The situation is gradually becoming clearer. The Vampire Elders have devised a plan to breed Mutants and Inhumans as their staple diet, while using human blood to help Dracula ascend to godhood.
Upon discovering this plan somehow, the Inhumans immediately retrieved the Terrigen Crystal, aiming to strike first.
Thus, a dark war broke out between the two sides. Not only do the Vampire Hunters want to drag ordinary human armies into the fray, but the Inhumans are doing the same.
After all, the sheer number of ordinary people cannot be ignored. If the humans and Blood Race suffer mutual defeat, it creates more living space for the Inhumans.
There's no movement from the Mutants for now, but Su Ming can imagine the reaction if Apocalypse emerges again.
Currently, the acknowledged leader among the Mutants is the Hellfire Club, with Sebastian Shaw as the current Black Emperor. He's not only a scientist but also a billionaire, frequently mingling in high society, and thus his information is likely more informed.
They must have made some moves, but for now, Su Ming is unaware.
Seeing the hopeful gazes focused upon him, Su Ming smiled again, gathered the documents and photos on the table, and returned them to Harold.
"Kama Taiji remains neutral in this event, ensuring our dimension is not invaded by external threats is our primary task."
The crowd could not help but display disappointment. Quincy had hoped that the Supreme Mage's summons would provide an opportunity to gain the White Mages' support, which would significantly lower the difficulty of their actions.
But Slade intends to uphold the tradition of The Ancient One, which is understandable. Vampire Hunters have almost no influence on Warlocks.
Quincy set down his wine glass, rubbed his hands on his thighs, and stood up forcefully: "I understand, Supreme Mage, thank you for your hospitality."
"Actually, I wouldn't recommend you go against Dracula; it will be your death," Su Ming advised casually, purely out of goodwill.
Quincy shook his head, extended his hand to shake Su Ming's in farewell: "If we can't completely destroy Dracula, we are no better than The Walking Dead. Our reason for living is to drag him to Hell with us."
"Hatred has blinded you all; meaningless sacrifice is less wise than waiting for the right moment." Su Ming hinted at waiting a few more decades; once Blade is born, matters will be much easier.
Quincy smiled bitterly. Even if they ceased hunting Vampires, Dracula wouldn't spare any of them:
"He often appears in our nightmares, a dark red Nightmare; every day is a torment for us. Every moment, he could suddenly pounce from the darkness, and we are all too exhausted."
Su Ming's fingers slid over a can, noticing their expressions were similar; it seemed they had reached this consensus long ago: "If you wish, I can negotiate on your behalf. With myself and Master Gu Yi involved, Dracula would certainly agree not to entangle with you."
"No, I want revenge for my parents, for all the victims of the Van Helsing Clan," Rachel stood up and adjusted the crossbow on her back: "This is also for all humanity, to prevent future people from being threatened by Vampires."
"Oh, alright then, stay and have a meal before you go. I'll have someone take you to the Waldorf Hotel for a good meal. Put it on my tab; it's rare to visit New York, by the way, where were you before? Why so much dirt?"
"The Rocky Mountains, winter there has many Beasts." Jin politely nodded farewell to Su Ming, for Vampires, eating meals was like a joke.
"Deer hunting season is still far away. After the meal, I'll have Hamill send you back." Su Ming stood up and walked back to his desk, picking up the phone.
Very soon, a golden Teleportation Gate opened, and Hamill took everyone away once more, leaving behind a mess in the office. Now he waited for Gin's news, but before that, Su Ming still had some arrangements to make.
This was merely a case of some Vampire Elders acting on their own, with Dracula tacitly consenting. If Su Ming dealt with these elders and then pressured Dracula, he could easily claim ignorance and step down from the situation.
This would avoid tearing relations completely, preserving humanity and Earth. Vampires could continue to exist. After all, the number of people dying from Vampire attacks each year is not more than those from car accidents.
Dracula raises many Blood Slaves, drinking their blood when hungry, and rarely hunts outside. Even Vampires with slight status won't venture out; after all, what era is it?
Maintaining balance is the Supreme Mage's responsibility, exterminating any species can have unimaginable effects on the Future unless they are destined for extermination.
However, with the Inhumans, breaking ties seems inevitable since they still owe Su Ming a murderer. He has to think about how to control the situation.
Su Ming dialed the same number again; after several rings, someone finally answered the phone.
"Hello? Hamill isn't here now."
"It's me, Master Monak, please come to my office."
Su Ming said earnestly, hanging up without giving Master Monak a chance to protest.
Accompanied by the unfolding of a black Wormhole, Master Monak soon appeared in the office with a look of despair. He had been trying to eliminate the fluid buildup in his abdomen for the past few days, and being summoned by Deathstroke usually meant trouble.
"Have you eaten, Master Monak?" Su Ming showed a concerned smile, standing up cheerfully to pat his shoulder.
Master Monak looked at him with a dead-fish-like gaze, his face displaying hopelessness: "Stop calling me that. When you address me with such a polite smile, I feel like I won't live long."
"How could it be, hehe, how's the new breed of rabbits I gave you a few days ago? Aren't they breeding particularly fast?" Su Ming handed him a wine glass and poured some wine into it.
"Uh... I knew it wouldn't be anything good. Since when have you cared about my rabbits? You don't love them at all." Little Moustache Mage showed a look of grief as he gazed towards the distant sea through the window.
A few seabirds flew by in the distance, as if symbolizing that his freedom was flying away too.
"Don't worry, you don't need to cast many spells this time. Didn't you want me to go to Kama Taiji? Let's go now."
Monac immediately pulled out a rabbit from his pocket and choked it to death, tossing the corpse on the floor, his eyes brimming with tears: "What are you waiting for? Please!"
The staff swung, and a black wormhole appeared again, revealing the snowy white complex of buildings in front.
"Please."
Su Ming smiled slightly, hooked Monac's shoulder, and they stepped into the wormhole together. A black tentacle conveniently took the dead rabbit with it; the rabbit head couldn't be wasted.
When the Supreme Mage appeared in Kama Taiji, all the apprentices present bowed in greeting, followed by the various ceremonies that had been prepared long ago.
Luckily, there's no need to worship Emperor Vishanti as if you're a gangster paying homage to Guan Gong; after some inexplicable rituals, Su Ming casually spoke a few words, and everyone applauded and dispersed.
Go about their business, because today's lessons can't be stopped—at most, they'll get an extra chicken leg for dinner.
Even so, Su Ming felt a bit exhausted, weary from all the formalism that's taking a toll on him. He returned to the chamber once used by The Ancient One, sat cross-legged on the mat, and gulped down water. Outside the door, snowflakes drifted down, everything blending into a white haze.
The incense burner in the room smoldered, thin smoke spirally floated upward—a scent capable of calming one's mind.
Though the ceremony was meant for Su Ming's succession, it seemed like Monac was the happiest one despite not knowing exactly why he was happy, but it was undeniably premature.
"Mordo." Su Ming used the lid of the teacup to skim the tea, solemnly calling out the name.
A mage with dark complexion immediately appeared outside the door, having been waiting for orders all along.
Actually, he's just a bit dark-skinned; not a black man nor an Indian. His homeland is Transylvania, nestled in some mountainous region in Romania, and he holds the title of Baron.
"What does the master command?"
"I can't get used to the taste of butter tea, go get me some pre-Qingming Longjing tea." Su Ming set down the teacup and casually commanded.
"Yes, master."
Mordo first bowed in ceremony, then immediately opened a teleportation gate and rushed to West Lake. When the Supreme Mage wants to drink tea and makes a request, as a disciple of Kama Taiji, you have to fulfill the master's wish.
Monac scoffed, giving Deathstroke a disdainful glance; this is too picky, isn't it? Back when you drank butter tea with The Ancient One, why didn't you say you were unaccustomed to it?
Even though he didn't like butter tea either, as a British person, black tea is the top choice.
Without even acknowledging Little Moustache Mage's expression, Su Ming began explaining green tea to him.
Pre-Qingming tea refers to West Lake Longjing picked before the Qingming Festival, and its quality is the best. Usually, the newest buds are harvested then. Though new leaves will grow afterward, the quality and taste aren't as good as the first harvest.
Mordo quickly returned, drenched in sweat; it's daytime in the United States when it's nighttime in the Celestial Dynasty, and buying tea wasn't easy.
Su Ming, smiling broadly, accepted the tea leaves, personally preparing to brew them while slowly unwrapping the paper package, while reprimanding Mordo.
"How can you host guests with just tea leaves? Didn't you see Master Monac is here too? Go buy some pastries from the main gate of the front street Ji Qing Zhai in the Celestial Dynasty Imperial Capital, their 'eight treasures,' go on."
Mordo hadn't even had a chance to sit down and catch his breath before being assigned a new task, acting as a runner once more.
"Yes, master. But what are the 'eight treasures'?"
Mordo's black face showed confusion; though he speaks Chinese, he doesn't understand many expressions.
"Ask the people in the shop. Don't you know even this? Go learn!" Su Ming waved his hand as if shooing a fly, driving Mordo away, continuing to explain tea to Monac: "Pre-Qingming Longjing tea leaves are bright green, emitting a sweet fragrance. After brewing, the buds and leaves stretch out, floating and sinking in the water, vivid and beautiful..."
Monac glanced at the dissipating teleportation gate, then at Deathstroke with a bemused expression; he was starting to understand: "Come on, tell me, what's your reason for tormenting Mordo like this? I can't believe you suddenly became particular about living quality; what's your scheme?"
Su Ming gently tossed the tea leaves into the cup, answering calmly: "It's for his own good; otherwise, he'll end up dying by either your hand or mine sooner or later."