Chapter 3056: Blood-Stained Addiction 32

The blood moon had passed zenith; light poured through the lofty stained-glass window, casting bizarre, variegated shadows. The hubbub had faded, and occasionally a night wind slipped through the unclosed window crack.

Although Jin Chen had attended the banquet, perhaps because of Jiaxiya's sudden interruption, he hadn't seen any trace of the blood soul device.

Of course, Jin Chen would not admit it; mainly because the Count was simply too delicious, leaving him hardly any inclination to seriously search for that damn blood soul device.

Having frolicked through nearly the whole blood moon night, the disheveled and pitiful Count finally exhausted himself, sinking into deep sleep; he lay on his side, cheek pressed against Jin Chen's chest, his long hair spread over the pillow, his sharp nails unconsciously clutching the fabric of Jin Chen's front.

Jin Chen, however, was full of spirit.

He lay on his side, one arm around Saiyin's slender waist, fingertips twirling her cool, smooth hair; after thinking, he decided to symbolically look for the blood soul device, lest Ling Gun Gun stir again in his mind, nagging about not having properly completed the task.

Jin Chen pulled his arm from around Saiyin's waist; Saiyin seemed to sense it, gripping the fabric of his clothes tighter.

Jin Chen stopped moving, lowered his head to kiss Saiyin's forehead, and whispered softly, "Be good, keep sleeping."

Perhaps this light kiss took effect; Saiyin loosened her grip on his clothes, and in her daze she embraced the pillow where Jin Chen had just lain, still retaining his scent, burying her face deep within it.

Jin Chen found it amusing, extending a finger to poke Saiyin's fang that she couldn't retract from playing, doing so with a hint of playfulness; it was icy cold, yet unexpectedly possessed a fragile cuteness.

Having had his fun, Jin Chen withdrew his hand, rose, and casually pulled a thin blanket from nearby to cover Saiyin's bare shoulders.

In the next instant, Jin Chen's figure, like light smoke merging with moonlight, soundlessly drifted out through the window.

Ling Gun Gun didn't know where he had run off to, only appearing online occasionally, and he gave no further hints about the blood soul device.

Jin Chen strolled leisurely down the corridor, in no particular hurry.

If he couldn't find it, he idly thought, picking a few of the most fully bloomed dark roses to place at the Count's bedside would do just as well.

But just as he turned the corridor, Jin Chen saw a phosphorescent glow in the garden ahead.

It was an incompletely formed minor magic array, its light flickering unpredictably, obviously cast by an unskilled practitioner; and there, squatting beside the array, forehead sweating as he tried to mend an obvious flaw in the formation, was Osding.

Jin Chen passed Osding and looked into the shadow behind him; indeed, it was lively, with Count Noah also present.

Osding stared intently at the array before him, but for some reason, a certain point simply wouldn't connect; magical energy flowing there would dissipate.

Tonight is the perfect opportunity! After experiencing that terrifying ancestor manifestation, the castle's guards and the high-ranking blood clan's attention were greatly scattered, and the magic field was somewhat disrupted by the lingering pressure—but…

Suddenly, Osding's hairs stood on end, and he turned his head extremely slowly.

When he finally made out the dark silhouette that had appeared behind him at some unknown time, Osding inexplicably let out a sigh of relief.

After all, Count Noah had already let him off once before in the prayer chamber.

Moreover, whenever this Count drew his blood, his movements were gentle, lacking the overt torment and humiliation other blood clans inflicted; Osding thus sensed a certain ineffable indulgence.

Perhaps he could seek Count Noah's assistance, needing only to offer a little blood…

From the black mist swirling beneath the cloak came a warm voice: "Using the communication array, what message do you wish to send, and to whom?"

Osding could hardly say he was sending a message to the Holy Court—that would be suicide!

He could only answer vaguely, "I miss my family, I just want to report that I'm safe; could you help me? I can pay you with blood as compensation."

This excuse was so lame he didn't even believe it himself.

Osding was too guilty; anyone would sense something was off.

Yet Noah actually did help, merely raising his hand slightly, and the array was fully formed.

Osding was naturally overjoyed, and after Noah finished all this, just as in each previous chance encounter, he extended a hand, made a grasping motion in the air, took about the usual amount of blood, and let the wound heal.

It seemed as if Noah had merely helped him complete the array as an afterthought, the payment still being that same bit of blood.

Seeing this scene, Jin Chen clicked his tongue: "Tsk tsk."

Among the blood clan, it looks like there's a traitor.

Tomorrow I'll go file a complaint against Saiyin.

He thought with mischievous amusement, wondering what reaction the Count would have.

Just as he thought that, Jin Chen saw Noah seemingly glance his way.

Immediately, Noah turned away, no longer paying attention to the ecstatic Osding, and walked slowly toward a secluded corner opposite the corridor where Jin Chen stood.

By conventional thinking, Jin Chen should now be curious enough to follow Noah over and see what he intends to do.

But…

Jin Chen turned and walked in the opposite direction.

He refused to.

After all, he had merely come out for a stroll; if he couldn't find the blood soul device, picking a few flowers to placate the Count would be just as good.

As expected.

Jin Chen had barely walked a short distance—about the time it took to turn the next corridor corner—when the shadow at his side silently writhed and coalesced.

Noah's figure appeared again beside him, not approaching, simply standing in his black cloak before Jin Chen, blocking his path forward, as if awaiting orders.

Jin Chen found it amusing.

He stopped, arms crossed, leisurely examining the mysterious Count before him, his voice tinged with lazy mockery.

"Count Noah, are you patrolling the territory for my lord Count? It's so late—truly troublesome."

Noah remained silent for a few seconds; the gloomy black mist swirling beneath his hood gradually dissipated, revealing the figure beneath the cloak—unexpectedly handsome and warm.

Before Jin Chen, Noah slowly placed his right hand over his heart, lowered his head, as a devotee offering the utmost reverence before an idol, and said, "Master."

Jin Chen: "?"

Staying up late at night really makes one see ghosts.

"You… know my identity?"

Noah lifted his gaze to Jin Chen, his eyes filled with longing and excitement that he struggled to conceal, "Yes, Master."

"Congratulations on your restoration… His Majesty Metis."

This name was once again placed upon Jin Chen's head.

Jin Chen was somewhat speechless: "If you're referring to what happened at the banquet, that has nothing to do with me; I'm merely an ordinary blood servant."

He spoke with utter seriousness, as if it were truly the case.

Nuoya, however, shook their head, gaze resolute.

No, Master. My bloodline has followed you through the generations; you are my first and also my most loyal clan and guardian.

I can sense the primal aura of your spiritual power, which, as recorded, shares the same source as the force imprinted deep in our bloodline… and also the blood contract you granted.

Jin Chen was taken aback, not expecting this as well.

But this can explain why Nuoya went to such lengths at the banquet to block Jiaxiya's gaze, preventing him from seeing his own appearance.

Jin Chen pondered for a while.

He suddenly asked again, his voice calm: 'When I awoke, I always felt there was an unfinished matter.'

Nuoya responded in the next instant, as if he had been waiting a long time: 'I know, that is your hatred, an oath you have never fulfilled.'

Master, once we retrieve your Blood Soul Artifact and restore your inherited memory, everything will become clear.

Since awakening in the rose thicket, Jin Chen had continually been troubled by this vague obsession. Now, looking at the self‑proclaimed generations‑following Count Nuoya before him, he formed a plan.

Regardless of whether he is that Motisi or not, at least this blood clan before him appears to know much and seems genuinely willing to serve him.

Moreover, he was indeed somewhat curious about the so‑called Blood Soul Artifact.

Jin Chen then narrowed his eyes and readily agreed, 'Sure, lead the way.'

It would be best to return before Saiyin awakens.

Otherwise, his lord the Count would wake up, find him missing, and see him in that sorry state again—likely causing another fuss.