Chen Family Manor.
Nuonuo moved cautiously, slipping past the heavily-muscled mixed-blood guards patrolling the estate—five steps, a post; ten steps, a checkpoint. But she seemed to know their patrol routes and the camera blind spots like the back of her hand. Silent as a cat, she tiptoed through the shadows.
Truth be told, life hadn't been kind to her lately. Though her father hadn't said anything directly, it was obvious—the Chen family was in decline.
Those siblings who used to bicker, bully, and waste time around her? Gone. The older ones were likely sent on assignments, and the younger ones had been confined indoors, barred from leaving.
And Nuonuo—her father's designated political pawn, set to marry into the Gattuso family—was now under strict surveillance. Her rebellious nature made her a flight risk in his eyes, especially with a marriage looming she was sure to oppose.
That was why she hated this family so much. He'd claim to love her, only to turn around and sell her off—a sacrifice to feed the Chen clan's ambitions.
Which was exactly why her father never suspected: when enemies of the family slipped inside, Nuonuo was the first to meet them and become their mole.
Tonight, she entered a small grove inside the estate—a blind spot unpatrolled by guards. She scanned: one, two, three—and found the largest ginkgo tree there. For some reason, her house also had two ginkgo trees outside. Just ginkgo. Nothing else.
Circling the base, she unearthed a small dirt pit and pulled out a tightly wrapped satellite phone.
It connected. A curt, commanding woman's voice came through—cold and sharp like a queen's decree.
"You're 32 seconds late, Nuonuo."
Normally rebellious, Nuonuo now sounded unusually meek. "Sorry, Ninja Master. I almost ran into a guard coming out of the bathroom. I had to take a detour…"
On the other end, Sakuradamae (酒德麻衣) twitched slightly at the overly chuuni nickname Ninja Master. Goosebumps almost rose on her arms. But whatever—every teen had their phase. She let it go.
"No time for nonsense. We've only got a short window. I mapped your estate's patrol routes, so you know—they'll be checking your room in less than ten minutes."
Nuonuo bit her lip. Even if her room wasn't bugged, the guards did regular checks. That meant she couldn't sneak out of the sprawling estate before they'd notice.
"Listen to me carefully. The operation is approaching fast. We need your help to scout critical intel."
Her eyes lit up. "You guys are coming? Master, when are you attacking…"
When were they finally going to flip the entire Chen family upside down and pull her from the fire?
She'd been waiting—dying for this. If she wasn't just dead weight, she would've volunteered to storm the gates herself.
Ever since learning that her family was secretly conducting "inhuman experiments" in a hidden base, she had dreams—literally—of becoming a chosen heroine, axe in hand, righteously purging her own bloodline.
Well, to be fair, she was still a teen. Delusions of grandeur were expected.
"Zip it. You're not part of the strike team. Operation timing is classified. Just listen." Sakuradamae snapped. "Tonight, after his project meetings, your father will return for a symbolic patrol. You'll approach him and say exactly this—"
That night, Father Chen was surprised. His usually-avoiding-him daughter, Nuonuo, had approached him for a conversation.
"Motou… You're of age now. You need to understand. The Gattuso family is a top-tier mixed-blood household. Their heir is a noble with excellent reputation. You'll live well once married."
"I know you don't feel at home here. That's okay—every child has their phase. Just behave, and once you're in Gattuso, I promise I won't interfere with your life again…"
He was trying to sweet-talk her. He assumed she'd come to object to the marriage. No way he'd allow that—not after securing a line to Frost, Gattuso's acting patriarch.
Frost hadn't accepted or rejected the proposal. He said they'd "wait and observe," which, in noble-speak, meant he'd be secretly evaluating Nuonuo.
This time, she couldn't afford to lose control and act out.
"No, Father, that's not why I'm here. And for the last time, I'm not Motou, I'm Nuonuo."
Her voice was cold as ice. Gattuso, nobles—she didn't give a damn. A marriage alliance? What a joke. Just wait a bit longer, old man… When I turn the tables, I'll tear your little empire to shreds.
"…Then, Nuonuo, what is it you want to say?"
"Father…" she began, voice suddenly turning ethereal. Her eyes held a strange melancholy, almost ancient in its weight.
"Earlier today… I slipped into a trance. I think I saw a vision from the ancient past. I was wearing ceremonial robes—white, ornate, flowing. I stood before a black king, one about to be crowned…"
Bang!
Father Chen jolted so hard he nearly fell from his chair. Her words stunned him into a rare moment of emotional exposure. Greed and fanaticism flashed through his eyes—gone in a blink.
"Good. Very good! My precious daughter, don't be afraid. This is the destiny in your bloodline. Come—we're going somewhere to help you unlock this secret."
He clapped. A moment later, a squad of heavily armed mixed-blood soldiers burst into the room.
Before Nuonuo could react, they jabbed her with a sedative. In seconds, they had her bound—black hood, black bag, metal chains. Their movements were clean, precise, practiced.
Clearly, this wasn't their first time doing this.
Father Chen watched the whole thing dispassionately. His gaze stayed on Nuonuo—not as a daughter, but as a specimen.
The squad loaded her into a transport vehicle. What they didn't notice… was the wisp of near-invisible black smoke that slipped into the compartment just as the door shut.
(End of Chapter)
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