Mu Qingyun gathered all her powers into her right hand, sending a surge of fire-type energy straight toward Leicester's body.
Leicester crossed his arms above his head to shield himself. His vampiric superhuman abilities were barely enough to fend off the flames that burned into him.
At this point, there was no turning back. She had to succeed.
Casting a cold glance at Leicester, she pulled out the dagger she had earlier held to herself and viciously slashed her arm multiple times. The cuts were so deep that the white of her tissues became visible.
The moment she was wounded, her plant-based ability instinctively activated to begin healing. This, in turn, affected her fire power, causing it to surge violently.
She had discovered this interaction not long ago. While her plant ability was not usually strong enough to heal wounds actively, it would instinctively react to severe or fatal injuries. When it did, her fire ability would also become unstable and, for a short period, drastically increase in power.
Still not enough.
Expressionless, she slashed her arm several more times.
The flames raged uncontrollably, almost instantly engulfing Leicester. As her internal energy was rapidly depleted, the Samadhi True Flame swept over him like a tsunami.
A prince who had grown used to luxury and indulgence, who lacked the discipline and strength of someone like Yin—who had been born strong and had trained relentlessly to overcome his natural weaknesses—could not resist.
To someone like Yin, the Samadhi True Flame was manageable. But to other vampires, it was the death scythe of the Grim Reaper.
Flames devoured everything. Leicester's body was reduced to ashes.
She collapsed to the ground, completely drained of strength.
Thankfully, the soundproofing here was excellent. Once the door was closed, no sound could escape.
She turned to look at the vampire she had knocked out by breaking his wrist. He was still unconscious. She raised him with one hand, opened the window, and threw him out.
Sunlight poured in. The unconscious vampire instantly awoke and let out screams of pain.
She did not leave. Only when she saw him reduced to ash by the sunlight did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Taking the elevator back to her room, she used her clothing to wipe the dagger clean, then deliberately discarded it by striking the security camera in the elevator.
She swiftly returned to her room and pushed open the door.
"Efficient and decisive."
Inside, Yin sat silently, his cold eyes lifting to meet hers. "You are such a fool. Do you realize how much trouble you've caused me by killing him?"
She said nothing. Removing her outer sweatshirt, she cut a small piece from the fabric, retrieved a sewing kit, and put on gloves. She transformed the fabric into a fine handkerchief. The rest of the garment she shoved into a corner.
"What are you doing?"
"Make sure the surveillance footage is completely erased." She tucked the handkerchief into her glove, then pulled back her shirt to inspect her wounds.
Earlier, she had "borrowed" the healing ability of her plant power, which had only stopped the bleeding but left the wounds deep and untreated.
"I already took care of it," Yin said with a cold snort. His eyes flicked to her injured arm without a hint of concern. He showed no intention of offering comfort.
He disliked humans. The only reason he had turned her into a vampire and showed her favor was because of the Samadhi True Flame.
Humans were evolving, animals were evolving, and so were vampires. They no longer feared ordinary fire abilities, but the Samadhi True Flame remained their greatest weakness.
Yin had spent centuries building resistance to it—barely enough to survive its effects.
"You only need to maintain the authority and demeanor befitting a prince in front of others. Leave everything else to me. I will make sure you are not disappointed."
Looking at the wound on her arm, she frowned and retrieved a healing device. She applied it, but the wound was too deep, and the device could not fully repair it.
"Avoid trouble," Yin said coldly after a pause. He stood and left without a trace of gentleness.
If she had not been dragged into this mess, she would never have bothered with any of it.
Their lives and deaths had nothing to do with her.
Knock, knock, knock—
A soft knock came from the door. Mu Qingyun looked up. It was likely Su Qiluo or Yi Beixuan. The two brothers certainly would not knock.
"Come in."
Upon hearing her response, Su Qiluo gently opened the door and handed her a vial of Qingsu inside a black umbrella.
"Coincidentally, the academy still had one in storage. The doctor found it just today."
"Thank you. Just leave it there," she said, nodding. Her hands remained hidden beneath the table.
"Your arm is injured?"
Though she tried to conceal it, Su Qiluo noticed the wound. The scent of blood was hard to ignore.
"It's nothing. Just a minor injury."
Minor?
Su Qiluo used the umbrella to lift her arm, fully revealing the wound.
"This is what you call minor?" The white of her tissue was visible to the naked eye.
He frowned and raised his left hand, emitting light-type energy from his palm.
"I'm a vampire now!" Mu Qingyun instinctively flinched. She could not withstand Su Qiluo's light energy.
"Drink the Qingsu first," he said with a sigh. "I'll disguise you. No one will recognize you."
If she were just an ordinary vampire, it would not matter. But Yin had publicly revealed her. Such an "important person" could not simply vanish.
"How did you get hurt like this?" he asked, looking down at the self-inflicted cuts.
"I will explain shortly," she replied.
…
The news of Prince Leicester's disappearance quickly spread throughout the castle. His attendants were cruelly thrown into the sunlight and burned alive.
By evening, the banquet was canceled. Brauer and Yin sat in the central hall, flanked by Su Qiluo and one of Brauer's dukes.
"Prince Ancestor, Prince Brauer, you must uncover the truth and avenge Prince Leicester!" shouted Leicester's remaining subordinates.
A vampire prince, disappearing without a trace—how could such a thing go unanswered?
"I suspect someone had malicious intent. The killer who threw him into sunlight must be extremely vicious," Brauer said, his gaze drifting to Yin, then to Mu Qingyun who stood below. A sudden idea struck him.
"I propose we let Duke Xino temporarily manage Leicester's affairs."
What?
Su Qiluo and Yin turned to look at Brauer at the same time, clearly surprised by the suggestion.
"No. Prince Leicester disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Until the truth is found, there is no need to rush to replace him," Yin said after exchanging a look with Su Qiluo.
Brauer smiled faintly. "Of course, we must investigate. But having no leader is dangerous. As the only duke under Prince Leicester, Duke Xino should step up and take charge."