Chapter 272: What Do You Want to Do?

As the Butcher closed in, Hua Yu felt a wave of helplessness deep in her heart. The roaring wind, akin to the cries of countless ghosts, sliced past her ears. Despite the imminent danger, Hua Yu wasn't afraid; instead, she felt a profound sense of regret.

Is this how it ends? Is my life destined to conclude like this?

Countless images flashed through her mind. From her childhood in the prestigious Cai family, it seemed her life was destined for greatness. She remembered her early schooling, and at the age of eleven, how she hadn't even completed primary school before being selected and sent to the Yanhuang Iron Troupe for training. Later, she received teachings from the masters and seniors of the Tang Sect, learning their profound arts.

In her memory, she spent endless days and nights practicing diligently. She often found herself alone in the rustic wooden cabin, listening to the torrential rain of the Sichuan Basin. Those nights were filled only with the sound of raindrops, as if they were just yesterday.

Gradually, she began to wonder why she was alive. Despite having a family, parents, and loved ones, she couldn't return to them, see them, or even think of them. She was always praised by the organization and her sect, yet she never felt any joy.

Over twenty years seemed like navigating through a labyrinth without an exit. She survived, but she couldn't find a way out.

Upon completing her training, she once asked her master, "Master, why do people live?"

She remembered how her master pondered for a long time before replying, "Because everyone else wants to live."

Yes, that answer had always made her feel that this was how life should be. Who knew why she was alive? Wasn't it all for others?

Complex thoughts surged through her mind like electric currents. Hua Yu closed her eyes, and an inexplicable smile played on her beautiful and aloof face.

However, the pain she had prepared herself for did not arrive as expected.

In an instant, Hua Yu felt a warm arm encircling her sensitive waist. Her body was effortlessly lifted, as if someone had picked her up like a bag of groceries. She sensed a moment of movement but before her brain could react, everything seemed to end.

What just happened?

"Hey, even if you think there's no escape, shouldn't you at least try to run? Why wait to be stabbed? You're not ugly; are you waiting for a surgical knife for cosmetic surgery? Go to a hospital for that. Out here in the wilderness, having someone wield a big kitchen knife to cut you is too much, don't you think?"

This slightly annoying yet familiar voice brought Hua Yu back to reality in an instant.

As she opened her eyes, the light before Hua Yu seemed disordered, flickering between brightness and dimness. Standing proudly before her was a man, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his nostrils emitting puffs of white smoke. His demeanor exuded a roguish air, starkly contrasting with the tense atmosphere.

Him?!

Suddenly breaking free from the arm that had encircled her, Hua Yu turned around to see Yang Chen looking at her with an expression of resignation and annoyance.

"How did you end up here?" Hua Yu's face flushed slightly. This was the first time in her life she had been held so closely by a man.

Yang Chen's appearance surprised not only Hua Yu but also everyone else around. They had all thought Hua Yu was about to be cleaved in half by Lily's butcher knife, but unexpectedly, a shadow swiftly swept through the scene, relocating Hua Yu before their eyes to where this man now held her in his embrace.

Eternal Night and the members of Dragon Team recognized Yang Chen. They were torn between delight and resentment: delighted that Yang Chen had saved Hua Yu, but resentful that he dared to embrace her?!

The Vatican and the Dark Council members, on the other hand, showed shock. To rescue someone from under Lily's butcher knife with such speed not only required courage but also indicated Yang Chen's superior agility. Although Lily's age couldn't compare to the previous generations of vampires, her noble bloodline and possession of sacred artifacts ranked her among the top ten among the vampires!

Yang Chen didn't immediately respond to Hua Yu's question. He suddenly realized the cigarette in his mouth had gone out.

Due to the rapid movement just now and the sudden cold airflow, even the cigarette butt that was difficult to extinguish had been frozen out. Yang Chen couldn't help but spit out the half-smoked cigarette with some frustration.

"Do you think I want to be here?" Yang Chen grumbled. "Your Yanhuang Iron Troupe is really something. The Vatican and the Dark Council are vying for the Holy Grail—that's their 'internal affairs.' They've been at it for over a dozen centuries. What business do you have meddling in it? Do you really think they would harm civilians in Yehsa? The vampires have a 'seclusion' code. The Vatican's armed forces are also a hidden strength underground. What benefits do you gain from interfering, other than inviting trouble?"

Hua Yu was somewhat at a loss and replied, "This is an order from the higher-ups. Besides, isn't the Dark Council the evil party?"

"It seems you don't understand the vampires at all," Yang Chen sighed. "I'll explain after this mess is settled. Originally, I just wanted to watch you all fight from the sidelines. But you, this woman, were about to die. After thinking about it, I decided to come and save you."

Hua Yu was taken aback. Was he appearing here just for her? She felt strangely moved but couldn't resist asking out of curiosity, "Why did you come out for me?"

"Well, think about it. You're sisters with Cai Yan, and Cai Yan is good friends with my wife. My wife even calls you sister. Back when there was that bank robbery, you helped me out too. We've crossed paths a few times before. I don't know many people back home, so while we're not close, we're acquaintances. If something were to happen to you, even though it wouldn't directly affect me, the thought of certain people grieving for you would make me feel like I should do something, rather than just watch and do nothing."

Yang Chen spoke as he pulled out another cigarette from his pocket, lighting it. The white smoke stood out in the darkness of the night. After taking a leisurely drag, he continued, "You're lucky. A few years ago, I definitely wouldn't have lifted a finger. But now I'm married, living like a decent person. I guess I have to do something human now and then."

Feeling disheartened by this inexplicable reasoning, Hua Yu stopped questioning further. She couldn't help but regret her initial anticipation. What was she thinking? He was always such a strange person, after all.

At that moment, Yang Chen's appearance sparked various thoughts among the others present.

The battle had intensified. The Holy See was left with only Gabriel, Thomas, Arthur, and seven or eight Templar knights. The Eternal Night's Dragon II members were all showing signs of injury. The Dark Council's Lilith, Akmonde, and five other elder-level vampires had only four blood servants left.

Due to Lilith's perfect coordination with the Butcher, the true outcome of the battle was uncertain, but with the Holy Grail still in the hands of the vampires, the Holy See would not relent.

With Yang Chen, a figure capable of influencing the entire scene, now appearing, his alignment could potentially determine the outcome of this struggle.

"Sir, though I'm curious about who you are, right now I just want to know which side you're on," Lilith, who keenly sensed Yang Chen's strength, cautiously asked, sheathing her sword-like water blade.

Though the Eternal Night detested Yang Chen, they knew they needed his support to survive. Immediately, they declared, "Why bother asking?! Didn't you see he just saved our people? Naturally, he's on our side, the Flame Dragon Iron Legion. If you have any sense, hand over the Holy Grail now and get out of Summerland!"

Yang Chen gave Eternal Night a cold, disdainful glance. "Which ear of yours heard that I joined your side? If you speak another word of nonsense, I'll be the first to gut you. Do you think your pathetic lives are worth my rescue?"

His merciless words shoved the pride of Eternal Night back down their throats. Their faces fluctuated between pale and red, afraid to utter a single word, fearing that Yang Chen might actually disregard them or worse, turn against them.

Gabriel, despite some scratches on his heavy armor, remained formidable. He furrowed his brow and asked Yang Chen, "Your strength clearly surpasses ours. Are you also here for the Holy Grail?"

"Whether your Holy Grail is real or fake, I haven't determined yet, so why would I be interested? Besides, 'eternal life' means little to me," Yang Chen mocked with a sneer.

"What is it that you want then?" Akmonde asked nervously.

Yang Chen paused, then replied, "I simply want to live peacefully here. So, members of the Flame Dragon Iron Legion, don't kill too many of them at once. Of course, if they insist on killing you, I can intervene. Personally, I see no distinction between your Holy See and the Dark Council. To me, you're all morally ambiguous. Therefore, I suggest everyone disperses, and let's pretend tonight never happened."

"So many honorable knights have died. How can we simply let it go?" Gabriel said solemnly.

"Hmph, Gabriel, I bet it's not just the deaths bothering you, but the fact that the Holy Grail is in our hands, keeping you awake at night," Montmorency snarled.

Lilith smiled cunningly. "I don't know your name, sir, but it seems even if we were willing to withdraw from Summerland, the other side wouldn't agree. Do you have any bright ideas?"

Yang Chen smirked. "Since you insist on fighting to the death over a Holy Grail, how about this? Give me the Holy Grail, and I'll destroy it on the spot. Then there'll be nothing left to fight over."

"No!" Gabriel and Akmonde shouted simultaneously.

Yang Chen's expression darkened visibly. "Neither of your options is acceptable, and you think I'm here to negotiate with you? Don't provoke me. If I take matters into my own hands, it won't benefit any of you."

"Do not overstep, sir. Despite your extraordinary strength, we are not to be trifled with," Akmonde said solemnly.

Yang Chen was growing impatient. It was getting late, and if Lin Ruoxi had already gone home by herself, he'd have to walk or find a taxi in the middle of the night. "Since none of you are willing to compromise, I will search each of you personally to see who has what. If you won't give it, I'll take it myself."

Before anyone could react, Yang Chen vanished from his spot and reappeared beside Charlie. Charlie was startled and before he could react, Yang Chen gripped his arm tightly. The bone-chilling aura and overwhelming pressure made Charlie, a seasoned soul who had lived through many years, feel a palpitation of fear. He forgot to resist.

After quickly patting him down and confirming Charlie didn't have what he was looking for, Yang Chen threw Charlie aside and pounced towards his next target, Montmorency.

Witnessing Yang Chen treat Elder Charlie like a toy shocked everyone present. It was at that moment they realized Yang Chen's words about taking matters into his own hands were not idle threats.

Just as everyone felt relieved that Yang Chen hadn't killed anyone, Yang Chen suddenly froze in place.

"What's wrong?" His face turned grim as he stared fixedly at Montmorency, who was only three feet away.

At the same time, to everyone's bewilderment, Montmorency vanished into thin air!

"Montmorency!" Akmonde and the others shouted in confusion, clearly alarmed.

Before their voices could fade, where Montmorency had disappeared, a small, exquisite dark golden goblet appeared suspended in midair!

In this bizarre scene, Montmorency didn't reappear, and the goblet, isolated and surreal, fell to the ground, rolling to a stop at Yang Chen's feet.