Chapter 147

Chapter 147

As Shen Wang faced the oncoming vampires, his mind momentarily drifted to the blonde vampire who had coveted Gu Dongting.

Wondering what had become of him? Given Little Black's nature... probably nothing good.

This momentary lapse didn't affect Shen Wang's actions; he drew his golden life-bound sword, and with a light swing, severed the enemy's seemingly indestructible claw.

The vampires were stunned for a moment, then enraged, letting out piercing screams.

The sound cut through the air, sharp enough to seemingly puncture eardrums, causing Shen Wang to frown: "So noisy."

The two sides clashed fiercely, tangled in intense combat.

The vampires had the advantage in numbers, which could overwhelm any opponent, even if individually outmatched.

Unfortunately for them, they were facing Shen Wang and Gu Dongting.

With a long sword in Shen Wang's hand and a black dagger in Gu Dongting's, even when surrounded, they remained composed. Their movements were swift and agile, easily slicing through the vampires' skin.

In no time, the once ferocious vampires lay defeated on the ground, their eyes filled with disbelief and fear.

Shen Wang didn't spare a glance at the fallen vampires; his gaze was fixed on the dagger in Gu Dongting's hand.

The pure black dagger twirled in Gu Dongting's hand as he spoke proactively, "This is the one you gave me."

Shen Wang withdrew his gaze.

He, of course, recognized the dagger.

When he first met Little Black, he swiped his dagger and later, as they grew closer, returned a better one.

While crafting this dagger, he also made a black long sword and presented it to Gu Dongting...

Thinking this, Shen Wang couldn't help but give Gu Dongting a few more glances.

Oblivious, Gu Dongting boasted, "Of course, I carry what you gave me."

Shen Wang responded noncommittally, then turned to look at the vampires.

Shen Wang was precise in his actions, disabling the vampires without taking their lives. Now, they could only lie on the ground, unable to move.

Following his usual routine, Shen Wang checked the vampires' teeth and wings, examining the skeletal structure, and finally used his spiritual energy to probe their meridians.

After this thorough examination, Shen Wang stood up and let out a long breath.

Seeing this, Gu Dongting asked, "What's the situation?"

"If the lower-ranking vampires merely practiced the most rudimentary dark arts, then these ones have mastered higher-level techniques," Shen Wang observed solemnly, "Their methods... bear traces of Huaxia's techniques."

While seemingly different from Huaxia's techniques, a closer examination of the energy flow within their bodies reveals a common origin.

On the other hand, werewolves, although similar to mythical beasts in their cultivation methods, possess their unique approach to cultivation.

Hearing this, Gu Dongting couldn't help but express his doubt, "But these vampires have been around for hundreds of years, back when Huaxia was still in its feudal dynasty era."

The two exchanged a glance, both sensing something amiss.

Casually grabbing a lucky vampire, Shen Wang held his wing like carrying a small chicken, dragging him into a room and setting up a soundproof barrier.

After completing this, he looked down at the trembling vampire, "Speak up. What's your name? Any family? Where are they?"

The vampire sneered, "Foolish human, do you think I'd betray my kind?"

Before Shen Wang could react, Gu Dongting stepped forward, crushing the vampire's large wing underfoot, the sound of breaking bones unmistakable to all present.

Standing on the vampire's wing, Gu Dongting calmly declared, "If you're unwilling to talk, I don't mind forcibly tearing off your wings."

The vampire, pale with pain and sweating profusely, looked at Gu Dongting with terror, as if staring at a demon.

Shen Wang narrowed his eyes.

He suddenly remembered, when he and Gu Dongting had just become familiar, they worked together on a case.

A boss surnamed Song had been cursed by his envious younger brother. Gu Dongting handled the brother with a mix of threats and temptations.

Back then, Shen Wang thought of Gu Dongting as kind yet not without edge, a principled and reliable person worth befriending.

Now, Shen Wang sized up Gu Dongting, disguised as Little Black: To think, he had been mistaken.

What principled good guy? He's more like a black-hearted glutinous rice ball, seemingly white on the outside.

Under Gu Dongting's intimidation, the vampire caved in, spilling everything.

This vampire claimed to be a descendant of the Brad family, one of the oldest and most prestigious noble families among the vampires, with profound heritage and numerous powerful members.

At this point, the vampire cautiously glanced at Gu Dongting, "As for their whereabouts... I don't know."

Gu Dongting watched him coldly, and with just a slight move of his foot, the vampire started to wail.

"I really don't know!" the vampire was almost crying, "Our kinship among vampires isn't close; we only gather when needed, and barely contact each other otherwise."

Hearing this, Shen Wang asked, "How do you transform humans into vampires?"

The vampire stiffened his neck, "By sucking blood, of course..."

Before he could finish, under the combined cold stares of Shen Wang and Gu Dongting, he retracted his neck, "At birth, we are taken to our ancestral land for awakening. Successful awakening turns us into vampires."

"And if it fails?"

"The failed infants, being naturally weak, aren't worth nurturing and are used as nourishment for other vampires..."

At this revelation, a dangerous glint appeared in Shen Wang's eyes, "How are the lower-ranking vampires transformed?"

The vampire blurted out, "Once the blood servants pass certain tests, they receive our blessing. They are then freed from their cumbersome mortal bodies, transforming into noble vampires with strength and lifespan beyond humans..."

It was clear this vampire had deceived many humans before; his words flowed effortlessly without thought.

Shen Wang nodded, "What do you mean by 'blessing'?"

After a series of questions, Shen Wang nodded at Gu Dongting, who immediately understood and tossed the vampire out, promptly dragging another one in.

Through this method of interrogating the vampires separately, Shen Wang finally gained a general understanding of their situation.

As the Brad family vampire said, their lineage is primarily sustained by an artifact, passed down through generations, bestowing them with unique powers.

To transform blood servants, they use food infused with this ancestral artifact, turning ordinary humans into immortal vampires upon consumption.

"Doesn't sound like anything righteous," Gu Dongting commented, having never heard of such a miraculous item before.

It seemed more like radiation than a magical artifact.

Shen Wang pondered for a few seconds: "Let's check out one of these families."

The pair quickly decided, leaving the useless vampires to the werewolves and swiftly departing the beach.

Before leaving, Shen Wang gazed at the vast expanse of the sea, unable to help but sigh, "Such a beautiful sea, what a pity."

Hearing this, Gu Dongting immediately offered, "You like the sea? I happen to own a private island. I can give it to you..."

Shen Wang: "..."

Before knowing Little Black's true identity, he had wondered where he got all his money.

After learning his true identity, Shen Wang could only lament: "Damn the rich."

"I was just reflecting," Shen Wang said, "The universe is fair, the world generous. Mountains and seas should belong to everyone, yet they are monopolized and privatized."

It wasn't exactly wrong, just a sigh.

Among the vampire nobility, there are also class distinctions.

Of these dozen vampires, only a few knew the location of the ancestral house. Many had only heard of it, and some didn't even know what their family heirloom looked like.

Following the directions of one vampire, Shen Wang and Gu Dongting drove a fiery red sports car, arriving ostentatiously at another city overnight.

And this family was the Brad family.

Under the faint moonlight, Shen Wang surveyed the ancient castle, eerie and dark, with green vines crawling over its old walls, adding a terrifying and chilly aspect in the night.

Even from a distance, Shen Wang could sense the ominous aura surrounding the castle.

Gu Dongting also felt the intense aura, "Seems like we've found the place."

Exchanging a glance, neither intending to conceal their presence, Shen Wang walked up and knocked on the castle's grand door.

As the sound of knocking echoed, it seemed to awaken something. No windows lit up, but Shen Wang and Gu Dongting both felt as if something had set its sights on them.

More than one thing.

Unfazed, Shen Wang continued knocking.

A series of faint sounds followed, and the door swung open violently, revealing darkness inside. A deep voice reached their ears, "Humans, you're quite bold."

Simultaneously, faint murmurs could be heard.

"It's him! The vampire hunter!"

"How did he know about this place?"

"Which despicable traitor betrayed the vampires?"

"Who cares, they've come right to us, perfect for a feast..."

"I'll drain every last drop of blood from his body, making him witness his own demise."

Countless whispering voices surrounded them, but looking into the doorway, it remained pitch dark, as if nothing was there.

Shen Wang raised an eyebrow, "What poor hospitality. Not even turning on the lights. Are you waiting for me to do it?"

As he spoke, he formed a talisman with his hand and tossed it into the castle.

A pale light illuminated, non-aggressive but brightening the profoundly dark room. Yet, this gentle glow elicited screams wherever it touched.

"What is this!"

"It hurts! It hurts so much!"

Amidst chaos, the hidden large bats in the darkness scrambled away, their screams and the flapping of wings incessant.

Satisfied, Shen Wang nodded, "See, now it's lit."

"Humans, you've completely enraged us!" A roar followed, and something lunged at Shen Wang.

Then came a sea of black wings, layer upon layer, swarming and bustling.

Shen Wang smirked coldly, holding a talisman between his fingers, "First time seeing demons so eager to court death."

Lower-ranking vampires fear sunlight because it contains the righteous qi of the human world, capable of vanquishing dark entities.

These so-called 'noble' vampires might not fear sunlight, but they equally dread objects imbued with righteous, yang energy.

This time, neither Shen Wang nor Gu Dongting held back.

On one side was the dazzling sword energy, almost lighting up the night, while on the other, thunder and blazing solar fire exploded, defeating the vampires completely.

The weaker vampires turned to ash instantly under the strike of the Thunderbolt Talismans, scattering in the wind.

After an unknown period, as the number of vampires dwindled, Shen Wang finally ceased using his seemingly endless supply of talismans.

"Is it over?" Gu Dongting, unusually exhilarated from the battle, was still surrounded by a chilling murderous aura.

Shen Wang replied, "Should be."

Even if some vampires remained, they probably wouldn't dare come out anymore.

At this moment, the ground was littered with bodies, the blood almost staining the entire area red, with a strange smell lingering in the air, as if no third creature survived.

Shen Wang kicked aside a vampire corpse: "Let's go, find their ancestral treasures."

It wasn't hard to find, as these vampires didn’t understand formations or how to hide their presence, so they just had to look in places with dense Yin energy.

Soon, Shen Wang found the so-called 'treasure'.

After forcefully opening the vault door, both Shen Wang and Gu Dongting frowned upon seeing the treasure.

"Tang... Sancai?" Gu Dongting hesitated, a rarity for him.

Even with little knowledge of antiques, they could tell that this so-called treasure was a typical miniature figurine from Huaxia.

The figurine, only the size of a palm, was a plump maid with a smiling face, wearing flowing garments with a long ribbon, its original color lost, now exuding a blood-like red.

Combined with the figurine's bowed head and smiling expression, there was an indescribable eeriness.

On closer inspection, one would notice its eyes weren’t the typical slender shape unique to Chinese, but rather outlined with vertical pupils, seemingly locking on from any angle with their eerie stare.

Beneath the platform where it stood, there was a blood pool several meters wide, its stench of blood assaulting the senses.

Shen Wang picked up the maid figurine, examining it closely: "Nurtured with fresh blood, an internal energy array has been set up, an array that can cause mutations..."

It was indeed the handiwork of a genuine cultivator.

Shen Wang truly didn't understand. If this thing was a natural occurrence, why would so many vampire families have it? And if it was deliberate... what was the reason?

He had roamed several cities and had never encountered any trace of cultivators.

This matter was shrouded in mystery at every turn.

"Fortunately, we've found a way to counter the vampires," Gu Dongting comforted Shen Wang, "After we leave, we don't have to worry about them rising again."

In the end, as long as werewolves have the capability to challenge the vampires in the arena, it doesn't matter who wins or loses.

What Gu Dongting wanted was merely to restrain the vampires, making Tang Jiu lose an ally.

Shen Wang nodded silently, stowing away the eerie figurine and glancing at the blood pool that had claimed many lives, he drew a rebirth array.

In the following days, Shen Wang and Gu Dongting dealt with high-level vampires while frantically drawing talismans, all targeting vampires… In addition to these two tasks, they also found several vampire treasures.

Not surprisingly, all bore the familiar Huaxia style.

It was only when wiping out a relatively small vampire family that Shen Wang was astonished to find that their treasures weren't in the Huaxia style, but in the style of the "Little Sun."

Shen Wang shuddered, promptly booking a flight to the "Little Sun."