Chapter 278: I Walk My Own Path
A hint of dawn appeared at the edge of the sky, as if an invisible crack had torn through the heavens and the earth. At the moment the first light of day arrived, a fierce wind picked up, whipping down heavy raindrops that poured relentlessly onto the ground of C City.
The sudden rain and wind, combined with the dim morning light, gradually dispersed the smoke lingering over Hyacinth Manor, washing away the blood that covered the ground, and everything returned to a state of tranquility and cleanliness.
In the square, aside from the armed personnel on duty, over a hundred dark-arrow soldiers were quietly loading various supplies onto vehicles.
The dark-arrow forces controlling both inside and outside the manor began an orderly withdrawal about an hour ago, and some “handover” work between the dark-arrow and the hyacinth was also unfolding in the somber and eerie atmosphere.
In front of the stairs of the manor’s main building, Xiao Dong sat among several black long boxes, crying uncontrollably. Nearby, whether it was Tao Qiao’er, who remained silent with her closed helmet, or Liang Wei, soaked and pale, both lowered their heads slightly.
In this back-and-forth confrontation that lasted for over two hours, the true casualties of the hyacinth occurred in the squad that evacuated early. In order to cover for others escaping from dark-arrow pursuit, cavalry members Xiao Miao and Xiao Xi, along with several attendants, engaged in a diversion, resulting in Xiao Miao being severely injured and three attendants tragically dying.
The dark arrows also paid a hefty price in the final stages of the interception of Jiang Yan, suffering four deaths and ten injuries, including two of the most precious barons from Blood Dragon Squad.
In this sudden war, there was no equitable exchange of respective grief, only hearts filled with unwillingness.
Once the shared threat was eliminated, it seemed natural to enter a new round of the law of the jungle, but its conclusion made people feel both fortunate and undeserving.
…
After a brief physical adjustment, dressed in home clothes, Wan Yue, accompanied by Zhao Peng, leisurely inspected each floor of the manor’s main building. Although most of the weapons used by the dark-arrow in combat were non-lethal, the hyacinth’s resistance was not negligible. The interior of the attacked main building was filled with blackened walls, numerous bullet holes, collapsed bricks, and blood-stained floors.
As Wan Yue walked past, the hyacinth members remaining on each floor would step aside and bow deeply.
“What happened to those two?”
Returning to the elevator on the first floor, glancing at the armored vehicles that lay horizontally in the square amidst the storm, Zhao Peng softly asked.
“Xiao Yao is not too serious; she’s almost awake. Xiao Yan is fully drained and still receiving a blood transfusion.” Zhao Peng quickly stepped forward half a pace, lowering his voice, “The others who inhaled anesthetics and fell unconscious will need at least a few more hours to wake up.”
“What about Luo De?”
“He’s in Xiao Yan’s room… Wan Jie, does he really need to rely on himself right now?” Zhao Peng’s lips moved, his emotions still suppressed.
Wan Yue’s finger paused over the elevator button, a smile flickering at the corner of her mouth: “Zhao Peng, I won this experiment entirely on my own, but the hyacinth almost suffered a complete loss. Do you have any grievances?”
“I don’t know…”
Zhao Peng lowered his head, his voice deep.
“Alright, the last guest has arrived. You go ahead and greet them; I’m going to change into a new outfit.”
At that moment, behind them, a police car flashing lights suddenly appeared in the rain outside the building. Wan Yue pressed the button and stepped into the elevator alone.
…
The reception room suffered only minor damage, and after a quick tidying up, it regained its bright and shiny original appearance.
Han Jielin stood by the glass wall, watching the heavy rain and the lined-up armored vehicles outside. The wild enthusiasm and joy from an hour ago had long faded from his face.
Han Guowei sat steadily on the sofa, leisurely sipping tea, occasionally raising his head to glance towards the general direction of the reception room. Having not slept all night, his eyes still carried bloodshot traces, but his spirit was more vigorous than ever.
Behind the open kitchen counter in the corner, Xiao Ai was absent-mindedly preparing tea and snacks, somewhat distracted.
The door opened, and Wan Yue entered in a black pearl evening dress, her hair up, her face adorned with a faint smile, as she walked in with graceful cat-like steps.
Han Jielin turned around, and Han Guowei also stood up. The two quietly watched the sexy and beautiful woman approach, maintaining silence.
Wan Yue sat down on the central sofa, disregarding Han Guowei, who was older and of higher status, and her beautiful eyes lingered on the young officer’s face for several seconds.
A cup of coffee was placed in front of Wan Yue. Xiao Ai slightly bent over and quietly exited the reception room.
After sipping two mouthfuls of coffee, Wan Yue lit a cigarette, smiling playfully as she pointed at Han Jielin across the table: “Han Jielin, you have enough passion, enough brains, and you’re cold-blooded enough to be someone who can accomplish great things.”
Hearing this, Han Guowei couldn’t help but turn his head, staring intently at his nephew, seemingly deep in thought.
Han Jielin did not respond, his eyes boldly assessing Wan Yue from head to toe, unable to conceal his amazement.
This was the first time he had seen the full extent of the mystery woman’s allure—her graceful demeanor, her seductive beauty, and she was the most charming woman Han Jielin had ever encountered.
In terms of looks, the woman before him might be somewhat inferior to Jiang Yan or Yao Ai, but her rose-like beauty was something most women in the world could hardly imitate.
This was an old wine that had been treasured over countless years, clear as ever, yet deeply resonant as before.
A plume of smoke exhaled from the red dragon, Wan Yue smiled mockingly as she looked at Han Jielin, then pointed to the tea table: “Tea or coffee, feel free; we have plenty of time today, let’s talk slowly.”
Han Jielin and Han Guowei exchanged glances, suddenly straightening their backs, their expressions turning more serious: “Ms. Wan, you are the one who contacted me about the Wang family predecessors, right? Or are you the true protector of Xia Yan and Gu Yao…”
Wan Yue picked up her coffee, half-closing her eyes, her smile becoming more mysterious: “Xiao Qing, didn’t you guess it all already? You even got some information from Meng Heng, so you boldly came here to capture me.”
After another exchange of glances with Han Guowei, Han Jielin unconsciously rubbed his hands together, laughing slyly: “Well, just a little understanding, but perhaps you have more identities?”
Wan Yue stood up, lightly lifted her skirt, walked around the sofa to the floor-to-ceiling glass, and began admiring the distant mountains and forests through the rain.
After a minute of silence, Wan Yue turned her head slightly and nodded gently: “My first identity is the leader of the hyacinth; my second identity is the granddaughter saved by the fourth of the Wang family; my third identity is a strategic seed of a particularly confidential task force, the red core…”
Han Guowei took off his military cap, slowly stood up, intently staring at the woman’s back, his mouth slightly twitching. Han Jielin surprisingly calmed down significantly, raising his teacup to drink deeply.
Your psychological expectations have been quite good, but I still have a fourth identity… former central inspection area of the dark arrow, intelligence office staff, fifth daughter of the Han family, Han Zhongyue. Hey, Xiao Qing, what should you call me?
Wan Yue turned around, her dainty finger flicked, the cigarette butt arcing in a parabolic line, perfectly landing in a nearby trash bin.
With a sputter, all the tea that Han Jielin had in his mouth sprayed out, his eyes widening in shock.
Han Guowei lowered his head, covering his face with his hands, desperately trying to block the warm tears escaping between his fingers.
Wan Yue laughed, her laughter fluttering in the air like a bird, the reception room echoing with her bright, graceful laughter.
…
Around noon, the rain intensified, even thunder and lightning appeared. The torrential downpour enveloped the entire hyacinth manor in thick mists.
One black rectangular box after another was carried out from the manor building and loaded onto vehicles. Commanding forces were gradually withdrawing, but several armored special vehicles remained in the square, with over a hundred dark-arrow soldiers deployed at key positions surrounding the manor, re-sealing this secluded little world.
In the command vehicle, Han Jielin and Han Guowei were sitting side by side, not in a hurry to leave.
On the briefcase in front of Han Jielin lay a photocopy of an old photograph that had been technologically repaired, depicting the previous grandmother’s matriarch.
Hmm, my third uncle, grand-aunt, and grandmother really do look a bit alike…
Han Jielin held the photocopy, clicking his tongue repeatedly, while Han Guowei remained silent, his eyes red.
Third uncle, we now understand why they’re called hyacinth… Red rocket, red magic, red diamond, and even brave warrior; the strategies and code names proposed by grandmother were all varieties of hyacinth flowers!
In fact, all of this was subtly planted by grandmother, and only she… grand-aunt, truly comprehended this.
Han Jielin continued to lament, turning to pull open the window of the command vehicle, once more gazing at the blurred sight of Hyacinth Manor amidst the rain.
Hey, her strategic tasks are indeed moving forward like this… she even inherited the responsibilities of red rocket and red magic, opening up the situation for us.
I… we, the dark-arrow… and the Han family, owe… owe her an apology…
Han Guowei finally spoke, but after finishing, he closed his eyes again, hot tears welling up once more, his voice choked.
Hey… now, the last few pieces to thoroughly destroy the ancestral plan are nearly complete. This play isn’t something the Wang family forced us into, but something that forces us all to act for the Engel family to observe. Dark arrows and the Wang family, if conflicts like today’s don’t happen, it wouldn’t make sense; the Engel family would suspect and hesitate to execute the next step.
Han Jielin sat up straight, a bitter expression overflowing on his face because he had guessed all of this before.
Yes, it’s all tightrope walking; one misstep means complete disaster. The Wang family’s plan… I was still dazed and bold… right, what’s Meng Heng saying? I heard that he turned against us at the last moment, didn’t he promise to join Blood Dragon Squad?
As if recalling something, Han Guowei quickly questioned, his brows furrowing.
Han Jielin froze, fiddling with the briefcase, his expression strange, his tone very conflicted: “Third uncle, it’s possible… possible that we’ve forever lost Meng Heng; he found his own place… perhaps this is the marker his mother left for him… actually… I don’t know if he can be considered to have turned against us…”
As he listened to his nephew’s disjointed explanation, Han Guowei fell silent, turning his head to look out the window. After several seconds, he sighed softly.
“Well, it’s going to rain, she’s getting married. I hope he can walk the right path he chooses…”
Han Guowei’s emotions returned to normal, patting Han Jielin’s shoulder, his gaze gradually becoming sharp: “Let’s go back to Beijing together, hold a meeting, and prepare for the next steps!”
“Hey, grand-aunt is really stingy. She didn’t even leave us for a meal… By the way, third uncle, she doesn’t look that young; it’d be fine for me to call her grand-aunt, but why don’t you call her aunt? Hehe!”
Han Jielin started the command vehicle, and before leaving, he couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark.
“Impudent!”
Han Guowei swatted his nephew’s back of the head with a hand and then broke out into laughter.
Strategic tasks, code-named Necklace, seeking an excellent path for the integration of ordinary people and bloodlines. The red diamond mission has made its first achievement through you… Han Jielin silently murmured in his heart.
The blood of ordinary people and the bodies of the bloodlines, Meng Huai and Jiang Yan became torches appearing in chaos, illuminating the first step of the red diamond stepping forth from the fog, also granting her hope to continue forward.
The road ahead remains long.
…
As evening approached, the storm quietly ceased once more.
All the filth and sins were washed away by the rain, and fresh air began renewing the earth’s spirit, allowing everything to start anew.
At the height of the excitement, the numbers of people at Hyacinth Manor once exceeded fifty, but now only seven remained. As for the other post-war survivors, they had been taken away by the dark-arrow in a public manner.
The manor’s traffic entrances remained sealed off, with several special armored vehicles and dozens of dark-arrow soldiers, acting like occupying forces, monitoring the surroundings of the manor.
In the small cemetery behind the manor, three new graves had been added. There was no time for decoration or refinement, only a few hastily made mounds and some scattered wildflowers and vines collected after the rain.
The three deceased were all former long-time employees of the Golden River Club and had joined the hyacinth relatively early as attendants.
Years ago, they had been saved by Wan Yue, growing up and receiving education at Hyacinth Manor, soothing the deep scars of blood transformation, and finally leaving behind their last life portraits at Hyacinth Manor after many years.
They were quite capable, the highest-ranked among them being only mid-level attendants, but they were diligent and quietly contributed faint rewards of safety to others. They didn’t understand combat, yet when it mattered most, they stood up so that weaker companions could escape.
“… Xiao Ming, Xiao Mei, Xiao Heng, may you all be forever happy in heaven.”
Xiao Ai knelt before the new graves, murmuring, while Wan Yue and Zhao Peng stood behind, explaining, “Is everything arranged?”
After a simple memorial, Wan Yue looked at the golden sunset in the sky and gently asked, “Are we all set?”
“Yes, A-Sin Tesi will close with relevant authorities for suspected smuggling and conduct a month-long review; and A-Sin Tesi will come to see us, while others will be temporarily isolated at the base of the Xuanjia Brigade per the agreement with the dark arrows and you, Wan Jie. Xiao Dong and Xiao Zhi went along to take care of the injured…”
Zhao Peng stepped forward half a pace, recounting the events that had occurred within the last few hours and the future arrangements.
“This is the result I achieved in my feigned slumber; everyone was treated as pawns in my calculations, and I am no longer a qualified leader of the hyacinth.”
“Perhaps my only gain is merely the byproduct of this cruel theatrical performance… You’ve all done enough for me; now, it’s time for your own free lives.”
Wan Yue turned around, gazing at her loyal subordinates who had followed her for decades, her tone particularly gentle: “Zhao Peng, nothing lasts forever; from now on, you should lead everyone to live well. The hyacinth is entrusted to you.”
Zhao Peng turned his head, rubbing his eyes. After a few seconds, he took a deep breath and deeply bowed to Wan Yue: “Wan Jie, your ideals are real, right? Are you still planning to keep moving forward?”
Xiao Ai and Liang Tai also leaned over, staring blankly at the leader they had known for many years, yet who had now shown signs of going their separate ways.
Wan Yue was taken aback, her beautiful eyes flitting over everyone’s faces, before lightly nodding, both at ease and serious: “Yes, this is my mission; it is also my life.”
Zhao Peng glanced at Xiao Ai and the others beside him, then knelt on one leg, burying his head: “Then we will still follow Wan Jie; the hyacinth exists because of Wan Jie, not anyone else.”
“Fool… Let’s go, prepare dinner; I will cook.”
Wan Yue smiled and turned to leave.
Just after taking a few steps, Wan Yue paused again. In front of her stood a pale gold-haired young girl in a black dress, holding a bouquet of wildflowers, quietly watching her with an expressionless face.
…
By the waterfall pond, the large stone where Jiang Yan used to love to stay was now occupied by two others.
Meng Huai, still in the same unaltered dark-arrow full-closed combat suit, and Jiang Yan, who had changed into a white dress, was comfortably nestled in Meng Huai’s arms, admiring the little fish in the pond.
Her neck and left hand were wrapped in bandages, even showing bands of gauze on her thighs beneath her black stockings.
The only two differences from before were that, at this moment, Meng Huai’s repulsive stench had inexplicably vanished, as if his condition had transitioned into a whole new phase.
“Xiao Huai, I’m so happy, thank you for being willing to protect Xiao Yao…”
Jiang Yan rubbed against the young man’s chest, a faint smile gracing her face. Meng Huai’s heartfelt words at a crucial moment made Jiang Yan’s despair, which had almost plummeted into an abyss, rise back like a roller coaster.
“From now on, I will be a true member of the hyacinth.”
Meng Huai smiled, tightening his embrace around the girl, resting his chin on her shoulder, gently caressing.
The slender moon lightly cuddled upon the mountains and waters, intertwining with every splash of the waterfall. The cacophony of the day had now turned into wisps of ethereal gauze, weaving the moon’s shadow into countless silver foil pieces, sinking into the pond.
The sounds of water surrounding the world seemed no longer deafening but transformed into a never-ending, ethereal serenade, soothing the weary manor that had endured the trials of the day.
“Xiao Huai, I…”
“Wait a moment…”
As Jiang Yan turned around, wrapping her arms around Meng Huai’s waist, she was interrupted by him. Sensing someone approaching, she turned her head to see Jiang Yao walking slowly from afar, halting several meters away.
Still dressed in the black lace dress from the day, faint bloodstains remained on her little shoes, stockings, and the hem of her skirt. Beneath her pale golden hair, her chilling eyes sparkled coldly, evoking a sense of dread.
In Meng Huai’s perception, a faint but exceedingly clear murderous intent emanated from Jiang Yao—this killing intent aimed directly at him.
This was the first time Meng Huai felt pure murderous intent since becoming a bloodline. So pure that it was devoid of any impurities, and intensely barbaric, it exuded an enchanting beauty.
Meng Huai furrowed his brows, slowly releasing Jiang Yan, attempting to stand.
Jiang Yan seemed to sense it too, instinctively straightening her posture, raising an arm to shield Meng Huai behind her.
Jiang Yao was back to full strength, with her pitch-black eyes crystallizing into frozen blood-red gems. The boiling heat of her blood activated the energy particles within her limbs, amplifying the brutal emotions brewing in her heart.
Despite the intensity not being high, the black hole-like aura pulling forth numerous dagger-like lethal intentions affected not just Meng Huai; even Jiang Yan felt a chill race down her back, her arms beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
“Xiao Yao, what are you trying to do…”
Jiang Yan didn’t tempt the physiological taboo of boiling blood again but gradually stood up, spreading her arms, seemingly trying to block Jiang Yao’s murdering intent from crossing her body to harm the person behind her.
Soon, Jiang Yao’s suffocating aura triggered a greater ripple effect.
Wanmeng appeared, Zhao Peng appeared, and Rong Tai and Xiao Wen also arrived, all gathering by the side of the pond; everyone remaining in Hyacinth Manor had converged at this point.
“Ha ha, sister… Jiang Yan, you’ve finally found your own future, huh? Even if you’re about to die, it doesn’t matter to you anymore.”
With a gentle shake of her right hand, shimmering daggers slipped from the lace-edged sleeves, her tone growing colder: “Tell me, how many lives was this momentary future traded for?”
“Xiao Yao, what on earth do you want!”
Jiang Yan stepped forward, reaching out to touch Jiang Yao’s arm.
“Don’t come near me!”
Jiang Yao hesitated a moment, slashed her hand, and with a gust, several strands of Jiang Yan’s black hair fell, carrying a wisp of charred smoke.
A faint line of charred discoloration appeared on Jiang Yao’s face, and seconds later, a crystal drop of blood seeped out.
“Don’t come near me…”
Jiang Yao laughed grimly, her left hand clutching her abdomen as she scanned everyone present with a hoarse voice: “Hyacinth, what are you all really pursuing? That new world? I don’t see it; all I see is Sister Xiaoping leaving, Sister Xiaxia leaving, Brother Xiaoman leaving, then Brother Shaolin, Sister Xiaolan, Sister Xiao Miao… and then Sister Xiao Ming, Sister Xiao Mei, Sister Xiao Heng…”
“You all ponder deeply; you prioritize the big picture; you commit unspeakable sins; you hold your dignity dear, packaging the future so dazzlingly… so, some people are naturally expected to make sacrifices for this?”
“Rong Jie, you feign advancement, waiting for Meng Huai’s phoenix nirvana to delight you. But do you really regard other people as cannon fodder? Even if you opened your eyes one day earlier, so many wouldn’t have to die!”
Moreover, the Wang family, even if they left early, Hyacinth wouldn’t have been pushed to the brink of total annihilation! How many more must become offerings in your meticulous calculations?
Jiang Yao desperately wiped her tears away, bursting into loud cries.
Wan Yue remained expressionless, quietly listening and watching, while Zhao Peng and the others slightly lowered their heads.
“Is it true that you all have long since arranged the outcome for me and the child in my womb—should the day come, I’d have to pay the price to realize dreams? You want to save the world, eliminate evil, but that has nothing to do with me, nothing at all!”
“Sister, thank you for your goodwill; I can no longer walk this path, I don’t want to continue. The hyacinth isn’t my home… you are not my sister; you’re the family’s sister.”
Jiang Yao tossed away the dagger, wiping away her last tears, turning to walk down a side path.
“Xiao Yao…”
Jiang Yao’s face turned pale, slowly extending her hand but unable to utter the second half of her sentence.
“Let her calm down; the Wang family will have someone tracking her.”
Wan Yue walked up to Meng Huai and Jiang Yao, raising her hand to stop them. After saying this, she slightly turned her head, glancing toward a dark corner of the forest.
…
About a kilometer from Hyacinth Manor, on Cai Lan Mountain, Qian Guilong leaned against a large tree, puffing on a harsh smoke. In front of him, a respectful upper-tier knight of Asian descent stood attentively.
The knight named George was brought specifically by Emma from Temasek to assist Qian Guilong, responsible for gathering intelligence.
“George, why contact now?”
The phone rang, and Emma’s voice reprimanded, demonstrating her annoyance at the entire twenty-four-hour silence.
“Sorry, Miss Emma, the communications here were cut off and just restored.”
The upper-tier knight glanced at Qian Guilong, turning the phone’s speaker on, speaking gingerly: “Mr. Qian and I are currently monitoring the main base of the hyacinth.”
“The main base of the hyacinth?”
Hearing this explanation, Emma’s tone softened considerably.
“Early this morning, the dark arrow launched a surprise attack here, the Wang family’s rescue was ineffective, and the hyacinth suffered total annihilation… Jiang Yan was captured, Jiang Yao escaped.”
At this time, George’s voice trembled slightly because he had been controlled by Qian Guilong’s blood double ability as soon as he was dispatched; he could only repeat the information he was told.
“The hyacinth was destroyed?”
Emma seemed surprised, but seconds later, her emotions returned to normal, “Is there surveillance footage?!”
“Yes, from the very beginning until Jiang Yan was surrounded by the dark arrow, I non-stop sent over the video… Mr. Qian and I were discovered by the Wang family; Mr. Qian sustained minor injuries and is currently tracking Jiang Yao…”
Facing Qian Guilong’s silent, sinister smile, George felt sweat accumulating on his forehead, toughing it out as he relayed half-truths as per prior instructions.
“Good, hard work. Keep assisting Mr. Qian and keep an eye on the target’s movements.”
Emma sighed in relief, offering George a slight encouragement before emphasizing the word “assist.”
The communication cut off. George lowered his head obediently and walked to Qian Guilong’s side, then tapped the smoke rod and stood up, stretching.
“Not bad, obedient boy; you’ve earned a reward.”
Qian Guilong smiled wickedly, suddenly reaching out and shattering George’s throat, even pulling out a large chunk of flesh due to the force.
With a mouthful of flesh, Qian Guilong chewed contentedly before bringing the corpse’s gurgling throat to his mouth, sucking a few times, revealing a satisfied expression as he wiped the blood off his face.
Unsure of how long it had passed, a figure clothed in black appeared quietly behind Qian Guilong.
“Old Eight, take what the ancestor gave you along with her handwritten letter and burn it.”
The middle-aged man tossed a package to Qian Guilong, landing at his feet.
“Heh heh, didn’t expect even Fourth Brother to be a courier now…”
Crouching down, Qian Guilong took out the letter, reading it twice, pulling out a lighter, and before the face of Old Fourth, turned it to ash.
Completing these actions, Qian Guilong sat on the ground, raising his head and blankly gazing at the night sky; his previously gloomy and wicked face suddenly became calm and relaxed.
After a few minutes of silence, Qian Guilong lit a cigarette, taking a drag and asked with a long sigh: “Fourth Brother, if I die in the future… can I enter the Wang family ancestral hall?”
“You can’t; the Wang family has never had anyone like you as a representative of black blood. However, you can share your wishes and Old Ancestor and I can help fulfill them.”
Old Fourth sat down beside Qian Guilong, pulling out a bottle of liquor and stuffing it into the other’s hand.
A flash of blood surged, and in Qian Guilong’s hand appeared a severed little finger.
“Fourth Brother, from now on, use this to set up a grave for me, so I won’t die without a burial place… eh, I wonder if the old Eighth of the Wang family was like me back then?”
Qian Guilong’s blood-stained left hand held the liquor bottle while his right hand supported the smoke rod, slowly walking into the woods.
Holding that bloody severed finger, Old Fourth watched as Qian Guilong’s figure disappeared, gently sighing.
