Chapter 276: Acquaintances

Li Jingjing suddenly called, seemingly lifting Lin Ruoxi's mood considerably. After a brief chat and agreeing on something, Lin Ruoxi smiled and hung up the phone.

Yang Chen was somewhat surprised. How did Li Jingjing and Lin Ruoxi's relationship progress so much all of a sudden? Could it be that both of them volunteering at the orphanage had become a great bridge to friendship? Although he had deliberately distanced himself from Li Jingjing due to the relationship with the old Li couple, he didn't interfere much in the friendship between the two women.

"Miss, you look so happy. Who's your friend?" Aunt Wang also hoped Lin Ruoxi would soon emerge from her emotional shadow, smiling as she asked.

Lin Ruoxi nodded. "Yes, it's the girl I mentioned to Aunt Wang last time, the one who works as a teacher. She asked if she could come to our house tomorrow, and since it's the weekend, I agreed."

Aunt Wang seemed to recall something, casting a slightly peculiar glance at Yang Chen and saying, "That's good news. I'll buy more groceries for tomorrow."

Yang Chen didn't understand why Aunt Wang made that expression, but he didn't dwell on it. He hesitated whether to go out tomorrow to avoid Li Jingjing. But then he realized avoiding her would be suspicious. It would be better to act as if they were strangers, just like last time, openly and directly.

Driving back to the Longjing Villa, Aunt Wang busied herself in the kitchen preparing dinner. Lin Ruoxi seemed exhausted, silently heading upstairs. Unlike usual, she went straight to her bedroom instead of her study.

Yang Chen pondered whether to relax and watch TV until lunchtime, but his phone suddenly vibrated.

Looking at the number, Yang Chen saw it was from Mo Lin, the captain of the Sea Eagle team.

"My Lord Yang, a young lady has actively sought us out, hoping to meet you," Mo Lin's tone carried a hint of helplessness, as if he had encountered some minor trouble.

Yang Chen was taken aback. Someone wanted to meet him, but not directly through him—instead, they sought out the Sea Eagle team hiding in Zhonghai. Clearly, it was a show of strength.

"What's her name?" Yang Chen frowned and asked.

"The young lady refuses to disclose her name, saying she'll recognize you when you arrive," Mo Lin muttered discontentedly over the phone.

Yang Chen hung up, sat on the sofa for a while, seeming to guess who it might be.

With nearly three hours until lunch, he wasn't in a rush. He quickly informed Aunt Wang in the kitchen and then dashed out of the door again.

Driving to the apartment where the Sea Eagle team was stationed, Yang Chen found Mo Lin waiting for him at the entrance. Despite it being deep winter, Mo Lin stood there in a white short-sleeved shirt, showing no sign of feeling cold.

"Don't you think it's odd dressing like this?" Yang Chen remarked.

Mo Lin's face wrinkled with a smile. "My Lord Yang, the winter here in Yancha is not cold."

As a special forces operative accustomed to the Arctic conditions, temperatures above minus twenty degrees Celsius had little effect on him.

"I know it's not cold for you, and if you're not cold, I'm not cold either. But still, dressing normally gives a sense of being normal. If other residents see you like this, they might think you're crazy," Yang Chen said.

Mo Lin blinked and nodded with a smile, showing no signs of regret.

Following Mo Lin's lead, Yang Chen reached the top floor's conference room of the apartment. In the spacious hall, a graceful figure sat alone, sipping coffee.

Yang Chen signaled for Mo Lin to leave, understanding that they had private matters to discuss. Mo Lin tactfully excused himself.

Yang Chen entered the conference room, confirming the visitor's identity with a wry smile. "Elder Lillith, haven't you returned to Europe yet?"

The woman who had come was Lillith, whom he had parted with just the previous night. It wasn't surprising that she had found her way here; after all, the Dark Council's intelligence network extended globally for centuries.

Lillith, dressed casually in a beige wool sweater and tight light-colored jeans, with her blonde hair flowing loosely behind her, sat by the window, enjoying the warm sunlight that streamed in. Her delicate, unadorned face with naturally beautiful fair skin shone radiantly under the sunlight.

For vampires of Lillith's caliber, sunlight only marginally restricted their abilities. Lillith didn't directly respond to Yang Chen's greeting but remained seated, basking in the warm rays from the window.

"I haven't enjoyed sunbathing so leisurely in a long time like today," Lillith remarked. "My Lord Yang, I wouldn't dare to sunbathe so openly in Europe. The people from the Roman Curia are too annoying, even more so than pests."

Yang Chen wasn't surprised that Lillith knew his identity; she must have deduced it last night with her sharp wit. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to Lillith, stealing a sidelong glance at her curvaceous figure and exquisitely defined facial contours.

While admiring her, he casually remarked, "Most people believe that vampires fear sunlight and despise garlic. But I'm sure someone like Miss Lillith doesn't care about those things."

Lillith chuckled softly. "Those are fears reserved for wealthy gentlemen. Let me tell you a secret, Lord Yang. I love potato chips with a strong garlic flavor. But my family despises that smell, so whenever I'm home, I sneakily indulge."

Finding it somewhat odd to discuss food with this vampire woman, Yang Chen changed the topic. "Would you like a drink? I can have some good wine brought up."

"Never mind, I just declined a moment ago," Lilith turned to Yang Chen, her eyes shimmering as she continued, "Lord of the Underworld, aren't you curious why I've come to see you?"

"I suppose that's something you should be eager to tell me. Staying here longer only increases the risk of attracting the Yen-Huang Iron Expedition's attention. It seems they've reached a consensus with the Holy See. Though your strength is commendable, facing multiple opponents wouldn't be easy," Yang Chen replied.

Lilith responded confidently, "You needn't worry, Lord of the Underworld. I have ample strength reserved. With just a few from the Holy See's faction in Yensha, teaming up with Yen-Huang Iron Expedition to confront me would prove challenging."

Yang Chen suddenly posed a question, "Miss Lilith, if I may ask, which generation of vampire are you?"

Lilith smiled mysteriously, "I am of the fourth generation. Why, does that pique your interest?"

Yang Chen's expression turned pale as he pursed his lips. "As far as I know, the third generation of vampires were revered as a golden age comparable to gods, centuries ago. Miss Lilith, I find myself regretting our kiss last night. By your timeline, as a fourth-generation vampire, you are no longer young. I wondered how you attained the rank of elder at such a young age. It seems you possess timeless beauty."

Lilith chuckled, arching her back against the leather chair. "While I am of the fourth generation, I come from a noble line of pure-blooded vampires, born through parturition by my mother. So, in truth, I am only a little over two hundred years old—quite young, really."

Two hundred years and still young?

Yang Chen rubbed his face, regretting his curiosity. He realized that last night's kiss involved someone who had lived for two centuries. Nevertheless, curiosity got the better of him. "I didn't realize vampires could reproduce like humans. It's news to me."

"They can, but the stronger the vampire, the harder it is to produce offspring, particularly for females, who suffer a significant loss in power through childbirth. Without my father's protection, my mother wouldn't have had me," Lilith explained.

"Even with their strength diminished, I doubt many would dare oppose parents from the third generation of vampires," Yang Chen chuckled lightly.

A glint of determination shone in Lilith's eyes. "While my parents' generation was revered as equals to gods, as Lord of the Underworld, you must know there's still a considerable gap between them and true gods. Even our ancestor, Lilith the Witch, was merely a demigoddess, wife to the demon god Satan."

This time, Yang Chen's expression softened slightly as he narrowed his eyes. "Miss Lilith, it seems you possess some knowledge about gods."

With a hint of pride, Lilith replied, "I inherit my mother's bloodline. She descends from the pure 'Witch of the Night,' and our ancestor Lilith the Witch was the wife of the demon god Satan."

Yang Chen tapped his finger joints against the armrest, remarking, "No wonder. In that case, you certainly have reasons to delve into those matters."

"Yes, hence last night, when Elder Mobius mysteriously disappeared, while others remained oblivious to what exactly happened, I have reviewed scrolls passed down through many lineages, containing records about the gods. Coupled with your appearance and your furious reaction, I can deduce a few things," Lilith's tone turned serious this time, devoid of her usual playfulness.

Yang Chen replied calmly, "Your deductions are mostly correct, but I too am perplexed as to why such an event occurred. It certainly wasn't someone I know."

"I understand. That's why I'm here today, hoping to discuss another matter with Lord of the Underworld," Lilith smiled subtly.

Yang Chen gestured for her to continue.

"Lord of the Underworld, from what I know, your return to Yensha is for personal reasons. However, it's evident that you would appreciate someone disturbing your peaceful life. But situations like last night indicate Yensha isn't as calm, especially when you're here. The umbrella of protection provided by the Yen-Huang Iron Expedition becomes crucial, at least ensuring you have no worries," Lilith said. "However, due to the intervention of the Holy See, the Yen-Huang Iron Expedition seems to have aligned against us."

"What exactly are you implying?" Yang Chen interjected. "Our Kamalira clan has always adhered to the Treaty of Seclusion, but those from the Holy See seem to misunderstand our tolerance. Therefore, following discussions and official rulings from our Kamalira Elder Council, I have been chosen to represent us, seeking an alliance with Lord of the Underworld. This is to prevent any conflicts of interest in the eastern lands, where the Yen-Huang Iron Expedition unabashedly leans towards the Holy See," Lilith concluded, her gaze filled with anticipation as she looked at Yang Chen.

Yang Chen fell silent for a while before responding, "I don't object to this matter, but I prefer not to get too involved with your Kamalira clan, considering I live in this country."

"That will suffice. We merely need a deterrent," Lilith exclaimed with delight.

Glancing at the time, Yang Chen added, "Is there anything else? I have a family dinner to attend."

Lilith hesitated briefly before asking, "Lord of the Underworld, there's one more question. It may relate to the safety of our vampire clan, so I would like to confirm it with you."

"You're wondering whether Elder Mobius's mysterious disappearance last night was due to the vampires themselves or because of the Holy Grail?" Yang Chen replied.

"Exactly, and also, can the Holy Grail truly grant immortality?" Lilith asked, voicing her deepest curiosity.