Chapter 80: Visitors from the Long Family

When Long Yin slowly awakened, he found himself in the ancestral manor of the Blood Clan.

He sat up, frowning involuntarily. There was an uncomfortable sensation behind him—damn Bai Ze, the man had gone at it for an entire day. Their first time, and he’d been tormented from dawn till dusk. If it hadn’t been for the protection of the contract and the equilibrium provided by his uncle’s card beast soul, even he would have had to beg for mercy when facing this man. Though he hadn’t uttered a plea, in the end he’d still embarrassingly fainted. Thinking of this, Long Yin glanced down at himself—he was wearing an oversized shirt, clearly not his own. Obviously, that bastard Bai Ze had dressed him.

His whole body felt as if it might fall apart, his toes barely touching the ground, legs weak and unable to support him. He couldn't stand at all. He wore a pair of white shorts, and his long legs were covered with mottled blue and purple marks—kiss marks? His mind exploded at the thought. Biting his lip, he undid the buttons of his shirt, and as expected, his eyes were met with a patchwork of bruises.

That bastard must have wanted to devour him whole, Long Yin thought, though he couldn’t say why.

Just as he was sulking, Bai Ze pushed open the door, carrying a tray of food. His sharp eyes took in Long Yin’s frown, his bitten lip, and the half-unbuttoned shirt, and an ominous feeling struck him. Little Ze had clearly developed a taste for this—Long Yin’s allure was driving him mad. He couldn’t restrain himself, always wanting more and more. Yet by the time he’d barely satisfied his hunger, his partner had already fainted dead away.

Bai Ze swallowed, gazing at Long Yin with gentle affection. “Yin, you’re awake?”

Seeing the culprit behind his current misery, Long Yin’s face blossomed into a smile. He crooked his finger at Bai Ze, every gesture brimming with charm and temptation.

“Come here.”

Bai Ze, teased on purpose, suddenly felt as if a fire had been lit beneath his skin. Knowing Long Yin’s mood was sour and he was being toyed with, Bai Ze could only accept it—after all, it was his own lack of self-control that had made their first time so overzealous.

He set the food down on the table with gentle movements, then knelt beside the bed, his hands somewhat unsteady as he fastened Long Yin’s shirt buttons. Yet those marks that so infuriated Long Yin filled Bai Ze with pride and satisfaction—this person belonged to him.

Long Yin lifted Bai Ze’s chin with a fingertip, his voice low and laced with seductive danger, his breath sweet as orchid. “Feeling proud, are you?”

Bai Ze grasped Long Yin’s mischievous hand, suppressing the desire that had been rekindled again and again. His voice was hoarse with longing as he pleaded, “Yin, don’t tease me anymore. I have no immunity left. If you keep it up, I can’t promise I won’t do something that’ll make you angry again. What happened the day before yesterday was my fault. I’ll restrain myself from now on. Can we eat first?”

“From now on?” Long Yin withdrew his hand, dusted his palms, straightened his shirt, and lazily delivered a line that nearly made Bai Ze stumble. “You don’t need to restrain yourself. There is no ‘from now on’ for us.”

“Yin…” Bai Ze felt the urge to throttle himself. How had he managed to ruin their “happy” future with just one night?

Long Yin brushed aside Bai Ze’s attempts at attentiveness, picking up the light cabbage porridge and drinking it slowly, mouthful by mouthful. Only after the last drop did he feel a hint of gratitude for being alive. His body was aching and weak, and looking at the energetic Bai Ze, who seemed only to want more, made Long Yin grind his teeth in frustration.

“When did we arrive at the Blood Clan’s estate?” His tone was curt.

Bai Ze watched Long Yin’s shifting moods with utmost care. Sensing his partner’s sudden irritation, he grew more cautious. “The day before yesterday. You slept for a whole day.”

And who was to blame for that? Long Yin felt an urge to pull a stack of explosive cards from his space and plaster Bai Ze’s face with blooming flowers.

He was still feeling drained. If he was to face the old monsters of the Blood Clan, sticklers for their endless rules, he’d need to restore himself to peak condition. He lay back on the bed, breathing a sigh of relief at the comfort, and closed his eyes to replenish his strength.

A large, warm hand slid to his waist, gentle and soothing, sending tingles through his skin. Though it felt so good he wanted to moan, Long Yin unceremoniously slapped the hand away and glared at Bai Ze. “What are you doing?”

Bai Ze looked innocent. “Just trying to ease your soreness.” Seeing Long Yin’s suspicious glare, he raised his hand as if swearing an oath. “I promise, I really just want to help. It’s a special Blood Clan technique, meant for post-coital discomfort. Truly!” It was true—before finding their mate, Blood Clan members were notorious flirts, but once bonded, they were known for their devotion and tenderness.

Since Long Yin didn’t object, Bai Ze immediately took advantage, sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbing his hands together to warm them before placing them on Long Yin’s lower back. The soothing, tingling warmth spread across his skin, and Long Yin relaxed, his expression softening. Bai Ze redoubled his efforts. Having been wary at first, Long Yin soon succumbed to the comfort, drifting off to sleep once more.

His lips parted slightly, long lashes fluttering like little fans, a rosy flush tinting his cheeks. The floral mark on his broad forehead was breathtaking every time Bai Ze saw it. He gently traced Long Yin’s face with a fingertip, then pressed a kiss to his brow and whispered, “Thank you for being here. Sleep, my dear. Tomorrow, I won’t let the Council of Elders trouble you.”

After sleeping for an entire day, Long Yin woke feeling refreshed. Opening his eyes, he saw Bai Ze lying beside him, an arm possessively draped over his waist. Raising an eyebrow, Long Yin wondered when the man had crawled into bed beside him.

Gazing at Bai Ze’s sharply masculine features, Long Yin was surprised—ordinarily so domineering, the man looked harmless in sleep. As he watched, he was suddenly kissed. Startled, he heard Bai Ze’s cheerful laugh: “Well? After staring so long, do you think your mate’s not bad?”

“You’re shameless.” Long Yin brushed the hand off his waist and rose lazily.

“It’s not shamelessness, it’s confidence.”

“More like arrogance.” Long Yin glanced around, spotting neatly folded clothes atop the dresser. He pointed. “Are those for me?”

Bai Ze nodded. “Yes, for you.” Glancing at the clock on the wall, he said, “It’s still early. After you freshen up, we’ll have breakfast downstairs.”

Long Yin paused, then continued dressing. Straightening his collar before the mirror, he felt Bai Ze embrace him from behind, resting his chin on Long Yin’s shoulder in a low, comforting voice. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything.”

Long Yin pushed his head away, turned to face Bai Ze, and offered a radiant smile. “It’s your elders who should be worried!”

“Oh?” Bai Ze raised an eyebrow, knowing Long Yin well enough to recognize that tone meant he was prepared.

“You’ll see.” Long Yin strode into the bathroom. Staring at his reflection, he gave a sly smile. He was from the Long family, Bai Ze from the Blood Clan. If the elders of the Blood Clan wanted to scrutinize him, the Long family would be watching Bai Ze just as closely. He hadn’t come alone this time. If the Blood Clan elders were courteous, all would be well, but if not, the Long family was notoriously difficult to deal with.

Even he found his own family troublesome—how much more so for outsiders.

After washing up, Long Yin emerged to find Bai Ze dressed to the nines. He arched a brow. “It’s just breakfast. Is it really necessary to dress like a peacock?”

Bai Ze arched a brow in return. “Jealous, my dear mate?”

Bai Ze’s custom-fitted black suit made him look striking and dignified, exuding a mature, commanding masculinity. Long Yin had to admit he was impressed, though he’d never confess it aloud. He envied the man’s natural gifts.

He forgot that he himself, though less imposing, was like a plum blossom on a cliff—unyielding, elegant, and utterly distinctive. To others, he was just as enviable, just as gifted.

When Long Yin and Bai Ze appeared side by side at the top of the stairs, the elders seated at the long dining table below all brightened. They had to admit, the man beside Young Master Bai was in no way inferior to their own scion.

Seated at the head was the Blood Clan patriarch—Bai Ze’s grandfather. He glanced at the pair, then lowered his eyes, betraying no emotion, yet his presence was impossible to ignore. Seeing the patriarch unmoved, the other elders also withdrew their gazes.

Composed, Long Yin and Bai Ze descended the stairs together, though Long Yin was inwardly startled. For one breakfast, all thirty elders present? Was this an intimidation tactic?

Bai Ze pulled out a chair for Long Yin, but after he sat down, found that Long Yin was still standing. A brief scan revealed that Long Yin was being affected by something. Bai Ze’s expression darkened as he turned to the Third Elder on the right. “Third Elder, what are you doing?”

The Third Elder smiled faintly. “Young Master, you would have us break ancestral rules to accept someone simply because you brought him home? Even if he is your chosen mate, without passing our trials, we cannot recognize him.”

Bai Ze’s brows furrowed, ready to remove the obstacles the Third Elder had set, but Long Yin signaled him to stand down. If he couldn’t handle such minor trouble himself, the elders would look down on him. With a subtle surge of SSS-level spiritual power, Long Yin effortlessly dismantled the snare on his chair and sat down steadily, nodding at the Third Elder, who, surprised, nodded back with a smile.

“Impressive spiritual power,” the patriarch commented mildly, echoed by the other elders. Bai Ze, seeing Long Yin seated, finally relaxed.

But breakfast was anything but peaceful. All thirty elders took turns, bombarding Long Yin with bizarre questions and covert attacks, some intercepted by Bai Ze, some even he couldn’t catch. The meal was a gauntlet, and by the end, veins stood out on Long Yin’s forehead.

Fortunately, just as he was about to snap, breakfast ended when the patriarch set down his chopsticks.

“Not bad, but you are still unworthy to be Xiao Ze’s mate,” the patriarch said coolly, wiping his mouth.

Beneath his mask, Long Yin’s face froze, anger blazing in his heart. Bai Ze stared at the patriarch in disbelief. “Grandfather!”

“Old Bai, are you suggesting the Long family is powerless?” A calm, aged voice rang out in the hall. The previously indifferent patriarch’s eyes widened as he turned toward the entrance.

“Great-Grandfather!” Long Yin’s eyes shone as he looked to the door with anticipation.

The tightly closed doors were blasted open the next instant, collapsing with a thunderous crash and clouds of smoke. Two slender figures emerged—women, each shouldering a bazooka larger than themselves. They strode through the haze, one hand on her hip, the other gripping her weapon.

Chin lifted, the stunning woman glared at the elders. “You decrepit relics dare bully my little brother? Looking for trouble!”

“Exactly!” the delicate younger girl chimed in, aiming her bazooka at the elders. “Big sis, let’s give them a taste!”

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom…

Girl, is that supposed to be a single shot? That’s a barrage! The shells didn’t harm the elders, but their dignity was in tatters. The patriarch leapt from his seat in fury. “Old Long, you send two women to make a scene—do you really think I won’t strike a woman?”

As the dust settled at the door, a white-haired old man entered, eyes bright with sharp intelligence. He fixed his gaze on Bai Ze’s grandfather. “Old Bai, you’ve gone too far. My only great-grandchild already suffered your brat’s advances, then you subjected him to all these tests. And now you claim my great-grandson isn’t worthy of yours? That blockheaded, muscle-bound grandson of yours—what makes him fit to be compared to my great-grandson? Truly outrageous! The only thing my great-grandson lacks is someone worthy of him!”

“Exactly,” said Long Qin, snapping her fingers as the bazooka transformed into a card that landed in her palm. She pointed at Bai Ze with disdain. “Your dull and foolish grandson—what part of him is good enough for my brother? You say he’s unworthy of your grandson, but I’d rather not let my precious brother be wasted on the Blood Clan!”

Long Qi put away her quiver, nodding fiercely. “You dare look down on my brother? Just wait till I drag your grandson to our training base—we’ll see if he can match up to my brother!”

“You… you…” Bai Ze’s grandfather was so angry he could barely speak. Anyone with eyes could see how outstanding his grandson was, yet these people dismissed him as worthless—it was infuriating.

“What do you mean, ‘you’…” Another elder, hair in wild disarray, jumped out, glaring at the patriarch. “Old Bai, you dare look down on my precious grandson? I think your Blood Clan is too poor and lowly for my precious boy!” Kasano sprayed the patriarch’s face with spittle, then, spotting Long Yin, his face lit up with joy. “Little Yin! Come, let Grandpa see you—quickly!”

“Grandpa…” Long Yin broke free from his sister Long Qin and second sister Long Qi, looking at Kasano with teary eyes, overjoyed to see him safe. He flung himself into Kasano’s arms, who laughed as he caught him. “Aiyo, little Yin, you’ve grown so tall, so big—hahaha!”

“You… you people… you’ll be the death of me!” The patriarch turned to the dumbfounded elders, his self-control finally snapping. “What are you staring at? Are you all dead? Aren’t you going to shout back?”

Shout back? The elders were dumbfounded. Was this really necessary? How childish.

“What are you waiting for? Shout!” the patriarch roared, spraying spittle.

Bai Ze was first shocked by his grandfather, then by the Long family’s sudden entrance and their scathing insults. He was being dismissed as worthless by both sides, and now his grandfather had descended into childishness. Who could explain how breakfast had come to this?

Bai Ze sighed and stepped forward. “Everyone, quiet down! Please, calm down!” He shouted himself hoarse, but nobody listened. On one side were his own elders, on the other, Long Yin’s. If he wanted his happy ending, he couldn’t afford to anger either side. He was at his wits’ end.

Just as Bai Ze was tearing his hair out, a cool, clear voice rang out. “Quiet, all of you!” A figure in blue glided into the room, moving like a breeze. The chaotic scene fell instantly silent, both the bickering Long family and the Blood Clan elders subdued.

Bai Ze’s eyes lit up at the sight. Such command—calm, authoritative, and gentle, with not a trace of harm. Clearly, this was no ordinary person.

Long Yin, who had been feeling overwhelmed, was also delighted to see his uncle Kalanen. “Uncle!”

Kalanen smiled at Long Yin, then strolled unhurriedly toward the Blood Clan elders. “Patriarch, we meet again. I believe it’s time we sat down and had a proper discussion, don’t you think?”