Chapter 3060: Addiction Beneath the Blood‑Red 36

Motis's territory was surrounded by layers of spatio-temporal prohibitions, its ancient magnificence far surpassing that of Eternal Night Castle.

The most bizarre thing was that inside and outside the castle, every spot where the eye could see was frenziedly growing special blood roses, as if alive, faintly throbbing like countless half-closed eyes, silently watching every intruder who stepped onto this territory in the darkness.

Six counts walked along the corridor half-hidden by roses toward the palace's main gate, entering the main hall at the castle's deepest point.

The hall was vast and luxurious, with only a high throne at the far end and a figure standing beside it, Nuoya.

Upon the throne that exuded an invisible pressure, His Majesty Motis lounged lazily, his black robe flowing over the seat; even without deliberately releasing pressure, it was enough to make every count who entered the hall feel their souls tremble.

The six counts respectfully dropped to one knee and bowed their heads deeply.

Jin Chen, wearing a mask, propped his elbow on the throne's armrest, his palm lightly supporting his chin, slowly sweeping his gaze over the kneeling Saiyin below.

His little elf today wore a solemn black robe, looking extremely nervous.

Jin Chen smiled silently, then leisurely inquired about the current state of each of their territories and about recent movements of Prince Xiya.

Feierwen's gaze followed the figure on the throne respectfully yet reluctantly.

He of course still wanted to draw near His Majesty, for that admiration and longing had been etched into his bones over hundreds of years, but in this setting, under His Majesty's obvious dignity, he could never find a suitable opportunity nor dare to overstep.

When he replied, Motis appeared likewise lazy, as if hearing but not listening.

Unbeknownst to them, separated by a hall, Saiyin, who had hardly spoken since entering the hall, was now nearly frayed by the monarch's mental tendrils aimed solely at him… on the verge of collapse.

From the moment Jin Chen began to speak, those invisible mental tendrils spread from the direction of the throne, like blood-colored vines or thin snakes, slowly climbing from his calves upward, leaving a string of cold numbness wherever they passed.

Saiyin was both startled and angry for a moment.

He faintly mobilized his inner magic to resist those damned tendrils, but his resistance was utterly useless; he could only uncomfortably press his legs together, trying to block the snakes' ascent.

But to no avail, that icy, slick sensation continued upward, soon passing his knees and reaching his thighs.

Through his mask, Jin Chen watched Saiyin below, who feigned calm while his ears secretly flushed red, and the corner of Jin Chen's mouth twitched slightly.

Meanwhile, those invisible mental tendrils tightened a notch more around Saiyin's thighs.

Saiyin's body shuddered; one could imagine that beneath his robe, the skin had likely been pressed into a fleshy indentation.

What made Saiyin feel shame and anger to the extreme was that, as a fellow powerful magic-wielding blood clan, he knew that such mental tendrils, in a sense, could also serve as eyes—anywhere they spread could be visualized in the caster's mind.

That is to say… Motis could see everything about him.

Saiyin felt as if, in this solemn occasion, all covering robes had been stripped away, exposing him before His Majesty, while those tendrils continued to climb upward.

Saiyin bit his lower lip, nearly drawing blood from that thin skin.

But just then, a voice from the throne suddenly rang out: "Count Strande, why say not a word?"

All gazes turned to Saiyin.

Saiyin snapped his gaze toward the throne; his crimson eyes could not hide his shame and anger.

Meanwhile, Jin Chen deliberately shifted his aura's fluctuation slightly, and his likewise altered pupil color reflected Saiyin's current disheveled fury.

Saiyin, furious, bit his lower lip hard, rose and knelt again on one knee, lowered his head, his voice tight with anger: "Your Majesty, my body feels somewhat weak."

This was true, and also an excuse.

Yet he heard Motis let out a soft cold snort, the hand supporting his head shifting to the other side, silver hair slipping from his shoulder, his tone laced with danger and amusement that dared not be defied: "What do you call me?"

Saiyin's fingers twitched slightly, clutching the fabric on his knees.

He should call Motis… blood father.

Yes, blood father.

But what is his blood father doing now!

Those tendrils were already about to wrap around Saiyin's most sensitive waist, sending waves of weakening stimulation through his body.

Saiyin closed his eyes, then opened them again; his shame and anger grew stronger, yet a hint of submission also appeared.

"... Blood father."

But instead, it finally made the person on the throne unable to hold back, letting out a soft laugh.

Feierwen beside him watched this scene, pursing his lips with a feeling of displeasure.

Next, Jin Chen inquired about some other matters, then announced his decision.

"Prince Xiya and the Holy Court will surely act; you six remain in your territories for now."

The six counts each had their own thoughts, but dared not show the slightest defiance on their faces; in unison they knelt and accepted the command: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Jin Chen then gave Nuoya a separate order: "Nuoya, go watch the Holy Court's side."

Nuoya's expression tightened, and without hesitation he bowed: "Yes, my lord."

Jin Chen rose from the throne.

"Saiyin, follow me inside."

——

Saiyin followed Motis through that side door into a room that shocked him to the core.

This actually bore an astonishing resemblance to a certain scene from his dreams.

The room was sealed off from the outside by countless eerily colored, wildly growing rose vines, forming a prison of aggressive beauty, vines crawling over the walls and ceiling, bursting with large blooms of deep red verging on black.

The prison's interior was laid with a thick, soft beast-skin carpet; Saiyin saw Motis walk to the room's center and sit leisurely on a chair woven from rose vines, beside him a large bed draped with black silk, its canopy of deep black gauze fluttering in the breeze like a lone butterfly beating its wings in the darkness.

Saiyin stood behind Motis, narrowing his eyes.

If I'm not mistaken… this period after Motis's recovery is his weakest, and also his best chance.

He hesitated no longer; using the blood contract he shared with Motis as a catalyst, his inner magic boiled instantly, and a longsword forged of pure magic appeared in his hand.

The next instant, Saiyin's figure flickered like a phantom, his longsword bearing all his strength and resolve, he swung down fiercely upon the lazy figure on the chair.

Jin Chen had sensed it early, blocking the blade just as it was about to reach; as if that sword, forged by blood‑contract power and capable of piercing any blood‑clan body, was to him merely an amusing toy.

Jin Chen didn't even rise; seated in the chair, he neutralized all of Saiyin's fierce attacks into nothing, even with a hint of teasing.

Saiyin not only failed to land a blow, but was also shaken by this obvious taunting, his whole body trembling, his assault growing chaotic; soon he was panting, his robe torn open by the violent motions, several buttons flying off to reveal his pale collarbone and chest, a sorry sight.

He grew furious, thrusting his sword into empty air; from overexertion his body staggered for an instant.

Just at this moment of carelessness, Saiyin's wrist was firmly grasped, and a voice with a smile came from Motisi beside his ear: "How did your temper get worse again? After not seeing each other for several hundred years, you greet me like this?"

That tone……

Saiyin was still dazed by how familiar that tone was, making his heart skip, when the hand gripping his wrist pulled him forward involuntarily, and he touched that icy blood-soul device mask.

Under the guidance of a clever force, he actually…… took off that mask.

In an instant, their eyes met.

Saiyin: "……"

Dazed, he almost thought he hadn't left that ridiculous dream.