Chapter 741: Chapter 462 Meeting and Assassination
The setting Sun bathed the exquisite buildings of the Central District in its languid yellow light, creating a tapestry of shadows amongst the skyscrapers that seemed to mirror the light itself, offering a visually stunning impact that resonated with the soul.
“Jack, feel free to visit more often. I’m usually home unless something urgent comes up,” General Vance said with a smile as he escorted Chen Lun to the door.
After a full day of congenial company, their relationship had grown closer.
“No problem, General,” Chen Lun responded with a polite smile.
He balanced himself on the Silver Staff in his left hand and with a slight flick of his right, a bottle of red wine quietly appeared in his palm. The dark green, carved bottle was exquisite, and its cork, made of oak, was topped with an ivory horse head.
“I apologize for not offering my gift upon arrival. This Supernatural Wine I’ve brewed myself not only wards off diseases but also extends one’s life. You and your wife should drink more of it.”
Chen Lun handed over the red wine.
General Vance, already unable to resist fine wines, accepted the bottle without hesitation due to his straightforward nature.
“I didn’t expect you to have such a skill, Jack,” the General said with a hint of surprise and a smile to follow.
“Well then, you did drink one of my favorite bottles today. I’ll keep this one.”
Chen Lun smiled, placed his hat on, and gave a slight bow to the General.
“I’ll take my leave now, General.”
He turned and walked away.
But he hadn’t gone far when two paper airplanes, flying erratically overhead, landed in front of him one after the other.
Looking in the direction from where the paper airplanes came, behind the iron fence, Chen Lun spotted General Vance’s two daughters peeking shyly from a third-floor apartment window.
He bent down to pick up the paper airplanes and unfolded them. One was written in blue ink:
“Respected Sir, may we become friends?”
The content of the other airplane, written in black ink, was:
“Sir, Gulirents has fallen for you, she’s told me at least a hundred times that she’s attracted to your handsomeness and gentlemanly charm… And to share a little secret, the reason she suddenly giggled during lunch is because she was fantasizing about rolling in the sheets with you—Good heavens! Why do I have such a licentious sister? Of course, if you’re willing, I too would like to be friends with you, may I, Sir?”
Chen Lun couldn’t help but crack a smile. Looking up again, he saw the two young girls still watching him, faces flushed and eyes filled with anticipation.
He suddenly felt a bit contemplative—this must be the most beautiful time in a girl’s life, inexplicably fond of attractive members of the opposite sex.
Removing his hat, Chen Lun nodded gently towards the third-floor window and then turned to leave. Watching his figure, the two girls shouted excitedly.
“Pasha, did he just nod? You saw it too, right?”
“Yes, yes. Mr. Jack even smiled at us.”
They looked at each other and giggled foolishly.
Perhaps their noise was too loud and abrupt, soon attracting the attention of Mrs. Cone. A scolding voice came from outside the door:
“Keep it down, you two crazy girls! You’re never ladylike—how will you ever get married?!”
The two girls jumped, quickly closed the window, and leapt into their beds.
Chen Lun walked on the road back, his mind revisiting the discussions he had with General Vance. Among them, the series of experiments carried out by Prince Dazlert in the occupied territories gave him a new hypothesis.
‘Before the start of the Western War, the Prince had been very eager to initiate it… Even the assassination of the Duke back then had its complications, and it was very likely a play directed by the Prince himself.’
Chen Lun had doubted the Prince’s motives, but couldn’t fathom them.
Now, it seemed he had grasped something.
‘Could it be… did the Prince plan to implement the Light Seed Project from that time? Initiating the Western War and conquering the Anlong United Kingdom’s territory was actually to facilitate experiments there… using the occupied regions as a “petri dish” for the Light Seed Project? But what is the ultimate purpose of the Light Seed Project? To boost military power, to prepare for the Empire’s expansion? Or to defend against the Pollution Tide from the Spirit World…’
Chen Lun’s gaze was profound.
He always had an intuition that there was a deeper truth behind this matter, yet unknown to others.
The Prince’s summons came quicker than Chen Lun had anticipated; the next day, Steward Babayeh arrived at the Generous Church District to convey the Prince’s intentions.
“Mr. Jack, the Prince has an important confidential matter and is gathering members of the Imperial Judgment Group… Please ensure you are at the Royal Palace conference hall by two o’clock in the afternoon.”
“Very well, I’ve taken note. I appreciate your personal visit, Steward.”
Chen Lun received Babayeh in the conference room of the Church District and after a brief exchange, personally saw him off.
As Chen Lun watched the Steward hasten away, he took a deep breath.
‘The main plot of the Dark World is upon me…’
He turned back to the conference room and called for Connie, asking her to notify Floey that he had an important matter and would be going to the Royal Palace that afternoon.
Connie acknowledged his request with a nod and curtsied.
Time quickly moved to the afternoon.
Riding in the carriage still driven by Golov, Chen Lun headed to the Royal Palace, where upon his arrival, a young steward approached him. Speaking softly, he informed him that the Prince had also called upon various Royal City heads of the Seven Gods Church at the last moment. Since Chen Lun’s other identity was the head of the Generous Council for the Royal City, he was thus notified.