How to Keep a Vampire - Chapter 8

The Deep Sea Giant Spirit was formed from the restless spirits of the Mermaid Tribe, dwelling long-term in the deep ocean and utilizing the most treacherous environment to purge their grievances.

Excessive resentment from restless spirits brings misfortune, and not even the Mermaid Tribe, with their naturally pure and kind nature, is an exception. A thousand years ago, the Mermaid Tribe specifically invited sorcerers to refine these spirits, and Shi Yu had observed from the sidelines at the time.

The so-called “restless spirits” refer to souls that did not die a natural death but were instead murdered. The Mermaid Tribe lived in the ocean for a long time but once suffered a decline, simply because their tears could turn into pearls, and their sinews and bones could be used as expensive display pieces and weapons.

They were simple by nature and generally did not harbor enmity toward others. However, greed never dissipates, which only emboldened the pursuers who were once blinded by wealth. Some of these people captured mermaids, while others deceived or cajoled them, causing the number of mermaids to dwindle day by day.

After that, the Mermaid Tribe collectively migrated, moving further and further away from the shores, and became less trusting of outside clans.

[Actually, restless spirits aren’t that scary.] Lan Yin slowly told Shi Yu, [They are just relatively large and white.]

Who could refuse a big, fluffy white thing dancing?

Yes, the refinement of the Deep Sea Giant Spirit happened to take place during the mating period that year. Among the restless spirits, there were many mermaids who had met with foul play before finding a mate; despite losing all memories, their instincts would drive them to seek a mate on this day. Thus, the mating dance occurred as the restless spirits were refined into one entity, and many of the restless spirits even turned into a fat fish while dancing it had a pair of very large eyes.

Lan Yin’s words paused; he thought for a while, but still didn’t tell Shi Yu who the restless spirits were dancing for at that time.

“The consequences of the Deep Sea Giant Spirit awakening ahead of schedule are unpredictable,” Di You added. “According to the divination of the High Priests, Blood Hunters and the Mermaid Tribe alone are not enough for this training mission.”

Wen Si understood: “You need the vampire clan to go as well.”

Di You: “Yes, the prophecy says the vampire clan is needed to participate this time.”

Shi Yu felt that the changes over the past few thousand years were truly significant. These days, even a “fat fish” could have such power that it required the cooperation of three clans.

Shi Yu asked suspiciously: “Since it was sorcerers who refined it back then, why not let sorcerers solve it again?”

“A thousand years ago, the human king listened to slanders and regarded sorcerers as followers of an evil god, believing them to be the incarnation of the evil god in the secular world, intending to overthrow his royal rule. Thus, he carried out a slaughter of sorcerers across the country,” Di You said regretfully. “The sorcerer who refined the Deep Sea Giant Corpse back then also vanished long ago.”

Sorcerers fell, but the Deep Sea Giant Spirit would endure. It was just like the natural law of survival of the fittest; if one side perishes, the other side, having lost its natural predator, will grow in an unstoppable trend, which will bring about enormous influence.

Lan Yin remembered something and said excitedly: [Your Highness, the Mermaid Tribe holds a grand blessing ceremony during the mating period, and the holy object of the Mermaid Tribe is indispensable.]

The Mermaid Tribe’s holy object that was a treasure.

The corners of Shi Yu’s eyes lifted, a faint playfulness hidden in his eyes; he looked like a cunning fox planning something bad. The vampire clan’s holy object had long been lost, and the holy objects of other clans could not be traced, so now only the Mermaid Tribe possessed their holy object. The utility of the holy object was incalculable, and it might be helpful for the restoration of his strength.

Shi Yu had to find a way to borrow the Mermaid Tribe’s holy object without drawing attention to himself. The best way would be to use the noisy scene on the day of the mating period as his best cover. He had to make Wen Si accept this request.

“That is very serious,” Shi Yu looked at Di You sincerely: “You must be very anxious too.”

Wen Si looked at him with amusement. Unlike the coldness toward Wen Si, Di You’s attitude toward him was somewhat indescribable, carrying a natural sense of familiarity. His voice was gentle: “Indeed, and this matter cannot be spread widely, so as to avoid unnecessary trouble and panic.”

“Therefore, it is necessary to trouble Your Excellency to participate in the training mission as a Blood Hunter.”

The hostility between Blood Hunters and the vampire clan, even if peaceful on the surface, could not change the nature of secret mutual injury over a thousand years. Making Wen Si, the current Duke of the vampire clan, help the Blood Hunters—and even go undercover as a Blood Hunter.

Shi Yu pondered, feeling something was amiss. Hmm… is my neck a bit cold?

Shi Yu had a premonition that something was wrong; he turned his head and his eyes widened and shrank. The gloves on Wen Si’s hands had been removed at some point, and his cold, white, slender knuckles were currently kneading his nape with indifference.

The back of my neck, which determines my fate, has been pinched.

Shi Yu frowned; the perpetrator didn’t have the sense to stop there, but instead, like smoothing the fur of a young beast, patiently pinched him lightly from time to time. Wen Si’s slightly rough fingertips caressed Shi Yu’s nape, and the chill conducted deep into Shi Yu, conveying his current situation.

Wen Si’s expression was surprisingly gentle; he tilted his head and asked as if seeking an opinion: “What do you think of the Mermaid Tribe High Priest’s suggestion?”

Very well, the pressure has been successfully transferred to Shi Yu’s side.

Although the force of Wen Si’s hand wasn’t heavy rather, it was smoothing the ruffled fur—Shi Yu always felt it was ominous; those blue veins faintly visible under the skin would likely burst forth in the next second along with Wen Si’s increased force. If a pair of beautiful hands could be rated at ninety, then the image with a violence factor added would certainly be one hundred.

Tearing off the surface layer of surface-level gentleness, Wen Si’s core was still just as crazy. What do I think of the proposal? He only wanted to say it was excellent—it couldn’t be better; Di You had simply provided him with a perfect excuse. It was clearly a script for two people; why add his name?

Wen Si had shifted Di You’s words onto him very well, so that both gazes were now focused on Shi Yu. Few people knew that Shi Yu was very sensitive about his neck. With the movements of the person behind him, thin pink gradually appeared on the nape he had under control. As the area expanded, Shi Yu only felt the heat in his ears; he tried hard to act as if nothing was wrong on the surface, but still could not suppress the crimson on both sides of his snowy cheeks.

Like a snowy white rose dyed with the pink of a sunset. Shy and charming.

Shi Yu said against his will: “Making the vampire clan disguise themselves as Blood Hunters is truly asking a bit too much.”

Very close—although Wen Si didn’t sit down, his imperceptible chuckle was still caught by Shi Yu. Shi Yu was a bit annoyed; the direction of things was different from what he had expected, and yet he was the one who had pushed the waves.

Wen Si: “Just as Shi Yu said, the priest’s requirements are truly asking a bit too much.”

Di You also knew the request was excessive and expected to be rejected, “Due to the urgency of this matter, I am truly sorry, and I have also brought the Mermaid Tribe’s remuneration.”

Shi Yu changed from his previous disappointment, his amber eyes brightening.

“The remuneration that has been prepared is one hundred thousand tear pearls.” Di You saw that Wen Si’s attitude still had room for maneuver and continued: “If there are other requirements, they can also be discussed.”

Shi Yu curled his lips, resisting the urge to stand up, but couldn’t hide the light gradually rising in his eyes. What was the concept of one hundred thousand tear pearls?

Just as the name implied, tear pearls are pearls made from the tears of the Mermaid Tribe. Because shedding tears consumes their mental energy, the Mermaid Tribe does not shed tears easily, and tear pearls are not common outside.

“…one hundred thousand?”

Di You: “Yes, if that is not enough, it can be discussed.”

It can be discussed…

The Mermaid Tribe does not like to participate in the disputes between clans, and generally, there wouldn’t be times when they would spend money to hire others to help. Tear pearls are already scarce in the current trading market; Di You probably didn’t realize at all what a huge amount of capital this was.

Shi Yu’s eyes drooped, his dense eyelashes masking the light in his eyes. What kind of sucker is this that delivered itself to the door? Shi Yu was also a person of principle; he couldn’t slaughter people too ruthlessly, so he looked at Wen Si surreptitiously.

Wen Si didn’t answer immediately, as if considering it. Not only was Di You waiting for his decision, Shi Yu couldn’t help but look up directly, meeting Wen Si’s amused eyes; he didn’t dodge either. Wen Si, I command you to quickly agree to Di You’s request.

As if following his heart, Wen Si agreed: “We will go.”

Shi Yu understood, Wen Si’s words included him.

Di You: “Thank you for the trouble; I hope this cooperation goes smoothly.”

One person’s consent fulfilled the expectations of two. Shi Yu looked happily at the several boxes of tear pearls that were moved in. Only, the things were now Wen Si’s; he could see them but couldn’t touch them. But soon, they would all be his.

The reward was brought, but Di You didn’t leave directly, instead looking deeply at Shi Yu: “The Mermaid Tribe’s mating period is very lively; you should be interested.”

Shi Yu moved his lips, somewhat surprised.

“Looking forward to our next meeting.”

Di You finished speaking and left directly. As the heavy door closed again, Shi Yu frowned; he didn’t quite understand Di You’s attitude. Is there still doubt about his identity?

Shi Yu was too lazy to think too much; his attention was now entirely on those few boxes of tear pearls.

“Why, are you fascinated by the Mermaid Tribe High Priest’s face?” Wen Si thought his gaze was directed at the direction Di You had left.

The vampire clan’s pupils appear a pure blood-red; in daily life, they can hide their true pupil color and appear no different from ordinary people. But when emotions fluctuate, that intense blood-red will still appear in the pupils, as dazzling as pigeon-blood stone. The handsome face was染上了 (tinged with) a bit of danger.

“No.” Shi Yu answered decisively. He earnestly met Wen Si’s lowered gaze, smiled slyly: “I still think you look the best.”

Shi Yu was telling the truth; compared to the little fish, he still liked the little puppy more. And Wen Si’s blood was very attractive to him. Just obeying his heart was still very pleasant.

“You speak so well; do you want a reward?” Wen Si’s gaze swept over those few boxes of tear pearls, seemingly implying something.

Shi Yu’s pupils flickered.