The corpse of Fielding remained outside the gate, carefully avoided by passing maidservants.

Just as Fong How considered disposing of the body in the transformation chamber, a new plan formed in his mind.

After dinner, a skeletal dragon descended before the lord's manor.

And hey, Jing dismounted.

My lord, he greeted, I have acquired a corpse of a blood clan member and require your assistance in interrogating it for valuable intelligence.

At your service, replied Hey Jing.

The two proceeded to a designated area where the body was laid.

Hey Jing began inscribing ritualistic symbols while Fong House summoned two livestock as blood coursed along the drawn symbols.

Fielding, long deceased, suddenly sat upright, his gaze vacant.

My lord, you may proceed with your inquiries.

Hi Jing announced without hesitation.

Fun how posed his question.

Fielding, what is the troop strength at the Radium Moon Heights? Fielding his visit shard responded, approximately 60,000.

The Radiant Moon Heights has not conducted a troop count in quite some time and lack specific figures.

What is the current power level of the Red Duke? I am uncertain.

Has he broken through to the dark gold tier? No.

At this moment, H Jing exchanged a glance with Fong Hao, indicating that Fielding could only respond to one more question in his current state.

When the Red Duke was still a human lord, where did he conceal the body of his beloved? Fielding's already swollen body momentarily hesitated, seemingly astonished by the question.

Yet, he answered without delay.

At the bottom of Lake Tanho in the Radiant Moon Heights.

Provide me with the exact location.

Just as Fong Ho opened the Lord<unk>'s book, Fielding<unk>s body shattered with a loud crack, flesh and bone scattering.

My lord, have you acquired the desired intelligence? Hey, Jing inquired.

Closing the Lord<unk>'s book, Fong Ho affirmed, "Yes, Fielding held a significant position at the radiant moon heights, and the information is quite useful.

This examination has rendered previously uncertain intelligence more concrete.

The cavalry strength stands at 60,000.

While we did not ascertain specific details about the Red Duke's rank, he was an eighth tier 5 years ago and has yet to reach the dark gold tier, likely placing him at the ninth or 10th tier of power, not vastly different from Domiga's orange eighth tier.

Most importantly, Fong Hao obtained a vital clue regarding the last corporeal trace of the pulsating heart, located at the bottom of Lake Tanho in the Radium Moon Heights.

The exact location of Lake Tanho remains uncertain.

However, with a name and its presence within the Huiwa Highlands, the search should not prove difficult.

My lord, are we to engage in battle with the Blood Clan? Asked Hijing.

Upon the arrival of the Bone Dragon, Hijing observed the newly stationed troops awaiting outside the city.

Coupled with the recent interrogation of the Blood Clan, it was reasonable to deduce that a confrontation was imminent.

Indeed, this time we shall take the initiative and wage war against the Huiwa Highlands.

The northern fortress must be on high alert to prevent any chaos instigated by the trolls, Funghow declared.

Hijing, a crafted skeletal hero, possessed unwavering loyalty, ensuring that divulging future plans posed no risk.

Instead, Hijing's thoughts turned to the northern troll fortress, prompting a need for heightened vigilance to avert potential issues.

Rest assured, my lord, I shall make the necessary arrangements upon my return.

Hijing affirmed with a solemn nod.

Well then, I appreciate your efforts.

Hijing is my duty, my lord.

With that, Hijing departed, proceeding to mount the bone dragon and return to his post at the bloody fortress.

After bidding farewell to Hijing, Fonghouse summoned Ditiga to relay the information acquired from the interrogation, ensuring he was mentally prepared.

Having tended to all matters, the night had deepened by the time Fong returned to his chamber and fell into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, at the Bloodclan castle within the Huiwa Highlands, the Red Duke's countenance was dark and foreboating, his brow etched with fury.

"Where is he? Where is Fielding?" The Red Duke roared, his voice echoing like a maddened beast, thirsting for blood.

The journey from Huiwa Highlands to Pru City typically spanned 2 days when one was familiar with the route.

According to the plan, a batch of Pru City residents was to be delivered as blood slaves to the Hiwa Highlands 3 days prior.

Yet here they were.

With neither the blood slaves arriving nor a trace of Fielding, even if the Red Duke was loathed to consider it, he recognized that something must have gone arry.

It was increasingly likely that Fielding had encountered dire circumstances.

Chapter 278.

The enraged Red Duke upon the throne.

The visage of the Red Duke was marred by bulging veins.

His countenance contorted in a manner reminiscent of a demon emerging from the abyss.

I inquire of you, why have the individuals designated in our original plan, not arrived.

His voice, steeped in malice, sent chills down the spines of all present, under the weight of the red duke's wrath.

The remaining vampires trembled in fear, their bodies quaking uncontrollably with the newfound strength he possessed.

The Red Duke had grown increasingly merciless.

Throughout the entire Huyo Heights, none dared to defy him.

My lord, this matter has been under Fielding's jurisdiction.

There must have been some oversight.

One of the vampires ventured to speak.

The scheme to subvert the city of Plural had been strictly forbidden for interference, entrusted solely to fielding.

Thus, their knowledge of the situation's progress was limited.

With Fielding having failed in his task, the Red Duke's interrogation left them feeling utterly humiliated.

The Red Duke scoffed, and in an instant, he vanished from sight, reappearing before the aforementioned vampire.

With a swift motion, he sees the creature by the throat, his sharp fangs sinking into the tender flesh of its neck, greedily siphoning its lifeblood.

The vampire's face contorted in horror, desperately seeking to plead for mercy.

Yet no sound escaped its lips.

Its body rapidly withered, succumbing to a state of utter weakness before being carelessly cast aside.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Witnessing this gruesome display, the remaining vampires turned pale, their legs weakened, and they fell to their knees.

They understood that the Duke's temperament was perilously unstable today, especially after Fielding had executed another vampire.

Even the disappearance of young master Giovani had not provoked such a fierce reaction from the Duke.

Perhaps satiated from his recent feast.

The Red Duke's mood began to stabilize somewhat.

I wish to hear no more of this nonsense.

I demand concrete information.

The Red Duke's icy gaze swept across the assembly.

A moment of silence enveloped the room before another vampire spoke.

My lord, my scouts have discovered signs of a struggle along the route.

And among the thickets lay the corpse of a human.

It appears that someone has intercepted the blood slaves intended for delivery.

The Red Duke raised an eyebrow intercepted.

Who would dare to ambush along that path? Were no traces of the pale-blooded ones found? He returned to his seat.

No, the scene was thoroughly cleansed.

Everything of value has been taken, and the human remains likely abandoned in the woods, possibly overlooked during the night, the vampire replied.

Ah, I see.

You have done well.

The Red Duke acknowledged, offering a fleeting compliment.

Thank you, my lord.

Once more, the Red Duke's gaze swept over the others as he continued his inquiry.

"Does anyone have news from Fielding?" Silence fell upon the assembly again regarding Fielding, or indeed the city of Plural.

It was as if they were engulfed in a void.

With so many present, yet devoid of any information, the Red Duke's expression darkened with fury, and he exhaled heavily.

Turning to the blood servant beside him, he commanded, "Go to the Faceless One's cottage.

News should have arrived by now.

" "Yes, my lord," the blood servant replied swiftly, departing for the cottage of the Faceless One.

The previous day, the Red Duke had dispatched an order to the cottage.

And today, news was anticipated.