Chapter 212: The Vampire Count (Part 4)

Chapter 212: The Vampire Count (Part Four)

"Again?"

"Don't these people ever sleep? Can't they just come all at once instead of in waves?"

As Xie Fangcheng pondered, he really didn't want to get up again to dismantle skeletons. He decided that as long as the newcomers weren't too noisy, he'd just feign ignorance.

"What bad habits have these ghosts picked up? Fighting and killing are one thing, but why the incessant need to scare people? Who taught them that?"

However, this time the intruder was rather quiet, tiptoeing towards Xie Fangcheng and stopping beside his bed.

It was then that Xie Fangcheng realized... it seemed to be Luga.

He had recently experienced this familiar murderous intent. There was no denying it; it was very characteristic of Professor Zhang.

As he lay there, lost in various thoughts and reminiscing, Xie Fangcheng even found himself amused by the realization.

Ever since he met Zhang Dao'an, the man harbored a killing intent towards him, whether as Zhang Dao'an or as Zhang Si Quan, it always started with wanting to kill him.

This murderous aura from Luga felt all too familiar! So familiar that Xie Fangcheng didn't find it inappropriate at all. On the contrary, he wanted to ask, "Are you sure you're not Professor Zhang? This vibe is awfully nostalgic!"

Yet, Jiefang Cheng was still conflicted.

Although the two had a similar menacing aura, their personalities were distinctly different.

Zhang Daoan is a refined individual, a perfect gentleman who buttons his shirt all the way up.

Even when employing cunning tactics, Zhang Daoan maintains an academic demeanor, exuding a scholarly aura and an outstanding presence.

In Jiefang Cheng's encounters with Luca, the latter seemed sly, wearing a floral shirt with carelessly fastened buttons, giving off a nightclub vibe.

Regarding demeanor, it's hard to pin down, but other than their shared aggressive aura, there aren't many similarities.

In Jiefang Cheng's mind, it felt like plucking flower petals: "It's Professor Zhang"; pluck another: "It's not Professor Zhang."

It couldn't be Professor Zhang, right?

Professor Zhang is such a gentleman.

Oh well, let's see what he's up to.

If he intends to harm me, I can apprehend him on the spot and then confidently inquire about Professor Zhang's whereabouts.

Using his wit, Jiefang Cheng quickly devised this plan.

He continued to feign sleep, lying motionless on the bed.

Beside him was indeed Luca.

He observed the figure on the bed, his crimson eyes drooping.

After a while, Luca averted his gaze.

The man on the bed was pretending to sleep.

Even with Luca harboring such intense murderous intent, the individual on the bed kept his eyes shut.

Either the man's skills were indeed formidable, so much so that he wasn't concerned about a "vampire" desiring his death watching over him.

Or perhaps Luca's "memory" was flawed, and the man was so weak that he didn't dare open his eyes to see whether the figure beside his bed was friend or foe.

—— This must be the first one.

The other party isn't exactly cautious. After all, a careful person wouldn't rush upstairs like a headless fly shortly after arriving at the castle.

That leaves only one explanation.

This man is very powerful. He isn't afraid of the Vampire Count, and once he enters this "instance," he behaves nonchalantly, believing no one can defeat him.

If that's the case, then what's the deal with my "memory"?

In a split second, Luga concluded that this was not someone to be trifled with easily.

The objectives of these "players" remained unclear to him; picking a fight rashly would be a foolish move.

Enough for today.

After all, sneaking into someone's room at such a late hour is already an impolite gesture. Awaking them for a clandestine conversation, especially while they are dressed in private attire, is not what a gentleman should do.

His persona might exude rakishness, but Luga was not fond of this self-imposed "character."

With that thought, Luga turned to leave.

The moment he opened the door, a flash of red light appeared from outside.

The mechanical wings on Luga's back deflected the incoming attack, only for the red light to surge forth again.

"Thud."

"Crash."

The first "thud" was the sound of Luga's wings precisely blocking the red light again; the second "crash" emanated from his side.

In a blink of an eye, Luga identified his assailant—a lone skull with glowing red eyes, apparently drawn by the scent of fresh flesh.

The man who had just been feigning sleep on the bed had, at some point, moved beside him. First, he pulled Luga behind him protectively, then swiftly kicked the flying skull away. The whole sequence was smooth, as if rehearsed countless times.

After dispatching the skull, Xie Fangcheng immediately closed the door without another word, forestalling any further annoying intrusions by the loquacious skull.

Once the door was shut, Xie Fangcheng gave Luga a quick once-over.

"Are you okay?"

Luga looked at him and shook his head.

"Thank you."

"Ah, don't mention it," Xie Fangcheng waved his hand, promptly revealing his actual motive. "But if you truly want to thank me, could you answer a question for me?"

Knowing full well what he intended to ask, Luga still stared into his eyes: "What is it?"

"Where exactly is Zhang Dao'an?"

Luga gave a wry smile: "Why are you so fixated on finding him? Seeking vengeance?"

Xie Fangcheng answered him earnestly: "No, he's a good friend of mine."

For some inexplicable reason, Luga felt as if his heart skipped a beat.

When Xie Fangcheng had been upstairs, he wore a fiery rose-red gown, making him as captivating as a rose in full bloom.

Now standing in front of him, the man was only dressed in a simple white slip, his long curly hair somewhat disheveled from lying in bed.

Yet, it was this simple attire, combined with his forthright expression and earnest gaze, that imbued Luga with a sense of extreme, perilous allure.

He had sensed such danger in his "memories."

That kind of honesty and trust, that fiery blend of sincerity and strength—it was like a flame that could incinerate all darkness.

No one could resist such an intense blaze, especially not Luga, who had experienced everything "Zhang Si Quan" had been through in his memories.

—But do such people truly exist in the world?

Impossible, it must be a trap.

Rationality once again jolted Luga awake. He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and finally spoke.

"You've already met him."

"Hmm?" Xie Fangcheng paused, "The Count?"

Luga's eyelids drooped, his voice steady: "Yes."

"Ah," Xie Fangcheng scratched his head, "There's something you might not know... Lying to me is useless; I can discern the truth."

—This ability was precisely the same in his "memories."

Luga had initially intended to deceive him.

As it stood, it seemed every detail in his memories had come to fruition.

These "memories" associated with "Zhang Si Quan" inexplicably surfaced in his mind, unbidden, like a surreal and beautiful dream, crafting for him a perfect lover.

The pulsations felt so real, even upon awakening, as though he had truly experienced it all.

But how could that be possible?

Game? Players? These clues pointed somewhere. His world had indeed been amiss for a while, and the intrusion of outsiders seemed the most plausible explanation.

Everything in his memory was realistic, except for the lover who appeared in his dreams—so illusory and yet so stunning, as though too wondrous to be true.

Waking up from such dreams, Luga felt only fear.

Who had implanted such a segment of memory into his mind, and to what end?

He wasn’t a true vampire, lacking supernatural powers. What purpose could be served by creating such a lover for him through memory implantation?

What was even more terrifying was that he quickly sensed the emergence of a new "instance" around him—without anyone telling him, he immediately understood that it was an instance.

So, Luga, with his mechanical wings unfurled, quietly infiltrated the castle.

—And then, he met the lover from his dreams.

When the face from his dreams materialized before him, Luca found his heart pounding uncontrollably, his thoughts overwhelmed by a sense of yearning and exhilaration he couldn't suppress.

This is wrong.

The sensation of being utterly captivated upon first meeting was terrifyingly beautiful.

Particularly for someone as intelligent as Luca, experiencing such an inexplicable sense of excitement toward someone he'd just met was entirely against his nature.

Yet now, looking into the eyes of the person before him—who he'd dare call a "lover"—Luca couldn't help but think that love at first sight seemed almost inevitable.

Even his rational mind seemed to be complicit in this moment.

The other person was powerful, capable of kicking a skull away with ease, unguarded against any murderous intent, and could see through any lie at a glance.

Such a formidable individual hardly needed to resort to elaborate schemes.

So, were those memories real? Was he Zhang Si Quan, and also... Jie Dao An?

Jie Dao An's memories were scant, nothing more than a scattering of disjointed fragments.

But...he really is quite detestable.

Why do I only remember "Jie Dao An"?

Xie Fang Cheng had no idea that in a mere moment, the "Luca" before him had cycled through so many thoughts.

He was simply a bit curious.

For reasons unknown, the other person’s murderous intent suddenly vanished.

——It must be said, even this abrupt disappearance of hostility was characteristic.

Xie Fang Cheng was somewhat bewildered, yet it felt entirely plausible.

"What's the matter?"

Luca paused for a moment.

In such an environment, to distance himself from the lingering influences of "Zhang Si Quan" and the fragmented memories of "Jie Dao An," he'd deliberately altered his style of dress and even his demeanor. Currently, he was donning a garishly bright shirt that was almost too hideous to behold.

“……”

Xie Fang Cheng continued to watch him, his expression filled with pure curiosity.

Luca took a few steps back.

"It's late, get some sleep."

He gave a slight nod, becoming the epitome of a gentleman in that instant.

Xie Fang Cheng uttered an "Ah," just as he felt that the other seemed more familiar. But in the blink of an eye, Luca had vanished from sight.

"What's going on?" Xie Fang Cheng couldn't help but mutter.

With no one else around, Xie Fang Cheng had no choice but to lie back in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Damn... Could Luca really be Professor Jie?

Could someone's personality and fashion sense really change that much?

Who would've thought, Professor Jie, that you had so many facets.

So what's this now... Professor Jie's miraculous journey through the 'Three Thousand Worlds'?

"Seems like I'll have to see him again tomorrow..." Xie Fang Cheng murmured to himself.