The Rise of David

( Injustice, Family Tragedy, Martial Arts, Revenge, Hidden Destiny )

“This is not just the story of David Chen, but of a man destined to rise from darkness and leave his mark on the world — a larger-than-life journey of power, revenge, and hidden destiny.”

Book I

[Editor Note: David Chen➨David Chance(Kai)]

Chapter 1: Girlfriend Is Getting Married

“I'm finally out,” David Chance exclaimed as he forcefully took a deep breath of fresh air.

Behind him was Horington Prison, where he had been locked up for the past three years. Today was the day he was released.

“Hmm, I wonder how my parents are doing.”

With a torn canvas bag on his back, David hurried home right away. Over the last three years, his parents never visited him. Hence, he was worried about them.

On the way home, David kept looking at the bronze-colored ring he was wearing.

There was a lifelike dragon carved on it. On top of the dragon's head was a special symbol.

The ring was given to him by Draco, a friend from prison.

Draco was a strange man. He would constantly ramble on about how he was the leader of the Dragon Sect and knew everything, including astrology, geography, medicine, and many more. Not only that, he even claimed that he could bring back someone from the dead.

Everyone treated Draco as a madman and ignored him accordingly. Only David would chat with him and share his food occasionally.

Draco would tell David all sorts of strange stories about the Dragon Sect and Dragon Island. These were names that David had never heard before.

Moreover, Draco would get David to accompany him in his meditation and martial arts training. Given how bored David was in prison, he gladly went along with it.

At the end of three years, David had learned a plethora of martial art techniques and medical skills from Draco.

On the fateful day of David's release, Draco gave the ring to David and told him to go to Nameless Island within the Eastern Sea on the fifteenth of July that year.

There, he was supposed to flash his ring and someone would pick him up. When that happened, David would be bestowed with a wonderful opportunity.

Considering how much he had learned from Draco, David naturally took his words seriously and promised to do as he was told. Nevertheless, there were still a few more months to go before July.

Before he knew it, David had arrived at the entrance to his home. When he saw the dilapidated house in front of him, he felt a sense of bitterness, as he had no

knowledge of how his parents held up during the three years. Due to my rash actions, my parents must have suffered a lot.

Thinking back to what had happened three years ago, David was filled with anger.

Back then, he and his girlfriend, Sandy Gibson, were at the stage where they were talking about marriage. They were classmates at university and had been in a relationship for two years.

One day, when he was walking Sandy back home, both of them ran into Leyton Scott, who was drunk.

Leyton was a rich kid in Horington, well-known for all his misdeeds.

When he saw how pretty Sandy was, he harbored lecherous intentions against her and began touching her physically.

As a famous rich kid, Leyton didn't even bother to look at David.

Consequently, David was incensed when he saw his girlfriend being taken advantage of.

Picking up a brick from the ground, he smashed it onto Leyton's head.

One didn't need to be a genius to guess the outcome.

Considering how powerful Leyton was, he called the police, who arrested David.

Because of that, David was sentenced to three years in prison for assault.

After hesitating for a long time, David knocked gently on the door.

“Who is it?”

When the door opened, a hunched-back old lady with a headful of white hair popped her head out. Reaching out one hand as if to feel something, she asked, “Who is it? Who's knocking on the door?”

The old lady's eyes were closed shut. It could not be more obvious that she was blind.

David was stunned the moment he saw her. His eyes widened in shock while his entire body trembled slightly.

He could not believe that the old, wrinkled lady was his mother, Hannah Thompson.

How did Mom end up in such a state in just three years' time?

“Mom, it's me. David!” David called out emotionally as he stepped forward to support her.

“David? Is it really you?”

As Hannah used her hands to feel David's face, tears could not help but roll down her cheeks.

“Mom, it's me. It's really me.”

Tears were also welling up in David's eyes. “Mom, what happened to you?”

David was baffled as to how his previously healthy mother turned out this way after just three short years.

“Um, it's a long story. Come in first before we talk.”

Hannah pulled David into the house.

Seeing how empty their decrepit house was, David was shocked beyond belief.

Although they were not rich, his father had a steady job. Therefore, they previously led a simple yet comfortable life.

“Mom, what happened to our house?” David questioned in horror.

Hannah let out a sigh. “After you left...”

His mother then related everything to him. After David was sent to prison, the Scott family didn't look past the matter. Instead, they demanded a million in compensation.

Left without a choice, David's parents sold the house they bought for his marriage and borrowed a lot of money. Even then, it was not enough. Finally, they had to pay the last three hundred thousand in installments.

Thus, David's father lost his job and could only find work as a street cleaner. As for his mother, she cried all day long until she went blind.

That was also the reason why his parents never visited him.

While listening to his mother, David gradually clenched his fist as his eyes glowed with murderous intent.

He had not expected the Scott family to show his family no mercy.

“Mom, did Sandy not help you at all?” David asked in a puzzled tone.

Sandy and I were about to be married. Furthermore, I was jailed defending her honor. Hence, there's no way she can sit idly by and watch my parents end up in this state, can she?

Letting out a sigh, Hannah replied, “Let's not bring that up. Not only did the Gibson family ignore us, but they also didn't even return the betrothal gift when I asked for it back. They claimed it wasn't their fault that the wedding fell through because you went to prison. That's why they refused to return it.”

“When your dad argued with them, he was even beaten for it.”

The more Hannah talked about it, the more depressed she became. In the end, her tears just would not stop.

“Did the Gibsons really do that?” David furrowed his eyebrows, as he could not believe Sandy would do something like that.

Back when he was arrested, she even screamed in tears, saying that she would wait to marry him after he was released from prison.

Why did it turn out this way? As a result, David decided to see Sandy to ask her about it.

Suddenly, someone banged on their door heavily. The impact was so forceful that the door almost collapsed from it.

The moment Hannah heard the knock, her face turned pale in terror.

“Mom, who is it?” David asked curiously upon noticing his mother's reaction.

“Don't get involved. Go to your room quickly and don't come out, no matter what!”

After pushing him into his room, Hannah anxiously went to open the door.

Just as she did, a bald man entered with a group of fierce-looking men whose bodies were covered with tattoos.

“Have you prepared the money?” the bald man queried, glancing at Hannah.

“Baldy, I have. It's here.”

Hannah nodded repeatedly as she felt for a pouch in the corner.

At that moment, many of the neighbors had crowded around. However, they kept their distance at the sight of Baldy.

“These guys come asking for money every month. What a ruthless bunch!”

“Exactly. Where is the rule of law?”

“Shush, not so loud. They have been sent by the Scott family to collect money on schedule.”

The neighbors hid by the side and criticized the men's actions. Unfortunately, no one dared to interfere.

Meanwhile, Baldy snatched the pouch from Hannah's hands and opened it to check.

“What the f*ck is this?” Knitting his eyebrows, Baldy turned the pouch inside out, causing some torn notes and spare change to drop out. There were a hundred, a fifty, and a couple of ones. In fact, there was a load of coins inside.

“Does this even add up to ten thousand?” Baldy thundered at Hannah.

“Baldy, it's all there, and we counted it. If you don't believe me, you can count it yourself.”

Hannah nodded with an obsequious smile.

“Bullsh*t!” Baldy kicked Hannah in the abdomen and sent her crashing onto the ground. “How dare you ask me to count? I have no time for this. Change all of them to hundreds!”

“Mom!” Dashing out of his room, David quickly helped Hannah up.

Then, he swept an icy gaze across Baldy and his men, sending a chill down their spines.

“David, you shouldn't be out here. Go back into your room, and don't get involved!”

Hannah desperately tried to push him back.

“Mom, since I'm home, let me deal with this. You should just sit tight.”

After settling down Hannah on a chair, David turned to glare at Baldy.

Having scrutinized David, Baldy sneered, “Aren't you the guy who hit Mr. Scott with a brick and was imprisoned three years for it? I'm surprised that you're out! Your timing is impeccable. Today is the day your girlfriend and Mr. Scott are going to get married. As her ex-boyfriend, aren't you going to attend it?”

“Loser!”

Baldy and his men burst out laughing.

“What did you say?”

Furrowing his brows, David was filled with disbelief.

“I said the girl you went to prison for is marrying Mr. Scott today. The wedding is being held at Glamor Hotel, and it is certainly luxurious. Aren't you going to have a look?”

Baldy smirked at David.

As the frown on David's face intensified, he balled his hands into fists.

Behind him, Hannah was trembling all over as her expression drastically changed.

She could not believe Sandy married the enemy after David went to prison for her sake.

“Kneel and apologize to my mother. Do it, and I'll spare your lives.”

David's gaze turned frosty as a murderous aura emanated from his body.

Feeling the tension in the air, Baldy and his men stopped laughing.

After a while, comprehension dawned, and Baldy fumed, “What did you say? You want me to kneel and apologize?”

Just as he spoke, Baldy threw a punch in David's direction.

Given how scrawny David looked, he figured a single punch would take David out.

To everyone's surprise, David launched a kick in response to Baldy's attack.

Grabbing his crotch, Baldy collapsed to the ground. He was drenched in sweat as he cried out in agonizing pain.

“David, you can't afford to get into a fight again!” Hannah bellowed when she heard Baldy's repeated groans.

David was imprisoned because of assault. What if he gets arrested again for fighting?

“All of you, beat him to death!” Baldy roared with a vicious stare.

With that, Baldy's men charged at David.

After giving his mother a glance, David suddenly flicked both his hands, unleashing multiple flashes of light. The next moment, his attackers felt their legs go weak before dropping to their knees.

Shocked by the turn of events, Baldy stared at David in disbelief as fear began to creep into him.

Even the neighbors who were watching widened their eyes in amazement.

“Apologize to my mother!” David repeated in an icy tone.

After a brief hesitation, Baldy had no choice but to kneel when his eyes met David's piercing gaze.

“We're sorry,” Baldy and his men expressed their remorse.

“Get lost!” David snapped with a wave of his hand.

Even though he could kill the thugs with a flick of his finger, he didn't want to murder anyone in front of his mother and neighbors.

While Baldy was helped out of the house by his men, he shot an insidious glare at David before hobbling out. Evidently, he was feeling indignant about what had transpired. Nevertheless, David didn't fear Baldy's vengeance at all.

“Mom, are you all right?” David asked with concern after Baldy and the rest left. “Those men are gone.”

“Why did you have to come out and offend him!” she scolded.

“Pick up the money from the floor quickly. It's what we have painstakingly saved all this while.”

Stooping to the ground, David put the notes and loose change back into the pouch.

“Mom, I'll be the breadwinner going forward, while you and Dad can rest. As for your eyes, I'll think of a way to get them treated.”

When he was done picking the money up, he returned the pouch to Hannah.

“I'm glad to hear you say that,” Hannah replied, before bursting into tears again. “Now that you're back, my mind is finally put at ease. If it wasn't because I was worried about you, I would have been dead long ago.”

David's eyes could not help but water when he saw the look on his mother's face.

Bang!

Unable to hold back his emotions, he slammed his fist on the table.

Crack!

The table shattered into pieces instantly.

The Scotts, the Gibsons... I will definitely make all of you pay.

A burning rage began to grow from within him.

Sensing David's fury, Hannah quickly added, “David, please don't cause any more trouble. Now that you're back, you should get a proper job. Everything will work out after that.”

“Mom, don't worry. I know what to do. Anyway, I'm heading out.”

After comforting his mother, David planned to confront Sandy and demand to know what had truly happened.

While leaving his home, David was enveloped with anger.

Just when he was crossing the road, a red Porsche sped toward him and crashed into him, sending him flying.

Bam!

David landed heavily on the ground. He would likely have been killed if not for his training with Draco.

“Who's the crazy driver!”

David, who was already angry, was further infuriated after being run down the moment he left his house.

In the midst of David's curses, a female voice cried out, “Why don't you f*cking look where you're walking?”

The next moment, a beautiful woman alighted from the Porsche. She was wearing a white full-length dress and killer heels. Nevertheless, she was staring angrily at David.

Furrowing his eyebrows, David decided to lie back down instead of getting up.

“Which of us do you think is blind? Obviously, you were the one who knocked into me. In spite of the pretty face, why do you have such a foul mouth?” David retorted.

“How dare you scold me!”

While glaring at David, the woman suddenly raised her leg to stomp on him.

Considering she was wearing stilettos, her heels were the equivalent of sharp daggers. If she were to plunge one into him, it would definitely cause a stab wound.

“Josephine, stop.”

Just when the woman was about to strike David, a middle-aged man got out of the back seat of the car.

He was surrounded by an air of authority and was obviously someone important.

However, his face was pale, and his breathing was rapid. After shouting briefly, he held onto the car for support as he desperately tried to catch his breath.

“Dad, why did you come down?”

When the woman saw her father, she rushed over to support him.

“Let's hurry to the hospital and not waste any more time,” the middle-aged man remarked, to which the woman nodded.

Upon returning to David, she took out a stack of money and threw it in front of him. “Here's ten thousand. Take the money and leave. We have an urgent matter to attend to.”

Instead of taking the money, David stood up and took a glance at the middle-aged man. He then remarked, “There's no need to go to the hospital. It's already too late.”

When he finished speaking, he turned to leave. It was obvious to him that the middle-aged man's condition was severe that he would not make it in time.

“Stop!” The woman blocked David's way and glowered at him. “What do you mean by that? Speak clearly, or I'll not let you go!”

At this moment, the middle-aged man also approached David with a frown.

“Your father's condition is dire due to the injury in his left lung. In less than five minutes, he will suffer from breathing difficulty and suffocate to death. Can you make it to the hospital in five minutes?” David calmly asked the woman.

“You're bluffing! My dad only has the flu—”

“Josephine,” the middle-aged man snapped at his daughter before taking another two steps toward David. With an astonished look, he questioned, “Young man, how do you know my left lung has been injured before?”

“You wouldn't understand, even if I told you. Anyway, I'm busy right now and have no time to waste with the both of you.”

With that, David turned around and prepared to leave.

“Young man—” the middle-aged man called out again before breaking into an intense cough. After he managed to calm down, he grabbed David's arm at once. “Young man, since you can diagnose my sickness, I'm sure you can treat it. I hope you are willing to save my life, and I'm happy to pay any price for it. Here, this is my card!”

The middle-aged man handed David a card.

Nonetheless, David didn't want to accept it nor get involved. However, the moment he caught a glimpse of the name on the card, he took it at once. “You're the CEO of Sullivan Group, William Sullivan?”

“Yes, I am,” William confirmed with a nod.

All of a sudden, David extended his hand and stabbed his finger at William's major acupoints.

His actions were so swift that neither William nor Josephine had any time to react.

“What are you doing?” Josephine jumped between David and her father, but David was already done.

As for William, he suddenly felt his breathing improve while color gradually returned to his face.

“I have temporarily kept your injury in check. Considering how old your injury is, you will need a long duration of treatment in order to fully recover,” David explained.

“Thank you for saving me. I really can't thank you enough.” William grabbed David's hand and expressed his gratitude continuously.

Meanwhile, Josephine was astounded to see the glow return to her father's cheeks and the improvement in his condition.

“I saved you because I'm aware of your philanthropic work. Considering you have built more than ten schools, I'm obliged to do something for you.”

David saved William because he knew of William's good heart. If it had been a stranger, he naturally would not have bothered, especially after Josephine had been rude to him and almost killed him. After all, David was not a saint who went around healing everyone.

William was visibly embarrassed by David's words. “What I've done is not even worth mentioning. Young man, since you've saved me, just tell me whatever it is that you want. Now that it's almost noon, why don't I treat you to lunch at Glamor Hotel?”

“It's fine. I still have something to take care of.”

Shaking his head, David declined the invitation, as he wanted to confront Sandy to clear the air.

David's rejection caught William by surprise. As Horington's richest man, there were many who wanted to buy him lunch. Nevertheless, only those who walked the corridors of power had the honor of dining with him.

Hence, he didn't expect David to decline his invitation.

“Young man, no matter what, I insist on giving you a treat to show my gratitude.”

William refused to let go of David's arm.

It was not lost upon David that William's intention behind treating him was to find out about his follow-up treatment. In spite of that, he was moved by William's sincerity. As a result, he nodded in agreement. “All right then, I'll deal with my problem first and see you at the hotel when I'm done?”

William released his grip in response. “Fine, that settles it. Just call me when you arrive, young man!”

After acknowledging William, David hurried to the Gibson residence.

“Where's Sandy? I want to see her!” David cried out to a middle-aged woman in front of an old mansion.

She was Sandy's mother, Melinda Connor. In the past, David would never have dared to speak to her in such a tone. However, after hearing what his mother had said, David was so infuriated that it was a surprise he didn't strike her at the get-go.

Dressed in a gown, Melinda put on a haughty expression with her arms folded in front of her chest. Staring at David with disdain, Melinda spat, “Get lost! My daughter is getting married today. Hence, an ex-convict like you isn't welcomed here.”

“Getting married?”

David knitted his eyebrows when he realized Baldy was telling the truth.

“Where's Sandy? Who is she marrying? Tell her to come out here and explain it to me.”

With a scowl on his face, David dashed into the mansion.

“Hey, are you mad? How can you barge into my house just like that!”

Melinda desperately pulled David back.

Unfortunately, it was a futile effort considering how strong David was. Instead, she was being dragged across the yard.

When she saw David barging in, a woman dressed in a wedding gown came out with a sullen look on her face.

The moment he saw her, David stopped.

“Sandy, what's going on? Explain yourself!” David demanded, his eyes burning with rage.

“David, you should leave and don't come and see me again. I have decided to marry Leyton,” Sandy asserted with an indifferent expression.

Narrowing his gaze, David clenched his fists. Even though he had already known about it, it still felt excruciating to hear Sandy say it out loud.

I went to prison because of Leyton, and now, my own girlfriend is getting married to him? She is making a mockery of me!

Suddenly, David laughed wryly when he realized how pathetic he was.

“Is this what you really want?”

Looking at Sandy, David felt his fury begin to recede as his fingers gradually relaxed.

“Yes!” Sandy nodded. “I want to be rich, which is something you will never be able to provide. Furthermore, as an ex-convict, you might not even be able to take care of yourself, let alone me. For old times' sake, here's a few hundred. Take it, so you don't have to sleep on the streets!”

As Sandy said that, she grabbed a bunch of hundreds and threw them at David's face.

At that moment, Sandy was dead to him. He knew the person in front of him was no longer his girlfriend.

“You will regret this!” David roared and left without taking Sandy's money.

“Pfft, I would only regret it if I married a broke b*stard like you!” Sandy hissed from behind him.

When David arrived at the entrance, the groom's convoy had blocked the exit.

A young man dressed in a suit and leather shoes alighted from a beautifully decorated car, holding a bouquet of flowers. That man was Leyton.

The moment he saw David, he was momentarily stunned. When he regained his senses, he guffawed out loud.

“I forgot that today is the day you're released from prison. What a wonderful coincidence. Would you like to attend my wedding with Sandy?”

Leyton gave David a mocking look that was tainted with mischief.

All David did was shot Leyton an icy glare. After that, he stepped aside to leave, as he didn't want to waste time speaking to someone like that.

“Don't go!” Unexpectedly, Leyton blocked David's way. “Is it because you can't afford to buy a gift? Don't worry, you don't have to get us anything. Instead, you can have the leftovers from the banquet. We will be having our wedding reception at Glamor Hotel. If you don't come, I'm afraid you will never have the opportunity to eat there.”

Giving David a contemptuous smile, Leyton even patted David on his cheek.

However, the latter slapped it away forcefully.

“Idiot, what's so great about marrying used goods? You're just having my leftovers,” David sneered.

In truth, David had never touched Sandy before. Not even her hand. He simply said it to spite Leyton as well as exact revenge on Sandy.

The very next instant, Leyton looked in Sandy's direction.

She had told him she never held David's hand before, but now he was not so sure.

Sandy grew nervous when she noticed the look on Leyton's face. Turning to David, she thundered, “David, what lies are you spewing? How dare you accuse me of being a leftover? I would never let someone like you hold my hand!”

Even Melinda began to panic. “David, stop your sour grapes behavior,” she berated. “My daughter would never have let the likes of someone like you touch her!”

Then, she turned toward Leyton and explained, “Leyton, don't listen to him. He is obviously saying it to spite you.” Given how hard it was for her to find a rich son-in-law, she was not going to let David's words foil her plan.

“Mrs. Gibson, don't worry. I won't believe him.”

Obviously, Leyton was not a fool to be easily taken in.

“It's up to you whether you want to believe it or not.”

Ignoring Leyton, David walked around him and headed out.

“Wait!” Leyton cried out. “You better keep your mouth shut. If I find you spreading rumors about my wife, I will make sure you regret it!”

Leyton was worried that David would sully the Scott family's reputation.

“Haha, my mouth is my own, and I can say whatever I want. What are you going to do about it?”

Staring at Leyton coldly, David added, “In fact, you're the one who should watch out. Or else, you won't even know what hits you the day you lose your life.”

When his eyes locked with David's piercing gaze, Leyton had a sudden realization and felt a shiver down his spine.

Realizing he was humiliated the very next instant, he widened his eyes and threatened, “You are welcome to try if you're not afraid of death. When the time comes, you will be begging me on your knees instead!”

Leyton was filled with rage. If not for the fact that he was getting married, he would have taught David a lesson.

“We won't know till it happens. Let's wait and see.”

David shot Leyton a scornful look.

“Leyton, it's time. Let's just ignore that broke b*stard.”

Melinda glanced at David in a condescending manner.

Holding the flowers in his hand, Leyton and his entourage walked toward the house.

Watching Leyton's leaving silhouette, David shot a ray of light into Leyton's body with a flick of his finger.

Leyton was visibly jolted for a fleeting moment. However, he didn't think too much of it as he carried on with his steps.

“Let's see if you will kneel before me and beg.”

With a smirk on his face, David turned and left for Glamor Hotel.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Glamor Hotel, William was waiting for David personally, causing everyone present to speculate about what was going on.

“Isn't that Mr. Sullivan? It's a surprise to see him waiting for someone at the entrance. I wonder what makes him so important that Mr. Sullivan has to wait for him.”

“I heard the Scott family's eldest son is getting married, and the wedding is being held here. Could he be waiting for them?”

“Maybe. After all, the Scott family is a prominent family too. Hence, he ought to show them some respect.”

As the crowd gradually streamed into Glamor Hotel, William paced back and forth anxiously at the entrance, checking his watch every now and then.

“Dad, I think that guy was bullsh*tting us. All this talk about your injured left lung and threat to your life is nothing but crap. All you have is lung inflammation from your flu, so stop waiting for him, and let me take you to the hospital,” Josephine persuaded William.

William had arrived half an hour ago but didn't see David. As for Josephine, she felt David was just spouting nonsense, as William had never mentioned about injuring his left lung before. Moreover, this was the first time the situation had occurred.

“Josephine, there are some things that you aren't aware of. The doctors at the hospital have no way of seeing the injury on my left lung. This hidden ailment of mine has been with me for more than twenty years. The only reason I didn't tell anyone was that I didn't want you to worry.”

William sighed grimly.

Stupefied by the revelation, Josephine held her father's hand nervously. “Dad, w-what's going on? Please don't scare me... Please... I already gave Dr. Watson a call, and he will be arriving shortly.”

Josephine was consumed by panic. Ever since she could remember, she had never seen her mother. All this while, William had raised her alone, and they were everything to each other. Hence, if anything happened to William, she didn't know how she could continue living by herself.

“It's a long story. I'll tell you when we have the time.”

As his words fell, William checked his watch again before looking out far ahead.

Chapter 2: Soul Resurrection Needle

The moment he saw David emerge, William was filled with delight. He then ran up to David.

“You're finally here, young man. This way, please.”

Holding onto David's hand, William heaved a sigh of relief.

“Mr. Sullivan, since I have made you a promise, I would definitely turn up.”

David was cognizant that William was worried that he would stand him up.

Feeling embarrassed, William could only smile awkwardly. “After you, young man.”

Given how servile William was behaving, everyone in the hotel wondered who David was.

When Josephine saw how proudly David was walking in contrast to her obeisant father, she fumed, “What's wrong with you? My father had waited for you at the door for half an hour, and didn't you notice that his condition seems to be deteriorating? Do you even know how to heal someone?”

Josephine had resented David from the very beginning. However, she gave him the benefit of the doubt after being impressed by how he stopped William's condition from getting worse.

A short while later, when she noticed William's cheeks losing color again, she felt David was a scammer, looking to cheat them out of their money.

“Josephine, stop making a fuss and apologize at once,” William barked with a stern look on his face.

“There's no way I'm going to do that. Look, he's barely a fully grown man. How can he be a miracle doctor? I think he's nothing but a con artist.”

Glaring at David, she felt he was the reason William didn't want to see the doctor.

When Josephine refused to obey him, William was so furious that he began to have trouble breathing.

Cough! Cough!

Just when he was about to speak, William ended up coughing intensely instead.

“Dad!”

Josephine dashed forward to support William.

Nevertheless, she was given a fright when she saw the black blood William had coughed out.

At the sight of the scene, David furrowed his brows at once. Evidently, William's injury was worse than he thought. In fact, he was surprised how William managed to survive for so long.

“Quick, carry your dad to a room,” David ordered Josephine, who was already in a panic.

Unfortunately, she didn't move at all because she didn't trust David.

Frowning at Josephine's inaction, David snapped, “Do you want to watch him die?”

After she was shouted at, Josephine quickly helped William to a private room in the hotel.

Inside, David searched for William's pulse right away. However, his expression turned grim the moment he did.

While David was treating William, a bespectacled man in a white doctor's coat barged into the room.

“Dr. Watson, quick! Take a look at my dad. He has just vomited blood!”

The moment she saw him, Josephine felt as if she had managed to grasp a sliver of hope.

“What? Let me see.”

Jonathan, the doctor, quickly opened his medical bag.

“Move away.”

Josephine pushed David aside and held William up. “Dr. Watson, my dad's life in your hands now. Please save him!” she pleaded.

At that moment, William was close to losing consciousness as his breathing was increasingly labored.

“Don't worry, Ms. Sullivan. I will do my best.”

Just as Jonathan spoke, he began to take William's pulse.

The longer he did so, the more intense Jonathan's frown became. Josephine was unsettled when she noticed his expression and didn't dare make a sound.

“Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan's damaged lung is the cause of his hidden ailment. This is a chronic disease that needs to be treated slowly. However, someone has forcefully kicked his immunity system into overdrive. Although it might seem effective in the short run, it would only cause his condition to further deteriorate. I'm afraid Mr. Sullivan is in a precarious situation now. Before I came, who did you bring Mr. Sullivan to see?” Jonathan explained in a grave tone.

When she heard the doctor's words, Josephine flew into a fit of rage and looked in David's direction. It was he who had treated her father just now. As it was just as the doctor had described. Her father did make a turn for the better, but David's method ended up hurting William more.

“You con man! If anything happens to my father, I'll never forgive you!” Josephine roared at David with a scowl on her face.

If not for the fact that she was supporting William and could not leave, she would have lunged at David to beat him up.

“How can you accuse me of being a con man? Have I cheated anything out of you? If not for me, your father would have been a corpse by now. I can't believe how ridiculous you can be!” David snorted.

He hated how Josephine kept insisting he was a scammer and how nasty she was despite being a woman.

“You...”

Despite feeling incensed, Josephine knew that the priority was saving her father, and it was not the time to argue with David.

“Dr. Watson, I beg of you, please think of a way. Please...”

Josephine felt so distraught that she was on the brink of tears.

Opening his medical bag, Jonathan took out a black pill and put it into William's mouth. Then, he proceeded to open a bag of silver needles and inserted them into William's acupoints.

“Doing this won't save him. You will only harm him,” David commented when he saw Jonathan's acupuncture technique, making the latter knit his eyebrows.

“What are you trying to say? Are you doubting me? Don't tell me you know acupuncture.”

Acupuncture was part of traditional medicine. Unlike modern medicine, where one could master it between three to five years, one needed at least eight to ten years before one could master acupuncture. In fact, some might not even do so despite decades of learning.

Given that David only looked about twenty years old, Jonathan figured that there was no way he would be a master at it, even if he had started learning in his mother's womb.

“What garbage are you spewing? You're not needed here. Get out!” Josephine barked, as she was worried that David would disrupt the treatment.

“Fine. You're the one that asked me to leave. I'll be waiting in the corridor. In less than five minutes, you'll be out there begging me to come back in.”

The moment he finished, David opened the door and went out.

After he left, no one bothered about him. Meanwhile, Jonathan carefully continued with William's acupuncture treatment. Soon, he was entirely drenched in sweat.

After the last needle was inserted, William gradually regain his consciousness and opened his eyes.

“Dad! My dad is awake, Dr. Watson. He's awake. This is wonderful!” Josephine cried out jubilantly as tears filled her eyes.

Just a moment ago, she was worried that he would never ever do so.

When Jonathan saw William was awake, he, too, heaved a sigh of relief. After all, he barely had any confidence going in.

Unfortunately, the moment Josephine and Jonathan sighed in relief, William began to tremble violently. He looked to be in excruciating pain as his face started turning purple.

“Dad! Dad!” Josephine yelled as she turned to Jonathan in panic. “Dr. Watson, why is this happening?”

At that moment, even Jonathan was feeling so distressed that he was just stumped. “I... I don't know why this is happening either. How did it turn out this way?”

“Who are you asking? You're the doctor here!” Josephine roared at the doctor in desperation.

At the same time, William's shiver began to grow faint before he finally stopped moving. Even his breath could not be felt at all.

Watching the change in William, Jonathan felt his panic intensify. If anything happened to William, he would have to suffer the consequences.

“Dad, don't scare me... Don't scare me...”

Josephine began to cry.

“Ms. Sullivan, let's take Mr. Sullivan to the hospital. I have run out of ideas!” Jonathan suggested anxiously.

He wanted to send William there so that he could shirk his responsibility. If William died in the hospital, it would then not be his fault.

“Do you take me for a fool? Given my dad's condition, there's no way he can make it to the hospital! You better save him! If not, don't think you will survive this unscathed!” Josephine exploded, having lost her rational mind.

The Sullivans were the wealthiest family in Horington. To destroy a lowly doctor would take no more than a flick of their fingers.

Jonathan was stricken with terror by her threat. Nonetheless, he was devoid of any ideas. Suddenly, he thought of David and quickly suggested, “Ms. Sullivan, the guy that just went out. Perhaps he might have a solution. I think he probably knows a thing or two.”

Jonathan's words reminded Josephine of David. Still, it was not lost upon her that Jonathan had looked down upon him earlier, but was praising him now. Evidently, Jonathan was planning to let David take the blame.

Once David stepped in to treat William, even if he was dead, Jonathan would be able to absolve himself of any responsibility.

After a momentary hesitation, Josephine let go of William, who slumped in his chair as she dashed out of the room.

At that very moment, David was sitting along the corridor, expecting Josephine to come and see him.

When the woman saw David was still there, she rushed up to him. Just when she wanted to speak, she suddenly realized that she had no idea how to address him.

“P-Please save my father, I beg of you,” Josephine pleaded with an awkward expression.

When David gradually raised his head at her, Josephine averted her gaze, as she didn't dare make eye contact. Not too long ago, she was berating him, but now, she ended up begging him instead.

“Do you believe I can save your father and that I'm not a con man?” David asked.

Josephine kept silent, as she didn't know how to answer. She didn't fully trust him yet, but she had no other choice.

Looking at her reaction, David simply chuckled. He decided not to make things difficult for her as he got up and returned to the room.

When Josephine followed David back in, she saw Jonathan pacing back and forth with his head covered in sweat.

The moment Jonathan saw David, he felt as if he had seen his savior. Regardless of whether David could revive William, he could push the blame to David once the latter took over.

Lowering himself, Jonathan begged, “I'm sorry about just now, young man. Please save Mr. Sullivan!”

Considering that he could potentially lose everything, Jonathan felt that being polite would not hurt at all.

After shooting William a glance, David sighed. “Looks like I'll have to give it my all.”

Turning toward Jonathan, David questioned, “Do you still have any silver needles?”

“Yes, in the medical bag.”

Jonathan quickly handed over a bag of silver needles to David.

“It's not enough!” David shook his head.

“Not enough?” Jonathan was stunned. “The bag contains thirty needles. How can it not be enough?”

In acupuncture, anyone who could insert more than ten needles was considered impressive. Even the president of the Association of Traditional Medicine, John Jacobson, who was also known as a miracle doctor, could only insert around twenty needles. As a result, thirty needles were more than enough.

“It just isn't. I need more!” David replied.

“How many more?” Jonathan carefully asked.

“Eighty-one!”

Jonathan was stupefied by the reply.

Suddenly, his eyes were filled with horror. However, instead of saying anything, he handed over all his silver needles.

After receiving them, David laid William's body flat on the ground. Moving ambidextrously, he swiftly inserted the needles into William's body.

At this moment, cold sweat began to break out on David's forehead. He looked as if he was exerting a lot of energy to the extent his clothes were all drenched.

When the final needle was inserted into William, David let out a long sigh. As if he was entirely drained, he dropped his butt onto the ground to sit.

During the entire time, Josephine watched on nervously. She didn't know much about acupuncture, and she felt the urge to ask. However, she was worried about disrupting David.

As for Jonathan, he was already gawking in astonishment from the get-go. His mouth opened so wide that one could fit an egg into it.

A short while later, Jonathan's shock had turned into elation. With a loud thud, he dropped his knees to the ground in front of David.

His sudden movement gave both David and Josephine a fright.

“Miracle Doctor, please take me as your apprentice!”

Right after he spoke, Jonathan bowed to David.

Gaping in response, David realized he no longer had any energy left. As for Josephine, she gave Jonathan a bewildered look. “Dr. Watson, what are you doing? My dad hasn't even woken up yet.”

Josephine didn't understand why Jonathan was addressing David as a miracle doctor when her father was still unconscious.

“Ms. Sullivan, you're probably not aware that this gentleman had just applied the Soul Resurrection Needle, which is capable of reviving a dead man. Therefore, Mr. Sullivan will be just fine!” Jonathan explained.

“He's that good?”

Josephine gaped at David in disbelief. If what Jonathan says is true, David really deserves his title as Miracle Doctor.

“I can't believe you actually know the Soul Resurrection Needle!” Jonathan exclaimed in awe.

The Soul Resurrection Needle was an ancient acupuncture technique that had been lost through the generations. However, David didn't understand what Jonathan was talking about, as he had only learned it from Draco.

“Miracle Doctor, I'm Dr. Jonathan Watson, deputy president of the Horington Association of Traditional Medicine. I have read about this technique in some ancient books and didn't expect to have the honor of witnessing it in action today. Please, accept me as your student.”

With that, Jonathan prostrated in front of David.

Just when David was confounded by Jonathan's reaction, coughs rang out in the room. William was finally awake.

“Dad!” Josephine reacted quickly by trying to help him up. However, David held her back. “Ms. Sullivan, he's not supposed to move yet. You'll have to wait for me to remove the needles.”

Holding Josephine's slender hands, he could feel how warm and gentle it felt. The sudden sensation felt like a jolt to him. As for Josephine, she, too, felt the warmth from his hands. Blushing, she remarked, “This is all thanks to you.”

David frantically released Josephine's hand before collecting himself. With a wave of his hand, the eighty-one needles were pulled toward his palm as if there was a magnetic force at work.

“It's done,” David informed Josephine while returning the needles to Jonathan.

At that moment, Josephine no longer had any doubts left about David. Thanking him, she helped William up with teary eyes.

“Dad, how do you feel?” Josephine inquired.

“I'm fine. I feel good, to be honest.” William let out a slight smile.

Upon noticing Jonathan kneeling on the ground, he asked curiously, “What's going on?”

After Josephine related how David had saved him with the Soul Resurrection Needle, William was astounded.

When David diagnosed his ailment just by looking at him, William was already impressed. Nevertheless, he didn't expect the young man to be so skillful that the deputy president of the Association of Traditional Medicine would drop to his knees and beg to be accepted as a student.

“Young man, you have saved me twice already. From today onward, you are a benefactor of the Sullivan family. I will readily fulfill any request you have as long as it's within my powers,” William declared resolutely.

“You're being too kind, Mr. Sullivan, as I barely did anything. Furthermore, this is a blessing you deserve for all the charity you have done.”

After giving a cordial reply, David changed his tact. “Although I used the Soul Resurrection Needle to save your life temporarily, you will still die within three months if your ailment isn't treated.”

Having heard David's words, William dropped to his knees. “Please, sir, I'm willing to give you everything I have as long as you save my life.”

Fearing death, William no longer addressed David as a “young man.” Instead, he greeted him as “sir,” as he was really worried that David would refuse to help him.

In order to survive, he was willing to give David all of his assets. As the richest man in Horington, William was unimaginably wealthy. Consequently, anyone would be envious of David for being in such a position.

“Mr. Sullivan, there's no need for that. I'm obliged to save you after running into you. Nonetheless, there are some rare herbs that I need, and I hope you can prepare them for me.”

David could not afford to buy William any herbs. The herbs he requested were so expensive that they were out of the masses' reach.

“Sir, whatever you need, just say the word!” William nodded at once. Then, he turned to Josephine and instructed, “Josephine, prepare a pen and paper to write them down.”

Meanwhile, David felt awkward when William kept addressing him as “sir.” Hence, he suggested, “Mr. Sullivan, my name is David Chance. You can just call me by my name.”

“I can't do that. Mr. Chance, you're my savior, and the Sullivan family will never forget it for as long as we live.”

Given how stubborn William was, David didn't insist. Instead, he wrote down a long list of herbs and handed them to Josephine.

“Mr. Sullivan, most of the herbs on the list are for your treatment. Nonetheless, some are for my mother, as she has lost her sight. As a result, I need some of these herbs to cure her,” David explained to William honestly.

Considering Hannah had gone blind from crying, it would not be difficult for David to treat her.

It was just that he was incapable of getting hold of the herbs in his current state. Hence, he felt the Sullivan family was in a better position to obtain them.

In spite of that, there were two items that David was worried the Sullivans could have trouble finding. One of them was a calligraphy brush which was embodied with spirituality after being used by a famous scholar for a long time.

It could also be made from the fur of any spiritual animal.

Other than that, he also needed a cinnabar rosary. Although they were common items nowadays, the one he needed was made from woods of ancient trees. Combined with the spiritually endowed calligraphy brush, he would be able to cure Hannah's blindness by simply anointing it on her eye.

Even though he had put the two items on the list, he was not optimistic that the Sullivan family would find them. After all, one could only encounter the items with luck. Moreover, only those in the know would be able to tell upon seeing it.

“Mr. Chance, just let me know what you need. As long as I can fulfill it, I will not refuse,” William quickly declared.

At that moment, Josephine queried, “Mr. Chance, what do you need the calligraphy brush and cinnabar rosary for?”

After all, both items didn't look like they were required for medical treatment, and they were also widely available.

“Josephine, Mr. Chance has his reasons for writing them down. You shouldn't question him!” William admonished her with a glare.

“It's all right.” David smiled. “They are used for treatments, too. However, they aren't just any ordinary brush and rosary. They have to be imbued with spirituality for them to work.”

“Imbued with spirituality?”

Josephine and William were dumbfounded, as they had no idea what David meant.

When he saw how confused they were, David explained, “Everything in this world will live and die, and all of them contain spirituality. Even items deemed inanimate by men can have spirituality as well. However, it can only form under very strict conditions.

“Let's take this chair I'm sitting on as an example. If I sit on it and meditate for decades, it would gradually be imbued with spirituality too.”

Worried that both of them would not understand, he illustrated the concept in layman's terms.

“Oh, I get it!” Josephine suddenly exclaimed. “Mr. Chance, are you saying that it's the same as what is shown on TV? At one of the trees where the immortals reside, it will gain spirituality after some time and even turn into a human form!”

“Josephine, stop your nonsense!” William was speechless at the way Josephine described it.

From his perspective, immortals didn't exist, especially not in the modern world.

“Ms. Sullivan, you hit the nail on its head,” David replied with a grin.

Previously, David didn't believe in such things too. However, after spending the last three years with Draco, he finally realized that there was still a lot out there that he didn't understand.

In fact, the secrets Draco had passed on to him were the Focus Technique. As long as he continued to train in them, he might actually become an immortal.

William smiled awkwardly, as he didn't expect Josephine to get it right. If anyone else talked to him about spirituality and immortals, he would have scoffed at them. However, since it was David who brought it up, William's skepticism wavered immediately.

While David and William continued their discussion, they didn't even give Jonathan, who was still kneeling on the ground, a look. Even though Jonathan was not particularly evil, he was unable to take on any real responsibility. Hence, David didn't intend to accept him as his student. Moreover, he would not simply take in anyone without Draco's permission.

After talking for more than ten minutes, David finally knew how William injured himself. When he was young, William was hit by a palm strike by a business competitor. As there was no external wound, and the results of his checkups were clear, he didn't pay much attention to it.

As time went by, William began to feel that he was growing weaker to the extent of having difficulty breathing. As a result, he kept himself going all this while by consuming a lot of health supplements.

Not wanting to cause any concern to his family, William hid the news from them. That was also why Josephine was unaware of her father's hidden ailment.

After hearing the story, David realized at once that the attacker was a martial artist who had managed to cultivate internal energy. From the looks of it, he had wanted to kill William. Fortunately, William's immense wealth had allowed him to afford potent health supplements to keep himself alive all this while. If William had not encountered David, he would have lost his life.

“Mr. Chance, please accept me as your student!” Jonathan yelled again from the floor.

By then, both his legs were so numb that he grimaced in pain.

David gave Jonathan a look. “You should get up. I won't accept anyone as my student, but feel free to ask me any questions, and I will guide you accordingly.”

David was finally moved by Jonathan's sincerity after watching him prostrate for such a long time. Therefore, he agreed to provide guidance even though he refused to take in students.

Jonathan was naturally delighted with David's response and thanked him profusely, “Thank you, Mr. Chance! Thank you!”

As Jonathan gradually stood up, his legs hurt so much that he struggled to do so.

Noticing Jonathan's condition, David gently tapped on Jonathan's leg, causing the painful numbness to disappear. Naturally, the doctor was astonished.

“Mr. Sullivan, my parents are still at home, so I have to return to them. Once you have collected the herbs, you can give me a call,” David informed as he gradually got to his feet.

Given that his mother was home alone, David was worried about her.

“Mr. Chance, do you mind telling me where you stay?” William asked.

“I'm staying at Happy Avenue. Why?” David questioned curiously.

“Oh, nothing really. I just have a house that's currently vacant, which I want to present to you as a gift. That place has a wonderful environment to recuperate in, and I hope it will be of use to you.”

When he was done speaking, William took out a key from his pocket.

“Thank you, Mr. Sullivan!”

Initially, David wanted to decline, as he was not motivated by monetary gains when he first treated William. However, when he thought about the dilapidated house his parents were staying in, he decided to accept it. Moreover, he needed time to make enough money to afford a new one.

However, David was stunned to find out that the mansion was located at Dragon Bay when he received the key.

Dragon Bay was the best neighborhood in the whole of Horington, constructed on the only mountain in the city. For that reason, not only was the scenery there astounding, but the air was also exceedingly fresh.

Those who could live there were either wealthy or influential people from the upper echelons of society. Ordinary people couldn't even afford to pay the property management fee there, much less Iive in the neighborhood.

“Mr. Sullivan, this... this mansion is too expensive. I can't accept this!”

David hastily returned the key to William.

“Of course, you can, Mr. Chance! Or is my life not worth a mansion?” William remarked smilingly.

Since he had said as much, David had no choice but to accept it. Then, William proceeded to take out a bank card with ten million in it and handed it to him.

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to turn it down, David could only pocket it.

Just when he was about to take his leave, a clamor sounded from downstairs, the noise deafening.

David's brows furrowed slightly.

When William saw the frown marring his countenance, he immediately summoned the hotel manager.

“What's going on here? Why is it so noisy?” William demanded.

“Mr. Sullivan, the heir of the Scott family is getting married today, and the wedding banquet is being held in the banquet hall on the second floor. That's where the noise is coming from,” the manager hurriedly explained.

Only after hearing that did William decide not to pursue the matter. After all, the hotel was open for business, and a racket was inevitable when someone was getting married.

“I'll be leaving then, Mr. Sullivan.”

David waved to William before exiting the private room.

Just as David arrived downstairs, he coincidentally bumped into Leyton strutting into the hotel with Sandy in his arms.

Leyton was stunned for a moment when he spotted David, but he guffawed in the next instant. “I didn't expect you to really come and attend my wedding, David! Are you here for the free food and liquor?”

Casting him a frosty glance, David said nothing and moved sideways to leave.

“Hey, don't go!” Leyton blocked his path and drawled with mockery written all over his face, “Look at your ex-girlfriend. Isn't she beautiful now? Do you not have anything to say to her?”

In truth, he was deliberately embarrassing the man.

“Let's not bother about him, Ley. We're running late,” Sandy murmured coquettishly to Leyton without even sparing David a glance.

“Don't entertain this piece of trash anymore, Leyton. It's bad to be late for your own wedding, so you two go into the banquet hall first. I'll kick this worthless bum out!” Melinda urged, echoing Sandy's sentiments.

Subsequently, she turned to David and lambasted, “Can you just stop hounding us? You're so desperate that you even came to the hotel after us! Do you think my daughter will ever take a fancy to your peasant self? Go and take a look at yourself in the mirror! Hurry up and buzz off instead of kicking up a fuss here!”

Her censure was caustic and vile, drawing blood with every single word.

The relatives around them whispered among themselves, snickering as they stared at David.

Right that moment, David was no more than a fool who was made fun of by everyone.

“One day, you will all fall to your knees before me and beg me!”

Suppressing the fury blazing within him, David shoved Leyton, who was blocking his path, away before striding out.

Leyton's brows knitted together. “Stop him! Regardless of whether you want to attend the wedding today, you've got to do so! I want you to see your girlfriend marrying me with your own eyes, you piece of trash!”

As soon as he said that, Baldy and a few others instantly blocked David's path. They were still harboring a grudge after being beaten up at his house, so they wanted to take revenge on him.

At the sight of them blocking his path menacingly, David slowly turned back to look at Leyton. “Are you sure you want me to attend your wedding?”

“Yes! I want you to see with your own eyes and know that you're not worthy of going against me!”

Leyton wore a sneer on his face.

“All right, then. But a word of warning from me—if I attend your wedding, you won't be getting married today!”

After saying that, David whirled around and walked into the banquet hall on the second floor. There were more than a hundred tables set up inside.

“Haha, I'll just see how you're going to accomplish that!” Leyton laughed uproariously, not believing his threat in the least. Nonetheless, to prevent the man from kicking up trouble and dampening everyone's merriment, he said to Baldy, “Baldy, bring a few men with you and keep a close eye on David. Restrain him at once if he dares to do anything!”

“Don't worry, Mr. Leyton. Just leave this matter to me!”

Baldy nodded, his gaze turning chilly. This is the perfect opportunity for me to take my revenge on him!

In the banquet hall, David took his seat in a corner. Those who could attend the heir of the Scott family's wedding were either wealthy or influential, all prestigious people in the whole of Horington. In other words, an ordinary person like him wasn't even worthy of the honor.

Thus, his appearance had many of the guests in the banquet hall throwing him strange looks. After all, it seemed out of place for an ordinary-looking young man to show up at such an opulent wedding out of the blue.

But soon, his identity spread like wildfire among the guests. With that, the gazes directed his way increased in number, most of them mocking and derisive, though a handful was sympathetic.

Nevertheless, David wasn't at all bothered. He sat in the corner alone and nibbled at the snacks on the table with his face devoid of expression.

Meanwhile, Baldy stood behind him with a dozen men, all watching him like a hawk. The second he made a suspicious move, they would restraint him without a hint of hesitation.

“Hey, if it isn't David Chance! When did you get out of prison?”

A voice tinged with sarcasm rang out. David lifted his head and swung his gaze over, only to see a woman with heavy makeup on her face and dressed seductively sashaying toward him. A young man followed beside her.

The woman's voice promptly snagged the attention of the guests around them. They initially thought that David was merely the bride's ex-boyfriend and was there to see his girlfriend for the final time, but they never expected him to have a record. Following that, they grew all the more intrigued.

Chapter 3: The Underground King

As David stared at the woman whose face was caked with makeup, a glimmer of repugnance showed on his face.

The woman was Juliette Jones, and she was his former classmate. She had even pursued him back when they were still studying. At that time, his father had a proper job that was considered secure, so there was no shortage of girls trying to woo him.

However, he didn't like her and got together with Sandy instead. He felt that the latter was far better compared to the materialistic Juliette, both in terms of looks and personality.

But from the look of things now, both of them are just the same kind of people! I made the wrong call!

“Why aren't you saying anything when I'm your former classmate? Have you gone mute? You were pretty impressive back during our university days, even holding the post of president of the student council. What do you think the dean and lecturers would say if they were to learn that a student who was excellent in character and grades became an ex-convict after graduating?” the young man beside Juliette chimed in.

The young man was Warrick Fox, and he used to be David's roommate. They used to be very close, but he also had a crush on Sandy. When he saw David dating Sandy, he held a grudge against the man. He tried to break them apart multiple times, but alas, to no avail.

They severed ties after that, neither contacting the other after graduating from university.

Well, the fact that they're both here at the same time probably means that Sandy invited them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have the right to attend the wedding.