Chapter 9: An Awkward Meal

Words : 1775 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Fabian Farrell lay on the bed, replaying the day until sleep eluded him. Since he couldn't fall asleep, he sprang upright in one smooth motion and settled in to cultivate his Divine Dragon Technique. Hunter had taught him this martial technique, insisting it was the strongest technique in the world. At its peak, Hunter claimed, one could change one's very form-becoming a true dragon, unbound by time and space. Fabian had never really believed that. Hunter always got swept up in his own stories, and Fabian listened as if it were a fireside fable. The Divine Dragon Technique was divided into nine tiers: One: Breath Intake. Two: Bone Forging. Three: Meridian Condensing. Four: Spirit Link. Five: Iron Body. Six: Divine Might. Seven: Void Breaker. Eight: Full Mastery. Nine: Dragon Transformation. The first through third tiers were called minor attainment; the third through sixth were major attainment. Beyond that, Hunter said, only legendary figures had ever succeeded. Fabian only aimed for the sixth tier. If he reached it, not only would he gain a millennium of life, but he'd also be untouchable. For now, though, he had only just broken through to the third tier. The road ahead was still long. With that in mind, he slid out a silver needle and pricked the sole acupoint of his foot and the Sky Acupoint. He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and formed a hand seal. Soon, a thin stream of golden-tinged energy shimmered along the needle and slowly threaded into his body. He used the needle to speed up energy absorption-it worked well. He silently recited the incantation and urged his True Essence to flow faster through his meridians. The night slipped by. At first light, Fabian let out a long, heavy breath. He could feel his True Energy had grown denser, his spiritual power a notch higher. He opened his eyes. He hadn't slept a wink, yet he felt clearheaded, without a trace of fatigue. Knock, knock, knock! "Rise and shine, don't sleep in!" A bright, clear voice came through the door. Fabian couldn't help smiling. "Coming!" He opened the door to find a girl in a pale blue dress, a touch of makeup softening her delicate features. Long legs, a tiny, wasp-waisted figure, and Bella Doyle's luminous face-she looked like a flower in full bloom, and Fabian's eyes lit up in spite of himself. Catching the open admiration in his gaze didn't put Bella off. If anything, she felt a little pleased despite herself. Color rose in her cheeks. "What are you staring at?" she asked, her voice soft and teasing. "You," he said. "You're very beautiful. Stunning." At that, her blush spread to her neck. She hurried to cut him off. "Don't butter me up. I'm here to get you for breakfast. Come on, Grandpa's waiting!" The hospital had already confirmed yesterday that Hugo was fine, so Kingston insisted on being discharged. By the time Fabian and Bella reached the dining room, everyone in the Doyle family was already seated. Fabian offered a rueful smile. "Sorry to keep you all waiting." "It's just family-don't worry about it," Kingston said. "How was your first night? Getting used to it?" Amara asked, concerned. "Thank you, Aunt Amara. I slept great-the bed's really comfortable." All through breakfast, the Doyle family kept sneaking looks at Fabian. Kingston was the worst, fixing on him now and then with a small, satisfied smile. Under their collective gaze, Fabian felt a prickle of awkwardness. He kept quiet, knowing there was no malice in it, just simple curiosity. Sensing his discomfort, Bella looked up and said, "Is he really that interesting to look at? Eat your breakfast instead of staring at him. You're making it hard for him to eat." Amara laughed. "We're just admiring how handsome and composed he is. He looks especially well matched standing next to you." At that, Bella ducked her head, though the pink on her cheeks was plain for everyone to see. When they finally finished, Bella grabbed Fabian's wrist and tried to whisk him away from all the teasing. Just then, Kingston chuckled. "Carlos, it's been days. Let Grandpa see whether your chess has improved." Carlos Doyle froze, put on a tragic face, and trudged to the board. "Grandpa, I'm sure I can last twenty minutes this time." "Haha. Good-that's progress," Kingston said, delighted. Bella led Fabian into the study. She said, "Grandpa's loved Go since he was a kid. Whenever he has free time, he plays a game with my dad or my brother. Even Haltoria's Go champion from a few years back couldn't beat him. He's always treated it as a pastime, though. If he took it seriously, those champions wouldn't have had much to brag about." Fabian smiled, thinking of Hunter on the mountain, who loved both Go and Chinese chess. With no one else around, Hunter had only Fabian to challenge. Soon Dante Doyle and Carlos took turns. Both chose Chinese chess. Kingston spotted Carlos four pieces and still beat him in under twenty minutes. Dante went next with a one-piece handicap and lasted only half an hour. Kingston looked at Carlos. "Do you know why you and your father lost?" Carlos thought it over. "Grandpa, I don't know." Dante felt a twinge of embarrassment. Losing was one thing; now came the commentary. Kingston turned to Fabian. "Fabian, do you play Go?" Fabian blinked, surprised to be called on. Then he smiled. "A little." "Then tell us-why did Dante and Carlos lose?" "Carlos is younger. He plays too recklessly. He doesn't look at the whole board and gets lured off his line of thought too easily. Uncle Dante is the opposite-too meticulous, careful at every step, but that caution turns into hesitation. If you can't sacrifice, you can't win." Kingston's eyes lit up. "Good. Well put. Seems you understand Go. How about we play a couple of games?" "It would be an honor." Fabian sat. Off to the side, Dante was still thinking about Fabian's assessment, feeling a prickle of discomfort. He glanced at Bella, thinking, Where did she find this young man-he can heal, and he can play Go. Carlos curled his lip. "Hmph. He can play Go? Don't mix it up with five-in-a-row." Bella rapped her brother lightly on the head. "Keep it up and I'll tell Mom to cut off your allowance. Grandpa just said Fabian knows his stuff. He's definitely better than you." With that, she ignored Carlos's pout and turned back to watch the game unfolding between Fabian and Kingston.

Chapter 9: An Awkward Meal

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