Every vampire who inherits the princely title through legitimate channels must undergo a succession ceremony to receive the ancestral power of their clan. The magnitude of this legacy power varies between clans; even a marquis may, through its inheritance, ascend to princely stature. The vampire succession ceremony is the grandest and most enigmatic event within each clan. Every titled member, irrespective of rank, participates, while additional guards are posted as if besieged by an enemy.
When Liu Lei arrived at the Tremere family's ancient castle, he discovered not a single outsider; it seemed Duke Kude had already accepted him as a prospective son-in-law, dismissing him entirely as an alien. Back home, Keri had assured him that inviting a few intimate friends was customary, but now Liu Lei realized the reality was starkly different—only his own clan members were visible. Disaster loomed; he silently cursed his predicament: whether he fled or hid, escape was impossible—trouble had arrived.
The welcoming vampires treated him with such fervor that Liu Lei could almost see flattery in their eyes. Their kind smiles, however, were tinged with an odd amusement. He was convinced they did not revere him merely for his emperor-level prowess; they must have mistaken him for the future prince's consort! Liu Lei spent two hours luxuriating in his "consort" treatment until the ceremony finally commenced at eleven.
The first rite was the honoring of the Moon Goddess. At the center of the castle's grand square, the Tremere family had erected a lofty altar. All participants gathered around, while the silver-haired Kude stood atop the platform, intoning archaic Blood Clan incantations incomprehensible to Liu Lei. Owing to his status as both an honored guest and a prospective "consort," he was placed at the forefront of the altar. As the Moon Goddess was invoked, everyone knelt; Liu Lei, his ears filled with unintelligible melodies, found his thoughts drifting to the suspended altar of Cang Mountain—Xuanyuan later had told him it was called Xuanchen Island. He mused that if he could one day found a family, he might dispense with a constructed altar altogether, simply conjuring one with his own sorcery—a most imposing spectacle!
Lost in such idle reverie, time slipped away unnoticed. When he finally came to himself, Kude had already announced the next rite—the honoring of the former prince. Upon the altar was set a table holding a small vial containing a purple blood clod left by Santos in his final moments. The sight stirred deep memories among the clan, and the assembled vampires knelt in sorrow, recalling the torrential tribulations and near-annihilation the Tremere family had endured in the more than half a year since their old prince's passing, a grief that suffused the air.
The final act was the true transmission of power. Adorned in the distinctive black mage robes of the Tremere, Niya ascended the stone steps to the pinnacle of the altar. In the moonlight, her long hair cascaded like silk, her countenance as serene as it was formidable. Clutching a snow-white staff nearly her own height in her left hand and a thick tome in her right, she reached the very top.
With Duke Kude having withdrawn, Niya stood alone upon the altar. The luminous moonlight bathed her exquisite face, momentarily leaving Liu Lei breathless. She set aside her staff and book, retrieved the vial of blood clod, unscrewed its cap, and extracted the precious fragment. Then she took the tome, whose side bore a keyhole, and inserted the clod. After a long pause, a soft "ka" resonated as the book automatically opened. Its pages fluttered as if stirred by an invisible breeze, and countless colored symbols and incantations emerged like tiny sprites, dancing around her before converging upon her brow. A shudder ran through her, and the pages swept back as though in a wild storm, finally slamming shut with a definitive "ka."
Turning to face her clan, Niya raised both her staff and book high. In that moment, the transmitted ancestral power burst forth as if in a cathartic release. Her long hair whipped about her, her expression coldly beautiful, and behind her, a full moon hung high—a vision as deadly as it was divine.
After the ceremony, seizing the cover of the throng, Liu Lei stealthily withdrew to a secluded corner. Spotting the marquis who had welcomed him earlier, he hurriedly beckoned him over and murmured, "It's late... I must take my leave and have some rest. Please convey my regards to the princess—I shall depart now." Though the marquis found the notion of "it being late" and "taking rest" incongruous with the immortality of vampires, he dared not show any disrespect before an emperor-level master, and thus bowed his assent. Once the marquis was dismissed, Liu Lei, glancing around to ensure no one was watching, slipped along the wall toward the main gate. He dared not leave by air; that would be too conspicuous. But scarcely had he advanced a hundred meters when a sharp shout rang out, "Liu Lei! Why do you always skulk along the walls? You are a bat of the night, not a pilfering mouse!" Liu Lei turned with a rueful smile and replied, "Not bad—you've finally refrained from calling me a pervert in front of everyone."
Later, in a private chamber, Liu Lei sat upon a sofa while Duke Kude stood respectfully by his side, and Niya awkwardly trailed behind. Liu Lei quickly urged, "Uncle, please, sit down as well." Kude replied with utmost deference, "I dare not; before an emperor like you, how could I possibly claim a seat?" Liu Lei hastily countered, "No, no, Uncle, you are my senior—please, sit; I shall stand."
"Ah, so you still regard me as your elder?"
"Of course I do!"
"Very well, since you acknowledge my seniority, there is something I must address."
"Please, speak," Liu Lei responded, standing in deference.
"Then sit down as well."
"Certainly," Liu Lei acquiesced, awkwardly perching on the edge of the sofa.
"Listen—Niya mentioned that one morning while she was staying at Keri's home, she awoke to find you in her bed, is that so?"
"It is so," Liu Lei admitted, cold sweat beading on his brow as he uttered the single word under duress.
"How could you do such a thing!" Kude erupted, "My precious Niya is not like the so-called women you meet at bars! How could you…"
"Uncle, uncle," Liu Lei interjected, "it wasn't as you imagine. We were all drunk that day…"
"So you took advantage of Niya?"
"Not at all—not at all," Liu Lei persisted, his tale growing more dubious by the moment, "We were both inebriated; neither of us knew what we were doing…"
"Is that so?" Kude inquired with doubt.
"Yes, yes indeed," Liu Lei stammered. Kude then glanced at Niya, who nodded in accord, and with a deep breath, he straightened and declared, "Does that mean we cannot entirely blame you?"
"Indeed, indeed, Uncle, you are wise beyond measure!" Liu Lei quickly assented.
"But what do you propose to do about this matter? My Niya is now with you—you must provide some form of explanation."
"I have heard that in the West, such matters are not held in as high regard?" Liu Lei murmured quietly.
"What did you say!" Kude roared in anger, "Are you insinuating that my precious is a mere trifle, available to anyone at a whim?!" At these rough words, Niya cried out in anger, "Father!"
"No, no," Liu Lei hurriedly explained, "I did not mean it that way…"
"Then what do you mean?"
"I…" Liu Lei found himself at a loss.
"So, do you believe my dear Niya is unworthy of you?" Kude's face darkened.
"Not at all—Niya is gentle, virtuous, and breathtakingly beautiful; it is I who am unworthy of her." Liu Lei, almost marveling at his own audacity, spewed this colossal falsehood without a tremor.
"Indeed, it scarcely sounds like a lie anymore. Although you may be unworthy of Niya, I cannot chide you for what is done. You must arrange to wed her at the earliest opportunity."
"Never!" Liu Lei blurted out without hesitation.
"What? You do not intend to take responsibility?"
"Not…"
"Very well, then you shall marry her in two months. Return and make your preparations…"
Liu Lei had long ceased struggling against fate, silently accepting the reality—that he was destined to share his life with a violent woman. Outside, Hanfu eavesdropped, shaking his head and thinking, "How can you contend with this old fox?"
Upon returning to the villa, Liu Lei let out a resounding shout. Poor old Keri, who had suffered from sleeplessness, was startled awake by the exclamation. He leapt from his bed, rushed into the living room, and peered about in confusion, constantly asking, "Is the Church attacking? Where? Where?"
"Not at all," Liu Lei answered languidly from the sofa.
"And what are you called then?" Keri grumbled, promptly gulping down a glass of water.
"Because there are matters far more terrifying than an assault by the Church."
"What matters?" the old mage inquired with curiosity.
"I am to wed that violent Niya."
"Keri spluttered, water spraying from his mouth, then hastily reached out to pat Liu Lei's head, "Are you unwell? You could never consent to such a thing!"
Liu Lei, in a fit of indignation, retorted, "Do you not recall that morning?"
"I do, quite clearly. You leapt naked from Niya's chamber that very morning," Keri teased.
Liu Lei sighed helplessly, "Then you can surmise what transpired. Her father—the wretched old Kude—forced me to take responsibility. I had no choice but to comply. Ah! The happiness of my latter days!" Keri paused, seemingly on the verge of commenting further, but ultimately only managed, "Wishing you happiness!"
"Do you truly believe I can be happy?" Liu Lei shrugged, and Keri, shaking his head, ascended the stairs to return to sleep.