Chutian Hao brought Shang He and Bai Ye to the Blood Clan's location in the eastern city. Meanwhile, Chu Tian Hao and his men continued to search for the escaped Mu Shaoqing. Despite searching the entire surrounding area, they found no trace of him.
Chu Tian Hao stood before Lin Qinghe, his brow furrowed, and said, "Ancestor, should we interrogate the Spirit Fox Clan member and Shang He again? See if they know Mu Shaoqing's whereabouts?"
Lin Qinghe shook her head. "If they were willing to talk, they would have by now. Since they chose not to speak the past two days, no amount of interrogation will get anything out of them. Don't waste your efforts."
"Then what should we do next? Are we just going to let Mu Shaoqing go?"
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and said, "Have the Blood Clan here continue the search. I don't believe Mu Shaoqing can truly hide in the shadows forever. Also, regarding the laboratory in the industrial zone... you will personally go and destroy it. Make sure everything is thoroughly obliterated. Once that's done, we will return first."
They had been here for over a week, and although You Rong had Zhang Yi with her, Lin Qinghe was still somewhat uneasy.
"Alright, I understand. I'll take people to destroy everything in the laboratory shortly." Chu Tian Hao thought for a moment and then asked, "What about the Spirit Fox Clan member? How does the Ancestor plan to deal with him? Take him back as well?"
Bai Ye was wholeheartedly focused on repaying a debt of gratitude and had no ill intentions. At most, he was used by Mu Shaoqing, and he had already lost eight tails for his mistakes, thus bearing the consequences for his errors.
Lin Qinghe said, "Notify the leader of the Spirit Fox Clan and tell him what Bai Ye has done. Have him take Bai Ye back. I believe they will know how to handle it."
Bai Ye would not lose his life upon returning to the Spirit Fox Clan, but it would be difficult for him to leave the Spirit Fox Clan's territory again. This would also prevent him from being exploited by Mu Shaoqing again.
Chu Tian Hao said, "Yes, I understand, Ancestor. I'll go do it now."
"Go."
Three days later, Lin Qinghe still hadn't found Mu Shaoqing. She instructed the surrounding Blood Clan members to continue searching for news of Mu Shaoqing and then returned with Chu Tian Hao.
Due to Mu Shaoqing and Shang He, the Elder Council was in chaos. Lin Qinghe couldn't go home to see You Rong immediately upon her return. She went to the Elder Council first and summoned the patriarchs of the four great families to discuss matters.
Lin Qinghe showed no leniency and sentenced Shang He to death by fire. The execution was carried out in front of almost all the pure-blooded vampires as a warning to those bloodlines who were indecisive or disobeyed her commands.
After dealing with Shang He, and with Li Shuo's pale face, Lin Qinghe announced that all matters of the Elder Council would be temporarily managed by Chu Tian Hao. She then rushed out of the Elder Council, eager to return and see You Rong.
As she reached the entrance, she saw a car parked there. Lin Qinghe paused for a moment. The car door opened, and You Rong stepped out.
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she hurried over. "You Rong, why are you here? Came to find me? How did you know I was back?"
You Rong subtly examined Lin Qinghe from head to toe, and upon confirming she was unharmed, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
You Rong: "Yes, Steward Zhang told me. Are you done with your business at the Elder Council?"
Lin Qinghe smiled. "Yes, it's finished. I was just about to head back. Let's go... we'll go back now."
Lin Qinghe took You Rong's hand and got into the car. The car started and slowly drove towards the castle.
In the car, You Rong hesitated before finally asking, "What exactly happened when you went out this time? Was it very serious?"
Lin Qinghe had no intention of hiding it from You Rong, but she chose to reveal certain details. For example, the matter of the mutated bloodlines was a joint effort by Mu Shaoqing and Shang He. She didn't mention that their goal was to devour her power as the Ancestor of the Blood Clan.
You Rong was shocked to hear this.
As the Great Elder and Second Elder of the Blood Clan, Mu Shaoqing and Shang He held a position just below Lin Qinghe. Why would they risk doing such experiments?
"Have they been caught now?"
"Shang He has been executed by fire. Mu Shaoqing is still being sought."
Seeing You Rong's brow slightly furrowed, Lin Qinghe smiled and flicked his forehead. "You don't need to worry about these things. I will handle them. You just need to be happy every day."
You Rong pursed his lips slightly, his expression subtly shifting. He didn't say anything.
Lin Qinghe's gaze lowered to You Rong's fair and slender neck. She couldn't help but touch the spot she had bitten last time. You Rong's body trembled slightly, and his hands, resting on his lap, clenched unconsciously.
Lin Qinghe asked with a hint of concern, "I was too hasty last time. Did I hurt you?"
You Rong's Adam's apple bobbed, and he said hoarsely, "...It didn't hurt."
It was good that it didn't hurt.
Lin Qinghe withdrew her hand and immediately changed her expression, glaring at You Rong in annoyance. "Next time, be more mindful. I told you not to actively let me feed. If I want to drink your blood, I will find you! Otherwise, I..."
"Otherwise, you'll just drink all my blood in one go." You Rong interrupted Lin Qinghe, his deep eyes full of amusement. "How many more times do you have to say that? I hear it even in my dreams."
"Hmph! What's the point of saying it multiple times? I don't think you remember at all..."
You Rong smiled without speaking.
He remembered, but he also knew that she was just saying it. She wouldn't bear to drink all his blood at once.
Lin Qinghe relaxed her body and leaned back, lazily glancing at You Rong. Suddenly, she remembered something.
The leader of the Werewolf Clan had sent another message, saying he wanted to invite You Rong back to live with the Werewolf Clan.
Lin Qinghe frowned and asked casually, "You Rong... have you ever thought about going back to live with the Werewolf Clan?"
You Rong visibly stiffened and asked in return, "Why would I go back to live with the Werewolf Clan?"
"Everyone around you now is a Blood Clan member. Although the Blood Clan and the Werewolf Clan are currently coexisting peacefully, after so long... they can be considered ancient enemies. Your parents, younger brother, and sister all suffered at the hands of the Blood Clan. Besides, don't you want to live with your own kind?"
You Rong's gaze was deep and unreadable as he looked at Lin Qinghe.
Why was she asking this suddenly? Did she want to send him back to the Werewolf Clan? Or did she have other plans?
Regardless, the thought of not being able to live with Lin Qinghe made You Rong feel an indescribable discomfort.
Lin Qinghe's heart was pounding, afraid that You Rong would give an answer she didn't want to hear.
After a long pause, You Rong suddenly held her hand, looked straight into her eyes, and said word by word, "Now you are my family. I only want to live with my family!"
Lin Qinghe didn't know whether to be happy or sad about You Rong's answer, especially seeing the progress bar that remained still, as if dead.
You Rong didn't want to go back to live with the Werewolf Clan simply because he considered her family. But she wanted to be in a romantic relationship with him to increase the progress bar!
Lin Qinghe shook her head and sighed inwardly.
Forget it, she'd take it one step at a time. You Rong still had half a year before he came of age.