What did that mean? Why would someone refuse gifts and then destroy the giver?
Could it be…
There was no doubt about it now. This was a bid for domination, akin to the methods of ancient tyrants-“Obey me, and you thrive; defy me, and you perish!”
But in this day and age, how could such people still exist? Weren’t they being absurdly arrogant?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Kayden nodded thoughtfully and said, “It seems their intentions are clear. They wanted control of the John family. When they failed, they decided to wipe you out entirely.”
Memphis John nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s exactly their goal! If not for your intervention, the John family would have already been turned into a living hell.”
“Thank you so much!” Overwhelmed with emotion, Memphis John bowed deeply in gratitude.
“Stop that!” Kayden frowned, clearly disliking such formalities. “When you talk to me, drop the politeness. If you keep this up, I’ll get angry.”
Hearing this, Memphis John quickly nodded. “Yes, yes, I understand!”
Kayden continued, “Do you know where they came from?”
He regretted not interrogating them earlier. Now all of them were dead, and while an investigation could still yield answers, it would take time. Time they didn’t have. Wood Faulkner was still missing. Every day that passed increased the risk.
The Zodiac Generals had given their all for him; how could he let them down? Once he found Wood Faulkner, he planned to go after Gold Swanson. On the battlefield, Gold Swanson was known simply as “Gold.”
Memphis John shook his head helplessly. “I’m afraid I don’t know.”
Kayden glanced at the corpses. He should have left one alive. Now the situation was more complicated-without leads, finding them would be a serious challenge. For the first time in a while, Kayden felt the weight of uncertainty.
As he was lost in thought, a weak voice broke through the silence.
“I… I know!”
The voice was like a beam of light piercing the darkness. Kayden turned toward it and saw Lucy. Supported by two servants, she stood at the side, panting in pain.
Kayden raised an eyebrow and walked over to her.
“They’re-” Lucy began but was interrupted as she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Kayden quickly reached out, steadying her with one hand. Then, without hesitation, he pressed his fingers to her wrist to check her pulse.
Lucy felt the warmth of his touch and hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, Dr. Scott! They’re-”
“Stop talking,” Kayden interrupted firmly, continuing to check her pulse.
There was an undeniable dominance to him that made him deeply captivating. Lucy, who respected strength above all, had admired Kayden from the moment she first met him.
Now, being cared for by him, her heart fluttered uncontrollably. Of course, she knew she wasn’t worthy of him. He was too brilliant, too extraordinary. Even the pampered daughters of the John family seemed inadequate beside him, let alone someone like herself.
Still, his actions moved her deeply. Despite his urgency to uncover the enemy’s identity, he refused to push her while she was gravely injured. The contrast between the ruthless man from moments ago and this compassionate healer left her in awe.
As Lucy’s thoughts ran wild, Kayden finished checking her pulse and released her hand. Calmly, he pulled a small bottle from his pocket, retrieved a pill, and handed it to her.
“Take this,” he said.
Lucy blinked in surprise, struggling to process what was happening.
“Take it,” Kayden repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m not in a rush.”
Lucy nodded and obediently swallowed the pill.
The moment she did, her expression shifted dramatically. She felt a cool energy coursing through her body, spreading rapidly. It was as if ice-cold water was flowing through her veins, healing her from within.
“Sit down,” Kayden instructed.
Lucy followed his command, and within minutes, the heaviness in her body began to lift.
It was an indescribable sensation. Though her internal organs and broken bones had been severely injured, she now felt as though she was on the verge of full recovery. How was this possible? What kind of medicine could achieve such miraculous effects?
She looked up at Kayden in disbelief. “Doctor, what was that pill? I feel… I feel like I’ve completely healed.”
As she spoke, Lucy stood up from the ground. To her astonishment, her broken bones had mended in mere moments. Even her internal injuries seemed fully repaired. No matter how much she’d seen in her life, she had never encountered anything so miraculous.
Memphis John, standing nearby, was equally stunned. He had always known Kayden’s medical skills were extraordinary, but this was beyond anything he had imagined.
Kayden remained calm as he said, “That was an Aetheria Capsule.”
“Aetheria Capsule.” The name echoed in Lucy’s mind, leaving her in shock.
“Dr. Scott,” she stammered, “did you say… an Aetheria Capsule?”
Kayden nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”
Lucy stared at him, her admiration reaching new heights. Back when she was with The Nightshade, her branch head had once mentioned the legendary Aetheria Capsule. It was said that a single capsule could boost one’s strength by at least thirty years. The pill was so difficult to craft that only a handful of mythical figures in history had ever succeeded.
Her branch head had sacrificed thousands of disciples in pursuit of an Aetheria Capsule but failed to obtain one. He had mourned the loss bitterly for three days.
And now, she had just swallowed one.
“This pill is priceless!” Lucy exclaimed. “How could you bear to give it to me?”
Kayden chuckled coldly. “It’s just a pill. What’s the big deal?”
For him, Aetheria Capsules were not hard to come by. As long as he had the ingredients, he could craft more.
“Now,” he said, shifting back to the matter at hand, “tell me-who were they?”
Lucy nodded, snapping out of her reverie. Despite her lingering astonishment at the pill’s effects, she replied, “They were members of The Nightshade. The Nightshade is a hidden sect to the east. They rarely appear in the modern world, and even when they do, they ensure no one can trace their movements.”
Kayden’s eyes narrowed.
The Nightshade.