Chapter 1 The Heather Ann Family

The Heather Ann family was one of the most prominent large families in the city. Although it was a newly emerged vampire group, under the wise leadership and diplomatic skills of its matriarch (as Heather Ann herself claimed), it had come from behind to become a major force, second only to the Lucas and Bessemoss families. They occupied a large area on the east side of the sanctuary, where they built their stronghold, and only those approved by them could approach this area.

Anyway, that’s what the neurotic blood clan girl said herself, and since she looked so serious, it was probably true.

Led by Heather Ann, Hao Ren and his group entered the magnificent mansion, and were surprised to find it brilliantly lit. A splendidly decorated long hall stretched before them, with thick, exquisite carpets and bright lights everywhere. Dozens of wide, long tables were neatly arranged on both sides of the hall. Hundreds of men and women were waiting in the hall, dressed in various formal gowns prepared for the banquet. The men were handsome and heroic, while the women were charming and moving. Looking around, it was like being at the Oscars ceremony. Even Lily, who couldn't stay quiet for a moment, was stunned by the scene and stood with her mouth open for a long time.

The people in the hall were clearly waiting for Heather Ann and her distinguished guests. As soon as the door opened, they turned in unison to pay attention, then placed their right hands on their hearts and bowed to Heather Ann in respect. Seeing this scene, Hao Ren couldn't help but nudge Vivian in the lower back, "Your alternate account is doing better than you…"

Vivian was confused, "Alternate account?"

Hao Ren: "Heather Ann."

A trace of unnaturalness flashed across Vivian's face: "She... just likes to make trouble. But she's actually doing quite well here, which is beyond my expectations. When I first sent her over and asked Hesperides to take care of her, she was just a clueless little girl. Every time I come here, I'm shocked by the commotion she's caused."

At this moment, Heather Ann had excitedly run all the way down the long hall, stood in front of the Y-shaped staircase that stretched out like wings on the opposite side of the hall, opened her arms, and shouted, "Listen up, everyone! The true mistress of the family, Lady Vivian, has arrived! Everyone can eat and drink as much as they want today! Anything is allowed except fighting! Oola!"

Hao Ren slapped his forehead: "What a waste of this scene…"

Gathered in the hall were the upper-level vampires of the Heather Ann family, but Hao Ren didn't know how they were internally ranked, so he didn't delve into it. The hundred-plus "people" in the hall, along with the elaborate decorations, were all prepared by Heather Ann after she heard of Vivian's arrival. She clearly knew her "progenitor's" personality well, knowing that as long as she came, even if she hid, she would eventually come out to meet her. Hao Ren didn't know how long the men and women here had been waiting, but at this moment, Heather Ann's call for dinner directly ignited the atmosphere. The vampires in their banquet attire immediately rushed towards the dining table like unleashed wild horses. If the atmosphere in the hall a second ago was somewhat like the Palace of Versailles, then the current scene was more like the Versailles cafeteria. Hao Ren stood there in a daze, unable to react: he thought he had finally seen a group of vampires as elegant, serious, and stereotypical as in the legends, but he didn't expect that all the poses before the meal were just for taking publicity photos…

"Don't expect the people under Heather Ann to have much education," Vivian said with a bit of heartache at the scene. Although she was poor, she usually paid attention to etiquette and had a calm temperament, but she couldn't do anything about Heather Ann, who had fallen off her. "It's probably related to my bloodline... Although Heather Ann can transform descendants or servants like normal blood clans, those transformed by her will have some personality problems, seemingly influenced by her…"

Hao Ren oh-ed, looking at the chaotic scene in the hall and understanding in his heart: Look, these are the exquisite idiots that Heather Ann has painstakingly accumulated for over a thousand years…

At this moment, Heather Ann ran back from the other end of the hall, grabbed Vivian's hand, and ran towards the largest table, "Come on, come on, try how good the chefs here are… Ah, I'm really starving. I didn't eat much at noon today. I spent half the day arguing with the Lucas family, and they don't even know how to cook normal food. I drank a bellyful of wine mixed with type B blood."

Lily also grabbed Hao Ren and ran along: this girl didn't have such complicated thoughts, and the only thing on her mind right now was that it was finally time to eat…

After Hao Ren was dragged to the dining table, he couldn't help but look at the food in front of him. After learning that this was a vampire gathering, he had prepared himself for a table of bizarre food, but when he got closer, he was stunned: "You can eat normal food too?"

"It's half and half. We can eat normal food, but it's not very filling. We still need to rely on drinking blood to maintain our strength," Heather Ann said, looking at Vivian with great admiration, "I envy Lady Vivian. She can live entirely on human food, but we still have to stock up on blood. It's getting harder and harder to find food these days!"

When Hao Ren heard this, he knew that it was the bloodline passed down from Vivian that was at work again, but obviously, after being diluted and diluted again by Heather Ann, the middleman, Vivian's blood had lost many of its magical properties. Although the vampires of the Heather Ann family could survive on ordinary food, only blood could keep them at their peak vitality. He observed the movement in the hall with a complex and subtle mentality, and saw the vampires at the other tables eating enthusiastically. Basically, everyone was as cheerful as Heather Ann, and the elegance and rigidity of the orthodox blood clan were nowhere to be seen on them. And on those long tables, in addition to normal food, there were indeed many glasses filled with red liquid – which was bound to be a bit awkward for a normal person with a… well, a basically normal worldview. Hao Ren couldn't help but point to the glass in front of Heather Ann: "Is this blood?"

"Yeah, do you want to try some? For Lady Vivian's sake, I can give you some, even though I don't like you, but you're at least a guest now," Heather Ann raised her glass and shook it, "I heard that some human wizards also drink blood to act like big shots."

Lily slammed the table: "A tail is a glory! Don't look down on tails!"

"None of your business," Hao Ren casually pressed Lily back, then looked awkwardly at Heather Ann, "I heard that vampires keep humans in captivity, calling them blood slaves, and collect blood every day, like raising cows – keeping them alive but with no freedom. Where does your blood come from…"

"Lady Vivian told you that, didn't she," Heather Ann glanced at Hao Ren, "I really don't know what's so good about you that Lady Vivian would be so close to you… Don't worry, times have changed. I don't know how many old antiques still keep blood slaves, but anyway, I use more advanced and civilized methods. Our blood comes from humanitarian glory and is obtained under fair, just, and open conditions…"

Nangong Wuyue frowned, "Just tell us where it comes from."

Heather Ann turned her face away: "From the hospital blood bank… and some of it is collected through contracts with people. These days, it's impossible to 'hunt' like in the old days. It's easy to court death with barbaric methods like forcibly capturing blood slaves."

Hao Ren: "... Uh, the blood bank solution is relatively new but still acceptable, but what's the deal with the contracts?"

Heather Ann chuckled: "You need to know that although humans and other races are generally enemies in this world, there are actually some non-mainstream guys in every race… like heretics, cult groups, Satanists, vampire societies, and so on – get it? These are the sources of various living supplies for the aliens living in this sanctuary. We even have some industries outside, like companies and mines, which are run by humans. And these seemingly normal companies may have a vampire or demon boss behind them. Otherwise, how do you think such a big sanctuary has survived to this day?"

Hao Ren imagined the scene: a seemingly glamorous and legally operating listed company, doing legitimate business in broad daylight that no one would suspect, but as soon as night fell, the company building would be tightly closed, and the company boss, who frequented local TV stations, would lead a group of employees in setting up an altar and drawing a magic circle in the office, chanting spells to worship vampires and demons while lining up to draw blood, and then sending the company's financial statements and bags of blood underground… It was too awesome to think about.

If that's the case… how many companies that suddenly went bankrupt each year were the work of demon hunters?

It seemed that after so many years of evolution, the war between demon hunters and aliens was no longer limited to frontal sword and gun battles. They had each infiltrated human society in this world, and this ten-thousand-year war was still going on, and no one could say what form it would eventually take.

And at this moment, the only thing Hao Ren could sigh was one sentence:

These aliens are also keeping up with the times.