Chapter Sixty-Seven: Setting Out for the Demon Realm

I drank Xingyu’s blood in a single gulp. Yet there was no sweetness to be found, only an endless bitterness that lingered on my tongue. The room fell into a heavy silence.

After a long while, I broke the silence and asked Ang, “Ang, what has happened recently?”

Ang replied respectfully, “There is nothing of great significance, except that the Blood Hunters’ Guild has unilaterally broken its pact with the Blood Clan and declared all-out war.” His tone was utterly calm, as if he were recounting something trivial.

Despite Ang’s composure, I was taken aback by his words. “The Blood Hunters’ Guild is declaring war on the Blood Clan? What are they thinking? Have they grown so arrogant as to believe they can rival us?” I asked in disbelief.

I truly could not fathom why the Blood Hunters’ Guild would make such a reckless decision. Even among humans, the most powerful—S-class Blood Hunters—numbered only three, and though formidable, their strength was at best on par with a Grand Duke of the Blood Clan. Among us, Grand Dukes were near the pinnacle of power. They were not many, but neither were they so few—there was Duke Feng before me, Xuelan, and even the Fourth and Fifth Judges we had just fought all possessed the might of Grand Dukes. The leaders of the Thirteen Clans were at least Grand Dukes themselves, not to mention the First Judge, Duke Jian, whose power rivaled that of a Prince. What, then, was the Blood Hunters’ Guild truly plotting?

“If they seek their own destruction, we should simply let them. Those lowly humans dare to wage war against the Blood Clan—how could we not teach them a lesson?” Xuelan scoffed, utterly dismissive of the guild’s declaration. Perhaps only the true elders of the Blood Clan understood the depths of power we had hidden in the shadows for a thousand years. To humans, that power could bring nothing but terror; the Blood Hunters’ Guild’s current actions were nothing short of striking a stone with an egg.

“Lilith, shall we teach those insolent humans a lesson?” Lilir’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Having been cooped up in the hotel for days, this princess who thrived on chaos was eager for some mischief.

“There’s no need,” I replied coolly, rejecting Lilir’s suggestion. “Our top priority is dealing with the First Judge. Let the Council of Elders worry about the rest. We need not interfere or waste our strength on such matters.”

With that, I turned to Xingyu. “What do you intend to do? Will you stay here, or return to the Blood Hunters’ Guild? Now that the Guild has become our enemy, your presence here would place you in an awkward position. Do you wish to leave? I won’t stop you.”

“Princess Liliana, if you let this lowly human go, our whereabouts might be exposed. Should the Blood Hunters’ Guild learn of us, it may not be dangerous, but it would certainly be troublesome. The Guild still has its share of powerful members. Given our current circumstances, we cannot afford unnecessary complications,” Duke Feng advised.

“Duke Feng, I hope you remember that Xingyu remains here as my benefactor. He once saved my life. I ask that you mind your words,” I said sternly.

“Yes, Princess Liliana. I understand,” Duke Feng replied, sensing my displeasure.

“Xingyu, what is your decision?” I pressed him again.

“I want to stay,” Xingyu answered with unwavering resolve. “I stay of my own will, to atone for my mistakes. If I returned to the Guild, we would inevitably face each other again someday. I have already made mistakes I will not repeat. So you needn’t worry about me—I’m prepared for what it means to stand against the Blood Hunters’ Guild.”

“You don’t have to do this,” I said quietly. “You owe me nothing. Besides, I am of the Blood Clan, you are human—our conflict is only natural. There is nothing for you to feel guilty about.” Yet, inexplicably, a wave of pain washed through me. Yes, he was human, and I was of the Blood Clan—by birth, sworn enemies. I was reminding myself, striving to remain clear-headed.

“But we are friends, aren’t we? Even if I betrayed you once, that doesn’t change the truth. It’s what Xiaoyou would have wanted.” As he mentioned Xiaoyou, pain flickered across Xingyu’s face; he had not yet moved past the sorrow of losing that girl.

“Where you choose to stay is your own affair—it has nothing to do with me.” Seeing the anguish on Xingyu’s face, I found myself unable to press him further.

At my words, Xingyu smiled, but in that smile I saw only bitterness.

“Liliana, what should we do next?” Xuelan asked. “Are we to wait here for the First Judge to come to us? Isn’t that too passive?”

“I know,” I replied with a wry smile. “But in the face of absolute power, all schemes are meaningless. All we can do, in our weakness, is struggle to survive.”

“Perhaps we could seek refuge in the Demon Realm for a time. There, the First Judge would not be able to find us so easily,” Ashius, Lilir’s steward, suggested just as we were at a loss.

“The Demon Realm?” I echoed, visibly surprised. “Indeed, if we hid there, the First Judge would have difficulty finding us. That’s a good idea.” I smiled. The Demon Realm—a perfect place to lie low. How long had it been since I’d last set foot there? Yes, it was time to return, I thought, feeling a quiet loneliness. That place was steeped in memories.

As I grew lost in thought, a hand slipped into mine. I turned, and saw Xuelan gazing at me with gentle eyes, her hand clasping mine tightly. Though her hand was cold and lifeless, in that moment I felt an incomparable warmth. I smiled at her.

Mother, how have you been? Your daughter has grown up; she is coming to see you now. Surely you would be glad. You did not wish me to follow you into the other world, so I will live well, as you hoped.

“Let’s go. We depart for the Demon Realm,” I announced to the others. “I know a place there where the First Judge will never find us.”

“Yes, Princess Liliana,” Ang, Xuelan, and Duke Feng replied in unison.

“Wonderful, Lilith! It’s been so long since we’ve had fun in the Demon Realm.” Lilir answered, delighted.

Xingyu said nothing, but his eyes shone with determination.

And so, together, we tore open the fabric of space and set out for the Demon Realm, vanishing into the shadows of the night.

After we were gone, a solitary figure appeared at the place we had just left. Watching the spot where we’d disappeared, he muttered, “Lilith has grown up at last. Did you see her, Lydis?”

He stood gazing into the distance for a long time, then faded away, leaving no trace of his presence.