Chapter 246: The Calm Before the Storm
May 10th, Sunday, Mother’s Day.
At Hyacinth Villa, Wan Yue’s private suite.
Dressed in a nightgown, Wan Yue leaned against the headboard of her bed, a laptop in front of her, and an old black-and-white photograph in her hand. The photo depicted an elderly female soldier in an eighth-style military uniform, wearing the insignia of a major-general.
Running her fingers lightly across the surface of the photograph, a hint of a sweet smile appeared at the corner of Wan Yue’s mouth.
She tucked the photo away and turned her head toward the window, where familiar pheromonal scents, vibrant yet tense, converged into waves that continuously washed over her mind.
As a trusted confidant, Zhao Peng naturally devoted his full effort to covertly monitoring Wan Yue. Ever since his promotion to baron, Zhao had shifted his work focus to personnel training, leading the warriors and attendants of Hyacinth through tactical drills at the villa.
What surprised Zhao was that Wan Yue had already decided to close down the Golden River Club.
This year marked the tenth anniversary of the club’s formal operation, and over the past decade, this golden world imprinted with Wan Yue’s strong personal style had come to regard dozens of people within Hyacinth as family.
From a purely business profitability perspective, the establishment of the Golden River Club had never been necessary, because despite its annual income soaring into the tens of millions, it was often operating at a loss, relying on profits from other investment channels to subsidize it.
From the swirling complex of pheromones, Wan Yue discerned the presence of a few individuals and smiled slightly, redirecting her attention back to her laptop.
Since getting up, Wan Yue had been replying to an encrypted email sent to Han Jie, typing furiously at times while occasionally referring to the password book titled “Song of Youth” beneath her.
“Impatient, are we? You’ve been pacing back and forth outside the door for quite a while now. Come in.”
After finally entering the last set of encrypted numbers and hitting send, Wan Yue closed her laptop, lifted her head, and called toward the door.
Xiao Ai, dressed in tactical gear, nervously stood at the foot of Wan Yue’s bed.
“I couldn’t help it; my period just started today, so I stayed in bed,” Wan Yue said with a smile, picking up a cigarette from the bedside and gesturing to Xiao Ai, “Have you taken care of notifying all the members about their refunds?”
“Wan Jie, do we really have to shut down the Golden River Club…”
Xiao Ai looked a bit forlorn, her hands rubbing the hem of her tactical clothing, feeling a mix of emotions.
“Xiao Ai, most people are merely passing through our lives, let alone a single place?”
Wan Yue smiled, comforting her subordinate: “Hyacinth has stepped onto the most dangerous stage of this era. Even if the Wang family places high value on us, we must first take responsibility for our own safety; the Wang family cannot protect everyone in Hyacinth.”
“Are you talking about Xiao Yan and Xiao Yao…”
Xiao Ai hesitated but summoned the courage to ask.
Wan Yue didn’t answer directly but instead studied Xiao Ai’s face for several seconds, drawing her closer: “You have a cautious nature and have been with me for so long; I should trust you unconditionally, just like Zhao Peng.”
However, your personality is a bit soft and easily influenced,” Wan Yue said, reaching out to adjust the gear at Xiao Ai’s waist, showing a friendly expression. “During your long break, did you visit that side? How is the old man’s health?”
“Grandpa looks much better; I don’t know what kind of supplements he’s been taking.” Xiao Ai’s expression turned peculiar. “He asked me about some things regarding my growth alongside Brother Peng… Also, he hinted that Hyacinth should maintain a distance from the Wang family.”
“Hmm… regarding Elder Gao and Elder Shen, has the Seclusion Alliance had anything to say? The past few months have been so tumultuous within the Alliance, but news about this has been tightly locked down.”
Wan Yue pondered for a moment, guiding the conversation toward a direction she had long since confirmed, just to see if Xiao Ai was sensitive to it.
Upon mentioning this, Xiao Ai clearly became much more anxious: “I didn’t dare to ask; I’ve just heard some seniors from the Ba Mansion discussing privately, saying Elder Shen might have failed his promotion. At this critical moment, Grandpa has to suppress the truth.”
“Wan Jie, the Seclusion Alliance has already split; is it also the Engel family’s conspiracy?”
Seeing Xiao Ai’s reaction, Wan Yue felt a bit disappointed. Such statements did not quite align with Xiao Ai’s character nor her own words, as she wasn’t the type to think and decide completely independently.
Chu Yin Ai was still a descendant of Chu Da Li. Even though she had grown quite close to her and stood firmly by her side during difficult times, looking at the current turmoil, she seemed incredibly slow and detached, like an outsider.
There were only two answers, facts Wan Yue had recognized long ago: Chu Yin Ai was most likely deliberately arranged by Chu Da Li to be close to her.
Although Xiao Ai had been loyal to Hyacinth for years, not quite deserving of the label “traitor,” she still could not shake off the influence of Chu Da Li. When Wan Yue accepted Xiao Ai’s following, wasn’t it also putting on a guardless front towards Chu Da Li?
“Hey, you handle the aftermath of the Golden River Club. In addition, after some time, take a few people to Arnost and take up the role of chief executive officer to relieve some of Zhou Jing’s workload; this is your forte.”
A new living environment and pace of life would benefit the family; they couldn’t remain lost in the atmosphere of the Golden River Club forever. Moreover, given the age and background of everyone involved, they couldn’t let a whole decade go by without any changes.
Wan Yue excluded Xiao Ai from the major future operations, her reasoning watertight, but also a form of protection for her; after all, she couldn’t let Zhao Peng face too much difficulty.
…
…
“Shh~~~~”
In the deep valley of Longchuan during early summer, a sharp whistle pierced the air, and various male and female Hyacinth knights or attendants, soaked in sweat, emerged with various weapons and equipment.
This was a high-intensity outdoor training session that had started at five o’clock in the morning and lasted nearly seven hours, but the organizers were not the familiar Meng Huai or Shaolin but rather Meng Huai.
“Hey Meng… Brother Li’s training methods are quite different from the training outlines Zhao Peng and Brother Zheng designed for us last year. Is this the combat style of the Dark Arrow?”
“It’s terrifying! Jin Jie, does your boyfriend really want to torture us like this?”
“Isn’t it true? Brother Zheng wouldn’t do it this way! He wouldn’t force our whole team to lurk in the water; forgetting about the cold, it’s just a stagnant waterhole, really!”
At the improvised gathering spot, most of the Hyacinth attendants groaned, and for the majority of the female members, adhering to true military standards was quite unmanageable after being spoiled by the comfortable life in the Golden River Club.
Seven or eight of the more senior Hyacinth attendants surrounded Jiang Yan, exhibiting unfriendly attitudes toward Meng Huai.
“The rules established by Wan Jie and Brother Zhao Peng last year require everyone to take turns conducting tactical training every quarter, which is all for our own safety.”
Facing these girls spoiled by their comfortable life in the Golden River Club, Jiang Yan didn’t know what to say. But even if some lived in denial in private, the results in the past six months had been quite notable; at least many individuals had seen significant improvements in their self-defense abilities and combat literacy.
However, this time, the intensity Meng Huai employed clearly surpassed that of Brother Zhao Peng and Brother Zheng, making it difficult for many to adjust to the combination of Meng Huai’s fresh interpretations in tactical training—given that their physical attributes exceeded the norm.
In the past, even though Wan Yue and Zhao Peng often organized assaults against the Blood Clan with the attendants above, the ones truly taking on the most dangerous missions were still the Bloodless Clan, who had faced the most casualties over the years.
“He’s merely flaunting it, treating you all as Dark Arrow practice targets, beautifully naming it to leverage the physical advantages of the Blood Clan.”
Suddenly, Jiang Yao exited from the nearby thicket, biting into a large apple, and snickered.
Due to physical reasons, Jiang Yao naturally avoided such grueling activities; at the moment, she was dressed in sportswear, resembling a tourist strolling through the woods.
Compared to the flamboyant or uncontrollable pheromone control from earlier, her aura had become more restrained and stable, significantly reducing stimuli to those around her and no longer appearing so jarring.
This was evident as the young blood servants in Hyacinth Villa gradually restored their normal friendly attitudes toward Jiang Yao.
“Xiao Yao, are you still undergoing the boiling blood training?”
As she spoke, Xiao Dong approached, sensing the fluctuation of Jiang Yao’s pheromones up close, even glancing at Jiang Yan’s reaction.
“I have no choice; Wan Jie instructed that as long as I don’t experience any abnormal menstrual cycle, I should maintain a normal routine. But honestly, I’m feeling anything but normal!”
Jiang Yao took a sizable bite of the apple, her cheeks puffing out.
Within the Golden River Club, only a very few knew of some “secrets” about Jiang Yao.
Although no one dared to mention it openly under the watchful eyes of Zhao Peng or Wan Yue, rumors of Jiang Yao’s miraculous pregnancy and Zhong Jing’s involvement had become an established fact in the minds of the informed.
“If you didn’t participate in training, then keep your mouth shut!”
Jiang Yao turned pale and approached Jiang Yan, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a very secluded corner.
“Sister, I really think Meng Huai has issues. Hmph, since you guys are embarking on such a major op, how can you allow Meng Huai to swagger about here?”
Jiang Yao cast a sideways glance at Meng Huai, who was walking side by side with Zheng Shaobiao, sneering softly.
Jiang Yan sighed, pushing her towards a certain direction: “Do you think you have better judgment than Wan Jie? Stop whining, stay out of the training zone, and get to work.”
Get that done,
You can rest later.
Jiang Yao reluctantly took a few steps back but turned back to whisper,
“Have you met Zhong Qiong? He actually sought me out for a chat last night!”
“What did he ask?”
Jiang Yao felt a sudden tightness in her heart, quickly turning around to block the gaze of someone approaching from afar.
“He asked about my plans with Zhong Qiong and whether I care for the child…”
“Heh, I wasn’t even suspicious of his intentions, and he goes all parental on me. Who’s been gossiping behind my back to let him know!”
Jiang Yao frowned, seemingly displeased that Wan Yue was aware of her pregnancy.
Wan Jie has dominant genes for bloodline, and her sensitivity to the hormonal culture of the Blood Clan is on par with Wan Jie…
Jiang Yao instinctively avoided Jiang Yan’s gaze, pretending to sort her equipment, feeling quite bashful.
Anyway, I’ve said enough. If he messes up anything massive, you tall ones will take the fall!
Jiang Yao walked away, her mindset surprisingly carefree, watching the retreating figure of Jiang Yan blend into the thicket, and suddenly felt a bit anxious.
According to Meng Huai’s arrangements, all members participating in this outdoor training session could only use convenient fast food to alleviate hunger within a limited time and were assigned a temporary rotating watch, with everything based on real combat standards.
I heard this tactical training outline was created by you and Zheng Shaolin?
A few minutes later, Meng Huai squatted beside Jiang Yao, weapon in hand, glancing at her rapidly disassembling gear and casually asked, “Uh-huh… mainly Wan Jie made some suggestions; I just compiled them. Oh, by the way, aren’t you almost blood thirsty these days? Here.”
Sitting on a small, broken log, Jiang Yao quickly reassembled an VSSM sniper rifle, looking around to ensure no one was watching, then pulled a small blood vial from her waist and handed it to Meng Huai.
“For me? I don’t need this anymore…”
Meng Huai paused, taking the item Jiang Yao handed, gently rubbing the surface of the glass vial in surprise. For a moment, it felt as if their relationship had returned to two months earlier in Northern Myanmar, collaborating with a shared purpose.
Wan Jie, you must have realized long ago that my and Xiao Yao’s blood is beneficial for the growth of the Blood Clan, but only for those below the baron level.
You’ve been examining me closely; how much could I possibly hide from you? With Xiao Yao’s pregnancy, Wan Jie will soon announce the cessation of blood supply. Apart from Zhao Peng and a few others, most in Hyacinth are cut out for the battlefield, so you need to select carefully; every ounce of strength counts.
Meng Huai, I believe in Wan Jie, but I don’t want to live so burdened. Just in front of you… let’s fight together against the enemy, on behalf of Wan Jie, Zhao Peng, Brother Liang, and Brother Zheng, who have all placed their trust in you!
Jiang Yao smiled, extending a palm: Wan Jie is still counting on me to accept you, but I don’t know why, I’ve tried, but it has always felt a bit unreal; I don’t want to pretend. We can actually… we can become the best of friends.
But no matter what happens in the future, if you can’t protect Xiao Yao, please don’t harm her, okay?
This was the second time Jiang Yao mentioned a similar topic in front of Meng Huai; the first was during her most dangerous plight when she only left behind a lingering message.
Meng Huai looked at Jiang Yao’s extended hand, hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out, carefully shaking her hand—not in a formal greeting manner.
“Why do you only think of her? Do you believe you’re going to die? Have you been living for her this whole time?”
Just like when they were together at a golf club in K City, Meng Huai gently stroked the delicate palm and back of the hand of the dark-haired girl, and suddenly, a bad premonition arose—Jiang Yao seemed to be arranging her last affairs.
As he caressed her like this, Jiang Yao’s calm demeanor suddenly turned turbulent, causing her ears to heat uncontrollably.
“Don’t do that…”
Jiang Yao’s hand, held by Meng Huai, trembled slightly, her heart crying out in strange terror.
This was the peculiarity of Meng Huai; just when you thought he was as hard and cold as a stone and were willing to accept that fact, he would suddenly become soft and unpredictable at certain moments.
The two fell silent once more.
“I will do my best to protect everyone!”
After a few seconds, Meng Huai pulled Jiang Yao up and then, in front of a group of Hyacinth girls in the distance, surprisingly embraced her tightly in his arms.
In broad daylight, under the clear sky, a heartfelt embrace that was free of restraint caught the onlookers off guard, feeding them a huge dose of dog food.
Looking into Meng Huai’s face that was so close, Jiang Yao suddenly recalled a night at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in the eastern suburbs when he had forcibly kissed her to cover everything in front of the 110 patrolmen.
“Hey, Meng Huai!”
She called out to his departing figure loudly.
This day relieved the anxious hearts of many who had been awaiting the revelation and felt it wasn’t quite the right time to be here.
“Ah, still feels unreal…”
Meng Huai walked away from his body, striding off into the distance while Jiang Yan slightly lowered her head, muttering to herself.
“Hey, what exactly kind of person is Meng Huai? He usually seems like a serious ascetic, but when he goes all out, he becomes reckless. Is that what attracted Xiao Yan?”
In a corner, Xiao Dong and Xiao Ling leaned against each other, having watched Meng Huai and Jiang Yan’s “performance” thoroughly, with the latter bursting into laughter.
……
……
Meng Huai’s first conducted outdoor special training covered all aspects of real combat, even inviting a super hypothetical enemy to simulate the battle against a baron.
As a result, all participating attendants were exhausted as if they were dead dogs. As night fell, Hyacinth Villa no longer saw their presence; many collapsed onto their beds immediately after dinner.
But this did not affect the happiness of the knights and young servants, especially since the outdoor swimming area that began construction after the Spring Festival was finally usable.
Constructed to suit the terrain on one side of the villa, large rocks, pebbles, and wooden stakes combined with cement created a visually irregular swimming zone, resembling a waterscape area.
The luxury lay in Wan Yue’s original design, which even envisioned a pseudo-hot spring effect for the cold winter months, using nearby natural waterway sources heated by a boiler.
As summer approached, Longquan Mountain’s temperature remained several degrees cooler than the outside. Even though the Blood Clan experienced rapid temperature shifts, the surface of the pool still wafted with subtle warm mist, providing a very comfortable water temperature.
Scattered lamp posts illuminated the swimming area, where nearly twenty Hyacinth knights or blood servant girls frolicked in the water.
At the pool’s edge, Meng Huai and Jiang Yan stood fully armed, acting like bodyguards overseeing others’ joy.
“Watch me!”
In a swimsuit, Jiang Yan became the energetic leader again, diving straight from the high stone platform into the water.
Having entered the Queen realm, her figure had reached its most beautiful extreme; dressed in a green one-shoulder floral swimsuit, she resembled a stunning fairy radiating envy-inducing sparkle.
If anyone present could rival Jiang Yan in appearance, it would only be Wan Yue, who rested on a large stone by the pool. But unlike Jiang Yan’s fresh and ethereal beauty, Wan Yue exuded an intoxicating mature sensuality.
“Wan Jie, my and Xiao Yan’s initial list of participants is ready.”
Zhao Peng, still in a suit, was pulling skewers of grilled meat from a nearby barbecue grill, presenting them to Wan Yue.
Leaning against a tall, straight tree, the red-lipped cigarette between his fingers, after taking a sip of beer, Zhao Peng watched Wan Yue contentedly close her eyes.
“Take your time; we need to conduct a second round of screening. I plan to only select knights this time; everyone else, except those going to Arnost, will stay here for now.”
Wan Yue swayed her waist and smiled lightly at Zhao Peng, who stood at attention far away like a wooden statue.
“Only selecting knights…”
Zhao Peng paused, glancing at those in the pool. His expression gradually became serious.
“Hey, and without imposing a headcount, only the most deserving, even if no one is willing to go…” As far as staying behind!
Wan Yue set her beer can down, stretched her body lazily, quite casually.
“Wan Jie, I can go!”
Zhao Peng clenched his fist, stepping forward to stand beside Wan Yue, lowering his voice.
“What if you go? Who will take care of things at Hyacinth Villa?”
Wan Yue looked at Zhao Peng, then smiled, placing her hand on his shoulder: “I want to bring both Jiang Yan and Xiao Yao with me; this time, Hyacinth will stand on its own. Don’t say knights; barons may not even suffice, let alone expect high-ranking ones to assist.”
At the same time, Wan Yue glanced at the dark forest outside the villa, revealing a mysterious smile.
Zhao Peng fell silent; even though he had prepared himself mentally, he felt a deep shock from Wan Yue’s words.
Jiang Yan and Xiao Yao, inferred from Wan Yue’s suggestions, could fundamentally be regarded as noble-level high-ranking blood clans; combined with Wan Yue herself, it equated to the combat power of the Hyacinth level but still constituted a dangerously high-risk undertaking in Wan Yue’s words.
“Wan Jie, since the Wang family is keeping an eye on things here, safety shouldn’t be an issue; let me go! I can lead the knight squad for external support!”
Zhao Peng tightened his fist, rarely showing defiance before Wan Yue.
“We’ll talk about it later…”
As she observed Zhao Peng’s earnest expression, Wan Yue chuckled softly, then turned her gaze toward Jiang Yan.
……
Meng Dong stood at a high point away from the swimming area, clutching a VSSM sniper rifle, his finger never leaving the trigger guard, solemnly surveying the surrounding forest night.
In his perception, at least ten unfamiliar pheromone fluctuations surrounded Hyacinth Villa, two of which emanated the typical chaotic aura of high-ranking blood clans.
Although he recognized them as people from the Jiang family, Meng Dong remained vigilant.
According to the top-level alert orders Wan Yue had covertly issued, the knights of Hyacinth Villa were required to take night watches every evening, a first for the deep mountain-hidden villa.
“Should be the twelfth son of the Jiang family; I don’t know his name but he’s an intermediate baron from Alatai, who has been protecting Xiao Yao in secret.”
Jiang Yan slowly approached, smiling as she lowered her voice.
“Hey, the Alatai baron is pretty suited for night operations; I hear he’s quite formidable at night.”
Jiang Yan nodded slightly but then shook her head at the grilled meat skewers in Jiang Yao’s hand.
Jiang Yan, having laid aside certain emotional burdens, didn’t mind Meng Dong rejecting her goodwill and behaved nonchalantly, simply biting into a meat skewer while gesturing to Meng Dong’s physique: “Meng Dong, although you cannot advance to baron, an Alatai blood clan half-barons can still compete with many barons if they give it their all.”
Meng Dong smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, redirecting his gaze back toward the swimming area, focusing on Jiang Yao, who was playing amid the knights and blood servants.
She and Jiang Yao were both special multi-lineage blood clans, drawing everyone around them… The subtle smile on his lips did not fade, but his gaze grew decidedly sharper.
“Sister, you’re also coming in!”
In the distance, Jiang Yao, barefoot and draped in a large towel, ran toward them.
“I still have to keep watch, so I won’t join; you have fun.”
Jiang Yan hurriedly waved her hands, pointing at her tactical attire.
“There are people from the Jiang family outside; what’s there to fear! Brother Liang will be here to relieve me soon; the time is just right! The water here is so refreshing!”
Jiang Yao glanced at Meng Dong, showing no special emotion, continuing to tug Jiang Yan toward the swimming area.
Watching the brightly lit swimming area and Jiang Yan turning back repeatedly, Meng Dong turned around, adjusting his grip on the rifle, walking toward the outer perimeters of the villa.
……
Time slipped by, and the lights in the deep valley gradually dimmed, while Hyacinth Villa, wrapped in inner tension and outer restraint, finally quieted down.
Liang Tai and Xiao Dong took over shifts, and Meng Dong returned to his single-person guest room.
Confirming that there were no surveillance devices in the room, Meng Dong approached the window and dialed a secure phone line.
…This is the Strategic Support Center for Special Operations; now verifying identity code… Hello, Undaunted Warrior, how may I assist you?
A cold female voice came through the earpiece.
Meng Dong glanced out the window, noticing a few nearby windows still lit, slightly shifting his body: “I need all information regarding the Ancestor Project and its aftermath from headquarters.”
Unlike the previous unconditional responses typically provided to seed support, the other end fell into a strange silence.
“Sorry, Undaunted Warrior, this application involves the highest-level secrets of headquarters and requires further approval; please call again in an hour.”
The female voice responded after a few seconds, but before Meng Dong could reply, the call was disconnected.
Looking at the secure phone in his hand, flashing a green light, Meng Dong’s expression remained indifferent, neither sad nor happy.
Some say that after experiencing a life-and-death situation, people often become enlightened, and many thoughts and ways of thinking undergo radical changes.
Meng Dong felt he was somewhat in that boat, but it wasn’t enlightenment—it was half of him.
One part of Meng Dong still held on to all past thoughts and perceptions, unmoved by life and death.
Another part of him, after enduring the torments of life and death, was drawn irresistibly to a whole new world and a certain new girl.
Part of Meng Dong remained the captain of the Dark Energy Brigade, with deep-seated enmity against the Blood Clan and a mission etched into his soul.
The other part was summoned back by his mother, Meng Xue, to the world he should have returned to, experiencing new notions of good and evil, reconciling fate.
Meng Dong felt he had split personalities.
An hour passed quickly, and Meng Dong dialed the secure phone again.
“…Approval granted; due to the extensive content, please articulate your inquiries specifically, and responses will be dispatched within twenty-four hours.”
“Can one conceive, and are there any notable phenomena or implications?”
Meng Dong enunciated each word, his expression numb, and his gaze cold.
On a higher level of the villa building, Wan Yue stood quietly on the balcony, overlooking the lights of Meng Dong’s room, lost in contemplation.
