The ending

“Why are you still so reckless?” Luo Chen called out anxiously to Qiao Wei as she was thrown back, only relaxing when he saw she was unharmed.

Qiao Wei shook off her daze, suddenly recalling how, half a year ago when she’d rushed madly toward the key to the Secret Casket, it had been Luo Chen who protected her from the consequences. Awkwardly, she moved behind Luo Xuan, avoiding Luo Chen’s gaze, though her heart was in turmoil.

“Su Mo, you go. Vampires cannot approach it,” Luo Xuan said to Su Mo, his eyes never leaving Qiao Wei. At the mention of vampires, Qiao Wei’s face drained of all color.

Su Mo approached the Blade of Blood, reaching out her hand. Indeed, she passed through the light and grasped the hilt with both hands, pulling with all her might. The earth trembled violently, as if about to split open. Only after using all her strength did Su Mo finally draw the blade, handing it to Luo Chen.

No sooner had Luo Chen taken hold of the Blade of Blood than countless steel blades shot out from the slot where the blade had rested. Without time to think, Luo Xuan hurriedly pulled Qiao Wei and Rhine—the two nearest him—to safety. As they steadied themselves, a muffled groan escaped Su Mo’s lips. The three turned to see Su Mo standing in front of Luo Chen, a steel blade buried in her chest, blood staining her dress deep red.

Luo Chen scooped Su Mo into his arms, swiftly carrying her to Luo Xuan’s side. Shaking, he tossed aside the Blade of Blood and pulled the blade from Su Mo’s chest. She coughed heavily, her face so pale it was alarming.

“Su… Su Mo, you’ll be fine! I’ll let you drink some of my blood, you’ll be alright!” Tears welled in Luo Chen’s eyes as he moved to bite his wrist, but Su Mo caught his hand.

“It’s useless. I already died once. The resurrected can never become vampires.” Su Mo’s voice was faint, drifting away as if it might vanish any moment. Both Qiao Wei and Rhine turned away, unable to bear the sight.

Luo Chen’s voice was hoarse and frightening, his face ghostly pale. “Idiot, I’m a vampire—I can’t die! Why did you shield me?”

“I... I forgot. I was afraid you’d die.” Su Mo forced a smile, tears slipping down her cheeks, her voice growing ever weaker. “The truth is, I wanted so much to live, to be with you. Death is only human, after all. But… I want you to know, I never once thought of killing you. Never…”

As she spoke, her words faded into silence. At last, she closed her eyes, her heart stilled.

Luo Chen held Su Mo’s blood-soaked body and left the place, returning to the rose garden.

Luo Xuan, frowning, led Qiao Wei and Rhine after him, but Luo Chen was already gone, a long trail of blood the only sign he’d been there.

Seeing Luo Xuan emerge, the sorcerer spoke earnestly, “Kill her with the Blade of Blood, and she will be reborn—as a human. My task is complete.” With that, he vanished into a gust of wind and sand.

“Qiao Qiao, must you change back now?” Luo Xuan asked, gazing at the Blade of Blood in his hand, sorrow in his eyes.

“Luo Chen…” Qiao Wei began, but catching herself, forced herself to answer, “Yes.”

Luo Xuan sighed and turned to Rhine. “Rhine, you do it.”

Rhine nodded, her eyes full of grief. She closed her eyes and stabbed the blade fiercely toward Qiao Wei’s heart. Agonizing pain nearly made Qiao Wei collapse. Luo Xuan caught her as she fell, his blood-red eyes locking onto hers, his voice a seductive whisper: “Forget all of us. You’ll remember nothing. Qiao Qiao, be happy…”

Suddenly, Qiao Wei’s mind went blank and she fainted from the pain.

“Qiao Wei, you’re awake? You’re finally back—Mom was so worried!” When Qiao Wei opened her eyes again, she saw her mother’s familiar, concerned face and felt a trace of confusion.

“Mom, haven’t I always been here? What were you worried about? Ah—I'm going to be late! I’m off to school!” Qiao Wei smiled at her mother, got up, and walked toward the bathroom, her back as pure as a white rose.

In another world, Luo Xuan sat wearily on the sofa, eyes closed in exhaustion. Beside him, Rhine said dully, “Your Highness, don’t you want Qiao Wei to remember you?”

“She needs an ordinary life,” Luo Xuan replied, rubbing his forehead. Then he asked Rhine, “Is Luo Chen still in that cabin?”

“Yes… His Highness Luo Chen has been living there ever since.” Rhine’s heart ached at the thought.

“Let him be,” Luo Xuan said with a nod, falling silent. A few rose petals drifted in through the window, carrying a chill fragrance. Luo Xuan caught one in his palm and thought silently: Qiao Qiao, may you be happy.

The End.

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Today marks the conclusion of Yu Ning’s first novel. First, Yu Ning wishes to apologize for the following:

1. The writing was too raw and bland.
2. There were some typos in the updates.
3. The text was not thoroughly revised.

This work was not very successful, so Yu Ning will strive to put more effort into the next novel. I hope everyone will continue to support Yu Ning. Thank you!