Chapter 50: The Little Blood Clan in the Ancient Castle, Part 23
Yu Deng’s voice always ended softly; even when he was throwing a tantrum, it sounded more like a sweet coaxing. His round, bright crimson eyes sparkled, and the little wings fluttered lightly behind him, filling the space beneath the bat-like canopy with a delicate, lingering sweetness.
“Only if I’m obedient can I get a kiss?” Ronald repeated slowly.
Yu Deng nodded firmly.
As the Vampire Prince and Guide, Ronald had never experienced being obeyed by anyone, especially not in the way Yu Deng described—like a faithful little dog.
His expression darkened further.
What exactly were his feelings toward this little vampire? It no longer seemed appropriate to define their bond simply as that of guide and first embrace.
“Where have I not listened to you, baby?” The prince held the sulking little vampire close and listed off his deeds one by one. “You didn’t like seeing those ugly vampires, so I made them change. You were hungry, so I found exotic beast blood for you.”
Yu Deng blinked. That did seem to be true.
Lowering his head, the Vampire Prince pressed his lips to Yu Deng’s again. “See? I’m listening to you now, kissing gently.”
His actions were indeed gentler, still somewhat awkward but full of tender care.
Yu Deng grudgingly forgave the prince.
A quiet, dense warmth subtly spread, gradually enveloping Yu Deng’s senses.
Bound by the natural bond between guide and first embrace, Yu Deng let down his guard almost completely, even wrapping his arms around the silver-haired vampire’s neck.
This inadvertent gesture sent a sharp thrill through Ronald’s nerves.
In an instant, excitement and satisfaction surged within him.
His pressure unintentionally increased, brushing against the small, tender scrape from before.
Yu Deng’s face flushed deeply as he turned away in annoyance. “Bad guy... liar! You said you’d be gentle just now. How can a guide be like you...?”
Ronald looked at the pouty little vampire and immediately lowered his head in apology. “It’s my fault.”
Yu Deng wasn’t fooled this time. Naturally, he ordered the prince firmly: “I—I’m going back to rest! You’re not allowed to touch me again.”
The Vampire Prince stared at Yu Deng for a long moment, barely restraining the urge to restrain him.
Perhaps he should take some time to calm down.
“Alright, then I’ll take you back to your room.” The silver-haired man lifted Yu Deng up in his arms.
He planned to personally escort his little vampire back and cast a magical ward around the room.
...
At the door, the three-headed hound lay snoring, while a small bat hung from the frame. Seizing the chance when Yu Deng returned to his room, the bat slipped inside as well.
The little bat glanced at the late-returning vampire, shook its head as if to sigh, but seeing the prince who came along, it timidly played the part of a mere ornament.
The silver-haired vampire glanced at the bat with mild disdain but said nothing, waving his hand to set a strong magical barrier around the room.
Yu Deng tilted his head and urged, “You can go now.”
Ronald clicked his tongue lightly. “Baby, you’re in such a hurry to send me away.”
“No, I’m not.” Yu Deng said this while firmly pushing the prince toward the door.
“...Good night, see you tomorrow,” the prince sighed.
Yu Deng watched the prince leave and headed straight for the bathroom.
---
Inside, a pool of warm water was already prepared, and neatly arranged on the nearby rack were the bathrobe, thin shorts, and several bottles of fragrant bath oils.
Clearly, the thoughtful butler had arranged everything.
Yu Deng silently added a point to Wen Luo’s score and immersed himself in the water. The cool warmth eased the strange heat he had been feeling.
Beside the bath, the small box given to him by Skull Jack lay waiting.
Yu Deng decided to study it further.
After a few moments’ thought, he picked up the silver cross inside the box with a towel as a barrier.
The burning sensation flared again but, compared to the first time, was much milder.
Its strength was roughly equivalent to... Yu Deng tried to recall his own experience and decided it was like the discomfort he felt when, during a visit to a rural farm, his hands got too close to a fire.
Uncomfortable, but not harmful.
Yu Deng questioned, “Tongtong, does this tool really work?”
Even someone like him, a relatively weak little vampire, couldn’t get hurt by it—would it really affect other vampires?
[Sorry, content related to the core of the quest cannot be disclosed. But since it appeared, there must be a reason.]
“Oh…”
Yu Deng put the sacred artifact back but hesitated again. “I didn’t give this to Qin Jun, right? That should be fine.”
After all, a veteran player like Qin Jun might be better at completing the task.
[Host, you must trust yourself.] The system’s electronic voice sounded a bit gentler. [You triggered the quest first, and you received the item. You are no worse than anyone else.]
[Moreover, some veteran players complete the quest through sheer force and don’t necessarily need the item.]
The system might as well have recited Qin Jun’s ID number.
Yu Deng understood and relaxed into the bath, pondering the quest he had triggered... What was the true mystery, and how could it be broken?
The more he thought, the more alert he became. His palms grew hot, and the water that had felt comfortable days ago now seemed a bit too warm.
Besides, at this time in previous days, he would have already started feeling sleepy. Now, he was still somewhat restless.
The little vampire finished bathing in a daze, changed into thin clothes, and sat on the bed lost in thought for a while before reaching a conclusion.
“Tongtong, am I acting strange?”
[...Host, you recently used your power and received certain stimuli.] System 01’s voice sounded a bit helpless.
Yu Deng shook his head, belatedly remembering.
His physiology in this quest was unique—using power caused heat and strange discomfort. Was he entering that state again...?
As time passed, the unbearable heat inside Yu Deng intensified.
“Ugh...” He sat up pitifully and decided to seek out the prince.
As his guide, surely he could help solve this problem.
Creak—
The heavy wooden door opened from outside, making a faint scraping sound.
Yu Deng’s vampire ears twitched sharply as he turned alert in the dark. “Who’s there?”
The visitor deftly silenced the two small animals in the room, temporarily sending them into the alchemical space, then hurried to Yu Deng’s side.
“Little master, it’s me. It’s late, what are you doing?”
It was his butler.
Yu Deng relaxed and explained, “I want to find Ronald. I’m not feeling well...”
Wen Luo lit a small lamp on the bedside, brightening the spacious room just enough to clearly reveal the pink flush on the little vampire’s delicate face, his eyes misty.
---
The little vampire’s legs twisted restlessly, kicking lightly in discomfort, the thin fabric offering no barrier.
“Is it the same discomfort from a few days ago?” Wen Luo bent down and asked softly.
“Mm…”
The ward surrounding the room had already restored itself within a few words and added another layer of magic inside.
Almost no one knew that this castle’s vampire butler was second in strength only to Prince Ronald.
Wen Luo casually shook his arm, applying healing power to the injuries sustained while forcibly passing through the ward.
Unfazed, he boldly interrupted the prince: “Little master, the prince just woke from slumber and should be resting now.”
Yu Deng hesitated, stopping. “Resting...?”
“Yes. It’s better not to disturb him. Little master, remember you can always come to me if anything’s wrong.” The vampire butler soothed gently. “It’s my duty.”
Yu Deng bit his lip, thought for a few seconds, then raised his chin to command the butler, “Then you must be gentle. Don’t hurt me.”
“It’s an honor to serve you.”
Leaning lazily against the headboard, Yu Deng watched as the butler removed his white gloves and knelt halfway at the bed’s edge.
Cool fingertips brushed over Yu Deng’s slender lower abdomen, causing a brief involuntary muscle twitch.
The thin fabric, barely worn for long, was delicately lifted by the butler’s skillful fingers, unable to hide the secret beneath.
Touched by the air, Yu Deng shrank back slightly, his face flushing deeper as he stammered, “F-Faster.”
“As you command.”
Wen Luo’s gaze fell on Yu Deng’s reddened face. After a sharp glance, he cautiously cupped the tender flesh.
To be honest, the butler’s fingertips were as rough as those of others, callused slightly, but his control over pressure was precise.
The friction was somewhat coarse but never painful.
Much better than last time when Qin Jun handled it.
Though Yu Deng fancied himself experienced, it wasn’t long before his eyes filled with tears from the stimulation. His waist softened, and only Wen Luo’s embrace kept him from collapsing completely.
The rising breeze carried a rhythm; the man’s once cool fingertips and palm gradually grew hot as well.
“...”
Being tended by the butler, Yu Deng’s feet tensed briefly as he leaned into Wen Luo’s arms, his gaze unfocused.
Wen Luo’s voice was hoarse. “Little master, do you feel better?”
“...Mm.”
Yu Deng answered slowly, thinking the relief would last.
But after a while, he suddenly realized the unbearable heat hadn’t dissipated.
It was as if the previous care was merely an appetizer—somewhat satisfying but far from enough.
“Tongtong?” Yu Deng looked down, puzzled. “Shouldn’t I be better now?”
[Sorry, your condition has never been recorded. Recalibrating.] System 01’s electronic voice quickened. [Host, your side effects accumulate with repeated use of your power.]
Accumulate?
Yu Deng was dumbfounded.
He was already like this and still no relief—did that mean...
“Little master?”
Yu Deng turned to Wen Luo and unfairly blamed the butler attending him. “Wen Luo, you’re useless... I still feel terrible.”
The black-haired butler worked hard and got scolded without complaint. His breath was heavier, but his expression remained gentle and patient. Veins stood out on his hands as he spoke to the picky, fastidious little vampire.