To solve the issue quickly and gain the beast men's support, Zoe deliberately gives support to the beast men so they can find their children's whereabouts.
He unlocked the lock by cutting it down. "Three of you can come with me. The rest will stay here until we return
Don't try to outsmart or cause trouble. Even though the one in charge here is less ruthless than me, but very dangerous. Always remember, no one here cares, if you live or die."
The threat was quiet—but absolute.
Without another word, Zoe turned and walked away. After a brief hesitation, three beast men followed. Guided by the faint scent of their kin, they moved swiftly into the forest.
Deeper… and deeper… Until a lone house came into view, hidden among the trees. The beast men tensed, ready to rush forward.
"Stop." Zoe said.
"Why? Our children are inside—" one of them protested.
But the moment he met Zoe's cold gaze, his voice faltered. He stepped back.
With a subtle release of mana, Zoe scanned the surroundings. He sensed five men with weapons guarding the house.
For the beast men, his movements weren't even easy to catch up. In split seconds, he vanished from the place and began to take care of the guards one by one.
Watching from a distance, the beast men felt a chill run down their spines. This wasn't a fight rather a straight went execution.
In the Dragon Realm, even enemies of the same race rarely killed each other outright. Battles were fought with restraint—like duels.
But here seeing that Zoe didn't hesitate to take the lives of his own kind, made them think what might have happened if they actually offended him.
Moments later, Zoe stood before the door and knocked on the door.
The door slowly opened and a sword shot out instantly, aimed straight for his heart. But it stopped mid-air like frozen. The wielder strained, unable to move forward an inch.
Zoe smiled faintly at the old man wielding the sword. Without a second of hesitation—he kicked the old man backward.
Seeing Zoe's hand movements as they can search the place now, the beast men rushed inside, frantically searching every corner.
But—
"They're not here…" one of them said, panic creeping into his voice. "I can smell them—their scent is everywhere… but they're not here!
Where did you hide them?" Hitting the old man, one of the beast men asks.
"How can I show you something, that's not here…" Wiping the blood from his lips, the old man replied. He was sure, they won't find the children.
Zoe's gaze shifted to the old man. "Where are the children?"
The old man let out a dry laugh. "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I said…" Before he finishes, Zoe cut off one of the old man's right fingers.
His scream cut through the room.
"Say that again," Zoe said calmly.
The old man trembled, sweat dripping down his face. "I don't…"
Another cut. Another finger. His scream filled the room.
"I don't like to hear negative answers, so think carefully and answer." Saying it, another finger he took. "My patience are limited…" Unable to give him time to think, Zoe sprinkled a fine white powder over the wound.
The reaction was immediate.
The old man's body convulsed as a searing heat spread through him, as if his flesh had been set ablaze from within. A broken scream tore from his throat, his face twisting in agony.
"I'll talk! I'll talk!" he cried out. "In the basement. Rotate the doll…" Pointing at the doll placed on the corner, the old man said.
Zoe straightened. One of the beast men, rotate the doll and a hidden basement door appeared on the floor.
"Go and Check it." Zoe ordered.
Hearing it, the beast men rushed to check, without hesitation.
...
Once they went to check, Zoe turned back to the old man. "Now tell who's the mastermind behind it?" Knowing a normal person can't break the dragon realms barrier so easily. So, Zoe suspects a mastermind behind it.
A fear crossed the face of the old man. "I-I am the one…"
Before he finishes, Zoe's sword pierce through his toe. "I hate lies..."
"I'm not lying…" the old man cried, his voice trembling.
Zoe leaned in slightly, his eyes like ice.
"Your eyes have already betrayed you," he said. "Speak the truth… or what comes next will be far worse."
The old man's composure shattered.
"T-that person…" But before he could reveal more information, a thin needle shot forward and pierced the old man's throat. His body stiffened… then collapsed to the ground taking his last breath.
At the same moment, a hidden figure in the shadows collapsed as well—choosing death over capture, ensuring no further information could be revealed.
...
Moments later, the beast men return with their beast cubs, most of them are in human forms. They all seemed weak and their small bodies trembling as they clung tightly to the beast men's clothes. Fear lingered in their eyes as they looked at Zoe.
Zoe looked at the cubs, the one he was looking for… wasn't there.
"Is that all of them?" he asked.
"Yes," one of the beast men replied without hesitation.
Zoe remained silent for a moment. Then, he turned toward the basement as if not trusting their words. "I'll confirm it myself."
The air below was thick with a foul, suffocating stench.
Each step grew heavier as Zoe moved deeper into the darkness, the scent of blood and decay clinging to the walls.
He searched carefully. In the far corner— he found it.
A small figure lay curled up, barely moving.
A nine-tailed black fox cub.
Its breathing was shallow, its body covered in wounds, as though it had endured far more than the others.
He crouched down gently and lifted the fragile cub into his arms, as if afraid even the slightest force might break it.
"Leave him there; he won't survive," One of the beast men, came with Zoe spoke. He had no compassion for the cub
"If he left him like this, it might come true. But right now, he is still breathing." Zoe's voice clearly expressed his anger.
"Because you are our savior, I will give you advice. He is a jinx, born after killing his own mother.
Nothing good came from saving such a thing. It will only bring disaster." The beast man speak as a warning.
"I don't believe in such things. If you don't want him, can I take him." Zoe asks.
"No problem, later don't blame us for not give you a warning." Without waiting for Zoe's response about to take or leave the cub, the beast man walked out of the basement.
Softly touching the fox cub, Zoe whispered. "Finally, we meet again, Bai Lu…"