Chapter 231: A Wonderful Journey
In a simple yet chic room of a mountain lodge, Jiang Yao tightly held onto Jiang Yan’s body on a wide and comfortable bed, her eyes blurred, not fully conscious, seemingly caught in some sort of stress response.
One moment referring to Jiang Yan as a brother, the next a sister, there was confusion in Jiang Yao’s address.
At this moment, it felt as though two personalities were clashing within Jiang Yao’s delicate body, vying for control of her thoughts. Or perhaps, the Gu Yao from the past, having been exiled, was making a desperate comeback like a last ray of light to the current Jiang Yao.
Enduring the discomfort of her menstrual period, Jiang Yan tried her best to safely stimulate the release of her pheromones to soothe Jiang Yao’s anxious and bewildered mind and body. She didn’t know how long it took, but Jiang Yao eventually fell deeply asleep in her embrace.
Gently removing Jiang Yao’s clothing, wiping the tears from her face with a towel, and tucking her back under the covers.
After doing all this, Jiang Yan felt wide awake and quietly left the room. Following the corridor, she arrived at an open space that resembled a patio. Standing in the gentle spring rain, she looked up at the pitch-black night sky, lost in thought.
“Hehe, such a peaceful environment; can one still be unable to sleep?”
Wan Yue walked from the end of the corridor, pinching her mouth with two fingers, yawning slightly, seeming a bit sleepy while playfully glancing at Jiang Yan’s bewildered expression.
“Sister Wan, I want to ask, can we… transfer Xiao Yao back into my body now?”
Jiang Yan gently touched her lower abdomen, her expression exceptionally serious, even a bit resolute: “I asked Old Master Jin before, and besides the congenital maldevelopment of ovarian follicles, all my other functions are normal. I can carry Xiao Yao’s child!”
Wan Yue was taken aback, the cigarette she had just retrieved silently fell to the ground, her face a mix of amusement and helplessness: “You really have some thunderous thoughts. Do you think this is test-tube baby kind of thing? You’re going to be a surrogate?”
“Let’s put it this way, the queen and the bloodline are one. The development of the fetus is just a process that eventually completes the transfer of bloodlines at term.”
“If you now detach an embryo that has just begun to develop and implant it in your own uterus, let alone if Jin Furong has the capability, I dare to say, at the moment of detachment, either Jiang Yao will die a tragic death or immediately lose control and turn into a monster!”
“Alas, I know you wish you could bear all the suffering that Jiang Yao endures alone. But there are always things you can’t accomplish in this world. Even the Wang family’s ancestors, after hundreds of years, have only gradually approached the truth by feeling their way across the river.”
“I don’t know what you owe Jiang Yao in your past life or this life, but since it’s a choice she made to free herself from the identity of queen, she must bear it herself! The hyacinth is not an orthodox family, and very few are bloodlines born from it. How many people will truly like their current identities?”
“Her pregnancy must be kept absolutely confidential at least until it shows; this concerns your and her safety! I am not clear if this is also factored into the Engel family’s calculations.”
Wan Yue’s words were exceptionally stern, dousing Jiang Yan’s impractical thoughts with a bucket of cold water, further dissuading any foolish ideas or actions that might surface in the future.
Jiang Yan’s complexion turned pale, emotions she had been nurturing were suddenly shattered, and she felt anxious.
“Today the elder told me a lot, and it made me realize that some things, which seem impossible, actually have a glimmer of hope. This person is you appearing by my side, guiding my fate…”
Wan Yue lit a cigarette, turning to glance at the silent Jiang Yan, a hint of a smile emerging: “Jiang Yan, you should have heard Zhao Peng say what my ideal is?”
Jiang Yan lifted her head slightly and nodded: “Yes, Brother Zhao Peng mentioned that you don’t just want everyone to live under the sun like ordinary people, but also to build a bridge between the ordinary and the bloodlines…”
“Do you think this is achievable?”
Wan Yue immediately pressed further.
Jiang Yan pondered for a moment, revealing a serious expression tinged with bitterness: “Everyone trusts Sister Wan; at the very least, currently, we are living just like normal people.”
Wan Yue exhaled smoke towards the night sky above the patio, chuckling softly, her voice somewhat cold: “However, I can only do this much. For dozens of years, I am still as lost regarding the future of bloodlines; being more resolute now doesn’t guarantee clarity…”
“You should also feel it; I’ve been intentionally matching you with Meng Che. I’ve always viewed your future with him as a true breakthrough for me to achieve my ideals.”
“You struggle with whether you are a true bloodline, or even whether you can still be considered human. Meanwhile, he has been entangled in hatred for over twenty years and hasn’t given up on his former self. If you can accept him, he can become a burden. If the two of you can be together, then I will have the confidence to persist. Sorry, but this is also my obsession.”
As they spoke, Wan Yue suddenly turned around, looking at Jiang Yan with a hint of sorrow: “However, the Gottal family’s legacy, the Ancestor Plan, seems not to want me to realize these things easily… Jiang Yan, you should be able to roughly guess my and the Wang family’s plans regarding the Ancestor Plan.”
“Jiang Yan, if ultimately fulfilling this ideal requires a sacrifice between you and Jiang Yao to destroy the Ancestor, would you accept it?”
“Don’t rush. Think it over carefully. You can also choose to distance yourselves from this and focus on living peacefully… Alright, let’s go back inside and have a good sleep. Tomorrow, we will accompany the ancestor to meet the dark arrow Han family and see what they are really thinking…”
After saying this, Wan Yue went to extinguish the cigarette butt, stretching her alluring waist as she turned back in the direction they came from.
“Sister Wan, why did the dark arrow send the Han family to meet privately with the Wang family? Is it because of the airstrike last time… and why are Xiao Yao and I participating?”
Jiang Yan hurriedly took a couple of steps to catch up, questioning Wan Yue’s back, seemingly confused.
I mentioned while in the car that the Wang family and the dark arrow are two sides of the same coin. Do you remember?”
Wan Yue stopped, turned around, and smiled at Jiang Yan, with a mysterious sparkle in her eyes: “Listening to what the Han family has to say might be beneficial for you and my future plans.”
“Well… at that time, I thought you were just using a metaphor, implying that both sides are maintaining the strategic stability of Huaguo. The Han family has always held important positions in the dark arrow forces, and it is said that the earliest generation of dark arrow leaders included members from the Han family.”
Jiang Yan nodded, not feeling that there was any intrigue in this statement, and she was not unfamiliar with the Han family.
The Han family is well-known in the dark arrow forces, being the “noble families of dark arrows.” Each generation has actively participated in dark arrow endeavors, continuing forward without yielding.
In Jiang Yan’s impression, there were two Han family members in the western supervision zone: one held the position of a deputy commander with the rank of major general, and the other served as a major team leader of the uniformed troop.
“Hehe, let me tell you, the Wang family and the dark arrow’s Han family are actually closely related. Would you be surprised? The dark arrow forces in the 1920s and 30s gradually built up with the backing of relatives from the Wang family…”
Having said this, Wan Yue walked away, leaving Jiang Yan standing in the corridor, dazed, unable to snap back to reality for a long time.
…
…
The next day, April 22, Wednesday.
Whether in D City or C City, the fine spring rain covering the Bashu Basin had yet to cease. This was the final farewell to the cold spring earth, soon to welcome another scorching summer.
Since Han Guowei and Han Bixian were both transferred out of the western supervision zone, Han Jieli naturally moved into his third uncle’s home in the logistics courtyard after leaving his cramped dormitory.
In the bedroom, Han Jieli rarely chose to wear a formal suit and, after much consideration, gritted his teeth and abandoned the crutches that had accompanied him for more than half a month.
Standing before the dressing mirror, Han Jieli allowed Han Xiao to tidy up the details of his outfit. He looked at his handsome, youthful reflection in the mirror with a grin, even striking a few poses with a hint of narcissism.
Just last night, Han Xiao, already a member of the headquarters’ intelligence bureau, had been urgently recalled from Hong Kong to C City by Ye Zhongjun, to assist in the first face-to-face communication between Han Guowei and the Wang family.
According to Han Guowei’s arrangement, Han Xiao would personally escort Han Jieli to the meeting place where they were to connect with the Wang family’s representative.
“Third sister, do you think I look more handsome in military uniform or in a suit?”
“What are you being so vain for, acting like you haven’t grown up! Honestly confess, do the girls at the intelligence bureau have a crush on you? A few days ago, they were asking me about your situation. Hmph, they are all older than you.”
Han Xiao directly rolled her eyes at her cousin, and then nonchalantly, she caught sight of a photo on the bedroom wall, her expression quickly darkening.
That was a wedding photo of Han Xiao’s older brother, Han Jiesheng, and his sister-in-law, with the young man in military uniform looking dashing and heroic, while the bride in a wedding dress wore a charming smile. The sounds of their once sweet laughter seemed to linger in the air.
Seeming to notice her cousin’s different mood, Han Jieli followed her gaze and also lost his smile.
Had it not been for his cousin Han Jiesheng’s sacrifice, such an opportunity might not have been granted to him; perhaps his existence in the Han family was merely as a backup for Han Jiesheng… Looking at the familiar young soldier in the photo frame, Han Jieli let out a gentle sigh.
“Jieli, why did they insist on sending you for such negotiations with the Wang family? You’re just a little lieutenant intelligence officer; do you carry that much weight?”
Han Xiao restrained her emotions, stepping back after adjusting his tie. She nodded with satisfaction while also asking a question.
“Your sister still doesn’t know the true relationship between the Han and Wang families…” Han Jieli smiled slightly, with a hint of bitterness in his smile, “Perhaps it was because I was the first to contact the Wang family after questioning Zhen Guangquan’s airstrike operation?”
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao bit her lip, even anger evident in her eyes—due to Zhen Guangquan’s identity as an insider, it had already been classified within the intelligence headquarters.
No one would have expected that the legendary former team leader of the Xuanjia Unit would become an accomplice of the shadowy mastermind and cause the Xiu Yi Unit to pay a heavy price, even leading to the downfall of senior elites from the Wang family and the concealed allies.
“What if there’s danger? This time, we’re not allowed to carry any weapons, not even a communication device. If any trouble arises, you won’t be able to contact us…”
Han Xiao offered Han Jieli a briefcase, extending it towards him with a hint of nervousness.
“During military engagements, envoys are not to be harmed. Third uncle has considered this for a long time. Even if I bring it, it wouldn’t be useful to the Wang family—it’s better to be straightforward. Conversely, you all are preparing to use intelligence forces to track my location in real time; isn’t that redundant?”
Taking the briefcase from Han Xiao, he opened it, checking it slightly. Han Jieli walked towards the door with slow steps.
Just as Han Jieli settled down, an advanced reconnaissance drone equipped with various cutting-edge surveillance devices was already hovering over C City.
…
At nine o’clock in the morning, in a large shopping mall bustling with people.
Surprised, Han Jieli looked at the Wang family representative before him, who also had an uncomfortable expression, chewing on a cigarette and staring intently at him, hesitating to speak.
Wang Sheng… Hehe, we meet again…
Han Jieli instinctively touched his nose, feeling quite awkward.
The young man in front of him in a suit was none other than the unfortunate victim of a gruesome incident that had taken place two months prior.
That case, which nearly shook the headquarters of the dark arrow, not only resulted in nearly ten bloodlines being killed but also affected many innocent civilians, leaving behind numerous unsolved mysteries.
Subsequently, the Wang family, unwilling to lose face, privately negotiated with the dark arrow and made an enormous compensation to halt the matter.
However, this also exposed several internal and external members of the Wang family, including Wang Sheng, the general manager of the Jiutian Commercial Plaza in G District, who was a noble knight from the Wang family.
Wang Sheng was clearly a member of the Wang family’s direct line, rigorously trained within the Wang family’s internal teachings. Even when severely injured, he maintained a tight lip and refrained from any testimony, eventually waiting for the Wang family’s support.
As one of the investigators of the case, Han Jieli naturally spent some time with Wang Sheng in the interrogation room, probing into the matter, becoming somewhat familiar with each other.
Afterwards, although Wang Sheng was released unscathed, due to his exposed identity, he was swiftly stripped of his status as a knight by the higher-ups of the Wang family.
No one expected that a flourishing and dignified noble knight from the Wang family would ultimately be assigned to the subordinate of the fourth uncle, handling tedious diplomatic tasks—this was already the best outcome after Wang Sheng’s identity was revealed.
“Hey, Brother Wang, where are you holding office these days?”
Han Jieli broke the awkward silence between them with a classic forced smile.
Aren’t you done dragging me down already… Just stop the small talk and come inside; we need to change clothes.”
Wang Sheng grumpily stubbed out his cigarette and turned to walk into the mall. Han Jieli glanced back at the military vehicle parked on the street, helplessly shrugging his shoulders.
Inside the vehicle, Han Xiao was cautiously observing her surroundings, feeling puzzled as to why the Wang family would choose to meet in broad daylight in the city.
“Report, Officer Han has entered. No other suspicious personnel have been found in the vicinity… Alright, the onsite team can proceed.”
Not far away, on the rooftop of another commercial building, an undercover dark arrow intelligence officer issued instructions through a communicator.
At that moment, Han Guowei, commanding from the western supervision zone headquarters, was closely monitoring every dynamic through a massive display screen.
…
Winding through the area, Han Jieli was taken by Wang Sheng to a high-end fashion store. Since it had only just opened for the day, there were no customers inside aside from two female sales associates.
In the working area after entering the store, Wang Sheng swiftly retrieved a device similar to a testing instrument from a nearby quality inspection counter and proceeded to scan Han Jieli from head to toe.
He was told to take off all his clothes, including underwear and socks, and to put on a fresh set.
After setting aside the testing device, Wang Sheng looked at Han Jieli’s height and build, rummaged through the shelves, and finally pulled out a large bag filled with clothing, setting it down on the ground.
Come on, this isn’t that unreasonable; I know how to handle this.
Han Jieli frowned at the scene.
No choice; this is what the family instructed me to do, and I have to follow orders.
Wang Sheng wore an icy expression, showing no consideration for Han Jieli.
Fine, I’ll just go along with it… By the way, Wang Sheng, is this store owned by your family? With such a large area, and in a prime shopping district, your expenses must be quite high, right?
As he stripped, Han Jieli joked, pointing east and expressing thoughts humorously.
Hiss, I said, why would dark arrows discuss this?
Seeing the other party’s slow movements, Wang Sheng impatiently turned his back, avoiding witnessing Han Jieli change his underwear; don’t dawdle, we still have places to go!
Han Jieli chuckled softly and stopped dragging things out.
He was stalling for time to facilitate the operation of the undercover intelligence personnel, although he had already anticipated that it would be of little use but still fulfilled Han Guowei’s wishes.
After donning a brand-new simple tracksuit, Han Jieli hadn’t even had the chance to grab his briefcase when he noticed a strange smell in his nostrils. Before he could open his mouth, his head felt dizzy, and then he lost consciousness.
Goodness, they really went for it… This was the last thought that lingered in Han Jieli’s mind before he fell unconscious.
Five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes… As the undercover intelligence personnel took position, they noticed Han Jieli hadn’t exited the fashion store for a long time, increasingly feeling it was odd.
Finally, at 9:30, they received commands from the rear, and several undercover personnel, including Han Bixian, rushed into the store, watching the pale-faced saleswomen before forcefully pushing open the door to the back working area.
Nothing was there; it was as if Wang Sheng and Han Jieli had evaporated into thin air!
Immediately take over the mall’s surveillance room, tracking every vehicle and every person that entered and exited in the past twenty minutes… Hold on, never mind, just withdraw…
In the rear, Han Guowei removed his earpiece, his face dark as he issued the latest instructions, then walked slowly out of the operations command room with a helpless smile.
At this moment, a nondescript delivery vehicle was driving along the city road heading out of town, quickly pulling into a roadside auto repair shop. A few minutes later, a new off-road vehicle emerged, heading north.
Dazed and confused, uncertain of how long he had been asleep, when Han Jieli woke up again, he found himself alone in the passenger seat of an off-road vehicle, while the driver’s seat was empty.
Outside, the sky was dim, and roughly estimating, Han Jieli realized he must have been unconscious for at least over eight hours, with no idea where he had ended up.
The vehicle appeared to have stalled, parked alone at the end of a mountainous road segment, with a rainy construction site ahead halting work. Turning his head to look outside, the scenery of the mountains under the dim rain was hazy, deep, and tranquil.
A middle-aged woman dressed like a housekeeper approached with an umbrella, wearing a polite smile, and opened the door.
“Mr. Han, feeling a bit more comfortable? Please come with me.”
Saying that, the middle-aged woman also extended a new umbrella towards him.
Another half-hour of walking along a winding path through the woods. Finally, just as Han Jieli began to feel pain radiating from his fractured leg, he found himself outside a classical mountain lodge built in a valley.
All around were several wooden or semi-wooden structures scattered unevenly, seeming to still be in a half-finished state.
No idea what kind of mountain retreat this was; it looked like it hadn’t officially opened yet—probably a newly developed spot… how overly cautious.
Noticing a grand mansion in the distance with lights on, Han Jieli couldn’t help but smile bitterly, his stomach letting out a growl, reminding him that aside from a little milk and bread before he left in the morning, he hadn’t eaten a single grain of rice.
Minutes later, Han Jieli was led into the main hall of the mansion by the unfamiliar middle-aged woman.
A solitary eight-immortal table stood in the center, with a generous spread of food. Behind the dining table was a large bamboo curtain that roughly divided the spacious main hall into two halves: the inner and outer areas.
Han Jieli wasted no time, devouring his meal; surprisingly, it was authentic countryside flavor, very satisfying to his long-tortured palate from countless takeout meals.
Two bowls of rice swiftly went down, and then he heard movement behind the bamboo curtain. Han Jieli put down his chopsticks and slowly turned to look, only to see vague silhouettes appearing behind the curtain, their footsteps light.
The gaps in the bamboo curtain were so fine that he couldn’t see the faces of the people opposite him, only determined that there were five individuals—one man and four women—differentiated by apparent age: one elder and one young. It appeared every face was also obscured by covering cloths.
“You young man surely has a great appetite. If it’s not enough, we can always add more,” remarked an old woman’s voice from behind the curtain.
Han Jieli quickly stood up, adjusting his clothes, and bowed slightly toward the shadowed figures behind the curtain.
“I am…”
“Han Jieli, of the Han family’s fourth branch, the only son of Han Zhongzhao’s second daughter, Han Ying.”
Before Han Jieli could finish his sentence, the elderly woman on the other side directly called out his name and identification.
“Um… yes.”
Han Jieli was momentarily stunned, followed by a sense of embarrassment as he nodded. Clearly, the Wang family already knew who would represent the Han family in the negotiations prior to the meeting.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man wearing a black mask stepped out from behind the curtain, standing beside the table, scrutinizing Han Jieli from head to toe as if for inspection.
“Han Zhongding’s grandson, yet you’ve followed your mother’s surname since you were still in the womb and entered the Han family genealogy; is the Han family’s male lineage nearly extinct?”
The middle-aged man was robust, with piercing eyes that fixed firmly on Han Jieli’s face, slowly revealing a hint of a bizarre smile at the corners of his eyes.
Han Jieli furrowed his brow, also evaluating the unfamiliar man before him. Although much of the man’s expression was concealed by the black mask, Han Jieli could nonetheless see a tinge of mockery in his eyes.
It’s fine, even if I’m the last one standing, dealing with the domestic ghosts and monsters shouldn’t be too difficult!
Han Jieli chuckled coldly, standing his ground. He averted his gaze away from the scrutinizing eyes and, before the man’s face, once again sat down, digging into rice with gusto.
“Hehe, don’t underestimate the young lad’s age; the military demeanor and attitude are quite strong… Old Four, he is your descendant after all. The first meeting is a welcome, and forgetting to give him a red envelope is understandable, but why belittle a child?”
The elder woman spoke up again, her tone mingled with kindness as she mildly reproached.
So, he is the Wang family’s fourth uncle?!
I’m his blood descendant!?
Han Jieli’s hand movements paused, and he stood up, astonished, as he wiped the greasy residue from the corners of his mouth while re-evaluating the plain-faced middle-aged man in front of him.
“Zhu Qianhua is my daughter, originally named Wang Qianye, known as Cao Qianbai Huaye… She has a stubborn personality and insisted on changing her name to follow her mother’s surname as she grew up, so she is actually a daughter of the Wang family. You are little Ye’s great-grandson; shouldn’t you call me great-grandfather?”
The middle-aged masked man smiled, and before Han Jieli could fully process this information, he directly left the hall, his silhouette disappearing into the rainy night.
Great-grandma is a genuine Wang family woman, not a mere niece!?
My goodness, the relationship between the Han and Wang families is much closer than what the third uncle mentioned; did even the second uncle and third uncle not know this?
Han Jieli stared blankly at the middle-aged man as he receded, then after a few seconds, turned around and repositioned a long bench to face the bamboo curtain screen, sitting up straight, his expression serious.
“Child, the Wang family faced misfortune last time. Was it you who urgently contacted the Wang family’s fifth branch? Can you briefly tell us why you thought of that at the time?”
A minute later, the elder woman asked with a smile.
Han Jieli pondered for a moment and relayed the series of thoughts and judgments he had throughout the planning of Zhen Guangquan’s operation, from its inception to the night it was officially executed, laying everything out in order, only to let out a deep sigh in the end.
…Yes, just like that; man proposes, but fate disposes.
Although I detest this saying, I must admit, this is the limit of what I, a small lieutenant intelligence officer, can achieve.
The sound of a needle dropping could be heard from behind the curtain. Han Jieli seemed to sense a sharp gaze landing upon him, and it was coming from a mysterious young woman in a qipao standing next to the elder woman.
“Not bad, the sons of the Han family can plenty handle and endure, but there are indeed not many who can think quickly. It’s a lot to ask of someone so young to shoulder so much…”
In Han Jieli’s gaze, the elder woman behind the curtain remarked, seemingly exchanging glances with the qipao-clad woman beside her.
Well then, little lad, since you can be considered one of the younger generation of the Wang family, I will grant you three questions as a welcoming gift today.”
After another ten seconds or so, the elder woman’s tone turned serious.
Three questions to ask the Wang family, how generous? No, is three enough?
Han Jieli was taken aback, a torrent of wild thoughts surged within his mind, but he wasn’t sure which three to choose, finding himself quite conflicted.
