Everyone was shocked. Samuel Grant suddenly turned to stare at him, and after a long pause, spoke slowly but firmly: “You stay here. As long as you are on Mount Diancang, you are a brother of our Divine Sect. No one can just take you away!” Edward Lewis shook his head and said, “No, big brother, I appreciate your kindness. Although I studied on Mount Diancang, I never joined the Divine Sect, so I am not one of you. The Divine Sect and the orthodox sects have fought for ten thousand years, but that is a struggle of doctrines, just a difference in beliefs. If a war breaks out today over Edward Lewis alone, it would be a matter of loyalty and righteousness. Besides, if the two sides go to war, the killing will be endless—how could I bear that? Big brother, let me go out. Don’t worry, I won’t just offer my neck to be killed. Just please take care of my parents in the future.” Samuel Grant stared at him, thinking for a long time, and finally agreed: “Alright, we’ll go out with you!”

On a peak of Mount Diancang, a group of people stood together. In today’s society, there were still people wearing coarse blue clothes, Taoist robes, and kasayas. Fortunately, this place was remote and deserted; otherwise, so many people dressed like this would have become quite a “sight.” At the front of the group stood a row of thirteen people, with one in the center wearing a blue Taoist robe, white hair, and a youthful face—this was the leader of the Emei Sect, Master White, who was Vernon’s martial uncle and the leader of the thirteen orthodox sects.

Suddenly, the air in the valley facing the thirteen people rippled, the peaks on both sides shifted, revealing the mountain peak where the Divine Sect’s headquarters, hidden by a formation, was located. Edward Lewis and Samuel Grant and the others filed out. Before the others could speak, Edward Lewis stepped forward and loudly said, “Master White, I am Edward Lewis. It was I who killed Qingxun—he brought it upon himself, there’s nothing more to say. As for the six under Master Vernon, it was truly an accident, not my intention. Today, you’ve brought so many people here—aren’t you afraid of starting a war between the orthodox and demonic sects over one man like me?” In his heart, White was indeed worried, but the death of seven disciples left him no choice but to demand an explanation from the Divine Sect. White stroked his beard and said, “Since Mr. Lewis is worried about a war, why not surrender and spare us all from bloodshed?” “Daoist, it was your sect’s Qingxun who killed my friend first—the fault is not mine. How could you bear to harm me?” Edward Lewis paused: “I know you don’t want the two sides to go to war either. I have a way to give you an explanation and avoid conflict. Would you be willing to consider it?” “What way?” “I, Edward Lewis, swear on the honor of the blood clan: for the rest of my life, I will forever leave the barbarian lands, and without the permission of the orthodox sects, I will never set foot in China again!” After making the vow, Edward Lewis stood up and turned to ask, “Daoist, what do you think?” White twirled his beard and pondered for a long time, then finally stamped his foot and waved his hand: “Enough, enough! Let’s go!” He turned and led the group away, vanishing into the sky.

Sitting on the plane, Edward Lewis gazed out the window, his eyes lingering on the mountains, rivers, trees, and people outside… Back on Mount Diancang, he had already discussed it with his parents: only by leaving himself could he resolve the enmity between the orthodox and demonic sects. But his parents were old, and once he left the country, he could never return. The two elders were unwilling to leave the land that had nurtured them, so only Edward Lewis left alone.

The plane slowly took off. The flying sword “Tianjing” that Master Lane had given him before he left trembled in his dantian, as if bidding farewell to the homeland he was about to leave.

Part One 02

Chapter One

The splendid streets of New York lit up as night fell. Edward Lewis walked out from his residence. Twelve years had passed. Though he still looked the same as before, there was now an indescribable weariness in his eyes. Twelve years of wandering in a foreign land, unable to return home, unable to return to his country; his body could live forever, but his heart could not. Twelve years later, he looked even more like a true vampire: pale skin, a neat black suit, and his uniquely world-weary gaze—cold features, a gentleman’s attire.

The reason he chose North America instead of Europe back then was because he was wary of the powerful influence of the Church in Europe, whereas in the Americas, that influence was much weaker. When he left, Master Lane and Elder Grant gave him many things, including money. With money, Edward Lewis easily obtained a local passport, entered several prestigious universities for further study, and successfully started his own company. Twelve years passed by easily—at least on the surface. The only thing Edward Lewis could not let go of in those twelve years was that three years ago, Samuel Grant finally could no longer control his cultivation, and the heavenly tribulation arrived. Although he survived without danger, Edward Lewis felt deeply guilty for not being able to be by his friend’s side to protect him—what is a friend? Only in times of crisis does it show, but he could not return, and could only harbor deep guilt toward his old friend.

He lived on the top floor of an apartment building facing the street. Every evening, as dusk fell, he would leave his room and go to a nearby bar for a drink. Fifty meters to the right after leaving the building was a small alley, and a few steps further was a bar called “If.” Edward Lewis really liked the red wine there. The bar owner had a small vineyard and a winery in the countryside. Every year, he grew his own grapes, made his own wine, and sold it in his own bar. The wine was very pure, and there were quite a few regulars like Edward Lewis. Edward Lewis often sat in a dimly lit corner of the bar, swirling the red wine in his glass, reminiscing about the past: If things hadn’t happened the way they did back then, would things be different today?