Chapter 127: Infinite Cannon Fodder (17)

Miya had made up his mind not to let anyone in, leaving the players with no choice but to once again cast their pleading gazes towards Tong Ling.

“If I search alone, others won’t trust me,” Tong Ling said, her expression troubled. “What if they think I’m favoring someone?”

“Favoring someone?” The moment Miya heard this, his mood instantly improved. “Am I ‘someone’ to you?”

This ‘someone’ referred to a personal interest or bias, clearly dividing him from others. Realizing that he was unique in Tong Ling’s eyes, all of Miya’s anger evaporated.

“Where did you get such a strange idea from?” Tong Ling rolled her eyes at the red-haired youth. “Can’t you just let people look without being so secretive?”

“Nope.” A smirk tugged at the corners of Miya’s lips, his smile quite arrogant. “They’re simply not worthy.”

Apart from Mu Bai, who maintained his facade of composure, everyone else’s expressions darkened considerably.

After all, Miya’s words were tantamount to insulting them outright; it was more than most could bear.

Bai Bei spoke coldly, “And what if we find that woman in your room…”

Miya scoffed, “I don’t need other women.”

He deliberately glanced in Tong Ling’s direction several times. “One is enough for me.”

In the end, Tong Ling entered the room alone while the others waited outside.

The players looked at her with trusting eyes; Zhuang Wu even gave Yuan Ju a meaningful look, hinting that he should say something encouraging.

Yuan Ju hesitated… Had he truly fallen so low as to have to resort to charm?

As the saying goes: first impressions might be awkward, but familiarity comes with time. Since he’d already stooped to fawning over people, what was a few more words of praise… how difficult could it be?

“I’m sure you won’t show any favoritism, Lingling,” Yuan Ju said, attempting to lower his hat brim—only to realize his hands met empty air. In his efforts to “seduce” NPC Lingling, he hadn’t even bothered with his hat. “I’ll wait for you outside. You deserve all our gratitude.”

Tong Ling chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, I won’t miss a single spot. If Chu Yue is in this castle, we’ll find him no matter what.”

Mia watched their interaction from afar. As soon as Tong Ling stepped inside, he slammed the door shut behind her.

“Who’s that?” Mia asked mockingly. “Have you taken a liking to him or something?”

Initially, Mia hadn’t paid much attention to these newcomers, but upon laying eyes on the black-haired youth’s face, he felt inexplicably uneasy.

Miya had always been proud of his looks; he was certain Tong Ling liked him, but this woman feigned anger over his attitude and refused to get back together with him. Whether it was that dead fish Medius or Bai Bei, an average-looking guy at best—no one could compare to Miya.

And yet…another buzzing fly appeared beside Tong Ling!

“He doesn’t look trustworthy,” Miya said sternly. “It’s obvious he has ulterior motives! Don’t let yourself be deceived by someone like that!”

Instead of gratitude for his concern, Miya saw amusement in Tong Ling’s eyes as she looked at him.

“W-What are you staring at me for?” Miya felt slightly annoyed under her gaze. “Stop laughing, stupid woman!”

“I just love seeing you jealous.” Tong Ling strolled casually up to Miya and gently brushed her fingers against his bright red hair. “Your hair is so pretty, Miya.”

The vampire’s face truly was flawless.

Feeling awkward, Miya swatted away Tong Ling’s hand. “Who’s jealous?!” he snapped defensively. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Tong Ling suppressed her smile and lowered her head to examine her hand.

Following her gaze, Miya noticed a prominent red mark on the back of her pale hand. She kept her features hidden behind downcast lashes, making it hard to read her expression.

“I…” Miya felt inexplicably guilty. He wanted to grab Tong Ling’s hand and examine it, but she turned away expressionlessly, ignoring him completely.

“Lingling, I-I didn’t mean it,” Miya hurried after her. He never expected that his casual gesture would leave a mark on Tong Ling’s hand. He knew she was delicate, but this… seemed rather too fragile.

“Tanya, you’ve left me with my second scar now.” Her voice was flat, as if all patience for the youth before her had vanished. “This time there’s no love or malice; it’s rejection.”

“You’re rejecting me?” Tanya lifted her eyes, her gaze cold and distant. “It seems our end is complete.”

Miya hastily grabbed Tanya’s wrist, careful to control his strength this time. “No! I’m not rejecting you!”

“Besides, who said we were finished?” Miya placed Tanya’s hand on his head and set aside his pride. “I admit I was jealous. I didn’t want to hurt you—I’ll take whatever beating you dish out. It was just a momentary lapse of judgment when I swatted your hand!”

Miya had never been so humbled before anyone. If only he’d learned to rein in his temper earlier, how could those unsavory characters have ever wormed their way into Tong Ling’s life?

He was consumed by remorse; if he didn’t get this right now, forget reconciliation—she’d surely pack up and run off with someone else. This woman was fully capable of such a thing!

Tong Ling gazed at Miya for what felt like an eternity. Seeing the genuine contrition on his face, she finally reached out to stroke his red hair. “Your temper is as stubborn as your hair color.”

Instead of bristling, Miya obediently rested his head in her palm, drawing closer to her. When she seemed satisfied, he swiftly wrapped his arms around her slender waist. “Let’s make up, Lingling.”

Nuzzling against her pale neck, he took a deep breath. This time, there were no lingering scents from others—he could detect only her unique, refreshing aroma.

His amber eyes gradually turned bloodshot. His throat felt parched, and the desire he’d suppressed since being injured suddenly flared to life upon embracing her warm body.

He wanted to taste her essence, to personally imprint his mark upon her body. He yearned for her to become his bride, so they could be forever entwined.

Instinctively, Miya bared his fangs, but instead of sinking them into her flesh, he sought permission like a pleading child: “May I have just one taste, Lingling?”

“You’re intoxicating,” Miya murmured, his sharp nose pressed against Tong Ling’s neck as he breathed in her delicate scent with fascination. “Lingling, I’ll take only one tiny sip. I promise it won’t hurt you.”

The red-haired vampire gazed at her with hazy eyes, like an affectionate puppy nuzzling and sniffing around her neck.

Alas, he was no mere dog, but a wolf unable to sheathe its fangs. The gleaming canines at the corners of his lips could effortlessly pierce through his prey’s throat, tearing out their heart.

Tong Ling had no desire to be hunted, nor did she relish having her life-threatening vulnerabilities placed within another’s jaws. Her face hardened as she said, “No way. If you dare bite my neck, I’ll scream for help and have you captured right away.”

Miya’s throat worked convulsively from thirst. He tightened his arms around Tong Ling, letting out a low pant: “Don’t deny me, Lingling. I’ll make it feel absolutely wonderful for you.”

I will treat you with utmost care, he thought, ensuring you feel not even a hint of pain.

“Comfortable? Two bloody holes from a bite, with blood being sucked out? How could that be comfortable?” Tong Ling pushed away Miya, who was clinging to her in a sticky manner.

“I have ‘toxin’ in my fangs,” Miya said anxiously, “which will numb your nerves. Not only will you not feel pain, but you’ll actually enjoy it.”

Tong Ling clicked his tongue. “That really is… too horrifying.”

To unknowingly give oneself over - wasn’t that more terrifying than feeling pain?

Having been deemed horrifying by Tong Ling, Miya desperately wanted to ignore everything and sink his teeth into this woman. But he knew if he did that, what little remained between them would be over for good.

“You don’t believe me…” Miya said, full of grievance. “I just want to remember your scent.”

Tong Ling extended his index finger and pressed it against Miya’s lips. “Then bite my finger if you must. Don’t even think about my neck.”

Miya fell silent.

As a vampire, when did I ever have to beg so pitifully for blood?

He felt like he was losing face for his entire race, but facing Tong Ling, he had no choice but to suppress his desires. Carefully, he lifted the woman’s pale finger and placed it in his mouth.

The sharp fangs pierced the tender fingertip. As Tong Ling’s blood entered Miya’s mouth, he let out a mesmerized sigh: “So sweet…”

This was the most delectable blood Miya had ever tasted. Indeed, everything about her was utterly captivating—she was meant to belong to him from the very beginning!

Tong Ling’s finger didn’t feel any pain at all. Just as Miya said, his venom would numb the nerves of his prey. She now felt her entire arm going numb, unable to move, with even her heart tingling slightly.

If Miya had bitten my neck… this sensation would have been far more intense and exhilarating.

With her other hand, Tong Ling gently grasped the red-haired vampire’s exquisite jawline, pulling her fingers away from the youth’s sucking lips. She commanded, “Open your mouth for me.”

Tong Ling harbored immense curiosity towards these non-human creatures. She had studied Medius’ anatomy before and touched merfolk’s bodies. Now that a living vampire appeared right in front of her, how could she possibly resist exploring him?

Although the woman before him was clearly his “prey,” having just been drained of blood by Miya himself, the hunter found himself deeply entranced by the taste of his quarry. Obediently, he followed the prey’s instruction and parted his lips wide open.

Tong Ling examined the young man’s mouth, her fingers gently probing and stirring his soft tongue.

A vampire’s tongue wasn’t much different from a human’s—equally soft and slippery.

“Ugh…” Mia panted, his blood-red eyes locked onto Tong Ling. A layer of insatiable desire clouded his gaze as he murmured, “Lingling…”

He called out to the woman he loved, “Like this, I won’t be able to hold back.”

No matter how much self-control he possessed, faced with such “temptation,” he would want to disregard all consequences and possess her—to invade her.

“Hold back you must, even if it’s unbearable,” Tong Ling replied coldly. Her fingers traced along Mia’s teeth.

From the back molars to the front, until they reached those two sharp fangs.

Mia felt himself grow instantly aroused. His fangs were the most crucial and sensitive part of his body—and now, that very spot was in Tong Ling’s hands…

Mia could no longer endure it. To avoid harming Tong Ling, he retracted his fangs and lowered his head, capturing her red lips in a fierce kiss.

It was all her fault; she had insisted on teasing him like this! He’d given her chances before!

As Miya kissed this alluring woman, he picked her up and laid her on the bed. “Do you know that I’ve wanted to do this since you walked in?”

Tong Ling pushed against the young man’s shoulder. “I came here to investigate you. There are still so many people waiting outside; let me go quickly.”

“Let them wait.” Miya leaned in close to Tong Ling again, his lips curling into a malicious grin. “If they have the guts to come inside, I’ll slaughter every last one of them right before your eyes.”

Miya didn’t care about exposing himself to those humans. He’d had enough of enduring their presence.

“I hope they behave themselves and don’t disturb us,” Miya murmured, his lips gently touching Tong Ling’s cheek. “Weren’t you here to investigate me, Lingling? I can give you anything you want—inside and out, you’re free to look around as much as you please.”

“Do vampires become easily excited after drinking blood?” Tong Ling continued her research. “Did you feel like this every time you drank someone else’s blood before?”

“No!” Miya gritted his teeth. “Must you ask these questions now?”

She was driving him insane—how could she remain so calm? Did he possess no basic attraction in her eyes?!

“It’s not my fault you’re the only vampire I’ve ever met.” Tong Ling kissed the corner of the youth’s mouth soothingly. “Tell me, I’m really curious.”

“Drinking their blood was purely for survival.” Miya frowned, his face contorting with disgust. “Those lowly blood slaves willingly offer their blood for eternal life. They cut open their wrists and fill containers to supply vampires like me. Who would get excited over such cheap blood?”

“My reaction is entirely your fault!” Miya confronted his desire candidly, no longer awkwardly denying it as before. “You’re special; you’re the bride I’ve always wanted.”

Tong Ling ignored Miya’s confession-like words and asked about her long-standing curiosity, “Why did you come to this ancient castle? What is your purpose here?”

“I heard the owner of this castle is Prince Holly Wyatt. As one of his descendants, naturally I had to visit.” Miya leaned down. “All right, my dear bride, I’ve answered all your questions. Isn’t it now time for you to satisfy me?”

“I haven’t left much time for you,” Tong Ling said, wrapping her arm around the young man’s neck. “I still want to rest.”

“Rest?” Miya licked his fangs. “You won’t have any time left for that.”