Chapter 251: Sharpening Swords and Preparing for Battle
May 20th, Wednesday.
Dusk fell, and the first thunderstorm of the year enveloped the entire City C. The torrential rain, driven by fierce winds, swept through the streets and alleys like a broom, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake.
The atmosphere that had just finally welcomed summer was interrupted by this sudden tempest, turning unusually damp and chilly.
In a quaint courtyard of a cultural preservation street in Area J, Jiang Yan, dressed in loungewear, sat on a small stool under the eaves of the front door, staring blankly at the ginkgo tree battered by the storm.
“…Sister, everything is packed up. We can load the car as soon as the rain stops.”
In the living room, Jiang Yan’s voice came through. Jiang Yan turned her head and saw her sister checking several large travel bags and suitcases.
This rented apartment, which symbolized her and Jiang Yan’s metamorphosis as they fully integrated into the vampire society, was finally nearing the time to leave. Although the lease was not yet up, Jiang Yan felt as though a long time had passed.
“By the way, Sister, what should we do with Hao Huai’s clothes left here? Tsk, tsk, they were all bought by you. Those suits must be valuable—are we just going to throw them away? What a bare-handed arrival and a bare-handed departure; we moved in with just our bags and what a luxury.”
Jiang Yan walked up behind Jiang Yan, holding a popsicle, and couldn’t help but add some sass.
“Let’s take them with us; maybe we can return them to him later… Don’t wait for the rain to stop. Wear a raincoat and bring some to the car first.”
Jiang Yan stood up and walked towards the house, distracted.
“Sister, see, I was right. Hao Huai is indeed problematic; he already told me everything!”
Jiang Yan pulled Jiang Yan back as she was about to sidestep her, her expression rare and serious.
“No matter what his motives are, he has always harmed us.”
Jiang Yan tilted her head slightly but did not resist the pull of Jiang Yan.
“Helping us!? Ha, Sister, do you really understand or are you pretending to be confused? He’s only doing this for himself!”
Jiang Yan frowned, her expression quickly falling: “Just look at what he’s messing around with in Hyacinth. If I say he got power, in order to kill a few more barons, he would be willing to stuff the whole Hyacinth in!”
Jiang Yan did not agree or refute Jiang Yan’s complaints. She just turned around and quietly watched the heavy rain outside.
Now, three days had passed since Hao Huai’s second farewell.
Jiang Yan’s thoughts drifted back to the rainy night of Hao Huai’s first “farewell,” the young man who maintained his soldierly demeanor even when near death in the military hospital, seemed to be just outside the door.
Jiang Yan sneered, sitting on a neighboring sofa: “Sister Wan really has confidence walking this tightrope. With such an unpredictable bomb, she’s surprisingly at ease lingering in Hyacinth for so long. I say we should apply some severe methods and make him explain!”
“Sister Wan’s guidance is actually effective; he has changed quite a bit. She’s not trying to drive him away this time; she just wants him to cooperate with the Han family alone.”
Jiang Yan crouched down, checking the large and small bags, not lifting her head as she spoke.
“Fine, you keep finding excuses for him… Sister, I’ve always been curious—how did you two get along back when you were in the Xuan Jia Brigade? With his personality, what could you possibly have in common with him? Did you perhaps… ”
Jiang Yan’s habitual indiscretion returned, but as soon as she spoke, she immediately regretted it, involuntarily stepping back two paces, afraid that Jiang Yan might come over and slap her.
Unfortunately, Jiang Yan merely looked up, glanced at Jiang Yan, and continued checking the suitcase.
Seeing Jiang Yan’s noncommittal attitude, Jiang Yan grinned, feeling somewhat silly.
Before long, Jiang Yan tilted her body, took a deep breath, and pointed at Jiang Yan’s body, calmly asking, “Is that the only thing about a person you see now, aside from gender and emotions?”
“How else can I see you? I have a child in my belly now… If I don’t look at these things, what should I look at?”
Jiang Yan held her small belly, her complexion fading considerably. “Sometimes I look back and just can’t believe it. It doesn’t feel like me at all.”
In fact, Xiao Yao was also avoiding certain matters. The second phase of the Queen’s influence affected her thinking, but ultimately it was just a catalyst. Otherwise, why did it have to be Zhong Jing… Watching Jiang Yan’s emotions becoming a little unstable, Jiang Yan sighed inwardly.
Before the blood invasion, she and Hao Huai were comrades who trusted each other after going through numerous life-and-death trials. After the blood invasion, they also faced trials of life and death together; on the surface, it seemed that neither of their worlds had changed.
However, what made her feel that the current Meng Huai should be completely different from the past?
Could it be that after her complete transformation of body and mind, her perspective on Meng Huai subtly shifted?
Perhaps, after the blood invasion, seeing the hidden and shattered side of Meng Huai made her involuntarily want to sever all impressions related to him.
After the blood invasion, Meng Huai did not become a blank slate for self-reconstruction; instead, she kept envisioning a new Meng Huai post-blood invasion, firmly believing that it was a goal she must achieve…
Yet the bizarre way she and Meng Huai interacted now was not also a form of her entanglement with the past?
Just a few days ago, Meng Huai’s desperate kissing and resolute departure, wasn’t that also a kind of despair regarding their current relationship?
Thus, the one needing to change also included herself, which was likely what Meng Huai had been trying to do all along.
Only when she thoroughly changed could she truly influence him, just as during the time she concealed her identity after the blood invasion and interacted with Meng Huai, a different side of him made her exceedingly curious— that Meng Huai, fragile enough to evoke pity, once successfully accelerated many changes within her.
But was it still too late for all of this?
“I’ll move it; give me the car keys.”
Jiang Yan stood up, her various complex thoughts gradually dissipating, as outside, the sound of wind and rain had lessened.
…
“…Do you have any cigarettes?”
In the East Suburban Martyrs’ Cemetery, a young officer next to Meng Huai extended his hand.
“Me, cigarettes?”
Han Jiejian instinctively felt around his military uniform pockets and then looked puzzled: “I don’t smoke; how could I have cigarettes?”
“Got any liquor?”
Meng Huai, gazing at the misty martyrs’ cemetery in the twilight, didn’t even look at Han Jiejian as he spoke to himself.
“Meng Ge, what’s wrong with you today…”
Han Jiejian grew more confused, unsure what had caused Meng Huai’s unusually emotional display of sadness, which was completely different from his usual demeanor.
It felt like… heartbreak?
“Just wait a moment…”
He glanced into the distance, and Han Jiejian dashed out into the rain. A minute later, he returned, holding a bottle of milky white rice wine of an unknown brand, grinning widely.
“Hey, swiped it from some fellow soldiers.”
He handed the bottle to Meng Huai, wiping the rain off his face, smiling proudly.
“Are all Han family people so shameless, that they dare to take wine in front of the martyrs’ tombs?”
Meng Huai rubbed the bottle of wine in his hand, falling silent for a few seconds, his expression gradually becoming serious.
Han Jiejian made a dismissive sound, appearing unconcerned: “Don’t associate me with my family; it’s my personal action… Meng Ge, you’re a martyr now, hey, you’re buried right here, who else has more qualifications to drink this?”
Han Jiejian’s serious nonsense finally made the corners of Meng Huai’s mouth twitch into a smile, wordlessly popping the cap off the bottle and downing half of the rice wine in one go.
“I’m 100% sure that your identity has indeed been exposed.”
Han Jiejian turned his head, sighing helplessly: “The Wang family knows your weight, which is why they’re using you and me to coordinate operations with the Third Uncle. As long as you use the Seed Action resources to participate, regardless of success or failure later, it will make the leadership at headquarters aware of it.”
“The Third Uncle has been pressing… actually, from when the Slaughter Guard killed Yang Jiu, the Third Uncle suspected your identity was exposed; your big action in Northern Myanmar was manipulated by someone.”
It doesn’t matter; I’m buried underground anyway.
Meng Huai downed the last sip of rice wine, wiping his mouth, speaking with a flat tone.
The tall young man beside him resumed his usual cold demeanor, but Han Jiejian felt that his worries were evident. After a lengthy hesitation, he couldn’t help but ask: “Meng Ge, do you… have someone you like?”
…
The empty wine bottle in his hand trembled slightly, Meng Huai lifted his head, looking at the increasingly darkening sky, confusion etched on his face.
Seeing that the other party did not deny this probing question, Han Jiejian glanced around, mustering his courage to lower his voice:
Is it that… Jiang Yan? Her identity in the Wang family is probably problematic…
Did you notice too?
Meng Huai’s heart skipped a beat, slowly turning his head to fixate on Han Jiejian’s eyes, “You know? When did you figure this out?”
Han Jiejian smiled lightly, tapping his briefcase beside him: “It’s all just logical deduction from gathering a lot of information… Recently, Meng Ge, the various inexplicable actions you’ve taken, I believe aren’t just some scattergun approach. After becoming a vampire, you’ve encountered many cognitive blind spots we had before.”
You kept this from me, and I only guessed indirectly. Maybe only you have the real evidence, but I can’t exactly force the Seed to explain task progress, can I?
As long as you can tell me this, I can rest easy. Meng Ge, after this operation, your identity will likely be exposed, but you will also be free. I’ll handle the following matters… I believe you won’t do anything against your beliefs; you’re one of the outstanding contributors of Dark Arrow, someone the Third Uncle hasn’t seen in decades.
Han Jiejian rubbed his military cap, his tone growing somber: “No matter what, there are many strange doubts surrounding Jiang Yan. In the past, we were trapped by our cognitive inertia, which became the darkness under the lamp.”
Han Jiejian was a genius; his ability to catch the truth allowed him to grasp the threads of evidence. Jiang Yan indeed had too many loopholes; he just lacked the final piece of evidence… Watching the gradually solemn expression of the young officer beside him, Meng Huai turned his head after a few seconds.
Meng Ge, this is the operation plan finalized by the Third Uncle. Review it a few times, memorize it, and then destroy it. I believe the Third Uncle has already considered you and the Wang family in the details of the operational deployment.
Fujiwara Kiyama’s participation this time has added many variables, but to deceive the mole, I’ve concealed this from headquarters, and the Third Uncle hasn’t factored it into the operation plan either.
At this time, Han Jiejian took out a few pages of printed paper bound together from his briefcase and extended them towards Meng Huai.
…You’re participating too?
Commander Han is asking you to serve as an intelligence officer assigned to the Blood Dragon Brigade?
After just a glance, Meng Huai raised his head, his expression one of shock.
The Third Uncle said it can only be me. After all, the secrecy level of the Blood Dragon Brigade is what it is; I’m part of a special covert operations group, and I’m the designated contact person specifically pointed out by the Wang family, allowed to accompany the Blood Dragon Brigade in frontline operations. Who else within the Intelligence Bureau is more suitable than me for this?
Moreover, this time I also intend to verify some hypotheses I have about the Blood Dragon Brigade.
Speaking, Han Jiejian unconsciously rubbed his palms together, his eyes slowly alight with a spark of enthusiasm.
Ignorance breeds fearlessness… The battles among the bloodlines are far bloodier than you might imagine.
Meng Huai snorted coldly, the matter was spoken, and there was no more to say.
Han Jiejian pondered for a dozen seconds, speaking somewhat nervously and quietly: The Blood Dragon Brigade’s ambush location is abroad; the operation plan has inevitably leaked. The Blood Dragon Brigade will become a thorn in the enemy’s eye; without the Wang family’s intervention this time, they may be completely wiped out.
The wind and rain had lessened considerably. Meng Huai stood up, stepping out from under the rain shelter, facing away from Han Jiejian: How do you need my cooperation? How can you ensure that when I apply for operational resources from the Strategic Task Support Center, it won’t be detected by moles?
I’ve already thought it through. It’s a gamble to see if anyone else besides my Third Uncle is still trustworthy.
Han Jiejian also stood up, put on his military cap, and shifted his gaze to the northern capital direction.
…
Night fell, and a military plane landed at a military airport on the outskirts of the capital. Han Guowei descended with several army officers. Without any delay, they hurried onto a military vehicle heading for the Dark Arrow headquarters.
This was the final operation planning confirmation meeting. For Han Guowei, who fully led this operation, he wasn’t there to seek advice or approval but merely to inform headquarters of his intended actions.
This stance and attitude received full support from Dark Arrow’s Chief of Staff Wu Zhongxian and the Intelligence Bureau Director Ye Zhijun, allowing Han Guowei to eliminate many unnecessary distractions and act unilaterally.
At this moment, in a conference room at Dark Arrow headquarters, a large electronic screen was displaying the evening news.
…Constructing a new Belt and Road pattern between Laos and China, a new batch of engineering technicians and equipment from the China Railway Group has entered Laos, accelerating the construction of Laos’s first modern railway, aiming for full operation by 2022, opening the era of land interconnectedness between our country and ASEAN…
With the host’s narration, the screen showcased a railway construction team from China operating the strongest infrastructure equipment on the planet, forging ahead through rugged mountains and pristine forests, appearing incredibly inspiring.
Someone waved a remote control in their hand, the screen went dark, and then the image returned to a large military satellite map. The powerful figures at Dark Arrow headquarters all turned their heads to look at Han Guowei.
Han Guowei’s expression was calm as he squeezed the folder in his hand and said in a deep voice: “Utilizing the movement protection from the southwest wheel battle, we have currently concentrated fifteen squads in the southern monitoring area to receive operational command; one squad is responsible for blocking the border line while the remaining five are responsible for mobile pursuit.”
Once the operation begins, it will force the enemy to flee westward, only able to detour down to the Laos border to escape our encirclement, while our real main force will ambush on the side of Laos, aiming to annihilate them entirely.
“The secret forces from Vietnam and Laos will also coordinate accordingly. This ambush will not only root out the Black Blood Clan forces in the eastern and western G provinces but also provide an excellent opportunity for Vietnam and Laos to eliminate domestic Black Blood Clan problems.”
We have already utilized the cross-border railway project between China and Laos to transport personnel and materials out of Laos, but based on confidentiality principles, combat personnel will move to specific combat locations only 24 hours before the official action.
To ensure information control during the operation, we will technically shield mobile communication stations and satellite frequency bands in some southwestern areas. For this purpose, we’ve activated special cooperation clauses with the International Satellite Communication Organization—they will assist us in limiting the satellite communication capabilities in the relevant areas under the pretext of satellite orbital fault debugging.
The only trouble is that both Vietnam and Laos have refused to allow our airstrike forces into their airspace, which is a sensitive topic that need not be elaborated on…
Within a few hours, Han Guowei had detailed the deployment situation of the several squads, finally lifting his teacup and drinking heartily.
Old Han, this time’s operational plan for the Southern Monitoring Area involves the three phases of strike, encircle, and block; while you’ve deployed quite well for the encircle and block, how do you plan to strike? The opponent is hiding in the dark, disintegrated; they may not fall for your trap obediently.
Wu Zhongxian frowned, lightly tapping the table with his fingers as if searching for vulnerabilities in this complex operation plan.
Old Ye, please introduce the progress of the intelligence deployment to everyone.
Han Guowei had anticipated that Wu Zhongxian would ask this question and directly turned his head toward his old comrade at the other end of the table.
Ye Zhijun cleared his throat, stood up smiling, and raised the laser pointer in his hand at a certain point in Western G Province: “Intelligence has confirmed that the Lu family has been targeted by the Liang family’s rebel group after severely injuring their head. Every move they make is currently being watched by this rebel group, and there are numerous Black Blood Clan members prowling in this area, including the notoriously infamous Black Blood Clan leader from Vietnam, Nguyen Shunhong.
All evidence indicates that the Southeast Asian Black Blood Clan colluding with Liang Er is indeed Nguyen Shunhong; the baron of the Black Blood Clan who we fought last time is one of Nguyen Shunhong’s men.
The deaths and injuries of the members from the Hidden Alliance, including Feng Jiulong, have confirmed Nguyen Shunhong’s involvement. We’ve obtained intel from several intermediaries suggesting that Liang Er and the Black Dragon Society, along with Nguyen Shunhong, have joined forces to attack the Lu family.
The Wang family is strategically retracting, the Liang family is collapsing; if the Lu family suffers significant damage or even obliteration this time, the entire southern region will become the domain of the Black Blood Clan supported by external forces, and our strategic security situation in the south will be completely dismantled. Hence, we plan to use the Lu family as bait and launch a second strike against Liang Er and Nguyen Shunhong.
Han Jiefang has received the latest feedback from the Wang family, and they are willing to provide some assistance regarding intelligence in principle, but they have reservations about us using the Lu family as bait to ambush the Black Blood Clan—they haven’t expressed a clear stance and are still throwing up smoke screens.
However, it can be basically confirmed that the Wang family will not completely stand by and watch; they just don’t want to disclose their plans, making cooperation between both sides difficult to initiate.
At this point, Ye Zhijun shook his head in regret.
Haha, these so-called legitimate families, who always speak of order and regard the legitimate families of Huaguo as their own, saying they cannot coexist with the Black Blood Clan, only care for their own interests. Now that the collapse of the Liang family has become a fact, they begin to clean their own doorsteps, forcing us into action while aiming to kill two birds with one stone!
A sneer emerged from the corner, and the words elicited several nods.
“Once bitten by a snake, one is scared of ropes for ten years… the Wu family’s attitude is also understandable.”
Wu Zhongxian softly remarked, causing not only Minister Lü but even Ye Zhijun to awkwardly turn their heads away.
Only those present understood the real situation of the sensational “Western Monitoring Area Victory” over two months ago.
The Wang family suffered a surprise attack that resulted in substantial losses to their core personnel, and even if they don’t fall out with Dark Arrow, their morale is gone; whether they can preserve their current family interests remains uncertain.
Moreover, in the nearly six months of meddling in the Liang family’s internal strife, the Wang family got thoroughly humbled by a batch of brothers that Liang Er and Nguyen Shunhong had a hold over using the Frankenstein agent.
The room fell silent for several seconds. Zheng Guowei stated solemnly: “Without the butcher Zhang, we won’t shy away from the hairy pig; the operational plan will all revolve around us.”
This time, we will most likely encounter the opponent utilizing the Frankenstein agent again, and casualties in the troops are inevitable. Hmph, he has dental sticks; I have a hard head! No matter how dangerous it gets, can it be more difficult than seventy or eighty years ago?
Han Guowei stood up, surveying the high-ranking members at Dark Arrow headquarters, his face stern, then he slammed his fist on the table, voice booming: “Once you draw the bow, there’s no turning back. I will be on the front lines for this operation!”
Once these words were spoken, everyone present, including Wu Zhongxian, felt a jolt, aware that Han Guowei was planning to take command himself.
The meeting was adjourned, and Han Guowei grabbed his briefcase, heading toward the exit of the headquarters with a few subordinate officers.
“Old Han, wait a moment!”
A familiar voice came from behind. Han Guowei turned around and saw Wu Zhongxian and Ye Zhijun rushing to catch up.
“You two wait outside.”
Han Guowei pondered and instructed a subordinate beside him before walking away.
“Old Han, why did you include Han Jiejian in your operational deployment? Are you making him accompany the Blood Dragon Brigade into Qin Country for infiltration?”
Wu Zhongxian’s expression was somewhat strange, while Ye Zhijun clearly displayed his dissatisfaction.
“He’s part of Dark Arrow; why can’t he go?”
Han Guowei’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly having no qualms about placing his nephew in the most dangerous position.
“Old Han, I know you’re strict, but the Han family has bled so much; he’s the last of them! By emotion and reason, he shouldn’t go! Besides, he’s just an intelligence officer; how can he have the ability to fight alongside the Blood Dragon Brigade?”
Ye Zhijun grasped Han Guowei’s arm, sidestepping several headquarters personnel passing by, seriousness tinged with concern.
“I don’t quite believe that the Wang family will really stand by and watch. I’ve already arranged special satellite communication frequency access for him. If the Wang family makes a move, we can provide timely support. That’s my aim. Who else can maintain secret contact with the Wang family besides him?”
Han Guowei shook his head, revealing a mysterious smile.
“You old fox, are you still betting on the Wang family taking action?”
Ye Zhijun was taken aback, then appeared contemplative.
“Well, if you’ve thought it through, I have no reason to stop you… Just don’t let this thing leak to the old chief for now.”
Wu Zhongxian mused for a moment, only able to lightly sigh, patting his old partner’s arm, heavy-hearted as he walked away.
“Old Han, you’re letting Han Xiao follow the Cavalry Brigade as a frontline intelligence liaison; is there another consideration behind that? The Cavalry Brigade will undertake core assault tasks with risks just as significant as the Blood Dragon Brigade.”
After Wu Zhongxian left, Ye Zhijun lowered his voice.
It’s still the same statement. I need absolutely trustworthy individuals at critical moments. Regardless of which side the three families choose to act from, Han Jiejian and Xiao Xiao can maintain close contact to prevent a repeat of last time’s misfire against the Wang family.
“Old Ye, it’s not that my heart is cruel; in this critical period, as members of the Han family, they must be at the forefront. That’s the family principle!”
“And besides, that millennium-old tortoise of the Wang family, after suffering losses, does not hide in silence; it might give us a small surprise. What I must do is try to think ahead as much as possible.”
Han Guowei playfully thumped Ye Zhijun on the chest, appearing confident.
Han Guowei departed, and observing the calm and composed silhouette, a flicker of struggle surfaced in Ye Zhijun’s eyes.
