Chapter 122: The Decisive Battle

"Hmm. Where is this? How did I get here? Is this a dream? Am I not dead yet?" Xingyu, having regained consciousness, shook his heavy head and muttered to himself.

"Are you awake?" Just as Xingyu was feeling confused, a familiar voice rang out beside him.

Hearing that voice, Xingyu looked up in surprise. The person who had arrived was Ang, whom he had not seen for a long time. "Mr. Ang?" Xingyu asked in astonishment.

"Yes, it is I. It has been a long time, Xingyu," Ang replied calmly.

"Ang, what about Lady Xuelan? How is she? And what of Bai Ye?" Xingyu suddenly recalled the situation before he lost consciousness and asked anxiously.

"Rest assured, Lady Xuelan is fine; she is currently recovering from her injuries," Ang told him. "As for Bai Ye, he is still alive."

"Is that so?" Upon hearing Ang's words, Xingyu appeared somewhat despondent. "I never imagined that a strike I staked my life on would yield no results at all. Is the gap between him and me truly that vast?"

"This time was far too dangerous. If the Young Mistress hadn't arrived in time to save you, I fear you would have been torn to shreds in the spatial storm long ago," Ang said to him.

"Lilith... she saved me." Hearing this, Xingyu was clearly stunned, and then a look of joy appeared on his face. "She really is alive. That’s wonderful, truly wonderful," Xingyu said, his voice choking. "Where is she? I want to see her." He struggled to stand up, but suddenly realized his left arm had no strength at all. He reached over with his right hand to touch his left arm, but felt nothing.

"You should stay lying down and rest; don't push yourself. Your injuries are severe and have not yet healed," Ang advised.

"My left arm! How can this be?" Touching his shoulder where his arm had been severed, Xingyu froze.

"You were caught in a spatial storm. To survive with the loss of only your left arm is already very fortunate." Looking at the stunned Xingyu, Ang sighed. "Because it was destroyed by spatial power, the regenerative abilities of the Blood Clan cannot take effect. I am afraid your left arm cannot be restored."

"I see." Upon hearing this news, Xingyu gave a helpless, bitter smile. "Indeed. I should be satisfied just to have saved my life; what more could I ask for? It is just one arm. Perhaps this is my retribution. After all, I carry too many sins; it is no surprise that I would end up like this."

"Xingyu, I'm sorry." At this moment, a voice apologized to him, filled with guilt.

"Lilith!" Hearing the voice he had longed for day and night, Xingyu was instantly stunned.

"I'm sorry, Xingyu. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have encountered so many dangers. Xingyu, I am truly sorry." Seeing Xingyu in his current state, I felt a wave of agony in my heart.

"It’s alright, Lilith. I have never blamed you. If not for you, I would have died countless times over. It is I who should be apologizing for always dragging you into danger. I am the one who should be sorry, Lilith. It is truly wonderful to hear your voice again!" Xingyu’s voice was thick with emotion.

"Xingyu." Hearing his words, I smiled. "As expected, even after becoming a vampire, you are still the same you, still so gentle." I gently stroked his cheek and said softly, "I am sorry, Xingyu. I should not have given you the Embrace. Because of my selfishness, I made you carry so many sins. I am truly sorry."

"Lilith, I have never blamed you. On the contrary, I am very grateful. Because of you, I gained the power to contend with Bai Ye, even if I am far from being his match," Xingyu said with self-deprecation. "But even with the smallest chance, I want to use my own hands to avenge Xiaoyou." He tightly clenched his right hand, speaking with unyielding resentment.

"Xingyu, your eyes." Looking at his vacant gaze, I said with guilt.

"It’s nothing. I was already used to it; they are just eyes. It is only a pity that I can no longer see your face." Xingyu reached out his right hand and gently touched my face.

"Xingyu." Looking at his expression, I felt a profound ache in my heart. "Do not let yourself carry so much; it is enough. Leave the rest to me. Xiaoyou’s vengeance, your hatred, and the debt he owes me—I will collect it all. So, Xingyu, you can rest now; you don’t have to force yourself anymore." I said softly, pulling him into an embrace. "Rest well. When you wake up, it will all be over."

"Lilith." Breathing in my scent, Xingyu fell into a peaceful sleep. It was clear that he had been far too exhausted these past days.

"Ang, help me look after him." I gently placed Xingyu back onto the bed and spoke to Ang.

"Yes, Young Mistress," Ang said respectfully. "Are you going to face Bai Ye alone?"

"Yes, this is a battle between Bai Ye and me. I do not wish to drag Xuelan into it; the power of a Prince-class is not a realm she can intervene in." I sighed. "Although I feel terrible for her worry, this time, I want to resolve it myself. Please tell her I am sorry."

"Yes, I understand, Young Mistress." Watching my determined expression, Ang sighed helplessly. "Young Mistress, just as you advised Xingyu, do not push yourself too hard, and do not carry everything on your own. You, too, have been far too weary."

"Rest assured, Ang. This time, I have no intention of sacrificing myself. This time, I will bring all of this to a final end." I said to him calmly, then cast one last look at the sleeping Xingyu and departed without looking back.

"Lord Ang, has Lady Liliana left?" After I had departed, Xuelan appeared in my room.

"Yes. You know the Young Mistress's personality; she does not wish for you to be harmed because of her again," Ang told Xuelan.

"I know. Therefore, I will pray for Lady Liliana. I believe she will win this time, because she has finally made up her mind." Xuelan gazed in the direction I had left, speaking with resolve.

"Xuelan, I am sorry. I cannot let you risk your life with me anymore." I looked at the mansion on the outskirts of town, muttered to myself, and then vanished.

On the outskirts, Bai Ye stood quietly.

"Liliana, I have been waiting for you for a long time." Seeing me appear before him, Bai Ye stared at me intensely.

"Bai Ye." I responded coldly. "Today, everything must come to an end. Xiaoyou’s vengeance, and the hatred between us—let us mark the conclusion today."

"That is exactly what I wish for," Bai Ye said maniacally. "It is time for all of this to end." As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished from his spot, instantly reappearing before me, his claws glowing with a sinister light as he swiped at me. "Liliana, you belong to me!"

"You do not possess the qualifications!" The massive black scythe in my hand traced an arc as it slashed toward his throat. "Today, I will kill you!"

Both of our figures turned into blurred shadows, and only the sound of metal clashing echoed across the wasteland.

Meanwhile, at the border between the Demon World and the Human World, an ancient vampire castle stood in silence.

"Who goes there!" The guards of the vampire castle, seeing a figure approaching rapidly from the distance, blocked the path and shouted sternly.

"Get out of my way!" The newcomer let out a sharp cry, and the knight’s sword in her hand struck out mercilessly, piercing toward the chests of the two guards.

Hearing the voice and seeing the identity of the person, the two guards immediately abandoned their resistance, letting the sword pierce their chests. "Greetings, Lady Lilier!" The two guards endured the pain in their chests and knelt on one knee in respect.

Lilier did not even glance at the two respectful guards as she rushed into the castle. Facing her disregard, the guards felt no resentment, and only after she had passed did they stand up to continue their watch.

The Council Chamber of the vampire castle was where the heads of the thirteen clans and all high-ranking nobles gathered. Dozens of werewolf guards stood silently outside, protecting the site. Inside, thirteen chairs were arranged around a massive round table, where thirteen figures in black cloaks sat in silence. These thirteen were the heart of power—the heads of the thirteen clans, governing the entire Blood Clan on behalf of the Vampire Prince.

"It has been twenty-five days. Have we still not reached a resolution?" the black-cloaked figure at the head of the table asked, his aged voice carrying an irresistible authority.

"Head of the Brujah clan, the disappearance of the Prince is by no means a trivial matter. Perhaps the Prince has simply gone out due to boredom, just as he did three hundred years ago. If we appoint a new Regent, who will be able to withstand his wrath should he return?" another black-cloaked figure said in a low voice.

"We propose a Regent for the sake of the entire Blood Clan. Without the Prince's decisions, the entire society cannot function. We must elect a Regent as soon as possible to temporarily lead the Blood Clan to ensure stability. I believe even the Prince would agree with this decision," the head of the Brujah clan replied.

"Then let the thirteen of us govern temporarily; we do that anyway," another suggested.

A fierce argument ensued, with each clan head proposing conditions favorable to themselves, unable to convince one another.

At that moment, Lilier rushed into the council chamber.

"Halt!" Seeing someone rushing in, the werewolf guards and two Duke-level vampires immediately moved to intercept her.

"Get out of my way!" Lilier treated them as if they were nothing.

"Lady Lilier!" Upon recognizing who was trying to force their way in, the guards relaxed, though they still blocked her path. "Lady Lilier, the heads of the thirteen clans are currently in a meeting. Please wait a moment," they said respectfully.

"Move! I have no time to waste with you!" Facing their plea, Lilier struck them aside without mercy and stormed into the chamber.