Chapter 14: Ambrose Davidson

Words : 2035 Updated : Nov 20th, 2025

"Carmen!" Ambrose's eyes fluttered open. He looked exhausted, and he lifted his hand with effort. Carmen immediately grabbed his hand and dropped to her knees by the bed. Tears welled up. "Grandpa, I... You scared me half to death!" Everyone in the room was tense with emotion. Rodrigo and another veteran physician trembled with excitement at witnessing the long-lost, legendary Ancient Acupuncture, barely able to contain themselves. Everett was elated for another reason. He finally didn't have to fear the Davidson family's retaliation. He had dodged a bullet. Denise was delighted, too, though less openly than the others. Relief softened her face, and admiration warmed her gaze as it fell on Dante. Was he really the drunken, gambling, womanizing loser who knew nothing and cared for no one? Ambrose reached out to wipe away his granddaughter's tears. Then he looked toward Dante, still placing needles, and said, "Carmen, I've been ill for a long time, and I knew it was beyond saving." "If something happens to me, don't blame anyone here. Don't take it out on them." "I just wanted to bring you to Grivoria to open up the market for you. Even after I'm gone, you won't have to worry about a thing." He had always known how dire his condition was. He'd told almost no one, not even his family, and certainly not his granddaughter. Expanding into Grivoria had been his way of setting her up before he died, so she would never lack for anything and could avoid the ruthless infighting at the family headquarters in the capital. He hadn't expected the episode to come early and nearly take him out. "You... you knew already?" Carmen blurted out, stunned. She had felt Ambrose was frail, but not at the point of getting his affairs in order. "Why didn't you tell me? I can take you overseas for the most advanced treatment. They can absolutely fix this." "It won't help. I know my own body best." Ambrose's eyes never left Dante, working calmly with the needles. A smile tugged at his mouth. "I thought I was out of time, but I'm lucky to meet this miracle doctor. I can feel the strength I lost starting to come back." "His needlework is truly extraordinary. Illnesses that world-class doctors couldn't touch, he actually managed to. There's even a faint chance of a cure." "Doctor, what's your name? Are you married?" "Don't talk," Dante said, cold as ice. He knew Ambrose's status was high. But after a thousand years of experience in the Cultivation Realm, after becoming the Medicine Lord, power and pedigree had long since lost their meaning to him. He didn't care. Denise, Everett, and the others weren't so detached, and his bluntness made them jump. Carmen's temper flared. "What are you saying? How dare you speak to my grandpa..." "Carmen..." Ambrose lifted a hand to stop her, the faint smile never leaving his face. "Let him be. That's how true experts are. Don't be rude." She bit back her retort, snorting softly, her displeasure simmering. Denise, caught between them, looked a bit awkward. Soon, Dante finished placing the needles and gathered up every silver needle. Thud! The elder who had been pacing with excitement fell to his knees at once and touched his forehead to the floor three times. "Dr. Easton, to see the legendary Ancient Acupuncture resurface is a great blessing for our country. Seeing this with my own eyes, I could die happy." "I've devoted my life to healing and met countless experts in medicine. You're the only one I've ever wanted to apprentice under. Please take me as your apprentice." Denise, Everett, and Rodrigo stared, momentarily thrown. Why did this scene look so familiar? Just a few days earlier, Rodrigo had knelt in the same way, begging to be accepted as an apprentice, only to be refused flatly. That memory was still vivid, and now the same scene was repeating. The three settled back to watch. Dante didn't so much as glance at the kneeling man. He tucked away the last needle and said offhandedly, "Not interested." A smile crept onto the lips of Denise, Everett, and Rodrigo. As expected. "Umm... Wait!" Rodrigo's friend, Otis, was at a loss. He enjoyed a high standing up north. People lined up every day to see him, to beg to study under him. He was a towering figure in his field. Now, even after he lowered himself and pleaded, he'd been turned away. "Dr. Easton, I... I have some reputation in the northern region. If you'd take me as your apprentice, I can give you..." "Otis, that won't work. Get up." Rodrigo lifted him by the arm and described what had happened a few days ago. "Dr. Easton's heart isn't in it. Even if you offered him everything you had, he still wouldn't accept you." Otis gaped at him. "You... you were refused, too?" Rodrigo said nothing. He let out a long sigh and shook his head. Denise let the moment pass with a small smile. She turned to Dante, who had already finished packing up, and quickly asked, "Mr. Easton, how is Mr. Ambrose?" The room went still. All eyes turned to him, full of hope. "His case is a bit more complicated than your father's," Dante said evenly. "If he hadn't run into me, he wouldn't have lasted three days. I've removed the immediate danger. For a full cure, he'll need follow-up treatment." Ambrose's illness was terminal. If Dante still had the strength of the Medicine Lord, he could have fixed it in minutes. But his cultivation had only just restarted. He'd have to take it step by step. Ambrose's eyes widened slightly. "You can really cure me?" Dante gave him a sidelong glance. "You should be able to feel the changes in your body." Ambrose's gaze sharpened. After a brief silence, he said, "Everyone out. I want a word with the doctor alone." Denise looked at Dante. His calm was unruffled. She beckoned to the others and led them out. Ambrose pushed himself up in bed with effort and studied Dante for a while. "Doctor, are you a cultivator?" At last, a ripple passed through Dante's steady gaze. He looked at Ambrose but didn't answer. "I mean someone who trains beyond the mundane, the martial path?" Ambrose added quickly. Dante's brows drew together. His soul had entered the Cultivation Realm for three thousand years, survived a millennium of slaughter, and then returned to his body on Earth. The existence of cultivators on Earth would hardly be surprising. "You've met other cultivators?" Ambrose grew visibly excited. That question all but confirmed Dante's identity. "I have. Those men have an intimidating presence. You're different. You're indifferent, yes, but your aura isn't the same as theirs. When you placed the needles, I felt a warm current sweep through my limbs and bones. That's why I guessed." Dante began to consider reaching out to other cultivators. On this Earth, where spiritual energy was thin, they might have better practice methods. "I'll treat you. In return, introduce me to other cultivators." Ambrose frowned. "Doctor, are you cultivating on your own? No problem. I'll make contact in the coming days. Shall we exchange contacts?" They swapped contact information. Dante didn't linger. He stepped out of the ward and found Denise waiting anxiously by the door. "Tomorrow is the Swift family's Renaming Banquet. Don't forget." "Yes." Denise, Carmen, and the rest slipped back into the ward at once. "Mr. Ambrose, how do you feel?" Denise asked, unable to wait. Ambrose's gaze lingered toward the doorway. "Ms. Mendes, what's your relationship with Dr. Easton?" Denise knitted her brows, then replied at once, "We're on very good terms. My father suffered a grave illness a few days ago, and he's the one who cured him." Ambrose said gravely, "From now on, he's my honored guest. You must not slight him. Whatever he asks, do everything you can to make it happen. If you can't, come to me." "What's his name? Is he married?" "His name is Dante Easton. He just got divorced." "Divorced?" Ambrose blinked in surprise. Dante was a cultivator. He was bound to be a standout. Divorcing him was pure folly. "All the better. Carmen, go after him." Carmen, Denise, and the others stared, utterly speechless.

Chapter 14: Ambrose Davidson

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