Though reluctant to leave, Cal couldn't refuse his master's orders. He descended the mountain with eighteen marriage proposals tucked under his arm, each envelope marked with a name he'd never heard before.Before he stepped past the gate, the old man gave him a sharp kick and barked, "Listen, boy. I don't care what you do with the rest of them, but the Whitmore family matter—you settle it properly. Old Samuel once saved my life. I gave my word. Even if you don't marry his granddaughter, find another way to repay the debt. And be back in three months. Your cultivation's not done."Cal sighed. "I hear you."Days later, he stepped off the train in Riverton, a mid-sized city in the Pacific Northwest. The Whitmore family his master mentioned lived here. To his mild irritation, so did Morgan Steele, who arrived at the same time as if she'd been following him.Outside the station, Riverton's dignitaries had prepared a lavish welcome for her: flowers, banners, and a line of luxury cars waiti

"Mrs. Whitmore, I've finished mopping the floor. Is there anything else I can help with?"Cal, having just finished cleaning, asked Lily."Cal, you should take a break," Lily said with a smile."I can cook too. Let me handle the kitchen.""Mrs. Whitmore, you don't need to be so polite with me.""I came down from the mountain to repay a debt of gratitude. You and Mr. Whitmore can ask me to do anything you need, whether at home or at work.""If you keep being so formal, I'll leave and stop imposing on you." Cal spoke earnestly."Hahaha, all right then." Lily couldn't help but laugh. After this brief interaction, she was growing increasingly fond of her future son-in-law.Soon, dinnertime arrived.However, since Serena had already fallen asleep, they didn't wake her.At the dinner table, only Cal and the Whitmore couple were present."Cal, I haven't asked you yet—what do your parents do? Do you have any siblings?" Shane asked, his tone casual but clearly fishing for information about Cal

Cal looked a bit dumbfounded."Brother, we've never met before. Why would I spy on you?""I just learned acupuncture and alternative medicine—I know some medical skills and can assess life and death.""Your condition has lasted at least a year and keeps getting worse.""If you don't seek treatment soon, I'm afraid you'll die young." Cal sighed.Leon completely panicked. "Brother, do you really know medicine?""To be honest, this year I've really felt my body failing. I used to be in great shape—now I can barely function.""I've been to the hospital multiple times for checkups, but they couldn't find anything wrong.""If you can cure me, I, Leon Shaw, will treat you as my big brother from now on."Cal waved his hand dismissively. "Your condition is tricky but also simple to explain. How about this—I'll write you a prescription. Take it for seven days and you'll see results.""Thank you, brother! Thank you!" Leon was ecstatic.This year had been torture—insomnia, hair loss, and especial

"What are you doing here?" The moment Serena spotted Cal, the smile vanished from her face, replaced by visible disgust.Grace was even more furious. "What the hell? You country boy actually followed us here? Didn't you learn your lesson today?""I'm warning you—if you keep bothering Serena, I'll have someone break your legs!"Cal ignored Grace, his eyes fixed on Serena. "Mrs. Whitmore asked me to bring you home. It's not safe here.""I know. I'll call my mom myself. It's none of your business. Just leave." Serena's tone was icy as she remained seated, showing no intention of moving.Cal opened his mouth to speak, but Grace shoved him aside."Did you hear her?""Serena told you to leave.""Why are you still hanging around?""If you don't go, I'll call security!" Grace threatened.After a moment's consideration, Cal said nothing more and found a corner to sit in.Before long, he noticed several men not far away, occasionally glancing toward Serena and her friends with predatory interes

While Serena and her friends were playing, an unexpected guest knocked on the door of the Whitmore family villa."Excuse me, who are you?" Lily, who had just finished preparing breakfast, asked with confusion.The middle-aged man carried some gifts and handed her his business card. "Hello, Mrs. Whitmore. I am Marcus Thornton, chairman of Thornton Enterprises. Sorry for the intrusion."Marcus smiled, but Lily's face turned pale.Shane, who'd been watching the morning news on the sofa, was even more shocked when he heard this. "How did you find our home?" he demanded.Marcus replied with a confident smile. "After decades of operating in Riverton, I won't claim I have the power of life and death, but I can certainly find someone's residence. For example, didn't your daughter have dinner with friends at Red Rose Bar last night?"Marcus cast a provocative glance at Shane while showing him several photos.The photos depicted Serena, drugged and unconscious on a bed.Shane shuddered. "It was