Chapter Forty: Gao Renhou

“How did you find out, Uncle?” Henry stared at the old man.

“Hmph, so it’s true. There’s no wall that keeps out the wind—did you really think no one would know what you’ve been up to? Henry, you’ve disgraced the Henry family completely.” The old man fetched another bottle of red wine, snorting coldly as he spoke.

Liu Yunfei hadn’t expected Henry to have a Chinese surname. After several generations, Henry no longer bore any trace of Chinese features.

“I’m the one who’s disgraced? Uncle, you dare blame me? Everything I did was for the family. Now there are fewer vampires, and you all insisted not to press too hard, as long as they don’t commit crimes, we don’t kill them. Do you know how much money it takes every day to keep so many people in the sanctuary? Year after year, they lie there, needing fresh blood daily. What about the costs of the castle? Where am I supposed to get so much money?” Henry was growing annoyed. “Whoever spread those rumors, if they want the spell, they can die for it—no chance.” With that, Henry stood up, preparing to leave.

“Wait.” Liu Yunfei had no choice but to stand up. “I’m the one who said it—it has nothing to do with the vampire.”

“Who are you, blocking my way? Do you have a death wish?” Henry eyed the young man with disdain.

“I’m just a passerby. Name your price.” Liu Yunfei still hoped to resolve things through negotiation.

“I don’t want money now. I only want to know who you are and how you know.” Henry pondered; he’d never seen this young man before.

“Do you still remember the Star Cluster?” Liu Yunfei prompted him.

“So it’s you. Although your appearance is completely different, I know you can disguise yourself as others. That time, the kidnapped one was an Arab sheikh, you damned Arab.” Henry’s hatred toward Liu Yunfei was evident; he bared his teeth and lunged at him.

“No, no, I’m actually Chinese—just like your ancestors.” Liu Yunfei dodged, trying to establish a connection.

“I don’t care where you’re from. Since you’ve come to me, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Henry pressed forward relentlessly.

—

“You think I’m afraid of you? After all the evil you’ve done, you dare claim the moral high ground?” Liu Yunfei was furious. “You’re committing worse crimes than the vampires. Do you still think you’re a paragon of justice? I only crossed paths with you once—how many other shameful deeds have you done? You’ve not only disgraced the Henry family, you’ve shamed us Chinese as well.”

Liu Yunfei wrenched Henry’s hand from his collar and slapped him hard. “I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of your ancestors, you unfilial child.”

“Who dares to speak so boldly, claiming to discipline my grandson?” A dignified voice echoed in the hall.

Looking toward the sound, they saw a Chinese man in his forties standing in the center of the hall. His face was the same as that in the portrait—kind and robust—but he wore a European medieval tailcoat, and his long hair was tied carelessly at the back like a woman’s ponytail.

“Grandfather, teach him a lesson! He cut off my thumb!” Seizing Liu Yunfei’s moment of surprise, Henry hurried to the man’s side. Liu Yunfei found it rather absurd—a man in his forties calling another man, nearly the same age, grandfather.

“Father, you’re awake?” The white-haired old man was his son. Although Liu Yunfei knew their relationship, it still struck him as amusing.

The old man seemed about to say something, but the newcomer waved his hand, signaling him to stay silent. He patted Henry with one hand and addressed Liu Yunfei in Chinese: “Young man from China, it’s mere coincidence that I’ve awakened today. Otherwise, my beloved grandson would suffer your bullying. You may be arrogant, but you must have the strength to back it up. Allow me to test you myself.”

Seeing this man’s blatant favoritism, Liu Yunfei’s anger boiled. “Fine, let’s spar then.”

“I haven’t fought in centuries. Come, let’s step outside.”

Liu Yunfei followed Gao Renhou out onto the open ground. Henry, the old man, the vampire, and the castle’s henchmen all watched from a distance.

Standing face to face, Gao Renhou said, “If you defeat me, anything can be discussed. If you lose, you must accept my arrangement.” With that, he extended his right hand toward Liu Yunfei, and his figure blurred, conjuring an identical phantom that floated gently through the air.

The black shadow—Henry had used this trick before, but Gao Renhou was superior; he could summon three phantoms, so it was as if three Gao Renhous tangled with the opponent at once. Yet, controlling three phantoms required immense skill; weaker practitioners would only cause the images to collide and lose control.

—

It was Liu Yunfei’s first encounter with such a formidable opponent. Gao Renhou manipulated the three phantoms with meticulous precision, like puppets on strings, launching attacks from all sides. Liu Yunfei was flustered, beset by strikes from every direction. When he struck the phantoms, it was as if his blows landed on empty air. But when the phantoms hit him, the force was real, and Gao Renhou was anything but gentle—his phantoms targeted joints, soft spots, and vital points.

Liu Yunfei hadn’t learned any formal martial arts. Remembering his previous victory by rapid spinning, he summoned the Flying Nimbus, his feet lifting slightly off the ground as he spun like a top. As he spun faster and faster, the air around him began to swirl, creating a whirlwind. Soon, the three phantoms spun along with him, from slow to fast, and Liu Yunfei saw his chance and increased his speed. But suddenly, Gao Renhou shouted, “Hey!” The three phantoms vanished, and Gao Renhou pressed his palms together and thrust forward. Liu Yunfei, caught in the momentum, felt a tremendous force hit him from the side—just as with a spinning top, a slight touch would topple it.

Liu Yunfei crashed to the ground, but his spinning hadn’t stopped. The whirlwind dragged him, causing him to collide repeatedly with the earth, trees, and walls. Dizzy and battered, he finally came to rest in a puddle formed by rainwater. Laughter erupted from the crowd.

He stood up, covered in mud and looking thoroughly disheveled, but fortunately, his body was impervious to harm, so he wasn’t injured at all. Shaking the mud from his face, Liu Yunfei spat, “Old man, I’ll fight you to the end!” Using all his strength, he charged forward, thinking, “My body is indestructible—if I just keep charging and striking, even one hit will make him suffer.”

But as he lunged at Gao Renhou, fist poised to strike that mocking face, Gao Renhou vanished in an instant. Turning, Liu Yunfei found Gao Renhou standing behind him, his expression more mocking than ever.

“Faster than me, huh.” Liu Yunfei, like a furious Spanish bull, charged at Gao Renhou repeatedly, but every time he approached, Gao Renhou effortlessly shifted his position, and Liu Yunfei was left guessing which direction he would dodge next. Gao Renhou appeared behind him, pressed close, hooked Liu Yunfei’s calf with his foot, and gently nudged his shoulder from behind.

“Ha!” The crowd roared with laughter again as Liu Yunfei fell face-first into the dirt.

“You’re cheating! If you dare, take a punch from me!” Liu Yunfei stood up, unsure whether his face was burning from the friction or from embarrassment.

“Come on, I’ll take one, ten, a hundred punches!” Gao Renhou crouched into a horse stance and beckoned Liu Yunfei forward.