17

In the mountaintop temple, the old monk and Mr Mo looked up at the sky together. The night wind rustled the monk's robe, and the candlelight flickered, casting a serious expression on their faces.

"Tonight...is very unsettling," the old monk murmured.

The night sky was deep and dark, as if split in two by a sharp knife. One half was hidden in darkness, with clouds swirling and lightning tearing through the sky, thunder rolling like war drums. Below, rivers churned, the black waters roaring like a giant beast, devouring everything along the banks. The wind howled through the forest, the leaves trembling, and trees twisted in the storm like souls in torment. The world seemed to be in chaos, the whisper of the storm echoing through the land, sending shivers down one's spine.

Yet, the other side of the sky was eerily peaceful. Above a cluster of clouds hung a bright full moon, its cool light spilling down, giving the layered clouds a silver hue. The clouds piled up, layer upon layer, and amidst the shadows, a giant Buddha figure seemed to sit in the void, eyes lowered, fingers gently holding a flower, serene and calm. Under the moonlight, the Buddha formed from clouds radiated a faint glow.

At the boundary between darkness and light, the divide was clear, as if two mighty forces were confronting each other. Thunder roared, trying to swallow the peace, while the Buddha remained unmoved, sitting serenely in the boundless night. The wind and clouds surged, the celestial phenomena changing, as if the universe itself was witnessing this silent clash.

Time passed, and the struggle between heaven and earth grew more intense. The storm abruptly ceased, the night sky briefly returned to calm, then suddenly golden moonlight rain fell, the raindrops sparkling in the darkness like falling stars. Morin quietly watched it all, his eyes reflecting the impermanence of the world.

"Sometimes, the darkness is so powerful that it devours everything, leaving even the raindrops in the storm with no choice," he murmured.

"But light, though weak, always kindles a spark in the deepest darkness," the old monk sighed, his gaze profound."That spark may be small, but it never goes out."

The night wind blew through the hall, rustling the wind chime at the temple entrance, producing a distant, low-pitched sound, like the echo of the heavens.

"Master, help!"

A girl's cry for help came from the temple gate.

-----------------

The air was filled with the damp scent of earth, and the night wind whispered through the leaves. Alex's steps were heavy, his left shoulder still bleeding, and every breath felt like claws tearing at his chest. He staggered against a tree, the rough bark scratching his palm, his fingers trembling slightly.

He didn't know how long he'd been walking through the forest, his mind torn between pain and exhaustion. The wind's whispers filled his ears, night birds occasionally called out in the distance, and the occasional crack of a branch underfoot kept his nerves on edge. The forest felt like an endless maze, the darkness pressing down on him, making his body feel heavier and his eyelids droop.

But he couldn't stop.

Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth and kept moving forward. The ground was soft with fallen leaves and slick with mud, each step slow and deliberate. In the night, the wind lifted his hair, sweat mixed with blood trickling down his face. His mind drifted, feeling as if the darkness was swallowing him whole, but every time he wanted to collapse, the terrified eyes of the villagers flashed in his mind—

He had to get to the temple!

After what felt like an eternity, the trees began to thin, and moonlight filtered through the branches, outlining the winding mountain path. His legs felt like lead, the dried blood on his wound cracking open with each step, causing searing pain. Yet he continued climbing, grasping exposed rocks and tree roots to keep himself upright.

The mountain wind howled, the cold air invigorating him. In the distance, he saw the silhouette of the temple—the familiar structure stood quietly in the night, the copper bell at the eaves gently ringing in the wind.

He had finally arrived.

Panting, Alex dragged his battered body, taking the final step to stand before the temple gate. Moonlight bathed him, highlighting his blood- and sweat-soaked clothes.

The temple gate stood open, the night wind brushing past the copper bell on the pagoda, producing a low, distant chime.

"Master!" Alex stood at the gate, his breathing labored.

Before him, his master and fellow disciples were descending the steps, preparing to leave, each with a solemn expression. Behind them, he saw a pair of eyes he knew all too well.

Brooke!

Her gaze was fixed on him, filled with an unfamiliar fear.

Alex froze, a mix of joy and confusion,"Brooke? What are you doing here? Weren't you with Jordan?"

The girl's lips trembled, but she didn't answer, instinctively hiding behind the old monk, as if avoiding something.

The atmosphere instantly tensed.

"Alex, come here." The master finally spoke, his voice still steady but with a sternness that brooked no argument. He stepped forward, placing a hand on Alex's wrist, his fingers pausing for a moment, his gaze heavy—the pulse was steady, but the overwhelming smell of blood made it hard to tell if it was from a person or a beast.

The master slowly withdrew his hand, urgency evident in his tone,"Alex, don't ask anything. Stay in the temple with your two brothers."

With that, the old monk pressed something into Alex's chest pocket and turned, leading the monks quickly down the mountain towards the academy.

Alex barely had time to ask more before his shoulder was gripped. His two brothers were equally grim, without their usual teasing, silently guiding him to a secluded meditation room. The door clicked shut, sealing his questions and his rising unease.

Outside, the two brothers stood guard with their staffs, their expressions ominously silent.

Alex stood in the center of the room, frowning. He felt something was happening, but everyone was deliberately keeping it from him. He unconsciously walked to the window, his gaze suddenly freezing.

Not far outside, Brooke was being led to another meditation room. She still looked tense, while a young monk brought in a pot of hot tea and gently closed the door.

Alex's fist clenched tightly.

Something was very wrong.

He frowned and asked the two brothers guarding the door, but all he got was silence.

Alex felt increasingly confused. Suddenly, he felt something in his chest pocket and slowly took it out. It was a wax pill.

Breaking the wax seal, he found a red pill inside. Alex felt a warmth in his heart and immediately put the pill into his mouth. A bitter taste filled his mouth, spreading to his stomach, and then transformed into a warm sensation. This was the life-saving pill made by the old monk, only to be used in critical injuries.

He slowly approached the window, squinting his eyes, staring at the night-covered forest.

The moonlight gently spilled over the temple's stone steps, covering them with a cool glow. The wind rustled the bamboo forest, casting dancing shadows. But in the shadows under the moonlight—

Something was moving.

Alex's eyes narrowed sharply.

His instinct told him that things were much more complicated than he imagined…

A tall pine tree stood proudly in the night, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. At the top of the tree, a werewolf who had just gone through a fierce battle was standing leisurely on a thick horizontal branch. The branch bent under his massive weight. The werewolf was wearing an expensive suit and, surprisingly, held a glass of red wine. The dark red liquid reflected an eerie light in the moonlight. He swirled the glass lightly, sniffed it, and smiled enigmatically.

Amber eyes locked onto the girl's direction, as if her every step and sigh were captured by his keen hearing. He took a small sip of the wine, savoring it, then shrugged and drank the rest in one gulp. Under the moonlight, he casually tossed the glass into a bird's nest on a nearby branch, startling an owl ready to sleep. The next moment, he smiled slightly, his body becoming a black blur as he jumped into the girl's meditation room.

After he left, the branch he stood on rebounded and shook, like an invisible hand caressing the nearby pines. The rustling branches made a whisper in the wind—

"Hey, girl, you made me grow!"

------

The night was dark, and the cold wind blew through the halls, enveloping the temple in silence.

Alex's eyes were fixed on the scene outside, his heart racing. The shadow moved in the moonlight, like a mass of twisting darkness. As it drew closer, its shape became clearer—

It was a huge beast!

Covered in thick black fur, it was as big as a bear, with strong limbs, and each step caused a heavy thud. Most shocking of all, it had a person at its waist!

—Brooke!

Alex's pupils shrank, his blood boiling. He rushed to the door, shouting,"Brooke—!"

The two brothers at the door were startled by his shout and turned almost simultaneously. Sensing something was wrong, they quickly looked outside, their faces changing instantly.

"What is that?!"

"Hurry! Stop it!"

But it was too late.

The monster turned its head slightly, revealing a pair of crimson eyes glowing coldly in the dark. Brooke seemed to be struggling at its waist, but the beast's strong arms held her tightly like a vice.

The next moment, the beast bent its knees and sprang with powerful hind legs!

"Boom!"

Dust flew, tiles shook, and the giant creature leapt over the high temple wall! The tiles shattered under its feet, scattering everywhere. Without pausing, it blurred and, with the girl in tow, disappeared into the night, heading down the mountain!

"Oh no!"

"Brooke has been taken!"