Ethan stepped into the hospital corridor, his phone pressed to his ear. "Why will they not sell?" he asked. Harrison sighed heavily on the other end. "Because the Drake family runs the second-largest herbal medicine empire in the country. They have been our direct competitors for over thirty years." "Competitors," Ethan repeated. "Not enemies." "In business, there is often little difference," Harrison said. "We compete for the same markets, the same suppliers, the same government contracts. Every deal they win, we lose. Every deal we win, they lose." Ethan walked toward the window at the end of the hallway. Outside, the city stretched into the distance, lights flickering in the darkness. "But it is more than just business," Harrison continued. "Lord Edmund Drake hates me personally." "Why?" "Fifteen years ago, the government awarded me a knighthood for my contributions to traditional medicine research. I was recognized nationally. Honored by the prime minister himself." Harri

The four guards at the gate shifted their positions, weapons no longer slung casually across their chests but held ready in their hands. Not aimed directly at James or Ethan yet, but the message was clear. James's expression darkened. "You are threatening a military officer?" The older guard with gray temples kept his voice steady. "We are defending private property, sir. Mr. Vincent Drake has instructed us to deny entry to anyone without authorization. That includes military personnel." "I could have you arrested for obstruction," James said. "You could try, sir. But you would need local law enforcement cooperation. And I think you will find that difficult to obtain in this region." James knew the man was right. Harrison had warned him. The Drake family owned the local authorities here. Ethan stepped forward, moving past James. The guards tensed, fingers tightening on their weapons. Ethan raised his hands slightly, showing he was unarmed. "I am not here to cause problems. I j

The gunfire came from the forest. Not single shots. Automatic weapons. Dozens of them, firing in coordinated bursts. The gate guards dove for cover behind their posts. Vincent Drake dropped to the ground, covering his head with his hands.James shouted to his soldiers. "Defensive positions! Return fire!" The four soldiers moved immediately, using the military vehicles as cover, weapons up and ready. More explosions. Closer now. Trees splintered. The ground shook. From the forest emerged figures in black tactical gear. Not Drake family security. These were different. Professional. Military-grade equipment. Moving with precision that only came from real combat experience. Mercenaries. James's eyes narrowed. "Poison Scorpion syndicate! Take cover!" Ethan did not take cover. He moved toward the attackers. "Ethan!" James shouted. "Get down!" But Ethan was already running. Not away from the gunfire. Toward it. Bullets tore through the air around him. You could hear them, sharp c

The rocket hit the building's upper floor. The explosion was massive. Fire and debris erupted outward, shattering windows, ripping through walls. The concussive force knocked Vincent Drake flat on his back even from fifty yards away. Ethan was closer. Much closer. He reached the building just as the explosion detonated. The shockwave hit him like a physical wall but he did not stop. He dove through a ground-floor window, glass shattering around him, landing hard on the floor inside. The building groaned. Structural supports damaged. Parts of the upper floor collapsing inward. Smoke filled the air. Thick and black. Ethan pulled his shirt over his mouth and nose, moved deeper inside. "Help!" A voice. Female. Young. Panicked. "Please! Someone!" Ethan followed the sound. He found her in what looked like a sitting room. The ceiling had partially collapsed. A massive wooden beam had fallen, pinning a young woman to the floor. She could not have been more than twenty. Short black ha

Ethan rushed to Lily's room, Dr. Hoffman following close behind. Lily was unconscious, her face pale, machines beeping frantically. Her breathing was shallow and rapid. The monitors showed her vitals dropping. "Her organs are failing," Dr. Hoffman said. "We have maybe an hour." "I have the herbs," Ethan said. "All three." Dr. Hoffman stared at him. "You got them?" "Yes. I need to treat her now." "Mr. Cross, we have protocols—" "She will die if I wait." Dr. Hoffman looked at Lily's monitors. The numbers were getting worse. She nodded. "Fine." Ethan pulled out the three herbs Harrison had given him, plus the Celestial Frost Orchid from Black Wind Ridge. He worked quickly, grinding them into powder using a mortar and pestle Dr. Hoffman provided. Mixed them with exact measurements. Added distilled water, creating a paste. Then he pulled out a small leather case from his jacket. Inside were silver acupuncture needles. Dr. Hoffman watched, fascinated. "You practice acu