Chapter 8: Refusing An Apprentice

Words : 1946 Updated : Nov 20th, 2025

Dante put the two curse bugs in a glass vessel. An idea occurred to him. He wanted to give the Swift family the curse bugs as a gift. He quickly jotted down a prescription. Rodrigo, the towering authority in traditional medicine, hurried over, his brows furrowed. He asked, "He... Besides being cursed, is he also poisoned?" Dante answered gravely, "There's a colorless, odorless chronic toxin eating away at his organs. It works hand in glove with the curse bugs. I've removed the bugs, but the poison could still be fatal." "Have the pharmacy fill this prescription and brew the herbs. It'll stabilize him for now. I'll adjust the treatment after I see how he responds." He had once been the supreme Medicine Lord of the Cultivation Realm. Upon returning to Earth, his cultivation hadn't yet recovered. Otherwise, he would have wiped out all the toxins. For now, with Kara Piper's Negative Physique as support, he had set back on the path of cultivation and just entered the first level of Energy Refinement. The treatment had to proceed in stages. He hoped Denise's Ice Phoenix Physique would help him climb higher in cultivation. As he spoke, he drew out the silver needles from Asher one by one, each removal neat and deft. "Denise..." A faint, weak voice came from the bed. "He's awake, the patient is awake!" A nurse cried out, and every head snapped toward the room. "This is unreal. Even our specialists at Junbert Hospital were stumped, and he pulled him back from the brink. Does he really know Ancient Acupuncture?" "This is the legend of traditional medicine. Our forebears honed it for millennia. Conventional medicine has overshadowed it in recent years, and some people have forgotten our roots." "Say what you will. His reputation stinks, but his skill is undeniable. Give it time, and he'll be a name that echoes through the medical world." The onlookers still rejected Dante's notoriety, but they kept nodding in acknowledgment of his medical skill. Thud! Rodrigo suddenly knelt. His eyes were red, his body trembled with excitement, and he looked up at Dante. The sight startled more than a few people. Rodrigo was the pillar of the traditional medicine department at Junbert Hospital, a beacon across Junbert, and his standing was sky-high. Others knelt to him. Never had anyone seen him kneel to another, least of all a young man dogged by scandal. "Dr. Hollister, what are you doing? Please get up!" "Dr. Hollister, you're the face of our traditional medicine department. How can you kneel to a young man?" "Dr. Hollister, your status is unmatched. Dante's medical skill may be impressive, but his reputation is terrible. Kneeling will reflect poorly on you. Please rise!" Doctors and nurses stared in shock and urged Rodrigo to his feet. Several reached to help him, only to find him unmoving, as if nailed to the floor. He pushed their hands away. Tears welled in his eyes as he spoke, his voice trembling. "Medicine is measured by mastery, not age. Dante Easton may be young, but he's shown us Ancient Acupuncture, lost for a thousand years. It's a treasure of the medical arts." "I, Rodrigo, have practiced traditional medicine for decades. I've searched for Ancient Acupuncture for decades and never seen the technique. To witness it today, I could die without regret." "I may have some fame in the field, but compared to Ancient Acupuncture, my influence is a faint spark, worlds apart. Here and now, I want to apprentice myself to Dr. Dante Easton. If Dr. Easton accepts me as his disciple, I'll follow his lead from this day on." A stunned hush fell over the ward. In an instant, everything went silent. People stared at Rodrigo, whom they had seen as their idol and guiding star, minds reeling. He wanted to be Dante's apprentice. Rodrigo's stature in traditional medicine was immense, the role model and target of countless younger doctors. And now, he asked to put himself under Dante. If Dante agreed, his position in the medical field would soar, catapulting him to the top overnight, on the strength of Rodrigo's name. It turned everything on its head. "Dr. Hollister, you... You want to take him as your mentor?" "This upends everything. You're the goal I've chased my whole career! If you take him as your mentor, then what... what am I supposed to do?" "Dante, I'm already seeing a blazing new star in the medical field. His future will be no less brilliant than Dr. Hollister's." The hospital staff hadn't seen it coming. They were floored. Dante stayed calm, unruffled. Anyone else would have been beside themselves. He had once stormed the Cultivation Realm, the Medicine Lord who fought his way up to the Nine Heavens. This kind of thing didn't faze him. He let his gaze pass over Rodrigo and said, almost lazily, "Take me as your mentor? Not interested." The words struck like thunder. Rodrigo's request had already defied all expectations. Dante's refusal made jaws drop. With Rodrigo as his apprentice, Dante could have ruled the medical world, been courted by great conglomerates, and watched wealth, power, and status roll in. He declined without a second thought. Everyone was stunned. Even Rodrigo seemed taken aback, a little embarrassed. "Dr. Easton, do you think I'm not qualified?" Dante replied languidly, "I get that you want to learn Ancient Acupuncture. If you're interested, we can discuss. I have no interest in taking apprentices." "I have more important business. Three years ago, someone orchestrated a car crash for my mother and me. Sending every last one of the culprits straight to hell. That's what I care about." "What belonged to us, I'll reclaim a thousandfold." He turned his gaze to Denise, and his eyes went cold. "Denise Mendes, does your promise still stand?" Denise's eyes narrowed. She knew how the Swift family had seized control of Pamela Group, though it hadn't affected her life enough to draw much notice. Moments earlier, she had ordered a quick investigation into Dante's situation. She learned that for three years he had lived worse than a stray dog, and tonight he had carried the unconscious Ashley out of the Swift Residence. No one knew where he'd taken her. He was in the hospital, and Ashley wasn't. Add to that Eddie Swift arriving to look for his sister, and she feared Ashley was already dead. The car crash three years ago had left him mentally impaired. Tonight's actions proved he had recovered and begun his revenge. First was his wife, Ashley Swift. Second was his brother-in-law, Eddie Swift. Next, the Swift family would bleed. And because of her promise, the Mendes family would be drawn into the dispute. The Mendes family was first‑tier. Crushing the Swift family would be as easy as swatting a fly. Denise didn't flinch. She said, firm and steady, "I, Denise Mendes, once I give my word, I don't take it back. I'm willing to do anything for you." "Mr. Easton, I heard the Swift family plans to rename Pamela Group as Swift Corporation and hold a grand Renaming Banquet, inviting many prominent families. The Mendes family is on the list. I can do something. Just say the word. I'll do it, even if it kills me." Dante's eyes hardened. His eyes flashed with cold, murderous intent. "Renaming? When?" "In three days." "Good. It's time to send the Swift family a few gifts." "Mr. Easton, what gifts do you want? I can prepare them." "Coffins." "Coffins?" Denise blinked, then nodded. For enemies, what else would he send? "How many?" Dante said, his voice icy, "One for each member of the Swift family."

Chapter 8: Refusing An Apprentice

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