In the dimly lit temple, a man clad entirely in black hurried forward and knelt before the colossal statue at the hall’s end.

“Your Holy Heir, I have a matter to report,” he said respectfully toward the idol.

“Hmm.” The statue’s voice rumbled.

Carefully, the man drew a stack of stiff cardboard sheets from his robes and presented them with both hands. “Your Holy Heir, please review.”

“A pile of worthless cardboard? What’s worth my time? Do you know the penalty for wasting it?” A voice—youthful yet low—dripped with disdain.

“I dare not deceive you! These hold secrets: talismans drawn upon them, fully functional,” the man stammered.

“Oh? Talismans… on cardboard?” A youth stepped from behind the statue. Gray robe, straw-like cropped hair.

Eyes gleaming with interest, he loomed over the kneeling man and took the offered sheets.

The moment his fingers touched them, his gray eyes turned pitch black—no whites left. A surge of magic power rippled around him.

“Fascinating.” He stared intently, flipping through each sheet with meticulous care.

“Strokes refined to limit power, effects precisely tuned. No magic infusion needed—activates instantly. Even scrawled casually on cardboard, it works.” He looked up, astonished. “Who drew these?”

“A Vampire Princess, Your Holy Heir,” the man replied respectfully.

“A Vampire Princess? Impossible! The Bloodkin have never mastered the Celestial Arts. These are a master’s work!” The gray-haired Holy Heir flicked his wrist, voice sharp with anger.

“I swear—I was sold these by a Vampire Princess!” Cold sweat beaded on the man’s brow.

“Hm. Plausible. Where does she sell them? Price?”

“At the pedestrian plaza before Fandou Garden in South City. Three yuan per talisman,” came the truthful reply.

…

The Holy Heir fell silent. Cardboard talismans. Master-level craftsmanship. A Vampire Princess. Street vending. Three yuan?

To any outsider, pure absurdity.

“Have you uncovered her identity?” After a pause, he spoke calmly. Such skill in South City hinted at a hidden master of Celestial Arts—ignoring it risked future operations.

“Our insider at the Paranormal Investigation Bureau reports she registered a master-servant bond with a Hunter named Chen Yan.”

“Is Chen Yan the Celestial Arts master behind her?”

“Investigation shows Chen Yan is a Fifth Rank Warrior-type Hunter. No prior exposure to Celestial Arts.”

“Strange indeed. Watch them closely. Find the true master.”

“Yes, sir!”

…

“Chin up a little. Left shoulder down—just a bit. Perfect.”

*Click.* The flash fired. Su Yue squinted, eyes stinging. Bloodkin still struggled with sudden light.

“Oops, she blinked! But burst mode saved us—got usable shots.” The photographer checked the screen and turned to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan leaned in. Against the white backdrop, Su Yue sat rigid, her expression screaming reluctant professionalism. “How long for the ID card?”

“Ready in minutes. Wait outside.” The photographer turned away, slotting the memory card into his computer.

Su Yue staggered blindly toward Chen Yan, eyes still watering.

“You okay?” He steadied her shoulders, voice warm with concern.

“My eyes hurt… Ugh, vampires are so weak. One flash from an enemy and we’re useless?” She rubbed her eyes, pouting.

“You’re only First Rank. Your magic power’s barely above human level. It’ll improve as you grow stronger.” He guided her arm gently to a chair.

She shielded her eyes. After a moment, the discomfort faded. She blinked open wide, clear eyes.

“Hey—no phone when your eyes are sensitive.” He tapped her screen dark the second she pulled it out.

“Eh~” she whined softly.

“Fine…” She tucked the phone away, muttering under her breath.

“Chen Yan… can you help me with something?” She tugged his sleeve, hesitating. A blush crept up her cheeks.

“What? Not more talisman paper?”

“No… it’s… I want to invite Lucifer over.”

“Home? Your alley? You don’t need my permission for that.” Chen Yan smiled, eyes crinkling—he knew exactly what she meant. Playing dumb was half the fun.

“No, I mean… your place…” she whispered, face burning.

“Let me get this straight,” he teased gently. “You want to invite your friend… to *your* home?”

“Mm.” Nod.

“To *my* home?”

“Mm… mm.” Another nod.

“So Miss Su Yue admits she’s family—and my home is hers too?” Chen Yan’s grin widened. Today’s Yan State map felt unusually short.

“Mm… mm?!” Her face flushed crimson. She swayed slightly, then murmured, voice barely a whisper: “At least… the law… says so.”

“Oh~ Since little Su Yue admits it, how can I refuse? Legally, we *are* family.” He adored how flustered she got—it was irresistibly cute.

“Really?” Her eyes lit up.

“But I have one condition.” He leaned close to her ear, voice low and playful.

What an utterly adorable Little Vampire. Teasing her just a little longer~