Thus, the banquet ended late in the evening.
Afterward, Chen Fei had soone escort Apel from the Brad Family's ancient castle, as she had important work to attend to. As for himself, he had already received the long-awaited summons and followed Old Brad to a room within the castle.
Outside the room, several stern-looking n in sharp black suits stood in two columns, flanking the door. Peering through the slightly ajar doorway, one could see a white man in a suit with blond hair, a prominent nose, and azure eyes. He stood there trembling, his face stricken with panic. Though there were chairs beside him, he seed too afraid to sit. This man was none other than Stuvia Brad, whom Chen Fei had once encountered in the Black Market Ancient Castle in Hong Kong.
Just a few hours prior, he had been in his Arican mansion, enjoying a 'god-like treatnt' as he fiercely dominated the fiery body of a recently famous blonde starlet from Hollywood. However, an unexpected transoceanic phone call had ruined his fun. A high-ranking mber of his family had personally called, demanding to know his whereabouts and ordering him to get back to Italy imdiately.
This was 'high-level treatnt' Stuvia had never experienced before. He was so frightened that his skin crawled and his scalp tingled. Without a mont's hesitation, he bought a ticket for the next available flight to Ro, the Italian capital. Several hours later, he had finally arrived, making it back just in ti.
He had no choice. As a mber of a collateral branch of the Brad Family, he was well aware of the astonishing power and heritage possessed by the high echelons of this ancient and mysterious family. Not to ntion, the Brad Family was a legendary and grand Blood Clan family, and he, Stuvia, was a vampire descendant.
In the world of the Blood Clan, might makes right, and the hierarchy is extrely strict. Stuvia was rely a minor Viscount. The important figure who called him, however, was a noble Blood Clan mber of the Marquis level. If Stuvia dared to defy the order, that person could kill him on the spot without needing to consult anyone. Considering the Marquis's terrifying Cultivation Level, killing him would be as easy as slaughtering a chicken. How could he not be afraid?
But that wasn't even the most terrifying part. At this very mont, in the sa room, stood another man—an elegant, pale, middle-aged man who exuded an aura of ancient nobility. This was none other than the Brad Family's Chief Steward, Master Syria, who was hailed as Duke Weimian. He was now standing silently by the door, postured as if respectfully awaiting the arrival of a great personage. This display only intensified the fear in the already panicked Stuvia.
He could scarcely imagine what kind of noble existence would command such deference from the Chief Steward of the Brad Family. Could it be... the great Dukes? But, how could that be?
However, what happened next dispelled his doubts, while the shock and astonishnt he felt multiplied countless tis over, nearly stupefying him. He watched as the revered Master Syria actually stepped forward to greet a man with a vaguely familiar Eastern face, bowing deeply and saying, "Respected Mr. Chen, Stuvia has returned. Is he the one you were looking for?"
The young man with the Eastern face was, of course, the very sa Chen Fei who had hurried over.
He gave a slight nod and, accompanied by Old Brad, followed the direction of Syria's pointing finger. His gaze fell upon Stuvia's familiar Caucasian face, and he cracked a smile. "Ah, Viscount Stuvia, you should still rember , right?"
"You, you... It's you!?" Stuvia stiffened at his words, scrutinizing Chen Fei's face. His expression suddenly froze as if recalling sothing terrifying. He imdiately pointed a trembling finger at Chen Fei and exclaid in astonishnt. This... this... isn't this the kid from Hong Kong...?
Clearly, the incident outside the Hong Kong castle had left a deep impression on him, hence his exaggerated reaction.
"Lower your hand," Old Brad, standing beside Chen Fei, snarled, his voice as sharp as a blade. He couldn't contain his fury seeing a lowly mber of a collateral branch act so foolishly and recklessly as to point at Chen Fei. "Or I won't mind crippling it for you right now." The chilling emphasis in his tone made it clear this was no idle threat; he was truly eager to help Stuvia dispose of that unwanted hand.
"...You, you are the Clan Leader!?" Hearing Old Brad's cold, nacing words and seeing that face, which was both strange and familiar, Stuvia shuddered violently, as if plunged into an icy abyss. He stamred in utter disbelief. The... the respected Clan Leader? The great and noble Duke Brad, he... how could he possibly be here in person!?
"Clan... Clan Leader, I... I..." Stuvia's teeth began to chatter as he stared at the nacing glint in Old Brad's eyes. It was only at this mont that he finally realized how terrifyingly significant the personage who wanted to see him tonight was. For the great and noble Clan Leader himself to appear... it was simply... it was just...
"There's no need for that, Old Brad. Let have a few words with him alone," Chen Fei said, waving his hand gently.
"As you wish, respected Sir Chen." Old Brad naturally wouldn't object. He nodded, shot one last cold glare at the trembling Stuvia, and then turned and left the room. Syria, of course, followed him out.
Once they had left and closed the door, Chen Fei broke into a faint smile and teased, "Hey, buddy, relax. We've t before, so we're practically acquaintances, right? Don't worry, I'm not going to eat you." Ti really does fly. In the blink of an eye, more than half a year has passed since that incident in Hong Kong. It'll probably be the New Year soon, won't it? A tily snow promises a good harvest.
"Respected... respected Sir, may I ask why you were looking for ? Is there anything I can do for you?" Stuvia certainly didn't dare to act casually in front of Chen Fei. He could only keep his head bowed and speak with a trembling voice.
Are you kidding ? Not to ntion the scene just now that nearly made my heart leap out of my throat, just his display of divine might outside the Black Market Ancient Castle was enough to make understand. This Easterner from Huaxia is an absolute monster, and certainly not soone a minor Viscount like can afford to provoke. He wisely adopted a very, very humble posture.
"I do have a reason for finding you." Chen Fei decided to stop beating around the bush and cut to the chase. "Back when you were in Hong Kong, did you happen to purchase a jade artifact?"
"A jade artifact? You an that jade bracelet... yes, I was the one who bought that jade bracelet," Stuvia confird, nodding imdiately after a mont's surprise.
A hint of joy appeared on Chen Fei's face. "Where is it now?"
"It's now... it's now... It's not with anymore," Stuvia replied, his expression growing panicked. He hesitated for a long while before finally steeling himself to speak, his voice trembling.
"Not with you? Then where is it?" Chen Fei's brows furrowed instantly, his tone sinking. If the item isn't with him, doesn't that an things are about to get complicated again?
"It's... it's like this, respected Sir. After I won the jade bracelet at the auction in Hong Kong, I gambled it away in Macau. So, it's not in my possession right now," Stuvia confessed honestly.
"Gambled away? Do you know who you lost it to?" Chen Fei was sowhat speechless but managed to ask patiently.
"I know, I know! The guy is the son of Earl Shi Aihua from the Stephen Family in the United Kingdom. His na is Gresmu. The jade bracelet is in his hands now," Stuvia imdiately spilled everything, holding nothing back.
"The Stephen Family in the United Kingdom?" The United Kingdom? My god, don't tell I have to make a trip to the UK now? Chen Fei felt a headache coming on. Just the thought of it made him rub his temples in frustration. He asked slowly, "What's the story with this Stephen Family? Compared to your Brad Family, who is more powerful?"
"Of course, our Brad Family is more powerful!" Stuvia imdiately puffed out his chest and said with imnse pride. "The Stephen Family might be a Blood Clan family, but within the world of the Blood Clan, they are considered second-rate at best. They are far from worthy of being compared to our great and noble Brad Family. However..."
He paused for a mont before continuing, "However, the Stephen Family has the shadow of the Ashford Family behind them; they are a subordinate family. In the United Kingdom, the Ashford Family's influence is formidable and cannot be underestimated."
"The Ashford Family?" Chen Fei rubbed his head again, feeling even more speechless. This is really one problem after another. What a hassle. First, there was so Stephen Family, and now an Ashford Family had popped up. What's their story?
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