The Secret of the Sarcophagus

"Uncle Su, are you certain everything you said is true? Just destroying this thing would lead to the extinction of all vampires?"

Chen Shuo found this somewhat hard to believe.

If this was true, why keep this object in Su City rather than in the capital?

If Chen Shuo remembered correctly, there were even more powerful vampires in the capital.

Specifically, Sang Biao's master and others whose strength surely exceeded Sang Biao's.

There should be warriors at the Demon Saint level, so why wouldn't they keep such an important item close by instead of leaving it in Su City?

And why only have a Demon King like Sang Biao guard it? Something felt off about all this.

When Chen Shuo voiced his concerns, Su Yuanying just smiled and shook his head: "You're still thinking about this too simply."

"What do you mean?" Chen Shuo asked in confusion, and Su Xiyan shared his puzzlement.

"Though people say the most dangerous place is the safest, have you considered something? If we really kept this in the capital, wouldn't those old fellows there be tempted to make a move for it?"

Su Yuanying's words helped Chen Shuo understand - while vampires had their powerful ones, the monster hunters had their own strong warriors too.

But speaking of which, just how old were these people that even Su Yuanying referred to as "old fellows"?

Chen Shuo was certain he hadn't misheard - Su Yuanying had said "old fellows," implying there were other legendary monster hunters besides Elder Xu.

While Elder Xu might turn a blind eye to things now, what if they became targets in the future?

This put Chen Shuo in a difficult position.

To vampires, he was an enemy, and while he wasn't currently an enemy to the monster hunters, who knew if the Monster Hunters' Guild in the capital might one day mark him as one?

Chen Shuo felt caught between a rock and a hard place - if both sides targeted him, his situation would become very precarious.

"Don't worry, those old fellows have long since withdrawn from worldly affairs. Unless the Monster Hunters' Guild faces extinction, they won't emerge from seclusion."

Su Yuanying seemed to notice Chen Shuo's concerns and explained from the side.

Hearing this, Chen Shuo noticeably relaxed - as long as he wasn't targeted for now, things would be fine.

During this time, if he could develop his own power base, he would eventually be able to face any situation without fear.

Though his current force wasn't particularly strong, they were all elites, including not just Sang Biao but also Zhang Chuan and others.

Especially Zhang Chuan's subordinates - with the help of Chen Shuo's constitution-enhancing potion, most had increased their strength.

Most were at high-level vampire strength, with some even approaching the half-step to Demon King level.

For Chen Shuo, this was a decent source of support.

At least now, he was nearly matching the collective strength that had existed when vampires still populated Su City.

Even if it couldn't compare to the capital's forces, it was better than nothing.

"What should we do now? Destroy this thing directly?"

Su Xiyan asked first. If she understood correctly, destroying this stone coffin would eliminate all vampires and restore peace to the world.

Su Xiyan's suggestion was immediately rejected by Su Yuanying: "We don't have the power to do that, and besides, what would happen to Chen Shuo if we destroyed it?"

Su Yuanying's words jolted Su Xiyan to awareness - she had forgotten about this.

She had been thinking only about eliminating vampires, forgetting that Chen Shuo was also a vampire.

"I did forget about that, but if we don't destroy it, won't keeping this thing here lead to endless troubles?"

Although Su Yuanying hadn't explained what this object meant for vampires, being a vampire holy relic, it must have some mysterious use.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure either, but now isn't the time to destroy it."

Su Yuanying said steadily, his years of experience telling him this matter couldn't be rushed, at least not now.

"Should we report this to the capital then? Let them handle it?"

After careful consideration, Su Xiyan thought this was the only option left.

If they couldn't resolve it, only the Monster Hunters' Guild in the capital could. They were more professional compared to them.

However, Su Xiyan's suggestion was again rejected by Su Yuanying: "No, if it falls into their hands, they'll destroy it immediately. What then of Chen Shuo? And what about the people you recruited?"

Hearing this, Su Xiyan also found herself in a dilemma.

They couldn't control this object in their possession, but handing it over to the higher-ups would threaten Chen Shuo's safety.

"Ah!"

Faced with Su Xiyan's question, Su Yuanying could only let out a long sigh.

It wasn't that he didn't want to resolve the situation, but the problem was far beyond their ability to handle.

"If that's the case, why not let me take it? I might be able to uncover some of its mysteries."

Chen Shuo, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up while Su Xiyan and her father were caught in their dilemma.

He hadn't dared to touch this object before because he didn't understand it.

But after learning its history, Chen Shuo had gained some insight.

Since it was a holy relic of the vampire race, he, with his Demon Saint level power, should be able to resonate with it.

Especially during the brief contact he'd had with the stone coffin, Chen Shuo seemed to receive some kind of guidance.

It was as if an invisible force was pulling at him, urging him to open the coffin.

Even though it was just a feeling, Chen Shuo wanted to try.

Rather than leaving his fate in others' hands, he preferred to make a bold attempt himself.

Even if he failed, at least he would fail knowing he had tried. And the consequences of failure wouldn't be too terrible.

If he perished, all vampires would perish with him.

This way, he could at least give Su Xiyan and the others some closure.

It was succeed or die trying - with such determination, Chen Shuo made his decision.

"Is this... really feasible?"

Su Xiyan asked with a hint of doubt. It wasn't that she didn't trust Chen Shuo, but she saw something in his grave expression.

She believed there must be risks involved, otherwise Chen Shuo wouldn't be so serious.

"How will we know if we don't try?" Chen Shuo said calmly, having already made up his mind.

Regardless of Su Xiyan's opinion, he had to make this attempt.

As he spoke, Chen Shuo gently placed his hand on the stone coffin, feeling the flowing cold energy. His soul seemed to sense something.

In the capital, at the Demon Cave Kiln.

A handsome man with deep eyes, concealing intense killing intent in his gaze, spoke: "Something's happened in Su City. It seems they've failed. Dark Demon, it appears it's time for us to make our move..."