Chapter 182: The Path of the Blood Clan
Western colonialism left many malignancies in Africa, the most peculiar of which is undoubtedly the border delineation issues between Egypt and Sudan.
On this blue planet, all known lands have been divided, yet between Egypt and Sudan, there exists a strange attitude of “deference.”
To compete for territorial sovereignty over the Hala’ib Triangle along the Red Sea coast of Africa, both countries simultaneously abandoned an adjacent piece of land—the Bir Tawil desert.
The border demarcations enacted at different historical periods mean that for either side to accept the Bir Tawil desert would equate to recognizing that the Hala’ib Triangle belongs to the other side.
Thus, the Bir Tawil desert became the only unclaimed land in the world.
It lies between Egypt and Sudan, isolated from the world, barren and desolate, devoid of any vegetation, uninhabited, with a harsh climate. There are even some dreamers seeking to establish a nation there.
However, beneath this seemingly forgotten desert, lies a vast and mysterious underground base.
Eden, is the code name assigned by the Engel family, its owner.
…
The Eden base gathers most of the essence of the Engel family, with research materials pouring in from all over the world almost every month. The expenses burned here each day amount to astronomical figures.
To maintain years of underground isolation, the interior of Eden not only simulates the changing of day and night but also features a massive indoor greenery area on one level, creating a natural environment that ranges from temperate to tropical.
Every year, Elvin spends several months in Eden, vacationing while checking the progress of various research projects, enjoying his private life away from the mundane world, and experiencing some mysterious sensations in a highly confidential underground space accessible only to him.
In his private room, Elvin leisurely leaned against the sofa, sipping red wine, watching Emma’s image on the large screen with a smirk on his lips.
… “I’m sorry, Lord Elvin, but I still stand by my previous point. Zhong Jing is not someone who can communicate normally; he has no respect or sincerity towards us, full of malice and opportunism.”
“He demands that we provide a miraculous cure before discussing further cooperation terms.”
Emma spoke slowly, but there was still a flicker of anger in her eyes.
“Young people are like this… In a sense, his attitude toward us is not fundamentally different from those investors in Europe and North America.”
“He is well aware of what we need, and we have what he needs. This is the era of mutual reliance, where each takes what they require. You know, if it were European nobles, they might not behave more courteously than Zhong Jing, or even worse…”
Elvin snorted coldly, set down his wine glass, and continued to look down at the document in his hand, which contained Zhong Jing’s outrageous demands, finding it increasingly interesting.
“Lord Elvin, we could completely go our own way; the wealth of the Engel family is not inferior to that of those capitalists. The glory of the blood clan cannot be sullied by those weak ordinary people.”
Emma’s emotions had somewhat recovered, but her unwillingness still lingered. “To share the wealth of the blood clan with ordinary people is itself the greatest mercy and blessing for them.”
Elvin raised his head, furrowing his brow, as if Emma’s words touched a nerve that made him uncomfortable.
Gently setting down the document, Elvin stood up, his expression becoming increasingly serious: “Miss Emma, do you wish for the Engel family to become the second Gogol family or the Tienzhong family?”
Emma quickly lowered her head, her body starting to tremble. “I’m sorry, Lord Elvin, I lost my composure…”
Elvin frowned slightly, his tone ominous: “The world of the blood clan is not much like that of ordinary people, yet it exists because of the existence of the ordinary world. It flourishes further with the development of the ordinary world.”
The blood clan abandoning or rejecting the ordinary people means being forsaken by the world. I do not wish for Gota’s ideology to appear within the Engel family; this is my last explanation to you.
Having said that, Elvin brushed his fringe and smiled lightly before turning away.
Emma dared not speak, her head lowered, her attitude extremely humble.
Out of Emma’s view, Elvin’s expression darkened, and his blood surged, his eyes turning crimson.
Elvin was a carefully selected heir of the Engel family, and from the age of three, he underwent the most rigorous and luxurious educational upbringing.
He recalled his childhood days spent next to his great-grandfather.
He once asked his great-grandfather, given that the blood clan is of divine lineage, why do they hide on the other side of the world rather than rule over it?
The answer given by his great-grandfather, or rather the old duke of the Engel family, still shocks Elvin to this day—The blood clan is a race favored by the gods, and their pursuits are completely different from those of ordinary people, with no common interests to form a foundation for ruling the ordinary world.
In his great-grandfather’s view, the core of ruling order hinges on whether there is a basic consensus of interests between the upper and lower classes.
European feudal nobles exploited and oppressed land serfs, seemingly differing vastly in status and rank, but their fundamental living and interest demands were in sync with those of the serfs.
The base serfs labor diligently each day, seeking only enough food and warmth. The high-ranking nobles, on the other hand, pursue better food and more magnificent clothing. Their fundamental way of life has never truly diverged.
Nobles desperately competed for land and population, employing more serfs to gain greater agricultural output and wealth, thus leading more luxurious lives.
To achieve this end, nobles also had to painstakingly study obscure knowledge, research production techniques, improve productivity, organize social production, and maintain social order.
To sustain their rule, they established armed forces, protected their territories, and researched weapons. One could say that even if there were no blood clan in this world, one day they would devise firearms and cannons to pursue their desires.
And serfs, beneath the nobles’ rule, reaped more grains, fabrics, and wealth, even participating in the glorious wars over land and population fought by the nobles.
This is the most basic ethic of governance—when the fundamental interest demands of an entire group align, the legitimacy of governance stands firm.
And what of the blood clan?
They possess a lifespan unattainable by ordinary people, yet under the curse of life, they must ultimately devote their lives to the growth of their own realm. Even governing ordinary people is, for them, a waste of life and energy.
They have no motivation to study knowledge unrelated to their own realm, nor do they have the patience to organize and manage social production. The things of the ordinary world are of no use to them; rather, they are useful but unimportant, even dispensable.
A blood clan vampire, relying on their strength, can eat their fill in any era, yet they have no urge to consider how to increase agricultural output by even one percent, nor to improve the durability of farming tools—yet this is precisely what generations of ordinary people care most about.
Land cannot bring about realm improvement, gourmet food cannot grant longevity, porcelain and silk cannot provide strength—the blood clan has fundamentally sought things entirely different from ordinary people since the very beginning.
It is these vulgar desires of ordinary people for food, drink, and bodily needs that create a colorful world and gradually yield technology capable of oppressing the blood clan throughout history… the progress and development of this world have paradoxically been achieved by ordinary, weak people who see their lives as fleeting decades.
Therefore, parasitizing and binding ordinary people while benefiting from their development and progress is the best choice for the blood clan and is the hard truth that the orthodox blood clan has summarized over two thousand years.
The content narrated by a nearly thousand-year-old blood duke was, for the young Elvin, far too obscure.
Thus, from his youth, Elvin traveled across major continents, observing the mundane world that had troubled him throughout his childhood.
“Lord Elvin?”
After waiting for a full ten minutes in front of the huge electronic screen, Emma received no instruction from Elvin apart from his still, unmoving back.
Elvin pulled his thoughts out of his reverie, turned around, and resumed his elegant and composed smile: “I was thinking of something interesting… Well, agree with him that the Engel family will cure his illness.”
“As for his cooperation conditions, let the EVN Group’s board worry about that. There is a saying in China: ‘Ask for sky-high prices, and repay on the ground…'”
“An ambitious, greedy, cunning social elite is precisely what we need. Over the past century, quite a few ordinary people more despicable than Zhong Jing have also become our friends.”
“There’s no guarantee of a hundred percent results; consider it a risky investment.”
Emma understood, quickly lowering her head: “Understood, Lord Elvin, I will arrange it immediately!”
Just as Emma reached out to cut off communication on the large screen, Elvin suddenly gestured: “Miss Emma, remember, although the wealth and blood clan technology owned by the Engel family are largely created by ordinary people, they are more focused on the progress of the world than we are.”
“My great-grandfather once told me, the blood clan needs farmers, workers, scientists, artists, soldiers, merchants, black sheep, and miscellaneous talents… Only by having them manage this world can we come closer to the realm of the divine.”
With the communication cut off, Elvin’s eyes grew colder.
March 3, Tuesday.
After a night of travel, Han Jieli finally arrived at Yueguan Town in B City, Y Province, around noon.
The small restaurant he once visited had been sealed off, along with the KTV on the second floor. Now, apart from a dozen special police officers from the Y Province 309 team, there were no outsiders.
After disembarking from the prison, Han Jieli first surveyed his surroundings instead of going upstairs.
“Chief Han, the scene and surrounding areas have been thoroughly inspected. Only Yang Jiu is dead, with his body buried in the thicket four hundred meters away. According to the forensic expert, the time of death was no more than seventy-two hours ago.”
Yang Jiu’s personal belongings, along with several bank accounts under surveillance, are all intact, thus effectively ruling out a motive of monetary gain for the murderer.
Both the scene and Yang Jiu’s body were handled with great professionalism, leaving no valuable fingerprint information. However, the forensic expert still found a small bullet fragment in Yang Jiu’s cranial cavity.
A covert arrow team member approached and handed over several pages of investigation documents and photos.
“The technical analysis of the bullet fragment shows it’s standard ammunition from the Covert Arrow.”
Having only glanced at the first page, Han Jieli felt a chill run up his spine and quickly read through the other documents and photos, his expression turning grim.
“Yes, the analysis conclusion is from the 309 team’s information unit, and the sample has been sent to City C for a second round of testing.”
After speaking, the covert arrow team member saluted and left.
A few minutes later, Han Jieli entered a small room behind the KTV’s front desk to examine the scene. However, as the investigation documents had indicated before, the room was thoroughly cleaned, and except for a faint smell of blood, no signs of struggle were evident.
Had it not been for the information personnel from the Southern Monitoring District making a routine visit to contact Yang Jiu, it is likely that Yang Jiu’s death would have gone unnoticed altogether.
A whole company of intelligence personnel carried out a meticulous search around the small restaurant and KTV, and after retrieving a vast amount of surrounding surveillance footage, they discovered Yang Jiu’s buried body in the early hours of the morning.
“Things have gotten interesting; a priceless blood clan information dealer has been taken out this way… The murderer used Covert Arrow’s weapons and ammo and even carefully disguised it; what could their aim be?”
Han Jieli patrolled the room several times before taking out his phone.
“Director Ye, this is Han Jieli. I need the Intelligence Bureau to help me check if there have been any Covert Arrow members carrying out missions around Y Province, B City… yes, including the special operations group as well.”
“Additionally, are there any management records from the Intelligence Bureau regarding people aware of Yang Jiu’s identity… Hmm, I’ll compile a brief investigative report on Yang Jiu’s death case later.”
With the call concluded, Han Jieli intended to head downstairs to discuss further with other intelligence agents, continuing to expand the investigation for possible eyewitness clues.
…
…
In the orthodox blood clan, the awakening of a newly minted baron is marked by a rigorous ceremonial process. Even the less established wandering blood clan members try to complete this ceremonial superficiality, inviting senior blood clan members of baron rank and above to be present.
Of course, the black blood clan, who are often engaged in machinations against each other, are an exception, as revealing one’s place of slumber can be extremely dangerous. This often results in the black blood clan’s promotion and slumber processes not receiving optimal care throughout.
Zhao Peng, finally showed signs of awakening in the early hours of March 4, just one day shy of three months. This reduced the prior most optimistic estimate by half.
In the time that has passed, the Hyacinth has undergone a series of dizzying changes. With spirits low during a time of turmoil, upon receiving news from Xiao Ai, who was babbling good news, Wan Yue quickly reacted and organized the highest-level celebration ceremony.
The Jinhe Club announced its closure for the day, and Xiao Ai arranged for staff to expedite arrangements, as the influential figures invited to witness Zhao Peng’s awakening were of considerable status.
Even Liang Tai, who had recently achieved lower-tier knight status, was directed by Xiao Ai to join in the preparations, rallying a few younger male Hyacinths to undertake a major cleanup, precise to the extent that it was nearly a complete teardown of the club’s interior.
As dusk fell, Zhao Peng’s vital signs began to rapidly consolidate, regaining control over himself, with all physiological indicators, including heart rate, trending back to normal, on the brink of awakening.
At this time, the distinguished guests waiting in the lobby of the Jinhe Club all displayed smiles.
The Order of Hermits was where Wan Yue began; although she had seemingly established independence, the connections remained. Mid-tier viscount Xiang Zuxing and low-tier viscount Wu Yuqing had naturally arrived early.
The Wang family’s representative was the upper-tier baron Lao Jin and his junior, lower-tier baron Doctor Lu.
Adding to this was Wan Yue, the leader of the half-step viscount Hyacinth, creating a luxurious support group for Zhao Peng’s awakening ceremony, all of whom were about to embark on a joint operation against the Black Dragon Society.
However, another prominent figure from the Order of Hermits, Zhuang Jianfei, while present in City C, wisely chose not to come and stir up trouble. Instead, he had Wu Yuqing relay a gift.
The first floor lobby had been festooned anew, more bustling than during the Lunar New Year, as the big shots exchanged pleasantries while Hyacinth knights and attendants neatly arranged themselves at the exit of the employee passage, awaiting excitement under Xiao Dong’s leadership.
In a staff break room, Zhao Peng was changing, while Xiao Ai meticulously examined his suit as though she were a wife, ensuring no detail was overlooked. Even if the tie were tilted a few millimeters, she would adjust it earnestly.
“Thank you for taking care of me all along; I can sense your presence, even in my dreams…”
Compared to before his promotion, Zhao Peng seemed a bit thinner after three months of slumber, but his spirit was excellent, and he smiled at Xiao Ai who was tending to his attire.
“Becoming a baron has certainly made you smoother in speech…”
The classic chaotic aura was heavy yet restrained, unfathomable. Coupled with the continued optimization of physical appearance during his promotion, Zhao Peng appeared even more handsome and composed, making Xiao Ai bashful yet more enamored.
The prolonged bottleneck period before Zhao Peng’s promotion was indeed trying; however, he refused to ever give up, which solidified his foundation as incredibly pure and robust.
Utilizing the opportunity provided by the Jiang sisters’ secret blood, Zhao Peng’s strength and realm after his promotion ranked among the top in lower-tier barons, or one might say, his subsequent growth trajectory had taken a significant leap forward.
After a brief embrace, where both blushed, Zhao Peng, along with Xiao Ai, stepped heavily out of the employee passage.
Before him lay a bright and radiant world; it was still as dazzling as ever, with familiar faces, yet Zhao Peng’s perception of this world had become richer and more sensitive than before his promotion.
Many details he previously overlooked or remained insensitive to now filled his mind with newfound interesting content.
Beside him, Xiao Ai had just entered the mid-tier knight level, but her deep essence felt chaotic and uncertain, suggesting that her growth quality would continue to trouble her for a long time.
Ahead, Xiao Dong beamed at him; although still short of hitting mid-tier knight status, she appeared light and spirited, seemingly on a clear path to success, likely surpassing Xiao Ai in favorable prospects.
In the corner, Wu Tai, quietly smiling, radiated enthusiasm, his upper-tier knight aura clearly defined. However, like Xiao Ai, if not for secret blood assistance, his future path might prove even tougher than Zhao Peng’s initial journey.
In just a few brief seconds, Zhao Peng had gathered a wealth of information about over thirty of his Hyacinth companions.
“Brother Zhao!”
More than twenty Hyacinth members bowed in unison—this was the first baron genuinely grown from within the Hyacinth since its establishment, deserving the utmost respect from everyone.
As for Jiang Yan and Jiang Jin, while they certainly exhibited extraordinary numerical prowess, for some, whether they were still blood clan could be a subject of debate…
Strangely, where were Xiao Ping and Xiao Ling? Zhao Peng smiled and nodded, scanning across the familiar faces but realizing two were missing while a few new ones had appeared.
His gaze shifted slightly upwards, catching a glimpse of Wan Yue and Jiang Yan on the second floor.
Jiang Yan stood beside Wan Yue, smiling at Zhao Peng who was surrounded by Hyacinth attendants, a profound sense of comfort washing over her.
In assisting Wan Yue’s affairs, Jiang Yan realized she had remained tangled in trivialities, unable to reach the level of detail and full immersion that Zhao Peng exhibited.
Now that Zhao Peng had returned, Jiang Yan felt she could finally breathe easy.
As for Wan Yue, she held a glass of red wine, remaining her usual self, leaning against the second-floor railing with a smile, watching Zhao Peng below.
Just a glance exchanged, Zhao Peng nodded slightly; everything was unspoken—this was the loyalty and tacit understanding developed over decades between Zhao Peng and Wan Yue.
The luxurious group dinner, slightly delayed, took place in the golden hall. As Lao Jin and other big shots presented gifts representing their respective forces, everyone was abuzz with excitement.
The Wang family’s gift was undoubtedly a highly coveted golden dan in the blood clan world; although no longer useful for Zhao Peng now that he was a baron, it was a grand gesture nonetheless, benefiting the attendants and knights of Hyacinth, as well as blood servants.
Xiang Zuxing’s gift was more commonplace—a sculpture made of old jade from Myanmar’s old mine of emperor green jade of genuine quality, valued at least over a hundred million, equal to Hyacinth’s past six months of earnings!
Although this had no significance for the blood clan’s realm, showcasing it at the Jinhe Club represented an excellent status symbol, perhaps even convertible when there was a pressing need.
Wu Yuqing’s gift included Zhuang Jianfei’s share, consisting of three full boxes of Sordocain.
Sordocain had already been verified by the Wang family to have a greater effect on the growth of the blood clan than the Wang family’s golden dan; it was even effective for those above baron rank.
If it were merely Sordocain, it might have drawn disdain from orthodox blood clan families. However, with the accompanying three boxes of Yuheng Dan to mitigate side effects, the value skyrocketed. Even Lao Jin couldn’t help but glance at Wu Yuqing a few extra times.
The celebration dinner for Zhao Peng’s promotion instantly turned into an occasion for the big shots to flaunt their wealth.
