Once again, the Yan Kingdom sought aid from Seven Star Fortress. However, this time, the 'Dark Blade' organization was not hiding vampires but rather the Mojin Beasts. While the major Mojin mine remained unaffected, smaller Mojin mines scattered across the kingdom witnessed a series of attacks by these beasts.

Although Seven Star Fortress successfully quelled the chaos caused by both the 'Dark Blade' organization and the Mojin Beasts, they never fully uncovered who was behind organizing 'Dark Blade.' Those involved either committed suicide or were silenced.

At that time, the Smith family, who also managed a small Mojin mine, was dragged into the turmoil, losing many warriors.

The Mojin Beast uprising was linked to the presence of Mojin mines. Vampires, however, dislike Mojin, so it seemed unlikely they were connected. From what was known, vampires only had an appetite for the blood of human cultivators. Among the dead in the Smith family, junior warriors outnumbered even the intermediate ones.

With Barbara’s experience, Dick remained by her side most of the time, assisting in the investigation.

It wasn’t easy to investigate such matters. Warriors who had come into contact with vampires didn’t possess any unusual auras or other obvious signs. Thus, much depended on the Smith family’s own information to trace the vampire’s movements.

Dick and Barbara’s only option was to search thoroughly within the Smith family’s estate. No matter how cunning a vampire was, they would need a place to hide.

Despite the presence of Seven Star Fortress’s warriors, the vampire attacks did not cease. The vampire merely quickened its pace, targeting the junior cultivators of the Smith family. By the time Seven Star warriors arrived, the vampire had already drained their victims dry and disappeared.

With so many intermediate warriors, it was evident that the Smith family had a large population of trained fighters. However, given the vast expanse of their territory, the Seven Star warriors couldn’t possibly defend all areas.

Barbara seemed indifferent, and Dick wasn’t one to sympathize easily either.

After Dick’s suggestion, the Smith family finally decided to gather all their junior cultivators in one place to prevent them from being picked off one by one. It was amusing—why hadn’t they done this earlier? The elders had excused it, claiming that the family’s businesses couldn’t function without the junior warriors to handle tasks.

“Another death? Speak, why did that second-level warrior leave on his own? Who gave the order?” Barbara, who had grown quieter since arriving, disdained the weak cultivators of the continent. As a warrior of noble blood from the mighty Seven Star Fortress, she looked down on those with feeble strength.

As the higher-ranking member, Barbara refrained from dealing with the frail warriors of the Smith family. So, it fell to the lower-ranked Dick to ask the questions.

With everyone gathered, finding the culprit should have been simple. Someone revealed that it was Elder Seven who had given the command.

“I never ordered anyone to fetch him,” Elder Seven denied.

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“Where is the errand boy who delivered the message?”

“Dead, at his home.”

Dick grinned. At last, a clue had surfaced. The problem clearly lay within the Smith family. It wasn’t surprising that accidents would happen; the real danger was in the lack of any disturbance at all. So long as someone stirred up trouble, traces would inevitably be left behind.

Truthfully, if Dick had wanted to stop this from the outset, he would have simply instructed the Seven Star warriors to ensure no one left the group.

Now, Dick’s new command made it impossible for any junior warriors to leave the gathering.

Patriarch Marquand himself began investigating the messenger boy who had been found dead at his home, certain there must be some clue.

"Without your Elder Seven’s medallion, the boy wouldn’t have been able to issue orders. So, tell me, how did your medallion end up in his hands?" Dick questioned Elder Seven personally.

Every action leaves a trace, even for cultivators. Cultivators are not gods.

“Who did you meet with yesterday? At night, who could have entered your room… When did you first notice the medallion missing, and why didn’t you report it earlier…?”

Elder Seven claimed ignorance to all questions. A medallion, worn so close, had disappeared without him realizing? Preposterous.

“Men, give this elder the proper treatment.”

Seven Star Fortress’s warriors grabbed the elder and subjected him to a ruthless beating, starting from his leg bones, moving to his hands, and finally to his ribs. The old man endured in silence until Dick had his two most beloved grandsons brought in and beaten before his eyes.

“You can’t do this! Seven Star Fortress can’t wantonly murder…!” Elder Seven howled in despair.

“In the face of the vampire menace, your family is worth nothing,” Dick sneered. “Do you think your kin are special? Many warriors from the Smith family have died, and their lives were just as valuable. I believe having your family pay the price is only fitting.”

“The vampire’s methods are cunning! I truly don’t know when my medallion was stolen!” Elder Seven was almost wailing now.

“You’re a fifth-level warrior, and you didn’t notice someone stealing a medallion from your person? Do you take me for a fool? Perhaps these two grandsons aren’t enough. Bring me all his sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters…”

“You vicious brutes of Seven Star Fortress! You’ll meet your end soon enough!” Elder Seven glared at Dick with hatred and malice.

“You, Elder Seven, a member of the Smith family, secretly colluded with vampires, resulting in the deaths of dozens of warriors. Your crimes are undeniable. Even in death, your name will be forever stained with infamy. It’s simple: I, from Seven Star Fortress, declare you are guilty, and guilty you shall be.” Dick’s words were both arrogant and blunt.

In this world, justice belongs to the strong.

That day, not a single warrior of the Smith family perished. No vampires appeared.

“See? The truth is clear. By capturing you, the Smith family is now safe,” Dick laughed, “Men, search thoroughly, dig deep. The vampire’s lair must be in Elder Seven’s courtyard. Turn the place inside out.”

All of the Smith family’s junior warriors began their work. If Dick ordered them to dig three feet into the ground, then they would dig three feet.

“Dick, is this really necessary?” Barbara, despite her reluctance to speak, was troubled by his actions. As much as she let Dick handle most matters, his reckless behavior could damage Seven Star Fortress’s reputation. Even though Seven Star Fortress was powerful, it couldn’t afford to act wantonly across the continent.

One must not forget, the continent still had the Holy Temple.

“Close enough, Barbara. Get our warriors ready. If the vampire suddenly appears, it would be best to slay it.”

The moment Dick called her “sister,” Barbara’s resolve softened once more. This sweet-talking little brother from the family knew just how to win her over.

“Rest assured, our warriors can form a strong battle array. If the vampire dares to show up, even if it’s as strong as a sixth-level warrior, it won’t escape,” Barbara said, hoping they would indeed catch the vampire. Otherwise, it would be difficult to justify the commotion Dick had caused.

“Boom!” The sound erupted. In the rear courtyard, where warriors had smashed open the training platform, a dark-winged creature emerged, instantly killing a third-level Smith family warrior.

The vampire!