Chapter 138: Threats from the Blood Hunters

After Xingyu left, the Vampire Hunters hiding in the shadows emerged.

"What a terrifying creature," the Hunters remarked with a shudder, glancing at the miserable state of the vampire lying on the ground. "I wonder why he joined the Hunters in the first place? He is a vampire himself; why would he help our guild hunt his own kind?" one Hunter asked his companion.

"Who cares? As long as he's helping the guild, his motives don't matter. To put it bluntly, he is just a tool for our guild," another Hunter replied dismissively. After a month of coexistence, the fear the Hunters once felt toward Xingyu had gradually evaporated. Some even began to view him merely as a hunting implement, holding him in increasingly low regard.

"Shh, keep your voice down," a Hunter whispered nervously, fearing that if Xingyu overheard them, they would be in deep trouble.

"Hmph, what's so special about him? If we really wanted to destroy him, we could, even if it came at a high price. Otherwise, why would he obey the guild's orders?" the first Hunter retorted, unafraid.

"Regardless, let's just finish off this vampire first," another said, driving four prepared oak stakes into the vampire's limbs.

In the basement of the Vampire Hunter Guild headquarters, a blood-red coffin sat in the center. Le Tianpai stood before it, letting out a soft sigh.

"What are you doing here?" Xingyu’s figure appeared in the basement. Seeing Le Tianpai, he asked in a cold voice.

"Xingyu, you’re back. How did it go today?" Le Tianpai didn't answer, asking instead.

At the mention of his day, Xingyu’s mood plummeted, and a flash of anger crossed his face. "Hmph! A bunch of useless fools." Thinking of his fruitless efforts over the past few days, a surge of anxiety rose within him.

"Xingyu, why must you be so persistent? Wouldn't it be better to just live a peaceful life here?" Le Tianpai asked, looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"Live a peaceful life? I can't," Xingyu said bitterly. "My peaceful life was shattered long ago; there is no going back. I only live on now to pay my debts."

"Xingyu." Le Tianpai felt a pang of heartache at the sight of the young man's pain. That once-gentle child had been driven to this state by fate. How could he save him? He had already lost Xiaoyou—was he destined to lose this last remaining loved one as well?

"Don't try to persuade me. This is the only reason I have to keep living. Without this goal, I don't know how to go on. Every time I close my eyes, I see Xiaoyou’s death, and I hear the wails of the souls who died by my hand. My hands are so stained with blood that I have lost the right to even seek her out." Xingyu looked at his only remaining hand, as if he could see fresh blood dripping from it, and asked, sensing the stench of blood radiating from his own body, "Uncle Le, tell me, do I still have the right to a peaceful life? I can never go back."

"Xingyu." Le Tianpai didn't know what to say. The young man carried too much, and he lacked the standing to even share the burden.

"Guild Master, I am tired. I wish to rest." After a moment, Xingyu pulled himself out of his torment and issued a dismissal.

"Sigh." Le Tianpai sighed softly. Without another word, he turned and left the basement in a melancholy state.

After he left, Xingyu bowed his head in silence for a long time before murmuring, "There is no going back. It’s already too late."

"Guild Master!" As Le Tianpai stepped out of the basement, several Hunters blocked his path.

"What is it?" he asked.

"What is your take on the vampire in the basement?" they asked bluntly.

"What are you planning?" Le Tianpai ignored the question, his expression turning grave.

"Guild Master," the Hunters exchanged looks, "we do not trust that vampire. The guild has no way to control him. He cooperates only because he needs us. But what happens if he changes his mind and decides to turn against the guild?"

Le Tianpai’s face darkened. "Is this what all the Hunters think, or just you?"

Seeing his grim expression, the Hunters replied, "This is the consensus of us all. We know you have a history with him and don't want to see him harmed. But for the sake of the guild, you must make a choice. He is too dangerous, and we lack the strength to command him. We must be prepared."

"What do you intend to do?" Le Tianpai asked calmly, though a raging fire burned within him. Were they going to take the last person he cared about?

"We want to use a Blood Oath," the leader finally said. "He is a rare asset to the guild; we don't want to kill him. A Blood Oath is the best way to bind him. If he refuses, we have no choice but to eliminate him."

"I will never allow you to do this," Le Tianpai immediately vetoed the proposal.

"Guild Master!" the Hunters cried out in panic. "Please reconsider. This concerns the future of the entire guild; you cannot let your personal feelings cloud your judgment."

"Say no more. My mind is made up. As long as I am the Guild Master, I will never let you harm Xingyu," Le Tianpai declared firmly.

"Guild Master, this is the decision of all the Hunters. It is no longer something you can prevent," one of them said. "We will beg for your forgiveness later. Do it!"

Following the command, several A-rank and B-rank Hunters lunged at the unsuspecting Le Tianpai, subduing him before he could react.

"You!" Le Tianpai was furious.

"Our apologies, Guild Master. We are forced into this. Rest assured, no one will hurt you. Once this is over, we will accept any punishment you see fit. But for now, we ask for your cooperation." After binding him tightly with silver chains, they apologized.

"You cannot do this," Le Tianpai said angrily. "You are dragging the guild into the abyss. You know what kind of power Xingyu possesses; you cannot contain him."

"We know how terrifying that monster is," the leader said. "But no matter how powerful he is, he is still just a vampire. We once nearly killed the Princess of the Vampires. Though we failed at the last moment, it proved that we have the power to threaten their lives. Fear and guilt have made you too cautious, Guild Master. Let us prove it to you this time."

With that, all but two guards headed toward the basement. They carried four massive sunlight lamps—their ultimate ace in the hole. No matter how powerful a vampire was, they could not escape the fate of turning into ash under direct sunlight.

"Xingyu! Run!" Seeing the lamps, Le Tianpai’s face turned pale. No matter how strong Xingyu was, trapped in that basement, these lamps would be lethal. He deeply regretted keeping him at the guild. He had wanted to give him peace, but had instead brought him to the brink of death. But his shouts could not reach the basement.

"Hurry, don't waste time!" the Hunters urged, quickening their pace.

In the basement, Xingyu stood quietly by the coffin, expressionless as the Hunters surrounded him. "What do you want?" he asked after a long silence.

Intimidated by his immense strength, not a single Hunter dared to meet his gaze directly. "You are too uncontrollable for our guild. We cannot leave you be, or you might one day bring about our destruction. We must possess the power to keep you in check," the leader finally stepped forward, his expression solemn.

"And how do you intend to do that?" Xingyu asked, his voice devoid of anger.

"If you take the Blood Oath, we will spare you," the leader said, sounding slightly relieved at Xingyu's apparent willingness to compromise.

"A Blood Oath?" A cold sneer touched Xingyu’s lips. "Is this your idea, or your Guild Master's?"

"This is our decision, but the Guild Master has agreed to it, or we would not be standing here," the leader stared at him intensely. "Now, give us your choice: take the Blood Oath, or die here!"