Rumble-rumble-rumble—!

This wasn’t some tokusatsu hero’s roar—it was the sound of our advance… ahem, *retreat*.

The rhythmic grind of tires against pavement almost evoked memories of motorized infantry once dominating Europe.

Too bad our ride wasn’t a roaring, oil-splattered motorcycle.

“Watch the path, little girl! I can’t see everything… Why’s this handle so high? Blocks my view completely.”

I clamped both hands tightly over my eyes, feeling the “solid safety belt” snug around my waist. Zero urge to move.

I even wanted to duck my head, letting my long silver hair curtain my face.

“Oh, what’s to be shy about? Everyone rides one of these sometime in life,” Uncle De coaxed.

“I’m not listening! Hurry up—find a deserted spot and let me down!”

My tiny feet kicked helplessly in the air. Honestly, kicking was all the strength I had left.

“Even if I set you down, you can’t walk. It’s just a baby stroller. Totally normal.”

“Shut up!” I gritted my teeth. “Everyone wet the bed too! You doing it *right now*?”

Uncle De freed a hand to stroke his beard. “Nah.”

“Exactly!”

“But you rode one before. And you’re riding one now. Not everything happens once—life’s full of little surprises.”

“STOP IT! AAAAAH!”

Me? Luo Xiaoxiao. Last vampire of the bloodline. Noble heir. Sharp-witted. In one battle, I assessed enemy strength, devised perfect tactics—power and wisdom fused in one prodigy.

And now? Trapped in a baby stroller, pushed around like an infant.

“Where are we? Don’t wander off,” I muttered, eyes still covered. Felt like he’d been pushing forever.

“Almost there. Can’t leave you on the street like this,” Uncle De said. “Heading to that young man’s place from the hospital. You can rest on his sofa.”

“*His* place?”

Li Guanggui—the guy with the dislocated arm. Had a wife, kids. A… well, maybe just shell-shocked. Temporarily addled.

“Yep. Deal’s sealed, deposit paid. Gotta go. I’m an honest businessman.”

I pursed my lips. “You seriously think you can shield him from evil spirits? That’s karmic entanglement—not exactly easy.”

“Of course not,” Uncle De said, utterly matter-of-fact.

I rolled my eyes. “So… do you *actually* have supernatural skills? Like, cast spells?”

He slowed the stroller slightly. “Spells? Don’t be silly. But… maybe a trick or two.” He glanced back. “Wait—why ask? You *know* ordinary people can’t use holy water.”

I gave a silent nod. “Not really.”

*(Duh. That’s why I’m following you—to pry intel.)*

“Well… where to start?” Uncle De mused, freeing a hand and holding up two fingers. “Think of it like explaining to Xiao Bai. Supernatural power here comes from two sources.”

“Which?”

“Bloodline. And willpower.”

I blinked. “Bloodline I get. Willpower… how?”

“Ever heard of aether? Not identical, but imagine: our world’s soaked in aether-like energy on a non-physical plane. When an ordinary person faces something intense, a powerful will ignites inside them.”

Uncle De rolled his eyes. “Tiny stuff—protecting family, your girlfriend, nature. Big stuff—saving humanity. All counts. That will grabs wild energy entities, bends them to your use. *That’s* power.”

“…‘Nature’ is *tiny*?” I fixated on the weird bit.

“Whatever. Just—get it?”

I nodded. Obviously. Power = bloodline or sheer will.

And me? Pureblood vampire. Noble lineage. No contest.