Chapter 232 Trust (Part 1)
Through the bamboo curtain screen, Wan Yue’s keen visual acuity through the fine gaps in her eyes was undoubtedly far stronger than that of an ordinary person. From the moment she saw Han Jie Li, an indescribable sense of familiarity and a hint of alertness arose in her heart.
The child opposite her, though the grandson of Fourth Brother Han Zhongyang, had a personality very similar to that of Second Brother Han Zhongliang when he was young. Apart from some youthful and impulsive traits typical of his age, he was sharp, composed, and striking.
As she watched, the smile on Wan Yue’s face grew increasingly pronounced.
“… So, Li kid, today I’ll give you three opportunities to ask questions, consider it a gift for our first meeting.”
The elder of the Wang family began, and Wan Yue couldn’t help but be taken aback, slightly tilting her head in curiosity, thinking that the elder’s rather unique opening was somewhat overly generous.
Because when Wan Yue first met the elder of the Wang family, she also received such treatment.
Perhaps, with eight or nine hundred years of life experience, the elder possessed profound schemes and a calm confidence—she wasn’t one to tell lies but could always break the truth down into fragments that others might find hard to detect, adapting to the situation.
A minute later, the young man across the bamboo curtain straightened his back:
“Old senior, I first want to know, what is the relationship between the Ancestor, Grandmother, and the Queen, and what does ‘sowing’ mean?”
The elder of the Wang family seemed to be mentally prepared, first exchanging a glance with Wan Yue, then smiling mysteriously:
“Hehe, going straight for the big question, not shy at all… That counts as two questions, have you thought it through?”
“Two questions are fine.”
The young man scratched his head, nodding shyly.
“Let’s put it this way. The Ancestor is a special bloodline with an exceptionally long lifespan and a permanently mutated form. The Grandmother is a short-lived avatar of the Ancestor, extremely unstable. As for the Queen, simply put, she is the child of the Grandmother.”
“After the Grandmother receives enough nourishment from the bloodline, she will produce a blood type and then choose someone to sow; this person is called the Queen. Finally, when the mature Queen returns to the Ancestor, she is reabsorbed to make the Ancestor stronger or more stable.”
“When the Dark Arrow was just established, these truths were not yet fully formed, and they were not widely known. The fact that you can ask these questions indicates that Dark Arrow has learned something from other sources over the years.”
The elder of the Wang family quickly answered Han Jie Li’s question in the simplest terms, and the young man behind the bamboo curtain fell into a moment of contemplation.
“Those who are implanted with blood types will become the Grandmother’s children, which means the Queen merges with the blood type… So, does the person being sown have to be of the bloodline, or can an ordinary person also be? What if there is no sowing, but only invasion by the Grandmother’s blood?”
Another minute later, a more puzzled voice from behind the screen came from Han Jie Li.
The elder of the Wang family lifted the tea bowl in front of him and smiled gently: “You’ve considered every angle… but that is also two questions, according to the previous rules, you can only choose one.”
“Then I choose the second one!”
Without much hesitation, Han Jie Li quickly made his choice.
Han Jie Li’s reaction not only made Wan Yue’s expression quite remarkable but even caused a slight change in the color of Jiang Yan behind her—because behind these two questions lay an immense amount of information, with meticulous reasoning and an unapologetic test.
The first question was merely a decoy, or not too important.
As long as the second question was answered satisfactorily, it could indirectly clarify the first question and possibly even address another unresolved mystery.
With one question, Han Jie Li could solve multiple answers, undoubtedly a significant bargain.
This child is too clever… If it were an ordinary person, they would have been completely exploited by him already.
Wan Yue couldn’t help but softly praise, nodding repeatedly and glancing back at Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yan was cautious and steady, but lacked the ability to adapt in the moment; Jiang Yao seemed somewhat reckless, with flashes of clever thoughts but overly sensitive and impulsive.
Not noticing Wan Yue’s gaze, Jiang Yan looked tense, staring fixedly at the back of the elder of the Wang family, speculating on how the other would respond.
As for Jiang Yao beside her, since the beginning, she had been listless and preoccupied, entirely lost in her own tragic world.
A bloodline that underwent a second invasion by the Grandmother would become a monster. Have you heard of the Frankenstein potion? It can mutate someone into a ghastly creature in just seconds, like a demon… The Grandmother herself is the unstable short-lived avatar of the Ancestor, so this harmful potion is mostly extracted from the Queen’s body.
After drinking several cups of tea, the elder of the Wang family suddenly spoke the answer, unexpectedly sidestepping the real direction of Han Jie Li’s probe—though not necessarily the entire answer, there was no element of falsehood.
The effect of a second blood invasion on bloodlines, likened to the Frankenstein potion? Hmm, not too surprising… But what about ordinary people?
Thinking that the intrigue hidden in his question was unveiled and sidestepped, Han Jie Li felt a bit reluctant.
Hehe, Li kid, your three questioning opportunities have been used up.
The elder of the Wang family smiled and shook his head.
No, old senior, since I’m also a junior of the Wang family, grant me one more! I’ll answer whatever you ask later, alright?
Behind the screen, Han Jie Li became a bit anxious and expressed it in a playful manner.
Haha, smooth talker, just like your grandfather Han Zhongyang when he was young… Old man, if you don’t clarify, he probably won’t give up.
This time, without waiting for the elder of the Wang family to respond, Wan Yue laughed first, increasing her fondness for Han Jie Li.
If an ordinary person were to be invaded by the Grandmother’s blood… hm, they would die on the spot, no exception!
The tea bowl in the elder’s hand fell heavily, his voice trembling slightly: “Li kid, the Goebbels family and the Tianzhong family planned to turn ordinary people into superhumans with bloodline powers, elegantly termed eugenics; to that end, they went mad, causing countless innocent civilians to become souls in vain.”
That war, which led to nearly twenty million deaths worldwide, was all thanks to what some referred to as the Ancestor’s plan! Our Hua country’s bloodlines also almost faced extinction because of this!
Han Jie Li fell silent, not saying anything for a long time. This heavy historical topic, even though it has been repeated countless times by the world, still shocks the heart every time it is mentioned.
Jiang Yan looked down at the ground, sweat forming in her palms. This was the first time she had heard such detailed descriptions; previously, Wan Yue had only hinted at some details.
What the elder of the Wang family described were documents that He Qiming obtained from within the Fujiwara family, or rather, records left behind by the Tianzhong family.
Each was formed from nearly two hundred years of accumulated corpses, and it continued in some dark corner.
The Ancestor’s plan Level One Project, code name Vanguard: to create ordinary soldiers with bloodline physiques without them turning into bloodlines, one of the core projects in cooperation between the Third Reich and the Goebbels family.
The Ancestor’s plan Level Two Project, code name Frankenstein: originating from another Level Two project called Holy Grail, allowing low-level bloodlines to enter an ultra-overloaded state, resembling demons, trading life for combat power far exceeding their current state.
The Vanguard project is highly imaginative, mainly focused on researching the Ancestor and the Queen, extremely inhumane; while Frankenstein pertains to “making full use” of the Grandmother and the Queen.
For both the ordinary world and the bloodline world, these two research projects of the Ancestor’s plan are existences that overturn order and are extremely brutally savage, and they are also the fundamental reason for the downfall of the Goebbels family.
“Han Jie Li, I know what you really want to ask. To prevent us from providing false information, you adopted a roundabout way to inquire. However, for now, you are not suitable to know the complete truth.”
“Even if you guess something, it is best to keep it to yourself; the fewer who know, the better… This is out of trust in you and also a piece of advice.”
Wan Yue spoke, feeling both heartened by such a clever child from the Han family and complexly concerned, fearing that this might invite disaster for him.
“Alright, whether it’s Dark Arrow or the Han family, I can only consider myself a small fry… I’m done asking.”
Behind the screen, Han Jie Li shrugged his shoulders, no longer entangled.
“Giving you three questions I must answer, isn’t the old lady’s sincerity enough? Next, we can chat freely. However, whether you or I can answer any further questions, we will each gauge for ourselves. Truth or falsehood, we will discern ourselves.”
“I’m tired of talking, everyone take a break, and we’ll continue shortly.”
The elder of the Wang family clapped with a smile, a housekeeper leading several maids from one side, nimbly clearing away the Eight Immortals table behind Han Jie Li and replacing it with a tea table and refreshments.
As if the first half had concluded, the Wang family, led by the mysterious old woman, exited. Han Jie Li casually sipped a few cups of tea and walked to the corridor outside the main hall, watching the night rain dripping from the eaves, relaxing his mood.
Which senior of the Wang family is this elder? She knows so much, and aligns with what I previously understood and speculated; most of the logical blind spots can be filled in, it doesn’t seem fake…
Han Jie Li strolled along the corridor, starting to unconsciously walk while reflecting on the secret deal his Third Uncle Han Guowei had prepared for him last night, and some upper-level information of the Wang family that Dark Arrow was grasping.
Below the Duke, the nine upper echelons each held their posts, extending down to a massive organizational structure controlling thousands of family members.
The Wang family Duke, gender unknown, known to have lived for at least eight hundred years.
The Wang family upper echelon’s head, colloquially referred to as the chief steward, estimated to be a count in rank.
Assisting the Duke, especially when the Duke is in a dormant state, will manage all internal and external affairs of the Wang family.
The Wang family’s second uncle, estimated to be a count, responsible for the education of Wang family disciples and personnel selection, as well as marriage arrangements.
The Wang family’s third uncle, estimated to be a count, responsible for diplomacy with external forces, including Dark Arrow, and coordinating outside agents.
The Wang family’s fourth uncle, estimated to be a count, responsible for managing the Wang family’s financial power and domestic business sector.
The Wang family’s fifth uncle, estimated to be a viscount, responsible for the Wang family’s intelligence work. Reports indicate this fifth uncle has defected and is currently missing.
The Wang family’s sixth uncle, estimated to be a viscount, responsible for the Wang family’s overseas business sector and overseas disciples.
The Wang family’s seventh uncle, estimated to be a count, responsible for the Wang family’s overseas combat operations.
The Wang family’s eighth uncle, unknown rank, unknown duties.
The Wang family’s ninth uncle, unknown rank, unknown duties.
It can be seen that the fierce battle with the Japanese bloodlines over eighty years ago has left the Wang family still unable to recover, and the once grand duke family is likely already devoid of a marquis tier.
In fact, not only the Wang family, various major bloodline forces of Hua country are likewise. Not to mention the lack of successors, some have even been demoted. Fortunately, Europe and Japan are even worse off.
These external titles of the Wang family’s upper echelons do not necessarily represent their actual genders but rather adhere to a family tradition. Han Jie Li couldn’t help but wonder if the old woman who spoke today might be the chief steward of the Wang family, a count?
However, at least one question had already been answered for Han Jie Li: Xia Yan and Gu Yao weren’t invaded by the Grandmother’s blood, but were sown with blood types; otherwise, according to the elder’s earlier answer, an ordinary person would die on the spot.
The helmet recorder extracted after the war indicated that the unknown girl from the Tang family who stood in the blood pool was shot dead by Meng Huai’s large-caliber sniper rifle, very likely not having completed the sowing ritual.
From this perspective, the initial post-war intelligence analysis conclusion of Dark Arrow was entirely wrong. Or rather, one’s level was not enough to know the truth.
However, the Queen, as the name suggests, should ideally sow on a female; if Xia Yan and Gu Yao were sown, what would they transform into?
As Han Jie Li walked, he suddenly noticed a familiar tall silhouette at the fork in the corridor ahead.
“Meng… Brother Meng?”
Han Jie Li was taken aback, rubbed his eyes, and stepped forward a few paces, somewhat disbelieving that the person before him was Meng Huai.
Meng Huai turned around, looking Han Jie Li up and down, his expression a bit awkward.
Han Jie Li glanced around and lowered his voice: “Brother Meng, what are you doing here? Did you enter the Wang family already…”
During their last secret meeting, Han Jie Li had previously asked Meng Huai about representing the Han family to restore relations with the Wang family, but he had not expected to meet him here.
“Don’t talk to me, there are people watching nearby…”
Meng Huai whispered something, turned around, entirely ignoring Han Jie Li’s greeting, and walked away.
Han Jie Li immediately understood, smiling bitterly to himself, and went towards the opposite corridor.
Didn’t expect Brother Meng to have established contact with the Wang family to this extent. Why has he been keeping it from me? Or does he not trust me either… After walking several meters, Han Jie Li turned his head slightly back, feeling perplexed.
Not far off, by the window of a building loft, Wan Yue stood at the window, gazing down at the courtyard corridor, a hint of a smile appearing on her face.
Girl, how is your Second Brother Han Zhongliang now?
Behind her, a deep, steady male voice resounded. Wan Yue slowly turned around; the previously exited Fourth Uncle of the Wang family was standing nearby.
How can he be so old and still so difficult? The Wang family has someone who helps him retire but pledges to not form ties with the bloodlines. General, the chief of the dark arrows, Wan Yue took out a cigarette, lit it, and turned back to lean against the window, taking a puff with no sense of politeness or grace.
I once told your mother that one of her children must return to the Wang family; I had my eye on Han Zhiliang. Your mother refused, but I didn’t expect that before long, she silently turned you into a bloodline…
Wan Yue’s expression turned cold, concealing a tinge of helplessness. My mother was so cautious but ultimately couldn’t hide you. The old man has long known my background…
You all seem to have watched this family game just like I play with hyacinths. Girl, return to the Wang family; whatever you want to do, your grandpa supports you. The old ancestor thinks the same way too. Fourth Uncle spoke leisurely, devoid of any emotion.
Hehe, sorry, I have my own life; I don’t want to be an old tortoise of a feudal family. My mother worked hard to leave the Wang family for a reason. Besides, my grandmother back then was just an unknown concubine of yours, who knows where she ranks in your family. Why do you suddenly feel she and her children are so valuable?
Watching the rainy night outside the window, Wan Yue’s expression showed no sadness or joy.
Your grandmother was already my legal wife before she died. Wang Qianfeng is my legitimate daughter. Fourth Uncle frowned slightly, his tone growing increasingly displeased.
But at that time, my mother had already married into the Han family. Doesn’t that count as your after-the-fact strategy? Do you think the Han family is worth your investment, bringing my grandmother into the open, thus being able to control the Han family and influence the Dark Arrow troops?
Wan Yue interrupted Fourth Uncle, suddenly turning around, her tone becoming even colder.
So, is this how the heaven plays tricks on me—circumventing me back into the bloodline world, knowing the Wang family will never engage in a losing deal? Well then…
That kid Han Jie Li is quite impressive; the old ancestor means he is trustworthy and can cooperate. Fourth Uncle, seeing that his granddaughter was not as close to him as he imagined, could only sigh and turn to leave.
Fourth Uncle… Grandpa, doesn’t the Blood Dragon Brigade of Dark Arrow have peripheral disciples secretly selected by the Wang family? Suddenly, Wan Yue murmured behind Fourth Uncle…
Fourth Uncle was taken aback, then slowly turned around to stare at his granddaughter’s back for a long time before gently nodding.
Yes, it was planned by the Second and Fifth Uncles back then, but the actual list is in the hands of the Fifth Uncle. But he has already defected.
Wan Yue sighed and shook her head repeatedly. Hehe, you all think pretty beautifully… I suspect someone is starting to plan to remove these thorns, and in the end, you will not only have been busy for nothing but also have left behind evidence.
Sigh, my mother has been planning the Blood Dragon Brigade for years, but progress has been slow—not only due to the turbulent times but also out of caution against the Wang family’s infiltration. Grandpa, including the Fifth Uncle, the Engel family has been setting traps for decades, aiming to completely eliminate the Wang family and Dark Arrow from any forces that could interfere with them.
The next likely target is the Wang family’s peripheral disciples in the Blood Dragon Brigade.
Wan Yue smiled bitterly and no longer spoke. Fourth Uncle stood there, contemplative. After some time, he quietly left.
