Chapter 7 He Cannot Be A Blockhead

“General, is Norton really a doctor? Can he actually heal your injuries?” Serene asked as they walked outside. “Also, were you about to tell him you're White Swan?” Once they were outside, Serene couldn't wait to ask. On the way there, Lucille had already filled Serene in that Norton was a doctor and had been treating her earlier. Lucille replied, “I'm confident Norton could heal my wounds, but I don't want him to rush it. Earlier, I did think about revealing my true identity, but did you notice? When I told him we were soldiers in the Military Department, his face didn't change. He was completely calm.” Serene recalled that it was indeed true. Lucille added, “Norton is much more mysterious than we realize, and my savior's disciple can't possibly be a blockhead. So, remember what I said in the ward—don't try to investigate him.” “Understood!” Serene nodded and opened the car door for Lucille. Once Lucille stepped inside, her phone began ringing. Upon seeing the caller ID, Lucille's face tightened. She motioned for Lucille to drive, and once they were moving, she answered the call. Meanwhile, Norton had arranged for his mother's discharge after her surgery. Two hours later, he returned home with her in tow, arriving at their house in the suburbs. As soon as they walked in, he noticed a middle-aged man sitting in the yard, smoking. “Dad, you're back?” Norton's father, Harlan Qualls, rarely came home. If Norton remembered correctly, it had been almost eight years since his father had last been around. His father was a quiet man, and Norton always felt like a stranger to him. Neither he nor his mother had ever asked what his father did outside. “Yeah, I'm back. How's your mom doing?” Harlan stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and gently lifted Martha from Norton's back, carrying her to the bedroom. “Don't worry, she'll wake up soon. With a few more days of rest, she'll be fine! Dad, how long are you staying this time?” Norton asked. “I'm not going anywhere. Life's been tough for you and your mom, hasn't it?” Harlan carefully placed Martha in bed, tucking her in, then walked outside with Norton. “I've been fine, it's my mom who suffered,” Norton said. “Dad, now that you're back, I hope you'll stay. I want to open a clinic in the city. I studied medicine and I'm pretty good at it, so I hope you can support me.” Although Norton didn't really need the money—the wealth Dorian had left him could support him and his parents for many lifetimes—his love for healing had only grown stronger. And now that he was engaged to Lucille, he wanted to be a respectable professional without revealing his true identity as War Overlord Ares. Opening a clinic seemed like the perfect fit for him. At first, Harlan didn't respond but offered Norton a Marlboro cigarette. After a moment, he finally said, “Whatever you decide, I'll support you. Need money?” “No, I've got some,” Norton replied. “Dad, you stay here and take care of Mom. I'll go check out a storefront and maybe even buy a house.” “All right,” Harlan said with a nod, sitting back down and lighting his cigarette again. Back at the hospital, Benedict Zulker, Howard's father, was furious. Howard had passed out on the bed, and the best doctors had already said that Howard would never walk again. “How could he do this? Break my son's leg!” Benedict raged. Lillian, who exactly is this Norton? Tell me everything, what happened?” Howard was Benedict's only son, the one chosen to take over as the head of the family. If he ended up confined to a wheelchair, how could he ever assume that role? Lillian had been terrified for a while now, her face swollen and bruised. The image of Norton's intimidating glare was still burned into her mind, and she couldn't shake it. But now, with the support of the Zulker family behind her, Lillian regained her former contempt for Norton, saying, “Mr. Zulker, this Norton is nothing but a pauper, a nobody! Five years ago, Howie put him prison, and now, just after getting out, he's already causing me trouble. Last night, he attacked both me and Howie. I didn't expect he would do this today...” “Not only did he break Howie and Bjorn's legs, but he also extorted five million from Howie and me!” Tears filled her eyes. “Mr. Zulker, you must get revenge for Howie. If Howie can't stand again, I... I won't be able to keep going.” In her desperation to impress Benedict, Lillian was ready to throw herself at any opportunity. Her dramatic performance got Benedict's attention, and just as her head was about to collide with the wall, he quickly grabbed her. “He's gone too far, completely lawless! Does Norton really think my Zulker family is weak and helpless? Lillian, I've always seen how much you care for Howard. Don't worry, I won't let Norton get away with this! Gunther!” Benedict was furious, and without delay, Gunther, the Zulker family's chief bodyguard, appeared at his side. “Go, break Norton's limbs and bring him to me!” “Don't worry, Mr. Zulker,” Gunther assured him. “I'll make sure that guy can't move a muscle when I bring him back! Anyone who dares touch the son of the Zulker family is asking for trouble!” Gunther was a peak Combat Grandmaster, and with him in charge, Benedict could rest easy. Before long, Gunther took off, and shortly after, Benedict left the hospital. Despite doctors claiming that Howard would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Benedict refused to accept it. He had already called his younger brother, Nathan Zulker, to have the come to Yarburn to treat Howard's legs. If it weren't for the fact that the family was focused on finding the White Swan, the female warrior, Benedict would have personally led a team to deal with Norton. Meanwhile, Norton had arrived at a real estate agency to buy a house. He had planned to buy a house first, then get medicine, and while he was at it, scout for a storefront. But as soon as he entered the door, he found a group of people gathered, crying and wailing loudly. “Grandma, please don't go! If something happens to you, how could I face my dad and everyone else? “When will the ambulance arrive? Hurry it up...” “What happened?” Norton walked over with quick strides. As he got closer, he saw an elderly woman lying unconscious on the couch. In one glance, he diagnosed the cause of her collapse. It was a sudden heart attack! The situation was urgent, and even if the ambulance arrived immediately, it might be too late. “I'm a doctor, I can save her. Clear the way!” Norton declared. With the urgency of the moment, he couldn't hesitate. He pushed past the people in his way and knelt next to the elderly woman. In a swift motion, he inserted several silver needles into her body. Then he placed his hand on her back, channeling a surge of vital energy into her. Almost immediately, the elderly lady stirred, a miraculous change taking place. She felt an unusual vitality flowing through her, bringing a sense of comfort she had never known before. Before she could say a word, Norton spoke, “Take this pill first. You've been dealing with heart disease for at least thirty years, and your fainting spell was just a sudden onset. After you take this pill, we'll head to the hospital for heart medication. After that, you won't have any more episodes. But from now on, try to be careful, especially not letting your emotions run wild!” As he spoke, he placed a pill in the elderly lady's mouth. Less than a minute after swallowing it, she regained her strength completely. “Thank you, young man,” she said, her voice full of gratitude. “I've been living with heart disease for over thirty years, but now I feel healthier than I ever have before!” “Thank you so much. My name is Emily Weiss!” Emily looked at Norton, and though she found him unremarkable in appearance, she couldn't shake the sense of awe. He didn't seem extraordinary, yet the vital energy he had transferred into her felt so pure and powerful. I didn't sense any combat artist aura from him, but how could the vital energy he transferred to me be so pure? Moreover, I can't seem to gauge his cultivation level either. And what kind of pill was that? It worked so fast... A rush of questions flooded Emily's mind as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.