Chapter 47: The Vampire’s Prey (47)
The air froze for a moment.
Xie Zhenye and Lin Qiuzhe looked at Yu Jiao silently, their gazes like water on the verge of boiling, filled with a dense, hidden emotion. It was less a wait for a verdict and more a wait for an explosion.
Under their stares, the young woman crossed her arms and said with a blank face:
“Are you two sick?”
As if a kettle had been unexpectedly kicked over, the spilled hot water immediately cooled. Both of them froze.
Xie Zhenye turned his head away with a sour look. Lin Qiuzhe opened his mouth, then closed it again.
“The top priority right now is to investigate the cause and solve the problem, not to have an internal conflict,” Yu Jiao said, lifting her chin slightly. “Now, you two, shake hands and make up.”
The man and the wolf looked at Yu Jiao in disbelief, their entire beings screaming resistance.
Yu Jiao knew very well that they were being affected by the strange, violent emotions in the academy. But at a time like this, if she chose to soothe them, it would only escalate the conflict.
Just as the three of them were in a standoff, a strange, electric sound suddenly came from the speaker overhead. Yu Jiao’s vision instantly blurred. Her consciousness was pulled into an unknown depth. The last thing she saw was the anxious, worried faces of Xie Zhenye and Lin Qiuzhe.
“Jiao Jiao?”
…
“Jiao Jiao!”
Yu Jiao suddenly opened her eyes.
The sun was blinding, the trees were a lush green. A small figure leaned in and waved a hand. “Still sleepy?”
Before Yu Jiao could react, the person grabbed her wrist and pulled her up from the ground. “Hurry up! We’re going to be late for the afternoon class!”
The girl’s childish voice was anxious.
Yu Jiao was pulled into a run, staring blankly at the swinging braids.
The scenery on both sides flew past.
Rose flowers, a domed church, angel statues, people in white robes.
The girl pulled her into a solemn little building, and they slipped into a quiet classroom through the back door. The nun on the stage shot them a warning glance. The girl stuck out her tongue and, panting, whispered to Yu Jiao, “Good, we’re not late.”
Looking at the girl’s soft, chubby face, her pinkish-brown short hair, her round, peach-blossom eyes, her simple grey robe… Yu Jiao slowly blinked.
As if after a long dream, a strange memory filled her mind. A name emerged.
“Qi Xi?”
The girl blinked. “What’s wrong?”
Yu Jiao shook her head and looked down at her open palm.
A strange thought arose. Yu Jiao couldn’t help but mutter, “Are my hands… this small?”
A soft laugh came from her side. “Come on, we’re only ten. How big do you want to be?”
Yu Jiao looked at the laughing Qi Xi.
That’s right, Yu Jiao thought.
Yu Jiao was now twelve years old, an orphan at the church’s charity house. She was still six years away from adulthood.
“Qi Xi.”
A cold reprimand suddenly came from the stage.
Qi Xi, who had been laughing uncontrollably, immediately shut up and carefully looked up to meet the nun’s cold, expressionless face.
“What are you laughing at? Say it so everyone can be happy.”
“Nothing…”
“Stand up!”
Qi Xi obediently stood up, her head bowed, picking at her hands, silent.
Slap!
The nun slammed a thick, long pointer on the stage.
Qi Xi flinched. The nun asked coolly, “What was I just talking about?”
Qi Xi’s small body was trembling. She stammered, “Y-you were just talking about the first chapter of the Holy Covenant: There is only one true God in the universe. He is the creator of the world and all things.”
Seeing the nun’s noncommittal expression, Qi Xi braced herself and continued to recite, “God created man in his image, but some humans were too greedy and plotted to steal God’s holy light, hoping to obtain his power. God sent down divine punishment, and these sinners were reduced to a fallen race that feeds on flesh and blood, banished to a dark prison with no light, to suffer the eternal torment of being unable to enter the cycle of reincarnation.”
“…”
The nun’s eyebrows shot up. “What kind of nonsense is that! Copy the first chapter of the original text a hundred times! Sit down!”
Hearing this, Qi Xi’s small face wrinkled. Qi Xi avoided the nun’s gaze and made a face at Yu Jiao, not daring to say anything more, and began to listen to the lesson attentively.
Yu Jiao followed her gaze to the nun on the stage.
Yu Jiao paused, then her gaze moved down to the left breast of the nun’s black robe. There was a round symbol drawn on it, like a bat’s wing, pierced by a nail.
Her memory told her that was the church’s symbol.
—Memory.
Yu Jiao blinked. The afternoon sun streamed in through the gaps in the leaves and fell on the desk, like a jumbled puzzle.
Looking at the moving shadows, Yu Jiao lowered her eyes.
Though Yu Jiao had the memory of living here for three years, for some reason… she always had the detached feeling of watching a documentary.
After class.
At Qi Xi’s pitiful plea, Yu Jiao took on half of the punishment. The two of them returned to their simple dormitory and, under the dim light, began to write furiously.
After a dozen or so copies, as Yu Jiao was rubbing her wrist, she suddenly noticed a small note at the bottom of the first page.
—To this day, the holy light stolen by the fallen race has long since dissipated. Their strength has been greatly reduced, and they are no longer a threat. They have become a group of lowly, cunning vampires, huddling together for warmth.
There was once a prophecy: “When the evil race dies, the Son of God will appear.”
It seems the glory of my God will return to the earth!
The strange words brought a strange sense of familiarity. Yu Jiao was in a daze. Amidst Qi Xi’s grumbling, Yu Jiao composed herself and continued to write.
***
Soon, the busy church curriculum made Yu Jiao put all her thoughts aside and throw herself into the church’s great cause of ‘cleansing the vampires’.
Life at the church was dull and strange, and Qi Xi was a very lively girl. Qi Xi was always jumping around and would only be well-behaved after being punished.
“Damn it! The nun hit me so hard today!!” Qi Xi cried, lying on the bed, her voice filled with grief and indignation. Yu Jiao looked down, applying ointment to the wounds on her backside, listening to her repeat the words she often said:
“When my brother comes, I’ll definitely have him spank the nun’s butt!!!”
Qi Xi always talked about her brother.
According to Qi Xi, he was the strongest hero in the world, the smartest genius in the world, and the most handsome prince in the world!
…
Yu Jiao frowned and pointed out, “But, when you two were separated, he was only thirteen or fourteen, right? He was just a little bean sprout. How could you tell that he was strong, smart, and handsome?”
Qi Xi choked, her face red. “I don’t care! He’s just super handsome and strong! He’ll come and save us like a prince on a white horse!”
But spring came and autumn went, year after year, and her brother never came.
As Yu Jiao watched, Qi Xi’s complaints grew fewer and fewer. Qi Xi became more and more silent, cowering under the nun’s rod. Her peach-blossom eyes were no longer bright, like two bags of grey water.
By the time Qi Xi had shed her bean sprout figure and had grown into a graceful young woman, Yu Jiao suddenly realized that five years had passed…
One day, Qi Xi, with tears in her eyes, grabbed Yu Jiao’s sleeve, trembling. “What should I do? In a few days, they’re going to select the candidates for the infiltration plan. If I’m chosen, I… I’ll definitely die.”
Looking at her tear-filled, peach-blossom eyes, Yu Jiao’s heart skipped a beat. Yu Jiao took her cold hand. “It’s alright, Xiao Xi. You won’t die.”
Qi Xi pressed her lips together and silently shook her head.
They both knew that for the past three months, the nun had been giving Qi Xi private lessons, preparing her to go undercover at the vampire academy…
Yu Jiao’s chest felt as if it were filled with a heavy block of ice. Yu Jiao could only repeat the lie she didn’t believe herself, “It’s alright. You won’t be chosen.”
But to her surprise, her words came true.
The day before the infiltration plan was to begin, Qi Xi rushed into the dormitory, excited.
“Jiao Jiao! My brother is here to pick me up, ahhh!!”
Just like that afternoon five years ago, Qi Xi took Yu Jiao’s hand and ran, through the decaying roses, the gloomy church, the cold, rigid nuns.
Outside the church gate, a tall young man stood in the biting cold wind. A long, smoke-grey windbreaker cinched his dashing waist. A head of pinkish-brown short hair was gently lifted by the wind. Between the strands of hair, his deep features and a smiling, moist mouth could be vaguely seen.
“Brother!”
Qi Xi threw herself into his arms like a bird, returning to its nest.
After catching Qi Xi, the young man nonchalantly looked over. Yu Jiao narrowed her eyes. The cold wind seemed to be blurring his face.
Just as the thought arose, the wind stopped. All was quiet. Their gazes met.
Looking into his smiling eyes, Yu Jiao thought: He does look quite handsome and strong, a bit like a prince on a white horse.
“…”
The ‘prince on a white horse’ suddenly coughed lightly, his handsome face slightly red, his peach-blossom eyes glistening.
“You… must be Xiao Xi’s friend?”
His voice was a little dry, as if he were facing a bottle of treasured wine, not yet ready to be drowned in its rich aroma. He seemed at a loss.
Yu Jiao nodded. “Hello.”
He stared at Yu Jiao and held out a well-defined hand. “I’m her brother.”
Yu Jiao politely shook his hand.
The ill-timed wind began to blow again. His fingers tightened.
“My name is…”
Even his name was scattered by the cold wind.
…
After that, with the help of Qi Xi’s brother, the two of them successfully left the church and went to his large apartment in the city.
The three of them gathered together to discuss their future plans.
The young man, sitting upright, pushed two acceptance letters over. “I’ve already handled your admission to a key high school.”
Amidst Qi Xi’s wails, the young man nonchalantly turned to Yu Jiao, holding a cup of coffee and, in a pretentious manner, spouted a long string of grand words, ending with, “You can stay here at ease.”
Yu Jiao thought for a moment and accepted his kindness. “Thank you, brother.”
“…”
The young man was stunned for a moment, his peach-blossom eyes slowly widening. His hand trembled, and the coffee stained his shirt. His mature, adult demeanor was shattered.
He shot to his feet, forced a calm nod, and then, covered in stains, fled, his pinkish-brown hair hiding his bright red ears.
Yu Jiao’s eyebrow arched. It was like someone who was used to watching black and white TV had suddenly upgraded to a luxury color TV.
It was quite exciting.
After leaving the church, Qi Xi was no longer afraid. Qi Xi had recovered some of her old, cheeky demeanor. Qi Xi elbowed Yu Jiao playfully and said in a simpering voice, “Looks like I’ll have to call you sister-in-law~”
Yu Jiao smiled but said nothing. A certain wicked factor in her seemed to have awakened.
Life went on, day by day. The color TV was quite interesting.
Yu Jiao made full use of the advantage of living together, teasing him with “brother” this and “brother” that. At first, the young man would cover his face with his hands, a few bright red streaks peeking out from between his pale fingers, and protest in a low voice, “That’s against the rules.”
Later, he gradually became immune to Yu Jiao’s bold, wicked sense of humor and began to “counterattack.” The two of them went back and forth, with an unspoken ambiguity, a tacit understanding between a man and a woman.
Yu Jiao always felt that he was the only real thing in this tasteless world. So after her coming-of-age ceremony, when he confessed his love, she didn’t hesitate to accept.
Time was like a clock, being played with by a mischievous child. Soon, they graduated from university.
After the lively graduation ceremony, Yu Jiao stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, silently looking at the bustling night view, an unprecedented loneliness and fear filling her.
A broad chest pressed against her from behind. He rested his chin on her shoulder and lightly kissed her cheek. “What’s wrong? Unhappy?”
Feeling his heavy heartbeat, Yu Jiao was like a drowning person, suddenly breaking the surface of the water, gaining a brief moment of life.
Yu Jiao hesitantly shook her head. “It’s just… it feels like a dream.”
“…”
The strong arms that were wrapped around her tightened, holding her even more closely.
As if he had made a difficult decision, he let out a heavy breath.
Though he was holding her tightly, it was as if he had already abandoned her.
“Then let’s get married.”
***
The wedding was extremely grand.
Amidst the blurry smiles of the guests, the two of them went through the complicated procedures.
Whenever Yu Jiao felt impatient, seeing the man’s focused expression, unwilling to miss a single detail, she had no choice but to suppress her emotions.
When it came to the final part, he solemnly took Yu Jiao’s hand.
“My lady,”
His voice was light, but it made Yu Jiao remember the day they had first met… After five years, she could almost smell the sealed wine.
His beautifully shaped, peach-blossom eyes were shining in the sunlight, as clear and sincere as glass, or perhaps like amber, with the magic to freeze time.
“Will you marry me?”
Yu Jiao opened her lips, about to give the only answer, but she was unexpectedly cut off by a sharp shout:
“Yu Jiao!”
She was taken aback.
The voice was distant and blurry, yet deafening. It was as if a sharp, unstoppable weapon had shattered a barrier. The dream scattered, leaving only a shocking, sharp mess on the ground.
The chaos was gone. Yu Jiao had never been so clear-headed. This clarity even made her feel dazed.
The young man across from her let out a long sigh. He had a natural smile, and his lips were curved now, but he looked sad and desolate. He sighed, “It seems I’m not so lucky.”
The ring, which had not yet been put on, fell. Yu Jiao subconsciously tried to catch it, but fell along with it.
A familiar sense of weightlessness washed over her.
…
Yu Jiao suddenly opened her eyes.
The sun was blinding, almost making her dizzy.
Before Yu Jiao could recover, she heard a surprised voice by her ear, “You’re awake!”
Then, she fell into a hot embrace. It seemed she had already been sitting on this person’s lap, and now she was being roughly pressed into his embrace, a very awkward position.
In the second before Yu Jiao suffocated, she heard a cold voice, as if it could not bear it any longer, “Xie Zhenye, let go! She didn’t die in the illusion, but she’s about to die in your arms.”
Xie Zhenye shut the mouth that was about to retort his brother and hastily let go.
The young woman’s small face was pale. Yu Jiao leaned weakly against his embrace, panting like a kitten. Between her tender red lips, two sharp fangs could be vaguely seen.
—Didn’t she lose her blood-race powers?
The question flashed through the twins’ minds, and then they had no time to think about it. The young woman’s brow was furrowed, and she looked as if she were enduring some pain.
Under their worried gazes, Yu Jiao was still recovering. The years of memories from the illusion were scattering, like sand, slipping through her fingers. In just a few moments, Yu Jiao could no longer remember the man’s appearance or name.
Seeing that she seemed to have a headache, Xie Yanchuan, who was sitting beside her, raised his hand and gently pressed her temples. His fingertips were cool, and the massage was just right, the soothing effect excellent. The young woman’s furrowed brow slowly relaxed, and she leaned against Xie Zhenye’s chest, her body relaxing.
The atmosphere between the three of them was just right, but then she heard:
“How scandalous!”
After fully recovering, Yu Jiao looked up at the one who had spoken so rudely.
A middle-aged man with a cold, stern face was looking at her with disgust. He was wearing a complicated white robe, with golden thread embroidered on it, outlining a bat’s wing, pierced by a nail, on his chest.
Behind him stood three neat rows of people, all of them in white robes.
—The Church?
The experience of having been in the church in the illusion for five years flashed through Yu Jiao’s mind, like a book, waiting for her to flip through at any time.
A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind, finally stopping at:
“The academy’s barrier, is it open?”
When that person had set up the array to reverse the abilities of the blood-race students and ordinary people, he had also set up a barrier to block entry and exit. Logically, these outsiders should not have been able to enter the academy.
Hearing Yu Jiao’s question, Xie Zhenye shot a cold glance at his brother and the church members, his tone somewhat sarcastic. “Your brother Yanchuan went outside and brought back ‘reinforcements’. Before the array was even broken, it disappeared on its own.”
Getting a positive answer, Yu Jiao’s face darkened slightly. For some reason, a surge of strength came from somewhere. Yu Jiao struggled to her feet and, ignoring all objections, staggered towards the academy auditorium.
She could vaguely hear that person’s roguish voice in her ear.
—The array? Are you interested in that? How should I put it? The more complicated the array, the harder it is to break. Sometimes, even the person who set it up can’t undo it, unless…
They die.
“…”
Yu Jiao closed her eyes, suppressing the strange emotion in her heart. She knew: she had been affected by the real experiences in that illusion.
A wave of heat came from the clothes on her thigh. Then, as if an invisible current of air were pulling her, she left the twins and the church members far behind.
Yu Jiao pushed open the auditorium door, panting.
The place was still a mess, with large and small pieces of rubble and dark red bloodstains everywhere. The chairs were overturned, no longer as magnificent and proud as before.
The array was indeed broken.
Yu Jiao stood silently in the dim, dilapidated ruins, her thoughts unknown.
The heat in the pocket of her clothes grew hotter. As if waking from a dream, Yu Jiao took out the source of the heat.
…It was the human-skin paper that person had given her.
The moment it was unfolded, as if a program had been set, lines of familiar handwriting appeared on it, with his usual, carefree and untamed style.
[My lady is so smart. I’m sure you’ve already guessed, right?]
[Although I want to comfort you and tell you not to be sad, you’re so cold-hearted. I’m sure you won’t shed a single tear for me.]
As he had expected, Yu Jiao looked down with a blank expression, not a single tear falling. Only upon closer inspection could one see that her fingertips, which were holding the paper, were a little tense.
[To be honest, the thing I regret most is not being able to know you with my real face and name. But at this moment, I suddenly feel fortunate.]
[In that case, I can deceive myself and tell you,]
[I haven’t left.]
[From now on, anyone who passes you on the street could be me.]
[Just think of it as a never-ending game of hide-and-seek. Goodbye…]
The writing faded, one line after another. The human-skin paper began to burn, but it did not scorch Yu Jiao at all. Yu Jiao felt something cold wrap around her finger.
A dazzling light shone amidst the black ashes.
—It was a diamond ring.
【Congratulations, you have reached the ending—[Slaughter is Atonement]】