Chapter 4: First Flash of Edge

Words : 1762 Updated : Jan 22nd, 2026

Before Gwen Lidyard could act, Diego Scull had already finished the treatment. "Ms. Juggins is fine now. She just needs plenty of rest and to avoid any shocks." Quinton and Emery bowed their heads in gratitude. "Thank you, Doctor. Thank you." Gwen rushed past Ander Yale and grabbed Alexis Juggins's hand. "Alexis, how do you feel?" Alexis had woken. Her brows pinched, a hint of discomfort still in her face. But the glassy look in her eyes quickly sharpened, and the dullness from before faded. "Gwen, I'm okay. My head just still hurts a little." Diego Scull packed his medical kit, chin high. "A bit of pain is normal. My Twelve Soul-Chasing Needles snatch lives back from the King of Hell." "But correspondingly, the needles carry heavy baleful energy. Ms. Juggins, rest well for half a month and you'll be fine." Gwen stared. "My grandpa told me there's a Master of Medicine in Estoria whose Twelve Soul-Chasing Needles can haul a dead man back from the gates of hell." "Mr. Scull, so that mysterious master is actually you." Diego Scull basked, delighted at being recognized and revered. He had loved this feeling since he was fifteen or sixteen, and it still thrilled him to this day. He had mastered the art of putting on airs-and never tired of it. Just then, a laugh sounded at the side, ill-timed, the kind that burst out when someone couldn't hold it in. Diego Scull arched his thick brows. "Young man, are you laughing at me?" Ander waved his hands. "No, no. Mr. Scull's skills are otherworldly. I wouldn't dare-unless…" Diego Scull cut him off with a cold snort. "Unless what?" "Unless I can't help it." Diego Scull almost spat blood and kept chuckling in anger. "So you, kid, think I was bragging just now?" Gwen and Emery bristled, shouting in unison at Ander, "Get out, you useless live-in son-in-law! What right do you have to mock Diego Scull?" "Apologize to Diego Scull-now." They never imagined a man who had just married into the Juggins family would dare question Diego Scull. Where did Ander get the confidence? "Why should I apologize? Is he stronger than me, or did I say anything wrong?" Ander's expression stayed bland. "'Twelve Soul-Chasing Needles' wrestling with the King of Hell… Mr. Scull, it's the twenty-first century. We shouldn't be throwing around superstitious claims." Seeing Ander's half-smile, Diego Scull felt slighted and provoked. His temper flared. "In any other setting, you wouldn't even qualify to talk to me." "But today, I want you to spell it out. How did I not cure Ms. Juggins? Her mind has completely cleared. Do you have eyes or are you blind?" Gwen gritted her teeth. "Mr. Scull, don't stoop to him. He's a clown trying to get attention." "Alexis, you're recovered. Tomorrow, go divorce him." Alexis suddenly clutched her head. Pain twisted her pretty features. "Ah, my head hurts. It hurts." When the pain finally ebbed, her eyes went vacant again. She glared at Quinton and Emery and at Gwen. "Who are you people? Why are you standing by my bed?" "Where's my husband? You even pushed him to the back. So annoying." She shoved Gwen away with a pale, delicate hand, dragged Ander to the front, and beamed at him. "Hubby, I remember at our wedding yesterday you said you'd buy me candy." "Where's the candy? I want it. Give it to me." Quinton and Emery, Gwen, and Diego Scull all froze. Gwen's mouth twitched. "Doctor, it seems Alexis's problem flared up again." Diego Scull scowled. "It shouldn't have. Let me take another look." After a round of checks, his face turned sour. "This is odd. I used the Twelve Soul-Chasing Needles to stimulate her cranial acupoints and drew out the clotted blood from her car crash, yet the dementia symptoms persisted." "Could there be another cause?" No one answered. Gwen and the others didn't understand. Ander spoke calmly. "Yes. There's another cause." "As long as you find it, you can cure her." Gwen snapped, "Ander, do you know medicine? Stop butting in." Unwilling to give up, Diego Scull examined Alexis again, even breaking out instruments. After a long while, he wiped the sweat off his forehead and said weakly, "Forgive me. I'm powerless. I can't cure Ms. Juggins's dementia." Seeing him so deflated, Quinton and Emery, and Gwen all panicked. If even Vincenzo Scull couldn't do it, didn't that mean Alexis was beyond saving? Ander stepped forward and smoothed a hand through Alexis's silky hair. "Alexis, let me treat you, okay?" She sucked on her finger. "Okay-but you have to give me candy. If there's no candy, I'll make trouble." Ander took out two milk candies for her. Emery snapped a warning. "Ander, touch Alexis and I'll come for you." Ander didn't look back. "Mom, you saw it. Diego Scull couldn't help Alexis. I have to take action." He drew a breath and channeled his inner energy, setting his palm on Alexis's chest. Under the surge of power, a purple-black stain rose beneath her skin and crawled along her arm, forced out a little at a time. "Mr. Scull, lend me a few silver needles," Ander said. The moment Diego Scull saw that purple-black, he gasped. "A virulent toxin-hidden deep. I really didn't catch it." Hearing Ander ask for needles, he hurriedly opened his case. "Young friend, all my needles are here. Use whatever you need." Without even noticing, he had changed how he addressed Ander, his tone turning respectful. Ander selected silver needles and pricked Alexis's fingertips one by one. Purple-black drops of blood welled out immediately. Emery, seeing her daughter bleed, lunged to grab Ander. Diego Scull barked, "Step back. Don't disturb Mr. Yale's treatment." Emery stammered, "Doctor, do you really be… believe this kid knows medicine?" Diego Scull's expression turned complicated. He sighed. "Laymen watch the spectacle; professionals see the craftsmanship." "I won't get into the technicals-you wouldn't understand." "I'll just say this: having such a son-in-law is a blessing your family earned over generations." Quinton and Emery gaped. They had never expected Diego Scull to rate Ander so highly. Gwen's lips parted in shock. Diego Scull's medical skill was profound, and he was arrogant to the bone. No one had ever earned even a word of praise from the old fox. Yet now, looking at Vincenzo Scull, he seemed on the verge of kneeling to Ander Yale.

Chapter 4: First Flash of Edge

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