Chapter 198: The One Who Harms Others

Zhong Kui followed the footprints forward, the surroundings dead silent.

Dense canopy blocked the moonlight; in the pitch‑black night where one cannot see a hand, only his own footfalls and heartbeat echoed in his ears.

The air was suffused with a faint, intermittent scent of blood, sending chills down his spine.

After about a hundred meters, the once clear footprints suddenly became chaotic, as if someone had struggled violently here.

Scattered on the ground were several extinguished torches and some blood‑stained torn cloth pieces.

But the maze had no effect on Zhong Kui. He looked around, and without hesitation stepped to the right‑front, his stride firm.

Emerging from the forest, the view opened up brightly.

A small hill rose ahead, its front bearing a pitch‑black cave entrance; oddly, the entrance was overgrown with emerald vines that glowed faintly in the moonlight.

Zhong Kui was about to proceed when a deafening howl rang out!

With a "bang" of a huge sound, a white wolf as large as a small carriage fell from the sky, blocking his path.

At that moment the dark clouds cleared, and the bright moonlight fell on its silvery fur, creating a white halo that made it look extraordinarily divine.

Its green, eerie eyes stared at Zhong Kui, and it actually spoke human words:

"This matter does not concern you."

"Spare you a life is already a favor; please retreat."

Zhong Kui showed no fear; instead he stepped forward:

"May I ask what those two have done?!"

The white wolf gave no answer, but its tone grew colder: "Retreat, or do you also intend to lose your life?!"

Zhong Kui continued forward, drawing from his bosom a Protective Short Knife forged by a blacksmith:

"Please answer me, what have they done?"

Seeing his refusal to withdraw, the white wolf let out a low growl, leapt high, and its sharp claws lunged at the knife in Zhong Kui's hand!

Zhong Kui instantly recited a mantra, his body flickered like a ghost and retreated instantly, while the knife flew from his hand, turning into a flash of cold light aimed at the white wolf!

Though massive, the white wolf was unusually agile and easily dodged the strike.

It landed on the ground, a flash of surprise in its eyes: "Some skill, no wonder you're so bold."

"However," it bared its snowy white fangs, "this little skill is not enough to keep you alive!"

Before the words finished, its form flickered, ready to pounce again—

"White wolf, cease."

A clear, cold female voice came from the cave, like icy spring water dripping onto a jade plate, strikingly clear in the silent night sky.

The white wolf's body halted abruptly, a human‑like helplessness appearing on its face: "Why block me?"

It looked toward the entrance, where a graceful figure emerged.

Half of the face hidden in shadow, the other half outlined by moonlight—a delicate side profile that took one's breath away.

Skin as white as snow, eyelashes long as butterfly wings, nose slender and finely chiseled.

The woman whispered, "I wish to speak with this young master; you may return."

Though reluctant, the white wolf obeyed, leapt away and vanished into the night. The woman turned and walked deeper into the cave, leaving only: "Young master, if you wish to know the reason, then come in."

Zhong Kui followed without hesitation. Inside the cave the temperature was colder than the icy world outside, a bone‑deep chill that seemed to freeze one's very spirit. Zhong Kui silently activated his cultivation method to resist the cold, and followed the woman deeper.

When they reached the deepest part, the scene before him made his eyes widen—

Four white bones lay quietly on a stone platform. One adult male skeleton had multiple fractures, especially the ribs, several bones thrust into the heart area, clearly the fatal wounds.

Beside it lay a relatively intact female skeleton.

On the other side, a woman's skeleton clutched a child's skeletal frame, as if guarding even in death.

The woman's voice echoed softly in the cave: "They... were all my family."

She turned slowly, moonlight slanting in from the entrance, revealing tears and raging hatred in her eyes: "That year our family went to visit relatives; on the road we met a dashing hunter... he came with attendants and an Official Messenger."

Her voice began to tremble: "That man saw my face and harbored evil thoughts."

"My husband fought to protect me, was brutally killed... My mother‑in‑law stepped forward to reason, and was cut down... I cradled my child, knelt and begged for mercy, yet they... showed not a shred of compassion!"

The woman suddenly clenched her hands, nails digging deep into her palms, her voice wailing like a ghost: "After death they still tossed our corpses to the wilderness, letting wolves devour us!"

"If not for the white wolf's spirit‑communication, bringing our bones back... we would have nowhere to rest!"

"How hateful, how hateful!"

The cave's cold intensified suddenly, the four white bones seemed to respond to her anguish, trembling slightly.

Zhong Kui pursed his lips and said gravely: "Could it be that Wang Da and Wang Er were also involved back then?"

"Naturally," the woman nodded, gritting her teeth: "I have forgotten no one, nor could I forget their faces!"

"I will find them one by one, to avenge our family!"

"For such a blood feud, have I done anything wrong? Will you still try to stop me?"

She stared at Zhong Kui, eyes blazing.

Zhong Kui couldn't help thinking that if he had taken his little sister out, and met such people... his hatred and resentment would likely surpass even this woman's.

He shook his head and said: "Indeed, on the contrary, I ought to help you, to clear your injustice."

"Who was that dashing hunter?"

The woman, hearing his offer to help, showed a flash of surprise: "Do you truly mean what you say?"

Zhong Kui nodded, and said gravely:

"I lost both parents when I was young; I have only a younger sister to rely on. If I were to encounter what you faced while out… I believe I would not be less resentful than you."

"Such an unjust matter, a wrath of heaven and people, I Zhong Kui have encountered, so I must intervene!"

The woman saw his words resonant and sincere, and immediately bowed deeply to Zhong Kui:

"Young master, you truly are a beast‑faced, human‑hearted great benefactor, I bow to you!"

Zhong Kui: ".........."

It feels a bit off, but it doesn't seem really wrong either.

"No need for formalities," Zhong Kui helped her to her feet.

The woman then said:

"Those attendant Official Messengers said the dandy is Young Master Li Yuanji!"

Young Master Li Yuanji?

Zhong Kui furrowed his brows, silently thinking, could it be Li Yuanji?

If that's so, the situation would be serious.