Chapter 1183: The Saladin Family (1)

They walked through the meticulously maintained garden toward the main residence.

On the way, Karl briefly introduced the current state of the family.

"Your father's branch... sigh, ever since you were confirmed missing, its influence has been far less than before.

Your younger brother tried to take over your network in the military, but he is too young and lacks experience.

Your younger sister is clever and doing well in the Intelligence Department, but after all, she is female, and her say in the family is limited."

Alan listened and nodded slowly.

"Ever since the formal war with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance began, the Fengqi Star Alliance has also been in turmoil. What is the situation in the family now?"

"There are mainly three factions within the family now."

Karl continued.

"My faction advocates for strengthening cooperation with Commander-in-Chief Valken; after all, in times of war, military connections are the most important.

Your aunt's faction believes we should develop independently and is even considering... the possibility of peace talks with the Human side.

There is also a group of young people who are obsessed with the 'Pure Eye' and those occult theories, wanting to win the war through forbidden means."

"Which faction do you belong to, Uncle?"

Alan asked.

Karl laughed.

"I belong to the faction of 'letting the Saladin Family survive.' The war must end eventually, no matter in what way.

We must ensure that no matter the outcome, the Saladin Family can continue."

As they chatted, they entered the main hall of the residence, where more than twenty people were already waiting.

There were men, women, old, and young, all wearing exquisite family attire, and different emotions flickered in their three eyes: curiosity, suspicion, sympathy, calculation...

Alan was surrounded and began to receive a series of greetings and inquiries.

Yingzhou, as the Adjutant, consciously retreated to a corner to observe the dynamics of this Fengqi noble family.

This was his first time in close contact with the upper echelons of Fengqi society, and many details were worth noting.

For example, the body language of the Fengqi: when they speak, they like to use their three eyes to look at each other in turns; this is a sign of respect and focus. But if there is hostility or concealment, the Third Eye will unconsciously drift in other directions.

For example, the hierarchy within the family: the elders and those in power stand in the center, while the young and peripheral members are on the periphery. Although female members are present, they rarely speak proactively and only do so when asked.

For example, their attitude toward Alan's return: the younger generation is mostly curious and admiring, believing him to be a war hero; the middle-aged generation cautiously evaluates the impact of his return on the balance of power; the older generation is simply happy about the continuation of the family bloodline.

Halfway through the banquet, a young woman walked up to Yingzhou.

She looked to be in her twenties, wearing casual attire of the Intelligence Department uniform, her three eyes were all clear amber, and her face was somewhat similar to Alan's.

"Are you Corporal Kelan?"

She asked gently.

"Yes, Miss. You are..."

"Lina Saladin Weike, Alan's younger sister."

She introduced herself.

"I work in the family Intelligence Department. I heard you took care of my brother in the prisoner-of-war camp. Thank you."

Yingzhou put on a flattered expression.

"I only did what I should have, Miss. Major Alan is the one who took care of me more."

Lina sized him up, her Third Eye narrowing slightly.

"I read your background check report. It's very clean, with almost no suspicious points. But it is precisely this that makes me curious... most people who return from prisoner-of-war camps have contradictory or confused memories, but yours are exceptionally clear."

"Perhaps... perhaps because I was injured and unconscious for a long time?"

He tried to explain.

"The doctor said I had a minor brain injury, and some memories are indeed blurred, but important things are actually clearer."

Lina seemed to accept this explanation, and her expression softened a little.

"Sorry, professional habit. After working in intelligence for a long time, I find everyone suspicious."

She said with a smile.

"My brother trusts you, so I trust you too. However, I must warn you: the interior of the Saladin Family is not safe. As Alan's Adjutant, you might get dragged into some... trouble."

"What kind of trouble?"

Lina looked around and lowered her voice.

"Some people do not want Alan to return. He has a certain influence in the military and also has inheritance rights in the family. His return will disrupt some people's plans."

"You mean..."

"I am not saying anything. Just warning you to be careful. After the banquet ends, I will arrange for you to go to a safe residence. Remember: do not act alone, do not accept invitations from strangers, and do not discuss specific details of the prisoner-of-war camp unless in front of me or Alan."

"I understand, thank you, Miss."

Lina nodded and turned to leave.

Yingzhou watched her departing back, evaluating in his heart.

This younger sister is very sharp, but she seems to truly care about her brother. She might be an important ally for Alan in the family, and perhaps he can obtain some intelligence from her.

The banquet ended two hours later.

Alan was called away by family elders for a "private talk" in the study, while Yingzhou was led by a servant to the guest room arranged for him.

The guest room was comfortable, with an independent bathroom and a small lounge area.

The garden outside the window appeared tranquil and beautiful under the illumination of artificial moonlight.

After entering the room, Yingzhou walked around seemingly casually and discovered three hidden surveillance cameras.

He pretended not to notice, washed up as normal, and then lay on the bed, but maintained a state of light sleep.

Around three in the morning, extremely faint footsteps came from the corridor outside the door.

It was more than one person, well-trained, with light footsteps.

Yingzhou opened his eyes, his hand quietly reaching under the pillow, where there was a dinner knife he had "borrowed" from the Shuttle.

The footsteps stopped outside his door.

Then, the door lock emitted the sound of an electronic release.

The door slid open slowly.

Two dark shadows crept into the room.

Yingzhou waited, his breathing steady, his heartbeat controlled at the frequency of normal sleep.

The dark shadows approached the bedside, and one of them raised the syringe in their hand.

Just as the syringe was about to be plunged down, Yingzhou rolled off the bed, simultaneously kicking toward the knee of the nearest shadow.

The shadow reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side, but Yingzhou's true target was the other person; he grabbed the wrist of the one holding the syringe and twisted it in reverse, causing the syringe to drop.

"Stop!"

The room's lights suddenly turned on.

Lina stood at the doorway, holding an Energy Pistol in her hand, aiming at the two dark shadows in the room.

Only then did Yingzhou see clearly that the shadows were two Fengqi wearing black combat suits, with the private guard emblem of the Saladin Family on their chests.

"Miss, we were just..."

One guard attempted to explain.

"Just what? Attempting to drug my guest?"

Lina's voice was icy.

"Whose order?"

The two guards remained in Silence.

Lina's Third Eye flashed with a dangerous light.

"It was Uncle Karl, wasn't it? He's worried that Corporal Kelan knows too much and wants to keep him 'quiet' for a few days?"

The guards still did not speak, but their tacit posture was obvious.

Lina lowered her gun and sighed.

"Go back and tell Uncle Karl: Corporal Kelan is my brother's guest, and he is also my guest. Now, get out."

"Yes."