Chapter 26: Extra Story Two - Born This Way

Since that grand military exercise, Han Qi had never seen that mysterious vampire again.

He returned safely to the military academy, thus passing a most severe test, and was honored to become one of the candidates for early reporting to the military division.

Yet Han Qi could not rejoice; indeed, he was troubled. It wasn’t the prospect of entering the military ahead of schedule that unsettled him, but rather the death of that fellow vampire—confirmed to have been torn apart and killed.

Upon hearing the school’s announcement, an unprecedented terror surged through Han Qi’s heart. What sort of monster had he encountered that day? If he had fallen earlier, would he too have been…

The bloody scene flashed across his mind. Han Qi drew a deep breath and resolved to relinquish his place.

Su Ye glanced over Han Qi’s profile among the list of early candidates, pausing for only a few seconds before moving on without much regard.

A knock sounded and Yuan Che entered, his slender fingers clad in black leather gloves tapping lightly on the broad European-style table. Su Ye looked up at him.

He handed Su Ye a document, his tone laced with familiar teasing, “Ah, you’re sick again?”

“This isn’t sickness.”

“All right,” Yuan Che sighed, “I’ll keep this matter quiet, but you can’t go on like this. Is there really no way to resolve it…?”

Su Ye lowered his eyes, long lashes casting a fan-shaped shadow.

In truth, when the violent impulse first manifested, Yuan Che had asked, “How did your predecessors avoid this?”

The other’s reply was offhand, “They couldn’t. There can only be one. When I was born, they died.”

When Han Qi knocked on the office door, the principal was frowning at a document sent down from higher authorities.

Upon being allowed to enter, Han Qi saluted with military precision.

The principal, a young man wearing glasses, greeted him with a gentle smile—youth is eternal for the blood clan, so young appearance does not mean shallow experience.

“My child, is something troubling you?”

“Principal, I wish to withdraw my candidacy for early entry into the military.”

The principal asked in surprise, “Why?”

Han Qi looked him in the eye, his expression solemn. “I didn’t earn it through merit, merely by exploiting an opportunity.” He hesitated, unsure whether to reveal the incident, but after a moment’s pause, he pressed on, “I caused another blood clan member to be killed…”

The principal listened quietly, recalling the instructions from above. He frowned, deep in thought. Suddenly, as if struck by realization, he sat upright, sweat gathering in his palms.

“Child, tell me—who are your parents?”

“Ah?” Han Qi’s mouth fell open in astonishment, not expecting the principal to ask about his parents, nor understanding why.

The principal smiled gently, “No other reason, just curiosity. If it’s inconvenient, don’t worry.”

Han Qi shook his head, “It’s not inconvenient—I simply don’t know who they are.”

“I’ve never seen them.”

“Forgive me, I shouldn’t have asked.”

Han Qi smiled lightly, unconcerned. “It’s nothing. It’s been so long, I’m no longer sad.”

The principal stood, gently patting his shoulder. “Child, I will submit your application to headquarters.”

“Thank you.”

Han Qi bowed respectfully, saluted again, and departed.

The principal calmed his excitement, quickly dialing the military department’s internal line.

“Lord Li Ye, the blood key may have appeared.”

After hanging up, Li Ye was in good spirits, a smile on his lips. He turned to see Yuan Che enter.

A thin layer of frost seemed to veil Yuan Che’s face as he asked in a low voice, “Is there no better way to control Ye’s condition?”

“It’s not an illness,” Li Ye sighed helplessly, “It’s his nature.”

With immense power comes an insatiable thirst for blood and violence.

“However, perhaps there is a better way now.”

Yuan Che looked at Li Ye, signaling him to continue.

“I’ll need your help.”

Han Qi’s application was approved by the higher authorities. Upon receiving the news, his heart finally settled, the guilt and terror that had weighed on him eased somewhat. Yet, it wasn’t enough to dispel the knot in his heart, for the fear still lurked deep within. Sometimes at night, he would dream of being torn limb from limb, his soul shattered, waking drenched in cold sweat, unable to sleep again.

Images of that person flickered through his mind—the touch of skin, the warmth in his arms. If not for the lingering blood-soaked memories, Han Qi might even have thought him gentle.

He shook his head vigorously, banishing these strange thoughts.

Several months passed thus. Life at the military academy was harsh: rigorous training and study left no time for distractions, and Han Qi gradually forgot the incident.

Time flew by, and the cadets faced their most crucial seasonal assessment. The test site was the mysterious and perilous Realm of Illusions; the mission was to escape unscathed, with each student allowed three deaths.

That day, a white mist rose, enveloping the entire Realm of Illusions in dense fog. The damp chill pervaded the air, heightening the grave atmosphere. Entering the realm, each figure faded into the mist, vanishing from sight.

The Realm of Illusions was one of the blood clan’s key military training grounds, formed from the body of a royal ancestor. No one knew its original form. It could manifest scenes based on each person’s fears, so everyone saw and experienced something different—like countless isolated environments.

At first, Han Qi saw nothing unusual. Before him was a flat road, but the thick fog limited his vision to nearby objects. Still, he felt safe.

He wondered what his heart truly feared.

After walking some distance, the light dimmed, whether from thickening fog or the sun hidden by clouds.

Han Qi squinted and saw an endless lake before him, placid and without a ripple.

He watched it intently, heart beating faster. He failed to notice a shadow emerging from the mist behind him.

A faint “click” broke the silence. Han Qi spun around in alarm, catching a glimpse of a black-red shadow streaking by—too fast to discern. He immediately gathered energy, scanning his surroundings.

Not daring to relax for a second, knowing death could come at any moment.

Yet the real terror was not death—but the unknown.

Han Qi never saw how his assailant approached; by the time he realized, a frigid chill swept over him from behind.

Then the sound of flesh being torn burst forth in the quiet.

He had no time even to cry out. His body was pierced by countless sharp blades: shoulder, chest, abdomen—bone and flesh utterly penetrated, the blades scraping bone with a sickening crunch, blood gushing out with a rushing sound.

It was horrifying.

A ferocious, bloody instant kill.

Yuan Che stood behind Han Qi, yet not a drop of blood sullied his luxurious military uniform.

Immaculately pristine.

“So quickly dead, huh.”

Yet the scene before him made Yuan Che’s eyes widen in surprise.

The blood that had been flowing like a stream suddenly stopped, then began to flow back, as if animated by some spirit, every drop returning to its master’s body.

Li Ye walked out of the mist, crouching beside Han Qi. “It seems he truly is the Blood Key.”

The Blood Key: vampires possessed of a unique lineage, the clan’s ultimate guardians. If the blood clan faced extinction through war, it was the Blood Key who would open the last sanctuary, granting the clan rebirth—from death to life anew.

In a sense, the Blood Key is the vampire who cannot die.

Li Ye extended his strong, slender hand, like a thin blade, easily piercing Han Qi’s chest, searching within.

Finding the heart, he withdrew it and crushed it in his palm.

Yet soon the fragments gathered again in Han Qi’s chest, reforming an intact heart that slowly melted back into place.

“He’s probably the son of the last Blood Key, Qi Ning.”

Yuan Che frowned. “Does that mean Qi Ning is dead?”

Li Ye shook his head. “Not necessarily. Qi Ning may still live, but is no longer the Blood Key.”

Yuan Che looked down at Han Qi—the blood had returned to his body, the ghastly wounds slowly healing, the sound of broken bones knitting together audible.

Li Ye laughed with pleasure. “One rebirth, one slaughter—he and Su Ye truly are made for each other.”

The tranquil atmosphere was shattered by a sudden roar; ripples spread across the once placid lake. In the next instant, an enormous splash erupted, and amidst a shower of crystalline droplets, Su Ye slowly emerged from the water.

His beautiful pale golden hair draped his waist; beneath the transparent water, his smooth skin gleamed as though gilded, his tall frame, broad shoulders, and chest radiating irresistible power.

He cast a cold glance at Han Qi lying on the ground, then swept his gaze over the two nearby.

Li Ye waved his hand. “Marshal, I only wished to confirm my judgment, not to harm him.”

Yuan Che curled his lips, a hint of mockery in the subtle curve. “You seem more pained than he is.”

Su Ye gathered Han Qi in his arms, his fingers gently brushing Han Qi’s hair. His voice was low. “Is that enough?”

Yuan Che was about to tease further, but Li Ye spoke first, “It’s enough.”

He turned and tugged Yuan Che’s hand, signaling him to leave. Yuan Che, though puzzled, followed Li Ye away.

By the quiet lakeside, only the faint sound of breathing and heavy gasps remained.

Hearing this, Han Qi slowly opened his eyes.

He started in alarm—him again!

At this moment, he was leaning against the other’s bare chest, the weak light casting an ethereal glow on his face.

It seemed that someone so beautiful should be pure, even ascetic.

Yet now, Han Qi could clearly see the surging desire in those scarlet eyes.

A primal, blazing desire.

A strong sense of danger struck Han Qi, and he sat up abruptly—just as the other bent down, their foreheads colliding with a thud that darkened his vision, the force sending Han Qi rolling away.

He braced himself with his hands, staggering to his feet, rubbing his forehead and threatening, “Don’t come any closer!”

Despite the turbulent desire, Su Ye’s gaze was clear, like a young beast—pure instinct.

He neither nodded nor shook his head, simply stared deeply at Han Qi.

For defense, Han Qi quietly gathered energy.

Suddenly, the other’s figure flashed; Han Qi’s heart leapt, ready to release his energy, only to find the other merely hugged him tightly.

His hot breath brushed Han Qi’s neck, laden with a powerful hormonal allure. Unlike most vampires, his body was burning hot, as if charged with boundless energy.

Unconsciously, Han Qi raised his hand, gently stroking the other’s bare back; the silken golden hair seemed to come alive, softly entwining his fingers.

Slowly, Han Qi felt the other’s frenzy subsiding; the immense power flowed peacefully within him, like a gentle stream.

No longer a torrent of lust, but a tender closeness.

Han Qi held him, a wave of compassion rising in his heart. He could hardly believe that he felt such emotion for a vampire who was a killer.

Su Ye’s fangs protruded, lightly piercing the skin on Han Qi’s neck.

At the moment the blood welled up, he sensed his own desire. As the highest noble, almost no blood could stir his craving.

Hot kisses rained densely upon Han Qi’s neck; Su Ye bit his own lip, the mingling blood bringing an intimacy that delighted him.

Su Ye bit Han Qi’s earlobe, whispering hoarsely, “Remember me—forever…”