Chapter 206: Sovereignty and Justice

Above the ancient castle, a chilling and oppressive aura permeated the air. Numerous bloodkin within the castle gathered in the streets, gazing up at the highest point of the castle. Their eyes were filled with dread and a complex mix of emotions. Many warriors had laid down their swords, while the strong ones looked pale, their auras far weaker than usual.

From the highest point of the castle, a deep, sea-like pressure continuously emanated, cascading down like tidal waves, washing over the bloodkin in the castle. The primordial bloodkin aura contained within the imposing pressure made every bloodkin shiver, and the fear that welled up from the depths of their bloodlines left the weaker noble-tiered bloodkin unable to muster any blood essence.

That pressure clearly proclaimed sovereignty over the bloodline. In bloodkin tradition, the closer one was to the source of the Blood River, the more legitimate and righteous their authority. Because of this, most bloodkin in the castle had lost the will and ability to resist. Deep in their bloodline, they believed that rebelling against such a superior was an act of betrayal.

Suddenly, a sharp surge of blood essence erupted from the top of the castle, piercing through the oppressive pressure that enveloped the entire structure. Then, a cold yet melodious voice echoed through the heavens: “None shall make me Avall surrender!”

In the depths of the void, a distant rumble seemed to resonate, and the Blood River slowly emerged, responding to her call. Though the river’s surge lasted only a moment and was vague, the fact that it responded meant that the caller had received a blessing from the Blood River.

At the top of the castle, Avall laughed heartily as her blood essence soared, its color deepening and eventually taking on a golden hue.

“Do you see? The Blood River is responding to me! Now I am also a Duke. You wretches tainted by the dawn, do you not yet understand your original sin?”

She roared, laughing maniacally, as she struggled to stand, pushing against Yeting’s long blade.

Beside them, Dark Gospel Howard sighed, “Another genius who can summon the Blood River. How unfortunate.”

Yeting casually wielded her long sword, Jingshen, with its blade resting on Avall’s shoulder, easily pinning her to the ground. But now, perhaps out of indignation or humiliation, Avall had burst forth, breaking through to the Duke tier, even garnering a response from the Blood River.

This feat was remarkable, even to Howard, who, having been active in recent centuries, knew how difficult it was to call upon the Blood River.

The irony was that a bloodkin genius capable of summoning the Blood River had betrayed her kind and seemingly pledged unwavering allegiance to the Demon Emperor.

For all bloodkin, the Blood River had always been the supreme faith, the only justice. This made Howard feel somewhat awkward; what could the Demon Emperor offer that was more important than faith?

However, both Yeting and Qian Ye remained indifferent, showing no surprise or other emotions. Instead, Qian Ye seemed puzzled.

As Avall was about to stand, Yeting yawned, then exerted a bit more force with her wrist. A thud followed as Avall was pushed back to her knees.

“Is it so difficult to summon the Blood River? Qian Ye, when did you receive the inheritance of the Blood River?”

Qian Ye pondered, “I think it was when I was a Viscount?”

“Viscount?” Howard was slightly taken aback. In recent years, the Blood River had only surged a few times. For someone as young as Qian Ye, this meant he had almost single-handedly caused nearly half of those surges.

Now, a faint golden blood flame burned around Qian Ye, exuding layer upon layer of pressure, suppressing the entire castle’s bloodkin with his bloodline power.

Seeing Avall’s breakthrough, a surge of blood essence shooting to the sky, refusing to yield, Qian Ye snorted. The golden blood flame turned dark gold, and the ancient, profound, and far-reaching aura instantly quelled Avall’s slightly golden blood essence, plunging the entire castle into silence once more.

Avall’s face paled, her body trembling. What was even more unacceptable was the deep, bloodline-based fear she felt towards Qian Ye, a fear so intense that it hindered the operation of her blood core.

This meant that Qian Ye’s bloodline was far superior, making him a true superior in relation to her.

This reality was something the proud and arrogant Avall could not face.

“Do you see? Our bloodkin has never lacked for geniuses, nor for those who betray or dilute our lineage,” Yeting said, flipping Jingshen and pressing down lightly. Avall’s face paled, her blood essence gradually subsiding until it became silent.

Yeting acted without hesitation, and Howard, wanting to intervene, was too late. He sighed, “We should have questioned her more thoroughly about her betrayal. Killing her now seems a bit of a waste.”

“We have always valued bloodline. As long as one has enough talent, it seems anything goes, and any mistake is forgiven. Avall is a prime example. But she was wrong to think I would forgive betrayal. And our bloodkin’s future doesn’t need her; Qian Ye is more than enough.”

Howard hesitated, glancing at the dark golden blood flame around Qian Ye, “True.”

After killing Avall, especially after Qian Ye used his innate bloodline power to suppress her, the remaining bloodkin in the castle lost all will to fight and surrendered. The imprisoned members of the Blue King’s clan were also freed.

In the reception hall that once belonged to Avall, Qian Ye finally met Vantiriel, but he found it hard to associate the chubby, round-faced figure before him with a Duke of the bloodkin.

Vantiriel’s aura was weak, but he showed no signs of injury or torment. Avall, being a traditionalist, had treated Vantiriel with due respect even as a prisoner.

But because of his lack of injuries, Vantiriel’s blood essence was inexplicably weak. Qian Ye felt that even the Marquises of Glory he had encountered were stronger. If not for sensing that his blood core was indeed that of a Duke, Qian Ye might have doubted if this person was even a Marquis.

Vantiriel, smiling broadly, glanced around the room, his eyelids twitching.

In the room, Qian Ye sat in the center, Yeting beside him, and Dark Gospel Howard on the other side. This seating arrangement gave Vantiriel an almost surreal feeling.

He recognized Howard and, upon entering, also identified Qian Ye, though he was just a Duke, his special position allowed him to be among the elite who knew sensitive information.

Vantiriel’s smile was almost obsequious as he stepped forward, “Greetings, Your Highnesses.”

Qian Ye began, “Duke Vantiriel—”

Vantiriel interrupted, “Just call me Van!”

Qian Ye’s words caught in his throat, unable to continue. Composing himself, he said, “That might not be appropriate…”

Such nicknames in bloodkin society were usually used by elders for their descendants, particularly those in close, direct lineages.

Bloodkin relationships with their direct descendants go beyond mere blood ties, including almost uncontrollable authority, very different from human parent-child relationships. Therefore, Vantiriel’s suggestion made Qian Ye shudder.

Qian Ye’s face was already grim, but Vantiriel seemed oblivious, still fawning, “What’s inappropriate? It’s quite fitting. After all, you are… uh, Yeting is your—”

Qian Ye’s inner frustration almost turned into an expletive. He turned to Yeting, who, after a moment of surprise, had a faint smile on her face, illuminating the room.

Vantiriel continued, “The great Dark Gospel Howard is also your friend, and he is my elder. I’ve always admired him. So, calling me Van is only right.”

“Duke Vantiriel, let’s not discuss names. Let’s get to business,” Qian Ye had to interrupt him.

“As you wish.” Vantiriel bowed like a subordinate.

Qian Ye finally understood why Vantiriel had surrendered. From a certain perspective, it was a wise decision, at least he had protected most of his kin and avoided suffering.

“How many of your kin are left? How much of your resources remain?”

“There are over three hundred kin, with about a hundred warriors and fifteen noble-tiered. As for resources, my castle is gone, so the blood pool and treasury are lost. However, I have two secret bases outside, with some resources that I can offer. Though not much, it’s a token of my sincerity, hoping you won’t disdain it.”

Qian Ye was speechless, wondering if Vantiriel thought he was after the benefits. Not bothering to explain, he asked, “With these two hidden resources and the resources here, should it be enough for them to move to the nearby Secret Realm?”

“Secret Realm? There’s one nearby that I used to maintain. We could go there,” Vantiriel suggested.

Twilight was the bloodkin’s stronghold, and the world had been turbulent for a long time. With millennia of accumulation, secret realms were scattered everywhere, many built before the rise of humans as defensive fortifications and refuges during times of war. Many nobles also had their own small secret realms, like the one the Blue King used to hide Qian Ye and Yeting. Though Vantiriel was weak, he was very cautious and had his own secret realm.

“Alright, take your kin there, and bring the bloodkin from this castle as well. Wait for further instructions there.”

“No problem. I’ll watch over these traitors. But how long will we wait?”

Yeting replied, “Not long. We will arrange for airships to pick you up.”

Yeting didn’t specify the destination, and Vantiriel didn’t dare to ask. He left to arrange the retreat and occupation. With Avall dead, her highest-ranking kin was only a Count, and Vantiriel, as a Duke, could easily handle the situation.

After Vantiriel left, Qian Ye pointed to his seat, “Is this really alright?”

Dark Gospel Howard spoke first, “I think it’s perfect. In war, we need someone familiar with warfare to lead us.”