Caiyun Town, a mere fifty kilometers from Yun Jing, should have been a bustling settlement, accessible by fast horse in half a day at most. Yet, when Ye Jingyu and his entourage arrived, the streets were eerily deserted. Many shops were shuttered, and even the town’s sole gambling house stood silent and dark...

Gazing upon the leaf-strewn avenues, the closed storefronts, and the blood-red smear staining the western horizon, Ye Jingyu turned, a look of bewilderment settling on his face as he glanced at Zhuge Yishi beside him...

"Do I feel like we've stumbled into a spectral realm?"

Zhuge Yishi merely shrugged, throwing his hands up in a gesture indicating he had no clue...

This case had been personally mandated by the Emperor, demanding they uncover the truth, making the Yun Guard treat it with utmost gravity. All Seven Orders had been deployed, though Li Zhongyuan and others had remained behind, citing advanced age as unsuitable for extensive travel. They had entrusted the entire operation to Zhuge Yishi and the others...

This was also a calculated move to bolster Ye Jingyu’s standing, allowing his trusted confidantes to gain better control over the forces of the Seven Orders...

As for Han Muxi, Ye Jingyu had insisted on bringing her along. What Ye Jingyu truly intended to achieve remained his secret alone.

"My Lord, ever since those initial murders occurred, the townsfolk have been staying indoors from early on. After nightfall, absolutely no one ventures out, which is why the streets appear so desolate," the town mayor, who had come to greet Ye Jingyu’s party, interjected. Even his eyes held a palpable sense of terror...

"Where was the most recent murder scene? Take us there immediately," Ye Jingyu commanded.

"Yes, my Lord..." The mayor dared not speak further and personally led Ye Jingyu deeper into the town.

After walking for nearly a quarter of an hour, Ye Jingyu and his group arrived at a reasonably well-kept courtyard, reportedly the secondary residence of a local landlord...

"It was here. The owner of this estate is named Lin Dong, and this was where one of his concubines resided. This morning, his servants discovered both him and his concubine dead in the room. Just like the other victims, all their blood had been drained, leaving them desiccated corpses," the mayor’s voice trembled noticeably as he spoke...

"Another murder occurred last night?" Ye Jingyu had arrived that morning, never expecting a fresh incident the previous night...

"Yes..." The mayor nodded gravely...

"Show me the body," Ye Jingyu nodded, offering no further comment...

The mayor ceased speaking and guided Ye Jingyu into the courtyard, straight into the landlord’s master bedroom. As if anticipating their arrival, the corpses had not been moved. The servants were kept under tight guard by the town officials, awaiting Ye Jingyu’s interrogation...

Ye Jingyu, Zhuge Yishi, Ying Xiaoxiao, Nangong Shang, Bieli, and even Han Muxi filed into the chamber. Upon seeing the two bloodless husks and the twin puncture marks on their necks, Ye Jingyu and the others exchanged significant glances, their minds already forming conclusions...

However, contrasting with the shock of the others, a flicker of near-joy crossed Ye Jingyu's eyes...

Such markings—what else could they signify but a blood-sucking Jiangshi? In this world, besides Liang Xiaoke, there was only Mu Fei. But both Liang Xiaoke and Mu Fei had confirmed that Liang Xiaoke could not possibly be dead...

If Liang Xiaoke were dead, Mu Fei, as his descendant, would inevitably perish as well...

The thought that Liang Xiaoke might still be alive made it nearly impossible for Ye Jingyu to suppress his internal excitement...

"My Lord, these appear to be bite marks, likely inflicted by some sort of wild beast. And with the blood entirely drained, it suggests this was not the work of a human," Han Muxi observed after examining the wounds...

As an envoy of the Crown Prince, she knew precisely when to speak and when to remain silent. With none of the older generation present, it was her duty to address the matter first...

"Not human work? Then what is it?" Ye Jingyu raised an eyebrow. He was aware of the existence of Jiangshi, but most common folk were not. The fact that Han Muxi could deduce this was not human involvement suggested that those serving in the Yun Guard were indeed exceptional individuals...

"If my assessment is correct, it should be a vampire from the West," Han Muxi asserted after a more meticulous confirmation, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes—though none noticed it...

"Vampires?" This time, it was Ye Jingyu's turn to be utterly astonished. In this entire world, besides the Jiangshi Liang Xiaoke, were there truly vampires too?

Ying Xiaoxiao, Nangong Shang, Bieli, and the mayor all looked on with curiosity, while Zhuge Yishi commented calmly: "They are humanoid monsters, appearing as men but capable of transforming into bats. They originate from the Western Atlantis Empire, sustaining themselves purely by consuming human blood. They fear sunlight and can only move under the cover of night, unless they are high-ranking vampires capable of operating in broad daylight..."

"Mr. Zhuge speaks truly..." Han Muxi agreed, yet she glanced at Zhuge Yishi with genuine surprise, clearly not expecting him to know about vampires. Her astonishment only sharpened the intensity of the hidden glare in her eyes...

As for Ye Jingyu, he was dumbfounded. While he knew that far to the west of the Tiangang Mountain Range lay the extremely distant lands containing the Atlantis Empire and the Fanlong Empire—both as powerful as the Tianyuan Empire—he had never imagined the actual existence of creatures like vampires...

If these truly were vampires, did that mean Liang Xiaoke was indeed gone? The thought caused Ye Jingyu's spirits to immediately sink again...

"Nangong Shang, dispatch men to guard every exit. Apprehend anyone who raises suspicion. Zhu Ruo, summon the swordsmen of the Six Orders; have them stand ready tonight. Upon any anomaly, pursue and arrest without hesitation," Ye Jingyu issued a rapid series of commands. Finally, he turned to Han Muxi: "Lord Han, I must trouble you with the matter of the depositions..."

"It is my humble honor to serve Your Lordship," Han Muxi responded with a respectful bow...

"Mmm..." Ye Jingyu nodded, said no more, and led the group toward the exit...

Han Muxi, meanwhile, took several subordinates from the Five Orders and went to interrogate the servants...

Night slowly descended. The moon began its ascent, and a cool breeze swept through the air, carrying with it a chilling sensation. Though it was only the eighth or ninth month, the atmosphere felt as cold as the depths of winter...

The citizens of Caiyun Town had long since extinguished their lamps and retired to bed...