choose to cooperate with us while also using North America’s secular power as leverage; they wish to control the hegemony of two worlds at once… Truly a greedy bunch.”
The bodyguard understood, also smiling slightly, respectfully adding, “It must be the pressure from China’s development over the past twenty years that has been too much for them… Perhaps North America is experiencing a delusion of persecution.”
“No, they are clever; they know who their biggest future opponent is on this planet.” Elvin quickly raised his hand, interrupting his subordinate, “They are the ones most invested in the legacy of the Goebbels family, and yet they want the Engel family to assist them in achieving it.”
“If they succeed, it naturally serves their purpose. If they fail, they will quickly abandon the Engel family. The former Tanaka family of Japan is a clear example…”
Elvin shifted his gaze forward, towards the east, his expression growing increasingly serious: “It’s not just North America that is wary of the East… Sometimes I wonder, the greatest obstacle for the Goebbels family when they moved eastward was precisely there; it’s no coincidence.”
The bodyguard paused, no longer daring to speak, maintaining silence with his head lowered.
“Frank, when we return, I’ll give you a batch of experimental materials leftover from the ‘Frankenstein’ project. You’ll deliver them to that old woman Catherine and say we need practical data… The James family only wants to reap the greatest benefits from the cooperation while unwilling to bear any risks and obligations—how can that work…”
A few minutes later, Elvin closed his laptop, downed the rest of his wine, and smiled with great nonchalance.
“At your command, Lord Elvin.”
The bodyguard quickly nodded.
……
Old Jin was swift in his actions, or rather, the achievements of Wan Yue in Northern Myanmar warranted the ordinarily sluggish man to pay sufficient attention.
Having reached the bottom-tier baron status, the middle-aged doctor appeared in the old street on the morning of January 15th, traveling through the stars and the moon. Had he not promptly revealed his identity as a member of the Wang family, he might have been intercepted by the secretly observing Luo family right away.
When he met his patient, the doctor, surnamed Lu, was also taken aback and subsequently locked himself in the room with the patient for several hours.
“Doctor Lu, any breakthroughs?”
As noon approached, the door opened, and Wan Yue entered with a visibly anxious Jiang Yan.
“Ms. Wan, Miss Jiang.”
Doctor Lu hurriedly stood up, picking up the medical records at the bedside, his expression grave: “Fortunately, the Luo family still possesses some medical testing equipment. This gentleman… how should I put it, based on my tests, he has been infected for no more than two months…”
“I performed two sets of lineage tests, and unfortunately, he is of the Altai-Apennine mixed bloodline. But theoretically, even rare bloodline hybrids find it difficult to enter the knight ascension hibernation in such a short time…”
Perhaps due to his academic background, despite being a baron, Doctor Lu still appeared somewhat restrained in front of Wan Yue.
“You are the professional; don’t worry about our possible acceptance of your conclusions.” Wan Yue sat on the bedside, carelessly checking Meng Huai’s pulse, “All the answers you can think of might be correct.”
Doctor Lu sighed and handed Wan Yue a document; Jiang Yan hurriedly accepted it, surprisingly reading it first, which made Doctor Lu a bit astonished.
“The drug residues in this gentleman’s body are too complex. I only brought some basic testing reagents and cannot further assess his condition. But one thing is certain: he has been injected with certain special growth agents.”
“Moreover, his body visibly shows signs of excessive use of Fuzhilan, resulting in damage to the neural system. It seems that the Black Dragon Society aimed to completely control him, using an excessively high dosage in a short time; after all, the Apennine bloodline has a strong resistance to rejection of drugs, and normal doses cannot affect him.”
“His hematopoietic function and blood boiling control are showing signs of collapse. I suspect the Black Dragon Society has treated him as a blood creature, raising him to continuously obtain high-value blood… hence the accelerated growth through artificial means.”
At this point, Doctor Lu looked at Meng Huai with some perplexity, wanting to say more but hesitating.
“Feel free to speak your mind!” Wan Yue frowned and stood up directly.
“Alright… My point is, based on the above conclusions, theoretically, even if he were directly accelerated to the upper-tier attendant, his body’s stability indicators are extremely poor, making it almost impossible to enter the hibernation state for ascension.”
“In other words, hibernation for someone with such an unstable body means failure and death… yet, I see no relevant warning signs, which is indeed strange… Perhaps only Vice Dean Jin’s personal diagnosis can yield a more accurate conclusion.”
Doctor Lu glanced around, ultimately revealing a苦笑.
“So that means he hasn’t encountered the worst outcome, right?”
Jiang Yan, who had been silent, finally couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes, for now, we can only assume so. But I still advise returning him to the country as soon as possible for a more comprehensive physical examination and a full monitoring follow-up for the ascension hibernation.”
Doctor Lu thought for a moment, still nodding seriously.
……
Half an hour later, the weary Doctor Lu went to rest.
“After all, we just settled here, and it’s too far from K City in Y Province, so the complete hibernation support equipment can’t be brought in. Additionally, the Black Blood family generally does not care for the meticulous care of ascension hibernation.”
Wan Yue helplessly walked over to the dazed Jiang Yan, gently brushing her hair, “At least one optimistic point is that your blood has nearly suppressed all the worst issues in him and even helped him enter the knight state.”
“Wan Jie, why is he a hybrid? Who infected him? There shouldn’t be any high-level hybrid vampires in this world!” Jiang Yan sat down beside the bed, grasping Meng Huai’s hand with a bitter expression, “After being brought back from the brink of death, I thought he was a very fortunate person.”
Wan Yue smiled, neither confirming nor denying, but her eyes shimmered with mystery.
The room fell silent for several minutes before Wan Yue lightly sighed, turning towards the door while softly saying, “I think he’s quite lucky… Jiang Yan, you should consider the future problems for him. Should you let him fend for himself or allow him to stay here for life.”
As soon as she spoke, Jiang Yan trembled slightly, then turned back, gazing at Wan Yue’s departing figure in confusion, unsure how to respond.
