Aurora Sinclair nodded.

After the meal, everyone dispersed. Supported by Mama Young and Aurora Sinclair, a drunken Victor Trent staggered back home.

He suddenly glanced at Aurora Sinclair, pointed to the nearly full moon in the sky, and slurred four words: "Daughter of the Moon..."

Confused, Aurora paused for a moment. Mama Young, who was walking ahead, nearly let Victor Trent fall. Aurora quickly reached out with a steady hand and caught him.

Mama Young shot her a glare and chided in a low voice, "Be careful..."

The two of them helped Victor Trent back to his room and tucked him in, then assisted Raina Young with removing her makeup, bathing, and getting ready for bed.

It was nearly midnight by the time they returned.

Mama Young locked the door and turned to instruct Aurora Sinclair in detail, "Do not, under any circumstances, go outside tonight."

"What if I need to use the restroom?"

Mama Young suddenly pulled open a wooden door, revealing a small compartment with a plastic bucket inside.

"Use this."

Aurora Sinclair nodded again.

She then asked, "What is the Daughter of the Moon?"

Mama Young stiffened and shot her another glare. "Didn’t I tell you? Don’t look where you shouldn’t, and don’t ask unnecessary questions..."

"Alright." Aurora’s voice was a little dejected as she knelt on the tatami mat to prepare her bed.

Mama Young sighed. "It’s not a good thing to be called."

***

Meanwhile, Neve Sherwood and Beta Morgan arrived in Niphoria, weary from their journey.

Her face was covered by the mask of an exceptionally plain woman.

As soon as she entered, she performed an Ancient Martial Ceremony for Alvin Morgan.

"Young Lord Morgan, thank you for agreeing to help me reclaim my family."

Alvin Morgan gave a slight nod and turned his laptop toward her. "Before we make a move on the Sherwood Family, take a look at this..."

Neve Sherwood walked over and began to read it carefully.

The more she read, the deeper her frown became. "Young Lord Morgan, are you investigating the Yamada Clan?"

"Yes. Aurora has already infiltrated the Yamada Clan."

Neve Sherwood’s face turned pale in an instant. "That clan is cursed! You must not get involved with them..."

"Why?"

"When I was a child, I heard my father mention it. The Yamada Clan are descendants of a Martial God. Because they violated some taboo, they were cursed by the Moon Goddess. Every forty years, a monster is born into the clan. Later, rumors spread that the clan hangs red ropes on their doors during the full moon to appease the Moon Goddess’s anger."

"During these days, the clan members must not let the red ropes make any sound. A sound signifies that the Moon Goddess is enraged, and they must then select a man and a woman from the clan to become the Son and Daughter of the Moon. That night, they are sacrificed to the monster in the clan..."

As she spoke, Neve Sherwood’s body trembled slightly. Her father had told her this story when she was being naughty, and it had frightened her for days.

"What happens after the sacrifice?"

Neve Sherwood shook her head. "That’s all my father said. I suppose they’re eaten by the monster?"

Benjamin Morgan pushed up his glasses and replied with a hint of resignation, "This monster being born every forty years could be some kind of unknown hereditary disease. Forty years is about two generations, which would make it a recessive genetic disorder."

Neve Sherwood was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head. "I heard from the elders in my family that the monster has immense strength and ghostly speed. If it weren’t chained up, no one would be able to catch it..."

Alvin Morgan’s expression darkened instantly. He glanced at Benjamin Morgan, who immediately understood his master’s intention and walked out with his phone.

"Wh-what’s wrong? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?"

"No... You’ve provided an excellent clue." The corners of Alvin Morgan’s mouth curved into a smile.

Neve Sherwood breathed a sigh of relief.

***

「Midnight—」

Aurora Sinclair suddenly heard a woman’s cry. It seemed to come from far away, a chilling, whimpering sound.

She glanced at the soundly sleeping Mama Young, then slowly sat up. After lightly pressing one of Mama Young’s pressure points, she opened the door and vanished into the night.

The courtyard, picturesque by day, was like a maze at night. It took Aurora quite some time to navigate it and find the source of the crying.

Perhaps because this place was so peaceful, there wasn’t even a single person on night watch.

Only that formidable Power Domain occasionally spread through the courtyard. The master was likely practicing their techniques.

Aurora carefully avoided the Power Domain, following the increasingly loud sobs to a place that resembled an ancestral hall.

There were more guards here, all of them Grandmasters.

They surrounded the various gates of the courtyard walls, as if afraid someone inside might escape.

The crying from within wasn’t very loud, but it carried a faint, strange quality.

Aurora climbed onto a roof, carefully held her breath, and peered inside.

In the light of a bonfire, a tall, hairy, humanoid monster was on top of a young woman, roaring with excitement.

’What are they doing?’

After more than ten minutes, the Clan Leader of Yamada suddenly appeared and struck at the hairy monster’s body with his palm.

The hairy monster’s reaction was swift. It actually dodged the attack with astonishing speed, causing Aurora’s breath to catch in her throat.

The Clan Leader of Yamada barely managed to block a counter-attack and shouted, "Go get her back!"

Someone immediately rushed forward, scooped up the naked woman from the ground, and ran out.

Seeing this, the hairy monster became instantly enraged. It spun around and swiped, leaving five beast-like claw marks on the person’s back.

The Clan Leader of Yamada seized the opportunity to strike the hairy monster’s back, finally knocking it to the ground. He ordered his men to lock the gate at once.

The hairy monster roared in fury, the sound exceptionally loud in the tranquil valley.

The Clan Leader of Yamada took the woman’s hand, a strange smile on his face. "Go back and rest well. You will give birth to a powerful warrior for our clan."

Aurora watched for a long time but couldn’t make sense of it. In the end, she left the rooftop.

***

Birds began to chirp. In the utter silence, a sliver of pale white appeared in the black sky, gradually growing and brightening half the horizon.

Aurora Sinclair opened her eyes and glanced to her side. Mama Young was already sitting up and getting dressed.

She immediately got up and dressed as well.

"You didn’t go out last night, did you?" Mama Young asked suddenly.

Aurora’s heart skipped a beat, but she shook her head.

"Good. This clan is rather insular, and there are many taboos you must not break..." Mama Young reiterated, and Aurora Sinclair nodded.

"Today, the mistress will be going to the valley for a medicinal bath. We need to go with her."

"Do we need to prepare anything?"

"Bring a clean set of undergarments."

Aurora thought for a moment. "Are we getting in the water?"

"Yes, we’re going to the hot springs..."

Aurora’s heart tightened. Her disguised face wasn’t afraid of cold water, but it was terrified of hot water.

The material of her mask would melt if it came into contact with water over 40 degrees Celsius.

"Mama Young, is it possible for me not to go?" Aurora asked, hesitating.

Mama Young frowned slightly and glanced at her. "Are you afraid of water?"

Aurora Sinclair nodded. "I almost drowned in a river when I was little..."

"You can serve from the shore. You don’t have to get in."

Aurora could only agree reluctantly. However, she took a face mask from her luggage and put it on.

Seeing this, Mama Young’s frown deepened. "Why are you wearing a mask?"

"I’m afraid of drinking the water."

"..."

With her head lowered and the mask tucked in her pocket, Aurora Sinclair followed Mama Young into the steamy hot spring valley.

Along the way, they saw three women in white cloaks arriving, surrounded by an entourage of other women.

Raina Young politely stepped aside, because the bellies of the first two women in white cloaks were already showing. It was obvious that all three were pregnant.

Aurora glanced curiously at the last woman. Her face was very pale, her brow was tightly furrowed, and her eyes were filled with unease.

She was the woman from the secluded courtyard last night...