Chapter 126: Escape

I stood in a standoff with the patriarchs of the Thirteen Clans, neither side willing to yield.

"What? Infighting? How amusing," Bai Ye said, mocking our tense confrontation. "Is this the so-called noble vampire race? In my eyes, what makes you any different from a fallen one like me? The only existence worthy of respect in my sight is Liliana. You ants—what right do you have to be this King's opponent?"

"What?" Hearing Bai Ye’s words, the patriarchs of the Thirteen Clans were finally pushed beyond the brink of fury.

"We will hold off Lady Liliana; you deal with that pathetic fallen one!" the four patriarchs who supported me told the others, then surrounded me.

"You!" I cried out in anger, seeing the four patriarchs daring to stand in my way.

"Please forgive us, Lady Liliana. Once this is over, we shall beg for your punishment," the four patriarchs said respectfully, though they showed no sign of backing down.

"Damn it!" I glared at the four of them, my heart burning with rage but finding no way to bypass them.

"Lady Liliana is in your hands," the Brujah patriarch commanded the four who were blocking me, then turned his furious gaze toward Bai Ye. "The rest of you, stop him! Do not let him escape. I will deal with him personally! I will make this wretched fallen one understand the consequences of provoking the dignity of the vampire race!" With that, the Brujah patriarch charged toward Bai Ye alone.

"Hmph! What, you think you can come and die by yourself?" Bai Ye scoffed disdainfully as he watched the Brujah patriarch charging toward him.

"Arrogant fallen one, I will make you regret ever appearing in this world. Prepare yourself!" Facing the provocation, the Brujah patriarch said coldly, a grim smile on his face.

The two collided in a storm of fury.

Meanwhile, Xuelan and Ang sensed the thirteen waves of immense magical power descending upon the human realm.

"This is!" Xuelan felt the powerful magic of the Thirteen Clans’ patriarchs and said in shock, "This is the aura of the Vampire Council! Have all the patriarchs of the Thirteen Clans descended? How could this be?"

"It is them, those thirteen old fools," Ang said, his expression equally grave. "And they have descended right near the battlefield where the Young Mistress and Bai Ye are fighting!"

"What?" Hearing this news, Xuelan cried out in alarm. "What are they trying to do? Are they going to harm Lady Liliana?" Her voice was filled with anxiety and fear.

"Calm down, Lady Xuelan!" Ang said steadily, facing her panic. "Those old fools wouldn't dare raise a hand against Lady Liliana. I suspect this is aimed at Bai Ye. Lady Lilir sent news of the Young Mistress’s death to the Council, and they have mobilized for the sake of vampire dignity. After all, no one has dared to provoke the vampires for a thousand years; the news of the Young Mistress’s death must have infuriated them."

"Is that so? Then I can rest easy," Xuelan said, gradually calming down.

"I’m afraid you can’t rest easy just yet," Ang said with a helpless, bitter smile. "Don't forget, the Young Mistress is still wanted by the Council. Although some patriarchs stand on her side, they are in the minority. Once Bai Ye is dealt with, it will be the Young Mistress’s turn. While she may not be in mortal danger, she will likely face severe punishment."

"What will happen to Lilith?" Xingyu, who had been sleeping, was awakened by the sudden surge of powerful magic. Dragging her weak body downstairs, she overheard the conversation between Ang and Xuelan.

"Xingyu?" Seeing her appear, Xuelan asked worriedly, "Is your body alright?"

"Don't worry, it will just be some punishment; it won't be fatal for a vampire. After all, the Young Mistress’s status is clear; even the patriarchs of the Thirteen Clans wouldn't dare harm her lightly," Ang comforted her.

"Is there nothing we can do for Lilith? I hate this feeling of waiting helplessly and being unable to do anything," Xingyu said, clenching her only remaining fist in frustration.

"There is truly nothing we can do right now. Once the Thirteen Patriarchs intervene, the level of power goes beyond what we can handle. As much as I hate to admit it, it is the truth. I know exactly how terrifying the power of the Vampire Council is; it is something we cannot contend with," Xuelan told her.

"I know, I’m just a burden to Lilith right now. But, as selfish as it sounds, I want to share the burden with her. I cannot let Lilith face this alone!" Xingyu said in a low voice. "Ang, Xuelan, do not stop me. I feel like I must go!"

"I won't stop you," Ang said with a smile. "You are right. Even if it is a selfish desire, I still want to be by the Young Mistress's side. I imagine Lady Xuelan feels the same."

"Mr. Ang." Looking at his smiling face, Xingyu suddenly felt a warmth in her heart.

"Let’s go!" Xuelan’s calm words cut through the brief moment of tenderness. "Lady Liliana must be waiting for us!"

Hearing her, determination filled the eyes of Xingyu and Ang. The three of them rushed toward my location.

Back at the battlefield, the fight between Bai Ye and the Brujah patriarch was nearing its end.

The Brujah patriarch still maintained the elegant appearance he had upon arrival, while Bai Ye looked wretched. His coat, already tattered from our previous fight, was now shredded, and his wounds were healing far too slowly to keep up with the damage he was sustaining. Blood was seeping from countless cuts across his body.

"What’s wrong, arrogant fallen one? Is that all the strength you have? Where is that haughty attitude from before?" the Brujah patriarch mocked. "What’s the matter, noble Vampire King? Watching you struggle like an ant is truly pathetic!"

"Don't get too smug, old man. I won't be killed that easily. There is only one person in this world who can take my life, and you—you aren't qualified!" Bai Ye looked at the patriarch with disdain. "This King is like a cockroach abandoned by the world, too tough to die! How could this little bit of damage kill me? Hahaha!" Bai Ye laughed wildly.

"Wretched fallen one, congratulations—you have thoroughly angered me!" The Brujah patriarch wore a grim smile. "I will tear you limb from limb and make you realize just how weak you truly are!" With that, he charged at Bai Ye with renewed fury.

"I said he was my prey and that no one was to intervene. Did you not hear me?" Suddenly, a cold voice rang out beside the Brujah patriarch’s ear.

"What?" The patriarch said in shock, "Liliana!"

"Brujah patriarch, did you really think four people would be enough to stop me?" I smiled. "When I want to do something, no one in this world can stop me. Not you, not them, not even Father!" With a cold smile, I plunged my claws mercilessly into the Brujah patriarch’s back.

"Ah!" The patriarch let out a cry of pain, and, enduring the agony, he left a trail of blood as he put distance between us. "Liliana, do you truly intend to become an enemy of the Vampire Council?" he roared at me in fury.

"And what if I am?" I looked at him coldly. "I said it before: he is my prey, and no one is to intervene. This is my dignity as a vampire princess! This is my revenge, and I will resolve it myself. Until then, you need only watch from the sidelines." I turned my gaze to the battered Bai Ye. "How truly ugly. Bai Ye, get up! In your current state, are you even fit to be my opponent?"

"Liliana!" Bai Ye looked at me, a grim smile on his lips. "Come! This is the battle I have been looking forward to the most. Let it all end today!"

"Yes, let it all end today! Bai Ye, let me grant you release!" I appeared instantly before him, my claws striking toward his heart without mercy.

"Liliana, I won't just sit here and wait to die! If you want to kill me, you will have to pay a price!" Bai Ye unleashed a surge of power, managing to block my attack. His figure flickered and vanished, reappearing outside the encirclement of the Thirteen Patriarchs.

"How is this possible?" The Brujah patriarch shouted in astonishment.

"What is impossible about it?" Bai Ye mocked the patriarch. "You should know that I possess Liliana’s Source Blood. While I may not be able to master spatial power fully, it is more than enough for a desperate escape." Bai Ye smiled, "I said it before—the only one who can take my life is Liliana."

He looked at me and said softly, "Liliana, someone interfered in our duel today, and that irritates me. Let us end our battle here for now. Next time, I will surely bring this all to a conclusion." Bai Ye’s figure vanished, leaving only his words drifting in the night air.

"Damn it, that cursed fallen one!" Having lost Bai Ye’s trail, the Brujah patriarch cursed in anger, abandoning all his usual grace.

"Save those words for when you can actually catch him," I said with disdain, then turned to leave, not sparing another glance at the patriarchs.

"Lady Liliana, please stay!" The patriarchs of the Thirteen Clans moved to block my path once more.