Have you had enough, Miss Vampire? It's time to get down to business.

She was wearing a men's black suit, with her long burgundy hair neatly tied into a ponytail at the back of her head. She looked quite mature and capable... However, her eyes were dull, as if they had lost all vitality.

"Speak of the followers, and they will be here." The young vampire nodded at her. "It's so late, aren't you asleep yet, Lianna?"

"His Royal Highness Prince Emmett."

The retainer, Liana, placed her hand on her chest and bowed slightly. Seeing that her master had returned to his original appearance and that no one else was around, she no longer hesitated.

"I'm just a small earl now." Emmett smiled.

"But in my heart, you will always be a prince," Lianna replied coldly. "Although the Blood Kingdom has long since perished, and you are at best a prince of a fallen kingdom, and you indulge in art and pleasure, completely lacking the ambition and responsibility of a prince... but, after all, you are one of the 'first generation of Blood Clan', embraced by the True Ancestor Lilith herself. You are a being born noble."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Emmett didn't care. He was already used to his dependent's sharp tongue.

"You're drawing... True Ancestor Lilith?"

Lianna cast her eyes towards the unfinished painting and asked curiously.

The picture is almost entirely filled with dark tones, but from it, one can vaguely see a beautiful woman... Her face is ambiguous, but it makes her even more mysterious and attractive.

The technique is indeed superb.

"This painting isn't finished yet. Sorry to bother you." Emmett shrugged helplessly. "Alas, it seems I don't have much talent in this area after all. No matter how many times I try, I can't capture that lady's 'divinity' on canvas."

"You are too modest."

Liana comforted him expressionlessly:

"If I remember correctly, a hundred years ago, didn't you leave behind many so-called masterpieces under another name?

"Although in my opinion, the artistic value of those paintings is also very limited, it is mainly because those collectors made up a good story, saying that you were a genius who was frustrated, devoted his life to art, and ultimately committed suicide. This is why the price was driven up..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Emmett covered his heart. This time he was really hurt. "It's so late. What do you want from me? Are you here just to make fun of me?"

"Of course not. I'm not as free as you, Your Highness."

Lianna said seriously:

"I just received intelligence that about a month ago, one of your siblings, the first-generation vampire 'Lucinda', was killed by the eighth-rank powerhouse of the Holy Light Church, 'Defender Laerian'."

Hearing this, Emmett was stunned.

But this surprise did not last long.

"Really? Lucinda is dead... She's been acting so high-profile for the past few hundred years. It was only a matter of time before this day came." Emmett shook his head, a hint of melancholy in his tone. "But for her, this is also a blessing."

"Lucky thing?" Lianna didn't understand.

"Among us 'first generation vampires', leaving aside my little sister 'Blessed Isabella' who I've never interacted with, Lucinda is undoubtedly the one who looks most like a 'human'. She lived like a human and died like a human."

Emmett explained slowly:

"Back then, when True Ancestor Lilith founded the Vampire Kingdom, it was all on a whim, a mere game of politics and war... Lucinda was the only one who took it seriously. Even after the True Ancestor fell into slumber and the kingdom fell, she still couldn't stop thinking about it.

"She was like a moth drawn to a flame, reckless of consequences, regardless of the cost... Deep down, she must have known it was just a dream, yet she went ahead without hesitation. Now that she's died pursuing her dream, it's a fitting end. Isn't that a blessing?"

With that, Emmett poured himself another glass of wine.

"A person only truly lives when they know what they are willing to die for... That's why I say Lucinda makes us the most human. Compared to her, I'm just a pitiful and pathetic monster who wastes time and tries every possible way to kill it."

He drank the wine in the glass again, a self-deprecating smile on his face.

"You're not a monster." At this moment, Lianna, the family member, said seriously, "You saved me, provided me with a place to stay, and gave me the meaning of life... A monster wouldn't do such a thing."

"You don't know me well enough to have such an illusion." Emmett blinked. "Maybe I just treat you as a little lamb, thinking of fattening you up before eating you."

"Oh, have you eaten little so far?"

Liana slowly unbuttoned her collar, revealing her fair and smooth neck:

"Lucinda died in a coastal fishing village called 'Old Net' near Gordon City... According to your usual practice, would you like to pay your respects?"

"Well, then please accompany me." Emmett nodded and bit his follower's neck with his fangs.

Liana's body trembled slightly, and her hands unconsciously wrapped around her master's head.

Finally, some light appeared in her dull eyes.

2. Vann's Business Empire

The second-level mystic Fan En has been doing very well recently.

It’s not that he has made any new progress in his research recently. On the contrary, after his academic dream was shattered, he has embarked on a new path in life.

"Everyone hurry up, the delivery date is tomorrow!"

Vann knocked on the table and urged the three mystics who were working tirelessly to create talismans:

"The customer is God. This time, God wants fifty 'Cleansing' talismans. We must ensure quality and quantity, and deliver on time! Don't worry, you'll get your commission!"

That’s right, this time the commission for making the talisman still comes from the exorcist Vivian.

Another big order!

Since Vann himself did not know how to make the "cleansing" spell, he had to hire other mystics to make it for him.

This is not difficult. After all, the Mystic Association is full of nerds who only know how to do research. These guys live a hard life on weekdays, are inflexible, and have no way to make money. In a sense, Vann hiring them to make talismans can be regarded as helping them.

And the big customer Vivian can also buy a large number of "cleaning" talismans at an affordable price, and no longer have to worry about getting her clothes dirty and making herself look embarrassed while performing tasks.

By the way, isn’t our Mystic Association too shady?

It's just a simple first-level "cleansing" spell, but it costs three gold coins each through the association's official channels?

This is simply a money grab!

In my opinion, it can be sold for two gold coins. After deducting the cost of materials and labor, there is still a 20% profit... What I am doing is to eliminate the middlemen who make a profit from the price difference!

Then I do it myself!

Fanen thought with satisfaction.

Of course, he did not forget to leave a commission for Lor as well.

After all, it was he who introduced Vivian, the big client... One should never forget the person who dug the well. I, Vann, am a person who knows how to repay kindness. No matter how big my business empire becomes in the future, there will always be a share of the commission from Boss Lor!

Besides, if I want to further expand my business, I can’t do without the continued care of Mr. Lor.

Just then, someone knocked on the laboratory door.

When I opened the door, it was none other than Lor.

"Are you guys... busy?" Lor looked into the room, his eyes sweeping over the mystics who were working overtime to create talismans. He immediately understood what he meant, "It seems like I came at an inopportune time."

"Look at what you said. I welcome you to visit and guide me at any time!" Fan En's eyes lit up. "That's perfect. I also have something I want to discuss with you..."

"Let's talk somewhere else." Lor nodded.

So, the two left Vann's laboratory and came to a "secret room" in the association.

It happened to be the place where the white dragon plums were originally stored.

"Boss, thanks to you, my business is booming lately. Praise the Holy Light!"

Vann handed Lor a purse containing ten gold coins.

"However, I've recently hit a development bottleneck... You see, our Gordon City is still too small, and there aren't many exorcists. Aside from our big client Vivian, the demand for talismans from others is really too small..."

"I see. You want to develop new customer resources."

Lor narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment.

To be honest, Vann's talismans are of reliable quality and much cheaper than those sold through regular channels... If they could be promoted to more fellow exorcists, it would be a win-win situation for all parties.

"I do know a few people in Palmer City, Wolf and Merlin. Have you heard of them?"

"Wolf? Merlin? Of course I've heard of them! Aren't they both fifth-level exorcists? Famous figures!"

Vann suddenly became excited, thinking that the boss is indeed a boss, his network of connections is incredible!

"I'll write you a letter of introduction later. When you're free, go find them at the Holy Light Church in Palmer City," Lor continued, recalling the scene of the two seniors trapped in the swamp, with only their hands hanging out. "Don't worry, they'll definitely meet you... After all, I saved their lives once, so I have to give them some face."

...Van En was stunned.

Boss Lor, is he the savior of two fifth-level exorcists?

In other words, his strength is above these two people?

Hiss, he is worthy of being the mysterious and powerful "Judge"... This thigh makes me feel so reassured when I hug it!

"But Vann, there's something I still need to make clear to you."

Seeing that Vann seemed a little overexcited, Lor reminded him seriously:

"It's best not to expand your business too much. The talismans you sell should be no higher than level three, and your transactions are limited to exorcists within the Church of Holy Light... Within this range, the Church and your Occult Association might turn a blind eye. However, if you cross the line, the consequences will be unpredictable."

"Yes, sir, I understand."

Fan En calmed down instantly and nodded repeatedly.

"Well, you are also a smart person. You should know how to strike a balance."

As he spoke, Luo Er fished out two heavy ancient coins from his pocket, one gold and one silver. "Actually, I came to you today because I have something I want you to identify... Do you recognize these two antique coins?"

"Is this... the currency of the Raven Empire era?"

Vann, who had some knowledge of archaeology, recognized it immediately:

"I've only seen some pictures in books and haven't seen the real thing, but looking at the pattern and style, it shouldn't be wrong... But I'm not sure whether it's real or not... In my opinion, it's most likely a fake."

"Oh?" Lor raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it, how many years have passed since the Raven Empire fell? When the last emperor was on the throne, dragons were still soaring in the sky! The currency in circulation back then has long been recycled and recast countless times by later dynasties. How much of it has actually survived to this day?"

Vann shrugged and explained:

"But in the real-world antique market, coins from the Raven Empire era are actually quite common... It's obvious that many of them are forgeries, specifically designed to trick those pretentious individuals with only a passing knowledge of archaeology! So, sir... you weren't fooled, were you?"

"You don't have to worry about that." Lor said with a smile.

In fact, Vann's worries were unnecessary. After all, the two coins in Lor's hand were taken out from the dragon clan's treasury. They were genuine things from thousands of years ago and could not be fake.

"I think so too. A knowledgeable and insightful person like you wouldn't fall for such a trick." Fan En felt relieved. "Oh, I see! Could it be that you want to trace the source of these fake antiques and catch those profiteers who are disrupting the market? I support you!"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

Luo Er sighed softly, trying his best to maintain his "Judge" persona: "Also, don't tell anyone that I came to you to identify these two coins."

"Don't worry, sir. I promise to keep this a secret!"

3. Here comes the routine

Vann provided a very important piece of information.

Those are ancient coins from the Raven Empire era, which are still circulating in today's antique market. Although most of them are counterfeit, it is actually difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

After all, things like gold coins and silver coins are actually just simple pieces of metal.

As long as the metal composition and proportions are consistent with the real thing, and the appearance and pattern are no different, then the fake will become real... If some artificial wear and tear is created to create traces of erosion by time, it will be even more difficult to distinguish.

Lor thought about it carefully.

His original idea was to melt these gold and silver coins directly, extract the precious metal components, make them into gold and silver bars, and then take them directly to the money house and exchange them for current currency.

However, Lor did not understand the technology in this area, and it was not safe enough to entrust others to do it... Besides, these coins were antiques after all, and it would be a pity to destroy them like this.

Fortunately, there are new ideas now.

I can definitely sell the two thousand ancient gold coins and one thousand ancient silver coins I got from the Dragon Clan's treasury in the antique market... Although there is a high probability that they will be regarded as "forgeries" by people who really know the business, it doesn't matter as long as the price is right.

This is definitely more cost-effective than melting it down directly.

Because even if it is a fake, in order to make it look real, it must be mixed with gold in the same proportion as the real thing... The final selling price cannot be lower than the cost.

Having said that, I sold all the ancient coins I had in one go.

Firstly, no antique dealer would have such a big appetite to swallow up thousands of ancient coins at once; secondly, this behavior would easily attract attention and might even be targeted by the church or other organizations.

To be on the safe side, I have to change my faces several times, sell these coins in small quantities and multiple times under different identities and in different places... Anyway, I'm not in a hurry, I can take it slowly, even if it takes months or even years, it doesn't matter.

In short, go to the local antique shop first to find out the market conditions.

Thinking of this, Lor first went back home, picked up the decent clothes that Isabella had carefully selected for him when he attended the auction, and then went to a remote hotel to book a room.