Chapter Nine: Finding You a Specialist

Liu Shiyu pressed her cherry lips together, not blushing deeply, but instead casting a pleading look at Cheng Feng. Cheng Feng understood and gave his sister a look: “She and I aren't like that, so stop putting her on the spot.”

His sister, interpreting this in her own way, blinked innocently. “Oh, right, I really have no sense of timing. After all, it’s her first time visiting our home—of course she must feel a bit uneasy. Well, then… I’ll go out and meet some classmates. I won’t disturb you and my brother’s time together. Have a good chat!”

With that, she went to her room, changed into a dress, and, on her way out, winked playfully at Cheng Feng as if to say, “I won't be the third wheel. The rest is up to you, brother.” Then she left.

Cheng Feng scratched his head in confusion. “What’s wrong with her eye? Did she get sand in it?”

Liu Shiyu remained silent.

He glanced at her. “What is it?”

“Nothing.”

She soon relaxed, picked up her cup of tea and took a sip, then suddenly asked, “By the way, how much do you know about Jiang Qian?”

Seeing that she had dropped the topic of joining the association, Cheng Feng replied seriously, “She’s a vampire, right? Hasn’t that always been clear?”

“…It seems you don’t know. She’s different from ordinary vampires—a special kind.”

Cheng Feng sensed something significant was coming. “What do you mean?”

“You don’t even know this, yet you want to take revenge on her…” Liu Shiyu pressed a hand to her forehead, visibly weary.

Cheng Feng waited patiently for her to continue. After a moment, Liu Shiyu asked, “Have you heard of the vampire ability called ‘Embrace’?”

The Embrace.

In the vampire mythos, this refers to making a non-vampire drink their blood or biting them and cursing them, thus transforming them into a vampire. Any vampire who performs the Embrace gains absolute control over the one they’ve turned; once someone becomes a vampire, they become the servant of their sire.

The term finally made Cheng Feng realize something. He was the one who’d been bitten—did this mean Jiang Qian could control him at will?

Wait… The curse of the vampires had invaded his body, but later, the system had purged it and converted it into the skill [Vampiric Physique].

This passive ability granted Cheng Feng all the powers of a vampire, but without the need to drink blood or fear sunlight—in essence, removing all debuffs.

Had he therefore escaped her control?

“I understand the Embrace. Please, go on.” Cheng Feng’s demeanor grew serious.

Liu Shiyu took on the air of a teacher explaining to her students. “Jiang Qian is unlike other vampires. She possesses the direct bloodline of one of the Five Abyssal Lords, the Bloodthirsty Monarch, Dracula. She was born without the ability to perform the Embrace.”

Abyssal Lord?

Cheng Feng took note of this subtle term, but didn’t interrupt her.

“For as long as anyone can remember, every creature she’s bitten has died—without exception. But you survived. The chances are small, but there’s no ruling out the possibility that you are the only one she has ever successfully embraced.”

At this point, Cheng Feng hesitated to deny he was a vampire, deciding instead to keep listening.

“My research shows that Jiang Qian isn’t only being watched by the Calamity Association—she’s also hunted by her own kind. For reasons unknown, she’s been waiting for someone to survive her Embrace. She will certainly seek you out again.

“If I’m right, you’re no longer human. Even if you don’t crave blood, you probably have the physique of a vampire—a special kind. You possess their abilities but don’t need to drink blood to live. You’re a being whose genes straddle the line between vampire and human.”

Cheng Feng was taken aback by her deductive powers, unsure how to refute her.

“Am I wrong? Even now, if you were to make a small cut on your wrist, it would heal instantly. Because you possess a vampire’s regenerative powers—you’re no longer entirely human.”

A faint, beautiful smile played at Liu Shiyu’s lips. “Shall we test it?”

Cheng Feng was silent for a long moment before he spoke, neither arrogant nor humble. Since there was no hiding it, he decided to admit it outright.

“No need for a test. Your deduction is correct.”

He’d already tried this last night—cutting himself with a knife to test his healing. Within four or five seconds, smoke rose from the wound and it closed as if nothing had happened.

That was proof of the vampiric physique; this woman spoke with such confidence because she was certain. Lying would be pointless.

This made Cheng Feng reevaluate Liu Shiyu—when her intelligence was fully engaged, she was remarkably astute.

But no matter how clever she was, she’d missed one thing: the existence of his system. In the future, he wouldn’t merely possess vampiric abilities.

To awaken more superpowers and skill points, the system required him to slay monsters.

Unfortunately, Cheng Feng was still too weak—he worried he’d never make it out of the beginner’s zone alive.

Now that Cheng Feng had admitted it, which Liu Shiyu had expected, she calmly returned to the main topic. “You are the only one to survive Jiang Qian’s Embrace. She will definitely come looking for you again.”

After a pause, she said bluntly, “Forget revenge. You’ll only fall under her control and become her servant for life.”

“So, what do you suggest I do?” Cheng Feng had a vague idea of what she was about to say.

“Join the Calamity Association. We can help you.”

As expected! After all this, the woman was still so persistent!

Cheng Feng pondered deeply. He had no better plan—perhaps this really was his only option. “But I have vampire abilities now—I’m not a pure human. Won’t you consider me a monster?”

Hearing this, Liu Shiyu grew more optimistic, replying cheerfully, “Who said you’re a monster? This is a superpower gained by fortune in misfortune. You’re still human.”

Goodness! If not for her cold, unyielding words from a few days ago still echoing in his mind, he might almost believe her.

“You win,” Cheng Feng said, spreading his hands in resignation. “But I must warn you—compared to true members like you, I’m much too weak. I fear I won’t be of much help in battles against monsters.”

He had always despised being the one to drag others down in a fight. Now, with this likely to be his role, he preferred to make things clear from the start.

“Afraid of holding us back? If you’re truly determined to get stronger, I have a way to help you.”

Liu Shiyu was visibly pleased at his agreement to join. She said softly, “I just hope you’re not too frail—that you can endure hardship and won’t shy away from trials.”

“Your reverse psychology is effective. Go ahead—what’s your plan?”

“I’ll find you a specialist,” Liu Shiyu replied with perfect seriousness.

“What…?” Cheng Feng was taken aback and asked cautiously, “This specialist… is she legitimate?”

“Of course she’s legitimate.”

Whether Liu Shiyu meant it or not, Cheng Feng, determined to grow stronger, made up his mind.

He promised, “Alright!”

“Good. First, I’ll take you somewhere.”

With a meaningful smile, Liu Shiyu drained her teacup and walked out. Cheng Feng, puzzled, got up and followed her.