As soon as the words were spoken, Chloe found herself being lifted up.
Xavier, who hadn't left his meditation cushion all day, stood up.
He picked up Chloe, deep furrows appearing between his brows. Xavier extended his senses into Chloe's body, lingering especially long around her heart.
Chloe felt a familiar warmth in her chest but pressed her lips together without speaking.
She lowered her gaze to look at Xavier and noticed that the expression of this lofty vampire leader was far from pleasant.
There was even a hint of self-reproach in it.
Why?
Xavier hadn't noticed that Chloe was observing him. At that moment, all his attention was focused on examining Chloe's body.
No one knew that the thing this usually proud and arrogant Ancestor felt most guilty about was the kidnapping of his daughter by the Viper Group years ago.
It wasn't just the Viper Group's contempt for the vampire royal family; it was the fact that Xavier had failed to protect Chloe.
Whether in the past or present, anything related to the Viper Group was invariably associated with bloodshed, violence, and technological modification.
When he heard that his daughter had been kidnapped, Xavier had actually considered giving up.
At that time, Xavier didn't have a deep emotional connection with his daughter.
Looking back now, he felt only regret.
That's why he was being extra thorough with the examination.
After a long while, Chloe couldn't bear it anymore and pushed Xavier's hand away:
"Why is it taking so long? Did you find anything?"
Xavier frowned slightly: "Yes."
Hearing this, Chloe's eyes widened in surprise, and she eagerly asked:
"What is it?"
The young one looked excited, showing no signs of fear or agitation.
It shouldn't be like this.
Xavier's voice was low: "Aren't you afraid?"
Hearing this, Chloe tilted her head: "What's the use of being afraid?"
"Besides, even if the Viper Group did something to my body, the fact that nothing has happened after all these years means it can't be a big problem, right?"
Xavier: "..."
He released Chloe and said coldly: "Don't be too optimistic."
Xavier pointed at the forehead of Chloe, who was growing more and more unruly as she grew up: "I think your current roguish behavior is the result of the Viper Group's tampering."
Chloe blinked and declared firmly: "Impossible."
Even before she had arrived in this strange world, Chloe had always been a bit of a rogue.
When she had free time, she would go watch the new recruits train, and sometimes she would throw roses at the heads of the attractive ones, regardless of gender.
In the dull and dangerous apocalyptic world, only beauty could comfort Chloe's withered soul.
Amusement spread in Xavier's eyes: "You seem proud of that?"
Chloe laughed and said seriously in her still childish voice: "I've always believed that species unable to properly appreciate beauty are quite pitiful."
"They've lost the opportunity to experience one of the world's greatest pleasures."
Hearing this, Xavier couldn't help but curl his lips in a helpless smile.
Chloe then stared unblinkingly at his face.
Indeed, although her scumbag dad sometimes did terrible things, his face was undoubtedly one of a kind in its beauty.
Chloe sighed regretfully.
Such a beautiful face – she had fought with Xavier countless times from childhood to now, and Xavier's body was covered in scars from her bites, but that face had never been marked.
Many times, Xavier would be thankful that he had a face his daughter admired and cherished.
Otherwise, he would never be able to go out after their fights.
It was well known that Chloe fought dirty, aiming for the most vulnerable parts of the body regardless of who her opponent was.
Her audacity knew no bounds.
It was all Xavier's fault for spoiling her.
He sighed and stroked Chloe's hair:
"When we get home, I'll have a doctor give you a thorough examination. It's best not to engage in any strenuous activities for the next few days."
Chloe thought to herself that she had done plenty of strenuous activities over the years, so what difference would it make now?
But after glancing at Xavier's tense and worried expression, she finally nodded and obediently said: "I understand."
"Let's go back," Xavier said. His long black hair had come loose at some point, cascading down his back. His dark red eyes flickered. "Your little friends have come to find you."
Hearing this, Chloe paused, then turned her head to look.
She saw a faint light flickering outside the temple. Qin Huaibei and the others were waiting outside with lanterns, not daring to come in.
Chloe knew it was time for her to leave, but she turned back and asked:
"What about you?"
Xavier knelt back down on the meditation cushion and slowly closed his eyes: "I'm not going back tonight."
Seeing this, Chloe looked at Xavier for a couple of seconds, then quickly pulled out a small vial from her pocket. It contained a bright red, sweet-smelling liquid.
She swiftly tucked the vial into Xavier's pocket and then ran out quickly.
Giving Xavier some blood to prevent him from fainting due to exhaustion.
Chloe felt quite clever about this.
Meanwhile, Xavier felt his pocket and, upon smelling the sweet, metallic scent, paused for a moment. A gentle smile appeared on his usually frosty face.
......
"Why did you all come here?"
Chloe walked out and took the lantern from Katherine's hand, moving forward.
Daniel yawned: "It's because you didn't come back for so long."
"It's so late, what if you had snuck out and gotten lost?"
Qin Huaibei nodded: "So we borrowed some lanterns and came out."
Unlike the other young ones who were already getting sleepy, Chloe had slept plenty during the day and was now full of energy.
She looked at the lights ahead with interest and asked: "Is that a night market up ahead?"
"Probably," Qin Huaibei said. "Although Puze County is small and remote, the city lord has done a good job. The people in the city can maintain their daily livelihoods, and there are many activities at night."
As he said this, he noticed something and looked at the eager Chloe, saying with exasperation:
"Come on, young lady, it's so late. Let us go back and rest."
Chloe glanced at him: "I can go by myself."
Everyone was silent for a moment, then Daniel came over and said:
"It's just a night market, how tiring could it be?"
With these words, everyone agreed it made sense. They voluntarily abandoned the previous topic and walked towards the brightly lit night market ahead.
Puze County was situated on the border between the Vampire and Werewolf Race territories. Just across a river outside the city walls was the Werewolf Race's garrison. The local cuisine here also carried a touch of the Werewolf Race's ruggedness and casualness.
Seeing the large chunks of meat dripping with oil being grilled not far away, the young ones all swallowed involuntarily, unable to maintain their composure.
Chloe elegantly took out a handkerchief and dabbed the corner of her mouth:
"Tonight's expenses will all be covered by Miss Chloe."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Huaibei and Daniel, who had been restraining themselves for so long, pounced like hungry tigers, darting straight towards the barbecue stand owner's stall.
"Boss, give me a large portion!"
"Extra chili and cumin!"
