"No need for guests. James is my friend. If you let him go, perhaps I can spare your pathetic life."
Ning Beichen couldn't be bothered with her schemes. His sole purpose was to rescue James; the Countess meant nothing to him.
"King of Darkness, you are seeking death!"
The Countess roared, slamming her hand on the armrest of her chair. Instantly, a dozen figures appeared in the grand hall of the castle.
"Capture him."
With tensions at an all-time high, the Countess ceased her useless chatter. If persuasion failed, brute force would suffice.
The dozen figures charged at Ning Beichen in unison, surrounding him completely.
Ning Beichen glanced at them with disdain. Without employing any formidable techniques, he used mere fists and kicks to send all ten men flying.
However, these fallen individuals did not perish.
As they landed, their eyes began to glow red, and fangs emerged from their mouths. Their strength visibly grew, not by a mere double or triple, but exponentially.
Logically, this was the opportune moment to strike and incapacitate them. Yet, Ning Beichen remained unhurried, observing the spectacle with evident interest.
The rumors were true; the Countess was indeed a vampire, and these were her thralls.
The Countess also displayed no haste, finding the unfolding events increasingly fascinating. She was now more intrigued by the King of Darkness, intending to transform him into her blood slave.
With this thought,
Her vampiric blood surged with excitement. With a snap of her fingers,
The thralls, now displaying their fangs, lunged at Ning Beichen once more. This time, both their speed and offensive capabilities were significantly enhanced.
Roar!
One vampire moved with lightning-like speed, throwing a punch at Ning Beichen that produced a sonic boom-like sound.
Ning Beichen did not retreat from this assault, as another vampire was attacking him from behind.
Ning Beichen, intending to gauge the vampires' strength, did not retaliate directly, merely deflecting the blow with casual ease.
*Bang!*
The vampire's fist connected with Ning Beichen's palm, emitting a thunderous impact.
Seeing Ning Beichen's audacious defiance, daring to block his attack, the vampire's face contorted into a grim, cruel smile.
No human could withstand a vampire's attack, so he already envisioned the human's tragic end.
However, the next second, it wasn't Ning Beichen's tragic downfall he witnessed, but his own.
Ning Beichen's five fingers seized the vampire's fist and crushed it. An immense, irresistible force coursed through the fist, up the arm, and into the vampire's body.
With a thunderous explosion, the vampire was reduced to tattered rags and flung God knows where.
The vampire attacking from behind, before even reaching Ning Beichen, had its heart shattered by a move Ning Beichen executed like a "Dragon's Tail Sweep."
At this moment, the other vampires closed in on Ning Beichen. Witnessing his fists and feet blur into afterimages, within less than three seconds, all dozen vampires who had ganged up on him lay defeated on the ground.
Ning Beichen, however, was completely unharmed, not even feeling the slightest strain as if he had merely stretched.
"Countess, if your subordinates are all this useless, I suggest you engage yourself. I would rather not drench this beautiful castle in blood."
Ning Beichen spoke as if he had done nothing, addressing the Countess like an old acquaintance.
The Countess looked at a fallen thrall at her feet, then raised her gaze to Ning Beichen, maintaining her composure as she said,
"Very well, very well. You are indeed worthy of the title King of Darkness. I find myself increasingly impressed with you."
The Countess rose from her seat, her long gown trailing behind her, and walked towards Ning Beichen. Like a queen of high standing, she spoke to him, her breath like orchid perfume,
"Unfortunately, I do not share your admiration. And... you sicken me!"
Ning Beichen replied with evident disgust.
"Heh heh heh..."
The Countess suddenly burst into a loud laugh, her gaze upon Ning Beichen as if he were an ant trapped in her palm.
"King of Darkness, do you know of eternal life? Now, I offer you a chance to become my blood slave. Are you happy? Are you delighted?"
"I'm delighted by your mother, you old hag, you disgust me to no end."
Ning Beichen raised his hand and slapped the Countess across the face.
The Countess, despite her status, could not react in time.
Logically, Ning Beichen should not have been able to land a blow on a vampire of her caliber.
Unfortunately, the Countess, infuriated by Ning Beichen's slap, could no longer think clearly.
After all, this was the first time in many years that she had suffered such humiliation.
"You are seeking death!"
Her regal demeanor gone, the Countess lunged at Ning Beichen with a clawed hand.
Her long, sharp crimson fingernails, like five gleaming daggers, carried a palpable heat as they swept towards Ning Beichen's crown. A normal human would have their skull cleaved open by such an attack.
Ning Beichen swung his arm upward, blocking her claws.
Before the Countess could shift her attack, Ning Beichen's leg shot forward, aiming for her abdomen.
The Countess was startled. Sensing the power behind Ning Beichen's kick, she dared not hold back her strength. Her body became a blur as she dodged the blow.
That kick had made the Countess feel a genuine sense of danger, and she now knew this man was no easy opponent.
However, no matter how formidable Ning Beichen was, the Countess did not believe he could defeat her, a vampire.
It was time for him to witness her true power.
With this thought, the Countess flashed forward like a fighter jet, launching herself at Ning Beichen.
The formidable strength and speed of a vampire made the Countess appear to teleport, instantly appearing behind Ning Beichen and attacking his back with her fist.
But her fist struck empty air. She had hit nothing but mist.
"Huh? Where did he go?"
The Countess was astonished by her missed attack, for she had no idea how Ning Beichen had vanished.
In terms of speed, no one was faster than a vampire. It was almost impossible to evade their attacks.
Yet, Ning Beichen had disappeared, right before her eyes.
"I'm behind you."
A voice that sent chills down the Countess's spine echoed from behind her.
The Countess's eyes widened in alarm. She immediately slid forward to evade, moving like a skater, then pushed off the ground.
*Boom!*
The Countess was propelled to the chandelier above the grand hall, looking around in a state of panic.