Chapter Seven: Eclipse of the Moon

The moonlight was hazy.

At this moment, Yang Jiekai moved through the woods like a wild beast, darting at an astonishing speed. After transferring the funds, the mysterious figure on the other end of the phone guided Yang Jiekai to the peak of the rear mountain, telling him the pill was hidden beneath a boulder at the summit.

That boulder was enormous, weighing several tons. Now, Yang Jiekai’s veins bulged across his body, crimson vessels snaking like worms under his skin, his eyes protruding fiercely. With a furious roar, he rammed the rock, flipping it over with sheer force.

Beneath the stone lay a bundle wrapped simply in oiled paper. Yang Jiekai, desperate as an addict confronted with his fix, tore the bundle open to reveal a marble-sized, pitch-black pill.

At that moment, a shadow crept across the edge of the full moon overhead—the lunar eclipse had begun.

Yang Jiekai swallowed the pill. Instantly, every cell in his body seemed to pulse; his blood boiled in his veins. As the moon was swallowed by darkness, thunder crashed down, one bolt striking Yang Jiekai square on the forehead.

He let out a long, agonized howl that shook the mountain forest. An overwhelming hunger and dryness swept over him. Just then, a stag bolted from the underbrush. Yang Jiekai lunged instinctively, sinking his teeth into its neck and draining it like a beast.

Thunder cracked again, lashing Yang Jiekai’s back. Sated on blood, Yang Jiekai clutched his head and writhed on the ground, howling in torment.

The lunar eclipse soon faded. As moonlight returned, the worm-like veins receded from Yang Jiekai’s body.

Sweat poured from his forehead, soaking his tattered clothes. He lay on the grass, gasping for breath. After a long moment, he touched his brow and muttered, “Damn it, this time was even more brutal than the last—when will it ever end?”

Yang Jiekai had no idea why this happened. He only knew that with every change of season or lunar eclipse, he transformed into a creature neither man nor ghost, clinging to life only with the help of the pill.

Had it not been for the pill’s effect just now, he feared he would have been shattered by the lightning. Since returning to his country, Yang Jiekai had gone to great lengths to amass the fortune needed to pay for these pills.

“Whatever. When the cart gets to the mountain, there’ll be a road ahead!”

He stood, forced a bitter smile for himself, dusted off his pants, and headed down the mountain.

What he didn’t know was that on a neighboring peak, two middle-aged men stood, gazing across.

“Looks like there’s another one now,” remarked a burly man at least two meters tall, watching the summit.

Beside him stood a tiny, gaunt dwarf, barely over a meter tall, rubbing his hands together and squeaking, “That’s good. Haven’t sparred with one of those things in ages. Just thinking about it is thrilling.”

A cruel smile twisted the big man’s lips. He lifted his arm and the dwarf leaped onto his shoulder like a monkey, vanishing into the endless darkness.

As dawn broke, a ray of sunlight spilled from the mountain peak across the city of Anhai.

Several luxury cars, engines roaring, entered a lavish villa district.

Lin Wenjie stepped out of a stretched Lincoln, strode to the entrance, and kicked the door twice. Hearing no reply, he signaled to his companions.

A cacophony erupted as the door was battered. Aunt Wang finally relented, trembling as she opened the door. “Mr. Lin…”

“Get out of the way!”

Lin Wenjie shoved her aside and stormed inside with his entourage, sprawling aggressively on the sofa. “Didn’t I tell you all to move out? Are your bags packed, or do you need my help?”

Han Ning descended from upstairs, her gaze calm as she looked at Lin Wenjie. “This is my home. No matter what you say, I won’t move out.”

Lin Wenjie sneered. “The property deed has my name on it. I am the owner here.”

“And if I refuse to leave?” Han Ning glared at him.

“If you won’t leave…”

Lin Wenjie’s smile grew colder. He signaled a companion, who immediately smashed the fish tank with a prepared hammer, then kicked the cabinet, sending ornaments crashing to the floor.

“What are you doing?” Han Ning rushed forward to stop them, but Lin Wenjie grabbed her wrist, smiling with amusement. “Everything in this house belongs to me. If I want to smash it, I will.”

He gently kneaded Han Ning’s delicate hand. “Of course, if you want to stay here and become one of my possessions, I won’t object.”

“Scoundrel!”

Han Ning struggled but couldn’t break free, her fury and shame erupting as she slapped Lin Wenjie’s face.

“You bitch!”

Caught off guard, Lin Wenjie’s rage flared. He slapped Han Ning hard and snarled, “Smash everything! Break it all!”

Aunt Wang rushed to protect Han Ning, only to be kicked viciously to the ground by Lin Wenjie.

“Bitch, don’t push your luck. Don’t think you’re anything special. You’re just a pathetic dog thrown out of this house!”

Lin Wenjie’s cruel nature was laid bare as he advanced on Han Ling, his eyes full of predatory lust. “Little bitch, everything in this house—including you—is mine. Today, I’ll show you just how powerful I am!”

Seeing Lin Wenjie’s intent in his eyes, Han Ling retreated in fear, terror and helplessness filling her heart. Aunt Wang tried to intervene again, only to be beaten mercilessly by Lin Wenjie.

“Why’s it so lively in here?”

Just then, a lazy voice sounded from the doorway.

Everyone turned to see a young man, ragged and filthy, standing there.

“Son-in-law!”

Though Yang Jiekai had robbed Han Ning last night, his appearance now was a lifeline for the desperate Aunt Wang. After all, Yang Jiekai was considered the “male master” of the house.

Yawning, Yang Jiekai entered, scanning the room. His eyes landed on a goldfish flopping on the floor. Suddenly, as if triggered, he rushed over, scooped it up, and cried, “Xiao Qiang, Xiao Qiang, what’s wrong?”

Everyone laughed at Yang Jiekai’s antics, wondering if he was mentally unstable.

Aunt Wang and Han Ning were equally bewildered.

Yang Jiekai continued his act, grieving over the goldfish. “Xiao Qiang, don’t die on me. I spent millions to buy you. You can’t just go like this!”

“Xiao Qiang, who did this to you? Tell me, I’ll avenge you!”

He pressed his ear to the goldfish as if he could understand it. After a moment, he nodded solemnly. “Xiao Qiang, I know. Rest in peace.”

He turned and looked at Lin Wenjie. “My Xiao Qiang says you killed him. He wants me to avenge him. What should I do?”

Yang Jiekai spoke with complete seriousness, as if sincerely seeking Lin Wenjie’s advice.

Lin Wenjie thought the guy was nuts and replied playfully, “So what do you want to do?”

Yang Jiekai tilted his head in thought. “Revenge seems unrealistic. It’s broad daylight; I can’t just take your life.”

He glanced around. “I won’t make a fuss over the other things. Just compensate me for Xiao Qiang. Let’s call it even. How about it?”

“Compensate you?” Lin Wenjie nearly burst out laughing. “Fine, no problem. I’ll buy you a whole crate of goldfish, hahahaha!”

Hearing Yang Jiekai demand compensation for his goldfish, everyone burst into laughter.

Yang Jiekai’s expression didn’t change. “My goldfish is a rare breed, one of a kind in the world. Seeing how straightforward you are, I’ll give you a fifty percent discount. Just pay me twenty million and we’re square. If you can’t bear to pay, I can go with the revenge option.”

Twenty million?

Lin Wenjie wondered if this guy was insane. How much could a goldfish possibly be worth? Did he not realize the situation, trying to extort him?

“Kid, you think you can get away with this?” Lin Wenjie strode forward, grabbed Yang Jiekai’s collar, and threatened, “Do you believe I’ll break your legs?”

Yang Jiekai nodded. “I believe.”

Before Lin Wenjie could react, Yang Jiekai suddenly punched him under the armpit, doubling him over in pain. Yang Jiekai followed with an uppercut, knocking him to the floor. He mused aloud, “So you’ve chosen revenge for Xiao Qiang, then?”

Lin Wenjie clutched his jaw, tears streaming from the pain. He roared, “Get him! Beat him to death!”

The crowd finally snapped to attention, rushing at Yang Jiekai. His movements seemed casual and simple—just a fist, a kick, or a grab.

Yet those understated actions immediately left a group sprawled on the floor.

“Wife.”

Yang Jiekai called to Han Ning. She was stunned by what she’d just witnessed—never expecting Yang Jiekai could defeat so many in moments.

“Mm.” Lost in awe, Han Ning responded instinctively. Realizing, her cheeks flushed red, just as Yang Jiekai continued, “Didn’t I say yesterday if this guy came again, I’d break his dog legs?”

He asked with such gravity, as if seeking confirmation for an ordinary matter. Han Ning recalled he had indeed said that, but wondered why he was bringing it up now. Was he really going to—

“No!” Han Ning cried, but it was already too late.

Crack—

A sharp sound of bone breaking echoed, followed by Lin Wenjie’s agonized scream.