Chapter 30: Extra Six – Eruption

In Qiao Nian’s mind, vampires were a decadent and indulgent clan; their territory should be equally ostentatious and bold—towering nightclubs, sprawling red-light districts, and so forth. But upon arriving at Manjusha, he was utterly astonished. Sculpted stone pillars lined both sides of the road in neat rows, the streets were orderly and disciplined.

Most striking of all, every vampire was dressed in solemn black-and-gold military uniforms, exuding an air of dignity.

Qiao Nian muttered softly, “When did vampires become so ascetic?”

He followed behind Yuan Che, and along the way, vampires constantly saluted him, making Qiao Nian rather envious. Sidling up to Yuan Che, he whispered, “If I’d been born here, would I be like you?”

Yuan Che didn’t answer, only smiled faintly.

“Hey, what are you smiling about? You haven’t answered my question…” Yuan Che couldn’t be bothered with him, so Qiao Nian kept close, repeatedly asking.

They were walking briskly, and at the corner of an alley, Qiao Nian collided heavily with a vampire. The other only stumbled, but Qiao Nian was thrown backwards, landing hard.

The vampire hurriedly helped him up. “Sorry, sorry.”

Qiao Nian rubbed his backside, forcing a smile. “It’s all right.”

Seeing Yuan Che, the vampire’s expression grew serious; he offered a crisp military salute.

Yuan Che nodded in acknowledgment, then said to Qiao Nian, “Come with me to the military headquarters.”

Qiao Nian grumbled, “My butt is killing me—can’t you walk a little slower?” Yet he hurried to catch up.

During the collision, the pendant in Qiao Nian’s pocket had fallen out and cracked on the ground. A dark brown liquid seeped out, filling the air with a strange scent. The vampire inhaled deeply.

Suddenly, his fangs extended sharply and his eyes turned blood-red.

It was not the primal, intense lust, but a terrifying, chilling urge to kill.

That abnormal, pungent odor began to spread rapidly in all directions.

The entire city remained solemn and tranquil, like a vast battlefield, ever ready for brutal combat.

As Qiao Nian followed Yuan Che into the military headquarters, he felt anxious and uneasy. Everyone moving through the halls walked briskly, as if carried by a gust of wind, their faces cold and serious. Qiao Nian looked at them with reverence, but deep inside, a sense of inferiority stirred.

He unconsciously clenched his fists. If his mother hadn’t abandoned him, would he now be one of them?

Noticing Qiao Nian’s crestfallen expression, Yuan Che slowed his pace and said gently, “You’ve already returned.”

He pushed open a door and led Qiao Nian inside.

Li Ye sat, immaculate as always, in a pristine white uniform. Hearing the door open, he set aside a thick ancient tome.

At first glance, Qiao Nian thought Li Ye seemed gentle.

But when Li Ye removed his misty glasses, Qiao Nian saw the fierce gleam in his eyes.

That eagle-like gaze shot straight at Qiao Nian, who instinctively took a step back, moving closer to Yuan Che and subconsciously reaching for his hand.

Li Ye frowned in displeasure. “Yuan Che, are you mad? Qining is not a man.”

“He’s Qining’s son.”

Li Ye glanced at Qiao Nian with indifference. “I only know Han Qi.”

“He’s Qining’s child with a human.”

Li Ye’s expression grew even more disdainful. “Oh, so he’s a mongrel.”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold. Yuan Che’s face darkened and he spoke quietly, “Don’t say that.”

“Fine,” Li Ye said with a careless smile, “You’re the commander, it’s your call.”

“I need you to conduct a thorough examination of his lineage.”

Li Ye shifted his gaze to Qiao Nian, speaking coldly, “Follow me.”

Though apprehensive, Qiao Nian refused to show cowardice before someone who clearly looked down on him. Gritting his teeth, he hurried after Li Ye.

Qiao Nian had expected to be taken to somewhere like a hospital operating room, but instead arrived at a greenhouse. It was filled with lush, exotic flowers, each one seemingly alive, their leaves swaying, vibrant blossoms opening to release a mysterious fragrance.

Li Ye pushed him toward a cluster of white blooms. Their slender stamens extended quickly; instinctively, Qiao Nian tried to retreat, but the stamens only brushed lightly against the back of his hand before swiftly retracting into the petals. Soon, the white flowers changed color.

One side became crimson, the other a deep scarlet.

Li Ye stared at the bloom and said in a low voice, “All right, you may go.”

Qiao Nian wanted to ask more, but seeing Li Ye’s gloomy expression, he kept silent.

The red signified human blood; the scarlet must be Qining’s lineage.

Recovering a mixed-blood scarlet noble ought to be cause for celebration. Yet Li Ye felt a thread of pain winding around his heart, so oppressive that, with his keen senses, he didn’t even notice the faint trace of dark brown hidden among the navy hues.

After Li Ye emerged, Yuan Che looked at him.

Li Ye’s expression was cool. “You were right.”

Yuan Che’s lips curved into a warm, charming smile—but not for Li Ye, for Qiao Nian.

Li Ye found the air unusually stifling and suddenly felt the need to step outside.

As he passed Yuan Che, he heard a quiet question: “Where are you going?”

Li Ye did not answer.

Qiao Nian watched his figure disappear from view, and the smile on his lips faded.

It was as if some tacit understanding had been shattered—and the villainous intruder was himself.

The military headquarters was rather secluded; after leaving its gates, one had to wind through several shadowy alleys to reach the central district.

The scent of blood wafting in the air made Li Ye frown. Unlike the sweet aroma of scarlet blood, this was pungent and viscous, like the rot of decaying blossoms.

Li Ye walked on without betraying any emotion. Suddenly, a rush of wind came, and a tall figure lunged at him. Li Ye quickly cast a barrier; the figure crashed against it, rebounded forcefully, and landed on the ground unconscious.

The vampire lying there wore a neat uniform, the badge of the military academy still on his chest—clearly just a student.

Li Ye’s expression darkened. What was going on? Was this some kind of military exercise? At the thought, his face eased slightly.

He continued onward, but at the alley’s mouth, another vampire blocked his path.

This one was covered head-to-toe in sticky blood, with bits of flesh clinging to his clothes, face, and hair, radiating a powerful stench. Yet his gaze was vacant, his expression dazed.

A wave of nausea churned in Li Ye’s gut. Was this exercise meant to be so realistic?

Another bloody fight ensued; after Li Ye knocked the vampire unconscious, he moved on.

But not much farther, more vampires surged at him, forcing him to battle continuously.

When he finally reached the central plaza, he felt exhausted. He looked up—and was stunned speechless, even gasping for breath.

Countless vampires, driven mad, tore at each other in savage combat. Blood drenched the ground and walls, the thick stench making it impossible to breathe.

The reek of decay assaulted him, and Li Ye felt his heart ripped apart, a dull pain in his chest forcing him to spit blood. He wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, only to be cut by his own fangs.

He had reverted to his vampire form without even realizing it.

Li Ye felt this military exercise was far too strange. He wanted to return to headquarters and get answers. Fighting the urge to vomit, he struggled to his feet—only to find himself surrounded. A dozen vampires, eyes blood-red, closed in step by step.

Another fierce battle was inevitable. Li Ye clenched his fists, his eyes tinting crimson, yet he did not realize that the bloodthirsty urge to kill was already infecting his heart like a virus…

After a brutal struggle, the plaza was transformed into a battlefield littered with corpses. The moonlight spilled cold and pale across the ground.

Li Ye knelt, sharp black nails embedded halfway into the hard earth, supporting himself to keep from falling. His pupils brimmed with suppressed agony.

His spotless white uniform was soaked in dark blue blood, his body slashed with countless wounds—some healing slowly, others so deep the white bone showed through.

“How… how did it come to this…”

The rotten, sweet scent still lingered in the air.