Part to the power of the universe

CHAPTER 8

THE NIGHT THE PREDATORS LEARNED FEAR

Daniel William lay in a hospital bed with his right arm in a sling and a bandage wrapped around his head.

Margaret sat beside him, holding his hand. Lily was asleep in a chair near the window, exhausted from crying.

When Xuan Tian entered, his mother rose immediately."Cooper."

He approached the bed."Father."

Daniel opened his eyes."I'm sorry, son."

Xuan Tian frowned."For what?"

"I should have protected this family better."

"You are injured because you tried to protect us."

Daniel looked away."The men said Marcus wanted the house. They told me we had until tomorrow to leave. When I refused, they pushed me."

Xuan Tian's hands tightened."Did you recognise them?"

Daniel nodded."One of them was the scarred man who came here before. The others were different."

Margaret wiped her eyes."We reported the incident, but they said there were no witnesses outside the house. The police told us they would investigate."

Xuan Tian looked at his father."Did anyone record the incident?"

"Not that I know of."

He nodded slowly.He would need to proceed carefully. Anger would not repair his father's injuries, and a reckless confrontation could place the entire family in greater danger.

He first spoke to the doctor, confirmed Daniel's condition, and arranged for the hospital to preserve the medical records. He then helped Margaret document what had happened, including the time of the incident and the names of the men she recognised.

Only after making sure his family was safe did he leave the hospital.

He did not go to Marcus Vane's office.Instead, he went to the address of the man listed in the old news report.

Adrian Cross lived in a modest apartment above a pharmacy. He was in his early forties, with tired eyes and the posture of someone who had spent too many years dealing with dishonesty.

When Xuan Tian explained the situation, Adrian listened without interruption."Do you have the loan documents?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Evidence of the assault?"

"Medical records, my mother's statement, and the identities of two men involved. I am still looking for independent witnesses or recordings."

Adrian studied him."Good. Keep everything. Do not threaten them, do not alter the documents, and do not attempt to force a confession."

Xuan Tian nodded."I understand."

Adrian opened a folder.

"I investigated a group of private lenders two years ago. Some of them were linked to Marcus Vane. The case stalled because witnesses withdrew their statements, and key financial records disappeared."

"Can you help us?"

"I can review the evidence and tell you what options may be available. But I cannot promise an outcome."

Xuan Tian respected the answer.For the first time since arriving on Earth, he had found a man who understood that justice required more than strength.

He handed over copies of the documents.Adrian examined the first few pages.

His expression gradually changed."These repayment figures are inconsistent. I can't conclude that the agreement is fraudulent from these copies alone, but there are enough discrepancies to justify a detailed review."

"Then begin with that."

Adrian looked up."You seem very calm for someone whose father is in hospital."

Xuan Tian's voice was quiet."I have already learned what happens when anger controls a person."

It was the truth.He had seen entire kingdoms destroyed by rulers who mistook vengeance for justice.He would not repeat their mistakes.

That night, Marcus Vane held a meeting with his senior associates.

The men responsible for Daniel's injuries sat near the back of the room.

Marcus listened to their report with a dark expression."You were told to make the family understand the consequences of refusing to cooperate," he said. "Not to create a hospital case."

The scarred collector lowered his head."The father resisted."

Marcus struck the table."Then you should have controlled the situation!"

A telephone rang.One of his associates answered, listened, and passed the device to Marcus.

"What?"He listened again.

His expression changed."Are you certain?"

He ended the call.

"What is it?" the scarred collector asked.

Marcus slowly stood."Someone has been asking questions about our old lending operations. Someone who knows where to look."

"Who?"

"Adrian Cross."

The room fell silent.

The name was familiar to everyone present.Marcus turned toward the scarred collector.

"And the boy?"

"He hasn't contacted us."

Marcus looked toward the window."That is what concerns me.

At the hospital, Xuan Tian sat beside his father's bed.Daniel was asleep. Margaret had taken Lily home to rest.

Xuan Tian closed his eyes and used a small amount of spiritual energy to examine Daniel's condition.

He could not magically erase every injury. His cultivation was still too limited, and the human body could not be treated carelessly.But he could sense swelling around the injured arm and detect that Daniel's breathing was stable.

He placed two fingers gently against his father's wrist.A faint warmth passed through the contact, easing some of the tension in his muscles.

Daniel stirred but did not wake.

Xuan Tian withdrew his hand.He had discovered something important about his power.

Spiritual energy could strengthen his body, sharpen his senses, and support natural recovery. With sufficient cultivation, it might allow him to treat injuries that ordinary medicine struggled to address.

But it was not limitless.Every use consumed energy that his body needed to rebuild itself.

He would have to grow stronger before attempting anything more ambitious.The black ring warmed in his pocket.

A small projection appeared.

SECOND SEAL: DISTURBANCE DETECTED.

Beneath the message was an image of Westbridge High School.

Xuan Tian stared at it.The ring's symbols changed.

HOSTILE ENERGY SIGNATURE LOCATED.

He felt a faint pressure behind his eyes.

Something connected to the ancient seals had become active at the school.The same school where he had been bullied.

The same school where the mysterious teacher had watched him.

He rose from the chair.Marcus Vane's organisation was not the only problem he had to solve.

whatever was hidden beneath Westbridge High School might be far more dangerous than a criminal debt dispute.