Chapter 283: Resolution
This sandstorm in the Bertai Weir desert lasted longer than expected; it wasn’t until the evening of July 1, local time, that it calmed down enough for passage.
Despite the swirling sand and flying rocks, Emma’s convoy finally arrived at the Eden Base before midnight.
In the darkness of the desert, fissures opened up as enormous metal shields swung open to the sides, lights flashing and alarms blaring, revealing a long passage wide enough for two tanks to pass through.
The grandeur of the entrance was imposing; one could only imagine the scale of this underground world hidden in such desolation. Even after seeing countless fantastical visions, the sight of this pinnacle of human industrial civilization made even Chong Jing gasp in admiration.
Although Jiang Yan had regained her freedom of movement below her feet, her neck and hands remained shackled by electronic cuffs. Turning her head, she saw the convoy moving at a steady pace, with armed personnel in matching blue uniforms on either side.
It wasn’t until the afternoon that Jiang Yan noticed that besides Emma and Chong Jing, two other individuals had joined them. One was a middle-aged man smoking a pipe, appearing rather cantankerous; Jiang Yan recognized him at once as Qian Guilong. The other was an elderly man, who for some unknown reason, had lost his hair; his wrinkled, shiny face seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t remember who he was.
The five entered a large, snow-white room, which contained nothing but a stainless steel platform in the center.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before we officially enter, we need to conduct a security check, which includes all of your personal belongings.”
Putting on a wireless earpiece, Emma smiled and strolled around the four, then looked at Chu Dali: “Mr. Chu, there seems to be an unidentified item on your belt.”
Chu Dali was momentarily taken aback; he rubbed his waist, retrieved a jade pendant, and placed it on the platform with a dark expression.
Chu… he was Chu Dali. Without his hair and beard, he was indeed hard to recognize! Jiang Yan couldn’t help but turn her head and met Chu Dali’s gaze directly.
Chu Dali avoided Jiang Yan’s eyes, placed both hands behind his back, and closed his eyes.
Emma then approached Qian Guilong, who was focused on the pipe in his hand, maintaining a relatively polite demeanor: “Mr. Qian, your…”
“Hey, I don’t need to follow your rules. If I can’t bring it in, then I won’t go!”
Emma’s smile froze instantly; after a few seconds, she raised her hand, touched her wireless earpiece, and slowly stepped back.
Perhaps having received some instruction, Emma slightly bowed to Qian Guilong, restored her smile, and no longer mentioned the pipe.
“Mr. Chong, you have the most belongings on you.” Emma finally walked up to Chong Jing, pointed at the silver steel pen on his chest, which was an absolute taboo. She then pointed at his pants pocket: “The phone and wallet will be taken care of by us.”
After that, Emma’s gaze shifted to the pocket of Chong Jing’s suit: “There’s something there too.”
Chong Jing chuckled softly, pulled out two small black pill bottles, dumped a capsule out without a second glance, and tossed it into his mouth: “This is something Ms. Emma just gave me this morning.”
It seemed like there were others monitoring behind the white wall; Emma glanced in a certain direction, and after a few seconds, turned back with a smile: “Well, after two more doses, you’ll be ready for real anti-blood treatment. However, that bottle you brought cannot be taken in; I hope you understand.”
Chong Jing’s eyes turned cold rapidly as he slowly walked toward Emma and forcefully slammed the small bottle he had brought onto the ground.
Under the bright lights, the bottle shattered, and over twenty semi-transparent capsules scattered everywhere.
Chong Jing grabbed Emma by the collar, his expression becoming exceptionally fierce: “You used to say my illness could only be treated with this kind of medicine, and now you tell me there are other methods? You deceitful…”
“Pick it up!” Emma’s smile vanished as she effortlessly threw Chong Jing to the ground.
“Mr. Chong, every single pill here is worth a year’s income for a middle-class family in Europe; this is the greatest mercy I can offer you… so pick it up, and I hope I won’t have to say it again!”
Emma stood before Chong Jing, looking down at him, adjusting her collar, her expression gradually turning cold, a sneer playing at the corners of her mouth.
Chong Jing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, lying on the ground, searching for the scattered capsules.
Next to Emma, underneath Qian Guilong’s legs, behind Chu Dali, and by Jiang Yan’s feet… with each one he found, Chong Jing placed it into a new black pill bottle.
Jiang Yan watched all of this quietly, saying nothing. When Chong Jing raised his head, the girl simply closed her eyes.
Indeed, someone admired by Mr. Elvin, who could bend and stretch… very well, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Eden, the lighthouse of the blood family world.
Once Chong Jing got up and placed the pill bottle into his pocket, Emma turned around, smiling as she raised a hand.
The wall on one side slowly opened, revealing a spacious hall filled with a futuristic sense, where countless researchers in white lab coats of various skin tones moved about.
The seventh floor of the Eden base is the largest level of the entire underground world and also the most heavily guarded.
Elvin sat with one leg crossed in front of a transparent glass wall, behind which, in a vast, sealed space, the progenitor was deeply asleep.
With Emma accompanying her, Jiang Yan, free of all restraints, slowly approached. When the sunlight fell upon the glass wall, her pupils suddenly constricted.
A gigantic brain-like creature, measuring at least twenty meters in size, dangled its enormous, unseeing eyeballs, bobbing slightly in the nutrient liquid.
Its stout body was lined with thick, willow-like neuro-whiskers, and its distorted, squished brainstem seemed like a mass of meat; every detail looked exactly like the monster Jiang Yan had seen in her dreams.
Compared to the “grandma meatball” she had encountered in the underground factory in City D, the massive creature before her was more complex, refined, yet terrifying.
“Ms. Jiang Yan, it is my honor to see you again; you are even more beautiful than the first time I saw you.”
Elvin adjusted his suit, walked over to Jiang Yan, and slightly raised his right hand. Unfortunately, the young Chinese girl before him seemed not to grasp the polite gesture of this Western greeting.
Elvin chuckled lightly, putting his hands back in his pockets, turning towards the glass wall: “The progenitor, the source of sacred life; I prefer to call her the queen of Sophia. Ms. Jiang Yan, does that feel familiar?”
After a dozen seconds, Jiang Yan withdrew her gaze, somewhat indifferently saying, “Mr. Elvin, do you believe that I am the true queen?”
“The latest blood tests can only confirm a ninety percent possibility; however, the results already surpass any queen in history.”
Elvin moved in closer, pressing his palm against the glass wall with a hint of unconscious fervor in his eyes: “Ms. Jiang Yan, becoming the true queen of the Sophia bloodline is not just your fortune but also the honor of the Engel family.”
More than a hundred years ago, the Duke of the Wang family had a fierce quarrel with my great-grandfather when he refused the invitation of Duke Gotar. She clearly understood the significance of the progenitor’s plan for the blood family yet maintained her own opinion… but in my view, perhaps she had other selfish motives she was unwilling to share.
However, that is no longer important; in the cause of saving the blood family around the world, the Engel family has consistently undertaken the greatest risks and should rightfully receive the greatest rewards; everyone united around me should also share in the fruits of success.
Jiang Yan bit her lip, avoiding Elvin’s gaze: “Does that mean I’m to be consumed by this monster… when will the progenitor’s plan be considered a success?”
“Well, that depends on tomorrow’s comprehensive health report… but I trust Mr. Chong’s judgment; he received quite a bit of information from Ms. Wanyue. For example…”
Elvin glanced at Jiang Yan’s left hand poking out of her sleeve and the bandage around her neck, twitching his nose slightly, then revealed a hint of a mysterious smile: “For instance, the Wang family, if I’m not wrong, have also been conducting some verifications on you, while you remain entirely unaware, treating them as your greatest support.”
Jiang Yan looked down at her left hand, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, but she quickly returned to calm: “Heh, it’s Chong Jing, right? He can betray us today and betray you tomorrow.”
“Hmm, that’s the innate flaw of ordinary people… This dirty, despicable man, as long as Ms. Jiang Yan says a word, I could have him become the first dessert after the progenitor awakens.”
Jiang Yan fell silent again, gazing at the massive creature behind the glass wall, her eyes flickering with complex emotions.
…Alright, I’ll inform Lord Elvin right away!
In the corner, Emma’s expression changed drastically; she quickly stepped forward, interrupting the exchange between Elvin and Jiang Yan: “Lord Elvin, there has been an illegal breach into the external communication interface sending encrypted messages! It’s happening in the M zone of the fourth research room, and Mr. Frank is hurrying there!”
Elvin suddenly turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over both Jiang Yan and Emma; a few seconds later, he returned to his seat and slightly raised his hand: “Eliminate on site, no need for testimony.”
Emma bowed and pressed the wireless earpiece, transmitting Elvin’s order.
…
In the corridor on the third floor, Frank walked toward a certain area, flanked by four armed security personnel in blue uniforms, his expression grim.
The M zone of the fourth research room had been sealed off a few minutes prior; Frank crossed the quarantine line, unlocked the door, and entered directly without carrying out any sterilization or cleaning procedures.
The M zone was a closed small experimental room, where six or seven shivering researchers in lab coats stood.
Frank pulled out his pistol from his suit, chambered a bullet, and scanned the crowd with a chilling gaze: “One of you, step forward!”
“No, Mr. Frank, it’s definitely not us! We were just conducting the planned 1158th closed experiment—no one has entered! Yesterday, you personally inspected here.”
An elderly man wearing a project leader badge raised his hands in panic.
Pushing past the old man, Frank went straight to a corner of the experiment room. After a brief examination, he pried open a covering on the wall, revealing a complex internal space, and after some searching, pulled out a small box connected to data lines.
“What is this!?”
Frank raised the box in his hand, his eyes growing ever colder.
No one spoke, including the stupefied old man.
Bang!
Frank shot without hesitation, the old man’s head exploded, red and white splattering onto the pristine, shining experiment table, killing him instantly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Frank continued to fire, each shot sending a terrified, dodging researcher crashing to the ground. Those shot dead on the spot could be considered lucky, while the injured ones gasping on the ground received even more bullets from Frank.
In less than ten seconds, the last shell fell to the ground; apart from Frank himself, all the researchers in the lab had been killed.
Various shades of blood stained the damaged experiment table or mixed into the flowing reagents on the floor, and the atmosphere in the lab turned eerie and bloody.
“Lord Elvin, everything has been cleaned up.”
Frank put away his pistol, weighing the mysterious small box in his hand with a sigh, lightly murmuring into the wireless earpiece.
…
Nine time zones away, near Seattle, North America, at a suburban golf course.
“Mr. Edward, we’ve received encrypted intelligence from within Eden!”
Catherine hurried onto the golf course, handing a tablet to Edward, her expression serious. It was clear he had arrived at Eden; Elvin had begun secretly distributing military reagents three hours ago, and the progenitor was about to enter a new hibernation phase. Moreover, Elvin had also secretly issued orders to transfer the progenitor in the coming days…
After receiving the tablet and briefly scrolling through it, Edward began to walk across the lawn, falling into deep thought.
“Chief, the Wang family member is waiting for your response…”
Catherine followed closely behind her leader, speaking especially cautiously.
“Tell that lady I can support her actions, but afterward, I want all research data from Eden, including samples of the progenitor’s physiological tissues; I don’t want her to have any objections!”
Edward turned his head, shooting a cold glance at Catherine, who quickly bowed and hurried away.
Dropping his golf club, Edward pulled out his phone and walked deeper into a grove within the golf course.
…
In New York, North America’s largest city, a grand election rally was taking place inside an oval football stadium.
Under the deafening music, people waved various propaganda signs or banners, leaping and shouting.
On the central platform, the current president of North America was energetically performing for his campaign reelection activity, his broad body twisting to the rhythm of the loudspeakers, hands flailing left and right, like he was scrubbing himself down.
A staff member hurried onto the platform, covering his mouth with his hand, whispering into the president’s ear for quite a while.
The president was taken aback for a moment before quickly regaining his smile, raising his hand to gesture toward the audience, then turned and left the platform.
Not long after, the North American Navy’s Fifth Fleet, responsible for the Middle East and East Africa, received a confidential communication from the White House.
Immediately afterward, the commander of the Truman aircraft carrier strike group, which was covertly vying for dominance against the Chinese aircraft carrier Lu Dong, received a top-secret directive from the Pentagon.
Minutes later, the Chinese aircraft carrier Lu Dong fleet received secret contact from the North American Navy, resulting in a sudden halt to the standoff beneath the water, on the surface, and in the air. The massive fleet turned around, heading towards the Gulf of Aden.
In the eastern Mediterranean, the Russian Mediterranean Fleet also turned south, perhaps soon entering the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.
Meanwhile, in the unseen terrestrial orbit, multiple satellites adjusted their orbital parameters, various monitoring devices aimed at a specific region on the African continent.
On this planet, when the three major powers of North America, China, and Russia reached a consensus, it signified the ultimate answer of justice had emerged; any other dissent became meaningless.
In China, Province S, City D, on Guanyin Mountain, local time of July 2, at 7 AM.
In the morning, the atmosphere in the summer villa was incredibly solemn; dozens of men and women in casual clothes anxiously watched the front door of the main hall. At that moment, several tourist buses were parked along the mountain road outside the summer villa.
“… Alright, the Wang family is ready; we’re heading to S City Airport to rendezvous with the Blood Dragon Team!”
In the main hall, Han Jieli turned away from the military communicator, glanced at the silently smiling elder of the Wang family, and nodded at Wanyue: “Aunt, HQ has verified the intel, the coordinates should be correct. The secret troops stationed in Syria are also ready to move!”
After saying this, Han Jieli stood up, took a deep breath, and began to tidy up his military uniform.
“Head, the effects of the progenitor’s agent have only undergone simulation trials; the dosage might be sufficient or may not, so you must prepare for the worst.”
“Although you have an idea in your heart, but this old lady still needs to say a few more things; the James family may not take the field personally, but the people from the North American government are not necessarily going to cooperate with us.”
The elder of the Wang family walked down from his position and approached Wanyue, gently stroking her face, his expression tinged with regret: “What a pity, if only you could return to the Wang family, this old lady also wants to enjoy a bit more peace…”
Wanyue took two steps back, deeply bowing before turning to walk outside.
Outside the main hall, Zhao Peng and others were eagerly waiting, and the selected personnel from the Wang family looked particularly grave.
“Advisor Han!”
As Han Jieli stepped out of the main hall, he heard a somewhat familiar call.
“Li Hongjun… Team Li?”
Han Jieli rubbed his eyes and finally recognized the undercover young man in front of him. It was none other than Li Hongjun, who had disappeared for more than a month, and behind him stood a dozen tall young people.
“Advisor Han, Blood Dragon Team Li Hongjun, requesting to return to the team!”
As soon as Li Hongjun finished speaking, all the undercover youths raised their hands in a military salute in unison.
“You… wait a moment, I’ll report to the leader right away!”
The powerful voices sent a chill down Han Jieli’s spine, and he paused for more than ten seconds before reacting.
Han Jieli rushed back into the main hall and two minutes later ran out again, panting, but with an excited expression: “Team Li, the chief agreed, and you will continue to command the Blood Dragon Team!”
“I’ll command? What about… the instructor? Isn’t he coming?”
Li Hongjun was taken aback, glancing back to his companions, his face filled with astonishment.
“Old Tang and Old Yan’s injuries are too severe, so they can only be absent. I also said that this time there’s not even a baron in the Blood Dragon Team… With you here, we’ll be all the more confident in our secret mission!”
Han Jieli and Li Hongjun continuously shared their feelings while Wanyue smiled and returned to the group of Hyacinths.
As her gaze swept through the crowd, she suddenly noticed a light golden-haired girl sneakily hiding behind Meng Huai, peeking out.
“Jiang Yao, you’re not going!” Wanyue lit a cigarette and directly focused on the half-revealed little head.
“I… I have to go!”
Jiang Yao bit her lip, stepping out more resolutely.
“I’ve already sold one, do you want me to risk losing another? Oh, counting the one in your belly, that’s two!” Wanyue rolled her eyes and pointed deep into the summer villa: “Meng Huai, take her back!”
“小瑶, go back, I promise to bring Jiang Yan and Chong Jing back…”
Seeing Wanyue’s stance, Meng Huai exhaled, turning to block Jiang Yao from going and preparing to lead her back in.
“Please, please… I’m not fully healed yet; I won’t cause trouble!”
Jiang Yao was almost crying, pulling on Meng Huai’s arm and gazing imploringly at Wanyue and the surrounding Hyacinth comrades, her voice trembling.
“This isn’t about whether you can fight or not; you need to give me a reason I can’t refuse, otherwise two queens converge, and the benefits and risks won’t be proportional.”
Wanyue took a drag of her cigarette without even looking at Jiang Yao.
“I… Chong Jing is the father of my child…”
Jiang Yao’s face flushed, she lowered her head, nervously pinching the hem of her clothes.
“Hmm, simple enough, you just wait with the child in your belly; I will bring him back, I promise you.”
Wanyue remained unmoved, even starting to call other people to set off.
“Then why can he go!”
Jiang Yao grew more anxious, looking at Meng Huai beside her, nearly jumping up.
“He’s going to save the future old lady; what about you?”
Wanyue snapped back, rolling her eyes again.
Jiang Yao froze, her mouth twisted several times, her voice lowering more than eight degrees: “Chong Jing, he’s my future husband…”
Zhao Peng, Xiao Ai, Xiao Dong, Meng Huai… countless gazes began to land on Jiang Yao, each with various expressions but all containing amusement.
In any case, this scumbag got me pregnant; I have to confront him face to face, asking him why he betrayed my sister!
Jiang Yao had completely thrown caution to the wind, shaking off Meng Huai’s hand and pushing right up to Wanyue, raising her chin defiantly.
Xiao Ai burst into laughter, quickly turned around to hide behind Zhao Peng, her face turning red. Liang Tai couldn’t hold back, wrapping his arm around Xiao Dong’s waist in a rather lewd grin.
Wanyue extinguished her cigarette, slightly crouching, reaching out to pinch Jiang Yao’s face affectionately: “Ask your brother-in-law if he agrees, I’m not a family member, so I can’t sign for you.”
Jiang Yao’s body stiffened, looking back at Meng Huai, her mouth moving several times but no words escaping.
Meng Huai coughed several times, turning away, not daring to look at Jiang Yao.
“Alright, enough with the jokes…”
Wanyue stood upright, surveying the ten or so members of Hyacinth in the crowd, her expression solemn. The show has been performed; now, it’s time for the final battle, giving you one last chance to choose, which has nothing to do with cowardice.
The crowd fell silent, and a few seconds later, Huang Yong raised an arm, shouting at the top of his lungs: “Let’s do them!”
Liang Tai, Zhao Peng, and Meng Huai simultaneously waved their arms and shouted.
“Let’s do them!”
Apart from the Hyacinth people, many more arms in the crowd raised up, howling like ghosts.
Thirty-six elites from the Wang family, fourteen members of Hyacinth, along with thirteen officers and soldiers from the Dark Arrow Blood Dragon Team led by Li Hongjun, began to walk out towards the mountains, under the lead of Wanyue and Wang family’s Old Seven.
Behind them, the elder of the Wang family stood in a sheltered pavilion on a high platform, quietly watching, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
