Mu Shaoqing’s face darkened. After a long silence, he finally uttered, "This was my oversight. I was indeed too hasty, and I will be more careful from now on. But the date… is only five years away. It's inevitable that I'm anxious. If I miss this chance, I'll have to wait another ten thousand years. I can't help but be impatient!"
Shang He sighed, "You said yourself that there are still five years until that date. Five years… we've waited for over a thousand years. In the final stretch, we must remain composed."
Mu Shaoqing irritably pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, I understand. I will be careful from now on."
Shang He nodded.
In another five years, Lin Qinghe would face her recurring period of weakened abilities every ten thousand years, presenting the optimal opportunity for them to seize her power. They had been secretly planning for this for over a thousand years. He could fully comprehend Mu Shaoqing's impatience; after all, how could he not be anxious himself?
Shang He pondered for a moment, then asked, "That werewolf cub the Ancestor keeps by his side seems to have a special connection with him… Have you sent people to investigate his origins?" Soudan Novel Network
Mu Shaoqing's eyes flickered as he said in a low voice, "I've already had people investigate. There's nothing special about him, just an ordinary werewolf descendant. I don't know why, but when Ouyang Feng killed his family, the Ancestor suddenly appeared, killed Ouyang Feng and his entire group, and brought him back to the castle."
Shang He frowned slightly. "You mean… could the Ancestor have brought him back on a whim, perhaps to raise him as food?"
Mu Shaoqing shook his head, stating with certainty, "At Emperor Grand Hotel, that wolf cub almost lost his life, and the Ancestor was furious. Do you think that's how one treats food?"
"It truly doesn't seem like it…" Shang He said. "Then what do you think is the reason the Ancestor keeps him by his side?"
Mu Shaoqing’s gaze deepened, unfathomable. He pursed his thin lips and sneered, "No matter the reason the Ancestor keeps him by his side, the more the Ancestor cherishes him, the more he becomes the Ancestor's weakness. When the Ancestor has a weakness, no matter how you look at it… it is beneficial to us."
Shang He nodded in agreement. "That much is true."
Mu Shaoqing's eyes twinkled, his handsome, cold face set with determination.
He was determined to seize the power of Lin Qinghe, the Ancestor of the Blood Race, and become the most powerful being in this world!
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Four years later.
In the castle where Lin Qinghe resided.
You Rong emerged from the underground training room. After four years of growth, the boy had grown taller, his facial features more defined, and his build considerably sturdier. His handsome appearance rivaled that of any vampire.
A vampire servant walking towards him saw You Rong, clasped his fists over his chest, and bowed slightly. "Young Master."
You Rong nodded slightly and walked directly upstairs.
The servant who had just bowed looked up and quietly asked the elder beside him, "Isn't the Young Master a werewolf? Why is he in the Ancestor's castle? Why do we still call him Young Master and show him such respect?"
The elder glared at the newcomer and warned, "You'd best be careful with your words. You're new to the castle. The Ancestor values the Young Master greatly. Even if he is a werewolf, if any vampire dares to have designs on him, the Ancestor will never show mercy. Even if they are pure-blooded vampires, they will be killed without hesitation!"
The new servant's face changed upon hearing this. "This… why is the Ancestor so good to a werewolf?"
"We don't know that. We only know that the Young Master was brought back by the Ancestor a few years ago, and since then, the Ancestor has always treated the Young Master very well… In any case, it's best if you inquire less about matters concerning the Young Master. Just remember to be respectful to him from now on."
"Yes, Brother Lin, I understand."
You Rong, of course, knew nothing of this. He arrived before Lin Qinghe's study and was about to knock when the door opened first, revealing Zhang Yi.
Upon seeing You Rong, Zhang Yi paused before turning to greet him, "Young Master, are you here to see the Ancestor?"
You Rong nodded. "Yes."
Zhang Yi quickly stepped aside. "The Ancestor is inside. Please go in."
After Zhang Yi moved aside, You Rong saw several youths of similar age standing behind him, including human youths, vampire youths, and youths from other beast races.
You Rong glanced at them expressionlessly and strode inside.
He knew that the heads of the four great vampire families had been sending various youths, chosen based on their looks and age, to try and appease Lin Qinghe. However, she always sent them away without even a glance.
Zhang Yi quickly signaled to the youths behind him, indicating for them to leave. They all scurried out with their heads bowed. Zhang Yi, the last to leave, closed the study door behind him.
You Rong approached Lin Qinghe. Lin Qinghe, with her beautiful eyes slightly lowered, frowned as if troubled by something.
In the past four years, Lin Qinghe, the Ancestor of the Blood Race, had stopped being a hands-off leader and had begun to take over the management of the Elder Council’s affairs, often worrying about them.
Lin Qinghe looked up at You Rong, a smile gracing her exquisite face. "You're out of the training room early today? How was your training?"
You Rong, mature for his age, replied expressionlessly, "The training time was the same as before. It was alright. All the targets were hit in the bullseye, including the moving targets."
Lin Qinghe raised an eyebrow, looking pleased. "Excellent. Since you've been so obedient, tell me what reward you want."
You Rong: "...Nothing."
"Ah? How can there be nothing? Is there nothing you want?"
You Rong: "No."
Lin Qinghe sighed helplessly. "You, you… how can you live such a dull life… Oh, right! Your birthday is in two days. What birthday gift do you want? Tell me, and I'll get it for you."
You Rong's expression finally changed slightly, but after a long moment, he still uttered, "...Nothing."
Lin Qinghe: "..."
He wanted nothing, and he wanted no birthday gift. Was this young boy truly so detached from desire?
Lin Qinghe thought with a headache. "Alright, since you don't want anything, I'll choose something myself. Just don't dislike it when you get it."
You Rong grunted. As if struck by a thought, his eyes flickered, and he suddenly asked, "What were you talking about with Butler Zhang just now? You seemed quite troubled."
Lin Qinghe was taken aback by the question and gave a dry laugh. "Nothing… nothing, just some matters with the Elder Council. It's always about some vampires not abiding by the pacts. Don't worry about it… Come, the weather outside is nice. I'll take you for a walk."
You Rong followed Lin Qinghe, a sense of doubt lingering in his heart.
Lin Qinghe was hiding something from him. She had never liked the daytime and would avoid going out if possible. Now, she claimed the weather outside was nice and wanted to take him for a walk, despite it being the bright, sunny weather she detested.
Lin Qinghe was indeed hiding something from You Rong, but she wouldn't tell him.
In recent years, the leader of the werewolf tribe had learned that You Rong was in her possession. Knowing that she had dealt with Ouyang Feng, the culprit who killed werewolves, they hadn't intended to break ties with her. However, they had repeatedly asked to take You Rong back to the werewolf tribe.
If You Rong knew this, he had no fondness for vampires and would naturally choose to live among the werewolves.
If she let You Rong go now, there was a possibility that he would become her sworn enemy upon reaching adulthood, and her mission would be completely in vain.
There was no other way; she couldn't let You Rong go. She could only choose to conceal the werewolf leader's repeated attempts to negotiate for You Rong's return.