Chapter 261: Meng Huai, come out!
The time struck midnight; the calendar flipped, and it was now May 27.
Han Guowei sat on the ground, motionless, staring blankly at the young corpse before him, still clutching an old military identification tag in his palm.
“Zhu Pengfei, seed code Red Magic, mission accomplished, glorious sacrifice, request to return to the team.”
“Zheng Yuanchao, logistics clerk of the 204th regiment of the former Southern Monitoring Area, blood invasion in 1990, steadfast and never forgetting he was a member of Dark Arrow, perished together with the head of the Vietnamese Black Blood Clan, Pan Shangzhen, glorious sacrifice, request to return to the team.”
Han Guowei murmured these words softly; they were almost verbatim of what the mysterious woman from the Wang family had said five minutes earlier.
His gaze shifted from the corpse to the identification tag in his hand, and Han Guowei sighed deeply.
“Commander… there isn’t a living person inside; the Wang family has evacuated.”
An operations officer came over, glancing at the tattered corpse of the mysterious man and squatting down beside Han Guowei.
“Xiao Song, make sure to handle this martyr’s remains properly, transport them to the capital, and hand them over to Chief of Staff Wu.”
Han Guowei adjusted his military hat, stood up, and handed the old identification tag to the operations officer. “Also, check the archives for a soldier named Zheng Yuanchao. Based on the original, apply for a first-class merit posthumously. See if he has any surviving family…”
“Ah, first-class merit!?”
The operations officer stared in surprise at the old Dark Arrow identification tag in his hand.
According to the customs of Dark Arrow, if an operational team can kill a blood clan baron, the collective could be awarded second-class merit; the key contributors would typically receive third-class personal merit.
Unless due to significant contributions and sacrifices, obtaining first-class personal merit was nearly impossible.
Some soldiers’ great deeds are not defined by what they did before sacrifice, but rather what time gradually solidifies… Regardless of how long it has been, they deserve to be remembered!
“Speed up the cleanup of the battlefield; public sentiment management must follow. If we find any members of the Wang family still present, do not engage.”
Having spoken, Han Guowei strode toward his command vehicle.
As night fell, the ground was aglow with countless searchlights and flashlight beams shaking around. Teams of Dark Arrow soldiers passed by Han Guowei from near and far, entering the mountains.
Over three hundred Dark Arrow soldiers kept several meters apart from each other, sweeping through the valley like a comb, leaving behind a shocking scene.
On stones, tree trunks, in the grass, and by the streams, severed limbs and remnants of bones and flesh were visible everywhere, blood staining the ground.
The intact bodies of the blood clan were almost nonexistent; the vast majority were unrecognizable shredded limbs, and occasionally there were horrific, grotesque conglomerate creatures.
Now and then, a helicopter would swoop low, and its powerful cyclone and engine roar could not disperse the bloody scent surrounding the valley.
Returning to the command vehicle, Han Guowei closed his eyes to rest for several minutes before pulling out a confidential mobile phone.
“Old Wu, you’re still awake, right? The Red Magic has been found… yeah, confirmed as a casualty, just in the recent operation… right, the Wang family attacked suddenly; we seized a huge advantage with zero casualties. We’re currently tallying results and identifying identities. Conservatively estimated, at least forty to fifty were eliminated…”
“Old Wu, I have another thought. Maybe the rules we’ve set before have many unreasonable aspects… yes, it might just be a single case, but it should draw our attention.”
Within minutes, Han Guowei briefly recounted the case of the former Dark Arrow blood invasion fugitive named Zheng Yuanchao. Silence fell on the other end of the call as Wu Zhongxian pondered.
After hanging up, Han Guowei stepped out of the vehicle, facing southwest, his eyes full of a glimmer of hope.
……
……
In the capital, a senior hospital ward.
Putting away his phone, Wu Zhongxian contemplated for a few seconds before returning to the ward, where everyone stood up.
Han Hao, Han An, and Han Rong, the daughters of the Han family, surrounded the comatose elder of the Han family, each one looking forlorn.
According to the doctor’s words, the old man was already on the brink of death.
“I’ll watch over this area with the engineer first; you ladies should take a break.”
Wu Zhongxian scanned around, offering a subtle signal with concern to the Han family members.
After a moment of silent interaction, Han Hao understood, first stepping out of the ward, and soon only Wu Zhongxian and Ye Zhijun remained in the room.
“Is it Han Guowei on the line? Has he wrapped up over there?”
Ye Zhijun held the withered hand of the old man outside the blankets, not lifting his head.
Hmm, that’s your intelligence.
More accurately, Liang Lao Er and their group did not fall for it and ambushed the reconnaissance combat team, resulting in being trapped in an ambush by the Wang family, virtually annihilating them… sigh, the Wang family hasn’t changed; they didn’t even notify us before causing such a significant incident under Old Han’s nose.
I didn’t tell him about the current state of the elder because I was worried it would affect his frontline command.
Wu Zhongxian took off his military hat, sitting wearily by the bedside, gazing at the elderly man, his eyes reflecting complex emotions.
To successfully contact Liang Lao Er’s group, who possessed the Frankenstein serum, the Wang family must have put in a considerable effort… How many people did they deploy? Are there any specific casualties?
Ye Zhijun thought for a while before raising a sensitive question.
They are still cleaning up after the battle. According to Old Han, Liang Lao Er and Ruan Shunhong almost used up all the Frankenstein serum, and the scene was bloody; the Wang family and the Zhou family must have suffered significant losses.
This time, Old Han made a smart move without bloodshed, seized a great opportunity, the planned combat objectives have been achieved in advance; starting today, they can finally enjoy a few years of peace… I’ll go give a brief report to the military committee leaders, some public sentiment regulation also needs to follow up, I’ll take my leave here.
With that, Wu Zhongxian put on his military hat and left the room.
As the door closed, Ye Zhijun turned his gaze back to Han Zhiliang’s face, his expression calm, only a slight smile at the corners of his mouth.
In the corridor of the ward, Wu Zhongxian hurriedly made his way to the elevator, dialing a secure number once again.
“Security department? I, Wu Zhongxian, am assigning you a secret mission…”
Just as he stepped into the elevator, he turned back to glance at the ward direction, revealing a hint of an enigmatic bitter smile.
Two kilometers beyond the western side of the Moche River Bridge, members of the Hyacinth team were arriving one by one to evacuate the battlefield.
Wan Yue was leaning against a tree trunk, her face flushed, breathing irregularly, the previously unfathomable chaotic aura now exhibiting clear agitation.
Jiang Yao, Liang Tai, and Xiao Dong crouched beside Wan Yue in silence.
What are you all doing with long faces? I’m not dead yet…
Wan Yue tremblingly took a pill from Xiao Dong’s hand and swallowed it with some mineral water.
A few seconds later, Wan Yue took a deep breath and smiled bitterly at Liang Tai: “Speak, what’s the casualty situation?”
Liang Tai lowered his head, fighting back tears with a hoarse voice: “Old Zheng has fallen; we can’t even recover the body. Xiaolian was mortally wounded five minutes ago… Xiao Hai and Xiao Ling are seriously injured; Xiao Guo is lightly injured… Currently, the injured have been entrusted to the Wang family for care; it’s just us remaining here.”
As he finished, Xiao Dong burst into tears, wailing loudly. Even Jiang Yao remained vacant-eyed, staring blankly at the ground, murmuring unintelligible words.
They sacrificed our future for at least fifty years of peace… Regarding Xiaolian’s matter, inform Guo Hao later; the Hyacinth will take care of everything afterwards. Additionally, have him start recruiting people from Ali as much as possible starting today; the Hermit Alliance doesn’t have many days left to live…
After saying this, Wan Yue began to sweat profusely, her breathing more erratic, but she didn’t care, only turning her head to look at Jiang Yao.
Under Wan Yue’s gaze, Jiang Yao quickly lowered her head, her voice like a whisper: “I’m sorry, Sister Wan, I didn’t protect Brother Zheng and the others well…”
Silly girl, you’ve done so well; you killed Cao Kuang, Zhu Bixian, and Ruan Shunhong, turning the tide of battle. Looking across China, you can finally take a breath…
Wan Yue extended her hand, struggling to stroke Jiang Yao’s long hair, revealing a faint smile: “This time, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back the promotion; the next stage relies on you, Jiang Yao and Zhao Peng, to watch over Hyacinth… Let Xiao Dong accompany me back to C City; you and Liang Tai go to Jiang Yan; it might still be helpful…
Go, deal with Fujiwara Jijin; this old fellow is very cunning and hard to handle in one go. He must not be allowed to return to Japan alive.”
After saying this, Wan Yue pulled out a phone and handed it to Liang Tai, then closed her eyes, falling into an extreme state of exhaustion, drifting into a daze.
Xiao Dongjie, Sister Wan…
Without Jiang Yan around, facing this situation, Jiang Yao completely lost her composure, her whole being filled with fury, tears brimming in her eyes.
Xiao Dong wiped the tears off her face, lifting Wan Yue and managing to squeeze a difficult smile at Liang Tai and Jiang Yao: “Sister Wan is not in danger; she’s just lost blood and overexerted, leading to hormonal imbalance inside and outside. She might really be forced to enter dormancy in a few days. From now on, Sister Wan will truly be in isolation.”
Brother Liang, you all hurry and set out; I will take good care of Sister Wan and Xiao Ling.
At this moment, in the not-so-distant night sky, another Dark Arrow helicopter flew by, the engine sound heavy and noisy.
The sleeping Meng Yue, Liang Rou nodded gently, then dragged Jiang Yao’s arm and walked away.
Jiang Yao turned back three times, filled with anxiety.
……
At 12:30 AM.
In the northern part of the Qin country, on a remote hill near the border with the Vietnam and China countries, a group of men and women fully armed and wearing jungle digital camouflaged combat uniforms appeared.
In the night, Wang family’s fourth uncle, Count of Western Siberia, gazed seriously at a valley kilometers away to the west.
The rain had barely stopped for a day, but it began falling again, yet everyone stood still in the rain, deeply focused.
“Fourth uncle, there’s news from the north!”
A knight from the Wang family ran over from the eastern slope, unable to hide his delight: “Seventh uncle has achieved a great victory, surrounding and annihilating Liang Lao Er and Ruan Shunhong!”
With no mobile signal and satellite phones unusable in the area, the Wang family still communicated through the most traditional encrypted radio methods, relay news back home.
As soon as the news was shared, all the Wang family members in the mountain forest displayed excited expressions, whispering to each other.
Among the crowd, Jiang Yan was quietly listening, occasionally glancing northeast. When she heard the fourth uncle of the Wang family inquire about casualties, her ears perked up.
…Liang Lao Er’s group, cornered, used the Frankenstein serum. Our family’s ninth brother, the Deng and Luo families’ barons were killed in battle, our family’s twelfth brother from the Zhou family was gravely injured, while others only sustained mild injuries.
“The knight suffered minimal losses; collectively, fewer than ten were killed, but there were slightly more serious injuries…”
The Wang family knight wiped the rain off his face, beaming widely, as if the results were far better than expected.
No one cared about the exact casualties among the knights, and even the names of the injured were deemed unnecessary to mention; all the focus of the battle report shifted to senior blood clan members.
“What about Hyacinth?”
Jiang Yan could no longer hold back, and softly asked in the crowd, drawing everyone’s gaze towards her.
“Um… it seems two people were killed. Oh, that Miss Jiang Yan is quite formidable; she single-handedly killed Zhu Bixian, Cao Kuang, and Ruan Shunhong!”
The Wang family knight glanced at his fourth uncle, smiling at Jiang Yan, displaying utmost courtesy.
These details of the battle report immediately sparked fervent discussions among those around, even changing the way the fourth uncle of the Wang family viewed Jiang Yan.
In the world of blood clans, while levels are foundational, real status and prestige are earned through combat.
Someone died; who could it be… Jiang Yan felt a heavy heart, her lips quivering, but she held back and retreated to the side, ignoring the astonished looks from all sides.
Miss Jiang Yan… should I ask around for you later?
Doctor Lu approached, revealing a look of apology towards Jiang Yan.
Like the twelfth brother of the Wang family responsible for Jiang Yan’s protection, Doctor Lu accompanied her as her protector and also undertook the medical support for the group.
“It’s okay, thank you, Doctor Lu.”
Jiang Yan forced a smile and turned her attention back to several Wang family members in the crowd.
The northern team led by the seventh uncle of the Wang family, although numerous, was ultimately just a guise, mixed together from several families forming a ragtag army, with varying strengths.
Conversely, the situation with the fourth uncle of the Wang family was entirely different, almost exclusively comprised of Wang family elites. Apart from the fourth uncle, there were four viscounts and five barons, significantly enhancing the lineup of senior blood clan members.
Additionally, there were twenty-five Wang family knights providing combat support, with the lowest level being tiered knights, and Jiang Yan even sensed the presence of three half-step barons among them.
Such a lavish investment, although the total number was not even half of the seventh uncle’s, decisively overshadowed the combat power of those like Chu Dali in the intelligence, enough to challenge the majority of baron families in this world.
Excluding the recently arrived Doctor Lu, the four viscounts and four barons in the crowd had worn masks all along, making it hard to gauge their true capabilities, but Jiang Yan had already guessed the truth.
These eight high-end combat forces from the Wang family were likely the same group that was presumed dead months ago due to the aerial attacks from Dark Arrow.
After lying low for so long, the Wang family had finally bared its fangs. This was the series of covert operations orchestrated by the old duke of the Wang family, aimed directly at eliminating all opponents, with no retention.
I wonder if Meng Huai is already with the Dark Arrow’s Blood Dragon Brigade?
Perhaps in his heart, Dark Arrow is his true home, not Hyacinth. He must perish together with the Blood Dragon Brigade… Jiang Yan retreated to the side, her gaze shifting towards the valley to the west, her heart in turmoil.
They don’t quite seem like genuine Chinese; it’s rumored that he is the only Apennine upper-class baron of the Wang family, a Sino-European mixed blood.
The Wang family’s Apennine Baron, dressed in black, deliberately glanced towards Jiang Yan as he passed by.
Fourth uncle, there’s a Japanese Apennine baron next to Da Li; I didn’t dare get too close; they are lurking on both sides of the valley; there’s likely about to be action.
With the latest intelligence in hand, the fourth uncle of the Wang family smiled, turning his head to the other side of the crowd: “Wang Sheng, go to Dark Arrow and find that Han Ji Li; pass along the information that we are in position and waiting for his signal.”
“Understood, fourth uncle!”
A senior knight exited the crowd with a large bag, seemingly preparing to swap equipment for Dark Arrow.
I will go.
Suddenly, a female voice sounded from the end of the crowd; Jiang Yan removed her tactical helmet and walked directly in front of the fourth uncle of the Wang family, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Hehe, it seems the girl was arranged to come here, so I assumed this would happen… But no! You should know your identity.”
The fourth uncle of the Wang family, without a second thought, dismissed Jiang Yan’s self-recommendation.
“Fourth uncle, I’m more familiar with them! The highest level in the Blood Dragon Brigade is an upper-class baron; it may not hold; I can support them!”
Jiang Yan remained relentless, clearly resolved.
Last time she met with the Wang family and Han Ji Li, she had been in close proximity to the fourth uncle and was certain that this top figure of the Wang family shared a closer relationship with Wan Yue than was known.
In Jiang Yan’s eyes, her secret identity was likely known to both this fourth uncle and the old duke of the Wang family, so she was no longer hiding her intentions in front of him.
“Fourth uncle, I… can I go?”
Wang Sheng appeared confused, carrying the large bag, unsure about the unfolding situation.
Quietly watching the girl before him, the fourth uncle of the Wang family showed a hint of appreciation. After a dozen seconds, he gestured to Doctor Lu: “Xiao Lu, you come with Jiang Yan; remember, even if you die, she must survive!”
Doctor Lu’s fleeting苦笑 passed across his face, as he silently took over the large bag from Wang Sheng and stood beside Jiang Yan.
……
At precisely 1 AM, in a valley just a few kilometers from the northern border of the Huacun, within a cave largely concealed by tropical vegetation, a sniper from the Dark Arrow Blood Dragon Brigade, dressed in combat gear, quietly stood up.
“Password!”
“Five lakes and four seas, responding.”
“All seas are one!”
A knight-level soldier from the Blood Dragon Brigade slowly pushed aside the covering bushes, stepping out with weapons and looking at two strangers dressed in Dark Arrow standard combat uniforms appearing quietly before him, revealing a hint of doubt.
The password was correct, but their faces seemed entirely foreign. In his impression, the Blood Dragon Brigade did not have these two individuals, especially the leading man, who bore a hint of chaotic energy, clearly at least a baron himself.
As for the girl behind the man, who emitted a barely perceptible upper-class baron aura, her face obscured by a black mask except for her strikingly beautiful eyes, she quietly gazed at him.
“You… are not from the Blood Dragon Brigade.”
The soldier frowned, his weapon raised slightly, watching with vigilance.
“We are from the Wang family; please inform Mr. Han Ji Li that we have important intelligence.”
Doctor Lu glanced at Jiang Yan, smiled broadly, and raised both hands, indicating no hostility.
The Dark Arrow soldier hesitated for a brief moment, thought for a second, and then made a gesture with his hand.
There were subtle movements from different directions around them, and within a hundred meters, more Dark Arrow infiltrators quietly emerged, all armed and ready.
With the strength of himself and Doctor Lu, they hadn’t even detected these infiltrators; the Blood Dragon Brigade certainly possessed something far greater than internal and external hormone suppressants… Now, it was Jiang Yan’s turn to be astonished.
……
Deep within the cave, in a section of the tunnel, the soldiers of the Blood Dragon Brigade awaiting orders began to rise one after another, curiously watching the two strangers in Dark Arrow combat uniforms pass by.
The male was unmistakably a typical high-level blood clan, his chaotic aura seeming unreal. The tall female exuded an aura of a peak upper-tier knight, along with traces of a faint enticing fragrance.
The Blood Dragon Brigade did not lack female soldiers, but none were present in this operational sequence; this mysterious half-step baron girl was not a member of the Blood Dragon Brigade.
At the end of the tunnel, Han Ji Li, Li Hongjun, and Tu Weijun all paused in their tasks, watching as Doctor Lu and Jiang Yan approached.
Jiang Yan spotted Han Ji Li immediately, but then realized her emotions were stirring; she suddenly began scanning the area, seemingly searching for someone.
“Meng De, come out!”
Under the astonished gaze of Doctor Lu, Jiang Yan, who had always been rational, suddenly called out loudly.
The captain of the Blood Dragon Brigade, Li Hongjun, and instructor Tu Weijun exchanged glances, puzzled by the sudden appearance of this girl from the Wang family in their secret gathering place.
“Commander Han, is she… is she here to fight or looking for someone?”
Li Hongjun furrowed his brow, while Tu Weijun quickly regained his composure—he recognized this girl and had a deep impression of her.
Han Ji Li felt embarrassed, unsure how to respond, instinctively rubbing his nose and turning his head aside.
“Meng De, I know you’re here!”
Jiang Yan fumbled with the weapon in her hand and started wandering around.
“Uh, Captain Li, Commander Han, should we perhaps discuss the current situation separately? People outside are about to take action…”
Doctor Lu offered a wry smile, stepping forward to assume the communication duties meant for Jiang Yan.
“Captain Li, Instructor, you all talk first; I’ll have a word with this… lady.”
Han Ji Li exchanged glances with Tu Weijun and walked towards Jiang Yan.
……
In an isolated section of the tunnel, Jiang Yan stood under a focused beam of light, staring blankly at the ground, while Han Ji Li leaned against the cave wall, arms crossed, lightly drumming his fingers on his arm.
Looking at the girl before him, with her beautiful eyes peeking out from under her mask, Han Ji Li knew exactly who she was.
If she were to shed the Dark Arrow combat uniform and switch to a horse-faced skirt, changing her hairstyle, she would be the same girl who appeared next to the birdcage of the Wang family and had maintained an unclear relationship with Meng De since early on.
“Miss Jiang… how did you know Meng De would be here with me?”
Han Ji Li’s mind raced through countless scenarios, but he ultimately restrained his amusement and spoke up first.
Upon hearing her name, Jiang Yan lifted her head, blinking a few times. Moments later, she gently pulled off her mask, appearing calm yet resolute.
Her current appearance, slightly different from the photos, reflected the continuous process of self-improvement within the blood clan as they grew in rank. It was unfortunate… gazing at the face that could outshine most starlets today, Han Ji Li couldn’t help but praise inwardly.
“Where is he?”
Jiang Yan avoided Han Ji Li’s gaze, pausing for a moment before softly murmuring.
“Miss Jiang Yan, do you… do you like Meng De?”
As soon as he asked, Han Ji Li felt an odd thought well up inside him, accompanied by a sense of discomfort.
“This is none of your business!”
Jiang Yan inhaled deeply and responded coolly: “I know he must have contact with you; he will also participate in this operation.”
Han Ji Li smiled, remaining noncommittal: “I heard Instructor Tu mention that you were in Northern Myanmar, annihilating Nawa and Deng Baoyi together with Meng De… You’re currently a maid, endowed with the abilities of both Siberian and Iberian lineages?”
Jiang Yan lapsed into silence, fiddling with a strand of her long hair absentmindedly.
Yes, that’s the kind of unreasonable existence she is; maybe she completed the physiological and psychological separation from that Xia Yan long ago… Han Ji Li gazed at the quiet, masked girl before him, his mind churning with emotion.
Actually, both you and Meng De know… where is he?
Jiang Yan pursed her lips, slightly lowering her head, her expression unreadable.
Han Ji Li didn’t answer, simply offering a faint smile.
“Where is he!?”
Jiang Yan suddenly stood up as if losing control of her emotions, fists clenched, shoulders trembling slightly.
A soldier from the Dark Arrow Blood Dragon Brigade appeared at the tunnel entrance, peering in anxiously, but upon seeing Han Ji Li completely unharmed, quietly retreated.
“He’s out to seek death! Don’t you know…”
Jiang Yan wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, her eyes turning red, her voice falling low.
Han Ji Li’s mouth fell open in shock, and he couldn’t close it for a long while. After a few seconds, he slowly extended a finger, pointing upwards.
Seeing his gesture, a horrifying image flashed in Jiang Yan’s mind, and her body suddenly softened, leaning against the cave wall as she sat down slowly, despair and regret clouding her face, her lips trembling, unable to utter a word.
Just then, a low explosion echoed from the tunnel entrance, followed by a slight tremor in the tunnel, dust drifting down from the ceiling.
“Commander Han, we are being ambushed!”
A soldier rushed in, speaking in a deep voice to Han Ji Li.
Hearing this, Jiang Yan and Han Ji Li both reacted simultaneously, their expressions reflecting different emotions.
