Chapter 37: CH 31.2

It was already evening when Lu Li returned.

“I haven’t seen you for a whole day. Where have you been?” Xie Jianwei asked.

There was the smell of alcohol on Lu Li’s body. He bowed his head and kissed Xie Jianwei. The kiss was gentle at first, but it eventually became rough.

Xie Jianwei frowned and looked at him: “What’s wrong?”

Lu Li said nothing. He just released his mouth, then bobbed his head down to bite Xie Jianwei’s neck.

Xie Jianwei was slightly startled as Lu Li seldom drinks warm blood, but today, it seems that he wanted to prove something– he was asking for it eagerly, without any rules.

Xie Jian called him softly: “Ah-Li?”

Lu Li shuddered. After releasing him, a pair of eyes stared at Xie Jianwei intesely.

Xie Jianwei didn’t dodge– he also faced Lu Li with a serious expression.It seemed like Lu Li wanted to see his soul, his heart –everything about him– through his eyes.

But how could that be possible? Eyes are the most deceptive thing after all.

Lu Li retracted his gaze and sullenly said: “I will not forget my name.”

Xie Jianwei suddenly felt a hard beat in his chest: “Why are you suddenly saying this?”

“Nothing.” Lu Li replied a succinct manner.

Xie Jianwei felt that he caught a little clue, so he asked, “Why do you say that? Don’t you have them? You didn’t forget your memories as a human being.”

Lu Li’s eyes flickered, but his voice was still calm: “Yes, I remember. I just suddenly thought about it. I’m saying that even if I didn’t have my memory, I would still remember my name.”

Xie Jianwei looked at him and smiled: “Memory is not selective.”

Lu Li also smiled: “Yes.”

“ You haven’t forgotten, so don’t say that. “ said Xie Jianwei.

Lu Li said: “I meant it. Even if I lose all my memories now, I’d still remember to love you.”

Xie Jianwei kissed him: “It’s okay, even if you forget.  I’ll just make you fall in love with me again.”

The light in Lu Li’s eyes softened, and carefully licked the wound on Xie Jianwei’s neck: “You don’t need to do anything. I will fall in love with you no matter what.”

“Xie Jianwei, I I love you.” Lu Li continued.

“Lu Li, I love you too.”Xie Jianwei replied as Lu Li kissed him again (t/n: fricking dog food. I’m so full.)

*******

After that day, Xie Jianwei didn’t meet the Blood King again, and his life with Lu Li returned to how it was before.

They are always full of sweetness and loving– as long as they can see each other, all is good. Although sometimes Xie Jianwei remembers the Blood King Lu Li, he is not yet ready to deal with him. He must first accompany Lu Li and make him happy.

Lorren wanted to complain that he’s getting a toothache everytime he sees the both of them.

Xie Jianwei: “I didn’t ask you to keep visiting me though.”

“Persons who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Count Lorren, just go and enjoy yourself in Hall of Blood Shine.”  Xie Jianwei quipped back.

“If I don’t come visit you, you’re just going laze around inside your residence.” Lorren retorted in return.

In the end, Xie Jianwei just ignored him.

Every time Lorren came over, he would always bring him a lot of cold blood. This cold blood is of excellent quality, and the taste is somewhat comparable to the warm blood of an average person. It is quite delicious and particularly nutritious.

XIe Jianwei knew that Lorren was doing all of these with good intentions. Him, only exchanging blood with Lu Li was quite an incredible thing for someone of a bloodclan, especially for a pureblood.

The biggest reason why the couple, who owns the bar Xie Jianwei often visits, stayed with each other for decades is because they are ordinary bloodkins. Normal bloodclan members have weak power to begin with, so they only need a small amount it. They can even survive by only drinking cold blood.

However, the purebloods are very powerful and thus they require higher quality and more blood. Two high level vampires will starve to death when they only exchange each others blood. (t/n: Lorren have mentioned this before. Power will gradually decrease if you keep on drinking the same blood. I think its just like how humans can’t survive on eating a particular food alone, we need a variety in order to get proper nutrition.)

Cold blood has little-to-none nutrition for purebloods.  Even drinking a lot of it isn’t enough.

Fortunately, the cold blood provided by Lorren is of high quality, so Xie Jianwei could eat it as a meal, and it could actually somehow maintain his health.

He and Lu Li need to keep drinking cold blood, so that it could be converted into certain proportion of warm blood in their body, before being served to each other. All of these are necessary if the both of them wanted to keep being exclusive to each other without compromising their health. (t/n: Xie Jianwei needed a high quality cold blood because he’s a pureblood, unlike Lu Li who could get nutrients on average quality cold blood. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why Lorren is paying a special attention to Xie Jianwei’s food.)

Other vampires are too lazy to do such troublesome things, but for Xie Jianwei who is used to eating three meals a day, this is nothing.

After such a long time of being delivered such blood, Xie Jianwei finally couldn’t held back his curiousity and asked Lorren: “Where are you getting this cold blood?It’s really good.”

“Just drink it.” Lorren answered.

“It’s not good to always trouble you with these things. Just tell me the source, I will go …”

“Come on,” Lorren interrupted him, “Such a small thing, this elder brother can raise you like this for a lifetime.”

Xie Jianwei smiled as he scolded the other: “Go away! Who’s your brother?”

Xie Jianwei had always been keen. Although Lorren said with no strangeness in his expression, but Xie Jianwei clearly felt that something is wrong. The blood is really superior in quality. With Lorren’s character, he should’ve definitely showed him where he got it from and how he made it in order to boast of his ability.

But Lorren didn’t even mention something about it. Although it’s really not a big deal, Xie Jianwei still wanted to check.

********

He arranged for that cold blood matter to be inquired, but the result of the investigation wasn’t even out when he encountered another situation.

He didn’t see the Blood king for two to three months, but today he sent someone to summon him.

The King summoned, so Xie Jianwei naturally could not refuse.

In fact, there were waves surging within the blood as of recently.

The purebloods and the ordinary bloodkins had been somewhat at odds since a long time ago, but the latter had never had the chance to shine. However, now that they have a Lu Li, this long-been-ignored crowd are now gradually gaining spotlight.

The regime of purebloods has been shaken, and the normal bloodclans are now calling for their own independence and autonomy.Although there’s only a little bit of growth for the time being, but like a falling star, it will burn the whole grassland into a sea of ​​fire sooner or later.

Lu Li is busy, but the Blood King Lu Li is even busier, becasue both of them are competing for the future of the entire blood race.

Xie Jianwei planned to split the bloodclan and completely separate Lu Li from the Blood kKng Lu Li, but this idea should not be noticed by anyone, otherwise it would cause a great disaster. Some things must be done gradually, and for these things, only time is the best solution.

Xie Jianwei didn’t immediately go to see the Blood King. He waited for a while in the side hall. It was only about after half an hour did he entered the hall.

They haven’t seen each other for almost three months. The Blood King Luli was as usual– luxuriously dressed, graceful, and has thin lips under a silver mask. It seemed like he was in a good mood as he started: “I heard from Lorren that recently, you’re studying alchemy?”

Xie Jianwei: “I have nothing to do, so it’s just for pass time.”

Blood King Lu Li: “You have talent in this area, so you should study it more.”

“Yes.” Xie Jianwei respectfully replied.

Blood king Lu Li raised his hand, and one after another, a string of attendants came ou holding something: “These are the things in my private library, you can take them.”

Xie Jianwei glanced at the items, and his pupils shrunk.

He is currently studying “Alchemy”, which is actually the ancient version of biochemistry. The reason why he wanted to study it is for Lu Li.

If ordinary bloodkins want to compete with purbloods, they have to improve their strength.

Although Lu Li has enough power, the other normal bloodclans are too weak, and with such a disparity in front of them, it is destined that it would be difficult for the ordinary vampires to turn the tide over.

Xie Jianwei wanted to change the constitution of ordinary blood clan, and alchemy is one key.

However, this practice is not simple. Don’t mention of talent, collecting all kinds of medicinal materials is already a challenge itself.

But now….. The Blood King had collected almost all of the materials Xie Jianwei needed.

“It’s useless for me to have it, so you can take those back if you need it.” Blood King Lu Li said..

This …..

“This is too expensive.” Xie Jianwei said, panicking inside.

Blood King Lu Li lightly persistd: “It’s nothing.”

Xie Jianwei was ready to say his farewell as he wanted to get out immediately, but the Blood King Lu Li added: “If you make some great achievements in alchemy, it’ll be good for the blood clan. As a leader, I should be supportive of anything that could improve our race.”

But I’m going to dig the land under your foot, and yet you’re still handing over the hoe! This is inappropriate, Your Majesty! Xie Jianwei thought. (t/n: basically means BK Lu Li is digging his own grave by supporting XJW with alchemy.)

However, the Bloodclan Leader insisted: “This is an order, do you understand?”

The order of the King cannot be violated. With such a big responsibility handed to him in a commanding tone by the ruler, Xie Jianwei could only accept it.

Blood King Luli smiled and said warmly, “Come here.”

Xie Jianwei was syanding far away from the throne. Blood King Lu Li beckoned for him to climb the stairs and stand in front of him.

Blood King Lu Li got up and took an ice-blue colored thing from the attendant behind him.

Xie Jianwei knew what it was at first glance. He looked at Blood King Luli: “Your Majesty, isn’t that the heart ofice silk…”

“I need your blood.” Blood King Luli said, “Prick your fingertips and give it a drop of your blood. “

Xie Jianwei was confused: “What are you going to do?”

""

Blood King Luli said: “A talisman for you.”

Xie Jianwei: “…”

“Come on, it’s not a bad thing.”

Of course, he knew Lu Li will not harm him, but why should he get a talisman?

Xie Jianwei bit his fingertips, and just when he was about to drop his blood onto the Heart of Ice Silk, a loud noise was heard outside.

“Count! His Majesty has a guest, so it would be inconvenient for you to meet him!”

“I have to report something urgent; I believe His Majesty will understand.” The voice was Lu Li’s.

Xie Jianwei turned to entrance, and saw Lu Li just as he stepped inside. He was staring at him without blinking.

Xie Jianwei felt his chest tightned and instinctively wanted to return the Heart of Ice Silk to the Blood King, but unexpectedly, the latter just stared at Lu Li who jut arrived. Without receiving the item Xia Jianwei was giving back.

“Clang” a crisp sound echoed in the hall.

The Heart of Ice Silk fell to the ground and instantly shattered into pieces.

Xie Jianwei was stunned for a moment, and Blood King Lu Li scrunched his eyebrows, then snorted: “Get out.”

Xie Jianwei couldn’t respond immediately, but the Bloodclan Leader raised his hand and tried to drive them out of the hall.

But it was too late….

A cloud of white mist instantly covered the entire hall after the Heart of Ice Silk broke.

– –And Xie Jianwei finally “remembered” his and the Blood King Lu Li’s past.

Yan Ke also watched it with curiousity, and he exclaimed: “This trick is much more fashionable than a diary.”

Inside this already ‘dream’, the memories being shown to him now looked like another dream.

It turns out that Xie Jianwei is not a true pureblood. (t/n: this a flashback from hereon)

He was a human being– a human being betrayed by his lover and exiled from his home.

He was full of hatred; he despised everything, and was living not even close to a human being in Misty Mountain Stream.

The people who exiled him probably thought that he would be eaten by vampires, that he would become an irrational monster, and would eventually completely lose himself.

But a miracle happened– Xie Jianwei survived. With his tenacious will, and extraordinary wisdom beyond imagination, he survived in that real human hell.

But it has been extremely discomfitting.

Maybe he can live, but he can’t go out of that ghost-like place, let alone take revenge.

Fortunately, he met a bloodkin. One who was wearing a silver mask, a luxurious black- gold robe, and was extremely powerful, at that.

He asked him: “You want to be reborn?”

Xie Jianwei knew that this was a trap, but he wanted to live and wanted revenge against everyone who gave him pain!

The man leaned over and raised his chin. The two stared at each other amidst the dark jungle; one pair of gorgeous red eyes and another pair filled with hatred.

But at that moment, their interlocking eyes seemed to be infecting each other. The red eyes gradually darkened, and the Blood King smiled lightly as he said softly:

“You’re welcome.”

The words fell and his teeth pierced Xie Jianwei’s skin.

The first embrace is not a painful thing, it can even be said that it’s filled with bliss.

As Xie Jianwei’s brain gradually turned blank and his wandering ghost of hatred was being rapidly pulled out, together with his fear and anxieties, a man’s muffled voice sounded in his ear: “Don’t worry.  I’ll help you solve all the things you care about.”

The people who abandoned him will eventually die.

Xie Jianwei who was in bitter pleasure, sank into an endless desire.

At the last second, he felt somewhat at a loss for a moment– as if everything shouldn’t be like this, as if what he remembered was wrong, as if he should…

But everything stopped abruptly at that moment.

When the incredibly sweet liquid poured into his throat, Xie Jianwei could no longer think about other things.

He became dominated by the desires of his body –he only wanted to get this great power, to enjoy the pleasure he was feeling, and to hug this person– longing for him to give him more.

And he also satisfied him. He was given such a hearty feast.

The more blood he consumed during the First Embrace, the more powerful Xie Jianwei would become, but no matter what, he was a vampire being transformed from a human being.

Even if the person he had his First Embrace with was someone from the royal family, he could not change from a human to a pureblood.

No matter how powerful Xie Jianwei was, he was merely an ordinary bloodkin.

He was unruly and antagonized everyone– a newborn bloodkin covered with thorns. But his “father” is the King of the blood race, and he indulges him, so he has enough capital to be arrogant. Even if he was a newborn vampire, he could live however he wants in the bloodclan territory.

Xie Jianwei has forgotten everything. He doesn’t remember any human things or the hatred he used to carry. He even forgot the person he used to love deeply.

He is Xie Jianwei, but at the same time not.

He enjoyed his life in the blood clan, but he also lost himself there.

Then… in the end, for what reason did he became a pure blood? (t/n: yes. It’s not “how did he became a pureblood”. It’s really “why/ for what reason.”

Translator’s note(s):

Please click the purple ⇑ to return to where you left off

1.        ⇑         [道不同不相为谋 ] dào bù tong bù xiāng wéi móu= an idiom; literary means “persons who walk different paths cannot make plans together” / “to go separate ways”.