Chapter 81: A Sudden Downturn

Baize’s grandfather, the head of the Blood Clan, frowned when he saw Karanne. “So now you’re in charge of the Dragon family?”

Karanne brushed the blue strands from her chest behind her back, a hint of resignation at her lips. “I preside over the Sacred Lake; I simply follow the flow.”

The Blood Clan’s patriarch glanced at Long Xi, who was approaching, and then at Cassano. He caught Baize’s pleading gaze and snorted heavily. “Your Dragon family is truly overbearing!”

Cassano was about to erupt, but the look in Karanne’s eyes held him back. Karanne inclined her head slightly, offering courtesy before hostility. “The Dragon family is not unreasonable. I apologize for the earlier offense by our kin. Now, Blood Clan Patriarch, should you not give me an explanation? You’ve put my nephew through repeated trials, all of which he has passed. In the end, you claim he’s unworthy. That’s not important—truth be told, I don’t think your grandson is worthy of my nephew either. The Blood Clan has no intention towards the Dragon family, and we are not desperate for your alliance. However, your grandson took my nephew’s first time—whether by unwilling blood contract or the union the day before yesterday, he reaped many benefits. You’ve surely heard of the Dragon family’s rules. If your clan cannot offer compensation of equal value, as the head of the Dragon family, I won’t hesitate to make trouble for the Blood Clan!”

Karanne’s blunt mention of Long Yin’s first time widened the eyes of everyone from the Dragon family.

“Impossible!” Long Qin pulled Long Yin over, poking his arms and sides, then looked pained. “Little Yin, do you realize how much you’ve lost? You gave your first time to that Blood Clan boy without any preparation…” She wore the look of one bitterly disappointed, then pressed her forehead. “It’s my fault for not warning you in advance. The Dragon family’s first time must never be given away lightly. Are you feeling a bit weak, dizzy from time to time?”

Long Yin blinked. He truly had no idea there was such significance tied to the Dragon family’s first time. Since his union with Baize, he had indeed felt dizzy, and he nodded.

Seeing him nod, Long Qin glared at Baize, while Long Qi, after her initial shock, launched herself at him. “Boy, give back Yin’s dragon blood!”

Baize was stunned as well. So the mysterious surge of power within him was dragon force. A flash of pain crossed his face as he looked at Long Yin—this dragon blood was vital to Long Yin’s health. Baize grew anxious. “Second Sister, don’t be angry. However you want it returned, just say the word.”

Long Qi paused at Baize’s response, then scratched her head and looked to her great-grandfather. “Great-grandpa…”

Long Xi walked over, but the Blood Clan Patriarch blocked his way, face dark. “The union of the young ones is their own business—one consents, the other accepts. What’s given cannot be taken back.” The dragon blood was already in Baize. To strip it away now would cause irreparable harm—something the patriarch could not allow.

“Grandfather, this dragon blood affects Yin’s health. It must be returned!” Baize stepped forward.

“Silence!” The patriarch was nearly driven mad by his grandson’s foolishness. This matter was not as simple as returning or not returning the blood. He turned to Long Yin. “Boy, what about you? Do you want it back?”

Witnessing the chaos, Long Yin could not suppress the chill of disappointment in his heart.

“What I gave was by my own will. I will not regret it. I’m here today out of respect for Baize. We are equals. I accepted your trials for the sake of the elders. But to humiliate me under the guise of testing—that is too much. My family’s appearance here was clearly your design. Yet knowing the outcome, you still chose to insult me. I am not unwanted, nor am I bound to Baize.”

Long Yin’s lips curled into a cold smile. “And the Dragon family will not fall because it lacks your Blood Clan. With both families present, let’s speak plainly. Lift the blood contract Baize placed on me. The half of my dragon blood I lost can be considered recompense for the days we spent together. From now on, as the Blood Clan sides with the Three Sovereigns, you are our enemy. When we meet, it will be a fight to the death.”

His words fell like stones into a tranquil lake, sending shockwaves through both families. The Blood Clan patriarch’s pupils shrank as he looked at Long Yin, then turned to Karanne—only to see her gaze lowered, apparently agreeing with Long Yin’s declaration. The Dragon family had gathered behind Long Yin, even Karanne herself standing half a step behind him, as if he were the true leader.

The patriarch suddenly realized: this was the real hierarchy of the Dragon family.

But it was hard to believe that the one he had underestimated now commanded the Dragon family, even if not in name. In practice, he already wielded the power of life and death.

The other Blood Clan elders gaped. They had sided with the Three Sovereigns?

The patriarch turned to Baize, finding him with head bowed, long bangs hiding his eyes and expression. For some reason, a wave of regret swept over the old man.

“How did you know?” he could not help but ask.

“Just a deduction,” Long Yin replied, glancing at Baize. Sensing this, Baize looked up, their eyes meeting. He forced a wry smile. “You never trusted me.”

Long Yin shook his head. “Nor were you honest with me. I gave you a chance, even gave myself to you. Yet you still harbored doubts, ultimately acquiescing to your grandfather’s choice.”

“You thought you could have it both ways. But the world is rarely so accommodating—especially in matters entangling two species, the Card Beast tribe and humanity. This is a reshuffling of the human race, a war of the Three Beast Sovereigns and the Dragon Emperor. There can be no perfect outcome; one side must fall. I don’t blame your grandfather for his choice, but I cannot forgive your silence. You don’t understand me, and you overestimate your ability to solve my problems in the Blood Clan. The Blood Clan may want to hedge its bets, and the Three Sovereigns may allow it, but the Dragon family does not tolerate such duplicity. We value loyalty and never accept compromise. I, Long Yin, will not accept it either. I care for you and was willing to give—but nothing more!”

Pain flickered in Baize’s eyes. “Once the Dragon Emperor breaks free of his seal, the Federation will run red with blood.”

“So what? Will the Three Sovereigns simply stand down?” Disappointment shone in Long Yin’s eyes. “I thought, after all we’ve seen together, you’d support me. I never imagined…”

“I overestimated myself!” Love as deep as theirs could still be overcome by other things. People like them, it seemed, could never love purely.

“Don’t go!” Baize rushed to grab Long Yin, but Long Yin pried his fingers away one by one. “My heart is small—so small that it cannot hold a single doubt. Maybe your feelings are true, perhaps even sincere, but the Blood Clan’s actions are plain to see. What role you play in all this, I no longer care to know. You bound me with a blood contract when I was four. I owe the Blood Clan nothing—and from today onward, I owe neither your clan nor you, Baize…”

Long Yin felt a tightness in his chest, his face turning pale. Shaking his head, he whispered, “Baize, I gave you a chance… What’s the point of this pain?”

“I am destined to shoulder the Dragon family’s responsibilities. You are to inherit the Blood Clan. Let us part as friends; from now on, our paths diverge!” With that, Long Yin’s body swayed, breathless from heartbreak.

Baize tried to catch him, but Karanne was quicker, scooping Long Yin into her arms. Baize clenched his fists in frustration and pain, unable to believe it. “You’re so resolute. How can we part as friends? Why not ask me how I feel? I just didn’t want you caught in a hopeless situation, I only…”

“You chose the wrong method!” Karanne said coldly. “Remember Long Yin’s nature. He would rather you stand by his side and die with him than accept any compromise born of humiliation. Maybe you have other plans, but since you made your choice, bear the consequences. I hope you won’t trouble Long Yin again.”

Karanne carried Long Yin before the Blood Clan patriarch. “Patriarch, Long Yin’s decision is mine as well, and represents the Dragon family’s position. Undo the blood contract! From now on, the Blood Clan and my Dragon family are enemies. We shall never coexist!”

“Head of the Dragon family…” The patriarch looked at Baize, whose face had turned deathly pale. He glanced at Long Yin, who had buried his head in Karanne’s chest. Reading his meaning, Karanne’s expression grew cold. “What, patriarch, do you refuse to break the contract?”

The patriarch’s face twisted. Seeing Baize’s state, even he wavered. “Are you truly set on making enemies of us?”

Karanne shook her head. “This is not my wish, but the Blood Clan has forced our hand. Please, undo the blood contract. The Three Sovereigns will not tolerate the Dragon family, but we will not spare them either—nor will we forgive the humans who have hunted us for a century. This is a blood feud, not something to be erased by a few words of apology. Blood must be repaid with blood.”

“What if my clan withdraws from this war?” the patriarch tried.

“Is that even possible?” Karanne sneered. “Do you think you’ll be allowed? Even if the Three Sovereigns and my family let you be, would the other great human families allow you to remain untouched? This war will sweep the entire Federation—neither Card Beast nor human can escape it. Weren’t you full of disdain just now? Then see this through to the end. Break the blood contract, and all ties between our clans will be severed.”

The other Blood Clan elders, who had been confused, suddenly understood. The Blood Clan had hoped to balance between the Three Sovereigns and the Dragon Emperor, to survive no matter who lost. Though this would not bring the greatest benefit, it would guarantee their continued existence and potential resurgence. Rather than commit to one side, better to play both. But they never expected that the young man across from them would be so uncompromising, seeing through it all, unwilling to tolerate even a grain of sand, and determined to break with Baize, who had concealed the truth. This rift was also the Dragon Emperor’s faction splitting from the Blood Clan.

“Why can the Three Sovereigns turn a blind eye to the Blood Clan, but your Dragon family rejects our olive branch?”

“In the current situation, you are either ally or enemy. We will not accept double-dealers. The unsealing of the Dragon Emperor is too great a matter to allow for duplicity among allies. Perhaps you believe you can stay neutral, but when the time comes, you will be forced by circumstance to make choices, no matter your intentions. We’d rather settle things now than be betrayed later and hear you say you had no choice. Let us part as gentlemen, and leave the rest to fate.”

A look of realization dawned on the patriarch’s face. “I understand. The Dragon family truly is the Dragon family—a gentleman’s agreement, indeed. If things weren’t already set, perhaps my clan could have joined you. But our wager is made. If you will not accept our goodwill, I will not add our strength to the Three Sovereigns. If your clan can carve a bloody path, I hope you’ll spare these people.”

“Agreed,” Karanne nodded. There must be some exchange, after all. Although the Dragon family refused the Blood Clan’s alliance, the patriarch’s words meant the Three Sovereigns would not gain further strength.

The patriarch looked at Long Yin, whose face was buried in Karanne’s arms. He had seen how exceptional this young man was, and though he’d claimed Long Yin was unworthy of Baize, now that he had to personally sever their bond, he found it difficult.

Long Yin turned away, his face pale under the mask, wracked by the pain transmitted from Baize. Biting his lip, he said, “Baize, don’t make me hate you!”

“Break the blood contract!” With those four words, it was as if all his strength was drained, his pallor deepening.

Sweat trickled down Baize’s forehead. Long Yin turned away. A bitter smile appeared on Baize’s face—he had always known this was Long Yin’s nature, so why had he refused to give up? Now, nothing he said mattered. Long Yin would never listen, no matter how much pain he felt. He could only blame himself for overstepping the other’s bottom line. Unable to break Long Yin’s deadlock, was this truly the end for them?

He had only just been acknowledged by him… How could it end like this?

“Xiao Ze!” The patriarch, unable to watch Baize’s agony, resolutely slit his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto Long Yin’s lips.

“No…” Baize lunged forward in terror, but it was too late—the blood contract was undone. He stared blankly at Long Yin; their bond was gone.

Karanne glanced at Baize, then turned to leave with Long Yin in her arms.

Long Yin felt a profound, invisible shackle slip away. His lashes trembled; he bit his lip, fists clenched tight. He’d always thought the torment in his heart was from Baize’s influence, but now he realized—even without it, the pain was real. Baize’s concealment was a betrayal; the hurt was very real.

The Dragon family, seeing Long Yin’s suffering, wished they could turn their weapons on the entire Blood Clan. The elders restrained themselves, but Long Qin, who feared no one except her elders, sashayed over to Baize with a beaming smile. “To save you from torment and so you won’t pester our little Yin, let me erase your memories for free!”

Baize’s eyes widened. “You—” But it was too late. Everything became hazy, and to his horror, he realized his memories with Long Yin were being altered bit by bit. He struggled, but the Dragon family’s innate gift was unstoppable. Long Qin watched as he collapsed, snorting, “Hurting my brother—letting you off with only memory erasure is a mercy!”

Long Yin slid from Karanne’s arms, turning away from Baize’s anguished gaze as he struggled to break free. When Baize finally fainted, Long Yin’s heart twisted, but he did not look back. As Long Qin returned, she was met with rare approval from the other Dragon family members. She faced Long Yin. “Let’s go, little Yin. Someone who can’t give you their whole heart isn’t worth having.”

Long Yin was speechless, but turned and left.

But behind him came a faint, weak cry: “Yin…”

Long Yin trembled, and the others turned back in disbelief, especially Long Qin, whose mouth dropped open as she saw Baize struggling to regain consciousness.

Baize was drenched in sweat, exhaustion etched across his face, but his eyes blazed with fierce will, as if he could overturn the world. He forced a weak smile. “No one can alter my memories—they’re mine!”

He looked at Long Yin, astonished, and his eyes grew gentle. “Yin, you don’t have to forgive me now, or ever—it doesn’t matter. The blood contract is broken, but it can be forged again. I won’t let go. You are mine!”

Everyone was stunned by Baize’s determination. Karanne glanced at Long Yin, unusually quiet, and felt a pang of pity for Baize. Long Yin always appeared the most normal among the Dragon family, but that stubborn Dragon trait was bone-deep—he could not abide betrayal. He turned to Long Qin. “Sister, if his memories can’t be changed, then erase the ones that belong to me and him!”

He would never forgive a betrayal.

Author’s note: Twist and shout: Hurry and leave a comment, your foolish author is losing it~