With a dull thud, Jiang Yan Hai landed on the ground. "Ah..." A startled cry came from inside. Jiang Yan Hai did not raise his gun, instead looking toward the sound.
At the very back of the cellar, a candle was burning. Not far beside it, a tiny figure had curled herself into a ball, desperately trying to make herself even smaller. She seemed to want to squeeze herself into the stone wall, preferably becoming a stone herself.
Jiang Yan Hai slowed his steps and gradually approached. When he drew near, he could hear a small voice praying softly, "Dao Ancestor, please bless me. I don't want to be eaten... Red Mad Wolf can't see me... can't see me..."
She spoke in a tiny voice, struggling to suppress her fear. She wanted something to comfort herself, yet feared drawing Red Mad Wolf's attention.
Jiang Yan Hai felt a little miserable. He said quietly, "Little girl, don't be afraid. I'm not a monster."
"Ah..." The moment Jiang Yan Hai spoke, she immediately let out a scream. It was entirely a conditioned reflex; any small sound could make her react like this.
But after she clearly heard Jiang Yan Hai's words, she stopped screaming. She abruptly released her hands from around her head, rolled over, and scrambled up from the ground. Facing outward, she lifted her head and looked at Jiang Yan Hai.
When she saw Jiang Yan Hai clearly, some of the fear on her face finally faded. She wanted to come over, but Jiang Yan Hai's clothes and gear kept her from moving. She remained crouched there timidly and asked in a low voice, "Big brother... did the Dao Ancestor send you to save me?"
"Yes, the Dao Ancestor sent me to save you." Jiang Yan Hai smiled and held