Shocking Turn of Events

Night fell, and the grand banquet hall was brilliantly illuminated.

Luo Wei's gaze swept over every guest in attendance, every vampire.

The human guests and vampires were seated separately, and among the vampires, they were further divided into smaller groups. Luo Wei glanced around—there were the younger members of the family, some vampires who had traveled all the way from the City of Cain, and the elders of the family stationed at the outermost perimeter, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings as they oversaw the banquet's security.

After the Duke arrived and exchanged a few pleasantries, the banquet proceeded smoothly. At least for now, Luo Wei hadn’t detected any signs of danger.

The only unexpected thing was the absence of the group from the Church.

Evelyn, standing beside him, noticed Luo Wei’s expression and leaned in closer. "What’s wrong?"

"Where’s Bishop Lawrence and that priestess Feilin?" Luo Wei murmured.

"I don’t know..." Evelyn also seemed puzzled. "I haven’t seen them since the day they arrived."

"Oh..." Luo Wei stared at the lavish spread of food on the table, lost in thought.

"You’re not actually thinking about that priestess, are you?" Evelyn suddenly remarked.

"How could that be?" Luo Wei sighed helplessly.

Evelyn chuckled. "Just teasing you."

Since tonight’s banquet was also the occasion for the Duke to announce the family’s heir, Luo Wei and Evelyn began discussing the topic.

"Who do you think fits the role of heir, Teacher?" Luo Wei’s gaze drifted toward the group of young vampires.

Evelyn’s eyes followed his. She narrowed them slightly. "For vampires, the older the bloodline, the stronger the power. Descendants’ bloodlines become diluted over time, which is why the family places such importance on intermarrying with the finest bloodlines from the City of Cain. So, honestly, there aren’t many who meet the criteria..."

Luo Wei nodded, his eyes scanning Lairs, Laney, Mike, Monica, and Emily, who was clinging to Monica.

"Emily’s too young—she’s out of the question."

"Mike’s too impulsive, not suited for the role of family heir." Luo Wei pondered. "I don’t know much about Monica, but the twins might have a chance."

"Honestly, none of them seem particularly impressive..." Evelyn bluntly critiqued. "And if you add in Father’s illegitimate children, they’re all useless too."

Luo Wei grinned at her. Evelyn continued, "Ever since the City of Cain was destroyed and vampires declined, there hasn’t been a single exceptionally talented descendant. My father’s uncle, General Abraham, was one, but even he faced the same dilemma back then. In the end, he had no choice but to pass the title of family head to his young adjutant—my father..."

"But as you can see," she sighed, "my father’s been stuck at the Marquis level for ages. His own talent is mediocre, and his descendants are even worse. Vampires are truly fading..."

Luo Wei stared intently at Evelyn. "I actually think you’d be perfect for it."

"Me?" Evelyn blinked in surprise.

Luo Wei nodded and began listing his reasons.

"Teacher, you have plenty of great qualities. Sure, you’re a bit lazy, greedy, gluttonous, love indulging in the human world’s pleasures, and... well, you shop like a maniac and can’t resist a pretty handbag..."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Evelyn deadpanned.

"Hear me out," Luo Wei laughed. "But aside from all that, your talent is genuinely outstanding. Aren’t you about to break through to the rank of Vampire Count?"

Evelyn sighed. "Only because of you. Following you around, I’ve faced battles and enemies of every level—how could I not advance quickly?"

"That’s what you call ‘fortune favors the bold’! Intense training!" Luo Wei declared sagely. "Only in such dangerous environments can a worthy heir be forged. Your family’s been too comfortable for too long!"

"Wasn’t it all because of your ex-lovers?" Evelyn nearly got swept up in his reasoning.

Luo Wei coughed. "Well, that might’ve played a part... but that’s not the point!"

He straightened up. "Teacher, you’re only 276! A Vampire Count under 300—you’re about to set a record!"

Evelyn immediately covered her face. "You can praise me without mentioning my age!"

Luo Wei burst out laughing. "Anyway, you’re really impressive. Besides that, you’re smart, learn quickly, manage people well, your classes have high graduation rates, and you understand human society..."

"Stop, stop..." Evelyn’s cheeks flushed slightly. "Am I really that good?"

Luo Wei nodded vigorously. "Absolutely!"

Helena, who had been eavesdropping, chimed in. "As much as it pains me to hear my brother praise you like this, you’re definitely better than those four over there!"

Helena was referring to the quartet of young vampires. Luo Wei instinctively glanced their way and saw all eyes fixed on their father’s every move, their gazes brimming with impatience.

"But I think that position would be too restrictive..." Evelyn shrugged nonchalantly. "And after what happened, Father would never choose me anyway..."

As they chatted, Luo Wei noticed the Duke whispering something to the Duchess before suddenly leaving his seat and heading toward a room.

The moment he departed, murmurs erupted among the vampires before silence abruptly fell again. Every pair of eyes gleamed with anticipation—or greed.

"The main event’s coming," Evelyn said, picking at the human guests’ desserts on the table. "He’s gone to fetch the family’s sacred relic—an artifact once used by the Progenitor Cain. Soon, he’ll bestow it upon his chosen heir."

Luo Wei snatched the dessert from Evelyn’s hand and tossed it aside. "Careful, it might be poisoned."

Evelyn frowned. "How could it be poisoned? They’ve been eating it all night."

"Better safe than sorry," Luo Wei said firmly. "Stay hungry for now."

"Fine..." Evelyn clutched her growling stomach and leaned in. "Then let me take a little bite of you, Xiao Wei."

"No biting my brother!" Helena swiftly intervened.

As the three whispered among themselves, the banquet hall remained abuzz, all eyes trained on the direction the Duke had gone.

The human guests weren’t particularly excited—after all, this was the vampires’ affair. They were merely witnesses, waiting to exchange pleasantries and forge connections with the next Duke of Abraham.

The vampires, however, were brimming with anticipation. Many eyes lingered on the presumed top candidates, speculating who would steer the future of the Abraham family.

Luo Wei was also waiting, but as time passed, he began to sense something amiss...

The Duke had been gone for too long. Checking his pocket watch, Luo Wei realized it had been a full twenty minutes.

He glanced at Evelyn, whose brows were now furrowed in concern.

The two of them simultaneously turned their gaze toward the foremost seat, where a robed elder of the vampire clan strode forward. Shortly after, the Duchess hurriedly departed.

Evelyn instinctively tightened her grip on Luo Wei's arm, a sense of foreboding creeping over her.

After a long pause, commotion erupted among the vampire elders. Then, the entire banquet hall was pierced by the Duchess's anguished wails.

Luo Wei and the other two immediately rose to their feet. His eyes swept warily across the surroundings, only to see the grand floor-to-ceiling windows of the ancient castle suddenly illuminated with an eerie blue glow. A formidable magical barrier surged to life, sealing the space.

A gaunt-faced elder materialized at the center of the banquet, his dark gaze scanning the assembled guests.

"The Duke has been murdered! The killer is among us!"

"Forgive our intrusion, but the entire castle is now locked down. From this moment onward, no one is permitted to leave the banquet hall!"

Luo Wei hadn't anticipated such a turn of events. Stunned, he turned to Evelyn.

Her lips parted slightly, disbelief written across her face.