Chapter 1997 - 1998: Gru’s Greed

Chapter 1997: Chapter 1998: Gru’s Greed

"I..."

Odin’s face turned ashen with frustration.

The mysterious woman had no intention of making small talk with him. Her beautiful eyes lowered slightly, and her voice was like a demonic sound echoing from a chasm of ice: "Leave."

Leave.

Two simple words, spoken plainly, without any tone, devoid of killing intent or pressure, yet seemingly hiding an irresistible, strange energy that instantly made Odin’s breathing heavy.

Sometimes, this world is just so fascinating.

When someone stronger speaks, their words can feel overwhelmingly pressuring, but if a weak person shouts themselves hoarse, you only see them as a petty clown.

No suspense whatsoever.

At this moment, this mysterious woman, whose origin was unknown, appeared to Odin as an immovable mountain, and whatever she said filled him with dread.

Never in Odin’s life had someone told him these two words.

But now.

The first time hearing these words, what he felt was not anger or ridicule, but a sense of powerlessness that dared not defy.

"Damn..."

Looking at Lou Yaoyao behind the mysterious woman, and the dying Ye Xuan, Odin gritted his teeth, unwilling.

Just one step away, just one step away!

If only he could strike, Lou Yaoyao would be seriously injured if not dead, and Ye Xuan behind her would have no chance of survival.

Yet at this moment, such a mysterious powerhouse appeared!

Allowing Ye Xuan to safely leave the Balkan Peninsula, what terrifying consequences would that have for the vampire clans?

Odin knew all too well.

But at this moment, knowing or not knowing would change nothing...

He could only give the mysterious woman a deep look, then leave in humiliation, without turning back.

In the face of such a formidable expert, if Odin resorted to schemes and hiding, it would be no different than courting death!

So, Odin truly left.

With a hand supporting the boulder, Ye Xuan, covered in blood, looked at the proud figure of the mysterious woman, a semblance of a smile on his face.

He had already recognized her.

Opened his mouth to speak.

Yet suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes, and his entire being staggered, fainting amidst the stones.

Edward felt terrible now.

After leaving Black Wind Port, he hurried back to his lair, because he had already felt, from the moment Ye Xuan gravely injured him, that the sense of power filling every corner of his body began to dwindle rapidly, with alarming speed.

He didn’t know what was happening to him, but he was certain he faced a monumental problem.

So, he chose to hide in his lair, instead of returning directly to the Clan Leader Palace he had recently occupied.

First, his lair was closer to Black Wind Port, requiring only two or three hours to reach, while the Clan Leader Palace was in the central region of the Balkan Peninsula, hundreds of kilometers from Black Wind Port.

Secondly, although Edward was the clan leader of the vampire tribe now, he had only recently ascended, and many were still dissatisfied with him. If he met those with malicious intent on his way back to the Clan Leader Palace, it would surely spell disaster.

For if he died, others would have the opportunity to take his place.

The nature of vampires is greed.

This, Edward understood better than anyone, as he himself was such a vampire.

Various factors compelled Edward to hide his condition, quickly reaching his abandoned lair to figure out his body’s issues and restore his strength as top priority.

The ever-increasing weakness made Edward’s journey incredibly challenging and long.

Even under strong willpower, it took him about five hours to complete what normally would take two or three hours.

Bam!

As he pushed open the lair door, Edward finally collapsed under the burden, crashing inside, yet felt relieved.

Finally, he safely returned to the place where he felt most secure.

Lying on the ground, unable to rise, Edward gritted his teeth, painfully drawing his foot to close the door—such a simple task, yet it exhausted him to sweat profusely.

"Damn, damn!"

Edward cursed repeatedly, this extreme state of disgrace igniting his fury.

He believed that if not for the sudden onset of ailments, he wouldn’t have needed Odin’s intervention; he could kill Ye Xuan himself, avenge Jenny, and capture that vile Lisa.

But now, everything was lost.

Ye Xuan would surely die; after all, the great Odin struck, and that kid couldn’t withstand a single blow.

What a shame for Lisa...

"What exactly is happening?"

Pale-faced, Edward frowned deeply; the weakness that made even raising a hand feel daunting left him extremely perplexed.

It shouldn’t be Ye Xuan who poisoned him.

Knowing Ye Xuan couldn’t be underestimated, he never let his guard down since Ye Xuan appeared; if it were Ye Xuan who poisoned him, how could he remain oblivious?

If not Ye Xuan, then who?

Suddenly.

While deep in thought, Edward’s brow furrowed sharply, shouting coldly: "Who? Come out!"

The room fell into silence.

Edward’s mood was exceedingly tense, his gaze vigilant as he scanned his surroundings.

Despite his frailty, his perception hadn’t dulled; he clearly sensed someone hiding in this room.

Silence reigned momentarily.

A familiar figure emerged from a dark corner.

A slender, middle-aged vampire.

Other than the trustworthy Gru, who had Edward’s confidence all along, who could it be?

"Gru?"

Seeing this familiar comrade, Edward breathed a sigh of relief, elated: "Gru, you’ve come at the right time! I seem to be afflicted with a strange poison, leaving me powerless like a soggy mess. Examine me quickly to understand my situation!"

"Don’t worry, Clan Leader. I’ll check at once!" Gru smiled faintly, unhurriedly approaching Edward.

Edward frowned in confusion.

Strange!

Normally, when Gru was needed, he was diligent, swift. Why today was he so leisurely and slow?

Edward scowled, his voice boiling with rage: "Gru, what’s the meaning of this? Are you mocking me?"

"I swear, Clan Leader, I’m not mocking you at all!" Gru responded with a face of feigned grievance: "I simply feel... you’re truly laughable!"

"What?" Edward gasped.

Gru finally stood before Edward, crouched with a sinister smile, revealing menacing fangs at his lips: "Clan Leader, did you really not consider that, in this world, aside from me, no one else has the chance to poison you?"