RAD Chapter 57

Of course, Mr. Huo did not miss the expressions of surprise on everyone’s faces. He cleared his throat and said, “We all know that those blood maidens are directly transformed from powerful female ghosts. And the reason they would suck blood is for the growth of their own vicious qi. However, the blood maiden we encountered this time is different. She should have directly transformed into a blood maiden by sucking blood and then using a secret technique.”

“Secret technique?” Old Man Yu exclaimed. “You don’t mean the secret technique of that sect, do you?”

Old Man Ouyang also reacted quickly. He looked at Mr. Huo with a grave expression. But the facts were just as he said. Seeing Mr. Huo nod, the expressions of the two old masters became even more serious.

“Master?” Luo Xiao and Ye Lan were puzzled by their cryptic exchange and couldn’t help but ask.

Mr. Huo glanced at his young disciple and then sighed deeply. “It’s the sect we’ve talked about before–the Holy Sect. They have a book in their sect which records some bloody and cruel methods that can turn living people into what they want, like puppets, zombies, undead, and of course, the blood maiden we’re dealing with now.”

Hearing this, Luo Xiao and Ye Lan sucked in a cold breath: Goodness, what kind of book is this? It’s so cruel!

“Then Master, about this book?” Luo Xiao asked anxiously.

Mr. Huo patted his head. “This book has naturally been burned on the spot, but we can’t guarantee that the content hasn’t been spread. But from the current situation, it seems that some of the content has indeed been leaked. I just hope that not too much of it has been spread, or else I’m afraid…”

Everyone all nodded in agreement. Yes, if the content of that book were to spread widely, it would be no simple matter.

“By the way, Old Huo, can you tell how complete the making of this blood maiden is?” Old Man Ouyang asked, since among them, only Mr. Huo had some understanding of it.

Sure enough, after pondering for a while, Mr. Huo spoke up, “Based on the current situation, this blood maiden should have just passed the newborn stage…”

“I don’t know, have you noticed a detail? That girl named Song Jia mentioned that the blood maiden was wearing a dress similar to hers, but in a different color.”

“Well, I heard that. What about it?” Old Man Yu looked at him in confusion.

“I suspect that’s the key.” Mr. Huo tapped the table with a serious expression. “Each blood maiden has a special item by her side, and the color of this item deepens as she consumes more blood. So I deduce that the dress must be this special item for this blood maiden.”

“You mean, her dress was originally white too, but it slowly turned red as she consumed blood?” Old Man Ouyang continued.

“Yes, exactly.” Mr. Huo nodded. “From what I know, once that item turns completely red, it means the blood maiden has passed the newborn stage and entered the growth stage. Once in the growth stage, their need for blood will gradually decrease, until they no longer need blood at all and can just take a special pill to be like a normal person.”

“Huh? Then doesn’t that make it even harder for us to catch her?” Old Man Yu opened his eyes wide and slammed the table angrily. “I won’t such a dangerous criminal keep evading the law! I will catch her soon!”

Old Man Ouyang patted his shoulder and looked at him supportively. “Old Yu, don’t worry, I will help you catch that person.”

“Grandpa Huo, is there really no way for us to catch her before she no longer needs blood?” Although a person with no spiritual power, Ye Lan had learned a lot about the cultivation world thanks to the Ye family’s influence. “Ah yes, I faintly remember Grandpa once mentioning an item that can easily track the person the user is thinking of. I think it was called something like the… Mystic Heaven Mirror?”

Mr. Huo smiled and nodded at him. “Correct, that’s exactly what I was going to tell you all about–the Mystic Heaven Mirror.”

“The Mystic Heaven Mirror?” Old Man Yu frowned at him. “You old fox, you’re joking, right? You know full well that the Mystic Heaven Mirror is the precious treasure of the Mystic Heaven Sect. There’s no way they would lend it to us.”

“You’re wrong. That person won’t lend it to me, but he will lend it to you.” Mr. Huo wagged his finger at Old Man Yu, giving him a meaningful look.

As if remembering something, Old Man Ouyang lowered his head and struggled to suppress his upturned lips, but his occasionally shaking shoulders betrayed his true emotions.

“You, the two of you!” Old Man Yu’s face flushed with anger as he pointed a trembling finger at them. “Do you believe I’ll split you two in half right now?!”

Seeing the raging Old Man Yu, Luo Xiao and Ye Lan exchanged a glance and quietly shrank down under the table, trying to minimize their presence as much as possible. They thought it was quite normal for him to redirect his anger, and they certainly didn’t want to rush up and be the cannon fodder! Although they were really curious and wanted to gossip, their lives were more important. And besides, they could always continue gossiping after Old Man Yu left.

Finally, the kind-hearted Old Man Ouyang suppressed his laughter and patted Old Man Yu’s shoulder consolingly. “Alright, Old Yu, let’s get back to the business.”

“Bullshit, I’ve been talking about the business all along!” Old Man Yu still looked quite irritated.

“Okay, okay, let’s stay on the business.” Old Man Ouyang responded in agreement, but then his expression turned serious as he looked earnestly at Old Mr. Yu and spoke: “Old Yu, we really want you to go to the Mystic Heaven Sect. Don’t get angry first, let me finish what I was saying. You and I both know how strictly the Mystic Heaven Sect guards their sect’s treasure. Trying to borrow it is simply impossible. As for stealing or robbing it, that’s even more out of the question. No one has succeeded in all these years, not even getting a glimpse of the true form of the Mystic Heaven Mirror. But you’re different. Given your friendship with their sect leader, there’s a chance you could be allowed to use it.”

“But…” Old Man Yu’s face was full of struggle, as he wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Old Man Ouyang.

“I know what you want to say. But you can’t forget, this blood maiden was created by someone. Just this blood maiden alone has us so troubled, let alone if the people behind her are creating puppets, zombies, and the like. Wouldn’t that put us in an even more passive position? And then, could this world remain stable? Do you want to see a repeat of the events from three hundred years ago?”

“…Okay, I understand.” Seeing Old Man Yu’s dejected expression, Old Man Ouyang and Mr. Huo couldn’t help shaking their heads and chuckling. Alas, it must be said that the kd them were truly a pair of fated rivals.

The matter was left there for now, and Ye Lan and Luo Xiao resumed their student life of going to and from school every day.

After taking the final exams, Luo Xiao returned home to tidy up with his mother and godmother. They had decided to go back to C Town for the New Year this year. Since moving to S City, they hadn’t gone back home to celebrate the New Year with their family for four years. They only made a brief trip during the holiday period. But this year would be different. Luo Qian and Xu Yan wanted to share the good news of getting into university with them and celebrate together.

Finally, the day after getting their final exam results, Luo Qian and Xu Yan carried their packed bags and set off for home with Luo Xiao. As it was during the Spring Festival travel season, everywhere was packed with people. The three of them struggled with their luggage and eventually reached their destination. After squeezing out of the car and putting down the heavy bags, the three of them couldn’t help but laugh.

After a short rest, they picked up their bags and headed towards the familiar home. It must be said that in four years, and as a prosperous coastal town, C Town had undergone tremendous changes with each passing day. Of course, it was not as dramatic as one might imagine. But compared to four years ago, the changes were quite significant.

Luo Xiao and Luo Qian had returned to C Town occasionally over the past four years, but it had been a full four years since Xu Yan had been back. Listening to Luo Xiao and Luo Qian’s occasional introductions, Xu Yan walked along the familiar yet strange cement path. Her heart was full of mixed emotions.

“Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Godmothe, and I are all back to see you!” As soon as Luo Xiao saw the familiar house, he immediately grabbed the bags and ran over, bursting through the door with a loud call.

The elderly couple inside heard their grandson’s voice and immediately came out of the house. Seeing the three of them in the yard, their eyes grew moist.

“Dad and Mom, Yanzi, Xiao Xiao and I are back to spend the New Year with you this year.” Luo Qian walked forward and gently hugged the elderly couple after putting down the bags.

Grandma Luo reached out and patted her back, “It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back. Come, let’s go inside and sit. Yanzi, Xiao Xiao, come on, come in quickly.”

“Okay, Godmother, Godfather.” Xu Yan nodded with a smile and carried the things inside.

Just as everyone went inside, no one noticed a figure quickly flashing by outside the yard…