Chapter Twenty-Five: Abyssal Divide

Bella laughed and asked, "Are you not planning to keep any more monkeys?"

The apes were raising a ruckus in the trees, as if celebrating that I’d driven away the demon. Some even brought me fruits that were nearly impossible to swallow.

I sighed, "They’re too clever. The Black Coffin can't bear them, and I can't tame them."

Bella said, "That’s true. Too clever people can’t be controlled either. The same principle applies to animals."

We searched the cabin for clues left by the demon and found a fragmentary diary.

In it, he revealed his name was Tanki. He’d been searching for the statue of the Ikes Sisters and had set up some sort of 'magical ritual' outside the Classical Museum. The moment we removed the Ikes statue, he immediately knew and sprang into action.

The wound on Bella’s chest had already healed. She frowned, squinting and biting her lip for a moment. "He’s disgusting. I bet he wanted to sacrifice me to Ikes."

I said, "I arrived just in time. His ritual had drained most of his power and wasn’t yet successful. Victory or defeat hung by a thread."

Bella said, "There’s something strange about this evil god statue. I’m not tired—on the contrary, I feel invigorated, as though I’ve never been wounded."

I was uneasy. "Could there be some trap or price?"

Bella shook her head. "Don’t worry needlessly. I’m perfectly fine."

Morning was about to break, and the dawn painted the trees in a thousand hues. Bella insisted I take her to the basement immediately.

Tanky had cleaned the basement, clearing away the dense troublesome plants. It was spotless.

Bella lay on the sofa. "I’ll sleep like a dead pig. You must guard me without leaving my side."

I said, "That’s only right."

Bella yawned. "Strangely, I’m not that sleepy. Talk to me for a while."

I knew this was my chance to win her favor. Though I’d saved her life, I was well aware how quickly people forget such great debts—especially women, who tend to remember the moments that bring them joy, the idle chatter, rather than times of peril. I recalled an Eastern novel I’d read once: a hero named Miao Renfeng whose wife was lured away by sweet words, to much sighing and regret.

"Of course," I replied. "But I’m tired myself. If you see me distracted or dozing, don’t take offense. It’s not that you’re dull, it’s just that I’m exhausted."

She said, "How could you? I’m probably the world’s most skilled conversationalist—you won’t get any sleep."

I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Bella asked, "I know Lamia—she’s a rising star among the Rangers. You’re lucky to marry her."

I smiled. "But I’m no ordinary man myself."

Bella clapped her hands. "I love your confidence. What was it you said to Tanky? ‘I am a mortal, but I stand equal to the blood clan!’ That was brilliant."

I was surprised. "You heard that?"

Bella said, "I seemed unconscious, but I was fully aware of everything that happened."

I thought, "No need to reveal my ambitions too soon. It’s wiser to bide my time, especially among these powerful blood clan." So I answered, "I was just saying anything to distract him."

Bella suddenly asked, "Have you and Lamia done it?"

She killed the conversation. I had no way to answer.

Bella laughed. "Don’t be embarrassed. I know Lamia’s situation. She’s beautiful—enough to stir anyone’s heart. But you can only love her spiritually, right?"

---

"I love her, and that’s enough," I said.

Bella replied, "Have you ever considered that she’s your soulmate in spirit, but what about physically? You’ll need a companion in that aspect."

I laughed loudly, covering my embarrassment. "There’s no need. That sort of thing is dispensable for me."

Bella said, "Dispensable, but having it is better than not, isn’t it?"

I didn’t respond.

Bella looked up at me intently. "Ranger Fishbone Longinus, I’ve hinted this much, and you’re still pretending not to understand? Right now, you could do anything to me—I have no power to resist."

I’d read strange ancient treatises claiming the blood clan were not living beings, but cold, animated… corpses. Bella’s appearance was enticing, but when I held her earlier, her body was cold as frost, her heart didn’t beat, and her blood was like dead water.

At least living people aren’t like that.

But that wasn’t the main point—the main point was that I could not betray Lamia.

I answered solemnly, "I… would never disrespect you, Commander."

Bella articulated each word, "I order you to disrespect me."

I stood, moving away from her. "Forgive me, miss, I cannot comply."

She looked perplexed, muttering, "That’s strange. How do you feel right now?"

I couldn’t even understand her question.

She said, "You drank my blood, so you should obey me, treat my orders as gospel."

I was taken aback. "Is it really so?"

Bella raised her wrist, drew a small cut with her finger, and crystalline blood seeped out. She watched my expression, but I felt nothing. She healed the wound and sighed, "Why is that? You truly feel no craving?"

I shook my head, wondering if I’d offended her.

Bella continued, "Our blood clan’s blood has tremendous magic over mortals. Just a single drop, and you’ll be intoxicated by its taste, becoming our… loyal servant. No matter how strong-willed, none can resist. Have you seen Jean Valen from the Michael family?"

I said, "Of course."

Bella said, "Jean Valen receives Michael’s favor regularly, drinking some of his blood. He’s still mortal, but not like ordinary mortals. Blood clan blood can heal any mortal’s wounds and illnesses, granting longer life. Jean Valen is nearly a hundred years old—could you tell?"

I thought carefully—it was hard to believe.

Bella said, "Here’s a secret: in the Black Coffin, there are only thirty blood clan members, myself included, all ancient. The rest living in the aristocrat district are our blood-drinking servants—we call them ‘ghouls.’ They’re neither you nor us. They’ve lived long, but can’t disobey our orders, because obedience has become instinct. As soon as we stop supplying our blood, they die immediately."

I was shocked. "You… didn’t just heal me, you wanted to control me?"

Bella showed no guilt, smiling, "Of course. I just didn’t expect you to be so stubborn."

I recalled I’d once drunk Vasilisa’s blood. Was her intent the same? Maybe it was the curse of the fish, allowing me to resist the blood clan’s power naturally. Vasilisa didn’t succeed, nor did Bella.

Her fatigue grew. "Alright, stay by me and don’t wander off." With that, her body went stiff, lying straight as a corpse.

She wasn’t wary of me, but I had no intention of harming her. She used trickery against me, but I couldn’t retaliate. My entire future depended on her; in some ways, whether her blood worked on me or not, I could only bow to her.

I also realized: skill and achievements alone wouldn’t allow me to advance further, because I wasn’t one of their circle. The blood clan—the rulers of the Black Coffin—could never fully trust me. The gap of bloodline outweighed effort. Only by accepting their blood, their transformation, their servitude, could I truly enter the core ranks of the Black Coffin.

---

Otherwise, it was as though a chasm lay between us.

I sat cross-legged in meditation, following Oched’s methods, sometimes worried Tanky might return. But Bella woke safely, and I was still anxious for Salvador and the others’ safety. I realized how hard it was to be a responsible leader; it seemed everyone became weak and helpless children.

I said, "It’s less than an hour’s drive to Yune from here." This time I’d order everyone to stay inside the vehicle until we entered the Black Coffin’s walls.

Bella asked, "What’s this?"

She pulled a stack of documents from under the bed, among them another Ikes goddess statue—a kneeling woman in prayer. On the paper below was written: "Panamerican Pyramid," "Epoch Antique Auction House."

She laughed, "Ah, looks like the next piece is within reach!"

I was certain my face was pale. "We must never let Michael see this!"

Bella was puzzled. "Why not?"

I said, "You know his temperament—he’ll send me out again. I don’t want to go. I just want to patrol within the Black Coffin!"

Bella said, "You’re unwilling? This is a great chance for promotion and wealth."

I said, "I’ve fulfilled my duties. I don’t feel that promotion or riches are urgent matters."

Bella touched my cheek with her cold hand, teasing, "My rescuing prince is afraid of death after all."

I said, "Yes, I am. That’s because my life doesn’t belong only to me, but also to my wife, my family, and my subordinates. These past days, I’ve realized that life and dignity are priceless, beyond the reach of money."

Bella said, "What if I add twenty million credits?"

I stepped back in shock, my throat dry. "What?"

Bella said, "Well, let’s make it forty million. I’m not like Michael—I think money can buy anything."

The clink of gold echoed in my ears like a death knell. Gritting my teeth, I said, "Alright, I’ll make another trip."

Bella sighed, "Didn’t you say life and dignity are priceless? I don’t want to stain you with money."

I said, "I… well… I seem to have some kind of split personality. Sometimes I don’t believe what I say myself. That’s probably what they call a double identity. I can’t recall what I said before, so you needn’t take it seriously."

Bella laughed heartily. "Say whatever you like, as long as you don’t renege."

I was more worried she’d renege.

Given the extreme danger of the Ikes Sisters statues, I thought before finding the necessary protections, we shouldn’t assemble them, lest disaster strike.

Bella said, "Well, your legs are your own—whenever you bring them to us, that’s when I’ll pay."

At the door, the monkeys were actually standing guard, keeping watch for us. When they saw us emerge, they all applauded and cheered.

Bella laughed, "I’m seriously considering building a zoo in the Black Coffin and hiring you as curator."

I said, "If the pay is high and the work is light, I’ll be more than delighted."