Chapter 8: A Deadly Intent

Just as Han Qi and Su Ye left the church, the worshippers gradually dispersed. The priest felt a dry, sore throat and was about to retreat to the back room for water.

A figure clad in a black cloak slowly entered, prompting the priest to halt and wait for the newcomer to approach him.

The visitor seemed to fear the sunlight, his face hidden beneath the heavy, dark brim of his hat.

The priest drew a cross over his chest and asked, "How may I serve you?"

"Confession," replied the stranger.

The priest smiled kindly, pressing his hands together. "The Lord will hear your voice."

The visitor lowered his hood, revealing himself to be a handsome young man.

His skin was pale as porcelain; the faint sunlight upon his face gave it a translucent quality, an almost morbid beauty.

"I've fallen in love with someone I should not..." The boy's voice was frail, echoing in the vast, empty prayer hall.

Night descended, bringing a hush over the church, gentle moonlight spilling across its sacred halls.

In the backyard, a sprawling wisteria grew lush and vigorous, releasing a soul-soothing fragrance. The delicate purple petals shimmered enchantingly in the moonlight.

A nun passing by paused, captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the violet sea, drawn closer by its allure.

She lightly brushed her fingers over the tender blossoms, a soft smile blossoming on her lips.

Everything happened in an instant.

Countless slender stems pierced her body, wrapping tightly around her. She didn’t even have time to utter a cry before all life fled her frame, a trace of her earlier smile still lingering on her face.

Dark green vines twisted through her body, and her once-full figure collapsed like a punctured balloon. The thin tendrils wound around her in tight coils, encasing her like a silkworm locked inside its cocoon.

Moments later, the wisteria unfurled its dense vines again; nothing remained, not a trace of the nun.

The dark green tendrils sprawled wildly, reflecting an eerie glow in the moonlight, and the purple petals bloomed even more fiercely.

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Perhaps intoxicated by the love brought on by rosemary, Ling Yan found himself wearing a faint smile more often these days. He remained oblivious to how incredible it was for such a thing to happen to him.

After finishing his night shift at the hospital, Ling Yan’s footsteps involuntarily veered toward "Feast of Flowers." But today, someone stopped him.

It was a colleague and friend, Ji Ming.

Ji Ming frowned, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "What have you been up to these past few days?"

Ling Yan didn’t answer directly, instead asking, "What brings you here?"

Ji Ming’s brows knitted tighter. "You mean you don’t know?" He handed Ling Yan a newspaper.

Ling Yan took it; the headline screamed in bold type: "Clergy Vanishes Mysteriously, Is a Serial Killer Loose in City A?" The report was sensational, full of embellishments, striving to stir a suspenseful and terrifying atmosphere—hoping to make every citizen uneasy.

As a detective, Ji Ming knew far more than the average person. Reports like these might frighten the public, but for an insider, Ji Ming would only come to Ling Yan if he was certain.

Ling Yan asked, "You suspect vampires?"

Ji Ming nodded. "Honestly, several people have gone missing. But to avoid public panic, it’s been kept under wraps."

Blood is essential for vampires, though human blood is not. The noble bloodlines looked down on human blood, while some lower-class vampires, unable to find fresh blood, might attack humans. However, such cases were exceedingly rare, as the blood clans had long prohibited hunting humans as prey. Legal sources for blood were plentiful, and in dire hunger, animal blood sufficed; there was no need to risk violating the taboo for murder.

Ling Yan countered, "Why not suspect a human?"

Ji Ming’s expression turned incredulous. "Compared to vampires, I certainly trust humans more."

He scrutinized Ling Yan and reached out to feel his forehead. "Are you feverish?"

Ling Yan dodged his hand. "I’ll keep an eye on it."

With that, Ling Yan strode away.

After finishing a tattoo for the last vampire customer, Li Ye lowered his head to tidy up his tools.

The wind chimes tinkled softly. Without looking up, he said, "We’re closed for the night."

But the visitor didn’t leave; instead, he approached step by step.

Li Ye paused, and soon, a familiar voice sounded.

"Long time no see."

The boy’s voice was clear and pleasant, but Li Ye’s brows slowly knitted.

He looked up, curling his lips with disdain. "You’re not welcome here. Get out."

Since leaving the church, the boy’s color had returned, the pallor faded.

Now, standing before Li Ye, he was handsome and refined, his slightly upturned eyes carrying a hint of cold arrogance. Without the heavy black cloak, his tall, slender figure radiated an innate vigor that no oversized coat could conceal.

"Li Ye, can I ask you for a favor?"

His voice was soft, almost pleading.

"Absolutely not," Li Ye replied coldly. "Qiao Nian, if I were you, I’d leave and never come back."

Qiao Nian’s gaze darkened. He lowered his head. "I will go far away, but..."

He could not finish, for Li Ye’s fingers clamped tightly around his throat.

Qiao Nian reflexively grabbed Li Ye’s wrist, but did not struggle, letting the other vent his fury upon him, his jet-black eyes unmoving, locked onto Li Ye.

That unwavering gaze only made Li Ye angrier; his blood-red eyes blazed with murderous intent, and the grip on Qiao Nian’s throat tightened further.

It was too late to resist now; Li Ye’s fingers were unyielding as iron brands. Only then did Qiao Nian realize that the surging killer intent was tangible.

He had overestimated himself.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Han Qi rushed in. Seeing the scene, he hurried over, desperately trying to pry Li Ye’s fingers away.

"Boss, what are you doing! This is illegal!"

Li Ye turned his gaze to Han Qi, who shivered but clung to Li Ye’s arm.

After a moment, Li Ye flung his hand forcefully. Han Qi tumbled to the floor, and Qiao Nian was hurled against the door.

"It’s not that I can’t kill you," Li Ye said, expressionless, his exquisite face exuding a chilling aura, "but I won’t dirty my hands for a lowly mongrel like you."

Enduring the pain, Qiao Nian calmly stood up, opened the door, and walked out.

He didn’t even look back.

The shop returned to silence.

Li Ye turned his gaze to Han Qi, his voice icy. "Why are you here again?"

Han Qi grimaced. "I haven’t been here in ages, okay?"

"What do you want?"

"Oh, the medicine you gave me last time is finished."

Li Ye raised an impatient eyebrow. "And?"

Han Qi replied matter-of-factly, "So I came to get more."

"You needn’t take it anymore."

Han Qi blinked. "May I ask why?"

The other answered bluntly, "No."

From the moment the boy entered "Feast of Flowers," Ling Yan had been standing on the rooftop. He couldn’t see inside, lacking x-ray vision, but his sharp hearing caught everything.

He remained there even after Han Qi left, not moving at all.

Because of the blood bond, he could sense Li Ye’s emotional fluctuations. When that overwhelming murderous intent surged, Ling Yan was taken aback. Now, as Li Ye gradually calmed, Ling Yan detected hints of another emotion—sadness.

Though fleeting, Ling Yan noticed it.

When Ling Yan entered, Li Ye was leaning against the sofa, his cold profile tinged with sorrow, staring blankly at the floor.

Ling Yan sat down beside him, and Li Ye shot him a frosty glance before turning away.

Ling Yan reached for his icy fingers, but Li Ye brushed him aside.

His expression was chilly and imperious. "Don’t bother me."

Ling Yan leaned in again, gripping Li Ye’s hand firmly this time, and surprisingly, Li Ye didn’t pull away.

"If it helps you stop thinking about that person, I’d gladly bother you."

Li Ye fell silent at those words, his body stiffening.

After a long time, he slowly lifted his head, startling Ling Yan.

Like a volcano on the verge of eruption, Li Ye’s gaze blazed with wild fury, murderous sparks roiling in his pupils.

Completely enraged.

Then, with a thunderous crash shattering the tranquil night, the entire roof was ripped open, clouds of dust billowing.

Another fierce battle began.