Darkhold

At an airport somewhere in Los Angeles, California, Wang Bert stepped off a private jet with Lilith. Babu, the hard-featured Director of the California Blood Clan Police Department, stepped forward and said, "Blood God!"

Wang Bert shook Babu’s hand and smiled. "Since you had time to come, I take it the crisis has been resolved."

"Upon hearing you were coming, the Blood Clan all fled," Babu said. "Those Blood Clan members are very afraid of you, Blood God."

Wang Bert laughed. "You should say they revere me. By the way, with that mouth of yours, how did you become Director?"

"The Blood Clan Police Department had just been established and was short-handed. Director Blade saw that I was capable and promoted me," Babu said with a sigh. "Before I became a Vampire, I was a detective for over ten years and never got promoted!"

"You did well this time. I’ll have Blade give you a bigger bonus."

Wang Bert smiled and pointed at the old butler nearby. "Who’s that?"

"The butler of the Hillick Family. He came to invite you, Blood God," Babu said.

Seeing Wang Bert and the others mention him, the butler stepped forward and politely said, "Blood God, the Hilick Clan Leader sincerely invites you to visit Hilick Castle."

"Then let’s go have a look."

Wang Bert did not refuse. Babu hurriedly said, "Blood God…"

Wang Bert raised a hand and coldly said, "Take every officer to Hilick Castle. If necessary, wipe out the Hillick Family. The North American Blood Clan needs only one voice!"

Both Babu and the butler froze. Babu immediately replied, "Yes, Blood God!"

"Lead the way."

Wang Bert spoke to the butler. The butler forced a smile and turned to lead them, but inwardly he was astonished. This Blood God was even more decisive and ruthless than the legends claimed!

Had the master made the wrong move?…

At Hilick Castle, Wang Bert swirled his red wine and asked, "Hilick Clan Leader, you came out personally to welcome me and even prepared such a grand banquet. What exactly do you want?"

"I merely wanted to meet you, Blood God, but I could not bring myself to swallow my pride, so I resorted to this," said the Hilick Clan Leader, an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face who looked like an aristocrat. "Please forgive this old man’s fragile pride!"

Seeing the Hilick Clan Leader lower himself so much, Wang Bert found it hard to press the matter further. He drank his wine and asked, "Hilick Clan Leader, did you want to see me because there’s something you wanted to ask?"

"Yes. I wanted to ask why you insist on Blood Clan registration," the Hilick Clan Leader said. "If these registration records ever fall into human hands, the Blood Clan may be doomed beyond redemption."

"First, humans will never get their hands on those records. I have been careful at every step," Wang Bert said. "Besides, those records are not as important as you think. Technology changes with every passing day. Identifying Blood Clan members is no longer difficult. A wide-range body-temperature scanner would be enough."

"Human technology truly is becoming more and more terrifying," the Hilick Clan Leader said. "You must have other plans as well, Blood God?"

"I do."

Wang Bert did not deny it. "I want to prepare a way out for the Blood Clan. If one day humanity can no longer tolerate us, I will take the Blood Clan and migrate to another planet. At that time, these records will let me evacuate them as quickly as possible."

"I see!"

The Hilick Clan Leader suddenly understood. "Blood God, you truly have remarkable foresight. I will have everyone in the Hillick Family register."

"That would be best."

Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction, though suspicion lingered in his heart. What exactly is this old Vampire trying to do? Is he trying to curry favor with me? Blood Clan registration is clearly just an excuse for the Hilick Clan Leader!

At that moment, the Hilick Clan Leader curiously asked, "Blood God, what creature’s blood is Hope Blood? As far as I know, the Blood Clan can only drink the blood of intelligent lifeforms!"

Wang Bert was somewhat surprised. "You seem to know quite a lot."

"When you live long enough, you naturally learn more," the Hilick Clan Leader said, rising to his feet. "Blood God, I have some collectibles I would like to show you."

Wang Bert set down his wineglass and stood. "What collectibles?"

The Hilick Clan Leader smiled. "Murals recording the origin of the Blood Clan!"

Wang Bert narrowed his eyes. "The origin of the Blood Clan? Then I really should take a good look."

In the storage room, the Hilick Clan Leader pointed at the first mural and introduced, "This is where our Blood Clan was born!"

The mural depicted a book, an ancient book that looked extremely evil, with a line of strange writing on its cover. Wang Bert frowned and asked, "Are you saying our Blood Clan was born from a book?"

The Hilick Clan Leader pointed to the second mural and said, "Yes. This book created the first Blood Clan member—Dracula!"

The second mural showed an open book, with a blood-red figure flying out from between its pages. Beside it were two words written in ancient Vampire script—Progenitor! Lilith stared at the Dracula in the mural with an unusual look in her eyes, but it quickly returned to normal. Wang Bert asked, "Then what about the Purebloods? Were they also born from the book?"

"The earliest Purebloods were created by Dracula using his own blood."

The Hilick Clan Leader looked at Wang Bert, his eyes flickering. "The Blood God ritual is actually a ritual that transforms Purebloods back into Dracula’s blood!"

"I see. I had already felt something was off. Only the Twelve Elders entered my body; there was nothing else."

Wang Bert suddenly understood. He turned his gaze back to the first mural and asked, "What kind of book is this, to have created our Blood Clan?"

"The Darkhold! It is also called the Book of Chthon, the Book of the Dead, and the Book of Sins. It is the origin of all Black Magic!" the Hilick Clan Leader said. "It stands at the exact opposite extreme from the Book of the Vishanti, the source of white magic!"

"The Darkhold?"

Wang Bert was stunned. Was this book really that incredible? The Darkhold had appeared in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." It was a book that could give people any knowledge they wanted. The villains in it had even used it to create a virtual world.

Wang Bert knew of the book, but he had never gone looking for it. On one hand, he did not remember the exact plot very clearly. On the other, the book was rather sinister. Those who obtained it never seemed to meet a good end!

"Yes, the Darkhold," the Hilick Clan Leader said. "Blood God, if you wish to resolve the Blood Clan’s problems, this book is indispensable!"

Wang Bert glanced at the Hilick Clan Leader. "If it really created the Blood Clan, then I certainly need to look for it."

"I have some clues that I can provide to you, Blood God!" the Hilick Clan Leader said happily.

Wang Bert slightly narrowed his eyes. Could this old fellow’s true purpose be to make me search for the Darkhold?

"Then thank you, Hilick Clan Leader."

Wang Bert did not expose him and agreed. He then left Hilick Castle with the clues. Just then, a circle of sparks suddenly appeared ahead of him and rapidly expanded.

Wang Bert was stunned. "A Kamar-Taj portal?"

Immediately afterward, a chubby man in monk’s robes with a rather comical appearance stepped out of the portal. Wang Bert laughed. "Buddy, if you got any fatter, you probably wouldn’t be able to squeeze through."

"What are you talking about? It’s plenty spacious!" the chubby man shouted unhappily.

Then he remembered something, his expression turning serious. "Blood God, I am Wong, a mage of Kamar-Taj. By Master Ancient One’s order, I have come to deliver these two items to you!"

As he spoke, Wong took two items from his pocket. One was a spear-shaped necklace in a box, while the other was a mysterious magic scroll. "Is this the armor Master Ancient One forged for me?"

Wang Bert stared at the necklace and asked excitedly. Damon’s magical chain had been relatively simple and was completed months ago, but his armor had taken until now!

"Yes. As long as you silently recite the incantation, the necklace will transform into armor and automatically equip itself on you!" Wong said enviously. "Even Kamar-Taj does not have armor this good!"

Wang Bert accepted the necklace and the magic scroll. "Thank Master Ancient One for me."

"Master Ancient One also asked me to pass along a message," Wong said.

As Wang Bert put the necklace around his neck, he asked, "What message?"

"Master Ancient One said that those who possess the Darkhold never meet a good end."

Wang Bert paused, then understood why Wong had appeared here. Master Ancient One had sent him to warn Wang Bert! After hesitating briefly, Wang Bert said seriously, "All right. Please tell Master Ancient One that I will not touch the Darkhold!"

Wong was somewhat surprised. The Blood God had agreed so readily?

It seems he truly respects Master Ancient One, Wong thought. All his dissatisfaction with Wang Bert vanished—many at Kamar-Taj were displeased with Wang Bert. They felt Master Ancient One treated him too well, not only overlooking everything he did but even helping forge armor for him!

"The items have been delivered. I’ll be going back now," Wong said.

Wang Bert stopped him and asked, "Wait. I heard from Damon that Kamar-Taj’s computers are terrible?"

"It doesn’t matter. We don’t use them often anyway," Wong said.

"That won’t do. This is the information age!" Wang Bert said. "I’ll give Kamar-Taj an Arc Reactor, along with a holographic projection system and one hundred top-tier computers!"

Wong repeatedly waved his hands. "That won’t do. Kamar-Taj does not accept gifts!"

"What’s wrong with that? They’re just worldly possessions, and Kamar-Taj doesn’t care about money anyway," Wang Bert said. "Holographic projection is incredibly useful. It makes you feel as though you’re actually there. Listening to music with it is practically like being at a live concert!"

"Really?"

Wong was a little tempted. He was a music enthusiast. If he had not become a mage, he might have debuted as a singer!

"Of course it’s true!"

Wang Bert nodded. "All right, it’s settled. Wong, you head back first. I’ll have someone deliver the things to Bleecker Street!"

Wong was dumbfounded. "Settled? Wait, when was that settled?"

"Just now!"

Wang Bert gave Wong no time to react. "All right, Wong, I have other matters to handle. I’ll treat you properly next time!"

"There’s no need. I still have to return and report to Master Ancient One," Wong said, walking back through the portal in a daze. When exactly did I agree to that?

After Wong left, Wang Bert turned to look at Hilick Castle, his gaze icy cold.

Previously, Wang Bert had not been certain of the Hilick Clan Leader’s intentions, but even Master Ancient One had warned him. The Hilick Clan Leader clearly intended to harm him! There are always troublemakers trying to kill the emperor!

Wang Bert took out his phone and called Babu. "Surround Hilick Castle. Prepare to move."

"Blood God, shall we kill without mercy?" Babu asked.

"Kill anyone who resists."

Wang Bert put down the phone and strode toward Hilick Castle. The butler, still at the entrance, saw him return and hurriedly came forward. "Blood God, has your car not arrived yet? I’ll go urge them."

Wang Bert smiled. "No need. I just want to borrow you for a moment."

The butler froze, then said, "Borrow me? Please give your orders, Blood God!"

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony."

With a wave of Wang Bert’s hand, the butler flew away uncontrollably and crashed through the front gate with a bang.

The castle guards were alarmed and hurriedly surrounded him. Wang Bert flicked his fingers several times, sending the guards flying one after another. Then Wang Bert strode through the gate. The Hilick Clan Leader asked in shock and anger, "Blood God, what is the meaning of this?"

"Hilick Clan Leader, I’ll give you two choices. First, tell me who wants to harm me, and I’ll spare the other members of the Hillick Family," Wang Bert said. "Second, the Hillick Family will be erased from existence!"

The Hilick Clan Leader’s heart sank. He shouted, "Blood God, how would I know who wants to harm you?"

"Stubborn to the end!"

Wang Bert raised a hand toward the Hilick Clan Leader. The Hilick Clan Leader was horrified. He abruptly burst forth with speed and fled backward like a streak of blood-red shadow!

At that moment, a powerful suction force erupted from Wang Bert’s palm. Violent winds howled around them, and the Hilick Clan Leader was dragged backward uncontrollably. Gritting his teeth, he spun around and lunged at Wang Bert with all ten fingers extended.

Wang Bert snorted coldly. His right arm abruptly lengthened, grabbing the Hilick Clan Leader by the throat and smashing him viciously into the ground. With a bang, the Hilick Clan Leader nearly fainted!

Lying on the ground, the Hilick Clan Leader cried out in terror, "Blood God, spare me!"

"Sorry, you already missed your chance. Since you won’t tell me, I’ll see for myself!"

Wang Bert lowered his head, his flaming eyes fixed tightly on the Hilick Clan Leader. It was Ghost Rider’s signature ability—the Penance Stare!

Under the effects of the Penance Stare, the Hilick Clan Leader’s memories unfolded before Wang Bert like a movie playing in reverse. Wang Bert searched swiftly and soon found the Behind-the-Scenes Manipulator—an evil old devil! "Damn it, Mephisto!"

Wang Bert cursed irritably. That was right, the Behind-the-Scenes Manipulator was Mephisto. He had incited the Hilick Clan Leader to use the Darkhold to set a trap for Wang Bert—the Hilick Clan Leader had once sacrificed to a demon, so he knew Mephisto! The Hilick Clan Leader’s life was filled with sin, so his soul quickly turned to ashes in the blazing flames. Wang Bert tossed his corpse aside and went out to deal with the other Blood Clan members! Five minutes later, the Hillick Family, one of California’s great Blood Clan families, became history. Its members were either killed or captured. Babu reminded him, "Blood God, with the Hillick Family fallen, many Blood Clan members will surely flee!"

"Then let them flee. The Blood Clan needs only those willing to obey the rules!" Wang Bert said coldly. "Have people guard Hilick Castle. I want to search it thoroughly."

"Yes, Blood God!"

Babu nodded. Wang Bert let out a breath, his expression somewhat grim. Being targeted by Mephisto was no good thing. That old bastard could not be killed and would keep making trouble for him forever!

Wang Bert cursed, "I only screwed over one of your sons, destroyed one of your projections, and ruined one of your schemes. Do you really have to haunt me like a ghost?"