“…Th-this is… where am I?”
The small figure in Long Jiu’s arms slowly opened her eyes.
Her pupils were filled with confusion as she timidly looked up at the breathtakingly beautiful woman holding her close.
Her voice was soft and childish, tinged with bewilderment.
Warmth.
Bai Li’s tiny hand gently clutched a corner of Long Jiu’s clothing.
Like a lost little beast, she relied completely on the familiar presence before her.
“This is the Dragon Clan’s palace,” Long Jiu said softly, lowering her head and gently brushing aside the stray strands of hair on Bai Li’s forehead with her fingertips.
“And I am your most beloved Mother.”
“Mother…?”
Bai Li tilted her little head and repeated the words.
Her soft, sticky-sweet voice was filled with deep confusion.
Her small brows knitted slightly, yet a strange sense of closeness welled up from the depths of her heart—woven through her bloodline—making it impossible for her to resist.
“That’s right.”
Long Jiu pulled her into an even tighter embrace.
“You’re not only my most cherished daughter, but also the little princess treasured by the entire Dragon Clan—our one and only precious jewel.”
“And there’s something even more important…”
Long Jiu gently caressed Bai Li’s cheek.
Tender light surged in her eyes, yet beneath it lurked an undeniable possessiveness.
Her words, spoken slowly and deliberately, seemed carved straight into Bai Li’s heart.
“In this lifetime, the person you love most can only be me—your Mother. Do you understand? Come, be good… say it for Mother. Say that you love Mother the most.”
“I love you the most, Mother.”
With her memories gone, Bai Li’s mind was completely blank.
Guided only by the unbreakable bond in her blood and the intense—half-genuine, half-deliberate—maternal affection radiating from Long Jiu, she believed every word without doubt.
Her soft, childlike voice was sincere and pure.
“Good…”
Long Jiu murmured softly, pulling the little one tightly into her embrace, her chin resting atop Bai Li’s head.
The once lofty and untouchable Father who had raised her—now transformed into such a docile, obedient little girl—nestled softly in her arms, completely within her control.
That sense of forbidden transgression, mixed with the intoxicating thrill of fulfilled desire, surged through her like a tidal wave, making her body tremble uncontrollably.
Every inch of her skin throbbed with an indescribable pleasure.
Even the fiery-red tips of her long hair quivered.
“Mother…?”
Held a little too tightly and sensing Long Jiu’s strange trembling, Bai Li lifted her small head in concern.
Her large, innocent eyes were filled with worry.
She gently patted Long Jiu’s back with her tiny hand, speaking softly like a little adult.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Long Jiu loosened her hold.
The terrifying possessiveness that had flashed in her eyes vanished, leaving only a gentle smile as she gazed deeply at Bai Li.
“Mother just remembered something happy. Seeing my good little girl makes my heart overflow with joy.”
Yet deep inside, her thoughts had already changed completely.
The principles of respect, morality, and righteousness she had once been taught by her father were now utterly consumed by wildly growing desire and twisted thoughts.
Letting her experience memory loss for a while?
No—that wasn’t enough.
Now, she wanted her to remain this way forever.
To stay by her side for a lifetime, as her one and only little princess—held in her palm, controlled by her, with eyes and heart belonging to no one but her alone.
Not just for a while.
She wanted him to experience this for half a lifetime… no, for an entire lifetime.
My dear… Father.
Long Jiu gazed into Bai Li’s innocent, untainted eyes.
Her silent thoughts overflowed with possessiveness, winding softly like silk threads—tender, yet bound by an obsession that could never be undone.
If Lü Erlu from the past knew how things would turn out today… would he still have picked up that demon infant who changed his entire life?
In the council hall of the Vampire Kingdom, Zi Ya lay slumped over a rosewood table, her head buried in her arms, her voice full of despair.
“White Ning… what are we supposed to do now…?”
Beside her, Bai Ning rested her chin on her slender hand, clearly racking her brain for a solution.
“Tch…”
Zi Ya suddenly remembered something, her cheeks puffing up in anger.
“That Dragon Clan soldier just now was way too fierce! He spoke so coldly—and who would’ve thought Long Jiu would actually be so heartless? She didn’t even let the two of us elder sisters see her and directly shut us out at the gates!”
“Zi Ya, calm down first. Don’t make a fuss—let me think this through properly…”
Bai Ning rubbed her temples, her tone tinged with helplessness.
Seeing this, Zi Ya’s face fell again.
She let out a heavy sigh.
“Sigh… Bai Ning-jie, are you also out of ideas when it comes to Long Jiu…? If I’d known, I never would’ve believed her sweet talk that night! Seriously—who could’ve imagined that the Dragon sister who usually looked so honest and simple-minded would actually trick me… and even secretly run off with Father?!”
“You’re right. I was too careless.”
A trace of regret flashed through Bai Ning’s eyes, her voice sinking.
“Who could have guessed that among us sisters, the one who always stayed out of conflicts, never competed for affection, and seemed indifferent to everything… would actually be the one hiding the deepest ambitions?”
“We really capsized in a gutter—underestimated her, and even more so underestimated the Dragon Clan’s strength and desire. As expected, the Dragon Clan’s intentions can never be taken lightly.”
“No, no, no—Bai Ning-jie, I’ve suddenly figured it out!”
Zi Ya abruptly sat upright, her eyes filled with a mix of bitterness and rueful humor as she waved her hands repeatedly.
“When you really think about it, you’re the most ambitious one among us sisters. Long Jiu merely went along with the situation and turned the tables—taking advantage of the gap after you and I made our moves.”
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she became, her eyes reddening.
“Thinking it through like this—damn it! Turns out from start to finish, I was the clown. At least you got a taste of it, but I got nothing at all—played like a fool and left empty-handed… wuwu…”
“Alright, alright, stop crying.”
Bai Ning reached out and patted her shoulder.
A sharp glint suddenly flashed through her eyes.
“Zi Ya, don’t cry anymore. How about we draft an agreement—what do you think?”
“An agreement? What kind of agreement?”
Zi Ya immediately stopped crying and looked at her blankly, confusion filling her eyes.
She even forgot to sniffle.
Bai Ning leaned in slightly and whispered into her ear:
“Of course, a formal alliance—an agreement for the Blood Clan and the Dream Demon Nation to join forces and jointly attack the Dragon Clan Kingdom.”