TMWTGD CH31

Xie Jianwei expended a great deal of effort forcing down the impulse to push Lu Li away.

He couldn’t push him. He had already provoked the Sovereign Lu Li; he couldn’t afford to make this Lu Li suspicious as well.

Pushing him away would only offend both sides, leaving him stranded with neither.

Poor Xie Jianwei endured it with immense strain. What should have been a sweet kiss felt like thorns against his spine, his back stiff with guilt.

Fortunately, Lu Li didn’t make things too difficult for him, breaking the embrace after a lingering moment.

Panting softly, Xie Jianwei kept a faint smile on his lips, yet his peripheral vision drifted uncontrollably toward the upper left, where the Sovereign Lu Li sat.

The man on the throne appeared utterly calm, seeming not to look at them at all, even leaning slightly aside to exchange a few words with Loren on his left.

Had Xie Jianwei truly been a naive pureblood Earl, he might have bought this facade.

Yet he understood Lu Li too well, understood every single Lu Li.

This was unmistakably the calm before the storm.

The harder he suppressed it now, the more devastating the eruption would be later.

Halfway through the banquet came the vampires’ favorite rendezvous hour. As long as two caught each other’s eye, they could find a secluded alcove to play.

The purebloods upon the dais all received invitations, and Xie Jianwei was no exception.

Smiling, Xie Jianwei declined. The one inviting him was a stunning maiden with strikingly large eyes, her fluttering long lashes brimming with flirtatious allure. She cooed sweetly, My Lord, why not taste the flavor of a woman? It certainly won’t be inferior to Earl Lu Li!

While such words would be scandalous among humans, it was entirely unremarkable in the Blood Clan. Xie Jianwei merely smiled, It has nothing to do with whether you are a man or a woman; I simply promised Lu Li.

The vampire maiden blinked, Promised what?

Xie Jianwei said, To exchange hot blood only with him.

My, my… The vampire maiden giggled softly. My Lord, at times you truly resemble a mortal, so devoted and loyal.

Her casual remark caused Xie Jianwei to pause.

From above, Loren chimed in, What nonsense are you babbling, little vixen? Be careful or Earl Jianwei will spank you.

The maiden cast Loren a sultry glance, Is it My Lord who wishes to do the spanking?

Loren offered her a wicked smirk, Will you let me?

The maiden purred, That depends on whether you have the skill.

Since she possessed the nerve to solicit a pureblood, the girl was exceptionally gorgeous. Though failing to land Xie Jianwei, hooking Loren meant she didn’t leave empty-anded.

From start to finish, no one approached the Sovereign of the Blood Clan.

Xie Jianwei was somewhat puzzled, but knowing nothing of past history, he remained unaware of the reason.

He simply assumed these lawless vampires still held one figure in awe, daring not provoke the Sovereign Lu Li.

Before long, the Sovereign Lu Li took his leave first. Once he departed, the banquet discarded all restraint, the revelry growing wildly uninhibited.

Lu Li pulled Xie Jianwei back to their bedchamber. Both had consumed some wine, tumbling into a kiss the moment the door shut behind them, tearing off clothing from the threshold, kissing and discarding garments along the floor until Xie Jianwei was stripped entirely bare upon the bed.

Xie Jianwei’s skin was naturally fair, and laid against the black satin sheets, he resembled a luminous moon in the night sky, breathtaking beyond measure.

Lu Li was rather impatient, merging into him with barely any foreplay.

Xie Jianwei wrapped his limbs around him, forcing himself to adapt quickly.

That night, Lu Li claimed him repeatedly. Toward the end, Xie Jianwei was utterly exhausted, pleading with him to stop, yet Lu Li continued kissing him, demanding endlessly, Just one last time.

Last time, last time… At times like this, words from Big Li couldn’t be trusted in the slightest.

The next day, Xie Jianwei slept until the sun hung high. When he woke, Lu Li had already left.

Having formally received his title, Lu Li needed to consolidate his standing.

Thus, he was fated not to enjoy the leisurely ease of old-guard pureblood nobles like Loren and Xie Jianwei, especially given his vaster ambitions.

Still drowsy, Xie Jianwei wanted to curl up and sleep a bit longer, but suddenly recalled a pressing matter.

Right, he had promised the Sovereign Lu Li yesterday that he would deliver the Ice Silk Heart to him first thing this morning.

Now… well, it was already afternoon!

Though vampires lived nocturnal lives, purebloods were unaffected by daylight. Since he had promised the morning, dragging it out until dusk was unacceptable.

Enduring the soreness throughout his waist and back, Xie Jianwei dressed, planning to visit the Sovereign Lu Li before Lu Li returned.

Stepping out, he ran into Loren, who seemed to have just arisen as well. Glancing at Xie Jianwei’s appearance, Loren chuckled, Are you holding up, getting worked over like that by a youngster?

Xie Jianwei: “…”

In high spirits, Loren began spouting bawdy banter, Let me tell you, you missed out yesterday. That little vixen was truly something, skilled, sweet blood, and a mouth dripping with honey…

Xie Jianwei cut him off, Enough, I have no interest.

Loren tapped his forehead, Blockhead.

Xie Jianwei couldn’t be bothered to banter with him, I am going to see His Majesty.

Loren paused, eyeing him up and down for a moment, Are you sure?

Xie Jianwei didn’t overthink it, Why, is His Majesty busy?

Loren considered it, choosing not to spell it out directly, I just woke up, how would I know?

Then why block my path?

Loren thought to himself: You’re walking in with a face that screams you were ravaged all night long, are you begging to get bedded, or begging to get bedded?

Forget it… He couldn’t meddle in so much nonsense.

If His Majesty actually bedded him, that wouldn’t be a bad thing either. They were all vampires; playing at monogamy was laughable.

Taking on a few more partners might just resolve his psychological knot.

Though Xie Jianwei found Loren rather odd, how could he guess such crude thoughts?

After all, who would think of themselves as begging for it, especially the dignified Military Advisor Xie?

At this hour, the Sovereign Lu Li was attending to official duties. When Xie Jianwei entered, the Sovereign didn’t even lift his head, remarking casually, Take a seat for a moment.

Xie Jianwei bowed in gratitude and took a seat guided by the attendant.

The attendant asked, Lord Earl, would you like a beverage?

Having drunk so much delicious hot blood yesterday, how could Xie Jianwei stomach bland cold blood? He answered, No need.

The attendant withdrew.

With the Sovereign Lu Li working, the hall remained quiet. Xie Jianwei stole glances at him. Seeing his fingers tap the desk, an idea struck, and he called the attendant back, Bring His Majesty a drink.

The attendant said, Right away.

The attendant returned shortly, but the boy seemed rather clumsy, likely newly appointed, lacking all tact by placing the goblet directly on the Sovereign’s left side.

Though Lu Li held the quill in his right hand with his left appearing free, making the left seem most convenient, the left hand was used for flipping documents. That side was stacked with vital papers, and if the cup accidentally tipped over, disaster would follow.

Without bothering the little attendant, Xie Jianwei rose, picking up the cup to move it to the other side.

Yet the moment he lifted the goblet, the aroma drifting from it caused him to freeze.

To vampire senses, blood carried distinct flavor profiles. Though unable to truly identify what the blood tasted like due to lost mortal memories, Xie Jianwei could.

After all, he hadn’t lost his memories.

This blood carried a rich aroma of tart green apple.

An ordinary person might find it pleasant, refreshing during a busy workday, but even turned into a vampire, Lu Li wouldn’t enjoy this flavor.

He hated apples with genuine passion.

Without setting the goblet down, Xie Jianwei summoned the attendant and murmured, Bring a different one, His Majesty dislikes this flavor.

The attendant paused, but given Xie Jianwei’s standing, he dared not argue, bowing his head, Yes, My Lord.

Though they spoke in low whispers, the hall was exceptionally silent, and every syllable fell squarely into the Sovereign Lu Li’s ears.

His hand holding the quill paused, lifting his head to look at Xie Jianwei.

With merely a single glance, he swiftly withdrew his gaze.

He knew precisely what Xie Jianwei had done last night.

The scent of another man clung to his entire frame, the bite marks and bruises along his neck impossible to conceal. Even more familiar were those tender lips; only after severe indulgence would their shade shift from pale to such a swollen, rosy hue.

He loved kissing him, loved reducing him to a breathless daze, loved hearing his soft whimpers of surrender, and loved having him sleep submissive in his arms…

Yet now, his love had become another man’s domain.

A surge of frustration stirred deep within Lu Li. Even regarding matters long decided, letting go remained impossible.

He sighed softly. Looking at the cluttered documents once more, everything felt thoroughly tedious.

The attendant returned, heeding Xie Jianwei’s counsel by blending a drink of a different profile.

Xie Jianwei murmured another instruction, Place it to His Majesty’s right.

Hearing this, the Sovereign Lu Li snapped his head up, his crimson gaze locking onto him with pinpoint precision.

Xie Jianwei felt an inexplicable twinge of guilt. Striving to remain calm, he bowed respectfully, Your Majesty.

The Sovereign Lu Li waved a hand, All of you, dismiss.

Setting down the goblet, the attendant bowed with lowered head, Yes, Sire.

The already tranquil hall turned utterly noiseless.

There were only two people, yet the air in the chamber felt thin enough to stifle their breath.

After a brief silence, just as Xie Jianwei moved to speak, Lu Li took the initiative, Are you happy being with him?

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Having asked this, Lu Li let out a self-deprecating laugh, …You never force yourself.

Xie Jianwei hardly dared look at him. His heart was easily softened, and if he saw Lu Li genuinely hurting, he feared he would repeat his past blunders on the spot.

Pausing, the Sovereign Lu Li added, Had I awakened a few years earlier…

Hardening his heart, Xie Jianwei said, Your Majesty, in this world there has never been a what if.

The Sovereign Lu Li: “…”

He said nothing, yet the surrounding air grew suffocatingly tight, as though the breath drawn into their lungs turned scorching, searing their hearts.

Forget it… the Sovereign Lu Li murmured softly. This is fine as well.

This was not the first time Xie Jianwei had heard these words; he seemed to have heard them from Loren once before.

Fine, this is fine as well, what did that even mean?

He knew he had been together with the Sovereign Lu Li in the past, but why did they both believe their separation was a good thing?

Loren held typical vampire values, so thinking this was natural, but what about Lu Li?

Even if he wasn’t the master of the dream, he shouldn’t entirely accept this world’s premise.

Because he was Lu Li; no matter what, he was his Lu Li.

Xie Jianwei felt he must have overlooked something vital, yet with so few clues, he couldn’t deduce the truth.

Worse, investigating his past with the Sovereign Lu Li was impossible.

Outsiders knew nothing, Loren was tight-lipped, yielding nothing to subtle probing, and as for the Sovereign Lu Li, Xie Jianwei merely wanted to keep his distance for now to spare him heartache.

When Lu Li hurt, he hurt even worse.

Xie Jianwei produced the Ice Silk Heart, Your Majesty, this is what you requested.

Examining it, the Sovereign Lu Li replied, Mm.

Xie Jianwei added, If there are no further commands, this subordinate shall take his leave.

The Sovereign Lu Li asked, Shall we walk together? I am heading to the council chamber; it is on the way.

Xie Jianwei didn’t wish to accompany him, but declining right now was improper, especially since his quarters and the council chamber truly shared the same route.

The two strode out of the grand hall one behind the other, neither speaking along the path.

Xie Jianwei only wished the road were shorter, much shorter, reaching their destination immediately.

Moments later, Xie Jianwei arrived first, bidding farewell to the Sovereign Lu Li.

With an impassive expression, Lu Li said, Look after your health.

Xie Jianwei’s frame stiffened, replying in haste, This subordinate understands.

Waiting by the threshold, Xie Jianwei intended out of courtesy to wait until the Sovereign Lu Li departed before entering, yet the Sovereign Lu Li seemed intent on watching him enter first.

The two ended up in a quiet standoff at the entrance.

Realizing this, Xie Jianwei said, Your Majesty, I shall head inside.

With that, he turned to enter, yet right at that moment, a scorching palm clamped firmly around his wrist.

Xie Jianwei’s heart lurched. In the next instant, the Sovereign Lu Li pulled with force, turning him around and sealing his swollen lips in a kiss.

What followed was an invasion like a torrential tempest. It was an indescribable kiss, fierce, domineering, brooking no refusal, yet harboring profound despair and raw unwillingness, turning as fragile as an icicle in the snow, shattering into fine dust with the slightest force.

Xie Jianwei’s heart twitched with sharp aches. Reason told him to shove him away, yet emotion couldn’t bear to do so.

His Lu Li, his beloved, he only wanted him to…

Yan Ke’s voice chimed in right on time, My Lord!

Snapping back to his senses, Xie Jianwei violently shoved the man away.

Your Majesty! Xie Jianwei cried out in a low voice.

The Sovereign Lu Li caught himself. Beneath the silver mask, his brows knit faintly, his voice raspy and choked, Why him?

Xie Jianwei gritted his teeth, holding his ground.

The Sovereign Lu Li pressed, Why seek out a Lu Li who looks identical to me?

Xie Jianwei said, My being with him has nothing to do with him resembling Your Majesty.

Then why? the Sovereign Lu Li demanded. You waited for me for a century, only to give up in the final years? All for a man who looks exactly like me?

Xie Jianwei said, Lu Li is Lu Li, and Your Majesty is Your Majesty.

Staring at him for a long moment, the Sovereign Lu Li said, Lu Li is Lu Li, but do not forget, I am Lu Li as well!

Xie Jianwei’s heart trembled violently. Both named Lu Li? How could this be?

In the previous world, the other personality had at least used an alias. Why did both personalities in this world share not only the same face, but the exact same name?

The Sovereign Lu Li added softly, Rest assured, I will never remove this mask, and no one will ever know my name.

Xie Jianwei stood dazed. The Sovereign Lu Li pressed a feather-light, reverent kiss to his forehead, Stay with him. At least, he is Lu Li as well.

Xie Jianwei could not gather his wits for a long time.

Lost in a daze, he naturally failed to notice that another Lu Li had been standing not far away for a very long time.

After the vampire Lu Li departed, Xie Jianwei stood stunned before finally returning inside.

Yan Ke ventured carefully, My Lord, don’t overthink it.

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Yan Ke said, This is merely a dream, just a dream. In reality, you and the Lord Marshal are exceedingly happy and deeply in love.

Lowering his gaze, Xie Jianwei murmured, Mm.

Yan Ke continued comforting him, This is all for the sake of the therapy. Nothing like this would ever happen in reality.

Xie Jianwei said, If the treatment fails, it definitely will.

If Lu Li’s personalities couldn’t merge, they would inevitably split apart, and he would face this exact predicament.

Every side was flesh of his flesh, yet neither Lu Li would ever accept the other.

What would he do then?

Yan Ke hurried to say, It won’t fail! Didn’t you catch the anomaly in time and begin treatment? As long as we proceed step by step, we will succeed.

Calming down slowly, Xie Jianwei said, Mm.

It had to succeed. What transpired in the dream would never manifest in reality.

His Lu Li was a complete, whole Lu Li!

Toward dusk, Lu Li returned.

Xie Jianwei asked, Nowhere to be seen all day, where did you go?

Lu Li carried the faint scent of wine. Saying nothing, he leaned down and captured Xie Jianwei’s lips, gentle at first, then turning exceptionally savage.

Frowning, Xie Jianwei looked at him, What is wrong?

Uttering no word, Lu Li released his lips and sank his fangs into his neck.

He rarely drank Xie Jianwei’s warm blood, yet today he seemed desperate to prove something, demanding it frantically without rhythm or restraint.

Xie Jianwei called softly, A-Li?

Lu Li’s frame shuddered. Releasing him, his dark eyes locked tightly onto his face.

Xie Jianwei didn’t dodge, meeting his gaze with earnest clarity.

Lu Li seemed intent on peering through his eyes into his soul, his heart, into his everything.

Yet how could he? The eyes were the most deceitful things in existence.

Looking away, Lu Li muttered sullenly, I will never forget my own name.

Xie Jianwei’s heart skipped a beat, Why bring this up out of nowhere?

Lu Li said, Nothing.

Sensing he had caught a thread of truth, Xie Jianwei pressed, Why say that? Don’t you have your memories? Your memories of being human.

A flicker passed through Lu Li’s dark eyes, his voice remaining calm, Yes, I remember, I remember everything. I merely thought that if I ever lost my memories, I would still remember my own name.

Appraising him, Xie Jianwei smiled, Memory is not selective.

Lu Li smiled along, It is.

Xie Jianwei said, You have never forgotten, which is why you say that.

Lu Li said, It truly is. Even if I lost all memory right now, I would still remember that I love you.

Xie Jianwei gave him a kiss, It doesn’t matter. Even if you forgot, I would make you fall in love with me all over again.

Lu Li’s gaze softened, gently lapping the bite mark on his neck, You wouldn’t need to do a thing; I would fall for you regardless.

He repeated, Xie Jianwei, I love you.

Xie Jianwei smiled, Lu Li, I love you too.

Lu Li kissed him, refusing to dwell on which Lu Li this Lu Li truly was.

Following this day, Xie Jianwei never saw the Sovereign Lu Li again, and his life with Lu Li settled back into peaceful stability.

They were deeply in love and entirely devoted to each other, finding boundless joy merely in catching sight of one another. Though Xie Jianwei kept the Sovereign Lu Li in the back of his mind, he had no intention of provoking him, prioritizing Lu Li’s happiness and tranquility above all else.

Every time Loren dropped by, he would grumble about his teeth aching from being force-fed by their relentless sweetness.

Xie Jianwei would retort, Nobody invited you to come.

Fuming, Loren shot back, You ungrateful wretch.

Xie Jianwei countered, Birds of a feather flock together, Earl Loren should go enjoy himself at the Hall of Radiant Blood instead!

Loren huffed, If an eccentric like you didn’t exist, I wouldn’t bother checking in only to watch you waste away in this room.

Xie Jianwei ignored him.

Yet every time Loren visited, he brought along a generous supply of cold blood.

This cold blood was of exceptional quality, rivaling the hot blood of ordinary mortals in flavor while proving remarkably nutritious.

Loren’s thoughtful consideration ran deep.

Stubborn as Xie Jianwei was, insisting on exchanging hot blood exclusively with Lu Li, such a practice was practically unheard of among vampires.

For purebloods in particular, maintaining such a routine was exceedingly difficult.

The primary reason that naive, sweet-natured couple at the tavern could sustain their affection for decades was that they were both common vampires. Possessing weaker innate power, common vampires required minimal sustenance, scraping by on cold blood without needing regular supplies of hot blood.

Purebloods, however, commanded formidable might and demanded vastly greater nourishment. Mutual blood exchange between just two individuals would ultimately leave both starving.

Meanwhile, cold blood offered virtually zero nourishment to purebloods; no matter how much was consumed, the conversion rate fell far short of satisfying the body’s true requirements for hot blood.

Fortunately, the quality of the cold blood provided by Loren was so extraordinary that Xie Jianwei practically consumed it as daily meals, managing barely to sustain his bodily needs.

Since he and Lu Li wished to remain inseparable, they had no choice but to continuously consume cold blood, convert a fraction of it into hot blood within their own bodies, and then offer it up for each other.

Such tedious routines were dismissed by other vampires as utter folly, yet Xie Jianwei had grown quite accustomed to them, three square meals a day, perfectly normal.

Yet as time wore on, Xie Jianwei’s curiosity was inevitably piqued. He asked Loren, Where do you procure this cold blood? The quality is genuinely superb.

Loren replied, Just drink it and stop asking, who told you to insist on taking the hard road?

Xie Jianwei said, I shouldn’t keep troubling you with this. Just tell me the source, and I can go myself…

Oh, give it a rest, Loren interrupted. Such a trivial matter, your big brother will just support you for the rest of your life.

Xie Jianwei chuckled dryly, Get lost, who is your younger brother?

Loren scoffed with mock disgust, If I had an eccentric younger brother like you, I would have beaten you to death long ago for peace of mind.

Though Xie Jianwei spent ages bantering with him, he did not let the matter slip from his mind.

He was inherently perceptive. Though Loren spoke with natural ease and wore an unblemished expression, Xie Jianwei clearly sensed something amiss.

The quality of this cold blood was simply too good, suspiciously so. Given Loren’s personality, he would normally boast about where he sourced it, how he acquired it, and exhaust every adjective to praise his own cleverness.

Yet this time he offered no details. While it indeed wasn’t a matter of life and death, Xie Jianwei still felt compelled to investigate.

He arranged for subordinates to look into the matter, though before results could surface, an entirely different situation arose.

For a full two to three months, the Sovereign Lu Li had not laid eyes on him, yet today he had suddenly dispatched messengers to summon him.

An imperial summons from His Majesty was naturally not something Xie Jianwei could decline.

In truth, dark undercurrents had been churning across the Blood Clan territory lately.

On one side stood the sovereign leadership, and on the other rose the surging faction of common vampires.

A mild friction had always existed between purebloods and common vampires, though never brought into the open. But now, with Lu Li’s existence acting as a catalyst, these long-suppressed contradictions began to break through the surface.

The political monopoly of the purebloods was shaking, while the newly risen vampires clamored for independence and autonomy.

Though merely a faint tremor for now, it resembled a spark capable of reducing the entire prairie to an inferno.

Lu Li was busy, and the Sovereign Lu Li was busier still.

They were locked in a quiet contest, contending fiercely for the future of the Blood Clan.

Xie Jianwei understood the stakes clearly. In truth, his sympathies lay with fracturing the Blood Clan and isolating Lu Li completely from the Sovereign, yet harboring such intentions openly would invite absolute catastrophe.

Certain shifts had to proceed step by step, for time alone remained the ultimate remedy.

Xie Jianwei did not gain an immediate audience with the Sovereign Lu Li, waiting instead in a side hall for roughly the space of two burning incense sticks before being ushered into the main chamber.

Three months away had left the Sovereign Lu Li unchanged: cloaked in opulent attire, radiating regal poise, a faint smile lingering upon the thin lips concealed beneath the silver mask, appearing in quite good spirits. Loren mentioned that you have taken up alchemy recently?

Xie Jianwei answered, Merely an idle pastime to pass the hours.

The Sovereign Lu Li said, You possess genuine talent in this domain, feel free to explore it as much as you wish.

Xie Jianwei bowed respectfully, Understood.

The Sovereign Lu Li raised a hand, prompting a line of attendants to step forward, each bearing a tray, These are items from my private vault, take them with you.

A single glance caused Xie Jianwei’s pupils to constrict slightly.

His recent foray into alchemy, which was essentially an archaic version of biochemistry, was undertaken entirely for the sake of the newly turned Lu Li.

For common vampires to contend with purebloods, elevating their physical might was indispensable.

Though Lu Li commanded formidable strength, other common vampires remained exceedingly weak. Such a yawning chasm destined common vampires to perpetual subordination.

Xie Jianwei hoped to transform the physical constitution of common vampires, and alchemy served as one of the primary gateways.

Yet mastering this craft was far from simple. Setting aside innate aptitude, merely gathering the diverse medicinal ingredients posed an immense hurdle.

Yet right now, the Sovereign Lu Li had prepared virtually every single ingredient Xie Jianwei desired.

The Sovereign Lu Li said, They serve no purpose sitting in my vault. Take them back since you have use for them.

This…

Xie Jianwei said with cautious hesitation, This is far too valuable.

The Sovereign Lu Li remarked calmly, It amounts to little.

When Xie Jianwei attempted to decline further, the Sovereign Lu Li added, If you achieve great accomplishments in alchemy, it will ultimately benefit the entire Blood Clan. As their sovereign, it is my duty to foster such endeavors.

Xie Jianwei thought to himself: I am planning to poach your followers, yet you’re handing me the shovel yourself, this simply won’t do, Your Majesty!

Yet the Sovereign Lu Li remained immovable: This is a command, do you understand?

An imperial decree could not be defied. With such a heavy rationale pressed upon him, Xie Jianwei had no choice but to accept.

The Sovereign Lu Li offered a faint smile, murmuring warmly, Step closer.

Standing deep within the vast hall, far removed from the throne, Xie Jianwei had no choice but to ascend the dais and approach him at his command.

Rising from his seat, the Sovereign Lu Li retrieved an ice-blue object from an attendant standing behind him.

Recognizing it instantly, Xie Jianwei looked up at the Sovereign, Your Majesty, is this not the Ice Silk Heart you…

I require your blood, the Sovereign Lu Li stated. Simply prick your fingertip and let a single drop fall upon it.

Puzzled, Xie Jianwei asked, What is its purpose?

The Sovereign Lu Li replied, To forge an amulet for you.

Xie Jianwei: “…”

The Sovereign Lu Li added, Rest assured, it is nothing harmful.

Naturally, he knew Lu Li would never harm him, yet why bother forging an amulet out of the blue?

Accepting the Ice Silk Heart, Xie Jianwei bit his fingertip, squeezing out a single bead of blood. Yet right as the crimson droplet was about to meet the artifact’s surface, a sudden commotion erupted outside.

Lord Earl! His Majesty has a visitor, you cannot enter!

I have an urgent matter to report, and I trust His Majesty will understand. The voice belonged to Lu Li.

Lifting his gaze, Xie Jianwei saw Lu Li striding directly into the chamber.

His eyes were locked unblinkingly upon him.

With his heart tightening, Xie Jianwei instinctively moved to return the Ice Silk Heart to the Sovereign Lu Li, yet unexpectedly, the Sovereign Lu Li shifted his gaze toward Lu Li as well, failing to catch the object.

With a sharp crash, a crisp impact rang across the grand hall.

The Ice Silk Heart slipped from their grasp, striking the unyielding obsidian floor and shattering instantly into several fragments.

Xie Jianwei froze, while the Sovereign Lu Li knitted his brows into a hard scowl, barking abruptly, Out.

Before Xie Jianwei could react, the Sovereign Lu Li waved a hand outward, attempting to sweep them both out of the hall.

Yet it was too late…

The moment the Ice Silk Heart fractured, thick wisps of white mist billowed outward, instantly enveloping the entire grand hall.

Xie Jianwei finally recollected the past he had shared with the Sovereign Lu Li.

Yan Ke observed the sequence alongside him, marveling softly, A brilliant trick, far more stylish than a diary.

This was a dream after all, and memories within a dream resembled a secondary dreamscape.

As it turned out, Xie Jianwei had never been a true pureblood.

He had been human, a human betrayed by his lover, reduced to losing his entire family and hearth.

Steeped in hatred, loathing the world entirely, he had survived within the Mist Ravine in a state barely resembling humanity.

Presumably, the ones who cast him out had assumed he would be devoured by vampires, transformed into a mindless monster, and lose himself entirely.

Miraculously, Xie Jianwei survived. Through sheer iron will and astonishing ingenuity, he endured within this literal hell on earth.

Yet he had been reduced to a wretched state.

Perhaps he could stay alive, but escaping this cursed place or seeking vengeance remained an impossible fantasy.

Fortunately, fate brought him across a vampire.

A vampire wearing a silver half-mask, draped in opulent black and gold robes, possessing terrifying strength.

The man asked him, Do you wish to be reborn?

Xie Jianwei knew this was a vampire’s snare, yet he yearned to live, yearned to extract retribution from everyone who had inflicted pain upon him!

Leaning down, the man cupped his chin.

The two locked eyes within the dark, shadowed forest: one pair of dazzling crimson eyes, staring into a pair of ink-black eyes brimming with hatred.

Yet in that exact moment, their crossing gazes seemed to spark a mutual contagion.

The crimson eyes deepened as the vampire monarch smiled softly, murmuring, Welcome.

The moment the words fell, sharp fangs pierced his flesh.

The Embrace was no agonizing ordeal; if anything, it bordered on pleasure.

His awareness gradually drifted into a blank haze, while the lingering hatred echoing through his mind was rapidly drawn away, leaving behind lingering terror and unease. Yet the man’s deep voice resonated gently beside his ear: Rest assured, whatever troubles you, I will resolve.

The one who had betrayed him would ultimately meet a wretched end.

Surrendering to a bitter, intoxicating euphoria, Xie Jianwei sank deep into boundless desire.

At the very end came a fleeting flash of disorientation, as though reality shouldn’t have unfolded this way, as though all his memories were flawed, as though he ought to…

Yet everything snapped to a sudden halt right then.

As nectar of unimaginable sweetness flooded his throat, Xie Jianwei could no longer spare a thought for anything else.

Governed entirely by bodily urges, he sought only to demand and acquire, craving this formidable strength, indulging greedily in physical ecstasy, longing to hold this man tight, desperate for more.

And the man satisfied him utterly.

Bestowing upon him an unforgettable, lavish feast of desire.

The greater the quantity of hot blood consumed during the Embrace, the more formidable Xie Jianwei’s transformation would become. Yet no matter what, he remained a vampire forged from mortal stock, a newly turned vampire.

Even though his sire was the sole and singular royal monarch, he could never leap from humanity straight to pureblood status.

Powerful as he might grow, Xie Jianwei remained merely a common vampire.

A willful, prickly, trouble-making common vampire wrapped in thorns.

Yet because his father was the leader of the Blood Clan, who indulged his every whim, he commanded ample capital to act as arrogantly as he pleased.

Even as a newly turned vampire, he lived unbound and unrestrained across the Blood Clan territory.

Xie Jianwei had forgotten everything: his mortal past, the vengeance he once carried, and above all, the person he had once loved deeply.

He was Xie Jianwei, yet simultaneously no longer Xie Jianwei.

He relished vampire existence, yet lost himself entirely within it.

Then… why on earth had he ultimately transformed into an absolute, unadulterated pureblood?