Chapter 252: Illusions and Realities
May 22, Friday.
At the nearest five-star hotel to Hong Kong Island Airport, an inconspicuous car parked at the entrance. The bodyguard and driver, Tanaka Harutaka, smiled and took the initiative to open the back door.
Katsumi Harume got out, dressed unusually in professional attire. She nodded slightly to Tanaka Harutaka and then looked up at the towering main building of the hotel in front of her.
A few seconds later, Katsumi took a small step back and respectfully bowed to Fujihara Kiyama, who was resting with his eyes closed in the car: “Uncle, we have arrived.”
“Alright, let’s all go up together.”
Fujihara Kiyama opened his eyes with a strong presence and arrogantly nodded with his cane.
After exchanging glances with Tanaka Harutaka again, Katsumi lowered her head obediently and followed Fujihara Kiyama like a secretary.
The closer they got to their destination, the more Katsumi could sense the complex and oppressive aura around them, while Tanaka Harutaka by her side remained calm.
Her impression of this distant family elder, whom she only nodded at in passing, had subtly changed over the past few days.
Tanaka Harutaka was reserved, with eagle-like eyes, but rather than being unapproachable, his presence unintentionally instilled a strange sense of safety.
Compared to Fujihara Kiyama, who made her extremely uncomfortable just by being near, Katsumi preferred to stay next to Tanaka Harutaka.
She had heard that some elite Asian peacekeeping bloodlines possessed the ability to influence others’ emotions. Could it be that I am already under his influence? As they walked, Katsumi tilted her head slightly and stole another glance at the young man beside her.
Feeling her gaze, Tanaka Harutaka turned his head, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly in a surprisingly rare smile that made Katsumi shiver.
The door to the hotel’s luxury suite opened, and a mix of chaotic auras clearly emanated from within. Katsumi quickly adjusted her breathing to avoid losing composure.
Inside the suite’s living room, an elderly man with a few silver hairs on his face stood up first, watching as Fujihara Kiyama and the other two entered.
Fujihara Kiyama glanced around the room, giving a slight nod of acknowledgment to Dali, and arrogantly made his way to the center of the living room like he was alone in the world.
In the corner, a complex gaze came upon him. Fujihara Kiyama turned his head and saw Qin Laowu, who smiled faintly at him before turning to another direction and bowing deeply with a formal gesture.
The only one to receive Fujihara Kiyama’s formal greeting was the extremely proud Qian Guilong. He neither glanced at Fujihara Kiyama nor bothered to acknowledge him, instead taking a big yawn while puffing on his pipe.
Following Fujihara Kiyama’s lead, Katsumi and Tanaka Harutaka also bent slightly towards Qian Guilong in respect.
There was no other reason; among those present, Qian Guilong, as a member of the Iberian class, held the highest status, even if he was part of a vampiric lineage hated by the orthodox families.
“Hmph, this little Japanese thinks he’s better than us…”
This blatant disrespect immediately drew the ire of Liang Laer, whose face turned green in anger as he couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.
“Fujihara Kiyama, long time no see… Do you feel that meeting us is beneath your dignity?”
Qin Laowu stood up with an unfriendly expression. Despite being filled with rage, he suppressed his anger and greeted Fujihara Kiyama in a slightly hostile tone.
Fujihara Kiyama smiled slightly, not responding to him but turning to Tanaka Harutaka and Katsumi: “Qin Sang, Li Sang, Liang Sang, you are all my old friends…”
The term “old friends” instantly made several of the Huaguo bloodline elders, including Chu, wear strange expressions, while Qian Guilong couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Seventy years ago, the Japanese bloodlines, including the Fujihara family, were arch-enemies of the Huaguo bloodlines present; both sides had fought fiercely, and no one expected that today they would sit together to discuss unspeakable matters.
The Fujihara family remained a self-satisfied entity, proud yet insecure. However, the participants, who had been involved in the last world war, had become traitors in Fujihara Kiyama’s eyes, which was indeed ironic.
“Tsk, tsk, some people are saying that old Qian is a traitor to the Han…”
This naked mockery immediately triggered great dissatisfaction from Liang Laer, and he could not help but murmur more loudly.
“Fujihara Kiyama, it’s been a long time… Do you think meeting us tarnishes your identity?”
Qin Laowu stood up, his face somewhat grim, and although he was seething with rage, he could only force himself to greet in a slightly antagonistic tone.
Fujihara Kiyama smiled faintly and did not respond but turned back to Tanaka Harutaka and Katsumi: “Qin Sang, Li Sang, Liang Sang, all my old friends…”
The term “old friends” made several of the Huaguo bloodline elders, including Chu, feel strange. Qian Guilong let out a conspicuous chuckle.
Seventy years ago, among the Huaz族血族 present, the Japanese bloodlines, including the Fujihara family, were arch-rivals, both sides fighting fiercely, and no one had anticipated that they would come together today for such secretive matters.
The Fujihara family still possessed the self-satisfied attitude characteristic of a proud yet insecure Japanese lineage, but those Huaguo bloodline dignitaries who had experienced the last world war had become traitors in Fujihara Kiyama’s eyes, which did seem ironic.
“Hey, you little Japanese have such a low opinion of others…”
This blatant display of looking down upon others instantly drew Liang Laer’s great dissatisfaction, and his face flushed angrily as he could not help but mutter under his breath.
“Fujihara Kiyama, it’s been a long time since we last met… Do you think associating with us is beneath your dignity?”
Qin Laowu stood up, his expression somewhat hostile. Although he was filled with rage, he forced himself to hold it in and greeted Fujihara Kiyama in a slightly antagonistic tone.
Fujihara Kiyama smiled slightly and did not respond. Instead, he turned to look at Tanaka Harutaka and Katsumi: “Qin Sang, Li Sang, Liang Sang, you are all my old friends…”
The mention of “old friends” suddenly made several Huaguo bloodline elders, including Chu, display strange expressions while Qian Guilong couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
Seventy years ago, the Japanese bloodlines, including the Fujihara family, were arch-enemies of the Huaguo bloodlines present; both sides had fierce conflicts, and no one expected that they would sit together today to discuss unspeakable matters.
The Fujihara family remained a self-satisfied entity, proud yet insecure, but the participants, having experienced the last war, had become traitors in Fujihara Kiyama’s eyes, which was indeed ironic.
“Hey, some people say old Qian is a traitor to the Han…”
This blatant display of disdain caused great discontent for Liang Laer, whose face turned green in anger, unable to refrain from murmuring to himself.
“Fujihara Kiyama, long time no see… Do you think meeting us tarnishes your dignity?”
Qin Laowu stood up with an unfriendly expression, trying to suppress the anger boiling within him, thus greeting Fujihara Kiyama in a somewhat antagonistic tone.
Fujihara Kiyama smiled faintly, ignoring the greeting. Instead, he turned back to Tanaka Harutaka and Katsumi: “Qin Sang, Li Sang, Liang Sang, you are all my old friends…”
The term “old friends” evoked strange expressions among several Huaguo bloodline elders, including Chu, while Qian Guilong laughed conspicuously.
Seventy years ago, among those present, the Japanese bloodlines like the Fujihara family were arch-enemies with the Huaguo bloodlines. Both sides had fought fiercely, leading to no one expected that they would meet today to discuss unspeakable matters.
The Fujihara family continued to exhibit a sense of self-satisfaction, marked by both pride and insecurity. However, among those present, the bloodline elders who had experienced the previous world war became traitors in Fujihara Kiyama’s perspective, which was indeed ironic.
“Cough, cough, some say old Qian is a traitor to the Han…”
This blatant display of hypocrisy immediately ignited Liang Laer’s resentment, turning his face pale as he couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.
“Fujihara Kiyama, long time no see… Do you think meeting us tarnishes your reputation?”
Qin Laowu stood up with an unfriendly expression. Although his heart was filled with resentment, he could only suppress it, speaking in a slightly antagonistic tone.
Fujihara Kiyama smiled faintly as if he had not heard, instead returning his attention to Tanaka Harutaka and Katsumi: “Qin Sang, Li Sang, Liang Sang, you are all old friends of mine…”
The mention of “old friends” instantly caused several Huaguo bloodline elders, including Chu, to exchange strange glances, while Qian Guilong laughed mockingly.
Seventy years ago, the Japanese bloodlines, including the Fujihara family, were the sworn enemies of the Huaguo bloodlines present, both sides having fought fiercely, and no one could have anticipated that today they would convene together for sordid dealings.
The Fujihara family remained a self-satisfied entity, proud yet insecure, yet the bloodline elders at the meeting, being veterans of the last world war, saw themselves as nuanced traitors in the eyes of Fujihara Kiyama, thus its irony.
“Ah, you little Japanese have such a low opinion of others…”
This blatant show of arrogance invited much disdain from Liang Laer, his face turning an angry shade of green as he could hardly contain muttering a complaint.
“Fujihara Kiyama, it’s been long; do you think associating with us is beneath your dignity?”
Qin Laowu rose to greet, his countenance filled with disdain. Despite his internal simmering of anger, he maintained appearances by addressing Fujihara Kiyama with less aggrieved hostility than he might have wished.
Fujihara Kiyama merely smiled, not responding to this interjection but turning back, addressing Tanaka Harutaka and Katsumi similarly, with a tired tone: “Qin Sang, Li Sang, Liang Sang, you are all my old comrades here…”
The reference to “old comrades” elicited a tangible unease among some, including Chu, creating an atmosphere where Qian Guilong mockingly erupted into laughter.
Seventy years ago, the Japanese bloodlines, among them the Fujihara family, stood against the Huaguo bloodlines gathered here, their enmity borne of conflicts that uniformly shaped no expectations for an unholy alliance like this today in the face of adversity.
The Fujihara family thus found itself ensnared, revealing both a sense of unwarranted superiority and deeply buried self-dapredation. However, the gathering of seasoned bloodline elders, forged in the fires of past conflicts, had become literal turncoats in Fujihara Kiyama’s precarious narrative.
“Ho, ho, scorn the Han, traitor!”
This icy cue from Liang Laer at the welcoming gesture finally struck nerves. Although conceivably audible in the backdrop of that space, the air of disdain punched accurately to threaten mutual ready munitions.
“Fujihara, what is your expectation? Spillage of blood?”
Qin Laowu assessed from his position, realizing fury boiling, suppressing apathy till reason faltered.
Tanaka Harutaka thus kept his gaze steady, offering no commentary, while Fujihara Kiyama absorbed the challenge, savoring tension imbued with venomous sans response.
As they proceeded further into hidden machinations amidst renewed confrontations, thoughts sharpened at each setback or obstacle in their pages, each navigating precarious motives engulfed in convoluted tensions.
Wherever decisions formed, whichever paths lead, precious truths may linger, above all illusions beckoning within strife, as struggles played among spiraled shadows hovering the gathering.
