Chapter Ninety-Two: Rescuing the Werewolf

“Did you go to the Red Moon Pavilion again last night?”
“You even know that?”
“There’s a scent from there on you!”

Inside the courtyard, two night guards were leaning against the wall, chatting casually while sneaking sips of wine. This place was extremely remote; not only were there almost no living people, but even the occasional bird flying by was seen as a novelty.

The mansion sat north of Lanzhou, near a forest on Dragon King Mountain. Thick foliage blocked sunlight, the air was fresh, and the back mountain was rich with rare medicinal herbs. Aside from the occasional herb gatherer passing through, hardly a soul was ever seen here throughout the year.

The entire estate was enclosed by a red brick wall shaped like a huge square, with eight interconnected rooms on the ground. In the center of the courtyard stood a massive ancient tree, its branches lush and sprawling. Beside it was a training ground with several wooden stakes and a rack for weapons.

Both guards were already quite drunk, their faces flushed as they laughed and exchanged words about a certain girl from the Red Moon Pavilion.

Suddenly, one of them felt the urge to relieve himself and called out, “Don’t finish the wine! Save some for me, I’ll be right back.” With that, he grabbed a knife and disappeared into the pitch-dark woods.

He found a spot, half-relieving himself while cautiously scanning his surroundings. Suddenly, a white shadow flashed past, startling him so much that he immediately drew his knife.

“Who’s there?”

At this late hour, the sudden apparition of a white figure terrified him. His throat moved as he swallowed nervously.

“I died so miserably… down below it’s so cold, so cold…”

Hiding behind a tree, Li Pingyang pinched his throat, producing a faint, trembling voice. Hearing this, the guard’s face drained of color, gripping his knife and trembling as he asked who was speaking.

“The entire Li family of over ten people was wiped out. Didn’t you see it?”

“I—I didn’t kill anyone! It’s not my business!”

The guard stammered as he backed away, convinced he was confronted by a vengeful spirit. Despite his drunkenness, he truly believed it.

He retreated until his back hit a tree, when another white shadow flashed before his eyes again. Terrified, he dropped to his knees, begging for mercy.

“It was the werewolf who killed them all! She slaughtered everyone! It’s not my fault. If you want revenge, go after her.”

Li Pingyang’s heart leapt with joy; he finally had the answer he sought. Pressing the guard further, the man confessed fully, even revealing the werewolf’s location.

However, the key to the basement was not on him but on the other guard.

“You may go now.”

Li Pingyang pinched his throat and said this, then picked up a stone. As the guard scrambled to run back, Li Pingyang struck him unconscious with the stone.

Returning to the courtyard, he found the other guard heavily drunk, sitting against the wall clutching a wine jar. At his waist hung a golden key. Li Pingyang easily took it and, guided by the white wolf, proceeded to the basement.

Descending the basement steps, they came upon a stone door. Using the key, Li Pingyang opened it and stepped inside.

Along the walls, candles burned at intervals, lighting a corridor lined with prison cells.

The first cell held a disheveled man chained by the neck. He lay on the floor, scratching symbols with blackened nails. His eyes seemed blind, but upon hearing footsteps, his ears twitched and he crawled toward Li Pingyang, reaching out through the bars to grab his arm.

“I’m so hungry! Please, give me some food.”

The man lifted his head; his eyes were completely black, shrouded in darkness. Hearing his voice, others in nearby cells crawled forward too, all blind and unable to see.

From their clothing, they appeared to be villagers from nearby areas, all captured and imprisoned. Each cell’s floor held a bowl filled with red liquid.

They were forced to drink the blood of the werewolf, mutating into neither fully human nor beast—monstrous creatures marked by black veins and tipped with black claws.

Driven by an insatiable hunger for flesh and blood, they were secretly bred by Minister Fang, an undying zombie army.

Pressing further inside, Li Pingyang reached the last cell. Approaching, he felt a powerful force emanating from within.

Inside, a girl sat curled up, arms wrapped around her knees, dressed in white. Her cell bars were reinforced with iron rods—a subtle sign of the danger she posed.

Though she appeared harmless, she possessed destructive power.

The white wolf looked at her, tears gleaming in its eyes as it moved closer. As it neared, the girl suddenly exhaled a dark aura that instantly appeared before the wolf.

Her pitch-black eyes stared blankly at the wolf; one hand gripped it while the other transformed into a sharp blade. Seeing this, Li Pingyang quickly drew his sword, tension thickening the air.

In the girl’s memories, she seemed to recognize the white wolf, staring for a long moment. Fragmented memories flooded her mind; after closing her eyes to think, she finally released her grip.

Li Pingyang found it hard to believe this very girl was the ruthless demon who had slaughtered the entire Li family.

Using the key, he unlocked her cell and freed the others. Together with the werewolf, they left the basement.

Just as they emerged, an ambush awaited outside—countless archers ready in position. The mutated villagers rushed forward only to be shredded by a hail of arrows.

The archers tensed upon seeing the werewolf freed, stepping back several paces, clearly fearful of her power.

Drawing their bows in unison, another volley of arrows flew.

Li Pingyang raised his sword to block the attack with his inner energy, but the werewolf acted first. Dark energy surged from her body, forming two enormous claws that intercepted all the arrows.

She then spread her wings and soared into the air, glaring fiercely. Her giant claws swiped, sending a barrage of black spikes back at the attackers.

The archers were instantly annihilated, leaving Li Pingyang stunned.

Suddenly, black energy coiled around Li Pingyang’s waist as the werewolf lifted him and the white wolf, flying away from the mansion.

They finally landed atop a mountain beside a large tree. The werewolf set them down near a dilapidated temple.

Seeing the familiar ruin, a faint light flickered in her dark eyes as memories flooded back, causing her intense pain.

Standing behind her, Li Pingyang noticed the source: a black iron nail was embedded in the back of her head, a small portion protruding and emitting wisps of black smoke.

Approaching, Li Pingyang touched the nail and carefully began to pull it out bit by bit. The werewolf stood motionless, offering no resistance.

As the nail gradually came free, her once pitch-black eyes cleared, and the dark veins faded. Yet she was on the verge of vanishing from this world entirely.

“Grandmother.”

The werewolf spoke softly. At her voice, the temple door creaked open, revealing a white-haired elderly woman. She stepped out, and upon seeing the werewolf, was so overwhelmed with emotion that she could not speak.