Lin Qinghe looked around the kitchen.
Although vampires only needed to consume blood, the kitchen was fully equipped with utensils, even including basic human seasonings.
Lin Qinghe turned on the stove to cook a steak for You Rong. Unexpectedly, as soon as the fire was lit, her body instinctively recoiled a few steps.
Lin Qinghe frowned, then belatedly remembered.
Vampires not only disliked sunlight but also detested fire, their bodies instinctively wanting to stay away from both.
At that moment, Lin Qinghe caught sight of You Rong’s stern face and strange expression out of the corner of her eye. She immediately understood.
As someone from a family of vampire hunters, You Rong couldn’t possibly be unaware that vampires feared fire. He was probably harboring a desire to see her embarrassed from the start.
However, You Rong overlooked one point: she was, after all, the progenitor of the vampires, and these things were not beyond her control.
Lin Qinghe took a deep breath inwardly and, with a calm expression, began to cook the steak. As expected, she saw a hint of surprise on You Rong’s face.
She curled her lips.
Hmph! You want to contend with me, little wolf cub? You’re still too green.
Lin Qinghe cooked two steaks. After they were done, she returned to the dining table with You Rong and sat down, placing one in front of him. "Eat up. Weren't you hungry?"
You Rong’s face turned slightly pale. He glanced at Lin Qinghe with complex emotions in his eyes but ultimately said nothing, lowering his head to eat.
Lin Qinghe looked at the steak in front of her. She really wanted to eat it, but her body instinctively rejected it, causing her to sigh inwardly.
It seemed she wouldn't be able to enjoy fine dining in this world.
Lin Qinghe handed her untouched steak to You Rong. "This one’s for you too. Eat more."
You Rong, perhaps remembering Lin Qinghe’s words about him needing to gain weight to be tastier, glared fiercely at her.
Lin Qinghe ignored him and gestured for him to continue eating. You Rong hesitated for a moment before choosing to lower his head and eat, finishing the steak Lin Qinghe had given him as well. Sudan Novel Network
He needed enough strength to have a chance to escape!
As You Rong focused on eating, Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes and observed him.
You Rong now looked no different from a normal human teenager. The wolf-like features he had displayed in anger that day had disappeared. He was still too weak; any vampire could easily devour him.
Just as Lin Qinghe was pondering how to make You Rong stronger, the butler, Zhang Yi, approached, placed his fist over his chest, and bowed. "Progenitor, the elders from the Senate are here. They wish to see you and are waiting in the main hall outside."
Lin Qinghe snapped out of her thoughts, her eyes flashing.
There were three elders in the Senate. The original Lin Qinghe was usually indifferent to vampire affairs, so the Senate, along with the four major families, managed and regulated most matters within the vampire community.
Their arrival today must be about her killing Ouyang Feng yesterday.
Lin Qinghe nodded indifferently. "I understand. I will go see them now."
You Rong had finished eating. Seeing Lin Qinghe stand up to leave, he instinctively stood up wanting to follow, but then immediately stiffened, his face returning to a cold, stern expression.
Lin Qinghe naturally saw this and simply said, "Follow me."
You Rong hesitated for a moment before trailing behind Lin Qinghe into the main hall. Upon entering, he saw three handsome men, each more striking than the last, dressed in suits, sitting on a luxurious European-style sofa.
Lin Qinghe, with You Rong in tow, sat on the largest sofa in the middle. The three men bowed to her. "Progenitor."
Lin Qinghe nodded calmly, her gaze sweeping over the three men.
The man at the forefront was the First Elder, Mu Shaoqing, followed by the Second Elder, Shang He, and the Third Elder, Li Shuo.
Lin Qinghe was quite surprised. It was said that the purer a vampire's bloodline, the more outstanding their appearance, a fact vividly demonstrated by these three men.
Lin Qinghe didn't speak first, waiting patiently. After Mu Shaoqing and the others had subtly examined You Rong, Mu Shaoqing spoke.
"Progenitor, we heard you went to District A yesterday and killed the head of the Ouyang family, Ouyang Feng, along with dozens of accompanying vampires. May we ask what Ouyang Feng did to displease you and incur your wrath? This… the Ouyang family has come to the Senate today, demanding an explanation. What do you think we should do…"
Mu Shaoqing's words implied that Lin Qinghe shouldn't have killed Ouyang Feng, leaving the Senate unable to provide an explanation to the Ouyang family.
Lin Qinghe lowered her eyes, a cold smile playing on her beautiful face. "Ouyang Feng's death was his own doing. Does the Ouyang family have the face to come to the Senate demanding an explanation?"
Mu Shaoqing feigned confusion. "Progenitor, you mean Ouyang Feng…"
"Ouyang Chen broke the contract and killed humans, so he deserved to be hunted by the hunters. Ouyang Feng leading so many vampires to seek revenge was also a violation of the contract. Did I not also kill him because he deserved it?"
Lin Qinghe’s words surprised Mu Shaoqing and the others.
Shang He hesitated and said, "Progenitor, tens of thousands of years have passed since the contract was made with the werewolf tribe. We thought…"
Lin Qinghe’s gaze turned cold, and she sharply interrupted Shang He. "You thought what? The contract was initially made between me and the leader of the werewolf tribe! For the past ten thousand years, I haven't managed vampire affairs much, but I never said the contract was to be annulled. Do none of you take my words seriously anymore? Or has too much time passed, and you’ve all forgotten? Do I need to tell you one by one so you remember?!"
Lin Qinghe’s anger ignited, unconsciously releasing an oppressive aura. Mu Shaoqing and the other two elders’ expressions changed slightly, their fists clenching, their faces turning pale.
This was bloodline suppression. In Lin Qinghe’s presence, every vampire instinctively felt awe towards her.
Mu Shaoqing, enduring the discomfort, said, "Progenitor, no, we haven't forgotten…"
"Heh, really?" Lin Qinghe stared coldly at Mu Shaoqing. "Then it is the Senate's dereliction of duty. The Senate exists to manage and restrain vampires. Low-level vampires are one thing, but when the heads of the four major families, like Ouyang Feng, violate the contract, don't you know about it?"
"It… it is our dereliction of duty. Please punish us, Progenitor…" Mu Shaoqing was already in so much discomfort that his face was contorting, as if he couldn't withstand Lin Qinghe’s oppression.
Lin Qinghe narrowed her charming eyes and casually raised her hand. Mu Shaoqing was involuntarily pulled and slammed heavily against the wall with a loud bang. He fell to the ground, his already pale face turning almost translucent from the pain.
Shang He and Li Shuo’s expressions changed drastically, filled with fear.
Lin Qinghe stared at Mu Shaoqing on the ground and said coldly, "This is the only time. The consequences of further dereliction of duty… you should know very well."
Mu Shaoqing struggled to get up and knelt on one knee, placing his fist over his chest. "Please rest assured, Progenitor. I understand. It will never happen again!"
Seeing this, Shang He and Li Shuo also quickly knelt down and said in unison, "Yes, Progenitor, it will never happen again."
Lin Qinghe nodded with a hint of satisfaction. "As for the other vampires of the Ouyang family… be obedient, and I can turn a blind eye and let them select a pure-blooded vampire to fill the position of patriarch. If they are not obedient… I don't mind seeing the Ouyang family disappear entirely, turning the four major families of the vampires into three."
Mu Shaoqing exchanged glances with the others, a mixture of surprise and astonishment in their eyes. "Yes, Progenitor."
After settling all the matters, Lin Qinghe looked at the stunned You Rong and extended her hand to him, her voice softening slightly. "Let's go. We're going upstairs."
Seeing Lin Qinghe about to leave, holding You Rong’s hand, Mu Shaoqing’s eyes flickered. He couldn't help but ask, "Progenitor, I dare to ask, this young man is from the werewolf tribe, isn't he? Keeping him by your side… you intend to…"
Lin Qinghe paused and glanced back at Mu Shaoqing, her eyes cold and warning. Mu Shaoqing was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head. "It… it was my transgression."
Lin Qinghe snorted and led You Rong upstairs.
As Lin Qinghe's figure was about to disappear, Mu Shaoqing subtly raised his head, staring intently at her retreating back, his fists clenched tightly, a deep glint of longing and ferocity hidden in his eyes.