After settling the matter with Song Liangpeng, Xue Ji convened another strategy meeting. At the meeting, she produced a mirror.
“The operation plan has been updated. This will be our core focus from now on,” Xue Ji announced, then deliberately crossed her arms, seemingly waiting for the others’ reactions.
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, feeling greatly confused. Yet, given Xue Ji’s capabilities, they felt it was unnecessary to question her.
Only Chen Shijie was bold enough to ask for clarification. “So, Commander, what is this mirror for?”
Xue Ji nodded with relief; finally, someone had taken the bait. She had been on the verge of an awkward silence.
“It’s called the Thousand-Face Magic Mirror. It can copy the appearance of whoever looks into it and use that likeness to disguise someone else. Its disguises are perfect, replicating even scent and voice exactly,” Xue Ji explained, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Hehehe, this way, we can infiltrate the vampires right back.”
Seeing Xue Ji’s sinister expression sent chills down everyone’s spines. They were immensely grateful that someone with such formidable power and mysterious methods was on their side. If she were an enemy, she would be a nightmare to deal with.
“So, let’s begin Operation Double Agent!” Xue Ji declared, slapping the table and pointing directly at Chen Shijie.
Chen Shijie was baffled. He shook his head, looked around at the others, and then pointed disbelievingly at himself with his index finger.
“Me? Seriously?”
“Consider it decided. Do a good job, Instructor Chen.”
With that, Xue Ji stood up gracefully and swept out of the room with determined energy.
Chen Shijie was perfectly suited for the task, possessing solid abilities and top-notch leadership skills.
Xue Ji had more important matters to attend to: she needed to root out the cultists lurking in City A and prevent them from muddying the waters. If they encountered another troublesome event like the previous black magic storm, the others would be in danger.
After privately teaching Chen Shijie how to use the Thousand-Face Magic Mirror, Xue Ji used the mirror to change her appearance, transforming into Ling Xiaoxiao.
“This is incredible!”
Chen Shijie stared wide-eyed, unable to believe the perfect replica of Ling Xiaoxiao standing before him.
“Instruct the others to evacuate immediately if they encounter any situation even Shay cannot handle. Avoid groups larger than fifty people at all costs during the operation.”
A blue light flashed, and Xue Ji vanished from the spot.
Chen Shijie immediately shifted into commander mode. He secretly assembled nearly three hundred people and distributed mirror clones to them. The mirror’s ability was astonishingly powerful; it could even turn ordinary mirrors into disposable, one-time-use magic mirrors – essentially, extensions of the main mirror.
He then directed them to assault the identified vampire nests within the city. Each raid intentionally let a few escapees get away. But those who fled alongside the real escapees weren’t necessarily fellow vampires anymore.
Every captured vampire was taken back to the base for rigorous interrogation. With the assistance of awakened mind-readers, they quickly extracted every piece of information the vampires possessed, down to the most trivial details like how many girlfriends they had ever had.
The city’s entire network and communications were completely controlled by the Canglong high above in the sky, weaving a net the vampires couldn’t hope to escape from.
Initially, they only replaced vampires who had originally been locals of City A. This required less information, allowing for quick substitutions. But when it came to higher-ranking figures, they had to stage some “accidents.”
Incidents like transport vehicles mysteriously overturning en route, or unexplained explosions on the road, were orchestrated to facilitate the switch.
From the vampires’ perspective, it seemed the Special Forces were experiencing frequent mishaps. They assumed the Special Forces had panicked upon discovering their plans, which actually made the vampires lower their guard.
Meanwhile, in a slaughterhouse on the outskirts of City A, a powerful Vampire Progenitor was listening to his subordinate’s report. If Ling Xiaoxiao were there, she would have recognized this subordinate as a former opponent she had soundly defeated.
It was Dracula himself, the one she had traumatized years ago. Horrific sword scars marred his originally gaunt and eerie vampire face.
The psychological scars from that defeat were so profound that Dracula had spent these past years holed up in his coffin within his castle. If Cain hadn’t dragged him out, the other vampires would have assumed he was long dead.
“Lord Dracula, the Special Forces have recently been in disarray. Although they’ve begun attacking our outposts, their success rate is low. Those who managed to escape report that the humans are becoming frantic and desperate, hardly a threat anymore.”
The subordinate excitedly reported the recent developments. In his view, vampires were the next stage of human evolution; how could these foolish humans possibly oppose them, especially under Lord Cain’s leadership?
He expected Dracula to join him in mocking the foolishness of their prey. However, Dracula’s reaction was utterly unexpected.
“What did you say! They’ve discovered our outposts and are already attacking us?!” Dracula’s face paled with panic. If vampires could sweat, he would have been drenched.
“We must relocate immediately! We’re exposed!” Dracula frantically began gathering his video game consoles and blood packs, hoisting his coffin onto his back as if ready to flee.
Seeing this, the subordinate’s eyes widened in disbelief and fury, akin to a Frenchman confronted with a pineapple pizza—a mixture of utter incomprehension and barely suppressed outrage.
For the dignity of the vampire race, he had to stop Dracula’s bizarre behavior!
He stepped forward and challenged him. “Lord Dracula, where is your pride as a vampire? They’ve merely found a few insignificant outposts! Why are you so terrified? Shouldn’t they be the ones fearing us?!”
“What damn pride? I lost that twenty years ago,” Dracula retorted, his Progenitor aura flaring briefly as he gritted his teeth. “Anyway, that old fossil doesn’t dare come to China himself. Why shouldn’t I rebel? No one is going to make me march to my death for nothing!”
With those words, he casually flicked his wrist, and a head went flying across the room.
“There’s an old saying in China: ‘The wise man adapts himself to circumstances.’ So, I’ll go surrender proactively. They might just spare my life.” Dracula trembled as he touched the scars on his face and reached for the door.
But before he could take a step outside, a dagger formed of congealed blood pierced straight through his chest.
“I knew you were unreliable, you useless waste!”
Dracula stiffened and turned his head with effort. In his subordinate’s eyes, he seemed to see the terrifying, authoritative figure of Cain himself.
“How… how is this possible? You can’t leave the castle…” Dracula collapsed to the floor, desperately clawing his way forward, trying to escape.
“I am the God of Blood and Slaughter. There is nothing I cannot do.” The figure, speaking through the subordinate, stomped his foot onto Dracula’s back, pinning him and the dagger firmly to the floor.
After this, the red glow faded from the subordinate’s eyes. Realizing what had just transpired, he immediately dropped to his knees, prostrating himself devoutly towards the west.
On the floor, the bloodstains coalesced into ancient script.
[My follower, Xinuo. I, the Lord of Blood, the God of the Mortal Realm, hereby command you to replace Dracula. Become a Progenitor and take command of all vampires within China’s borders.]
Having received Cain’s “divine decree,” Xinuo became enveloped in darkness and a mist of blood. Within the bloody haze, the shadowy silhouette of a demon with spread wings gradually grew clearer and more distinct.
Outside, rain began to pour down, accompanied by flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder.
By the time the Special Forces arrived, both Xinuo and Dracula had vanished without a trace. Only the blood-red dagger remained, emitting a sinister aura in the stormy night.