Ch. 901..910
Chapter 901
James’ identity was no longer a secret as it was exposed during the public trial.
However, most of the people gathered in the cafe were mere students focused on their studies.
They largely did not pay much attention to national news or political affairs, so they could not recognize James.
Even if some had heard about the trial, they did not watch it and had no impression of James’ appearance.
Hugo sat down, crossed his legs, and lit an imported cigar to smoke.
He was young but seemed incredibly used to smoking like he had been a smoker for many years.
Meanwhile...
After receiving James’ call, Hardy, the general stationed in Sunleigh City, was furious.
"Quick, go inform Timothy!"
Immediately, a lieutenant entered his room and asked, "General Lane, what’s the matter?"
Hardy shouted angrily, "The Dragon King called me, saying that Timothy’s son has caused trouble at school.
He wants Timothy to go there in person right now!"
"What? The Dragon King, James?"
"Stop asking so many questions.Hurry up and notify him! Also, prepare a car for me immediately! I have to go to Sunleigh High School right now!"
Hardy had just sent James to the school and returned to his office.
After learning that something had happened, he had to go there personally.
On the street opposite Sunleigh High School, inside a cafe...
Hugo experiencedly smoked his cigar with his legs crossed.He squinted his eyes at James and said coldly, "I’m curious to see what tricks a b*stard like you can come up with."He turned his eyes to Maxine and swallowed his saliva.
"I’m warning you.I’m not going to let what happened today go so easily."
James remained calm.
Maxine was also indifferent to the situation.
If she were with someone else today, she would have been panicking since the brat in front of them was a spoiled kid from a wealthy family.
However, James was not just anybody either.
He was the Commander of the Black Dragon Army.
The Black Dragon himself accompanied her.
They sat down and waited.
Time passed by slowly.
About half an hour later, more than a dozen military vehicles appeared near the school and blocked off the street.
After some time, Hugo got impatient and stood up, saying disdainfully, "Didn’t you call my dad to come over? So, why hasn’t he arrived yet, b*stard?"James smiled faintly.
Suddenly, a few soldiers rushed inside the cafe.
The person in the lead was Hardy.
Hardy scanned the cafe and found that Timothy had yet to arrive.
"Why hasn't Timothy arrived?" he cursed out.
The lieutenant murmured, "I’ve already informed him, but he said he was in a meeting and would come as soon as it was over."
"F*ck," Hardy cursed.
He took out his phone and called Timothy, shouting, "Get your *ss over here right now!"
The people inside the cafe were worried upon seeing soldiers on the scene and quickly hid, not daring to make a sound.
"Uncle."
Hugo stood up, took out a cigar, and handed it over with a smile.
"What brings you here?"
The Lanes were somewhat related to the Doyles, so Hugo naturally knew Hardy.
Smack! Hardy swung his hand at Hugo.
A crisp and loud slap resounded in the cafe.
Hugo was stunned after suddenly being hit.
"You rebel! What have you done?"
After slapping Hugo, Hardy lifted his foot and kicked him to the ground.
Then, he swung his hands and feet at him.
"What are you doing, General Lane? He’s still a child, after all.Is this how you should be educating a child?"
James stopped him.
Hardy quickly walked over and asked respectfully, "D-Dragon King, what did this rebellious child do?"
Dragon King?
Chapter 902
The cafe’s owner and the students present were shocked.
This person was a one-star general.
Why was he treating the person in front of him with so much respect? Many onlookers turned their eyes to James.
Some students curiously took out their phones and searched for the Dragon King.
Immediately, search results of James being recently appointed the Dragon King popped up on their screens.
It was supposed to be a secret.
However, there were plenty of people when James was awarded the title.
Thus, the news had already started to spread in the inner circle, but most outsiders were still unaware of it.
"D-Dragon King? James, the Dragon King? The commander of the Black Dragon Army?!"
Someone from the crowd exclaimed.
James' identity was exposed in an instant.
Everyone looked at him in astonishment.
Hugo was shocked after the beating.He got up from the ground and covered his bruised face, saying, "Uncle, it’s me, Hugo.W- Why did you hit me?"
He could not grasp what had just happened and was still confused about why he got hit.
Hardy shouted, "You dumb*ss! Hurry and kneel!"
His roar took Hugo by surprise.
Hugo’s legs immediately went rubbery, and his knees fell to the ground.
Hardy turned to James and smiled apologetically.
"Dragon King, what did this kid do wrong?"
James looked at Yvette beside him and said, "Go ahead."
With James backing her up, Yvette was not afraid of anything.
She immediately said, "Last night, he invited a few girls to karaoke and deliberately got one of them drunk, planning to bring her to a hotel.I bumped into him and called the police.He got arrested but somehow found out that I was the one who called the cops on him.Then, he came to take revenge on me in school today."
James said indifferently, "It seems that Sunleigh City’s forces aren’t clean either.There must be some collusion between officials and businessmen."
Hardy immediately said, "We'll investigate it! We will thoroughly investigate and not let anyone involved escape punishment."
James continued, "This young woman is the sister of a national hero.Her brother died in the line of duty, and I specifically came to visit her.But I never expected so many things to happen.I don't want her to be threatened or bullied again after I leave this city."
Hardy quickly reassured him, "Don’t worry, sir! From now onward, I'll treat her like my younger sister.Whoever dares to bully her will make an enemy out of me!"
"You must be a very imposing general for no one to dare to go against you."
James cast a meaningful look at Hardy.
Hardy frantically changed his words.
"That’s not what I meant.I mean to say that this young woman can call me if she encounters any trouble in Sunleigh City, and I will do my best to help her."
James knew that Hardy might have his hands dirty.
However, this was not within his jurisdiction, so he did not bother getting involved.
In a massive country like Sol, it was inevitable that such corruption would happen.
It was a problem that was hard to get rid of completely.
All he could do was ask the King to send someone to investigate when he had another opportunity to return to the Capital.
For now, he could leave with peace of mind and return to Cansington with Hardy’s promise.He stood up and looked at the seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, Yvette, saying, "I’ve other things to deal with in Cansington, so I'll head back first.If you need anything in the future, you can contact General Lane."
"Okay."
Yvette nodded and said.
"Go ahead.I’ll come to look for you during my school break!"
"Let’s go."
James did not want to linger any longer.He glanced at Maxine and turned to leave.
After he left, James used his connections to inquire about Yvette’s bank account number and transferred the 10 million dollars to her.
Ten minutes after the two left, Timothy arrived at the cafe.
After learning what happened, he picked up a bench and threw it at Hugo.
He beat Hugo for a while and turned to Yvette, asking, "Ms.Zook, are you satisfied?"
Yvette took out her headphones and covered her ears, saying indifferently, "What do you mean am I’m satisfied? I didn’t lose anything, but all this while, he used his family background to suppress and take advantage of female students.I also heard that he forced a female student to jump off a building last month, but it was settled with money."
As she spoke, she turned to Hardy.
She smiled, showing her white teeth, and said, "General Lane, you must investigate this matter carefully.If you insist on protecting someone, I’ll contact James, and you might just follow in the Emperor’s footsteps."
Hardy shuddered all over and immediately agreed.
"O-Of course, I'll carefully look into it and won’t let anyone off the hook!"
Yvette took out her phone, turned on her music, and bopped along to it, leaving under countless pairs of eyes.
Chapter 903
After James had visited all the family members of the soldiers that died for him, he purchased tickets back to Cansington.He boarded the plane and returned to Cansington that afternoon.
Maxine asked, "Where to, James?"
"I need to go cure someone."
James had promised Zane that he would heal Cynthia’s condition.
Zane loved his daughter dearly and was willing to spend all his fortune on her.
When James asked to borrow money from him, Zane gave him 300 billion dollars without hesitation.
It was not because of James’ identity as the national hero, the Black Dragon, but because Zane knew that he had unmatched medical skills and was the only person that could save Cynthia.
After walking out of the airport, James hailed a taxi and headed straight to Cynthia’s house.
It was already six in the evening when he arrived at Cynthia’s place.
He approached the villa’s gate and rang the doorbell.
Soon, the iron gate swung open.
James and Maxine walked inside.
A middle-aged man opened the villa’s door and stood waiting for them.
It was Luther, the Dawns’ butler.
Luther greeted James respectfully, "Mr.Caden, welcome back."
"Mhm."
James nodded.
Then, he asked, "How’s Cynthia?"
Luther sighed.
"She’s not doing very well.The Cold Energy has been increasing in her body.I’ve given her the medication to discharge it, but it’s no longer effective."
"Bring me to her."
James entered the villa.
The villa’s air conditioning was set to the highest setting, making it slightly stuffy inside.
A woman sat on the sofa, wrapped in a thick blanket with only her head exposed.
It was Cynthia.
Sitting beside her was another woman in her twenties.
It was none other than Tiara.
Seeing James walk inside, Tiara immediately stood up and called out sweetly, "James, you’re back!"
"Yeah."
James nodded.
"J-James..."
Cynthia greeted him with her shivering lips, seemingly suffering from the coldness.
James walked over to them, sat beside Cynthia, and said, "Give me your hand.I’ll check your pulse."
Cynthia held out her hand to James.
It was incredibly pale, almost bloodless.
James touched her hand and felt like he had touched a block of ice.
He took her pulse, and his expression turned grim instantly.
The Cold Energy in Cynthia’s body had begun to affect her body and was causing her blood flow to slow.
Some organs had also started to become affected by it.
Without treatment, she was not going to last much longer.
Maxine looked at Cynthia.
She had heard about Cynthia’s condition before.
Maxine was also from the Cadens, a family that was highly proficient in medicine for thousands of years.
Thus, she had also picked up some medical skills from Tobias when she was younger.
"Can I have a look?" asked Maxine.
"Okay."
James let go of Cynthia’s hand.
Maxine sat down and checked Cynthia’s pulse.
"She’s freezing!"
Maxine was shocked and could not help but exclaim.
She carefully felt for Cynthia’s pulse for a few seconds and transfused a little bit of her True Energy.
Chapter 904
However, the True Energy that entered Cynthia’s body disappeared without a trace, as if it had sunk into the sea.
James asked, "Did you manage to discover anything?"
Although James had the second volume of the medical book, it mainly recorded how to use Crucifier and various cultivation methods.
It also had a set of martial arts techniques that James had Not studied yet.
He was unable to diagnose Cynthia's condition.
Maxine’s brows furrowed as she fell into thought for a few seconds.
Then, she asked, "Apart from feeling cold, have you felt any other symptoms recently?"
Cynthia replied, "Yeah.Sometimes I’ll have severe headaches, dizziness, palpitations, and so on."
Maxine turned to James and said, "If I’m not wrong, she has an incredibly rare physique born for martial arts."
"Born for martial arts?"
James was stunned.
"Yeah.When I felt her pulse, I transfused a little bit of True Energy into her body, but it was swallowed by the Cold Energy in her body almost instantly.The Cold Energy in her body is incredibly strange and overbearing.If she had practiced martial arts with the guidance of an expert when she was younger, she could have learned to concentrate her Cold Energy and cultivate it into True Frost Energy.Then, she could use it as her strength.She would’ve been able to endure the cold and become a grandmaster."
Maxine suddenly shook her head and sighed, "However, she missed the best time to train, and it's a bit too late to start now."
"W-what are guys talking about? What do you mean by martial arts and T-True Frost Energy?"
Cynthia parted her trembling lips but was unable to speak fluently.
"She means that you could accumulate the Cold Energy in your body and use it as a powerful force..." James patiently explained.
After explaining for along time, Cynthia understood the gist of it.
Once he helped Cynthia understand, James turned to Maxine and asked, "How do we solve it now?"
Maxine said, "First, we need to get rid of the Cold Energy in her body so that her body can return to normal for the time being.Then, she will have to learn to cultivate so that when the Cold Energy appears in her body again, she can absorb it and use it like True Energy."
James replied, "Alright."
"Do you have a solution to discharge the Cold Energy from her? If you don’t, then I’ll have to do it."
James had a way of discharging the Cold Energy out of Cynthia.
However, she would have to be naked to get rid of it.
He was a man, and if word got out, it’d tarnish Cynthia’s reputation.
She was not even 20 years old yet, and James did not want her to be ridiculed for it.
"I do, but I think it'll be a little wasteful to simply discharge it from her like this.When you were in the Cadens’ mansion, didn’t you use your silver needles to absorb Grandpa’s True Energy to break through your vessel and meridians? If you could also gather the Cold Energy from her body and absorb it, it’ll increase your True Energy rapidly."
James' heart skipped a beat after hearing her suggestion.He had just started getting in touch with Internal Martial Arts and was not very knowledgeable about it yet.
"Do you mean for me to absorb the Cold Energy and convert it into my True Energy?"
Maxine nodded.
"Yeah.Theoretically, the Cold Energy is pure True Frost Energy, but Cynthia cannot control] it, so it becomes a burden to her.If you could absorb it, it’ll save us a lot of trouble."
"Let me think about it."
James sat on the sofa, deep in his thoughts.
"True Energy channeling?"
James murmured.
Maxine meant that her True Energy could be channeled from one person’s body to another to be absorbed.
No such method was recorded in the second volume of the medical book.
However, Crucifier had miraculous effects.
Even without them, it might be possible with regular acupuncture needles.
After thinking about it for a while, he said, "Perhaps it’s feasible.However, I’ll need to go back and consider it a little more."
James was still studying the medical book, and there were many things that he did not fully comprehend yet.
Maxine said, "Alright.You should go back and think about it first.I'll stay here to look after Cynthia.Nothing will happen to her with me on the watch.It’s just that I won’t be by your side, and if someone attacks you, that would be..."
James waved his hand and said, "Although I don’t have my True Energy now, I’m still an expert when it comes to External Martial Arts.Even if I'm faced with a first-rank grandmaster, I might not necessarily lose."
"That’s true."
Maxine nodded.
Even though James did not have True Energy, he was not a weakling.
"Then I’ll head back first."
James stood up.
The second volume of the medical book was at the Callahans’ villa.
After saving Tiara last time, he had not gone back.
He would have to return to the Callahans’ villa if he wanted to continue studying the medical book.
"James, are you returning to the Callahans?" asked Tiara.
"Yeah."
James nodded.
"Do you want me to go back with you?" she asked again.
James thought for a moment and answered, "You stay here for the time being.I'll go back to study the medical book and come back after I find a solution."
Chapter 905
James left Cynthia’s villa and took a taxi directly to the Callahans.
While he was sitting in the taxi, he began to drift off into his thoughts.
He had already divorced Thea, and he only returned to the Callahans because she threatened him with her life.
Additionally, Thea was poisoned by Gu, and he was worried that it would take effect.
Now, Thea seemed to be doing better mentally, so there was no need for him to continue living with the Callahans.
"Sir, we've arrived."
James came back to his senses after the driver reminded him.
"Alright."
James nodded, made the payment, and got out of the vehicle.
The sky had already turned dark when James arrived at the Callahans’ villa, which was brightly lit up.He walked over and rang the doorbell.
Soon, the door opened.
A man in his twenties dressed in an expensive and stylish suit opened the door.It was David.
"oke"
David was slightly taken aback to see James at the door.
He regained his senses and said excitedly, "It’s you, James! You’re finally back.Come on in."
David dragged James into the house.
In the past, he had a rude attitude toward James.
He felt that James was unworthy of his sister.
However, ever since James saved his life in the past and he learned of his true identity, he saw James as an incredibly admirable and decent person.
No matter how much he looked at James, he was pleasing to the eye.
The dignified War God of Sol, one of the Five Commanders, married into the Callahans and was ordered around, but he worked hard without complaint.
Even though he was no longer the Black Dragon, David still felt that his sister was extremely blessed to have married him.
Many people were gathered in the villa.
Not only had Gladys’ maiden family come, but also most of the Callahans were present.
The villa’s living room was full of people.
"Dad, Mom! Grandpa, Grandma! Uncle! James is back!"
David led James inside and announced his arrival at the top of his lungs.His shouts made the noisy living room quiet in an instant.
Everyone turned to the door simultaneously.
Lex, Jedidiah, and Mrs.Hill looked in James’ direction.
James did not expect so many guests in the Callahans’ villa.
Lex, dressed in a neat suit, walked over with his cane excitedly.
He said with a smile, "Since you’re back, you should stay with us.I promised that the Callahans will take care of you in the future, and as long as I’m alive, no one from our family will dare to cause you trouble."
James used to be the Black Dragon and had provided a lot of help to the Callahans.
In the past, Lex was blinded by power and money, unable to analyze the situation.
After his eyes were opened to the truth, it was already too late.
James had already divorced Thea and returned to the Southern Plains to fight in the war.
Afterward, he was tried and was demoted to a civilian.
Thea was also home.
Over the past few days, she had reported to Messiah Corporation to assist Quincy in some business matters, but it was her mother’s birthday today, so she did not go to the company.
Thea was dressed in a glamorous white low-cut gown.Her long black hair was tied up, revealing her facial features.Her temperament that evening was of a noble lady.
Her long dress was dragged on the floor as she walked toward James.
A smile broke out on her beautiful face as she stretched out her slender hand to hold James’ hand.
She said ecstatically, "Honey, welcome home.It’s my mom’s birthday today."
"I came back for the medical book in the room," said James.
During his taxi ride to the villa, James had already thought about it.Now that they had divorced, it was unnecessary for them to keep in contact anymore.
Chapter 906
He planned to take the second volume of the medical book and leave.
"James."
A tall and muscular figure dressed in a military uniform walked over and greeted James respectfully.
The man was Clinton.
Clinton was selected to participate in the special training because of James.
Although the special training was not over yet, he had asked for leave to thank James personally.
James looked at Clinton with a smile and said, "Not bad.You've only been training for a while but look much stronger."
Clinton replied with a smile, "The special training is tough, but I’m pumped to keep going.I hope to become a hero like you one day and protect our country."
James waved his hand and said, "What hero? I’m no longer the commander of the Black Dragon Army, nor am I the Black Dragon.I’m just a commoner now."
"In my heart, you’ll always be a hero!" Clinton said firmly.
"James."
Jedidiah walked over.
"Grandpa,"
James greeted him respectfully.
James had respect for the older revolutionaries because their effort allowed Sol to survive the most difficult periods and lead the country forward.
"I've heard a lot about you recently.The Callahans and Thea are indeed at fault.Now that the misunderstanding has been resolved, you should return home.The Callahans will always welcome you.I will also acknowledge you as my only grandson-in-law."
"Grandpa, thank you for the kind offer, but I'll pass.Thea is an incredible woman.I’m just a commoner now and not worthy enough for her," James waved his hand and said.
Gladys came over and shouted at him, "What’s wrong with you, James? The whole family is begging you to come back.Do you really think you’re somebody? If it weren't for everything you've done for the Callahans, do you think we'd still welcome you back?"
"Mom, what is wrong with you?"
Thea criticized Gladys.
"James has finally returned home, so can’t you have a better attitude?"
"A-Am I wrong?"
Gladys saw that everyone was looking at her, and her confidence immediately dropped.
She murmured, "The elders are already begging him to come back, but he is still acting so arrogant."
"I'll go get my stuff and leave immediately."
James was not bothered by her attitude and headed to the second floor.
Thea followed after him.
Inside a room on the second floor...
James opened the cabinet and took out the medical book’s second volume.
Thea walked into the room and said, "James, I won't stop you if you insist on leaving."
It was rare for Thea to be acting so rationally.
James nodded and asked, "Have you read my medical book?"
"Yeah."
Thea nodded.
She answered honestly, "I was bored at home and went through a few pages.The text is written in an archaic script from a thousand years ago and records some acupuncture techniques.I didn’t understand much, but the meditation method seemed interesting.It allowed one to calm down.Once a person’s mind is clear, it'll make it much easier to think about complicated things."
James was surprised.
He never expected Thea to be able to read the words within the medical book.
Moreover, she even comprehended the meditation methods.
"wh-Who thought you how to read ancient words? Who else has read it besides you?"
James stared at Thea doubtfully.
This woman had changed a lot and seemed to know everything about him.He suspected that Thea must have come in contact with someone in the past few days.
"I'm the only one who went through it.I searched the words online and deciphered them slowly until I could understand them,"
Thea murmured.
The truth was that Thomas also read the medical book and explained the meditation method.
However, Thomas had reminded her that she must never tell James about it.He said it was not time yet, and it’d be chaotic if James found out.
Thus, she did not dare to mention it.
James did not fault her for it since he never warned her not to read it.
In fact, there was nothing much inside anyway.
The medical book recorded very little about medical techniques, and most of the content was about Crucifier’s applications.
Even if Thea understood the content, it would be useless information since Crucifier was not in her possession.
James took the medical book and left.
"Are you really going to leave?"
Thea tried to urge him to stay.
She wrapped her arms around James from behind and buried her head into his back, saying softly, "Can’t you give me another chance to prove myself?"
Chapter 907
Thea was reluctant to let James go.
James used to be incredibly kind to her, but she did not cherish him.
After losing him, she deeply regretted it.
She did not blame James.
Instead, she knew that it was her fault.
Thea tried her best to urge him to stay.
James remained silent.
Seeing Thea desperately trying to persuade him, he felt tempted to stay but was unable to do so because he promised to marry Tiara.
He was a man who was true to his word.
"Since you already know everything, you should also know what happened between Tiara and me."
"Yeah, I do."
Thea let go of James and said, "Go if you want."
James did not say anything more.
He turned around and left.
Thea’s face was full of sadness and helplessness.
Underneath it all, she felt resolution while watching James walk away from her.
She murmured, "I’m not giving up.Even if I have to chase you to the ends of the earth, I’ll surely make you turn around!"
She was confident.
Thea believed that as long as she did her best and became a better person, James would return to her sooner or later.
When that happened, they would never be separated for the rest of their lives.
James walked down the stairs.
Everyone’s eyes were on him.
Without saying much, he walked out of the villa and left.
After he left their sight, the Callahans and the Hills began to gossip.
Soon, Thea also came down the stairs.
Lex asked, "Thea, what happened? Why did you let him leave?"
Thea muttered, "It’s alright.Let him go for now.Sooner or later, he’ll come back to me."
After James left the Callahans’ villa, he turned around and looked at the brightly lit place.
He had not been in the Callahans or married to Thea for a long time.
It was only a few months, but Thea was already deeply imprinted in his mind.
Although they were divorced, he missed the moments with her.
Unfortunately, fate played a cruel trick on him.
Maybe he really did make his own bed to lie in.
Everything was caused by his actions.
So many things were happening right now.
Between love and taking responsibility, James chose the latter.
He made a mistake and would have to bear responsibility for it.
Moreover, Tiara was a decent and kind girl.
"I’m sorry, Thea."
James stood outside and looked at the lively villa.
Then, he murmured guiltily, "I’ve failed as your husband.I didn't do my best, but I’ve no choice but to let you down now."
James stood outside the villa for a few minutes before finally turning around to leave.
Meanwhile, Thea, who was inside the villa, was no longer in the mood to attend the birthday party.
She returned to her room, stood on the balcony, and stared into the night sky in a daze.
James left the Callahans’ villa and headed back to Cynthia’s house.
When he arrived, Quincy had also just reached there.
"James? Why’re you back here?" Tiara asked as soon as he entered the house.
Maxine and Quincy also looked at James, confused by his return.
They thought that James would be staying with the Callahans, and none of them expected him to come back so soon.
James explained, "I already divorced Thea a long time ago.After some thought, it seemed inappropriate for me to live in the Callahans’ villa.Cynthia, I’ll stay at your place for the time being.Do you have any objection?"
Cynthia was wrapped in a blanket, shivering from the cold.
Through her trembling teeth, she replied, "D-Do as you please.
There are...a lot of vacant rooms on the second floor."
"Alright.I'll head upstairs to read my book."
James turned to ascend the stairs.
Cynthia said, "Tiara, you...you lead James upstairs."
Tiara immediately nodded.
She walked over and shouted, "James, I'll bring you up."
James did not refuse the offer.
Chapter 908
Tiara took James to the second floor, pushed open a door, and said, "James, you can stay in this room.
The sheets and everything else inside were newly bought."
"Alright." James nodded.
He walked into the room.
Tiara followed him with a hesitant expression as if wanting to say something, James looked at her and asked, "Do you have something to say?"
Tiara was slightly embarrassed and her pretty face flushed red.
"J- James, you and Thea..."
She paused, summoned the courage, and asked, "D-Did you come back because of me? I...I already told you I don’t want to force you, and I sincerely wish the best for you and Thea.All I want is for you two to be well and fine."
"Nonsense.Stop overthinking it.You go out first.I want to continue reading my book."
"Okay..." Tiara replied dispiritedly and walked out.
Downstairs...
The two women sat together.
Seeing Tiara approaching, Quincy asked as if gossiping, "Did you ask James why he didn't stay at the Callahans?"
Tiara looked at her and asked, "Should I not have come to Cansington? Did I make it difficult for James? If that’s the case, then I’ll leave tomorrow."
"What do you mean you’re leaving?"
Quincy reprimanded her.
"This is James and Thea’s problem, and it has nothing to do with you.They had no strong foundation in their relationship anyway and were bound to divorce.Even without you getting involved, they would've divorced."
"But it’s because I showed up and caused distress to James.I-I couldn't help myself from coming to see him," Tiara said tearfully.
"Silly, pursue him if you like him.Isn’t it normal to like someone? Go ahead and be more courageous,"
Quincy teased playfully.
Wrapped under her thick blankets, Cynthia could not help teasing Quincy too.
"You like him too.So why aren’t you taking any initiative?"
"Me?" Quincy smiled dejectedly.
"James rejected me a long time ago.It’s impossible for us."
Listening to their gossip, Maxine was also intrigued and said with a smile, "I haven't been acquainted with James for long, but I can tell that he’s an incredibly indecisive person.He doesn’t want to disappoint either one of you girls.He is in a dilemma because he cares too much about the people around him.However, I believe he’ll figure out the person he wants to spend his life with a little more time."
While the women downstairs gossiped about who James liked, James locked himself in the room.
He sat in a lotus position and started to meditate.
James relaxed his mind and body, leaving behind all the complicated thoughts.
After calming down, he took out the second volume of the medical book.
He flipped it open and read it attentively.
The second volume of the medical book mainly recorded Crucifer’s applications.
However, James only had a preliminary understanding of it.
He read the medical book and translated the ancient words in his mind into modern language.
At the same time, he visualized a human figure covered with silver needles on its meridians and acupoints.
James tried to understand and comprehend the context, attempting to learn how to channel the energy in one person’s body to another and absorb it as one’s True Energy without hurting the human body.He studied the book throughout the night and even forgot to have dinner.
The night passed silently.
The next day...
James put down the thick medical book in the morning and took a deep breath.
"After studying the whole night, I finally found something that'll work.However, I can’t be certain that it will succeed,"James murmured.
James found a way to channel the Cold Energy in Cynthia’s body, absorb it, and refine it into True Energy.
However, there was a premise.
He would have to cultivate his True Energy again.
Moreover, it was only a theoretical method.
They would have to test it out to know it worked.
Knock! Knock! Knock! There was frantic knocking at the door.
James rolled out of bed, walked over, and opened it.
Quincy appeared in her pajamas outside the door with her hair still messed up, shouting anxiously, "Tiara’s missing!"
Chapter 909
"Missing?"
James was stunned.
He recollected himself and asked, "She was fine yesterday.How did she suddenly go missing?"
Quincy sighed.
"She was acting strange last night and asked many unusual questions."
"What kind of questions?"
"In short, she felt that she had troubled and distressed you.She thinks you didn’t stay with the Callahans and that you came back because of her.I woke up and couldn’t find her anywhere.She even packed and left with her luggage."
James wore a worried expression.
"Why’re you still standing in a daze? Hurry and find her!"
"Me? Where am I going to find her?"
James was at a loss.
Quincy said, "She must be planning to return to the Capital and probably hasn’t arrived at the airport yet.Can’t you use your connections to stop her from leaving?"
"Mihm."
James nodded and rushed down the stairs.
Maxine had already gotten up and was using her True Energy to discharge the excessive Cold Energy in Cynthia’s body.
Seeing James coming downstairs, Maxine stopped the process.
James asked, "How’s she doing?"
Maxine replied, "She'll be fine for the time being.You don’t have to worry about her.Go and bring Tiara back.I haven’t known her for a long time, but I can tell she has a good heart and was simply thinking of you.Don’t let anything happen to that sweet girl."
"I’ll head out to look for her."
James walked toward the door.
Before he left, Quincy shouted, "I'm going to the company first.Keep me updated!"
"Alright," James hurriedly answered her and headed out.
After leaving the villa, he took out his phone and tried to call Tiara.
"Sorry, the phone number you've dialed is currently unavailable.Please try again later."
James phoned Tiara’s number but could not get through because her phone was switched off.He racked his brain for a moment and decided to call the Blithe King.
The call was connected almost immediately.
The Blithe King’s voice transmitted through the phone.
"Are you back, James?"
James said, "Yeah.Blithe King, I need to ask for a favor.Could you immediately contact the airport, high-speed rail, and bus stations to identify and stop a person from traveling?"
"Who?" asked the Blithe King.
"Tiara," James replied.
Hearing this, the Blithe King frowned and said, "James, it wouldn’t be a problem for me to help you if this was an official matter.However, if word got out that I used my authority to help you with a private matter..."
"Blithe King, this will be the last time.Countless forces have their eyes on me and the people around me.If Tiara leaves now, she might encounter danger and be captured by an enemy.What would I do if that happened?"
"This is the last time."
The Blithe King hung up the phone.
He immediately issued an order to notify the airport, high-speed rail station, bus station, dock, and other transportation means to stop Tiara if they spotted her trying to leave.
Meanwhile, James took a taxi directly to the airport.
Although he was unsure of how Tiara would return to the Capital, boarding a plane seemed like the first choice.
If he rushed to the airport, he might be able to stop her.
The night before, Tiara thought about it for a long time.
She felt James could not make a decision because she suddenly showed up.
Tiara understood that James was a national hero, the War God of Sol.
Thus, he would surely keep his promise, which was why he gave up his beloved Thea.
She wanted to pursue her happiness but did not want to destroy other people's relationships.
Ultimately, she concluded that it was best for her to leave.
James would not be in such distress after she left.
Before dawn, she packed her bags, bought a ticket to the Capital, and left.
After getting off the taxi, she walked toward the airport entrance.
However, a voice suddenly called out for her.
"Tiara, where are you going?"
Hearing the voice, she turned around and looked for its source.
Many people were behind her, but most were simply travelers with luggage hurrying toward the airport.
After scanning her surroundings for a while, she spotted an old man standing not far away.
The old man was dressed in white baggy clothes, had neat short white hair, and looked about 60 years old.
He looked at her with a bright and friendly smile.
Tiara’s brow immediately furrowed.
Chapter 910
The old man approached her.
Tiara asked, "Were you calling me just now, sir?"
"Of course."
The old man was none other than Thomas.He leaned forward and whispered into Tiara’s ears.
"Really?!!"
Tiara was ecstatic.
"Definitely.Come with me.It’s not a lie," Thomas said with a smile.
Tiara left the airport with Thomas inside a black vehicle, while James reached the airport a little too late.
After arriving, he phoned the Blithe King.
The Blithe King informed him that there was indeed a person named Tiara Youngblood that booked a ticket.
However, she did not board the plane.
James frowned upon hearing the news.
"She didn’t board the plane?"
"Yeah, the flight she booked has already taken off, but she didn’t board the plane."
"Alright.I got it."
James hung up the phone.He sat on the stairs outside the airport, smoking a cigarette pensively.
"Where could she go if she didn’t board the plane?" James muttered to himself.
"Did something happen to her?"
James suddenly became anxious, and he called the Blithe King again.
"Blithe King, use your intelligence network and help me investigate immediately.I’ve got a bad feeling that something might have happened to Tiara."
"Okay," the Blithe King agreed without hesitation.
After hanging up the phone, he hurriedly activated the military intelligence network.He even collected surveillance footage near the airport.
Soon, he found some clues.
James waited patiently outside the airport.
Ten minutes later, he received the surveillance footage from the Blithe King.
The footage showed Thomas talking to Tiara and her following him into a vehicle.
Then, James' phone rang.
"I’ve already sent the footage to you.Tiara was last seen leaving with the man inside the video.The man's identity is still unknown, nor have we tracked down the whereabouts of the black vehicle.
"Alright."
James hung up the phone.He stared intently at the video and zoomed in on it.
The footage was slightly blurry, making it hard to see Thomas’ face.
However, James felt that the man seemed incredibly familiar to him.
"Who's this man? What did he say to Tiara to convince her to follow him?" James muttered.
Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.
"Grandpa..."
He identified the man inside the video.
The person was his grandfather, who was framed ten years ago, causing him to turn against James’ father and he was ultimately burned to death in the inferno.
"This is impossible!"
James shook his head.
‘It can’t be Grandpa.He died ten years ago.This can’t be him.
‘But this person looks so similar to him.They’re almost identical.If it’s not Grandpa, who else could it be?’ James was confused.
After a while, he recollected himself and sent the video to Jay.He demanded, "Use your underground intelligence network to find out the identity of the old man in this video.I want every single piece of information related to him."
"James, it'll take some time for me to gather intel about him.I'll report to you in three days."
"No.I must have it before dark today,"
James insisted.
Jay was helpless.
All this while, he had constantly been helping James to look up information.
"Alright.I'll do my best."
Jay answered and hung up the phone.