Chapter 29: Extra Story Five – Crisis

As soon as Yuanche finished speaking, the air grew cold and oppressive. Sensing the shift, Qiao Nian’s laughter faded. He slowly lifted his gaze to face Yuanche across the room. That handsome visage remained unchanged, but his eyes had turned blood-red, fangs protruding sharply beneath crimson lips, and his silver hair billowed, swept up by icy currents.

“V-vampire?” Qiao Nian’s voice quivered with terror.

Yuanche didn’t reply. He parted his lips just enough for Qiao Nian to see those deadly fangs clearly.

Qiao Nian’s pupils contracted violently, and he instinctively stepped back.

Yuanche asked coldly, “Do you still dare to follow me?”

Qiao Nian drew a deep breath, trembling as he edged closer to Yuanche. The other man lifted his face, fixing him with those scarlet eyes. Qiao Nian’s head spun from the gaze, so he shut his eyes tight, yet stubbornly remained at Yuanche’s side.

As if making a great decision, he gritted his teeth and seized Yuanche’s icy wrist. “Take me with you! But don’t feed on me—my blood surely tastes awful…”

Gradually, the chilling aura dissipated.

When Qiao Nian opened his eyes again, Yuanche had withdrawn his true form. Relieved, Qiao Nian realized he was still clutching Yuanche’s wrist and quickly released it.

Yuanche lifted his hand slightly; Qiao Nian, startled, ducked and covered his head, but Yuanche merely flexed his stiff wrist.

“Are my parents vampires too?” Qiao Nian asked.

“Your mother is.”

“So then I am…”

“You’re a half-blood.”

Qiao Nian dropped to the ground, his voice trembling, “But I’ve been human for seventeen years…”

A sudden realization struck Yuanche. He asked, “You stayed in the church for seventeen years?”

Qiao Nian nodded numbly, and Yuanche frowned.

No vampire could survive so long in a church without incident. Was it because of Qiao Nian’s human heritage?

“Did you ever feel unwell while in the church?”

“No, otherwise how would I have made it to seventeen?” Qiao Nian stood, rubbing his weak legs and muttering, “Aside from lingering low blood sugar, I’ve never been sick. Everyone said it was God’s blessing…”

Yuanche let out a derisive laugh. Vampires blessed by God? Impossible.

Now that the wicked, wild form was gone, Qiao Nian no longer feared Yuanche. He sat beside him, scrutinizing him with curious eyes.

Yuanche grew uneasy under the scrutiny. “What are you staring at?”

“Do you like my mother?”

Yuanche nearly coughed up blood, but managed to stay composed. He retorted calmly, “Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re so good to me.”

“So I like your mother?”

“Isn’t that the reason?” Qiao Nian tilted his head in thought. “Or… do you like me instead?”

Yuanche struggled to suppress the urge to thrash him, his fists clenching audibly.

“Vampires are all related, especially nobles. It keeps the bloodline pure.”

“So…” Qiao Nian’s eyes widened in horror, “Isn’t that incest? That’s even worse…”

Yuanche finally lost patience and smacked Qiao Nian on the back of the head.

“In pureblood noble families, females are rare. That’s why the military values your mother so much, and my duty is to protect her.”

“You’re her child, so I’m responsible for you.”

Yuanche looked into Qiao Nian’s bewildered face. “Understand?”

Qiao Nian nodded solemnly, then countered, “Should I call you ‘uncle’ then?”

Yuanche shot him a cold glare. “Go ahead and try.”

Qiao Nian grinned obsequiously. “Better not call such a handsome man ‘uncle’…”

Yuanche stood and left the room. Qiao Nian lingered uncertainly, debating whether to follow. Soon, Yuanche’s voice echoed from outside, “Are you coming or not?”

Returning, Yuanche and his two lieutenants strode ahead with unhurried steps, while Qiao Nian trailed behind, puffing with indignation. Yuanche had made him carry all the baggage, and now he felt as exhausted as a mule.

Yuanche could have easily returned to the vampire territory at a much faster pace, but he preferred to teach Qiao Nian a lesson. Watching the boy grit his teeth in silent frustration brought Yuanche much satisfaction.

Days later, they finally left Gospel Town. The moonlight bathed the endless forest in ivory radiance, making the perilous land appear tranquil and gentle.

Qiao Nian threw the heavy bundles aside and slumped against a tree, rubbing his stomach and muttering weakly, “I’m nearly dead from exhaustion…”

The two lieutenants halted, casting questioning looks at their commander.

Yuanche glanced at Qiao Nian and finally nodded. “Let’s rest.”

They had planned to press on, but Qiao Nian was simply too tired to continue, sprawled on the ground, unable to stand, dragging everyone’s progress down. That night, they had to camp in the Blood Forest.

At first, Qiao Nian lay among a pile of dry leaves and twigs, but finding it uncomfortable, he quietly moved over to Yuanche. Seeing Yuanche with eyes closed in repose, Qiao Nian boldly rested his head on Yuanche’s leg.

A cool voice cut the silence. “Who told you to come over?”

Qiao Nian jerked in surprise, but sensing no annoyance or reproach in the tone, shamelessly held his position.

“Stop pretending to sleep.”

Qiao Nian unwillingly opened his eyes. “You said you’d take responsibility for me.”

Yuanche gave a cold laugh. “Get up.”

Instead, Qiao Nian hugged Yuanche’s leg, protesting softly, “Is this how you care for people? Hmph! You don’t care about me at all…”

A truly cheeky boy, taking liberties and complaining at the same time. Yet…

Yuanche glanced at the youth resting on his leg, whose face, shrouded in dim light, radiated a warm dependence. Something deep within Yuanche stirred unexpectedly.

He said nothing more, letting Qiao Nian remain.

After a long silence, Qiao Nian spoke suddenly.

“If one day I disappear, will you come looking for me?”

The voice was quiet but earnest; Yuanche heard it clearly. His lips curved slightly, his voice gentler, “I will.”

Hearing the answer, Qiao Nian smiled contentedly, finally closing his eyes and drifting into sleep.

Neither noticed the pendant hidden in Qiao Nian’s pocket—dark brown liquid inside moving as if alive, glimmering eerily in the night.

At dawn, Qiao Nian woke to find himself draped in a black cloak. Yuanche sat nearby, gazing calmly into the distance.

The first light pierced thick clouds, scattering pristine rays across the land. Like continuous warm jade, the green shade of the trees set off the distant sky’s orange hue, enveloping the world in a gentle glow.

Once Qiao Nian was awake, they continued forward. Morning dew soaked Yuanche’s boots.

As they walked, they relished the vast silence that cloaked the land, just as the vampires savored the darkness and its stillness.

A faint, elusive smile played at Yuanche’s lips, subtle and nearly imperceptible.