Chapter 199: Half Honesty
Not long after Meng Huai left, the silent Xiao Tao finally began to privately organize within the building, declaring that without Elder Deng as a supporter, they would face the crazy retaliation of the black-blood clan gangs like the Nawa. The reason was simple: no matter how capable Jiang Yan and Meng Huai were, they could not stay in the Old Street forever; after all, the Old Street was still the territory of the Ba Mansion, an affair of the Hermit’s Alliance.
In northern Myanmar, often one knight could rally a faction and establish their own mountain stronghold, and the small blood clan gangs were as numerous as cattle. With a wolf-type leader like Na Min or Zhu Bi Xian, they could band together and attack at any time. Without a pillar like Xiang Zu Xing to hold the fort, and without the cooperation of local snakes, Guo Hao could not support this small team in the Old Street.
With Meng Huai and Xiao Hai absent, Xiao Tao hinted that they had already escaped. Whether people believed him or were skeptical, Xiao Tao’s private antics triggered strong emotional reactions among the Ba Mansion knights, leaving Jiang Yan, who was watching coldly, feeling even more helpless.
Although blades and guns did not come to blows, the Ba Mansion knights at the Hongtian Entertainment Center had clearly split into two groups, with more than half siding with Xiao Tao. Those willing to follow Guo Hao, or more directly, those willing to believe in Jiang Yan, gathered on the sixth floor, including female knights Xiao Guo and Xiao Lian, as well as two seriously injured members.
Jiang Yan, despite feeling increasingly unwell, fully armed herself at the main stage, waiting for news from Meng Huai, Xiao Hai, and the others. As time passed, at around 3 a.m., in a valley in the southwest outside the Old Street city, flames rose into the sky, illuminating half of it. Xiao Tao, who had long anticipated that Nawa would make a move, began to panic.
The direction covered by gunfire and flames was where Nawa, Deng Bao Yi, and others were located. The Hongtian Entertainment Center remained eerily quiet; the expected ultimate siege had not occurred. Perhaps Elder Deng was merely reluctant to strike against the precious Ba Mansion elite knights and would come to persuade everyone during the day? Xiao Tao kept hoping for that and waited eagerly.
As dawn broke, the smoke outside the city lingered among the mountains, and the continuous cannon fire from the previous night left the few residents still in the Old Street city terrified. In the center of the Old Street, atop the Hongtian Entertainment Center, Guo Hao, Jiang Yan, and Xiao Tao stared blankly at the southwest direction, where a heavily smoke-filled valley created varied expressions among the three.
Xiao Hai returned half an hour ago, with an exaggeratedly excited expression on his charred face, bringing back news that left even Jiang Yan dumbfounded — Nawa’s gathered forces were completely annihilated by the local security forces’ bombardment, and the armed Xiao family supported by the Myanmar government forces collapsed as well.
Regardless of how credible this account was, the result was evident: Nawa’s camp had suffered a devastating blow, with Mao Ban and several knights killed on the spot, and Nawa’s fate was unknown, with very few escaping. Originally waiting to “greet the King of Hell,” Xiao Tao was now completely stunned and quickly isolated, even being pushed back by Xiao Hai and others with guns when he attempted to escape.
“Tao Ge, you can choose freely, but don’t let others use you as a pawn and drag others down with you. Before, you threatened everyone to give up resistance; I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Although I know you just didn’t want everyone to die under Nawa’s siege. Jiang Yan, holding a Tang knife, looked at the pale Xiao Tao, her every word cold and piercing.
“Brother Hao, Sister Yan, I was wrong… Elder Deng and Nawa colluded to use Nawa’s hands to force us into a dead end, killing those who resist, and then she would step in to take in the remaining people… for the sake of my years following Brother Xiang, please give me one more chance!”
With his legs going weak, Xiao Tao dropped to his knees before Guo Hao, trembling all over. “I, Guo Hao, may not have much ability, but I will never harm my brothers and sisters… Xiao Yan, please give me some face and let him go; his heart isn’t with us.” Guo Hao sighed, turning away, a bitter smile appearing on his face.
“Thank you, Brother Hao, thank you, Brother Hao!” Xiao Tao quickly bowed his head and then, trembling, turned towards the edge of the platform, with his whole body soaked in sweat.
Guo Hao looked back, watching that familiar figure, and his bitter smile gradually froze. A gunshot rang out, and the back of Xiao Tao’s head was blown apart, his body collapsing to the ground, twitching slightly.
“Xiao Yan, please contact Sister Wan; I’m waiting for her orders here. I have no other way out but to settle down here. Those who want to return to the country can leave with you.” Guo Hao slowly tucked his pistol back into his waistband and finally smiled as if relieved.
Jiang Yan nodded, took out a satellite phone, and walked toward a corner while gently covering her lower abdomen. In the end, her previous chaotic behavior only delayed her relatives’ visit for three or four days. Her period had come, with no transition period, and it was even more painful.
Now she was very afraid of Meng Huai appearing, not because of shame, but because of the worries and fears buried in her heart that began to become increasingly clear since that night at T City Botanical Garden when she accompanied him to retrieve a mysterious object.
This feeling was more unsettling than her previous reckless rampage in the Old Street while risking exposure to her identity.
In the valley seven or eight kilometers southwest, the battle that could destroy Nawa’s stronghold clearly did not involve the firepower strength that local warlords could achieve. Meng Huai’s deception probably led to even more terrifying conclusions.
Moreover, it seemed that Sister Wan had been psychologically prepared for this and was very pleased to see the many mysteries gradually appearing around Meng Huai.
Sister Wan suggested that Meng Huai accompany her south and hoped she could accept him… Perhaps after catching a glimpse of Meng Huai underground, Sister Wan predicted something?
“Sister Wan, it’s me, Jiang Yan.”
…
Jiang Yan rubbed her lower abdomen, squatting down in pain, yet her tone was very calm.
A few minutes later, the call ended, and Jiang Yan was already drenched in cold sweat, curled up on the ground.
…
After dawn, the busiest person was probably Chairman Yin, who had not slept almost all night but still looked radiant at this moment.
With Guo Hao’s cooperation, the desperate nighttime assault heavily damaged Xiao’s main forces, serving as a warning. Everything became easier afterward; the Old Street ultimately belonged to the Yin family.
However, he dared not inquire about the mysterious bombardment that occurred in the southwest valley. He absolutely did not believe that the “炮击误差” mortars had such overwhelming firepower.
The reports and photos from the battlefield cleanup nearly made Yin, who was having breakfast, vomit. He had never seen so many blood clan members die in one place.
Out of the still-warm ruins, he extracted complete or incomplete charred corpses of at least forty, not counting the unrecognizable scraps. Perhaps as more digging was done, there would be further discoveries.
Those who had banded with Nawa could almost be described as completely wiped out, and even the scattered blood clan gangs were eliminated. Now, the people at Hongtian Entertainment Center had become a true dominator.
This collaboration resolved each side’s biggest problems and each achieved significant success.
Cleanup duties were naturally carried out by the local security forces, and various spoils piled up into small mountains, bringing smiles to Chairman Yin. All the blood clan corpses would be collected and handed over to the Hongtian Entertainment Center members, possibly with a significant reward added.
Next, it was time for local snakes to perform again; another round of redistribution of interests was unavoidable.
…
…
“Li Ge, two bosses said they are willing to renovate this place for free; Hai Ge asked you to decide.”
“Li Ge, Chairman Yin sent someone over; should we let them in?”
“Li Ge, Hao Ge wants you to go upstairs for a bit!”
Outside a room on the fifth floor, someone often knocked on the door, annoying Meng Huai.
“Xiao Guo, stand guard outside; if anything comes up, go find Guo Hao or Chen Hai; don’t disturb me.”
Meng Huai closed the door on visitors; perhaps he did not want anyone to affect Jiang Yan at this time.
Jiang Yan on the bed looked pale; her body curled under the thin blanket, trembling, her temperature fluctuating. The weak pulse that followed her labored breathing made Meng Huai wear a rare expression of tension while standing by the bed.
“Let’s drink some blood…”
Xiao Guo grabbed her weapon and stood guard outside the door, finally making the room quiet. Meng Huai cautiously helped Jiang Yan up and brought a cup of fresh blood to her lips.
After a night of chaos and just entering her period, Jiang Yan’s thirst for blood felt even more intense than before; she almost needed to drink blood every five hours.
…
Blood entered her mouth, and then Xiao Guo looked at the tall young man beside her, but Jiang Yan remained silent.
“I… plan to leave.”
Meng Huai stood up, slightly adjusting his gear, maintaining a calm demeanor.
“Don’t you want to explain?” Jiang Yan felt a fluctuation in her heart, gently sighing, “You said before that if I couldn’t accept it, you would be willing to disappear… but you haven’t told me what the truth is.”
The local security forces insisted it was their bombardment, but who had witnessed such a commotion?
Jiang Yan sat up straight on the bed, her face still pale, her voice trembling, “That was an aerial bombardment by the Dark Arrow, right? Meng Huai… how exactly were you infected by the blood?”
“A couple of days ago, you were often staring blankly on the terrace; what are you hiding from me?”
Gradually, Jiang Yan’s voice grew louder, recounting events from the basement to the botanical garden in Ding City, to the eerie valley engulfed in flames early this morning.
Meng Huai did not respond, merely listening, his smile unwavering.
“You haven’t disconnected from the Dark Arrow; you are executing a special mission… you are still that Dark Arrow captain Meng Huai, right…”
At this point, Jiang Yan lowered her head, biting her lip tightly.
Meng Huai remained noncommittal, took two steps closer, squatted beside the bed, held Jiang Yan’s arm, and seemed to have made a decision as he lowered his voice: “Jiang Yan, come with me…”
…
Jiang Yan was taken aback and looked up, incredulously at Meng Huai’s serious face, her mouth opened several times but could not utter a word.
I don’t care whether I am a blood clan, but like you, I will eliminate all the black-blood clans and… find the ones who killed my mother.
Watching Jiang Yan’s slightly trembling hands, Meng Huai reached out, but was unable to truly hold on.
“… I have to take care of Xiao Yao; I won’t leave the wind flower.”
After about ten seconds, Jiang Yan shook her head, her face cold as ice.
“Then take care of yourself; I’ll have Xiao Guo and them come to care for you; I’m leaving.”
After saying that, Meng Huai took a deep breath, stood up, and walked out the door without looking back.
The door closed, and Jiang Yan stood dazedly staring at the door, her head buzzing.
Meng Huai!
Jiang Yan struggled to get off the bed, clutching her lower abdomen, and slowly pushed the door open.
However, outside the door, besides Xiao Guo, Meng Huai was nowhere to be seen.
He really left, without a moment’s hesitation… Jiang Yan stared blankly at the end of the corridor, still unable to believe it.
“Yan Jie, I have a folk remedy; how about you try it…”
Xiao Guo leaned closer and supported Jiang Yan’s body.
“I’m fine; you go busy yourself.”
Jiang Yan managed to force a smile and silently turned back into the room.
…
March 19, Thursday.
In Huaguo, Beijing, at a military hospital.
… Yesterday early morning, the police and border defense from both China and Myanmar closely cooperated, successfully dismantling a drug lord group that had been active in northern Myanmar, destroying large amounts of illegally smuggled arms and drugs, and killing or capturing dozens of armed drug traffickers.
In this joint operation against the transnational drug production and trafficking crime group, we used drone reconnaissance equipment for the first time, achieving rapid deployment, rapid response, and rapid localization with the Myanmar side in extreme conditions. It is reported that Myanmar used advanced drones imported from our country…
… Under the mediation of our relevant departments, all parties involved in the northern Myanmar conflict actively responded and are about to hold peace talks in K City of Y Province, jointly achieving permanent peace in northern Myanmar, and highly recognizing and appreciating our efforts to maintain peace and stability along the border.
… Our side indicates that for lasting peace in northern Myanmar, there is a need to get rid of dependence on gray cultivation industries economically, utilizing local natural resources to vigorously develop high-value-added agriculture, forestry, and mining while improving infrastructure. To this end, our side is willing to cooperate with Myanmar in various fields…
On the television, the International Channel of CCTV was broadcasting the noon news, with a smiling female host speaking clearly.
“Unbelievable, Meng… the fearless warrior actually went this far, directly applying for drone nighttime bombardments, and look at that ass; it’s shining!”
On the hospital bed, Han Jie Li stared at the television screen in disbelief.
“Yeah, Nawa and his gang have been wreaking havoc in the southern and southeastern parts of Myanmar, active and inflicting a lot of bloodshed on Huaguo. This time, they were the ones disrupting the border situation from behind. The head-cutting operation by the fearless warriors was swift and ruthless, clearly a testament to our outstanding military cadre of the Dark Arrow!”
Beside the bed, Ye Zhijun also smiled happily; although the fearless warriors’ actions were too high-profile and “off-track,” the results clearly gave the Dark Arrow headquarters an unexpected surprise.
Being able to take down Nawa, a well-known black-blood clan leader in Southeast Asia, was a definite gain. Moreover, from the intelligence sent back by the Blood Dragon Brigade in northern Myanmar, it was evident that Nawa had the support of some legitimate black-blood families in Europe and the United States, including the introduction of Fuzhilan into Huaguo.
This unexpected action by Meng not only solved the problem in the southwest but also delivered a severe blow to the behind-the-scenes saboteurs.
However, the credit naturally had nothing to do with Meng Huai; it belonged to the intelligence agency.
“I’ve already sent this good news to Old Wang and Old Han; I hope it can relieve some pressure on border defense in the western and southern monitoring zones. Xiao Han, how about next time at the Scarecrow meeting, we add a long-term strategic task for the fearless warriors to curb the black-blood clans in Southeast Asia?”
Ye Zhijun turned off the television, smiling widely, clearly having received praise from above, even joking about seeds.
Could Meng really have infiltrated the Luo family and was helping them launch a counter-offensive in northern Myanmar? By stepping out like this, wouldn’t he expose himself?
Han Jie Li stroked his chin, speaking to himself, half-convinced.
“By the way, I also want to tell you more important news today. After discussions above, the headquarters will mobilize elite forces from the Blood Dragon Brigade to track down the Black Dragon Society and Wang’s fifth uncle, and launch comprehensive attacks against the cross-border black-blood clans and Liang family rebels in the southwest and southern regions!”
The Wang family showed signs of complete retreat, but we in the Dark Arrow cannot!
“Within this matter, there are critical reference opinions from your second uncle. Old Commander is also aware of the Wang family’s situation; he said that when you recover and are discharged, he will send you to communicate with the Wang family on behalf of the Dark Arrow.”
Speaking of this, Ye Zhijun had a very mysterious expression.
“I… represent the Dark Arrow to contact the Wang family!?” Han Jie Li was even more confused at this point.
Alas, at least the Han family and Wang family can be considered relatives… Xiao Han, I say this with no malice or mockery; please don’t mind and understand the severe situation the headquarters is facing now.
Each of us has a responsibility to maintain strategic stability, and I believe even the old leader only stood up as a last resort; who told us all to engage in so much troublesome business…
Ye Zhijun smiled self-deprecatingly.
Uh, am I going to the Wang family for a family visit? Just don’t know if I can meet that legendary duke, tsk tsk…
Han Jie Li’s expression gradually became serious, even feeling a strange surge of hot blood in his veins, somewhat excited.
…
In northern Myanmar, the Old Street.
The dusk of the small town was serene once more, free from the chaos and noise of war; the echoing sounds of gunfire and cannon fire had quietly disappeared, and everything seemed to return to the way it was before.
Over the past twenty hours, countless local snakes visited once again, both at the Hongtian Entertainment Center and Chairman Yin’s residence, becoming lively once more.
Guo Hao’s condition was recovering well, and he hadn’t been seen since yesterday afternoon; he might have gone to the scene in the southwestern valley, after all, there were too many mysteries there. Or perhaps he was discussing some unsavory profit topics over drinks with Chairman Yin.
Both bosses, who had previously leaned towards one side, once again flattered Guo Hao, proactively offering to renovate the Hongtian Entertainment Center for free. Workers sent over were comprehensively cleaning the various trash within the building.
On the streets, vehicles and pedestrians reappeared, and certain small thugs approached with playful smiles, hoping to secure a job when the Hongtian Entertainment Center opened.
Now, one could roam the entire Old Street and hardly find any other blood clan presence. Perhaps that mysterious massacre in the valley buried too many, completely terrifying the blood clan forces that were once prevalent in this area.
It was foreseeable that for at least the next decade, no black-blood clans or rogue blood clan forces could emerge to challenge Guo Hao and others. At this moment, the dozen or so Ba Mansion knights in the Hongtian Entertainment Center were all extremely relaxed.
No one mentioned the internal split that occurred two days ago; it seemed even Xiao Tao had disappeared from everyone’s memories. That had been a disturbing upheaval, one that could weigh on people’s hearts for many years.
Jiang Yan had locked herself in her room all day yesterday. Her body, leaking cold air and in disarray, naturally made others aware of what had happened. Xiao Guo and Xiao Lian, the two female knights of the Ba Mansion, took it upon themselves to guard Jiang Yan’s door, almost not leaving for twenty-four hours, prohibiting any man from approaching.
With Guo Hao absent and Jiang Yan unwell, everyone present naturally obeyed Xiao Hai’s command, and now most stayed in the first-floor hall doing nothing, lighting a pile of collected garbage and eating simple grilled skewers.
“Yan Jie!”
Upon seeing someone come down the stairs, Xiao Hai hurried to greet them, and more people stopped their actions and stood up in unison.
Jiang Yan had already changed into outdoor casual attire and was now holding a transfusion stand with a blood bag attached, emotionless as she walked into the hall.
“Brother Hao is still with Chairman Yin… he probably won’t be back for a while.”
Xiao Hai dropped the skewer in his hand, hurriedly approached, and awkwardly stood in front of Jiang Yan: “Yan Jie, how about you eat something too?”
Jiang Yan did not speak or even glance at Xiao Hai; she ignored him as she walked outside the Hongtian Entertainment Center, holding the transfusion stand.
After being abruptly rebuffed, Xiao Hai could only smile awkwardly and retreat, shooting a questioning glance at the two Ba Mansion female knights behind Jiang Yan.
This time, her period issue, combined with the overexertion from her blood thirst, had made her reaction worse than any previous occasion. Clearly, she had her own share of responsibility for this, but what distressed Jiang Yan the most wasn’t her body.
Surveying the Old Street under the dusk, Jiang Yan suddenly found herself disliking this place immensely, wishing she could open her eyes and be back in City C.
“Yan Jie, you should go back and lie down.”
Xiao Guo and Xiao Lian appeared on either side of Jiang Yan, seemingly not understanding why she had looked so lost since yesterday.
“Yan Jie, actually, Li Ge is just a bit wooden, cold, and reclusive, but he’s still quite good…”
Xiao Lian gulped and spoke carefully.
“Yeah, he’s also very handsome; if he weren’t a miscellaneous knight, I think…”
Xiao Guo’s interjection was immediately cut off by a small gesture from Xiao Lian, who then stuck out her tongue and shrank away.
Hehe, why even mention him? He’s gone; he exiled himself just because I figured everything out… Jiang Yan closed her eyes, a trace of bitterness on her face.
“Brother Hao!”
“Li Ge!”
“Brother Hao is back; let’s eat grilled meat together!”
In her closed eyes, Jiang Yan heard Xiao Hai and the other Ba Mansion knights calling out. A car stopped at the entrance of the Hongtian Entertainment Center, and Guo Hao coolly got out, followed by a tall, fully armed young man.
Hao Gou!?
The familiar presence once again invaded her mind. Jiang Yan opened her eyes in amazement, staring at the person following Guo Hao, thinking for a moment that something was wrong with her vision.
