Chapter 13: David's Reverence

Bang! Emery's body hit the floor with a thud, his eyes wide open and instantly losing their focus. "This was my decision!" David's voice was sharp and decisive. Silence fell. No one expected David to shoot Emery right in front of John. The crowd was in an uproar. "David, how dare you! You're abusing your authority and committing murder!" John wiped the blood and brain matter from his face, his face twisted with rage. He never expected David to pull out a gun and shoot. "Who says I abused my authority?" David lowered his gun, his face completely blank. "Everyone saw it, and you're still trying to deny it?" John was furious, baffled by David's sudden madness. "Daniella Shaw is the younger sister of war hero Flynn Shaw, and she's a martyr's family member. According to Dristopia's first law protecting the families of martyrs, anyone who insults them can be severely punished! Your manager at Holy Pharmaceutical insulted and tried to hurt her, and Emery interfered with official duties and tried to order the police around. I acted out of necessity, using my legal authority," David said coldly. "Is this your reason?" John's face darkened. That law existed, but no one cared. Ever since Flynn died, Daniella had been treated like dirt by the Everett family. "Precisely!" David's face was icy as he ignored John, turning respectfully to Allan. "Sir, does this outcome satisfy you?" David stood ramrod straight, his tone full of respect. Everyone could notice how much respect he was showing. It was shocking. David was only thirty-six, already the chief of police in a big city, and a high-ranking official. He had a bright future and absolute power. But now he was showing so much respect to a guy in his twenties, "Handle it according to the law," Allan spoke calmly. Then he added, "I don't want to see them again." "Yes!" David nodded immediately.  Allan seemed only in his twenties, and the Dragon Ring represented the Dragon Palace's identity.  Seeing that ring meant the Dragon Palace was about to return. David was part of that organization. "Arrest them!" David ordered.  Several officers quickly stepped up, cuffed Myra and Peter, and dragged them off. "Hold on!" John suddenly called out, his eyes icy as he glared at Allan, his tone full of menace. "David, you're just going to walk out like nothing happened? Aren't you going to give me an explanation?" "An explanation?" David's gaze was indifferent, a hint of killing intent about to erupt.  "I don't know who you think you are, but I'm the deputy director at Holy Pharmaceutical in Junbert. Messing with me won't do you any good. You're just making trouble for yourself!" John spoke, realizing Allan's identity might not be ordinary.  After all, even David showed such humility. But to let his son's death go unavenged? He couldn't swallow this anger. "Oh? And what do you plan to do about it?" Allan smiled, but his eyes were icy cold. "Junbert isn't big, but it's not small either. Even if you're powerful, you might not control this territory, so..." Before John could finish, David suddenly stepped forward and landed a heavy punch on his shoulder. Bang! John screamed, flying backward.   He could feel death breathing down his neck.  Fear flashed in his eyes.  He never thought David would lay a hand on him. Moreover, when he looked into David's cold eyes, his heart trembled.  He did not doubt that David would crush his chest with a single punch if he spoke again. "John, I'm executing my duties. If you obstruct me again, I can act first and report later!" Show some respect to the gentleman!" David didn't even bother to hide his killing intent.  The air felt heavy and dangerous, and everyone nearby felt a chill run down their spines.  Everyone remembered that David, before becoming the police head, was a soldier who had earned his stripes on the battlefield. "You!" John clutched his chest, speechless with terror.  Who was this young man that David would bow so low? "Sir, I'll take my leave now." David nodded to Allan, then waved for the officers to remove Emery's body. "Where are my herbs?" Allan walked over to the doctor, Connor Lane. "They're… right here. All of them." Connor stammered, handing over a big bundle of herbs.  Allan checked, confirming all the herbs were present. "Good. These herbs will compensate for what happened today at Holy Pharmaceutical." Allan grabbed the herbs, took Daniella by the hand, and walked out.  The crowd was speechless.  Holy Pharmaceutical was nearly dismantled, and he still demanded compensation for distress. ... Back at the Shaw manor, weeds had taken over, and all the valuable paintings, antiques, and furniture had been removed.  Only some old wooden beds and blankets remained.  Daniella usually survived on leftover food from nearby restaurants, and the only thing left in the kitchen was a cheap electric hotplate. Allan was planning to make some medicine.  "Too bad there's no alchemy cauldron, but this hotplate should do for now," he thought, plugging it in and waiting for it to heat up. "Allan, are you… cooking? I could go out and grab... buy some groceries," Daniella said.  Her words made Allan's heart ache. He looked around the run-down manor and noticed the wilted veggie scraps that people at the market had thrown out.  "Daniella, you've had it rough."  Allan couldn't imagine her sneaking out to pick up tossed-out veggies for five years.  The more he thought about it, the angrier he got at the Everett family.  Daniella was a great girl, and Flynn was a hero.  How could they treat her like this? The Everett family deserved payback for what they did. "Allan, I'm used to it. The vegetables are quite fresh, see? I'm healthy," Daniella reassured, smiling despite the hardship. "Daniella, just wait a minute. I'm going to make you a Rejuvenation Pill to restore your looks," Allan promised, pulling himself together. "Alchemy?" Daniella's eyes lit up with curiosity as she watched Allan closely.  She'd never seen an alchemist, only read about them in books.  In ancient times, alchemists needed the support of royals or wealthy families to get the materials.  Using a hotplate for alchemy? That sounded impossible! Daniella looked amazed. As the hotplate warmed up, Allan carefully added the herbs, the most critical step in making the pill.  Purifying the ingredients was key, removing anything harmful and blending what was good.  With a hotplate instead of a real cauldron, one wrong move could blow the whole thing up. "Allan looks so cool!" Daniella thought, feeling warmth in her heart as she watched him work.  She never thought she'd see him again. She felt safe and at peace. About thirty minutes later, a delicious smell filled the room.  When Allan lifted the lid, there were four shiny pills inside.  "Wow, it worked! These pills are so cute!" Daniella exclaimed, sniffing them, her eyes lighting up.  She was amazed by Allan's alchemy skills. "If I had an alchemy cauldron, these would be even better. But this should be good enough," Allan said, handing the pills to Daniella.  "These Rejuvenation Pills will bring back your glow." "Really?" Daniella's voice shook as she grabbed Allan's hand, staring at the pills with hope. "Of course," Allan smiled warmly. Without hesitation, Daniella took the pills, filled with anticipation. Allan quickly stuck a few silver needles into the acupuncture points on Daniella's face.  "Just relax, Daniella. You'll be good as new in about an hour. While you rest, I'm going to visit the Everett family," Allan said, then turned and left the manor. "Allan!" Daniella called out, worried, but he was already gone.