Chapter 4

Steven shrugged it off after hearing the old man's apology. He was still kneeling in front of his parents' grave as Zack advanced further with his bodyguard and Winnie. "Dad, he's shameless. You have no idea. He's nothing more than a gambling addict. Not only is he saddled with debts, he was arrested for drugs as well. Because of this, the Lurk family called off his engagement with their daughter. If it weren't for Marrie, who's exceptionally capable, he would've spent all his parents' fortune. "He also would've been killed by loan sharks if he wasn't under Marrie's protection! "I bet he's insulting her because she wasn't willing to give him money for gambling and drugs. He's actually the worst." "How do you know all this?" Zack asked. "Marrie is acquainted with our family, so I've met her a few times. I adore her, actually. I came to learn about some gossip about the Lewis family." "Marrie… I've heard of her as well. She's very capable. Still, keep yourself out of their affairs," Zack said. Thanks to his keen senses as a master in the Heavenly Realm, Steven could hear Winnie clearly. "Well, well, Marrie! Painting yourself as the martyr while ruining my reputation? How ruthless of you!" he muttered under his breath. Clenching his fists, he winced at the thought of his tarnished reputation within their circle. How he wished he could teach Marrie a lesson again to vent his anger. He sat by the grave for a long time before he finally rose to take his leave. Just then, he heard Winnie's terrified shriek not far away. "Dad, what's wrong with you? Wake up!" Activating his Double Pupil Technique, Steven learned that Zack had collapsed on the ground. Through his zoomed vision, he could discern Zack's pale complexion and the froth forming at this mouth. He was also suffering from convulsions. Zack's sudden predicament stunned Winnie and his bodyguard, Zachary Jennings. "Hurry up and bring my dad to the hospital!" Winnie ordered, regaining her composure swiftly. Zachary hauled Zack up, carrying him on his back as they darted toward the parking lot. "You need at least 30 minutes to get to the hospital. If his illness isn't treated in 10 minutes, he'll die," Steven said as they passed by. "Nonsense! You're not a doctor. What do you know?" Winnie was outraged. "I'm no doctor, but I'm well versed in medicine. I'm the only one who can save him right now," Steven rebuked confidently. "Who do you think you are? You're just a gambling addict. I know your true colors." Winnie detested Steven. She turned toward Zachary. "Let's go." "Give me three minutes. You can do whatever you want to me if I can't save him. Otherwise, he'll surely die by the time you reach the hospital." His words made them halt their steps. "Ms. Winnie, should we give it a try?" Zachary asked tentatively, noticing how composed Steven looked. "We can't possibly trust a goddamn gambler, can we? I can't afford to fool around with Dad's condition." Winnie didn't believe Steven at all. "I've said what I have to. It's up to you whether you want to believe me or not." Steven sauntered down the mountain. "Zachary, let's go! We can't waste any time," Winnie urged. Zachary made a decision. He stopped Steven. "I'll let you try. You only have three minutes. If you fail, I'll break your neck immediately!" Steven sneered. He figured Zachary wouldn't be his match if they were to fight. "Zachary—" Winnie attempted to stop him. "Ms. Winnie, I'll kill this bastard if anything happens to Mr. Miller Senior, then I'll commit suicide. Now, we'll have to place our bet on him." He lay Zack down as he spoke. "Make him lie on his back and remove his shirt." Though Steven had acquired Joseph's medical skills, it was his first time treating a patient. Slightly nervous, he produced several gold needles as he spoke. He identified the acupoints, and inserted the five golden needles of distinct lengths into Zack's acupoints. The Haven Needle technique was passed down to him by Joseph, his teacher. As a technique from the Master Sage of Medicine himself, it bore miraculous effects of transforming life and reviving the dead. Steven maneuvered the needle gently, shifting them up and down. Zachary, who had a keen eye, noticed that Steven's fingers didn't actually come in contact with the needles. Yet, he was still able to move the needles. Shocked, Zachary thought to himself, "Is he manipulating the needles with his energy? He's a Heavenly Realm Grandmaster! "But that's impossible. He's probably only in his twenties. How could he have already entered the Heavenly Realm?" Being quite skilled himself, Zachary spent two decades toiling his way to become a sixth-level professional. He found it hard to believe that Steven, who looked so young, was a Heavenly Realm Grandmaster. "Three minutes is almost up. Why isn't my dad up yet? You're a liar!" Winnie snarled. "Zachary, kill him!" "Shut up! Stay silent," Steven bellowed. "Why the rush? It's barely three minutes yet." "Why, you!" Winnie was seething. How dare he chastise her like that? "Please calm down, Ms. Winnie," Zachary said. "Fine! There's 30 more seconds left. Let's see how you defend yourself later." While Winnie's eyes were glued to her watch as she counted down, Steven had begun withdrawing his needles. "Why isn't Dad up yet, you lying bastard!" Winnie screamed. Just then, Zack let out a series of violent coughs. He stirred back to consciousness. Winnie and Zachary were flabbergasted. "Dad, you're finally up! How do you feel?" She helped him up in a haste. "I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest earlier. What happened?" Zack rose to his feet, feeling perfectly fine. "You had a sudden myocardial infarction," Steven announced. Zachary recounted what happened, and Zack finally learned that Steven saved his life. "Thank you so much for setting our grudges aside to save my life. I didn't expect you to have such remarkable medical skills despite your young age. We've failed to appreciate your humility," Zack said, his expression filled with gratitude. "Remarkable medical skills? I bet he's just lucky. You probably just fainted, and it wasn't a big deal. He just happened to benefit from a minor condition," Winnie mocked, feeling indignant. She still couldn't believe that a gambling addict like Steven possessed such exceptional medical skills. "Well, I don't mind what you think of me. But did you just dismiss your father's health issue as a minor condition?" Steven retorted. "How dare you!" Fuming, Winnie stuck a finger at him. She seemed prepared to lunge at him anytime. "Shut up!" Zack boomed. "Apologize to him now!"