In the state of Georgia, Country A, on Jekyll Island, the Tsukiyuki Clan stayed in a castle that had been prepared for them in advance. The entire castle appeared to have been built in the Victorian era, exuding a profound sense of history.
In just a few days on Jekyll Island, Tsukiyuki Kyoichi had already met with many people, including the President of the First National Bank of New York, the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State, the President’s Agent, and many other major figures who were pivotal in Country A and even the world.
Even some Hidden Clans had arrived on Jekyll Island, an obscure little island that now gathered one-fifth of the world’s wealth.
A graceful lady who had just met with Tsukiyuki Kyoichi was a Countess from Bucharest. She had lived for over four hundred years and was a vampire; her family controlled oil fields in their country. At that moment, the Countess laughed heartily like a child:
“Hahaha, Mr. Tsukiyuki Kyoichi, compared to us, you are the true bloodsucking vampire.”
In the business just discussed, Tsukiyuki Kyoichi, leaning on his cane, had calmly proposed a series of cooperation plans that seemed full of sincerity. But upon closer scrutiny, one could see the old man carefully plotting every step, brimming with aggressive intent.
“It’s a win-win for us.”
“It’s only a win-win in the short term. In the long run, I’ll end up as a stepping stone for the Tsukiyuki Family.”
“The Tsukiyuki Family never mistreats its business partners.”
“Forget it. Being seen as your business partner is more unsettling than being targeted by a venomous snake.” The Countess stood up, glancing at Tsukiyuki Kyoichi deliberately. “Oh, by the way, old sir, consider this a reminder. It’s time you put your affairs in order. In my eyes, your life may be short, but you’ve brought a third-rate family to its present status. It’s truly remarkable. It would be a pity if the Tsukiyuki Clan were to be erased from history in the future.”
Tsukiyuki Kyoichi narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled kindly.
“Aren’t you afraid of death?”
“If this is fate, why fear it? My wife once said that death is just another way of living.”
“Compared to that old monster, you are rather open-minded. But I won’t agree to your predatory terms just because of your open-mindedness.”
“That’s a shame.”
The Countess rose and left, while Tsukiyuki Kyoichi sat in place, stroking his graying beard.
The top-secret conference on Jekyll Island had not yet begun because they were waiting for that old monster’s arrival. He was the oldest among the attendees.
In the afternoon, after sharing afternoon tea with several other elderly companions, Tsukiyuki Kyoichi went to Tsukiyuki Rio’s room.
The Countess had clearly indicated his time was short. He wanted to seize the moment to finalize Tsukiyuki Rio’s ascension as the Family Head; only then could Tsukiyuki Kyoichi rest in peace.
“Rio, are you in your room?”
Tsukiyuki Kyoichi stood outside Tsukiyuki Rio’s door. Despite being the Patriarch, when facing the Prophesied Girl, the old man couldn’t help but lower his status and knock.
After about half a minute, the door opened. A stunningly beautiful girl in a plain black kimono, with an ancient grace, was Tsukiyuki Kyoichi’s granddaughter. She was excellent and aloof as always, someone to be looked up to.
Stepping into the room, Tsukiyuki Kyoichi saw an entire wall covered with screens, monitoring Gao Sijin’s every move in Tokyo from all angles, without any blind spots, as if fearing something might go wrong. He wanted to advise Rio to give her lover a little freedom, but after mulling it over, he ultimately held his tongue.
“Good afternoon, Grandfather.” Tsukiyuki Rio invited Tsukiyuki Kyoichi to sit on the sofa.
“Rio, today I spoke with a certain Countess. She is a doctor and told me many things. I think that once we return, it’s time for you to shoulder the family’s responsibilities.”
“Does that mean your health is already very bad, Grandfather?”
“Becoming the head of the family earlier will allow you to command more power sooner, so as to protect the one you love. I am already very old. My decision-making has clearly become rigid, and I am no longer fit to lead the family forward.”
Tsukiyuki Rio looked at the old man before her. He had devoted his entire life to the Tsukiyuki Clan. With many rebirths behind her, the old man’s death was indeed approaching. In the previous rebirth, Tsukiyuki Kyoichi had died in autumn of this year, a memory still fresh in Rio’s mind.
“Grandfather, have you considered immortality?”
“No. Your grandmother would be lonely. To me, immortality is a curse. I just want to spend my remaining days in peace.”
“I understand. After we return, I will begin preparations to succeed you as the head of the Tsukiyuki Family.”
Although this would inevitably shorten her time with Gao Sijin, continuing to force her grandfather to work on would truly be unbearable for Tsukiyuki Rio.
“But Grandfather, we’ve been on Jekyll Island for a week now. Why hasn’t that top-secret conference started? Are we still waiting for the Gu Family?”
“Yes, the only one missing is that old monster. It’s said he will arrive this afternoon.”
“Again.”
The day before yesterday, the Gu Family said they would arrive that night. Yesterday, they said they would arrive at noon. Today, they say they’ll arrive this afternoon.
Heh.
She had originally agreed with Gao Sijin to reunite after one week, but unknowingly, that week was being extended indefinitely. Tsukiyuki Rio’s mood turned sour as a result.
Bang, bang, bang.
A knock came from outside.
“Come in, Mother.”
Just by the sound, Tsukiyuki Rio knew who was knocking. Tsukiyuki Senju entered the room.
“The Gu Family has arrived. That private plane in the sky is theirs.”
Tsukiyuki Rio pushed open the window and saw the flamboyantly styled plane. Its nose was carved into the image of a five-clawed golden dragon, seeming to ride the clouds and command the wind and rain.
“The Gu Family has finally arrived.”
In other world lines, Tsukiyuki Rio had no impression of the Gu Family at all. It was a hidden clan that had suddenly appeared after her rebirth.
“Time Travelers…”
Apart from a time traveler crossing into this world line, Tsukiyuki Rio could think of no other answer. According to Tsukiyuki Kyoichi’s account, the Gu Clan Chief Gu Shuhan, in human form, had lived for a full five hundred years, born in the Second Year of Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty.
Whether Gao Sijin’s first love, Gu Xiarui, was connected to the Gu Family now landing on Jekyll Island, Tsukiyuki Rio did not yet know.
She walked out of the castle, wanting to see for herself what the so-called Gu Family was all about. Would they become her enemies?
And that Gu Shuhan, who had lived for five hundred years — was he a time traveler?
At the private airport, the Gu Family’s plane slowly landed.
A young man in a Zhongshan suit and sunglasses, with two blonde women in his arms, leisurely descended the plane’s stairs. Although his eyes were hidden by the sunglasses, one could roughly tell from his features that he was a handsome man with delicate eyebrows and clear eyes.
