Chapter Eighty-One: Conspiracy

One of the three great underground powers, the Bai Family’s stronghold, was heavily guarded, with sentinels posted at every entrance and in every shadowed corner. Patrols marched through the courtyards in disciplined formation, the defenses unyielding. Hidden behind the bookshelf in the study was a spiral staircase leading underground, the dim glow of lanterns casting eerie shadows along the descent. At the bottom of the stairs, a tightly sealed chamber awaited, its thick iron door shutting out any sliver of light or hope.

Within this secret room, candles burned quietly in each corner, their wavering flames deepening the chamber’s grim and terrifying atmosphere. At the very center stood a blood-red coffin, its lid inlaid with a crimson cross. Along one wall, four thick black chains, each as wide as a child’s arm, were fastened securely to the stone. The other ends of the chains bound a young man’s limbs, imprisoning him within these oppressive walls.

With a heavy creak, the iron door swung slowly open and a figure stepped into the room, bearing a single candle. The flickering light revealed a refined, gentle face adorned with a soft smile. This was Bai Ye, young master of the Bai Family, once a classmate of Liliana and Xingyu.

“You’re here,” a dull voice resonated from the coffin’s depths. As the words echoed, the lid was pushed open from within. Crimson eyes gleamed, sharp fangs glinted, a black cloak draped over the shoulders, claws as keen as daggers, and a wicked smile played on the lips—the coffin’s occupant was a vampire.

“Good morning, my lord,” Bai Ye said respectfully to the awakening vampire.

“Mm. What’s the situation outside? I presume the Bloodline and the Bloodhunter Guild are at each other’s throats by now?” the vampire asked lazily, still shaking off the vestiges of slumber.

“Exactly as you predicted, my lord. The Bloodhunter Guild has declared all-out war on the Bloodline. In fact, just moments ago, a Bloodhunter ambush completely failed—about forty elite members were killed, and one S-rank hunter was lost,” Bai Ye reported with deference.

“Oh?” The vampire’s interest was piqued. “An S-rank hunter lost? Who were they targeting? One of the Thirteen Dukes? Or a member of the Thirteen Inquisitors? Few in the Bloodline could slay an S-rank hunter.”

“Neither, but I believe you’ll be pleased to hear who it was. They attacked Her Highness, Princess Liliana—the First Princess of the Bloodline. She has resurfaced in the mortal world,” Bai Ye replied with a smile.

“Liliana! Ha! This is excellent news! I didn’t expect to find her so easily again—truly, fortune favors me,” the vampire exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement.

“Yes, your previous feigned defeat drew all attention elsewhere. Now, the time for us to reap the rewards has come,” Bai Ye replied respectfully.

“Indeed. Once I possess Liliana’s bloodline, I will gain power surpassing that of the Bloodline’s princes. Then, this world will belong to us vampires alone. Neither the lowly humans nor the arrogant vampires will suspect that, while they are locked in battle, we will take the prize,” the Vampire King declared with a sinister smile.

Yes, the vampire in this chamber was none other than the Vampire King himself—the very one who, long ago, had been defeated by Liliana and barely escaped with his life. Yet, none guessed that during that battle, he had not used his full strength, but had instead feigned grave injury to escape the notice of all.

“A century ago, I had already ascended to princehood. For these hundred years, I have endured, I have waited, and now, at last, my moment has arrived,” the Vampire King said, his voice trembling with excitement.

“There’s another piece of news I think you’ll find interesting,” Bai Ye interjected.

“Oh? What could possibly interest me more?” the Vampire King asked, intrigued.

“Liliana appears to be suffering from amnesia. Though she is accompanied by two Inquisitors and Lily, she seems to be acting independently. Even her ever-present butler, Ang, is nowhere to be seen,” Bai Ye reported with a smile.

“Is that so? If that’s true, then the news is even better,” the Vampire King’s eyes flashed with excitement. “While the Bloodhunter Guild and the Bloodline are fixated on each other, it’s the perfect time for us to act.”

“What do you intend to do with Lilith?” At that moment, the young man chained in the corner raised his head to question them. This was Xingyu, the one who had been captured by Bai Ye.

“That’s none of your concern, Xingyu. All you need to do is stay here quietly. It won’t be long before you’re reunited with Liliana. You should be grateful,” Bai Ye said with a contemptuous smile. “Though, whether she still remembers you is another matter entirely.”

“Bai Ye, you bastard! I’ll kill you! I’ll avenge Xiaoyou!” Xingyu shouted furiously, straining against his chains.

“Oh, kill me? You, a worthless fool, think you can kill me? You were born to be a pawn in others’ games,” Bai Ye mocked. “And who knows if you’ll even live to see Liliana again? Originally, you were just bait to lure her here, but now it seems you’re no longer of any use. Your life is in my hands—if I’m in a good mood, perhaps I’ll let you see her one last time; if not, tomorrow may be your end.”

“Bai Ye, you butcher! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!” Xingyu screamed, deaf to Bai Ye’s taunts.

“He’s too noisy. Silence him,” the Vampire King ordered coldly, frowning at Xingyu’s outburst.

“Yes, my lord.” Bai Ye obeyed, a wicked smile on his lips as he drove a black dagger into Xingyu’s shoulder. Xingyu’s agonized screams echoed through the chamber.

A closer look at Xingyu revealed his tattered clothes and a body covered in wounds—some from blades, some from whips, even some scorched by fire. It was clear what kind of torment he had endured since his capture.

“Your life is tenacious indeed—so many wounds, yet you live. Is this the effect of Liliana’s blood?” Bai Ye mused, withdrawing the dagger and watching the wound slowly heal. Leaning close to Xingyu’s ear, he whispered, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you die so easily. The humiliation I suffered at Liliana’s hands—I’ll repay it all through you. Isn’t that delightful?” In that moment, Bai Ye shed his gentle mask, his smile turning wicked.

He rose, his expression once more refined and urbane. “Don’t die too soon. At least let Liliana see what you’ve become, don’t you agree, dear Xingyu?” With that, Bai Ye turned away, ignoring Xingyu’s anguished cries.

“My lord, I’ll take my leave. I will bring Liliana to you as soon as possible,” Bai Ye said respectfully.

“Go. If you succeed, I’ll honor my promise—the Bai Family will become a new noble house among the Bloodline,” the Vampire King replied with a smile.

“We won’t disappoint you.” With another deep bow, Bai Ye left the chamber.

After his departure, the Vampire King closed his eyes and murmured, “At last, the day has come. I will become the greatest of the Bloodline—I will take your place and rule them all.”

The chamber fell silent once more, broken only by Xingyu’s agonized cries and ragged breathing.