Rebirth of the Vampire's Iceberg Hunter - Chapter 2

When Chuanmei  regained consciousness, she was stunned. This was the first time she had lost control of her own consciousness since becoming a vampire. She had never experienced the sensation of being without self-awareness before, which made the situation all the more shocking. Vampires didn’t even sleep, so what was happening now?

Her unique bloodline meant her vampire identity was bound to her soul. While her body showed no abnormalities. She remained a pureblood vampire.

It took Chuanmei  a few seconds to realize where she was: her old cell in the Chuan family compound, where she had spent twenty years of her life. She glanced around the cramped, enclosed space. A square cage constructed from black mystic iron. The only light came from an energy-saving bulb overhead. Though she hadn’t been back in over a decade, having lived here for so many years, Chuanmei  felt as if she had stepped into another world. She had destroyed this room when she escaped the Chuan family. So why was she here now?

Chuanmei shook her head and sat up. Looking at her tiny hands and legs, she touched her own leg, clearly feeling the pulse of her pure-blooded hunter and vampire blood coursing through her veins. She could also sense her vampire core. This confirmed that her transformation into a vampire was no nightmare, and all her cultivation remained intact, only her body had shrunk.

Slowly, Chuanmei slid off the bed. Years of experience as a pure-blooded vampire had long honed her ability to remain unfazed by honor or disgrace. Her gaunt, skin-and-bones hand reached out to touch the cold, pitch-black iron wall. The icy chill that radiated back confirmed it all: this was real.

Chuanmei’s expression twisted into a strange grimace. Had she truly returned to her childhood?

The icy touch snapped her back to reality. She sneered, “They’re using profound iron to imprison a child who knows nothing? Actually, it makes perfect sense. Though my normal self at this age would be utterly helpless, my blood is a priceless treasure to the Chuan family; an inexhaustible one at that. Their caution is entirely justified.”

Just then, Chuanmei sensed someone approaching.

Clang! A small square hatch in the profound iron wall lowered, and a meal tray slid through.

Looking at the familiar dishes, Chuan Mei felt nauseous. Thankfully, her cultivation remained intact; otherwise, being trapped here without her desired food and forced to stare at these things daily would have driven her to madness.

The dishes sent by the Chuan family were all blood-nourishing, but ultimately, they weren’t fresh blood, holding no appeal for Chuan Mei. She refused to touch them. After all, for a vampire like her, the only true delicacy was fresh blood.

Ignoring the food, Chuan Mei returned to her bed, propped her cheek in her hand, and pondered. Now that she’d hit the jackpot—reverting to her childhood—what should she do? Follow her destined path? Serve as the Chuan family’s blood bank for over a decade, then accidentally become a vampire? Well, she could skip that step now, already being a vampire. Then endure endless torment before finally turning dark and wiping out the Chuan family? Damn! The world suddenly seemed bleak, her life hopeless. After sacrificing an entire lifetime, did she have to repeat it all? Was her previous life just a rehearsal? Should she run out now and slaughter the entire Chuan family as she had before? And then what? Spend the rest of her days evading the hunter world’s relentless pursuit?

Just thinking about it made Chuan Mei shudder. Better retreat quietly while nothing has happened yet! It wasn’t out of any particular kindness, but rather because Chuan Mei felt that the karmic debts between her and the Chuan family had been settled in her previous life. Since this life was a clean slate, why even start? She’d consider the blood she’d already shed as payment for this lifetime’s karma. Besides, she wasn’t the weakling she’d been in her previous life’s early stages; she was now her later-stage, blackened self. Why not live as she pleased? Who would dare stand in her way now? With that thought, her final wish from her previous life resurfaced: Chuan Mei wanted to live an ordinary life, to experience the simple happiness of common folk!

The mere thought of it stirred a small thrill within her.

With this resolve, Chuan Mei stood up, hastily passed through the black iron barrier, and vanished from the Chuan family compound.

She weaved through the bustling streets, her mind chanting: I’m just an ordinary child, I’m just an ordinary child, so I should love the sunlight!

*****

In her previous life, she had seen markets, but her eyes and heart had been blind to their vibrancy. Consumed by thoughts of revenge, she had never noticed their bustling splendor. Now, for the first time, Chuanmei truly appreciated how fascinating this place was. Her body and soul felt incredibly light, and she couldn’t resist skipping and hopping along, her eyes darting from stall to stall. I’m just an ordinary, normal child now, she told herself, and her skips grew even more exuberant. In her mind, children were always skipping and hopping, their footsteps carrying a gust of wind.

It must be said, her vision was beautiful. In her mind, she was a wind-like little girl, running through the sunlight. But reality was cruel! To everyone else, she was a ten-year-old boy with a radiant smile, skipping with such unrestrained joy that the sight was utterly comical.

Under the scorching June sun, Chuanmei was the only one without an umbrella. Yet her fair skin showed no hint of redness or sweat.

Bathed in the sunlight, Chuan Mei felt its warmth. Well, it sounded idyllic, but her body was actually quite uncomfortable. No matter how much she defied fate, she couldn’t change her vampire nature. Though pure-blooded vampires weren’t harmed by the sun, this heat was still unbearable.

Silently repeating to herself, “I’m just an ordinary little girl,” Chuan Mei couldn’t resist discreetly using the Chuan family’s exorcism spell to dispel the oppressive heat around her. Instantly, she felt much better. Stealing that spell when the Chuan family captured her had definitely been the right move! It wasn’t really stealing, anyway—that technique was impossible for any descendants except pure-blooded hunters to master. So, it was practically meant for her, right? Right!

Sensing her pursuer’s growing impatience, Chuan Mei worried they might give up. She began leading them toward a secluded corner.

“Little one, where are your parents?” A woman approached as soon as they reached a slightly less crowded area. She had been watching Chuanmei for a while, mainly because of her plain clothes and small stature. For convenience, Chuanmei’s hair was cut short and choppy, and her skin was unnaturally pale from prolonged indoor confinement. Due to her hair and complexion, the ten-year-old Chuanmei looked like a young boy. Combined with the androgynous nature of children’s voices, the woman didn’t suspect Chuanmei’s gender even when she replied, “I don’t have parents anymore.”

Chuanmei didn’t miss the glint of calculation in the woman’s eyes after hearing her answer. It seems I might actually get to live a normal, happy life! she thought. This must be one of those legendary human traffickers! That means I’ll soon be kidnapped and sold to a childless family. Then I’ll finally have parents, a normal home, and the happiness of an ordinary person! Just thinking about it makes me a little excited!

After leaving the Chuan family, Chuanmei didn’t know what to do. She had no experience interacting with ordinary people, and her age was in an awkward range. If she were younger, someone might suspect she was lost, but at her age, being lost seemed unlikely. So, as she skipped and bounced along, no one approached her. She had no idea how to live the kind of life she longed for.

When she realized someone was following her, Chuanmei’s mind raced. She estimated her age to be quite young and recalled news stories about child abductions. Considering her current situation, she concluded that the person was either trying to kidnap her or definitely trying to kidnap her! If that happened, wouldn’t she finally have an ordinary family, experience ordinary familial love, and ultimately achieve ordinary happiness?

“Little one, do you remember your name?”

“I’m Chuanmei! Auntie, is there something you need?” Chuanmei asked, her wide, clear eyes momentarily disorienting the woman while simultaneously marveling at her beauty. I’m just a little kid, Chuanmei thought to herself. I’m easy to trick, easy to coax! I’m so naive!

At first, the woman couldn’t clearly see Chuanmei’s face due to her height. But when Chuanmei looked up, the woman noticed her delicate features and thought to herself, Even if I don’t act, this child will be exploited by others eventually. I might as well take matters into my own hands! She reassured her guilty conscience, At least if she’s with me, I can treat her better in the future. This thought indeed eased her guilt considerably.

However, her next words successfully embarrassed Chuanmei.

“My poor, suffering son!” she exclaimed, her face still etched with suppressed pain. The expression almost made Chuanmei laugh. Being tricked like a child for the first time felt strangely novel, especially watching the woman’s dramatic performance. Remembering her supposed age and pretending not to notice the glint in the woman’s eyes, Chuanmei played along perfectly. “Auntie, why are you calling me ‘son’?” she asked in a sweet, childlike voice, full of feigned curiosity.

“Child, your appearance reminds me so much of my poor, lost son. If he were still alive, he would be about your age now,” the woman said, her voice cracking with emotion.

“But…” Chuanmei feigned confusion. “But Auntie…”

“Child, do you have a place to stay?”

Chuanmei paused, remembering that her dark villa had been left behind in her previous life. In this life, her old haunt was likely still a desolate wasteland. Moreover, she wanted to live as an ordinary person, not continue down the path of her past life. That meant she couldn’t go to the vampire realm. She shook her head decisively, indicating she had nowhere to go. Chuanmei also wanted to stay with this woman, who clearly had ulterior motives. Whatever those motives were, they would likely help her achieve her goals in this life.

And so, in this situation where both parties had their own desires, Chuanmei and the woman successfully achieved their mutual objectives.

“Chuanchuan, I’ll call you Chuanchuan from now on! Chuanchuan, will you call me Auntie San? Come, Auntie San will take you home.” As she spoke, the woman reached for Chuanmei’s hand. Suppressing the urge to attack, Chuanmei placed her hand in the woman’s large, warm palm.

“Why are you so cold?” Auntie San frowned at Chuanmei’s icy hand, then noticed the girl’s hesitant expression, as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

“What’s wrong?” Auntie San crouched down and patted Chuanmei’s head.

Chuanmei couldn’t help but blurt out, “Auntie San, I need to go to the bathroom…”

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