"Your Highness, once we cross that river, we will arrive."
"Um."
"The little tagalong behind me, is it...?"
"It's alright."
"Should we inform them in advance, or should we go with Prince Arthur?"
"Simon, if you like Arthur so much, I can let you serve him."
"I...I am guilty, Your Highness, please punish me!"
"Shut up!"
Listening to Audra and Simon's lukewarm conversation, Xiang Wan's mind was filled with images of the hunters who had been following them all along.
So that's the deeper meaning behind riding in a horse-drawn carriage!
"Human, from this moment on, do not speak carelessly. Remember, your name is Ivan."
Ivan? Is this the person Audra made her imitate?
The carriage was left aside, and Odley put his arm around Xiang Wan's shoulder. In the blink of an eye, they were standing in front of the city gate of Xiyue City.
This is a bustling town with a unique geographical location, attracting many criminals and vicious individuals. Merchants also venture here in search of wealth. Vampire deserters, those who elope with humans without the prince's permission, and hybrids not accepted by either humans or vampires, all come here to seek a living.
In short, this is a chaotic place where might makes right. Fights frequently occur during the day, while at night vampires freely prey on humans to drink their blood, or vampires themselves battle each other. Therefore, at night, everyone stays indoors, hiding in their secret rooms. Those roaming the streets are either vampires or fearless hunters.
But today, the streets are deserted. A cool breeze blows, and fallen leaves flutter everywhere, creating a particularly desolate scene.
Walking on the stone-paved road, Xiang Wan felt her breathing was surprisingly loud. Dozens of pairs of eyes were secretly watching her.
Audra unleashed his full power, intimidating many vampires who wanted to cause trouble, causing them to kneel on the ground or flee far away.
There is an inherent hierarchy among vampires, but at Audra's level, if he doesn't want people to know his identity, he can completely conceal his aura.
Before long, a vampire dressed in a noble robe appeared about two zhang ahead and bowed to Audra, saying, "Prince Audra, welcome. The Grand Elder ordered me to wait here. Please follow me."
Audra nodded slightly, keeping his arm around Xiang Wan's waist, and followed behind the man. In a few quick movements, they arrived at an abandoned house.
The vampire leading the way stepped forward and pushed open the door, turning on the wall lamp on the side of the empty room. Then, a tunnel large enough for three people to walk side by side appeared beneath their feet.
"Your Highness, please!"
Audra glanced at him, then led Xiang Wan down the stairs without a word. Behind them, Simon and the others followed in two parallel lines.
As you go further in, the passageway widens. By the time you reach the main hall, the passageway is wide enough for two carriages to drive side by side.
The guards at the gate saluted Audra, then opened the gates from both sides. The dazzling gold and opulence behind the gates was breathtaking. It took Xiang Wan a while to adjust to the brightness.
Inside, there were already many vampires walking around. A group of human beauties and handsome men, dressed in white robes and as docile as lambs, stood on the other side of the hall, letting the vampires point and gesture at them. If someone took a liking to them, they only needed to say so, and a guard would step forward and lead them out to a small room at the back of the hall.
At vampire gatherings, nothing but blood is laid out on the table. The supply of living human blood is the ultimate luxury. If a vampire is in a particularly good mood, it's perfectly normal for them to do their business first and then drink the blood.
In such a setting, if you see a stunningly beautiful woman, you absolutely must not have any romantic thoughts, because she might very well be a vampire with bewitching powers.
From the moment Audra stood before the gate, the vampires who had been so enthusiastic moments before swarmed around him, greeting him and fawning over him from a distance of about ten feet. There were even daring female vampires, their eyes alluring, their clothes ripped open to their chests, barely hanging down.
Vampires are known for their boldness and openness, but Xiang Wan had never seen such a passionate scene before. Standing beside Audra, Xiang Wan felt like a fish on a chopping board, ready to be bitten if she looked away.
"Prince Audra!"
A rather impolite voice rang out from behind the crowd, and the vampires scattered to both sides, revealing a passage.
A handsome middle-aged man, with his arm around an extremely beautiful human woman, slowly walked towards Audra.
"Prince Philoc!"
Audra smiled in response, subtly glancing at the woman beside him, and then reached out to pull Xiang Wan closer to himself.
Philoc's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then revealed a knowing look. He raised his hand, still embracing the woman, and took her softness into his grasp, fondling it as he said, "It's rare to see Prince Audra bring people here, not even taking off his mask, pretending to be mysterious?"
The woman was panting heavily from his actions, her cheeks flushed, her eyes glazed, and her body so weak she could barely stand, yet she forced herself not to make a sound.
Audra changed the subject, saying, "Prince Philocne seems to be in high spirits, partying every night. I wonder how it's going?"
Upon hearing this, Philocne burst into laughter. "A millennium-old iceberg has suddenly become perceptive. Would you like me to impart some of my experience?"
As he spoke, his eyes glanced at Xiang Wan.
What can you expect to come out of an old lecher?
Xiang Wan thought for a moment, then reached out and helped Audra's hand away before stepping into the hall.
Wasn't he supposed to play a role? Let's start now.
Audra glanced helplessly at Wan and said to Philoc, "My darling is angry, and the consequences will be severe. Do as you please, I'll be going now."
As Audra quickly walked towards Xiang Wan, Philoc's eyes darkened instantly, and the force in his hand unconsciously increased. The woman beside him couldn't help but cry out.
Disrupted, Philoc didn't hesitate to lower his head and bite her neck until the woman turned pale and slipped out of his grasp.
He ignored them, took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, threw it on the ground, and walked towards the lounge on the side.
As soon as Philo left, guards came and dragged him away without leaving a trace.
Standing before that group of humans, looking at their numb and rebellious expressions, like merchandise being chosen and left to the vampires to dictate their fate, Xiang Wan suddenly understood where the original owner's desire came from.
Because he had witnessed his parents being chosen by vampires to protect him, and then turned into two cold corpses. They died with their eyes open.
"You like him?" Audra appeared beside her unnoticed, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Anyone you set your sights on will become a corpse before they even leave this hall. No one but me can stay by your side!"
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