The Prisoner God of War

Chapter 9: Divine Teachings

Alessandro straightened his expensive suit and looked at Marcus with the reverence of a mortal addressing a deity. "Master Kane, please know that every resource of the Romano Empire is at your complete disposal. Whatever you need, consider it already yours."

"I appreciate your commitment," Marcus replied with godly composure. "Finding those artifacts will require dedication and considerable expense."

Valentina, still trying to process everything she'd witnessed, voiced her confusion. "I understand why you need the rare herbs for medical treatment, but why do you need a calligraphy brush and a rosary bead? What do writing tools and prayer beads have to do with healing my father or curing your mother's blindness?"

Marcus studied her with divine patience, understanding that mortal minds struggled to comprehend celestial concepts. "Those items must be filled with spiritual energy to be useful in divine healing arts. Without spiritual power, they're just ordinary objects."

"Spiritual energy?" Valentina laughed mockingly. "You sound like those ridiculous fantasy movies where magic swords glow with power and enchanted rings control destiny."

"Your skepticism is understandable but misguided," Marcus said calmly. "Let me explain in terms you might grasp. Even a simple wooden chair can accumulate spiritual energy if an enlightened master meditates upon it for decades. The chair absorbs the practitioner's divine essence and becomes a sacred object."

"That's completely absurd," Valentina scoffed. "Next you'll tell me that rocks can think and trees can walk around like people."

"Actually," Marcus said, surprising her with his agreement, "in certain circumstances, that's exactly what happens. Ancient trees that have absorbed spiritual energy for centuries can indeed develop consciousness. I've seen it myself."

Valentina stared at him incredulously. "Are you seriously telling me that fantasy TV shows got something right? That trees can actually turn into humans?"

"The entertainment industry often stumbles upon spiritual truths without understanding their significance," Marcus explained with divine knowledge. "Many legends and myths are based on real phenomena that mortals have forgotten or dismissed as impossible."

These mortals live in a world of spiritual wonders, Marcus thought, yet they blind themselves to everything beyond their limited perception.

Alessandro leaned forward with intense interest. "Master Kane, are you saying that supernatural abilities actually exist? That the old stories about immortal masters and divine powers are real?"

"During my three years of training with Elder Chen in prison, I learned that the spiritual world is far more real than most people imagine," Marcus replied. "Immortality through cultivation, supernatural healing, divine martial arts—these aren't fairy tales. They're achievable through proper understanding and dedication."

"Immortality?" Alessandro's eyes widened with hunger. "You mean people can actually live forever?"

"With sufficient spiritual cultivation and divine knowledge, yes. Death becomes merely an option rather than an inevitability."

Alessandro's breathing quickened as he absorbed this revelation. Given Marcus's supernatural healing abilities and impossible medical knowledge, the businessman found himself believing every word.

Dr. Martinez, still kneeling on the marble floor, finally spoke up with desperate hope in his voice. "Master, please accept me as your humble disciple. I swear to dedicate my remaining years to learning your divine healing arts."

Marcus looked down at the elderly physician with godly consideration. "I won't formally accept disciples at this time. However, if you encounter medical situations beyond your abilities, I may provide guidance."

"Thank you, Master!" Martinez exclaimed, tears of gratitude streaming down his weathered face. "Your mercy is boundless!"

"Rise," Marcus commanded gently. "You've been kneeling too long."

Martinez tried to stand but winced in pain, his legs numb from maintaining the submissive position. "I... I can't feel my legs, Master. The circulation has been cut off."

Without hesitation, Marcus placed his hand on Martinez's shoulder and channeled a brief pulse of divine energy. Immediately, feeling returned to the doctor's limbs as celestial power restored proper blood flow.

"Incredible," Martinez whispered, flexing his legs in amazement. "Even the smallest demonstration of your power surpasses everything I know about medicine."

"Mr. Romano," Marcus said, turning his attention back to Alessandro, "I'm curious about the origin of your condition. The damage pattern suggests deliberate injury rather than accident or disease."

Alessandro's face darkened with old anger and pain. "Fifteen years ago, a business rival named Vincent Zhao struck me with what he called the 'Withering Palm' technique. He was apparently trained in some kind of martial arts."

"A martial artist's strike," Marcus nodded with understanding. "That explains the internal energy damage that conventional medicine couldn't detect."

"Vincent wanted to destroy my company through hostile takeover," Alessandro continued bitterly. "When I refused his terms, he attacked me during a private meeting. The strike seemed harmless at first, but over the years, the hidden injury slowly poisoned my body."

"How did you survive this long?"

"Expensive supplements, rare tonics, constant medical monitoring," Alessandro admitted. "I've spent millions keeping myself alive without even understanding what was killing me."

A mortal martial artist's crude technique, Marcus thought with disdain. Effective against ordinary people, but easily countered by divine healing.

"Master Kane," Alessandro said respectfully, "I need to return home and check on my parents. They're waiting for me."

"Of course. Where do you currently live?"

Marcus's expression grew somber. "The old Kane family home on Elm Street. It's... not in the best condition."

Alessandro's face filled with horror. "Master, you can't possibly live in such modest circumstances! A man of your divine abilities deserves a residence worthy of his status."

"My living situation is adequate," Marcus replied with godly humility.

"Absolutely not!" Alessandro declared firmly. "I own a magnificent mansion in Phoenix Heights—the most exclusive residential area in the city. Consider it yours as a token of my gratitude."

"That's not necessary, Mr. Romano."

"Master, please," Alessandro insisted desperately. "The mansion has fifteen bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a private gym, meditation gardens, and complete security. It would be perfect for someone of your extraordinary abilities."

Marcus hesitated, thinking of his blind mother living in their crumbling house, enduring poverty and humiliation while he possessed the power to change everything.

My parents have suffered enough, he decided. The God of War's filial duty demands that I provide them with comfort and dignity.

"Very well," Marcus agreed. "I accept your generous offer. My parents deserve better than their current circumstances."

"Excellent!" Alessandro beamed with joy. "I'll have the property transferred to your name immediately. Phoenix Heights is where you belong, Master Kane."