Chapter 35: A Midnight Encounter and a Vampire’s Secret

Following a pleasant exchange, Yue Jianfeng and I exchanged contact details, bidding each other a temporary farewell.

Yet, could this truly be deemed a parting? The alarming vampire bite marks adorning Yue Jianfeng’s neck cast a pall over my thoughts, stirring a disquieting question: Had vampires, then, silently concealed themselves within the vibrant pulse of this metropolis?

While I remained oblivious to the presence of vampires within the city’s confines, their existence in the Magical Beast Forest was an undeniable truth.

Endowed with the strength bestowed by my master, I had once cut down a considerable number of vampires. To have my hands stained with blood was never my desire, yet the arduous path of vengeance demanded strength, and how could one grow powerful without encountering the crimson stain of battle?

Ouyang Xiyue quietly shadowed Yue Jianfeng, and as he proceeded, a peculiar sensation struck him. Only two days prior, he had voiced his disdain for being stalked, yet now he found himself engaging in the very act.

No, he reasoned with himself, this covert pursuit was solely for the sake of Yue Jianfeng’s safety. Having finally reunited with his childhood companion after such a long separation, he simply could not countenance the thought of any misfortune befalling her.

As his thoughts drifted, he suddenly recalled how Ling’er had once dispatched people to shadow him, citing safety as the reason – a striking parallel that made him click his tongue in exasperation. ‘Ah, never mind,’ he resolved, shaking his head and dismissing such thoughts.

Ouyang Xiyue continued his cautious tail, only to observe Yue Jianfeng veering towards an increasingly desolate locale. What could possibly draw her to such an unfrequented spot, especially at this late hour? A sharp alarm blared within Ouyang Xiyue’s mind.

With the deepening silence and the complete absence of passersby, Ouyang Xiyue’s guard was raised to its absolute highest.

His gaze, sharp and piercing, swept across his surroundings. The night had already deepened, a chilling wind whispered through the desolate streets, and the stars above glittered with a crisp, cold light. The cool breeze had long since dispelled the day’s oppressive heat, leaving the land cloaked in a profound, deathly silence.

It was then that a dark figure abruptly materialized before Yue Jianfeng. The newcomer was imposingly tall, towering approximately four heads above Yue Jianfeng and a good two heads over Ouyang Xiyue.

Ouyang Xiyue found himself utterly unable to detect any aura emanating from him; it wasn’t merely the unremarkable presence of a magic-less mortal, but rather an absolute, deathlike stillness. Particularly arresting in the gloom of the street were his blood-red eyes, which glowed with the intensity of burning embers.

The familiar sensation and those unmistakable eyes sent a sudden jolt through Ouyang Xiyue’s heart. ‘This is disastrous,’ he thought. ‘A vampire! How could Yue Jianfeng possibly be entangled with one? No, I must remain hidden and assess the situation before acting.’ With that resolve, he melted seamlessly into the enveloping shadows.

“You’ve finally come,” the vampire uttered in an unsettling, peculiar tone. “I’ve been awaiting your arrival for quite some time. Did you enjoy yourself today, my little Feng?” Unable to discern the vampire’s features in the dim light, Ouyang Xiyue was left guessing at his current expression.

“Hehe, yes, Hanyuu,” Yue Jianfeng replied, her voice light. “Did you wander off anywhere today? You must be a good boy, you know; if any bad people were to snatch you away, I’d be utterly heartbroken.” As she spoke, she reached out and, quite unexpectedly, took the vampire’s hand.

Concealed in the shadows, Ouyang Xiyue was so utterly stunned his jaw nearly dislocated. He simply could not credit the scene unfolding before his eyes. The sheer strangeness of the day’s occurrences had rendered his entire world unfamiliar.

First, he had been playfully teased by Night Xuehui, then subjected to being followed, then confronted with news of a marriage alliance, and even lost his first kiss. Now, to top it all, he was witnessing Yue Jianfeng in such an intimate display with a vampire.

“You must be hungry,” Yue Jianfeng remarked, her head tilted slightly, exposing the pale curve of her neck. “I indulged in a hearty meal with an old friend today, and my strength has been fully restored. Come now.”

Hanyuu, the vampire, fixed his blood-red gaze upon the delicate, pale skin of her neck. He drew closer, a slow, deliberate movement, before gently sinking his fangs into her flesh.

Ouyang Xiyue found himself utterly paralyzed, uncertain how to proceed. He could only watch, helpless, as his childhood companion was fed upon by the vampire. Yet, he couldn’t impulsively intervene, for Yue Jianfeng was clearly a willing participant. To reveal himself now would undoubtedly expose his clandestine pursuit.

He understood implicitly that when vampires preyed upon foes, they possessed two distinct methods: either to ‘sire’ them, thereby transforming the enemy into one of their own kind, or to drain their blood until the victim’s body succumbed to weakness and ultimately, sudden demise.

Hanyuu’s demeanor towards Yue Jianfeng prompted two distinct theories in Ouyang Xiyue’s mind: either Hanyuu was cunningly cultivating Yue Jianfeng’s affections, viewing her merely as a reserve of sustenance, or he genuinely regarded her as one of his own. However, the latter hypothesis struck him as overly strained; after careful deliberation, the former seemed far more aligned with the typical predatory nature of vampires.

Just as Ouyang Xiyue was lost in his contemplations, a soft, delicate moan drifted from the scene before him.

“Ah… Hanyuu,” Yue Jianfeng gasped, her voice fractured and breathless. “You… you’re too gentle, slow… slower… I feel my body… so strange, so… itchy…”

Ouyang Xiyue recalled his master’s past teachings: that if a human willingly offered their blood to a vampire, they would experience not pain, but rather a profound sense of exhilaration. This particular tableau, however, caused him a distinct wave of embarrassment.

Once Hanyuu had finished feeding, he lingered, licking his lips with an air of lingering satisfaction. He then gently gathered the slightly weakened Yue Jianfeng into his embrace, his blood-red eyes fixed upon her with an intense, loving gaze, as if she were his cherished beloved.

Suddenly, a dark silhouette streaked past, alighting a short distance from Yue Jianfeng and Hanyuu. Ouyang Xiyue’s thoughts churned once more. ‘How did two more vampires suddenly appear?’ he wondered. ‘Are they allied with Hanyuu? No, Hanyuu’s gaze towards them is clearly imbued with hostility.’

“Hanyuu, you scoundrel,” a tall vampire sneered, “you’re indulging in a private feast once more. We, your brothers, have cautioned you repeatedly: humans are inherently our sustenance, yet you constantly shield this girl. By doing so, you declare yourself an enemy of the entire vampire lineage. How can you possibly face our ancestors with such dishonor?”

Meanwhile, a second, more slender vampire, his eyes bloodshot and wide, fixed a ravenous gaze upon Yue Jianfeng nestled in Hanyuu’s embrace. He resembled a famished wolf sighting its prey, practically vibrating with an impatient urge to pounce.

“Hanyuu, our patience with you has worn thin,” the tall vampire growled menacingly. “Abandon the girl, and your life will be spared; refuse, and you shall accompany her to your grave!”

“Indeed,” the slender vampire chimed in, his voice thick with eagerness as he licked his parched lips. “Surrender this delectable morsel, and you may depart; otherwise, expect no mercy!”

“If you dare to lay a hand on her,” Hanyuu roared, his voice laced with fury, “you’ll have to step over my corpse first!”

At Hanyuu’s defiant roar, the two vampires instantly bristled with rage, their magic surging as they prepared to strike. Yet, just as they moved, a sudden chill enveloped their necks, and a soft, melodious voice drifted from behind them. “Behave yourselves,” it purred sweetly. “Move again, and your heads might just roll.”

Ouyang Xiyue, letting out a casual yawn, waved a dismissive hand and leisurely strode forward, approaching Hanyuu and Yue Jianfeng.

It was then revealed that he had employed a clone technique to ensnare the two vampires. Four identical Ouyang Xiyues now stood, each wielding a sword that exuded a chilling aura, its blade pressed firmly against the throats of the two vampires, effectively immobilizing them.

Ouyang Xiyue had, in fact, sensed the anomaly much earlier and had quietly made his preparations. He was acutely aware that the two vampires possessed considerable cultivation, yet he harbored an unwavering confidence in his ability to overcome them.

“Honestly, you lot are incorrigible, stirring up such a commotion in the middle of nowhere, and at this hour,” Ouyang Xiyue sighed, stretching languidly before turning to Hanyuu. “As for these two, how do you intend to deal with them?”

Hanyuu, at that moment, remained utterly lost in a stupor of shock, yet to fully regain his composure. It was Yue Jianfeng who broke the silence, her voice a hesitant whisper. “Sister Xiyue?” she began, a blush creeping across her cheeks. “You… how did you come to be here? And… did you witness everything that just transpired?”

Ouyang Xiyue cleared his throat with an awkward cough, then offered a sincere bow. “My apologies, little Feng,” he began. “Today, back at the coffee shop, I couldn’t help but notice the bite marks on your neck. Drawing upon my years of experience in the Magical Beast Forest, I immediately recognized them as the work of a vampire. I was genuinely astonished that you hadn’t been sired. It was purely for your safety that I followed you; I assure you, I had no intention of prying. It’s simply that after so many years apart, I feared some misfortune might befall you.”

Within that hushed atmosphere, Yue Jianfeng listened intently to Ouyang Xiyue’s explanation, and a radiant smile, bright as the warm spring sun, spontaneously blossomed upon her lips.

“Thank you, Sister Xiyue,” Yue Jianfeng said, a palpable sense of relief softening her features into a grateful smile. “How could I ever blame you? You are truly like a beacon in the darkest night, both warm and benevolent. Had you not intervened today, this would undoubtedly have devolved into a bloody, river-like battle. Your wisdom and courage are, frankly, beyond admirable.” She recounted, for prior to this moment, she had been utterly convinced that this conflict was inescapable.

“Oh, my dear sister, your forgiveness is the greatest reward,” Ouyang Xiyue replied, his tone light and melodious, like a gentle spring breeze rustling through willow branches, yet his words carried an unsettling chill. “This was merely a trifling matter, nothing worth mentioning. Now, as for these two, shall we dispose of them, or… dispose of them?”

Yue Jianfeng, hearing this, slowly turned her gaze towards Hanyuu, who still held her in his arms, silently contemplating. Hanyuu, as if sensing her eyes upon him, abruptly snapped out of his trance.

“Young lady, I am deeply grateful for your life-saving intervention,” Hanyuu said with heartfelt sincerity, his eyes falling upon the two trembling vampires, their necks still held captive by swords. “While I do harbor a strong aversion to these two, we have known each other for a considerable time. Perhaps we could grant them a chance to live? I believe they will certainly mend their ways in the future.”

“Yes, yes, indeed!” the two vampires cried out, their voices thick with terror and panic as they scrambled to beg for mercy. “We brothers will never dare again! Please, noble heroine, spare our lives!”

Ouyang Xiyue subtly furrowed his brow, pondering inwardly. Since both Yue Jianfeng and Hanyuu had chosen leniency, perhaps he should indeed spare these two for now.

“I shall spare you this once. But should there be a next time, I will show no quarter!” With that declaration, Ouyang Xiyue’s form emanated a powerful and terrifying magical pressure, which surged outwards like an unstoppable tide.

The two vampires opposite him felt the oppressive force wash over them, their breaths catching in their throats as if an invisible mountain pressed down upon their chests. It was then that they truly comprehended the immense disparity in their strength compared to their opponent. Once Ouyang Xiyue released his hold, they swiftly departed, not daring to offer even the slightest resistance.

“You two… sigh, never mind. And you, what is your name?” Ouyang Xiyue asked, pointing his cold, glinting sword towards Hanyuu.

“My full name is Hanyuu Yuzuru, but you may simply call me Hanyuu, young lady. I thank you deeply for saving our lives today. I had long heard of your esteemed reputation, and seeing you today, your extraordinary grace is truly evident,” Hanyuu replied, his face filled with genuine gratitude.

“Alright, alright, let’s part ways here. I should also head back to rest; today has been truly exhausting. Do you two have somewhere to go?” Ouyang Xiyue inquired.

“Don’t worry, Sister Xiyue, Hanyuu and I will go home,” Yue Jianfeng said with a slight blush. “No one is home these days, so Hanyuu will keep me company. It’s just that he dislikes daylight, so we can only meet at night. I apologize for making you worry, Sister.”

“Very well, I’ll escort you back, and then I’ll return to rest.”

And so, the day’s commotion quietly drew to a close, and everything returned to its usual tranquility.